Hepatitis A, B, and delta infection in Ethiopia: a serologic survey with demographic data

A total of 500 individuals from five different regions of Ethiopia were studied. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and serologic tests were carried out to detect antigen and antibody markers of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, and the delta agent. Data on the economic status, number of rooms per household, number of persons per household, type of water supply, and mode of excreta disposal revealed that the majority of the population surveyed lived with economic hardship, overcrowding and poor hygiene. Only 36 persons gave a past history of jaundice. The mean carrier rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 6.2%, the mean overall hepatitis B virus marker prevalence was 42%, and in those over 14 years of age it was 76%. Among those who were positive for HBsAg, there was a tendency for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to decrease and the corresponding antibody (anti-HBe) to increase with advancing age. No woman more than 15 years of age had demonstrable hepatitis B e antigen in serum. Antibody to hepatitis A virus was detected in 84%. Three positive individuals were found to have antibody to the delta agent.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activities of azo dye derivatives incorporating heterocyclic scaffolds: a review

Nowadays, there is significant interest in the synthesis of heterocycle-incorporated azo dye derivatives as potential scaffolds in the pharmaceutical sector. The pharmaceutical or drug industries need a simplistic synthesis approach that can afford a wide range of azo dye derivatives. The incorporation of the heterocyclic moiety into the azo dye scaffold has improved the bioactive properties of the target derivatives. The various biological and pharmacological applications of drugs such as anti-fungal, anti-tuberculosis, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, DNA binding, and analgesic properties can be easily tuned by introducing heterocyclic moieties. To date, continuous efforts are being made in the search for more potent, new, and safe synthetic methodologies for azo dye derivatives. This review presents a brief discussion of the facile synthetic approaches and the relevance of the title compound and its derivatives towards various biological activities. Thus, the synthesis of azo dye derivatives incorporating heterocyclic scaffolds such as imidazole, pyrazole, thiazole, oxazolone, thiophene, pyrrole, benzothiazole and quinoline moieties and their pharmacological applications are discussed briefly.

Nowadays, there is significant interest in the synthesis of heterocycle-incorporated azo dye derivatives as potential scaffolds in the pharmaceutical sector.     

A Retrospective Analysis on Cervical Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Neck Pain in a Tertiary Hospital,Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

BackgroundNeck pain is a common health problem throughout the world causing significant individual disability and economic burden on health care facility. Many factors are mentioned as a cause or association in relation to neck pain, of which degenerative and posttraumatic cause are the main ones. The aim of this study is to assess cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) patterns in patients presented with neck pain.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 160 patients who had cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for evaluation of a neck pain was done. The study was conducted between February to August 2018 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. The patients'' clinical history and magnetic resonance imaging reports were reviewed from their medical records. All patients who have cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for a neck pain were included in the study. Those patients with acute traumatic neck pain were excluded.ResultsFrom a total of 160 patients, 71(44.4%) were males and 89(55.6%) were females. Degenerative cervical spine findings such as intervertebral disc degenerations were seen in 127(79.4%) patients. Non-degenerative imaging findings such as neoplasm and infection were seen in 10(6.3%) patients only. The MRI was normal in 23(14.4%) of them.ConclusionThe most common cause of neck pain from this study is degenerative changes of the cervical spine, which was predominant in the older age groups. Non-degenerative causes such as neoplasm and infection were less common findings.     

Toddler-age nodulocystic acne

Toddler-age nodulocystic acne is a rare disorder for which the etiology remains unknown. We report 2 cases and discuss the safety and efficacy of oral isotretinoin therapy. Oral isotretinoin is safe and effective in treating this condition but requires close monitoring.     

Avoiding Early Revision Rhytidectomy: A Biomechanical Comparison of Tissue Plication Suture Techniques

Background: Manipulation and suspension of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is performed by 74% of rhytidectomy surgeons. Multiple variations in suture techniques are employed in this task, but they have never been evaluated for differences in their ability to withstand stress. Objective: To compare the biomechanical properties of two different suture techniques that are used in SMAS plications during rhytidectomy: a double‐layered running locking (DRL) stitch and multiple horizontal mattress stitches. Methods: Fourteen horizontal mattress plications, in rows of six sutures, and comparable lengths of 16 DRL stitch plications of pig skin samples, were stressed using a tensometer with grip displacement increasing at a constant rate of 0.5 cm/Min. The required force to cause plication failure was recorded for each sample at three suture break points. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the force required to cause the initial suture failure. Unlike the horizontal mattress plication, an initial break seemed to cause minimal to no distortion of the DRL tissue plication. When results were normalized by the initial break forces to account for small variations in tissue properties, the force ratio required to cause a second suture break was significantly larger in the DRL group than in the horizontal mattress technique. This is evidenced by the average second to first break force ratios of 1.62 vs. 1.13 for the DRL and horizontal mattress stitches, respectively, with a P‐value of .60. The mean ratios of third to first break forces for the DRL and horizontal mattress groups were 2.08 and 0.91, respectively, with a P‐value of .08. Conclusion: The DRL stitch requires more force than the horizontal mattress stitch to cause significant failure of tissue plication. This technique may enable plastic surgeons to avoid early revision rhytidectomy due to suture failure, and to create a long‐lasting, youthful cosmetic result.     

Efficacy of gene therapy-delivered cytosine deaminase is determined by enzymatic activity but not expression

The potential utility of tumour-selective 5-fluorouracil treatment using attenuated Salmonella serovar typhimurium recombinant for cytosine deaminase (TAPET-CD) has been documented in experimental settings. The present data demonstrate that in vivo (19)F-magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements allow the outcome prediction of this prokaryotic-based therapy, demonstrating the necessity of non-invasive real-time imaging techniques for treatment monitoring.