The HLA profiles of three common populations from South East Asia, Chinese and Malays from Singapore and Filipinos from the Philippines are documented.

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Dilatation of the cervix by a single extra‐amniotic dose of 25 μg of 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester was attempted in 425 women prior to vacuum aspiration or curettage. The procedure resulted in cervical dilatation of 10 mm or more in 385 patients and a dilatation of 8 mm in a further 21 women. Vacuum aspiration or curettage was possible in these patients without mechanical dilatation of the cervix. The treatment was associated with minor gastiointestinal side effects and pyrexia in a small number of women.

Arguments were presented in opposition to and in favour of St. Marys Cement Inc.’s proposal to construct a limestone quarry near Flamborough, Ontario as written reports and oral debates. This paper describes the development and implementation of a set of decision-making criteria that is used select the stronger of the two opinions. Measures were taken to limit bias in the adjudication process, maintain a high quality of referenced information, and establish a fair, comprehensive set of standards necessary for a convincing argument before the opposing arguments were presented. According to this set of decision-making criteria, the Opponents’ argument in opposition to the movement against development of the quarry was deemed most convincing. Although both parties structured arguments on social, economic, and environmental grounds, the arguments of the Opponents were stronger overall. Construction of the quarry is legal, and should be permitted as a benefit to the province of Ontario.

Background. Nasogastric tubes (NGT) are frequently used in geriatric settings and verification of NGT placement is important for patient safety. This study aimed to ascertain the accuracy of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) colourimeter in the verification of NGT and to estimate the reduction in patient waiting time for resumption of NGT feeding in the general care setting.Methods. Doubtful NGT placements were obtained from patients in three medical extended wards in a public hospital in Hong Kong. Doubtful NGT placements were verified using both X-ray imaging and CO 2 colourimeter. The sensitivity and specificity of CO 2 colourimeter were evaluated using X-ray imaging as the gold standard. The patient waiting time for resumption of NGT feeding were estimated by recording the time required for completion of X-ray imaging verification.Results. There were 26 patients in the study with a mean age of 74.07 years (SD = 16.33). Fifteen (57.7%) of them were male. The final sample consisted of 71 doubtful NGT placement and none of them was misplaced. The specificity of CO 2 colourimeter was 98.6%, while the sensitivity was unable to determine. The patient waiting time required for X-ray imaging verification ranged from 51 to 1095 minutes (mean = 380.75 min., SD = 179.51). Conclusions.CO 2 colourimeter has high specificity in verification of doubtful NGT placement. Replacing X-ray imaging with CO 2 colourimetry verification may speed up resumption of NGT feeding.

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