EFFECTS OF OFLOXACIN ON EXPERIMENTAL FRACTURE HEALING IN WISTAR RATS

Background: The process of bone healing is highly influenced by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Ofloxacin is one of the extensively used broad spectrum antibiotic in current clinical practice, belongs to fluoroquinolones, which are known to have adverse effects on chondrocytes. Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the bone healing process in untreated femoral fractures in rats under the influence of Ofloxacin. The effects were evaluated by means of radiology, histology and mechanical strength of callus by clinical examination. Methodology: Study was conducted in four phases comprising of forty Wistar rats. Each phase had ten rats, which were divided into two group of  5 rats each, one study group and another control group. Unilateral displaced femoral fractures are produced in both groups and in study group, Ofloxacin administered for four weeks. After 4 weeks animals are killed and fractures examined clinically, radiographed and histological study of fracture callus was done.Results: Radiography and clinical examination showed signs of healing in all fractures. Histologically healing process showed progressive formation of callus but histological abnormalities were detected in study group compared to control group. Conclusions: There was no clinically significant difference on bone callus strength and radiologicaly no signs of difference in union of femoral fractures with the use of ofloxacin when compared to control group. However histologically there were significant differences particularly around endochondral ossification front. This study differs from previous studies which reports that ofloxacin may have some adverse effects on chondrocytes.   Key words: Ofloxacin; Chondrocytes; Experimental fracture healing; Wistar rat

Venice Chart International Consensus Document on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: 2011 Update

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93647/1/j.1540-8167.2012.02381.x.pd

Health Status and Cancer Screening in Hispanic Women: A Sample from Cumberland County, North Carolina

This exploratory study examines self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening history among women aged 18 years and above in Cumberland County, NC. Cumberland County is a multi-ethnic, semi-urban, racially diverse community with a large Hispanic population. Cross-sectional, mixed methodology data collection took place in local Tiendas. The sample consists of women belonging to a variety of ethnic groups generally classified as “Hispanic.” The questionnaire and interview guide used in the study developed from the Center for Disease Control’s National Health Interview Survey, and measured breast examination, mammogram, Pap Smear, family cancer, and health insurance history, as well as self reported health status, socio-demographic, and cultural features of the respondents. We found that despite demographics from the 2010 Census showing a high incidence of breast and cervical cancers in the North Carolina Hispanic population, fewer Hispanic women in Cumberland County screened themselves for the presence of this cancer as compared to women at the national level. Education positively impacted both self rated health status as well as cancer screening behavior. Interview data suggested the lack of screening behavior in this population was due to a perceived lack of cultural sensitivity and a dearth of translators

Racial Health Disparities in a Military County: A Research Report

Since 1972 CDC has sponsored the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The survey collects data from a large sample of US households, a sample of adults in each household, and a sample of children in each household. But unfortunately county level data on health status are not available as readily and consistently as compared to the national level. This paper describes a telephone-based survey of health on one county to overcome the gaps in the national samples. It is concluded that phone surveys are a cost-effective way to provide for local information on the health status the population. Sample questions are included in the article