A comparison of the academic impact of plastic surgery units in the United Kingdom and Ireland using bibliometric analysis

Academic output is just one aspect of a successful career as a plastic surgeon. However, for those with a strong interest in academia, the academic output of a department will likely be a key factor when deciding how to rank jobs. The aim of this study was to quantify and rank the academic output of plastic surgery units across the UK and Ireland. The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science Bibliometric analysis tool was used to collate cumulative (1950–2016), 10 year (2006–2016) and 3 years (2013–2015) research output data for plastic surgery units in the UK and Ireland. Sixty-six plastic surgery units were identified. Departments were ranked for each time period according to the number of papers produced, number of citations (Nc) and h-index (a measure of the impact of scientific output). The top 3 departments for number of papers in the last 10 years were The Royal Free Hospital, London (226) Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford (218), and Morriston Hospital and Swansea (188). The top 3 for h-number were The Royal Free Hospital (21) Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester (18) and Morriston Hospital (17). Academic output varies across plastic surgery units in the UK and Ireland. A number of departments have consistently maintained high academic outputs across the years and will be of interest to surgeons hoping to pursue a career in academia.     

Information technology infusion model for health sector in a developing country: Nigeria as a case.

To date, information technology (IT) has not been widely adopted in the health sector in the developing countries. Information Technology may bring an improvement on health care delivery systems. It is one of the prime movers of globalization. Information technology infusion is the degree to which a different information technology tools are integrated into organizational activities. This study aimed to know the degree and the extent of incorporation of Information Technology in the Nigerian health sector and derive an IT infusion models for popular IT indicators that are in use in Nigeria (Personal computers, Mobile phones, and the Internet) and subsequently investigates their impacts on the health care delivery system in Nigerian teaching hospitals. In this study, data were collected through the use of questionnaires. Also, oral interviews were conducted and subsequently, the data gathered were analyzed. The results of the analysis revealed that out of the three IT indicators considered, mobile phones are spreading fastest. It also revealed that computers and mobile phones are in use in all the teaching hospitals. Finally in this research, IT infusion models were developed for health sector in Nigeria from the data gathered through the questionnaire and oral interview.     

Multi-Nutrient Fortified Dairy-Based Drink Reduces Anaemia without Observed Adverse Effects on Gut Microbiota in Anaemic Malnourished Nigerian Toddlers: A Randomised Dose–Response Study

Prevalence of anaemia among Nigerian toddlers is reported to be high, and may cause significant morbidity, affects brain development and function, and results in weakness and fatigue. Although, iron fortification can reduce anaemia, yet the effect on gut microbiota is unclear. This open-label randomised study in anaemic malnourished Nigerian toddlers aimed to decrease anaemia without affecting pathogenic gut bacteria using a multi-nutrient fortified dairy-based drink. The test product was provided daily in different amounts (200, 400 or 600 mL, supplying 2.24, 4.48 and 6.72 mg of elemental iron, respectively) for 6 months. Haemoglobin, ferritin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were measured to determine anaemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) prevalence. Faecal samples were collected to analyse gut microbiota composition. All three dosages reduced anaemia prevalence, to 47%, 27% and 18%, respectively. ID and IDA prevalence was low and did not significantly decrease over time. Regarding gut microbiota, Enterobacteriaceae decreased over time without differences between groups, whereas Bifidobacteriaceae and pathogenic E. coli were not affected. In conclusion, the multi-nutrient fortified dairy-based drink reduced anaemia in a dose-dependent way, without stimulating intestinal potential pathogenic bacteria, and thus appears to be safe and effective in treating anaemia in Nigerian toddlers.     

Trends of non-communicable diseases and public health concerns of the people of northeastern Nigeria amidst the Boko Haram insurgency

Background

The ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has depleted the country’s capability to deliver quality healthcare to her citizenry. The ailing health sector is overwhelmed with a rising incidence and prevalence of infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Aim

The aim of this paper was to determine the trend of kidney disease, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), anaemia, malnutrition and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in northeastern Nigeria.

Materials and methods

Data covering different periods between 1999 and 2017 were obtained from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria. This hospital is the largest tertiary healthcare facility in the region. The data were demographic in nature, i.e. sex, age or simply the registered cases. A quadratic model of time-series analysis was used to create the various trends of the respective diseases with the aid of Minitab software (version 18.0). t-Tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also performed, with a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 being considered significant.

Results

About three out of every five patients treated for kidney disease were male, while three out of every five patients treated for HIV were female. Patients between the ages of 31 and 50 years were at the greatest risk of developing kidney disease. The mean distribution of disease incidence was the same for both sexes for kidney disease, anaemia, malnutrition and HIV. The mean distribution disease incidence was different between age groups for kidney disease but the same for anaemia. The incidence of anaemia and malnutrition reported was almost the same for both sexes. Children under the age of 10 years old were at the most risk of anaemia, with the distribution decreasing with increasing age. The trend analysis of the incidence of kidney disease, ESRD, anaemia and malnutrition showed that these ailments were on the increase, while the number of patients that were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) was on the decline in northeastern Nigeria.

Conclusion

These increasing trends are evidences of the effect of Boko Haram on the public health of the people of northeastern Nigeria and will continue to be a public health concern for the region and the country as a whole.

     

Temporal changes in cytoskeletal organisation within isolated chondrocytes quantified using a novel image analysis technique

This paper examines temporal changes in the organisation of the cytoskeleton within isolated articular chondrocytes cultured for up to 7 days in agarose constructs. Fluorescent labelling and confocal microscopy were employed to visualise microtubules (MT), vimentin intermediate filaments (VIF) and actin microfilaments (AMF). To quantify the degree of cytoskeletal organisation within populations of cells, a novel image analysis technique has been developed, and fully characterised. Organisation was quantified in terms of an Edge Index, which reflects the density of ‘edges’ present within the confocal images as defined by a Sobel digital filter. This parameter was shown to be independent of image intensity and, for all three cytoskeletal components, was validated statistically against a visual assessment of organisation. Both MT and VIF exhibited fibrous networks extending throughout the cytoplasm, while AMF appeared as punctate units associated with the cell membrane. The use of the Edge Index parameter revealed statistical significant temporal variation, in particular associated with VIF and AMF. These findings indicate the possibility of cytoskeletal mediated temporal variation in many aspects of cell behaviour following isolation from the intact tissue. Furthermore, the image analysis techniques are likely to be useful for future studies aiming to quantify changes in cytoskeletal organisation.     

Prevalence Rates and Correlates of Likely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Residents of Fort McMurray 6 Months After a Wildfire

On May 3, 2016, mandatory evacuation order was declared for Fort McMurray region as wildfire threatened. Over 90,000 residents were evacuated and firefighters from Canada and abroad worked constantly to protect the municipality. Overall, fire consumed about 2400 homes and over 200,000 ha of forest, reaching into Saskatchewan. The evacuation order was lifted with residents returning to the Municipality in phases from June 1, 2016. The aim of this study is to assess likely prevalence of PTSD in residents of Fort McMurray 6 months after a wildfire and to determine the predictors of likely PTSD in the respondents. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through self-administered paper-based questionnaires to determine likely PTSD. The PTSD Checklist for DSM 5 Part 3 was used to assess the presence or absence of likely PTSD in respondents randomly selected from a variety of natural settings in Fort McMurray. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 using univariate analysis with the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression analysis. One-month prevalence rate among adult residents for likely PTSD 6 months after the disaster was 12.8% (14.9% for females and 8.7% for males). While controlling for other factors in the logistic regression model, corresponding odds ratios included 9.51 and 4.88 for those who received no or only limited support respectively from friends/family, 8.00 for those who had history of an anxiety disorder before the wildfire, and 4.01 for those who received counseling after the wildfire. Respondents who presented with likely PTSD were significantly more likely to self-report increased drug abuse, but not increased alcohol use, after the fire. Our study has established that while support from family/friends following wildfires may be protective against likely PTSD, a prior diagnosis of an anxiety disorder significantly increased risk for developing PTSD. Further studies are needed to explore whether receiving counseling after a wild fire alters the likelihood of individuals presenting with PTSD.

     

Pre-and-post-operative aversion among men whose partners had caesarean delivery in a patriarchal setting

ObjectivesThe study evaluated pre and post-operative perception and aversion to caesarean delivery (CD) among men whose partners underwent the procedure.DesignA multicentre cross-sectional study.SettingTwo tertiary and two secondary health facilities.ParticipantsMen whose partners underwent CD at the study sites.MethodsParticipants were recruited by purposive sampling, data collection was through interaction via an interviewer-administered questionnaire first immediately the decision for CD was made and thereafter on the third postoperative day. Men whose partners had vaginal delivery were excluded from the study and data management was with SPSS version 21.0 while p<0.05 was significant.ResultsAwareness about CD was 84.0% mainly through the healthcare workers (42.1%) and the female partner (34.1%); 88.0% of participants recommended CD for medically-indicated reasons. The greatest influence on consent was the male partner (48.8%). The major pre-operative concerns were limitation of family size (34.7%) and fear of repeat CD (34.0%). Pre-operative perceptions of CD included being expensive (60.7%), fear of the procedure (48.0%), fear of complications (45.3%) and longer hospital stay (44.0%). Aversion to CD was 30.0% pre and 5.3% post-operation; predictors of aversion were history of previous surgery among male or female partner and awareness about CD. However, there were reductions in negative perception and aversion post-operation.ConclusionThe high negative perception and aversion to CD among male partners were reduced post-operation. Healthcare workers should address the concerns and negative perceptions about CD and prioritize patient-friendly experiences during surgical operations.FundingFunding was by the researchers; no grant or external support was received for the study.     

Low dose of melatonin ameliorates cryptorchidism-induced spermatotoxicity in rats

Introduction

Cryptorchidism has been associated with spermatotoxicity and oxidative stress while melatonin is a well-known anti-oxidant. This study investigated the possible ameliorative effect of melatonin on cryptorchidism-induced spermatotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Self-medication for infants with colic in Lagos, Nigeria

Background  

Infantile colic is a self-limiting condition that is distributed worldwide. It is often misdiagnosed as an organic disease for which an infant is admitted to the hospital. Many studies have described the aetiopathogenesis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of colic but none has evaluated self-medication for infants with colic. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the knowledge of Nigerian mothers about colic, their home-based management, extent of self-medication for the infants with colic and the types of medicines involved.