Living with diabetes: The holistic experiences of Nigerians and African Americans

The purpose of this study was to understand the holistic and transcultural experience of living with, and growing old with, diabetes for Nigerians and for African Americans. In this study, 5 themes were identified and described; however, 2 drives-fear and living-were the main coping strategies that participants used to balance their life holistically. The results show that in the face of their fears, subjects from both cultures never gave up their hope for living. Rather, they often sought out and used holistic and complementary approaches while maintaining their spiritual faith and hope.     

Caring for the foot mobile: holistic foot and nail management

Proper foot and nail management is essential to maintaining a good quality of life and remaining independent as we age. Basic and ongoing care of the feet and proper shoe selection are critical not only for preventing diabetic foot problems, but also for helping to lead productive, balanced lives. When our feet hurt, the rest of our body most likely hurts too. Because proper foot and nail care and education are critical for preventing ulceration and amputation, especially in persons with diabetes, this outcome case study presents a holistic approach to the management of foot and nail problems.     

In vitro effects of 2-methyl-3-propylbutane-1,4-diol purified from Alstonia boonei on erythrocyte membrane stabilization and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization

A recent review on the ethnomedicinal, chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of Alstonia boonei revealed the plant's potential in the treatment and management of a range of diseases. However, most of these pharmacological effects are only traceable to the crude form of the plant extract and not specific natural products. Phytochemical investigation of the methanol fraction of the methanol extract of the stem-bark of Alstonia boonei led to the isolation and identification of 2-methyl-3-propylbutane-1,4-diol. The structures were elucidated by the application of 1D-, and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with literature data. In this study, the membrane stabilizing activity, mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial ATPase activity, and prevention of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation activity of 2-methyl-3-propylbutane-1,4-diol (MPBD) isolated from A. boonei were determined. The results showed that MPBD significantly (p < .05) prevented peroxidation of mitochondrial membrane lipids and hemolysis using both the heat-induced and hypotonic solution-induced membrane stabilization assays. On the contrary, the compound caused large amplitude swelling of rat liver mitochondria in the absence of calcium, significant (p < .05) cytochrome c release and enhancement of mitochondrial ATPase activity in vitro. Our findings suggest that MPBD showed characteristic biological properties useful in modulating cell death.     

Traumatic Dental Injuries: A seven-year evaluation of peadiatric cases seen in a tertiary hospital

BackgroundEarly presentation, prompt and adequate interventions of Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDIs) are necessary to prevent unwanted sequelae/complications.ObjectivesTo assess the pattern of TDIs among the affected children, identify the treatments received and the resultant complications/sequelae.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of dental records of all paediatric patients from December 2011 to December 2018. TDIs were recorded according to the WHO classification (1995). Information on the treatment received, clinical and radiographic sequelae of trauma were also retrieved. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software Version 22.ResultA total of 776 teeth (208 primary, 568 permanent) were traumatized in 513 patients (314 males, 199 females, mean age = 8.86 ± 4.04 years). The peak age at occurrence of trauma was 8 years. The majority of patients complained of broken teeth (51.5%), sustained injury at home (47.6%), had trauma due to a fall (88.7%) and presented after one year of trauma (27.3%). Three quarters of motorcycle accidents occurred in 6–12 year–old children. More young age groups sustained injuries at home compared with older age group (p = 0.000). Avulsion (26.1%) and uncomplicated crown fracture (38.2%) were the commonest injuries to primary and permanent dentitions respectively. The most common sequelae of trauma were pulpal necrosis followed by internal root resorption. Tooth extraction (42.8%) and root canal treatment (37.0%) were the commonest treatments given in both dentitions respectively.ConclusionThe pattern of TDIs appeared not to have changed considerably but motorcycle accidents contributed to the aetiology and pulpal necrosis was a major complication due to late presentation.     

Application of PRECEDE‐PROCEED model to tackle problems identified with diarrhoea burden among under‐5s in Botswana

Diarrhoea has been identified as the second leading cause of mortality among under‐5s and also claims more life than HIV, measles and malaria combined together in the same category of population. This article is a combination of literature review and personal experience of lessons learnt from past diarrhoea outbreaks in Botswana that caused significant rate of mortality among under‐5s. The paper used literature review to identify contributory factors to diarrhoea burden among under‐5s in Botswana and applied a community health nursing framework (PRECEDE‐PROCEED) to tackle the problems identified. The study revealed that Botswana mothers are lacking in knowledge related to exclusive breastfeeding, prevention and treatment of diarrhoea disease. The paper recommends that health‐care workers in Botswana be sensitized on current diarrhoea management to tailor their health education methods appropriately.     

Machinery penile injuries associated with traditional trousers of the Yoruba of South-western Nigeria: A consideration for proper work clothes

Appropriateness of garments for different vocations to avoid unintended injury to the worker has always been recognized. This report of two cases of machinery penile injuries in patients wearing the traditional trousers of the Yoruba tribe of south-western Nigeria emphasizes the need for wearing appropriate clothes when operating machines.