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Assessment of Lipid Dysfunction of Patients Under Haemodialysis in Cameroon
Cédric Gueguim,
Lucien Etamé Soné,
Henriette Thérèse Dimodi,
Marie Patrice Halle,
François Kaze Folefack,
Constant Anatole Pieme,
Nnanga Nga,
Wilfred Mbacham
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, August 2017
Pages:
63-68
Received:
18 April 2017
Accepted:
6 May 2017
Published:
6 July 2017
Abstract: Dyslipidaemia is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease of patients under haemodialysis. Both increase and decrease of cholesterol levels are associated with higher cardiovascular mortality rate in haemodialysis patients. The objective of this study was to assess the lipid dysfunction among patients maintained under haemodialysis in two reference centres of haemodialysis in Cameroon. A descriptive comparative study was carried out in Nephrology Unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé and the same Unit of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. A total of 160 subjects were studied: Of these, there were 80 patients under haemodialysis and 80 healthy controls. Body mass index (BMI) was measured according to WHO’s guidelines. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were assayed before and after haemodialysis session. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using Friedwald’s equation. Their cardiovascular risk indices (TC / HDL-C) were also determined. Patients under haemodialysis had significantly lower BMI as compared with the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Total Cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were considerably lower before and after haemodialysis compared with the healthy controls (p ˂ 0.05). A non-significant difference was found between Triglycerides before and after haemodialysis in contrast with the healthy controls (p > 0.05). The cardiovascular risk indices (TC / HDL-C) of the patients under haemodialysis were higher than those of the healthy control group. Patients under haemodialysis had quite low BMI, total Cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C depicting malnutrition leading to inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis process and cardiovascular complications.
Abstract: Dyslipidaemia is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease of patients under haemodialysis. Both increase and decrease of cholesterol levels are associated with higher cardiovascular mortality rate in haemodialysis patients. The objective of this study was to assess the lipid dysfunction among patients maintained under haemodialysis in two refe...
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The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Among Women in Karachi, Pakistan
Humera Ismail,
Dur-e-shahwar,
Muhammad Noman Rashid
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, August 2017
Pages:
69-72
Received:
15 April 2017
Accepted:
12 May 2017
Published:
18 July 2017
Abstract: Background: The burden of STIs in Pakistan is much larger than reported. Various research studies indicate that the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the women is low. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding STIs, HPV and sexual behaviors of contraceptive practice among women in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: The current study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from Aug 2014- Aug 2015, including 600 women (aged 19-50 years) by convenience sampling technique from waiting areas of out-patient clinics. Results: The mean age of participants was 39.5 ± 10.7 years. Eighty eight percent women (n = 529) were married, 8% (n = 50) female were unmarried and around 3% (n = 19) female were divorced, separated or widowed. Participants with no knowledge about STIs and viruses causing some cancers were 57% (n = 341) and 70% (n = 418) respectively. There was no knowledge about Pap smear in 80% (n = 479) of study population and the proportion of women not attending the annual gynecological examination were 88% (n = 525). Vaccine acceptability was found to be as low as 38% (n = 225). A similar trend 12% (n = 71) was seen in the response about willing to pay by themselves for the vaccination cost. Conclusion: The current study highlights inadequate knowledge about STDS, HPV, cervical cancer and its screening among women. Public health awareness programs should be raised at community level in order to increase the health seeking behavior of women.
Abstract: Background: The burden of STIs in Pakistan is much larger than reported. Various research studies indicate that the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the women is low. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding STIs, HPV and sexual behaviors of contra...
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Assessment of Albumin Status in Hypertensive Patients with or Without Cataract in Eyes’ Foundation Hospital, Itamogiri, Ogun State, Nigeria
Oladunjoye Z. A.,
Quadri J. A.,
Ojure M. A.
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, August 2017
Pages:
73-77
Received:
12 June 2016
Accepted:
19 September 2016
Published:
20 July 2017
Abstract: This research work assessed albumin concentration level in hypertensive patients with or without cataract at Eyes’ Foundation Hospital at Itamogiri, Ijebu – Mushin in ijebu-East Local Government Area and General Hospital Ijebu-Ode both in Ogun State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was used to select the 150 samples from the study area. Fifty (50) healthy staffs and individuals who volunteered to help with the research were used as control group, while group A (test) comprises of fifty (50) hypertensive patients without history of cataract and group B (test) comprises of fifty (50) hypertensive patients with history of cataract. Blood samples were taken under the same conditions in all individuals and analysed for albumin level using spectrophotometer. The findings showed that there was no significant difference in albumin level between the control group (Mean ± SD = 48.12 ± 8.20 g/L) as compared with test group A (Mean ± SD = 49.19 ± 10.19 g/L) but in comparing albumin level in control group and test group B, the findings showed that there was significant reduction in albumin concentration of test group B with Mean ± SD = 44.35 ± 11.99 g/L indicating hypertension (with cataract) had significantly decreased levels of plasma albumin when compared to non-cataract hypertensive patients. This shows that cataract could directly influence increase in serum albumin concentration of hypertensive patients. Salt restricted diet should be advised in such patients after evaluating serum electrolyte level which may delay maturation and progression of Cataract.
Abstract: This research work assessed albumin concentration level in hypertensive patients with or without cataract at Eyes’ Foundation Hospital at Itamogiri, Ijebu – Mushin in ijebu-East Local Government Area and General Hospital Ijebu-Ode both in Ogun State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was used to select the 150 samples from the study area. Fifty (50) ...
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The Investigation of Antioxidant Properties of ALKAZONE® Electrolyte Antioxidant Mineral Supplement
Jongbin Lee,
Christi Sed,
Gitte S. Jenson,
William Kim,
Gyehwan Park,
Robert Kim
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, August 2017
Pages:
78-81
Received:
1 June 2017
Accepted:
13 June 2017
Published:
20 July 2017
Abstract: Antioxidants are molecules that interfere the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that generates free radicals, leading to chain reactions that damage cells. For years, it has been claimed that alkaline water with antioxidants can increase the antioxidant capacity, and so protect the cells from oxidative stress. But, not many publications have been documented with proven-scientific methods. This study was performed as the first step in a series of laboratory and clinical evaluations for the effects of Alkazone® Electrolyte Antioxidant Mineral Supplement. The data here in this study demonstrated that the ALKAZONE® Electrolyte Antioxidant Mineral Supplement has antiozxidant capacity, and also contributes a protective effect to living cells under oxidative stress. Further work is recommended for more elaborate cellular models, as well as in human clinical studies for anti-inflammatory activity and free radical stress.
Abstract: Antioxidants are molecules that interfere the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that generates free radicals, leading to chain reactions that damage cells. For years, it has been claimed that alkaline water with antioxidants can increase the antioxidant capacity, and so protect the cells from oxidative stress. But, not ...
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Species Identification of Clinical Veillonella Isolates by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility
Irina Ivanovna Shilnikova,
Irina Aleksandrovna Kluchnikova,
Inna Vasilyevna Tereshchenko,
Natalia Vladimirovna Dmitrieva
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, August 2017
Pages:
82-87
Received:
20 February 2017
Accepted:
16 March 2017
Published:
18 October 2017
Abstract: We investigated the possibilities of the MALDI-TOF MS for species identification of anaerobic gram-negative cocci isolated from clinical specimens of cancer patients. A total 70 Veillonella clinical isolates and one Acidaminococcus intestini isolate were analysed by the Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF instrument with the Biotyper 3, 0 software. All isolates were identified to the species level with a scores greater than 1.9. The most common species were V. parvula (37 strains), then followed by decreasing the frequency V. dispar (16), V. atypica (16) and V. denticariosi (1). Susceptibilities of the isolates were determined by the E-test methodology. All Veillonella isolates were susceptible to imipenem, whereas a high resistance rates were observed for penicillin G, amoxicillin/clavulanate and metronidazole. The proportion of intermediate/resistant isolates of V. parvula, V. dispar and V. atypica to penicillin (MIC ≥ 1 µg/ml) was 86%, 85% and 100%, respectively. The resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate (MIC 16 - 32 µg/ml) was observed in about 28,6% V. parvula isolates, 23,1% V. dispar isolates and 6,7% V. atypica isolates. According to EUCAST criteria, resistance to metronidazole (MIC ≥ 8 µg/ml) of V. parvula, V. dispar and V. atypica was 88,6%, 53,8% and 40%, respectively.
Abstract: We investigated the possibilities of the MALDI-TOF MS for species identification of anaerobic gram-negative cocci isolated from clinical specimens of cancer patients. A total 70 Veillonella clinical isolates and one Acidaminococcus intestini isolate were analysed by the Bruker Microflex MALDI-TOF instrument with the Biotyper 3, 0 software. All isol...
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