|
|
|
Volume-8 (2009);
Issue 1 (January-March) Published on May 5, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-1
Review |
Rao AN, Koch M, Suresh Kumar V, Ghosh S, Shobha G.
Assessment of Metabolic Parameters For Autism Spectrum Disorders. |
|
Abstract: Autism is a
brain development disorder that first appears during infancy or childhood,
and generally follows a steady course without remission. Impairments
result from maturation-related changes in various systems of the brain.
Autism is one of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which
are characterized by widespread abnormalities of social interactions
and communication, and severely restricted interests and highly repetitive
behavior. The reported incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has increased
markedly over the past decade. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
has recently estimated the prevalence of ASDs in the United States
at approximately 5.6 per 1000 (1 of 155 to 1 of 160) children. Several metabolic defects,
such as phenylketonuria, are associated with autistic symptoms.
In deciding upon the appropriate evaluation scheme a clinician must
consider a host of different factors. The guidelines in this article
have been developed to assist the clinician in the consideration of
these factors.
Key words: Autism, Biomarkers, Immunology, Metabolic profile |
|
|
This Article |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-2
Review |
Anil Kumar MN, Pai NB, Rao S, Rao TSS, Goyal N.
Biology of Sexual Dysfunction. |
|
Abstract:
Sexual activity
is a multifaceted activity, involving complex interactions between the
nervous system, the endocrine system, the vascular system and a variety
of structures that are instrumental in sexual excitement, intercourse
and satisfaction. Sexual function has three components i.e., desire,
arousal and orgasm. Many sexual dysfunctions can be categorized according
to the phase of sexual response that is affected. In actual clinical
practice however, sexual desire, arousal and orgasmic difficulties more
often than not coexist, suggesting an integration of phases. Sexual
dysfunction can result from a wide variety of psychological and physiological
causes including derangements in the levels of sex hormones and neurotrensmitters.
This review deals with the biology of different phases of sexual function
as well as implications of hormones and neurotransmitters in sexual
dysfunction
Key words: Sexual dysfunction, Hormones, Neurotransmitters |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-3
Original Article |
Chudasama RK, Amin CD, Parikh YN.
Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and its determinants
in first 6 months of life: A prospective study. |
|
Abstract: Background:
Urbanization often results in profound environmental alterations that
may promote the transmission of malaria. Though, land-use practices
in urban areas have been linked with proliferations of suitable larval
breeding habitats of malaria vectors, no attempt has been made to systematically
investigate the influence of land-use practices on malaria transmission
in Nigeria. Objectives:
To elucidate the influence of land-use practices on larval development
and adult body size of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)
mosquitoes in Minna, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Newly-hatched larvae of An. gmbiae
mosquitoes were reared in semi-natural habitats stationed in five different
sites, each representing the major land-use types in the area. The larvae
were monitored daily for Duration of Immature Development (DID) and
Immature Survival Rate (ISR); while Wing Length (WL) was used as an
index of adult body size. Results:
DID, ISR and WL varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the land-use
categories; with lager numbers of bigger mosquitoes produced at a faster
rate in the artificial than natural land-use sites. Water temperature
for larval development was best in the Refuse Dump (RD) site (mean =
28.11 ± 2.50oC) and consequently the shortest DID (mean
= 9.70 ± 0.74 days), as well as, the largest mosquitoes (mean WL =
3.10 ± 0.90 mm), were recorded in this land-use category. However,
while ISR was highest (mean = 96.30 ± 2.78%) in Farm Land (FL), the
mosquitoes that emerged from this site were the smallest (mean WL =
1.96 ± 0.51mm). The Natural Vegetation (NV) land-use category was the
least productive, as the larvae took the longest time (13.29 ± 1.69
days) to develop, and survived least (42.94 ± 7.50%) in this site. Conclusion:
The land-use practices in Minna enhanced the fitness of An. gambiae,
and may increase the vectorial capacity of the species for malaria transmission
in the area. Targeted larviciding interventions will greatly contribute
to malaria control efforts in Minna, Nigeria.
Key words: Malaria, Mosquitoes, Survival Rates, Temperature, Wing Length. |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-4
Original Article |
Bassey EB, Moses AE, Udo SM, Umo AN.
Parallel and overlapping Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and C virus
Infections among pregnant women in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,
Nigeria. |
|
Abstract:
Background: Risk factors
that are associated with HIV infection are also associated with HBV
and HCV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV-infected pregnant
cohort represents a unique population and infection with the hepatitis
virus is considered a public health problem worldwide. Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency
Virus, Hepatitis B and C virus parallel and overlapping infections among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Abuja. Method:
Five hundred (500) blood samples were collected from three district
hospitals in the FCT and tested at Wuse General Hospital, Abuja for
the presence of antibodies to HIV and Hepatitis C virus, and HBsAg by
ELISA technique in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
HIV seropositive sera were confirmed by Western blot. Result:
Of the 500 pregnant women, those detected with HIV antibodies, HBsAg
and anti-HCV antibodies were 42 (8.4%), 19 (3.8%) and 8 (1.6%) respectively.
The overall seroprevalence of HIV and HBV or HCV co-infection was 9.5%
while 7.1% and 2.4% HIV positive pregnant women were specifically co-infected
with HBV and HCV respectively. Those within the age bracket of 15-20
years had the highest prevalence of HIV (13.4%), HBV (5.1%) and HCV
(1.9%) infections. Among the occupation characteristics of the women,
those of them involved in trading recorded the highest prevalence of
HIV (60.6%), HBV (30.3) and HCV (6.1%). HIV was higher among the married
women than the singles ((8.6% vs 6.5%); with HBV infection the reverse
was the case (3.0% vs 9.8%) while HCV was same for both groups. History
of blood transfusion did not reflect a higher rate of HIV and HBV (1.4%
vs 9.6%; 2.8% vs 4.0% respectively) unlike HCV infection with 0.5% recorded
only among those that had transfusion experience. Conclusion: When monitoring the
risk of hepatotoxicity to antiretroviral drugs among these group of
patients caution should be maintained. Moreover, evidence of parallel
and overlapping HIV, HBsAg and HCV infections among this cohort should
motivate inclusion of HBV and HCV among the diseases of surveillance
in the national sentinel survey in order to ascertain the bigger picture
of these infections in Nigeria.
Key words: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus,
Abuja, Nigeria |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-5
Original Article |
Muttigi MS, Prabhu LS, Kedage V, Prakash M, Shetty JK, Virupaksha D, Bhandary PV.
Glutathione
S-Transferase activity and total thiol status in chronic alcohol abusers
before and 30 days after alcohol abstinence. |
|
Abstract:
Background:
Glutathione S Transferase (GST) has been involved in detoxification
process in the liver and its activity has been shown to be increased
in alcohol abusers. In the current work we measured the GST activity,
total thiol status, AST, ALT, and direct bilirubin in chronic alcohol
abusers before and 30 days after alcohol abstinence and lifestyle modification. Methods:
Serum and urine GST activity and total thiol status were determined
using spectrophotometric methods and serum transaminases were determined
using clinical chemistry analyzer. Results:
We found,significant increase in serum and urine GST (p<0.001),
AST (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.001), and decrease in total thiol status
(p<0.001) in chronic alcohol abusers. GST activity significantly
decreased (p<0.001) and total thiol status were improved significantly
(p<0.001) 30 days after alcohol abstinence and lifestyle modification. Conclusion:
This study provides preliminary data to suggest the role of GST as prognostic
indicator of alcohol abstinence with possible trend towards an improvement
in liver function.
Key words: Glutathione
S Transferase; Total thiols; Alcoholic liver disease; Alcohol abstinence |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-6
Original Article |
Emokpae MA, Uadia PO, Sadiq NM.
Contribution of Bacterial Infection to Male Infertility in Nigerians. |
|
Abstract: Objective:
To identify the medications that medical students, interns and casualty
medical officers are likely to prescribe when treating an adult patient
with anaphylaxis, and to ascertain the dose and route of administration
of adrenaline they would use. Design: A questionnaire
study survey. Setting: Kasturba
medical college hospital, Manipal (Udupi District) and public health
centers of Udupi district, Karnataka. Subjects: Data
collected from 39 second year medical students, 35 interns and 35 casualty
medical officers. Main outcome
measure: To determine the percentage of use of adrenaline for the treatment
of anaphylaxis in the correct dose, strength and route. Results: Majority
(73 .3%) of participants correctly opted to use adrenaline. Only 9 participants
have written the correct dose, route and concentration of adrenaline.
41.28% and 66.05% participants preferred to use antihistamines and corticosteroids
respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that confusion
exists regarding the correct route of administration and dose of adrenaline to
be used when treating anaphylaxis. This confusion applied to medical students,
interns and medical officers. Therefore doctors must be made aware of the
guidelines to treat anaphylaxis effectively.
Key words: Anaphylaxis, Adrenaline |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-7
Original Article |
Gupta V, Walia L, Gupta S, Bajwa N.
Comparison of the Effects Of Coconut Oil And Soyabean Oil On TSH Level And Weight Gain In Rabbits. |
|
Abstract: The present study was
conducted on 12 albino rabbits of either sex and weighing between 1-1.5kg
to see the influence of coconut oil and soyabean oil on serum TSH levels
and weight gain for a period of 12 weeks. The rabbits were divided
into 2 groups of six each. Rabbits in group 1 were fed on coconut
oil and in group 2 were fed on soyabean oil in addition to their standard
diet. At the end of 12 weeks we found that rabbits fed on soyabean
oil had significant increase in TSH levels (p= 0.003) and gained more
weight (p=0.000) when compared to rabbits fed on coconut oil
Key words: Coconut oil,
Soyabean oil, Thyroid stimulating hormone, Weight |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-8
Original Article |
Chawla K, Mukhopadhayay C,
Gurung B, Bhate P, Bairy I.
Bacterial
‘Cell’ Phones: Do cell phones
carry potential pathogens? |
|
Abstract:
Cell phones
are important companions for professionals especially health care workers (HCWs) for better
communication in hospital. The present study compared the nature of
the growth of potentially pathogenic bacterial flora on cell phones
in hospital and community. 75% cell phones from both the categories
grew at least one potentially pathogenic organism. Cell phones from
HCWs grew significantly more potential pathogens like MRSA (20%),
Acinetobacter species (5%), Pseudomonas species (2.5%) as
compared to the non HCWs. 97.5% HCWs use their cell phone in the hospital,
57.5% never cleaned their cell phone and 20% admitted that they did
not wash their hands before or after attending patients, although majority
(77.5%) knows that cell phones can have harmful colonization and act
as vector for nosocomial infections. It is recommended, therefore, that
cell phones in the hospital should be regularly decontaminated. Moreover,
utmost emphasis needs to be paid to hand washing practices among HCWs.
Key words: Cell phones, Health care workers, Pathogen
carriers |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-9
original Article |
Onyegeme-Okerenta BM, Chinedu SN, Okafor UA, Okochi VI.
Antibacterial Activity of Culture Extracts of Penicillium chrysogenum
PCL501: Effects of Carbon Sources. |
|
Abstract:
Penicillium
chrysogenum PCL501 produced β-lactam antibiotics when fermented
with different agro-wastes: cassava shavings, corncob, sawdust and sugarcane
pulp. In vitro antibacterial activity of the culture extracts
was tested against four clinical bacterial isolates, namely, Bacillus
subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the culture extracts and standard drug
(commercial Benzyl Penicillin) inhibited the growth B. subtilis
and E. coli; the potency varied with carbon source. Antibacterial
activity of extracts from cultures containing cassava shavings and sugarcane
pulp was comparably with that of the standard drug. The MIC against
the susceptible organisms was 0.20mg/ml for the standard drug and ranged
from 0.40 to 1.50mg/ml for the culture extracts. Neither the culture
extracts nor the standard drug inhibited K. pneumoniae and
P. aeruginosa; the bacterial strains produced β-lactamase enzymes.
Cassava shavings and sugarcane pulp are indicated as suitable cheap
carbon sources for the production of antibiotics by Penicillium chrysogenum
PCL501.
Key words: Agro-wastes, Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, antibiotic production,
Phenyl penicillin, antibacterial activity, β-lactamase |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-10
Case Report |
Bhat KG, Karanth A.
Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Phenomenon -
A case of the widening eye. |
|
Abstract:
Marcus
Gunn jaw winking phenomenon is a congenital synkinetic movement due
to synkinesis between the upper eyelid and the pterygoids and it accounts
for 8% of patients with congenital ptosis. In rare instances, ptosis
may be absent. We present a case of Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking phenomenon
without ptosis at presentation
Key words: Congenital ptosis, Jaw winking phenomenon |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;1-11
Case Report |
Adeleke SI, Asani MO.
Accidental Potassium Bromate Poisoning Causing Acute Renal Failure. |
|
Abstract:
Accidental
poisoning is common in children. Potassium bromate is commonly used
additive and raising agent in many edibles especially bread which is
a staple food in Nigeria. This communication is that of an unusual case
of acute renal failure following accidental ingestion of potassium bromate
tablets.
Key words: Potassium bromate,
Poisoning, Renal failure |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
