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Biomedical subjects

N H Thanh

Publications and source records attributed to N H Thanh.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical field testing of polyurethane feet for trans-tibial amputees in tropical low-income countries.

In a prospective controlled study, 172 polyurethane feet of different designs were fitted to 155 amputees with trans-tibial prostheses. These were followed in respect of their durability. The amputee compliance was in general good, and 87% were satisfied with their device. After 18 months the failure rate of 20% with the CIREC spring-blade foot was significantly better than the others, but poorer craftsmanship, higher complaint rate and lower compliance rate cast some doubt on the results. The results with the conventional SACH foot constructions with polyurethane as filling and covering materials were so poor after 18 months that their use cannot be recommended in tropical areas of the developing world.

Adolescent↗

Sand-casting technique for trans-tibial prostheses.

A sand-casting technique for trans-tibial sockets was applied to 28 amputees, and the prosthetic fit observed through transparent check sockets. The results were better than historical reports of fittings with plaster of Paris casting by qualified prosthetists. The fit was consistently and evenly larger than the stump, but total contact could be achieved by applying three (two to five) stump socks. This would normally be considered on the high side of a good fit.

Adult↗

Circulation of type 1 wild poliovirus in northern Vietnam during 1991-1994.

From 1991 to 1994, 143 polioviruses were isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis in northern Vietnam. Of these 143 isolates, 133 were type 1 and five of each were type 2 and type 3. These isolates were intratypically differentiated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Of the 133 type 1 isolates, 113 were wild strains and only 20 isolates were of Sabin vaccine-like strains. These 113 isolates were divided into seven groups by PCR-RFLP patterns and were also classified into three genomic groups by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. One of the three genomic groups accounted for the majority (75) of these isolates. The isolates belonging to the predominant group were found during 1991-1993. The second group, which included 17 isolates, were detected only in 1993. These isolates had genome sequence similar to isolates in southern Vietnam in the same year. The third group of isolates were detected only in 1991 and were considered to be Mahoney-like wild strains. All isolates examined were different from those obtained in other countries. In 1994, however, no wild-type polioviruses were isolated in our study. These results reveal that three unique strains were circulating in northern Vietnam in recent years, and indicate that the incidence of poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus is decreasing.

DNA, Viral↗