Regulation of the acid-labile subunit of the insulin-like growth factor ternary complex in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and severe burns

OBJECTIVE Little information is available regarding the regulation of serum acid-labile subunit (ALS) in human disease. We have studied alterations in serum ALS of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) ternary complex in children with untreated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and subjects with severe burns before and after insulin therapy. In addition, we have investigated the effect of insulin plus GH on serum ALS in burn patients. DESIGN Serum samples were obtained from children with newly diagnosed and untreated IDDM before the initiation of insulin therapy and 1 month thereafter. Serum samples were also obtained from adult patients with severe burns who were on a continuous infusion of a carbohydrate-rich enteral diet via nasogastric and duodenal catheters under basal conditions, after a 1-week period of continuous insulin infusion, and after an additional week of insulin plus recombinant GH. PATIENTS Twenty children and adolescents with untreated IDDM, aged 1.2–16 years, and 6 young adult patients with severe burns aged 17–28 years were studied longitudinally. Control sera were obtained from age, sex and pubertal status matched subjects (for children with IDDM) and from fed healthy adults. MEASUREMENTS Serum insulin, GH, cortisol and IGF-I were measured by radioimmunoassay, and serum ALS levels were assessed by Western immunoblot before and after treatment periods. RESULTS Serum ALS levels were lower in untreated children with IDDM (69 ± 6% of control children). Insulin therapy significantly increased serum ALS (79 ± 5%, P<0.05) in these children. Patients with severe burns also had lower serum ALS levels (79 ± 10% of control adults). After one week of insulin therapy serum ALS levels increased to 90 ± 15% of control values (P<0.05). Addition of GH to insulin therapy for another week did not significantly further increase serum ALS levels (95 ± 27%). Serum IGF-I concentrations increased nearly 2.5-fold in diabetic subjects and fourfold in burn subjects at the end of the study periods. There were no proteolytic fragments of ALS in the sera studied. The deglycosylation pattern of ALS did not differ between diabetic and control sera. CONCLUSION Serum ALS levels were diminished in children with untreated IDDM and were partially restored after the initiation of insulin therapy. Serum ALS levels were also diminished in patients with severe burn injury and restored by insulin treatment. Addition of GH to insulin therapy did not significantly increase serum ALS levels over levels obtained during insulin therapy alone. These decreases in serum ALS were smaller than the decrease in serum IGF-I concentrations in both conditions, suggesting that IGF-I is the limiting factor for the ternary complex formation in the catabolic states. Insulin may regulate circulating ALS levels in catabolic states and helps to restore the IGF system.     

Dorsolumbar parasitic twin associated with lipomyelomeningocele: a case report from a tertiary teaching hospital,Ethiopia, East Africa

A parasitic or heteropagus twin is a grossly defective fetus (or fetus part) attached externally, with or without internal connections and is dependent on the cardiovascular system of the other twin (autosite) for survival. The estimated incidence is approximately 1 per 1 million live births. To date according to the authors’ knowledge; there are a few case reports published in the literature. Here we present a case of dorsolumbar parasitic twin with associated lipomyelomeningocele.     

Case of multiple furuncular myiasis in Northeast Ethiopia

Human myiasis is a neglected disease caused by parasitic infestation of the skin, cavities, and other body parts by larvae (maggots) of a wide variety of dipteran flies. Here, we present a case of multiple furuncular myiasis caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga in a 61‐year‐old woman from Northeast Ethiopia.     

Prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula in low-income African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Depression is one of mental health consequences that present in women with obstetric fistula. It is estimated that over 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression globally. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the epidemiologic evidence from previous studies on the prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula in low-income African countries. We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to conduct this meta-analysis. The common databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Psych INFO, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, and African Journals Online (AJOL)) were searched for the relevant literature. We used a random-effect meta-analysis model to estimate the overall prevalence of depression and the Q -and I² -statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity between the studies included in the meta-analysis. Egger’s test and visual inspection of the symmetry in funnel plots were used to check for the presence of publication bias. The pooled estimated prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula in low-income African countries was 56.2% (95% CI 43.1–68.4). The prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula was 74.4% in Ethiopia, 72.9% in Kenya, 46.0% in Malawi, 41.0% in Sudan, 34.8% in Nigeria, and 27.7% in Tanzania. Furthermore, the prevalence of depression was higher (97.0%) when it was measured by using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) when compared with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) (62.7%), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) (36.7%), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (41.0%), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (27.7%). Moreover, the pooled estimated prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula was ranged from 48.1 to 57.7% in a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. The prevalence of depression among women with obstetric fistula in low-income African countries was high. Screening and appropriate management of depression among women with obstetric fistula are warranted.

     

A giant ovarian cyst in a neonate with classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency with very high testosterone levels demonstrating a high-dose hook effect

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of disorders affecting the adrenal steroid synthesis. The most common form, 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), leads to decreased production of cortisol and aldosterone with increased androgen secretion. In classic CAH, glucocorticoid treatment can be life-saving and serves to bring the symptoms under control. However, the treatment challenge is to effectively control the excess androgen effect by using the lowest possible glucocorticoid dose. Previous studies suggested a relationship between ovarian cyst formation and adrenal androgen excess, but neonatal large ovarian cysts have been very rarely reported in newborns with CAH. Here, we present the unique case of a neonate with classical 21-OHD who underwent surgery for a giant (10x8x7 cm) unilateral solitary ovarian follicular cyst on the 2nd postnatal day. Hormonal evaluation of the patient revealed high-dose hook effect for serum testosterone levels for the first time by a two-site immunoradiometric assay. Possible mechanisms by which androgen excess may cause ovarian cyst formation are discussed.     

Hypothalamic obesity in children

Hypothalamic obesity is an intractable form of obesity syndrome that was initially described in patients with hypothalamic tumours and surgical damage. However, this definition is now expanded to include obesity developing after a variety of insults, including intracranial infections, infiltrations, trauma, vascular problems and hydrocephalus, in addition to acquired or congenital functional defects in central energy homeostasis in children with the so‐called common obesity. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying hypothalamic obesity are complex and multifactorial. Weight gain results from damage to the ventromedial hypothalamus, which leads, variously, to hyperphagia, a low‐resting metabolic rate; autonomic imbalance; growth hormone‐, gonadotropins and thyroid‐stimulating hormone deficiency; hypomobility; and insomnia. Hypothalamic obesity did not receive enough attention, as evidenced by rarity of studies in this group of patients. A satellite symposium was held during the European Congress of Obesity in May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss recent developments and concepts regarding pathophysiology and management of hypothalamic obesity in children. An international group of leading researchers presented certain aspects of the problem. This paper summarizes the highlights of this symposium. Understanding the central role of the hypothalamus in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism will help us gain insights into the pathogenesis and management of common obesity.     

Distribution pattern of poliovirus potentially infectious materials in the phase 1b medical laboratories containment in conformity with the global action plan III

Background

The containment of poliovirus infectious/potentially infectious materials in all biomedical facilities in Nigeria remain crucial to maintaining gains recorded towards polio eradication. Activities involved in the Nigerian Poliovirus type 2-laboratory containment survey in line with the 3rd Global Action Plan III (GAP III) for poliovirus containment are documented in this study. Through these activities, the overall preparedness for poliovirus eradication in Nigeria is assessed.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 19th September-31st October 2016 using structured Laboratory survey and inventory (LSI) questionnaires uploaded onto the SPSS software package in 560 biomedical facilities classified either as high risk or medium risk facilities across the 6 zones in Nigeria.

Results

In total, 560 biomedical facilities were surveyed in Nigeria in conformity with the GAP III. In total, 86% of the facilities surveyed were with laboratories while 14% were without laboratories.Twelve laboratories with poliovirus potentially infectious materials were identified in this exercise. In total, 50% of the 12 laboratories were under the ministry of education for research purposes. While 33% were among those laboratories surveyed in the phase 1a exercise without any recorded inventory, but have acquired some since the phase 1a survey.A total of 13,484 poliovirus infectious materials were found in the 12 laboratories. Only 8% of the materials were immediately destroyed while the remaining materials (62%) were found in Oyo and Borno states scheduled for destruction within 3–4 months according to WHO protocol for destruction of poliovirus infectious materials.

Conclusion

This study has revealed the successful containment of all poliovirus infectious materials in the laboratories surveyed. It has also revealed some surveillance gaps. We recommend that the surveillance system be improved to maintain the gains from the containment exercise and avoid reintroduction of infectious materials into biomedical facilities. This reduces the chances of viral reintroduction to the population in general.

     

Mobilizing political support proved critical to a successful switch from tOPV to bOPV in Kano,Nigeria 2016

Background

Kano is one of the high-risk states for polio transmission in Northern Nigeria. The state reported more cases of wild polioviruses (WPVs) than any other state in the country. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 2013 indicated that OPV3 coverage in the routine immunization (RI) programmewas 57.9%. Additionally, serial polio seroprevalence studies conducted from 2011 to 2015 in the eightmetropolitan LGAs indicated low immunity levels against all three polio serotypes in children below one year. Areas with sub-optimal RI coverage such as Kanothat fail to remove all tOPV during the tOPV-bOPV switchwill be at increased risk of VDPV2 circulation.

Methods

We assessed the impact of political leadership engagement in mobilizing other stakeholders on the outcomes of the bOPV-tOPV switch in Kano State from February to May 2016 using nationally-selected planning and outcome indicators.

Results

A total of 670 health facilities that provide RI services were assessed during the pre-switch activities. Health workers were aware of the switch exercise in 520 (95.1%) of the public health facilities assessed. It was found that health workers knew what to do should tOPV be found in any of the 521 (95.2%)public health facilities assessed. However, there was a wide disparity between the public and private health practitioners’ knowledge on basic concepts of the switch.There was 100% withdrawal of tOPV from the state and the seven zonal cold stores. Unmarked tOPVwas found in the cold chain system in 2 (4.5%) LGAs. Only one health facility (0.8%) had tOPV in the cold chain. No tOPVwas identified outside the cold chain without the “Do not use” sticker in any of the health facilities.

Conclusion

The engagement of the political leadership to mobilize other key stakeholders facilitated successful implementation of the tOPV-bOPVswitch exercise and provided opportunity to strengthen partnerships with the private health sector in Kano State.

     

Atazanavir / ritonavir versus Lopinavir / ritonavir-based combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV-1 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Atazanavir/ritonavir over lopinavir/ritonavir in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection.MethodsClinical trials with a head-to-head comparison of atazanavir/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir in HIV-1 were included. Electronic databases: PubMed/Medline CENTRAL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Viral suppression below 50 copies/ml at the longest follow-up period was the primary outcome measure. Grade 2–4 treatment-related adverse drug events, lipid profile changes and grade 3–4 bilirubin elevations were used as secondary outcome measures.ResultsA total of nine articles from seven trials with 1938 HIV-1 patients were included in the current study. Atazanavir/ritonavir has 13% lower overall risk of failure to suppress the virus level < 50 copies/ml than lopinavir/ritonavir in fixed effect model (pooled RR: 0.87; CI: 0.78, 0.96; P=0.006). The overall risk of hyperbilirubinemia is very high for atazanavir/ritonavir than lopinavir/ritonavir in the random effects model (pooled RR: 45.03; CI: 16.03, 126.47; P< 0.0001).ConclusionAtazanavir/ritonavir has a better viral suppression at lower risk of lipid abnormality than lopinavir/ritonavir. The risk and development of hyperbilirubinemia from atazanavir-based regimens should be taken into consideration both at the time of prescribing and patient follow-up.