Persistent macrovascular and microvascular dysfunction in patients with malignant hypertension

Endothelial dysfunction is characteristic of patients with essential hypertension, but only limited data are available on different aspects of endothelial function in patients with malignant-phase hypertension. We investigated myocardial perfusion using real-time quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography with concurrent assessment of macrovascular and microvascular endothelial damage/dysfunction in patients with previous malignant hypertension (but now in stable phase), who were compared with patients with treated "high-risk" hypertension (hypertension) and healthy controls. We measured flow (hyperemia)-mediated dilation and response to glyceryl trinitrate of brachial artery (ultrasound), microvascular (forearm) response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (laser Doppler), pulse wave velocity, circulating endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells in 15 patients with malignant hypertension, 40 matched patients with hypertension, and 40 healthy controls. Patients with malignant hypertension had impaired endothelial-dependant response to acetylcholine (P<0.001, but not to sodium nitroprusside) compared with hypertension and impaired reaction to both stimuli compared with healthy subjects (P<0.001). Patients with malignant hypertension had increased circulating endothelial cells (P=0.001), endothelial progenitors (P=0.008), and stiffness (P=0.003). Both hypertensive groups had impaired response to hyperemia and glyceryl trinitrate when compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). Both hypertensive groups had similar myocardial perfusion, which was significantly lower than in healthy controls. There were no significant differences in hyperemia and endothelium-independent stimuli between the 2 hypertensive groups. In conclusion, despite fairly well-controlled blood pressure, malignant hypertension patients had more pronounced abnormalities of macrovascular and microvascular function (which seem to be both endothelium dependent and endothelium independent) compared with patients with hypertension and healthy controls.     

Risk Factors Associated with a Dengue Fever Outbreak in Islamabad,Pakistan: Case-Control Study

BackgroundOn October 23, 2016, 79 dengue fever cases were reported from the Union Council Tarlai to Federal Disease Surveillance and Response Unit Islamabad. A team was established to investigate the suspected dengue outbreak.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the extent of the outbreak and identify the possible risk factors.MethodsActive case finding was performed through a house-to-house survey. A case was defined as an acute onset of fever ≥38℃ in a resident of Tarlai from October 2 to November 11, 2016, with a positive dengue virus (nonstructural protein, NS-1) test and any of the two of following signs and symptoms: retroorbital/ocular pain, headache, rash, myalgia, arthralgia, and hemorrhagic manifestations. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Age- and sex-matched controls (1:1) were identified from residents in the same area as cases. Blood samples were taken and sent to the National Institute of Health for genotype identification.ResultsDuring the active case search, 145 cases of dengue fever were identified by surveying 928 houses from October 23 to November 11, 2016. The attack rate (AR) was 17.0/10,000. The mean age was 34.4 (SD 14.4) years. More than half of the cases were male (80/145, 55.2%). Among all cases, 29% belonged to the 25-34 years age group and the highest AR was found in the 35-44 years age group (35.6/10,000), followed by the 55-64 years age group (35.5/10,000). All five blood samples tested positive for NS-1 (genotype DENV-2). The most frequent presenting signs/symptoms were fever and headache (both 100%). Stagnant water around houses (odds ratio [OR] 4.86, 95% CI 2.94-8.01; P<.001), presence of flower pots in the home (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.67-4.45; P<.001), and open water containers (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.36-3.60; P<.001) showed higher odds among cases. Conversely, use of bed nets (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25-0.77; P=.003), insecticidal spray (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.55; P<.001), door screens (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.15-0.46; P<.001), mosquito coil/mat (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.16-0.44; P<.001), and cleanliness of the house (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.26; P<.001) showed significant protective effects.ConclusionsStagnant water acting as breeding grounds for vectors was identified as the probable cause of spread of the dengue outbreak. Establishment of surveillance and an early reporting system along with use of protective measures against the vector are strongly recommended.     

A study assessing the impact of different teaching modalities for pharmacy students in a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course

The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of different teaching methods adopted for the practical session of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR training is one of the compulsory modules of the Public Health Pharmacy (PHP) course at Universiti Sains Malaysia. CPR training comprises of 10% of total marks of the PHP course. To test the effectiveness of the different teaching strategies, three groups were defined using a two-stage cohort distribution—i.e. based on grade point average (GPA) and different teaching modalities. Group One was instructed using images and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Two was instructed using videos and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Three was instructed using PowerPoint slides with white boards and videos. Students in Group Three were not provided with a hard/soft copy of the PowerPoint slides and were encouraged to write down all the information on their personal notebooks. A 20-item questionnaire was used to assess the students’ understanding toward the CPR session. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science Students, SPSS version 13®. Based on the response attained, the comparison of the final score among the groups was undertaken using one way ANOVA. Twenty-seven students have participated in this study. Final evaluation using the questionnaire revealed that student’s in Group Three had a better understanding of CPR (18.1 ± 1.5, p <0.001) than the other two. Students’ note taking during the lecture and use of traditional chalkboard teaching were found significant to improve the students’ understanding and learning in the CPR session.     

The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Pakistan. Hospital based study

Background  

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is the most common identifiable cause of secondary glaucoma, the prevalence of which varies considerably among different ethnicities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Pakistan.     

Health Status and Renal Function Evaluation of Kidney Vendors: A Report from Pakistan

Unrelated kidney transplants have lead to commerce and kidney vending in Pakistan. This study on 104 vendors reports demographics, history, physical and systemic examination, ultrasound findings, renal and liver function and GFR by Cockcroft-Gault. Results were compared with 184 age, sex and nephrectomy duration matched living-related donors controls. Comparison of vendors versus controls showed mean age of 30.55 ± 8.1 versus 30.65 ± 7.85 (p = 0.91) years, M:F of 4.5:1 versus 4.2:1 and nephrectomy period of 33.89 ± 30 versus 32.01 ± 29.71 (p = 0.60) months respectively. Of the vendors 67% were bonded laborers earning <50 $/month as compared to controls where 68% were skilled laborers and self-employed earning >100 $/month. History of vendors revealed jaundice in 8%, stone disease in 2% and urinary tract symptoms in 4.8%. Postnephrectomy findings between vendors versus donors showed BMI of 21.02 ± 2.8 versus 23.02 ± 4.2 (p = 0.0001), hypertension in 17% versus 9.2% (p = 0.04), serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.17±0.21 versus 1.02 ± 0.27 (p = 0.0001), GFR (mL/min) of 70.94 ± 14.2 versus 95.4 ± 20.44 (p = 0.0001), urine protein/creatinine of 0.150 ± 0.109 versus 0.10 ± 0.10 (p = 0.0001), hepatitis C positivity in 27% versus 1.0% (p = 0.0001) and hepatitis B positive 5.7% versus 0.5% (p = 0.04), respectively. In conclusion, vendors had compromised renal function suggesting inferior selection and high risk for developing chronic kidney disease in long term.     

Linguistic validation of stigmatisation degree,self-esteem and knowledge questionnaire among asthma patients using Rasch analysis

Background and Objective: The stigmatisation degree, self-esteem and knowledge either directly or indirectly influence the control and self-management of asthma. To date, there is no valid and reliable instrument that can assess these key issues collectively. The main aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the newly devised and translated “Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire” among adult asthma patients using the Rasch measurement model. Methodology: This cross-sectional study recruited thirty adult asthma patients from two respiratory specialist clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. The newly devised self-administered questionnaire was adapted from relevant publications and translated into the Malay language using international standard translation guidelines. Content and face validation was done. The data were extracted and analysed for real item reliability and construct validation using the Rasch model. Results and Conclusion: The translated “Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire” showed high real item reliability values of 0.90, 0.86 and 0.89 for stigmatisation degree, self-esteem, and knowledge of asthma, respectively. Furthermore, all values of point measure correlation (PTMEA Corr) analysis were within the acceptable specified range of the Rasch model. Infit/outfit mean square values and Z standard (ZSTD) values of each item verified the construct validity and suggested retaining all the items in the questionnaire. The reliability analyses and output tables of item measures for construct validation proved the translated Malaysian version of “Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire” as a valid and highly reliable questionnaire.     

核黄素角膜胶原交联治疗早期轻中度圆锥角膜的研究

目的：核黄素角膜胶原交联早期治疗轻度至中度圆锥角膜的预后。

方法：三级眼科诊疗中心的前瞻性研究。共38例47眼轻至中度圆锥角膜接受核黄素角膜胶原交联治疗的患者纳入本研究。术前数据包括参与眼数,视力,眼压,角膜厚度与角膜地形图。术后数据包括最佳矫正视力,眼压,角膜厚度,角膜地形图和术后并发症。

结果：研究包含年龄16～30岁的患者38例47眼。平均术前视力为0.58±0.40 logMAR,术后随访2a显著提高(0.40±0.27logMAR)(P=0.005)。平均术前角膜曲率为50.5±4.6 D,术后显著降低。随访2a平均角膜曲率为48.2±4.1 D(P=0.011)。术后随访2a眼压(15.1±3.0mmHg)较术前(12.9±2.5 mmHg)显著增加(P=0.035)。术前角膜厚度467.9±38.8 μm,术后随访2a(465.0±39.3 μm)明显降低。所有患者均无并发症出现。

结论：早期使用核黄素角膜胶原交联治疗轻至中度圆锥角膜可获得长期的良好视力,而不必等其发展为进展期。     

Massive chylopericardium and chylothorax following cardiothoracic surgery

Chylopericardium is a rare complication of cardiothoracic surgery, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The presentation may be insidious in isolated chylopericardium. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential. Simultaneous chylopericardium and chylothorax postcardiac surgery has been very infrequently reported. A case of a young patient is, hereby reported, who developed simultaneous massive chylopericardium and chylothorax, after aortic valve replacement and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, leading to significant hemodynamic compromise and prolonged hospitalization. Surgical exploration led to the correct diagnosis and a favorable outcome.     

New butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory triterpenes fromSalvia santolinifolia

Slavins A (1) and B (2), the new amyrin type triterpenes, have been isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of Salvia santolinifolia and assigned structures on the basis of spectral studies including 2D NMR. Both the compounds displayed inhibitory potential against the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase.