Fruits and vegetables moderate lipid cardiovascular risk factor in hypertensive patients

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor in etiology of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown association between vegetarian diet and low total serum cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol which is a pointer to low risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber, antioxidants and other classes of nutrients have been reported to ameliorate cardiovascular risk factors. Fruits and vegetables being rich sources of fiber and antioxidants have been the focus in intervention studies. The current work reports the effect local fruits and vegetables on cardiovascular risk factors in African hypertensive subjects in an 8 week study. Though there was no significant difference in the Body Mass Index and HDL-cholesterol at the end of the eighth week, there were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in serum triglycerides (125.87 ± 6.0 to108.27 ± 5.49 mgdL^-1); total serum cholesterol (226.60 ± 6.15 to 179.20 ± 5.78) and LDL-cholesterol (135.69 ± 5.56 to 93.07 ± 7.18 mgdL^-1). We concluded that consumption of combination of local fruits and vegetables may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in Africans.     

Violence in adolescents: leading factors, their effects, and possible prevention

Adolescent violence is a major public health problem. The factors influencing boys to become violent are now known; hence, physicians may now recognize adolescents who may become violent. Physicians can be involved in the prevention of violence by either counseling young adolescents who demonstrate factors that influence violence, or by referring those at-risk individuals to a counselor.     

Headless compression screw fixation prevents symptomatic metalwork in arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis

BackgroundArthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (AAA) is a recognised salvage procedure for end-stage arthritis. Its reported disadvantages include a high rate of re-operation for symptomatic prominence of metalwork. We propose that the use of a headless screw would reduce this re-operation rate.MethodsWe reviewed 32 AAAs, using the Acutrak?6/7 mm headless screw fixation system, to determine peri-operative parameters and complication rates.ResultsAt an average of 22 months follow-up, 28 (88%) had united radiologically. There were 2 stable fibrous non-unions not requiring further intervention. Of the other 2, one was successfully revised using an open technique, and the other patient died of unrelated causes.There were no other complications in this series, with no cases of metalwork removal for prominence or pain.ConclusionsUsing a headless screw fixation for arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis prevents symptomatic metalwork prominence and the requirement for removal.     

Pulmonary function indices in children with sickle cell anemia in Enugu,south-east Nigeria

Objectives:

To determine the pulmonary function indices of children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) attending the pediatric sickle cell clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, south-east Nigeria and to compare these indices with the results obtained from other regions.

Methods:

A case control study of lung function in children with SCA aged 6-20 years. The study was carried out in the University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria between October 2014 and January 2015. Measurements of the peak expiratory flow rate, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 80 subjects were recruited into the study, comprising 40 homozygous HbSS (hemoglobin SS) patients and an equal number of controls. Children with SCA had statistically lower values of FEV1 (1.6±0.52), FVC (1.76±0.95), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (309.00±82.64) when compared with normal hemoglobin genotype FEV1 (12.01±0.53), FVC (2.12±0.54), and PEFR (364.10±87.85). The mean FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR were also higher in the male control group compared with the HbSS male group, but these differences were not statistically significant. Female controls had significantly larger FEV1, FVC, and PEFR values compared with the HbSS females.

Conclusion:

The lung function indices were significantly lower in children and adolescents with SCA compared with the matched controls with a hemoglobin genotype AA.Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic hematological disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape.1 This hereditary disorder contributes the equivalent of 3.4% mortality in children aged <5 years worldwide or 6.4% in Africa.2 The prevalence of SCA in Nigeria ranges from 0.4-3%.3 Approximately 85% of sickle cell disorders and >70% of all affected births occur in Africa.4 It is worth noting that at least 5.2% of the world population carry a significant trait. The clinical consequence of SCA results from obstruction of the microvasculature by the sickle cells and red blood cell hemolysis, which causes multi-systemic manifestation. The lungs are affected in a variety of ways by these pulmonary insults, and recurrence overtime may leave the lungs with chronic interstitial, parenchymal, or vascular damage that compromises pulmonary function.5,6 It has been documented that the prevalence of hypoxemia among SCA children was 13%.4 This prevalence was attributable to the chronic anemic state, micro vascular occlusion of the circulation by sickle hemoglobin, and constant pertubation of the endothelial membrane, and consequent elaboration of endothelial molecules, which are commonly seen among SCA children, especially those with various types of vaso-occlusive episodes.7 This is defined as bone and joint pain or multiple sites of pain needing analgesics or hospitalization.8 Acute and chronic pulmonary complications occur frequently in patients with SCA, and contribute to morbidity and mortality later in life. Although the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary disease in sickle cell disease (SCD) has not been clearly defined, recurrent microvascular obstruction resulting in the development of pulmonary hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and parenchymal fibrosis are probably the primary mechanisms.6 There is increasing evidence that repeated episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS) may cause permanent damage to the pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature. Repeated attacks of ACS are a major risk factor for the development of sickle cell chronic lung disease. Studies of lung function in SCD have also demonstrated a restrictive defect,8,9 while a reduction in the total lung capacity (TLC) of 50% has been reported in advanced forms. Acute chest syndrome refers to a spectrum of pulmonary pathology having in common, chest pain, fever, dyspnea with abnormal clinical, and radiologic chest signs as well as leucocytosis.10,11 It is the most common cause of death in children with sickle cell anemia over 10 years of age.12 The etiology of ACS is not clear, lung and bone infarction, infection, and acute pulmonary sequestration, among other possible causes have been proposed.10 In children with sickle anemia in steady state, the major abnormality in pulmonary function is a restrictive pathology, characterized by a slight decrease in total lung capacity, with attendant ventilation perfusion mismatch.10 This can cause a defect in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide.10 These abnormalities worsen with age and are associated with increases in pulmonary-artery pressures.11 Whereas some studies have documented impaired lung function in SCA (hemoglobin SS) patients,8-10 previous studies8-10 reported what appears to be contrasting findings when the lung function in children with SCA and those of healthy controls with normal hemoglobin genotype were compared. It is therefore necessary that ventilatory function studies be undertaken in this parts of the world to see if there is any difference with known values in other part of the world. In this study, we determine the impact of SCA on the pulmonary function indices in patients attending the pediatric sickle cell clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, south-east Nigeria and compare it with matched controls and other studies. Many studies have described and assessed the pattern of pulmonary function in SCD from childhood to adulthood, but much is not known on this topic in South Eastern Nigeria. Most of the original studies are from western Nigeria.13,14 This study could therefore corroborate or refute regional or ethnic differences in lung function in children with SCD. The study hypothesis seeks to answer the following questions? Do children with SCA attending UNTH Enugu present with any alteration in lung function? If they do, is there any gender and age difference? Are these lung volume findings similar to that obtained from other region?     

Functional outcomes of posterior intravaginal slingplasty: report on its impact on urinary,bowel and psychosexual function

The functional impact of any clinical intervention should be the ultimate arbiter of the success of such interventions. This study evaluated the outcomes of urinary, bowel and psychosexual functions in 31 patients undergoing posterior vaginal slingplasty for pelvic organ prolapse. The results show significant improvement in all prolapse symptoms. Urinary symptoms of overactive bladder and stress incontinence improved significantly, as well as the bowel symptoms of obstructed defecation and urgency. Sexual function and psychological state also improved significantly with the procedure. Significantly, to date, this is the first study assessing the psychological impact of pelvic organ prolapse and the remission of these symptoms with the slingplasty. The posterior vaginal slingplasty is an effective procedure in prolapse correction, along with alleviation of the majority of bothersome symptoms caused by the prolapse.     

Cell grouping and Golgi architecture of the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat

The hypoglossal nucleus of the rat has been investigated by Nissl and Golgi techniques. Both techniques reveal that neurons within the nucleus are grouped into readily definable pools. Identification of these pools has been based on certain objective criteria described in detail in the text. Existing experimental data support a relationship between pools of hypoglossal motoneurons and muscle groups of the tongue on one hand, and functional but simple movements on the other.As hypoglossal neurons show considerable variation in size, shape, neuronal density per pool, and dendritic arborization patterns, the extent to which these structural features of the nucleus coupled with the versatility of the afferent field terminals may determine complex, patterned, and fine movements of the tongue is discussed against a background of established principles of neuromuscular motor mechanisms.     

Hemodialysis clearance of chloroquine in uremic patients

The hemodialysis blood clearance of chloroquine was studied in four patients with chronic renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The patients were administered chloroquine (600 mg base) orally after a light breakfast. Blood samples were then obtained from arterial blood entering and venous blood leaving the dialysis machine at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 h, and at 24.0 and 48.0 h post dialysis. The blood flow rate varied between 200 and 275 ml/min, while the dialysate flow rate was maintained at 500 ml/min. The samples were analyzed for chloroquine by high pressure liquid chromatography, and the dialysis clearance was calculated utilizing the formula: ClD = QB[(CA - CV)/CA]. The mean extraction ratios for chloroquine were 0.238, 0.317, 0.207, and 0.216 in the four patients during the 6-h dialysis period. The calculated dialysis clearances were 57.2, 77.0, 56.1, and 48.3 ml/min. Chloroquine hemodialysis clearance was 14.5% of total body clearance in normal subjects and in patients with chronic renal failure not on hemodialysis.     

A new TB vaccine, MVA85A, induces durable antigen-specific responses 14 months after vaccination in African infants

This study aimed to evaluate the durability of the immunogenicity of MVA85A beyond infancy. Participants in an immunogenicity study of MVA85A administered at age of 4 months had additional evaluation 14 months after initial vaccination for IFN-γ ELISPOT responses to Ag85A peptide and ESAT6/CFP-10 and tuberculin skin test (TST). 112 children participated in this study. The anthropometry, biochemical and haematological safety profile were similar between the MVA85A recipients and controls. MVA85A recipients still had significantly higher immune responses to Ag85A compared to the controls. The majority of these children had negative responses to the TST as well as the ESAT6/CFP-10 antigens. In summary, MVA85A-vaccinated children had a persistently higher Ag85A immune response 14 months following vaccination than controls. All the children had negligible evidence of latent infection with M. tuberculosis (Mtb), suggesting that deploying a prophylactic vaccine against Mtb infection at this age could still be effective in this setting.     

High Rates of Sexual and Urinary Dysfunction After Surgically Treated Displaced Pelvic Ring Injuries

Background  

Pelvic ring injuries may be associated with genitourinary injury (GUI) and result in urinary or sexual dysfunction.