Pain, balance, self-reported function and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Disability resulting from knee osteoarthritis (OA) is determined by physiological and functional variables though the interactions between the variables remain unclear and deserve further study. This study's major objective was to explore the relationship between pain, body mass index (BMI), balance, self-report function, and physical function in a cohort who had both unilateral and bilateral knee OA. Fifty-two patients (46 female, 6 male) ranging from 31 to 80 years of age (mean?±?SD: 59.0?±?9.8 years) with radiograph-confirmed OA of the knees participated in this study. Participants' pain intensity, self-reported function, dynamic balance, and physical function performance were measured by using box numerical scale, OA Index of Lequesne, functional reach test, and both stair climbing and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests, respectively. Associations between age, BMI, pain, balance, self-reported function, and physical function performance were explored by univariate and multivariate analyses at α?=?0.05. Significant direct correlations were found between physical function performance and self-reported function (r =?0.56, r =?0.01) and age (r =?0.55, p =?0.01) and between self-reported function and age (r?=?0.40, p =?0.01) in the cohort with bilateral knee OA. Significant inverse correlation was observed between age and balance (r =?-0.58, p?=?0.01) in participants with unilateral knee OA. In the regression model for all participants, self-reported function and age accounted for 27.0% of the variance in stair climbing test and 29.0% of the variance in the TUG test. Self-reported function and age are significant predictors of physical function in individuals with knee OA.     

Clients' reasons for prenatal ultrasonography in Ibadan, South West of Nigeria

Background  

Prenatal ultrasonography has remained a universal tool but little is known especially from developing countries on clients' reasons for desiring it. Then aim was to determine the reasons why pregnant women will desire a prenatal ultrasound.     

Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Maternal Consumption of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Hybanthus Enneaspermus on Pregnancy in Sprague Dawley Rats

The impact of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) on pregnancy factors and litter survival was investigated in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2g/kg body weight of HEaq orally. Blood samples were collected on days one and twenty of pregnancy for total blood count, serum thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) assay. Half the number of rats in each group was sacrificed on day nineteen of pregnancy and the placenta and foetus were removed and weighed. The second half carried their pregnancy to term. Number and weights of litter were recorded at birth and the litter were also subjected to righting reflex test. Post-natal survival rate was determined for each group while effect of HEaq was also examined in-vivo on the activities of pregnant myometrial muscle. HEaq significantly decreased (p<0.05) foetal weight, placenta weight, foetal growth and survival, number and weights of litter at birth, maternal serum triiodotyroxine T₃ and TSH level. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count and lipid profile were significantly increased (P<0.05). HEaq increased the frequency and percentage contraction of gravid myometrial muscle in a dose dependent manner. Maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus adversely affected pregnancy and development of the foetus, as it precipitated resorption of developing foetus and reduced size and weight of litter at term.     

Gait quality and physical functioning of stroke survivors with and without aphasia

Gait, often impaired after stroke, has not been adequately compared between survivors with aphasia (SWA) and those without aphasia (SWNA). Since a relationship exists between severity of motor deficit in stroke and aphasia, this study investigated differences in the gait quality and also physical functioning (PF) between the two groups. This cross-sectional, exploratory study involved 10 SWAs and 16 SWNAs. Gait parameters (stride length, step length, step width, gait velocity, and cadence) were evaluated while PF was measured with the Stroke Impact Scale (version 16). Data analysis was done using frequency, percentages, mean ± SD, two-sample t test and Spearman rank-order correlation. SWNAs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher step length (0.29 ± 0.11 m vs. 0.17 ± 0.08 m), stride length (0.58 ± 0.20 m vs. 0.38 ± 0.14 m), cadence (86.3 ± 17.1 steps/min vs. 57.7 ± 20.4 steps/min) and PF (67.1 ± 13.1 vs. 49.6 ± 12.9) than SWAs. PF had no significant relationship with any of the gait parameters in either group. In conclusion, SWAs had poorer gait quality and PF than SWNAs. The presence of aphasia with stroke merits more attention from the clinicians when it comes to designing gait rehabilitation programs for this client group.     

Coartemether induced oxidative and hepatic damage in Plasmodium berghei strain Anka infected mice

This study investigated the effect of coartemether on antioxidant and hepatotoxic biomarkers in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Erythrocyte, hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase (2.71 ± 0.51; 1.96 ± 0.87; 2.84 ± 0.22 Units/mg protein respectively) and catalase (4.10 ± 0.10; 8.25 ± 1.24; 6.28 ± 0.11 Units/mg protein respectively) activities were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in “parasitized and treated” (PnT) animals. Renal glutathione level (19.02 ± 0.20 μg/mL) was elevated in PnT animals. Glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde levels in hepatic (8.76 ± 0.49 μmol/min/mg; 527.23 ± 24.56 mmol/dL) and renal (3.35 ± 0.30 μmol/min/mg; 464.42 ± 59.13 mmol/dL) tissues were significantly high (p < 0.05) in coartemether-treated animals alone. Plasma aspartate transferase (9.45 ± 3.59 U/L) and alanine transferase (5.78 ± 2.36 U/L) were high in PnT animals. Therefore, data indicates that in the presence of P. berghei, coartemether could alter the antioxidant status and induce hepatotoxic damage in mice.     

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian Physiotherapists

Background  

Physiotherapists are known to be prone to Work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) but its prevalence among physiotherapists in Nigeria has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence and work factors of WRMDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria.