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Biomedical subjects

Fatimah Lateef

Publications and source records attributed to Fatimah Lateef.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Treatment of essential hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with vitamin C.

Inappropriate response of the carotid body region to encroachment of its perfusion results in essential hypertension (EH) and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This encroachment is caused by atherosclerosis. The carotid body perceives the encroachment on the lumen as a reduction in the availability of oxygen and glucose for the brain. Raising the perfusion pressure (thus, resulting in EH) and/ or inducing insulin resistance (causing NIDDM) are seen as compensatory mechanisms in response to the primary pathology, ie the encroachment of the lumen by atherosclerosis. Therefore, the reduction or reversal of the atherosclerosis process will help improve perfusion to the carotid bodies, which will in turn reduce or reverse the pathophysiological compensatory adjustments described above. A supplemental therapy, in addition to the standard treatment, with vitamin C is suggested here. The argument in favour of this suggestion is the basis of this paper. Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant. It is suggested to be used without any interference with the usual therapy prescribed for these two chronic diseases. It is recommended to be administered in small, frequent doses of 100mg every 2h, except during sleep. There is no need for compensation for the occasional missed dose. The safety of larger doses of vitamin C than the current recommendations, represents the beauty and is reassuring in recommending this approach.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Bariatric barosensor: a new paired structure in the paravetebral region of the iliac crest.

A new anatomical entity, which we have decided to name bariatric borosensor, is described. It represents a paired structure under the skin, supero-lateral to the posterior superior iliac spine, overlying the iliac crest at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Each of the paired structure is about the size of an enlarged lymph node; 0.5-2.0 cm in the largest diameter, spherical or ovoid in shape and firm in consistency. They are easily palpated clinically and can be demonstrated objectively by ultrasound examination. A hypothesis is put forth, conjecturing that this new structure may have relevance to the problem of obesity in modern, civilised western societies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

SARS changes the ED paradigm.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging viral infectious disease. The SARS outbreak in Singapore started in mid-March 2003. Emergency departments, being the primary portal of entry into the hospitals, had to come up with rapid strategic changes and modifications to accommodate and manage this public health problem effectively. This report discusses the changes in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Singapore General Hospital, the largest public, teaching and tertiary hospital in Singapore, during this outbreak. It will highlight the safety aspects and universal precautions undertaken, the changes to the triage system, working hours, admission policies, as well as the fluctuations in the patient load.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

Maritime radio-medical services: the Singapore General Hospital experience.

Medical care for the sick and injured on a variety of sea-faring vessels throughout the world represents a challenging area of medical care. The scope is extremely broad and unique in terms of the problems encountered at sea, logistical difficulties in assessment and treatment of patients, as well as the provision of definitive care. The problems of sparse resources availability, great distances, isolation, communications, accessibility, and weather are also very real. In Singapore, radio-medical advice was first coordinated by the Port Health Authority. In 1980, the accident and emergency department at Singapore General Hospital took over this responsibility. This report analyzes 2,320 calls received over a period of 21 years (January 1980 to December 2000). It highlights the common consultations, modes of communications, treatment and management prescribed, training requirements, as well as the challenges for the future.

Emergencies↗
PubMed2002

Riding motorcycles: is it a lower limb hazard?

UNLABELLED: The morbidity and mortality among motorcyclists involved in road traffic accidents (RTA) in Singapore is high. Due to their relatively small size, they represent a vulnerable group of road-users. Many reports from studies performed overseas have shown that both lower limb and head injuries appear to be common among motorcyclists. OBJECTIVES: To study the characteristics of lower limb injuries among motorcyclists involved in RTA, who present to the Department of Emergency Medicine of an urban, tertiary, teaching hospital for treatment. METHODS: The study was conducted prospectively from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. Demographic data was collected together with details of the type of injuries, mechanism involved, management and disposition. SPSS (Chicago, Inc.) was utilised for data management and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1,809 motorcyclists studied, 1,056 (58.3%) sustained lower limb injuries, 328 (18.1%) had head injuries and 256 (14.2%), sustained facial injuries. The mean age was 26.4 +/- 7.2 years and males made up the majority of the patients (1,733, 95.8%). Helmet usage was 100%. The commonest type of lower limb injury was fractures (531, 50.3%). The most common type of fracture was that of the shaft of the tibia and fibula (231, 43.5%), followed by fractures around the ankle (186, 35.0%). For those with more than one body region injured, head injury was noted to be not commonly associated with lower limb injuries. The commonest mechanism of injury was collision with another vehicle, while approaching a turn (769, 42.5%). There were 96 motorcyclists (5.3%) who had clinical evidence of alcohol consumption on their breath at presentation. There were 533 (29.5%) patients who were admitted for in-patient management and the mean duration of stay was 4.8 +/- 4.5 days. Amongst those with lower limb injuries, the admission rate was 30.5% (322 of 1,056) and the mean duration of hospitalisation was 5.3 +/- 3.9 days. CONCLUSION: Lower limb injuries represent the commonest form of injury among motorcyclists involved in RTA. Improved training via motorcycle rider education, better design of future motorcycles and protective footwear may help to reduce this problem.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

New paradigm for protection: the emergency ambulance services in the time of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerging and highly infectious form of atypical pneumonia with a high rate of transmission, especially among health care workers. With SARS, certain policies had to be implemented rapidly by the emergency ambulance services and the Ministry of Health to support and protect all personnel adequately. The authors discuss the changes in policies and personnel behavior, the training and education that had to be disseminated widely, and certain alternatives in policies such as transportation. The authors hope to share their experience in the implementation of these strategies by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and stress the importance of the psychological preparedness of the paramedics and prehospital care providers worldwide in this era of SARS.

Ambulances↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vertical displacement of the precordial leads alters electrocardiographic morphology.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to assess whether the vertical displacement of electrodes affects the waveforms of precordial leads. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred forty healthy, adult volunteers had a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, a 12-lead electrocardiogram with the precordial leads displaced 2 cm cranially, and another with the precordial leads displaced 2 cm caudally from the standard positions. All the three sets of electrocardiograms were visually compared, and changes noted. One hundred twenty male and 120 female volunteers, 20-68 years of age, were analyzed. Fifty-four males (45.0%) and 2 females (1.7%) showed no difference between the 3 sets of electrocardiograms, while 66 males (55.0%) and 118 females (98.3%) had some changes. R wave amplitude changes were noted in 63 male (52.5%) and 111 female (92.5%) volunteers; S wave amplitude changes were seen in 59 males (49.2%) and 99 females (82.5%,); T wave changes in 5 males (4.2%) and 3 females (2.5%); ST segment changes in 1 male (0.8%) and none of the females; and ORS morphologic changes in 1 male (0.8%) and 12 females (10.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Precordial electrocardiographic waveform changes were seen with the vertical displacement of the precordial leads. This will have implications on the interpretation of serial electrocardiograms. Healthcare providers should take into consideration this deviation when interpreting serial ECGs.

Adult↗