Effect of playing Nathaswaram on lung function

Objectives: To compare the respiratory function of Nathaswaram players with other players of the same troupe in Colombo district.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 30 nathaswaram players and 30 other instrument players in Colombo district. Information of sociodemographic variables, habits and illnesses were obtained using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Clinical examination was conducted and respiratory function tests were performed using a Vitallograph spirometer.Results: The mean age, height and weight of the players and other players were comparable (p > 0.05).The mean FVC of the Nathaswaram players was statistically significantly higher than the other players (2.99 L ± 0.79 SD of players Vs 2.11 L ± 0.84 SD of controls, p<0.05). The mean FEV1 of the Nathaswaram players were statistically significantly higher than the other players (2.81 L± 0.84 SD of players Vs 1.90 L ± 0.78 SD of controls, p<0.05).The mean FEF of the Nathaswaram players were statistically significantly higher than the other players (4.10 L ± 1.41 SD of players Vs 3.45 L ± 1.63 SD of controls, p<0.05).Conclusions: This study suggests regular playing of the Nathaswaram improves large airway function. However the smaller airway function did not show any significant change

Ethics Review Committee approval and informed consent: an analysis of biomedical publications originating from Sri Lanka

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>International guidelines on research have focused on protecting research participants. Ethical Research Committee (ERC) approval and informed consent are the cornerstones. Externally sponsored research requires approval through ethical review in both the host and the sponsoring country. This study aimed to determine to what extent ERC approval and informed consent procedures are documented in locally and internationally published human subject research carried out in Sri Lanka.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We obtained ERC approval in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. Theses from 1985 to 2005 available at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) library affiliated to the University of Colombo were scrutinised using checklists agreed in consultation with senior research collaborators. A Medline search was carried out with MeSH major and minor heading 'Sri Lanka' as the search term for international publications originating in Sri Lanka during 1999 to 2004. All research publications from CMJ during 1999 to 2005 were also scrutinized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 291 theses, 34% documented ERC approvals and 61% documented obtaining consent. From the international journal survey, 250 publications originated from Sri Lanka of which only 79 full text original research publications could be accessed electronically. Of these 38% documented ERC approval and 39% documented obtaining consent. In the Ceylon Medical Journal 36% documented ERC approval and 37% documented obtaining consent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Only one third of the publications scrutinized recorded ERC approval and procurement of informed consent. However, there is a positive trend in documenting these ethical requirements in local postgraduate research and in the local medical journal.</p

Bio-Repository of DNA in stroke (BRAINS): A study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stroke is one of the commonest causes of mortality in the world and anticipated to be an increasing burden to the developing world. Stroke has a genetic basis and identifying those genes may not only help us define the mechanisms that cause stroke but also identify novel therapeutic targets. However, large scale highly phenotyped DNA repositories are required in order for this to be achieved.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The proposed Bio-Repository of DNA in Stroke (BRAINS) will recruit all subtypes of stroke as well as controls from two different continents, Europe and Asia. Subjects recruited from the UK will include stroke patients of European ancestry as well as British South Asians. Stroke subjects from South Asia will be recruited from India and Sri Lanka. South Asian cases will also have control subjects recruited.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We describe a study protocol to establish a large and highly characterized stroke biobank in those of European and South Asian descent. With different ethnic populations being recruited, BRAINS has the ability to compare and contrast genetic risk factors between those of differing ancestral descent as well as those who migrate into different environments.</p