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Comparative yield of different active TB case finding interventions in a large urban TB project in central Uganda: a descriptive study
Get PDFIntroduction: Systematic screening for TB among patients presenting to
care and among high risk populations is recommended to improve TB case
finding. We aimed to describe the comparative yield of three TB
screening approaches implemented by a large urban TB project in central
Uganda. Methods: We abstracted data on the screening cascade from 65
health facilities and their surrounding communities (numbers screened,
with presumptive TB, receiving a diagnostic test and diagnosed with TB)
from the different clinic and community TB registers. Results: From
January 2018 to December 2019, 93,378 (24%) of all patients screened at
health facilities had presumptive TB; 77,381 (82.9%) received a
diagnostic test and 14,305 (18.5%) were diagnosed with TB. The
screening yield (the number of patients diagnosed with TB out of all
patients screened) was 0.3% and was three times higher among men than
women (0.6% vs 0.2% p<0.01). During targeted community screening
interventions, 9874 (21.1%) of all patients screened had presumptive
TB; 7034 (71.2%) of these received a diagnostic test and 1699 (24.2%)
were diagnosed with TB. The screening yield was higher among men, (3.7%
vs 3.3% p<0.01) and highest among children 0-14 (4.8% vs 3.2%
p<0.01). Conclusion: Targeted community TB screening interventions
improve access to TB diagnosis for men and children 0-14 years
Polymorphism in the TP63 gene imparts a potential risk for leukemia in the North Indian population
No full textBackground: The role of single nucleotide polymorphism rs10937405
(C>T) of the TP63 gene in cancer including leukemia has previously
been studied in different world populations; however, the role of this
variant in leukemia in the North Indian population of Jammu and Kashmir
is still unknown. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the
association of genetic variant rs10937405 with leukemic in the Jammu
and Kashmir population. Methods: A total of 588 subjects, (188 cases
and 400 controls) were recruited for the study. The rs10937405 variant
was genotyped by using the real-time based TaqMan assay. Results: A
statistically significant association was observed between the
rs10937405 and leukemia [OR of 1.94 (95% CI 1.51-2.48), p=1.2x10-6].
Conclusion: The current study concludes that the rs10937405 variant is
a risk factor for the development of leukemia in the population of
Jammu and Kashmir, North India. However, it would be interesting to
explore the contribution of this variant in other cancers as well. Our
findings will help in the development of diagnostic markers for
leukemia in the studied population and potentially for other North
Indian populations
Prognostic significance of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio patients with giant cell tumor of bone
No full textObjective: To evaluate the prognostic significance of
neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in giant cell tumor of bone (GCT).
Methods: The patients with GCT were identified in the hospital records
and pre-treatment complete blood count results were acquired
retrospectively. Whether preoperative NLR lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio
(LMR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values had prognostic
significance in predicting recurrence was evaluated by Receiver
operating curve (ROC) analysis. Furthermore, the prognostic value of
NLR was evaluated by Multivariable Cox Regression analysis. Results:
There were 96 patients with GCT. It was found that only NLR values had
prognostic significance for predicting recurrence (AUC:0.647; 95%
CI:0.533-0.762; P=0.021). The statistically significant cut-off value
of NLR for predicting recurrence was 652.25.NLR was 652.25 in
51% (n = 49) of patients. Multivariable analysis showed that NLR
652.25 (HR=2.9, 95% CI:1.3-6.6; p=0.009) and lung metastasis
(HR=7.9, 95% CI:2.2-28.2; p=0.001) were independent factors of
recurrence. In patients with lung metastasis and patients with NLR
652.25, recurrence was observed in a sooner period (Log rank test;
p=0.001; p=0.009, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings showed that
NLR is a new and promising inflammation-based prognostic factor in GCT
patients
Effect of massage therapy on preterm neonate's body temperature
No full textBackground: Low-cost care strategies can be implemented to avert the
morbidity and mortality associated with hypothermia in preterm
neonates. Objective: To determine the effect of massage therapy on body
temperature of preterm neonates. Methods: A quasi-experimental design
was conducted among 72 preterm neonates at a level II special care
nursery in Western Kenya. Neonates were recruited on the third day of
life and followed up for 10 days. Neonates in the intervention group
were massaged three times a day for 15 minutes. Body temperature was
monitored and recorded before, during and after each therapy session.
Neonates in the control group received routine care: temperature
monitoring three times a day, feeding and diaper change. Results:
Neonates who received massage had higher mean body temperature than the
control group during therapy on day 6 (p = .019) and after therapy on
day 6 (p = .017) and day 8 (p = .005). A comparison within massage
group (before/during, during/after, before/after) showed an increase in
mean body temperature during therapy compared to before therapy (p
<.001) and after therapy compared to before therapy (p <.001).
Conclusion: Massage therapy increases body temperature in preterm
neonates
Suicidal tendencies and its association with psychoactive use predictors among university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: Globally, suicide is one of the leading causes of death,
and approximately 80% of all suicides occur in lowand middle-income
countries. Younger people in Africa are at a higher risk of suicide
than others. Objective: To describe the prevalence and factors
associated with suicidal tendencies among undergraduate university
students using alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Methods:
Convenient sampling was used to identify 400 students who participated
in the study. Socio-demographic and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric
Interview tools were used to obtain information. Data were analyzed
using SAS 9.4 and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Among the respondents, 80% were male, and 85% were using
marijuana. 6.3% had suicidal tendencies. Respondents from the northern
region had more suicidal tendencies than other regions, and unemployed
students had more suicidal tendencies than those employed. After
multivariate analysis, being abusive and dependent on other
psychoactive substances was associated with suicidality. And having
dependence on both alcohol and other psychoactive substances was
associated with suicidality. Conclusion: Suicidality screening and
psychosocial support should be provided to this vulnerable population.
Efforts There is a need to strengthen, implement more effective
preventive strategies to reduce the use of alcohol and other
psychoactive substances
Association of trace elements abnormalities with thyroid dysfunction
No full textBackground: The metabolic pathways can be affected by dysregulation in
thyroid hormone levels which in turn can arise from environmental
chemical exposure. This study investigated the association of selected
trace elements with thyroid disorders in a Saudi population. Methods:
Urine samples collected from 100 participants (50 thyroid disorder
patients and 50 controls) were analyzed to determine trace elements
using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Non-parametric
Mann-Whitney Test, were used to examine the association between
socio-demographic as well as clinical characteristics of thyroid
profile levels (T3,T4 and TSH) and urinary trace element
concentrations. Results: Urine from patients with thyroid disorders had
significantly higher concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Cd (p-values
<0.0005). In contrast, urinary Cr and Zn (p-values <0.013 and
0.005) were low in thyroid patients compared to the control.
Conclusion: First study to report urinary trace element levels showed a
possible link between thyroid disorders and trace element exposure
which reflect the environmental pollution.
Insects Associated with an Edible Mushroom Pleurotus tuberregium (Basidiomycota): First fact-finding Approach in Benin City, Nigeria
No full textMushroom growers are confronted with insect infestations in Benin City,
where the composition of insect taxa associated with an edible mushroom
Pleurotus tuberregium was examined for informed management decisions
using standard method. Fifteen samples of insects were collected during
the duration of sprouting to harvest of the mushroom. Twelve insect
taxa were observed on P. tuberregium after being identified to their
respective orders and families using an insect identification key.
Following three non-parametric estimators (first and second order
Jackknife, and Chao estimates), between 76% and 93% of the \u2018true
taxa richness\u2019 of insects associated with the mushroom were
estimated to have been encountered. Of these, Drosophila species
(Diptera: Drosophilidae) were the most abundant insects followed by the
Staphylinids (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Larvae of Drosophila were
found feeding within the tissues of infested fruiting bodies of P.
tuberregium. Some of the insects found on the mushroom can threaten its
commercial farming and growers\u2019 return on investment. The need to
prioritise consumer-friendly pest management options as opposed to
chemicals was discussed
Assessment of Human Health Risk for Surface Sediments of Ikpoba River Contaminated by Heavy Metals
No full textFive heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Fe) were accessed in surface
sediments from Ikpoba River in Benin City, South of Nigeria; an area
impacted by soil erosion and the Benin Water Storm project. The heavy
metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean
concentrations of heavy metals were 0.543 mg/kg (Pb), 1.289 mg/kg (Ni),
0.001 mg/kg (Cd), 18.90143 mg/kg (Cu) and 1022 mg/kg (Fe) respectively.
Human health risk assessment was used to assess the pollution degree of
the river sediments. The results indicated that the pollution degree of
heavy metals increased in the order Fe>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cd. Human
health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risks all fell
below threshold level for both children and adults. The total
carcinogenic risk due to Pb and Cd were within the acceptable range for
both adults and children. The findings provide a scientific basis for
the control of potentially toxic heavy metals concentrations and
environmental protection of Ikpoba River
Determination of Heavy Metals in Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Crowned Bullfrogs) and Water from Some Reservoirs in Kadawa Irrigation Project Kano, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to evaluate the concentrations of heavy
metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in water and crowned bullfrog
(Hoplobatrachus occipitalis) organs/parts (muscle, liver, leg, lung and
trunk) from Kadawa irrigation project, Kano State, Nigeria. Atomic
Absorption Spectroscopy was carried out using Atomic Absorption
Spectrometer (AAS) Buck Scientific VGP-210 model (2008). The mean
concentration of heavy metals in water samples were 0.11 mg/L, 0.18
mg/L, 0.26 mg/L, and 3.65 mg/L for Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn respectively. The
sequence of metal accumulation in all the organs was Zn > Pb > Mn
> Cu. The highest concentration of Zn (77.38 mg/kg), Pb (1.81 mg/kg)
and Mn (0.68 mg/kg) were found in the lung while Cu (0.07 mg/kg) was
deposited more in the liver. Cadmium was not detected in all the
samples analysed. Zinc and lead were the most accumulated metals in all
the organs/parts with the range of 77.38 mg/kg - 18.10 mg/kg and 1.81
mg/kg - 0.13 mg/kg respectively. The highest accumulation of metals was
found in the lung and liver. The organ/parts accumulation pattern was:
lung > liver > trunk > muscle > leg for Zn, Pb and Mn,
while liver > lung > trunk > muscle > leg was for Cu. Lung
and liver have the highest bioaccumulation of heavy metals while the
leg and muscle bioaccumulated the least heavy metals. Hence the water,
liver and lung of H. occipitallis are unsafe for consumption, and
therefore posed a threat to public health. Farmers should be trained on
proper usage of agrochemical
Recognition of Evamy Et Al P-Zones in the Tertiary Sediments of F- Well, Niger Delta
No full textSedimentological description was carried out on 679 ditch cutting
samples which aided the erection of 103 lithozones. Palynological
evaluation of Tertiary sediments in F- Well, Niger Delta Basin was
carried out using Fifty (50) Ditch Cutting samples from a well at
different intervals between 2,010ft and 10,170ft. The samples were
prepared using standard palynological sample processing technique and
analyzed under the microscope. They were about twenty-three (23)
diagnostic palynomorphs recognized. The evaluation of these
palynomorphs species enabled us to recognize the zones. The presence of
diagnostic palynomorphs such as Praedapollis africanus, Peregrinipollis
nigericus, Retibrevitricolporites obodoensis and Cicatrisosporites
dorogenesis aided in the establishment of the age and P-zones. The
recognized P-zones are P560, P580 and P620 zones. P 560 zone was
defined at depth 9,585ft to 9,960ft with increase
Retibrevitricolporites oboendensis and the Quantitative Base of
Peregrinipollis nigericus P 580 zone was defined at depth 9,585ft to
7,830ft with Quantitative Base of Peregrinipollis nigericus and Top of
Cicatrisosporites dorogenesis and P620 zone was defined at depth
7,830ft to 6,690ft with Top Praedapolis africanus and Top
Cicatrisosporites dorogenesis. Palynological events and zones gotten
from the studied sedimentary succession suggest Oligocene \u2013 Early
Miocene Age, with numerical value of 32.7 \u2013 22.3 Ma when aligned
with the Niger Delta Chronostratigraphic Chart