Workplace bullying among Nigerian artisans in building and construction industry

Bullying is a growing problem in the workplace. This study investigated the bullying experience of building and construction industry artisans.We employed a cross-sectional analytic design to study 240 artisans in respect of workplace bullying (WPB) experience using a self-report questionnaire. Percentage, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis and interpretation.According to the study, a significant percentage (96.1%) of the artisans perceived themselves as victims of WPB within the past 6 months and these experiences also occurred once or more times weekly.WPB is a considerable problem among building and construction industry artisans in Nigeria. Further studies that can influence the construction industry to create valuable programs to minimize bullying among artisans are required.     

Obesity and Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents: The Bidirectional Link

Obesity, eating disorders and unhealthy dieting practices among children and adolescents are alarming health concerns due to their high prevalence and adverse effects on physical and psychosocial health. We present the evidence that eating disorders and obesity can be managed or prevented using the same interventions in the pediatric age. In the presence of obesity in the pediatric age, disordered eating behaviors are highly prevalent, increasing the risk of developing eating disorders. The most frequently observed in subjects with obesity are bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorders, both of which are characterized by abnormal eating or weight-control behaviors. Various are the mechanisms overlying the interaction including environmental and individual ones, and different are the approaches to reduce the consequences. Evidence-based treatments for obesity and eating disorders in childhood include as first line approaches weight loss with nutritional management and lifestyle modification via behavioral psychotherapy, as well as treatment of psychiatric comorbidities if those are not a consequence of the eating disorder. Drugs and bariatric surgery need to be used in extreme cases. Future research is necessary for early detection of risk factors for prevention, more precise elucidation of the mechanisms that underpin these problems and, finally, in the cases requiring therapeutic intervention, to provide tailored and timely treatment. Collective efforts between the fields are crucial for reducing the factors of health disparity and improving public health.     

Treatment Patterns and Survival Outcomes in Patients With Follicular Lymphoma: A 2007 to 2015 Humedica Database Study

BackgroundFew studies have evaluated real-world treatment patterns and survival in follicular lymphoma (FL). This study evaluated these outcomes among newly diagnosed patients with FL in routine clinical care.Patients and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in newly diagnosed patients with FL from Humedica, a large United States electronic medical record database, from January 1, 2008 to July 31, 2015. Patients were followed from treatment initiation until death, loss to follow-up, or end of study (September 30, 2015). Treatment patterns were assessed in the follow-up period. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 2 years were evaluated in the overall population using Kaplan-Meier analyses. OS was also compared between patients with and without evidence of disease progression within 2 years following first-line therapy (ie, early progressors vs. non-early progressors).ResultsA total of 1346 patients were included in the study, with most patients receiving rituximab-based regimens. Fewer early progressors received rituximab-based regimens. Across all lines, combination therapies predominated, particularly bendamustine + rituximab. Following first-line therapy, OS was 86.9% at 2 years, and median OS was not reached. Two-year PFS after first-line therapy was 64.6%, and median PFS was 48.1 months (95% confidence interval, 39.4-58.4 months). OS at 2 years was 76.8% among early progressors versus 90.4% among non-early progressors (P < .001); the median OS was not reached in both groups.ConclusionIn routine clinical practice, rituximab-based regimens predominated; however, utilization of these regimens differed among early and non-early progressors. The assessment of survival outcomes also highlights the negative impact of early progression on OS in the rituximab-era.     

When It Is Not Postpartum Depression: Understanding the Postpartum Mental Health Needs of Mothers and How They Are Being Met

Although often overlooked, subclinical symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms among new mothers increase the risk of more severe problems and can adversely affect maternal and infant health. We conducted focus groups with 92 new mothers and interviews with 20 healthcare providers to elucidate perceptions of mental health needs among first-time mothers and how healthcare providers address these needs. Our findings suggest that a tradition of focusing exclusively on severe presentations of mental health issues may limit maternal and provider ability to address the full spectrum of mental health needs.     

Peritoneal Dialysis for Children with Acute Kidney Injury in Lagos,Nigeria: Experience with Adaptations

♦ Introduction: International professional groups are supporting the training of physicians in developing countries in nephrology, including peritoneal dialysis (PD). This report documents the impact of such efforts in the provision of manual PD for children with acute kidney injury (AKI) in a public hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.♦ Methods: Medical records of all children with AKI managed with PD between July 2010 and March 2013 were reviewed.♦ Results: Seventeen children with a mean (SEM) age of 3.8 (0.8) years received PD for 0 - 18 days; about half were infants. PD was provided manually, frequently with intercostal drains as catheters. Blockage of catheters and peritonitis occurred in 4 (23.5%) and 2 (11.8%) children, respectively. Eight (47.1%) of the 17 children had resolution of AKI and were discharged from hospital. In 4 (57.1%) of the 7 children who died, PD was performed for ≤ 2 days.♦ Conclusion: PD for childhood AKI is feasible in resource-constrained regions with fairly good outcome. Blockage of catheter was the most common complication encountered.     

Cyclosporine nephrotoxicity: associated allograft dysfunction at low trough concentration.

A case report on the nephrotoxic effect of cyclosporine in a 9-year-old boy with a kidney transplant is presented. Nephrotoxicity was present even at low trough cyclosporine concentration. The literature on the range of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is reviewed. Cyclosporine (CsA), a fungal decapeptide first introduced in 1983, has significantly improved the outcome of renal transplantation, and remains the first line immunosupressant for pediatric recipients. CsA has a narrow therapeutic range because of the fine line between adequate immunosuppression and the risk of drug-induced side effects. Furthermore, considerable inter- and intrapatient variability does exist [Filler et al. 1999]. The pre-dose trough concentration is routinely used for therapeutic drug monitoring [Bunchman et al. 1998]. The most significant side effect is nephrotoxicity, which may present differently at different times after transplantation. Renal vasoconstriction, especially involving the afferent renal arterioles, has been strongly implicated as a primary factor in acute reversible CsA nephrotoxicity. Alpha-adrenergic and calcium channel blockade with either verapamil or nifedipine ameliorates vasospasm and impairment of renal function that accompany CsA toxicity. Because of this vasoconstrictive effect, CsA may increase ischemic graft damage in the early posttransplant period. CsA side effects can be eliminated by reducing the dosage of the drug. We present an unusual case of nephrotoxicity and impaired renal function with a very low CsA blood trough concentration (50 ng/ml) on posttransplant treatment. The side effects subsided only after the discontinuation of CsA.     

The modified Location Learning Test: Norms for the assessment of spatial memory function in neuropsychological patients

This study examines the applicability of the modified Location Learning Test (mLLT) as a test of spatial memory in neuropsychological patients. Three groups of participants were examined: stroke patients, patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy participants (N=411). Three error measures were computed, the Total Score (index of overall performance), the Learning Index (the learning curve over subsequent trials) and the Delayed Recall Score, measuring decay over time. The Learning Index was the most sensitive measure, showing differences between the three groups as well as lateralization effects within the stroke group. Also, the mLLT correlated significantly with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, as well as with age and education level. Regression-based normative data were computed based on the healthy participants. In all, the mLLT appears to be a sensitive and valid test for the detection of object-location memory impairments in clinical groups.     

Cardiovascular comorbidities in a United States patient population with hemophilia A: A comprehensive chart review

Purpose

Previous retrospective claims database analyses reported increased prevalence and earlier onset of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with versus without hemophilia A. A comprehensive chart review was designed to further investigate previous findings.