CONSTRUCTION OF MOKEN IDENTITY IN THAILAND : A CASE STUDY IN KURABURI

The purpose of this thesis is to explore Moken identity in Thailand and to expand the knowledge about them. Many Moken live on Surin Island and other islands, but some of them managed to settle down on the mainland after the tsunami in 2004. This is a case study of the Moken living in a village in Kuraburi. Therefore the result of this study cannot be generalised. Both the Moken and non-Moken were subject to unstructured interviews, which consisted of open-ended questions, participatory and non-participatory observations and a survey. This thesis not only gives a general presentation of Moken culture and their changed living conditions after the tsunami, but also discusses the definition of the Moken by themselves through the presentation and by non-Moken and how Moken identity is negotiated or fluid in different contexts

A case of gangliocytic paraganglioma in the ampulla of Vater

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma is an extremely rare tumor and few cases have been reported to date.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The authors report a case of gangliocytic paraganglioma verified by post-op pathology after pancreaticoduodenectomy for a tumor in the ampulla of Vater. The 56-year-old male patient concerned visited our emergency room with melena that started one week prior to hospitalization. The patient was diagnosed to have a tumor in the ampulla of Vater with bleeding on its surface. However post-op, he was diagnosed as having gangliocytic paraganglioma by immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This tumor has precise clinical implications, and if continuous follow up is conducted after careful diagnosis and surgical treatment, invasive major operations, such as, radical pancreaticoduodenectomy can be avoided.</p

Effect of GCSB-5, a Herbal Formulation, on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

Therapeutic effects of GCSB-5 on osteoarthritis were measured by the amount of glycosaminoglycan in rabbit articular cartilage explants in vitro, in experimental osteoarthritis induced by intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate in rats in vivo. GCSB-5 was orally administered for 28 days. In vitro, GCSB-5 inhibited proteoglycan degradation. GCSB-5 significantly suppressed the histological changes in monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, as well as, the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase protein, and mRNA expressions were attenuated by GCSB-5, whereas the level of interleukin-10 was potentiated. By GCSB-5, the level of nuclear factor-κB p65 protein expression was significantly attenuated but, on the other hand, the level of inhibitor of κB-α protein expression was increased. These results indicate that GCSB-5 is a potential therapeutic agent for the protection of articular cartilage against progression of osteoarthritis through inhibition of MMPs activity, inflammatory mediators, and NF-κB activation

Recurrent True Brachial Artery Aneurysm

True aneurysm of the brachial artery is a rare disease entity. The mechanism of aneurysm formation is considered to be compression of the arterial wall, producing contusion of the media and subsequent weakness of the wall and fusiform dilatation. It can be caused by arteriosclerotic, congenital, and metabolic disorders, and can be associated with diseases such as Kawasaki's disease. Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomography, arteriography, and selective upper extremity angiography may be performed for establishing the diagnosis of aneurysm. The best therapeutic option is operative repair, and it should be performed without any delay, in order to prevent upper extremity ischemic or thrombotic sequelae. Here, we report a case of recurrent brachial artery aneurysm with review of the literature

Increasing late diagnosis in HIV infection in South Korea: 2000-2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The number of Koreans diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is increasing annually; however, CD4+ T-cell counts at diagnosis have decreased. The purpose of the present study was to identify clinical and epidemiologic associations with low CD4+ T-cell counts at the time of HIV diagnosis in a Korean population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from 2,299 HIV-infected individuals with initial CD4+ T-cell counts measured within 6 months of HIV diagnosis and reason for HIV testing were recorded and measured from 2000 to 2007. Data were selected from the database of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Late diagnosis was defined by CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/mm³. Reasons for HIV testing were analyzed using logistic regression including epidemiologic variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 858 individuals (37.3%) were included in the late diagnosis group. Individuals with a late diagnosis were older, exposed through heterosexual contact, and demonstrated clinical manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The primary reason for HIV testing was a routine health check-up (41%) followed by clinical manifestations (31%) of AIDS. The proportion of individuals with a late diagnosis was higher in individuals tested due to clinical symptoms in public health centers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 17.3; 95% CI, 1.7-175) and hospitals (AOR, 4.9; 95% CI, 3.4-7.2) compared to general health check-up. Late diagnosis annually increased in individuals diagnosed by voluntary testing both in public health centers (PHCs, P = 0.017) and in hospitals (P = 0.063). Routine testing due to risky behaviors resulted in earlier detection than testing secondary to health check-ups, although this difference was not statistically significant (AOR, 0.7; P = 0.187). Individuals identified as part of hospital health check-ups more frequently had a late diagnosis (P = 0.001)</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HIV infection was primarily detected by voluntary testing with identification in PHCs and by testing due to clinical symptoms in hospitals. However, early detection was not influenced by either voluntary testing or general health check-up. It is important to encourage voluntary testing for early detection to decrease the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS progression.</p

Mainly Adrenal Gland Involving NK/T-Cell Nasal Type Lymphoma Diagnosed with Delay due to Mimicking Adrenal Hemorrhage

A 29-yr-old man, presented with abdominal pain and fever, had an initial computed tomography (CT) scan revealing low attenuation of both adrenal glands. The initial concern was for tuberculous adrenalitis or autoimmune adrenalitis combined with adrenal hemorrhage. The patient started empirical anti-tuberculous medication, but there was no improvement. Enlargement of cervical lymph nodes were developed after that and excisional biopsy of cervical lymph nodes was performed. Pathological finding of excised lymph nodes was compatible to NK/T-cell lymphoma. The patient died due to the progression of the disease even after undergoing therapeutic trials including chemotherapy. Lymphoma mainly involving adrenal gland in the early stage of the disease is rare and the vast majority of cases that have been reported were of B-cell origin. From this case it is suggested that extra-nodal NK/T-cell lymphoma should be considered as a cause of bilateral adrenal masses although it is rare