Patients

Overview of glycemic control among admitted patients with diabetes in Tripoli University Hospital

Published on: 18th February, 2022

Aim: To examine the relationship between the levels of HbA1c and hospital admission rates.Methods: We recorded HbA1c levels of all diabetic patients in Tripoli University Hospital over one year.Results: The mean HbA1c was 8.03%, with no difference between males and females. Over half of patients (56.5%) were admitted through their diabetes was well-controlled. Over half of the patients with type 1 diabetes (57/102, 55.9%) had a high HbA1c at admission compared to 42.1% of patients with type 2, who were mainly admitted with HbA1c level within the acceptable range set for this study. The HbA1c level was positively and significantly correlated with the length of hospital stay (R = 0.93, p = 0.000), and was significantly associated with hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, coronary artery disease, limb ischemia, cataract, osteomyelitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.Conclusion: HbA1c is correlated significantly with hospitalization in type 1 diabetes but not in type 2.
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Clinical evaluation of the eye-to-visual-pathway integrity of glaucomatous neurodegeneration using 1.5T MR imaging: The integrity of glaucomatous neurodegeneration

Published on: 9th March, 2022

Aim: Accumulating data imply that glaucoma may represent a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the entire visual system. We evaluated retrobulbar glaucomatous damage with favorable techniques for 1.5T diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging and we compared those techniques with clinical data in a large case series. Material and methods: This Cross-sectional study included 130 eyes of 65 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Patients with no known ocular or systemic concomitant disorders, neurological diseases, previous glaucoma surgeries, or antioxidant usage were selected. A decrease in thickness and deterioration in the optic nerve diffusion of severely glaucomatous eyes of patients with asymmetrical involvement was observed in optic nerve tractography. Optical coherence tomography and visual field results of the subjects were recorded. Glaucoma analysis with optical coherence tomography and standard automated perimetry results of the subjects were recorded. Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging analysis of optic nerves and radiations were performed, computing fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. Correlation between the diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging and clinical eye parameters of glaucomatous neurodegeneration were statistically evaluated. Results: The correlations between diffusion parameters and age were highly significant. Statistically significant correlations were found between ganglion cell complex and apparent diffusion coefficient, axial and radial diffusivities of optic nerves. Conclusion: Eye-brain connection in glaucoma can be evaluated with routine clinical instruments. Our study also revealed a limited correlation of retrobulbar glaucomatous neurodegeneration with ophthalmic damage. A better understanding of retrobulbar damage will enable us to develop more efficient strategies and a more accurate understanding of glaucoma.
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Control of arterial hypertension and risk of new-onset of atrial fibrillation in patients with metabolic syndrome

Published on: 10th March, 2022

Background: An association between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) a constellation of abnormalities (high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity), has been demonstrated. There have been many studies that have shown that elevated blood pressure (BP), was significantly associated with an increased risk of AF. It is uncertain whether maintaining the optimal BP levels can prevent AF in the patients with MS categorized as ‘high-risk’ patients.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of control of BP on the occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with Metabolic Syndrome.Methods: Into this observational study, was enrolled 435 consecutive patients (210 males and 225 females) aged 45-79 years who fulfilled criteria for MS. Participants were selected among primary and secondary care patients, who were receiving ongoing care for arterial hypertension in the period from November 2018 till November 2021. The study was conducted at outpatients in 5 Health Care Clinics (3 Secondary Health Care Clinics and 2 Primary Health Clinics). Patient were categorized according to their BP levels as Group 1-patients with controlled BP, {(patients aged < 65 years Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of 120 - 130 mmHg, patients aged ≥ 65 years SBP of 130 - 139 mmHg)} and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), {(patients aged < 65 years of < 80 mmHg. but not < 70 mmHg; patients aged ≥ 65 years of 85 - 89 mmHg)}, or Group 2-patients with uncontrolled BP(> 130/80 mmHg),and in patients aged ≥ 65 years BP (≥ 140/90 mmHg ). Results: New-onset of AF, was more frequent in participants with uncontrolled BP, respectively (34.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.009).Patients with uncontrolled BP have more frequent persistent AF (15.2% vs. 0.04%) and permanent AF (0.08% vs. 0.02%), whereas there was not significant changes between groups in relation to frequency of paroxysmal AF, respectively (12.8% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.29). There was observed significant association of uncontrolled BP with: increased frequency of AF (OR = 2.193; 95% CI 1.390 - 3.439), persistent AF (OR = 3.931; 95% CI 1.771 - 8.084), permanent AF (OR = 4.138; 95% CI 1.383-12.381), LA. Dimension ≥ 2.2 cm/m2 (OR = 2.089, 95% CI 1.330 - 3.252), BMI (OR = 5.226, 95% CI 3.155 - 8.659) and 5-risk factors for MS, respectively (OR = 2.998, 95% CI 1.833 - 4.901).Conclusion: Optimal BP levels, can reduce the frequency of new-onset AF in patients with MS categorized as ‘high-risk’ patients. Uncontrolled BP was associated with an increased risk of both subtypes of AF (persistent and permanent) in the patients with MS categorized as ‘high-risk’ patients.
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Addition of dydrogesterone to vaginal progesterone and transfer postponement improve outcomes in patients with low progesterone levels in hormonally substituted cycles for frozen-thawed embryo transfer

Published on: 11th March, 2022

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 9457395735

Purpose: Adding dydrogesterone (DYD) to vaginal micronized progesterone (VMP) and postponing embryo transfer in order to improve outcomes in patients with low progesterone (P) levels in hormonally substituted cycles prior to frozen/thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods: Endometrial preparation comprised sequential administration of vaginal estradiol until endometrial thickness reached 7 mm, followed by transdermal estradiol combined with 800 mg/day VMP. Our previous analysis of serum P levels on FET day showed that the optimal P level was > 11 ng/mL for live birth. Serum P was measured on day1 (D1) following exogenous VMP introduction in the evening. When P levels were > 11 ng/mL, FET was performed “in phase” on day-2, day-3, or day-5 depending on embryo stage at cryopreservation (n = 139 cycles). When P levels were < 11 ng/mL, DYD 10 mg three times a day orally, was added to VMP and FET was postponed by one day (n = 237 cycles, 63%). The primary endpoint was the comparison of live birth rates (LBR) between the two groups.Results: Mean serum P level on D1 was 10.2 + 3.7 ng/mL. Characteristics of patients in both groups were similar for age, body mass index, endometrial thickness prior to P introduction, quality of transferred embryos, and embryo transfer stage. Regarding the primary endpoint, LBR was similar between the VMP+DYD group and the VMP group (26.1% vs. 27.3%, NS). Conclusion: These results suggest that adding DYD to VMP and postponing the transfer in patients with low P levels in hormonally substituted FET cycles might optimize outcomes.
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Spinal cord involvement in tuberculous meningitis: a case report and brief review of literature

Published on: 15th March, 2022

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health problem worldwide. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most devastating form of extrapulmonary TB however other forms of central nervous system (CNS) disease include tuberculoma and spinal arachnoiditis. TBM carries high mortality even for a patient who is already receiving treatment. The difficulty in diagnosis often leads to a delay in treatment and subsequent mortality. The emergence of Xpert ultra has improved the rapid detection of MTB and rifampicin resistance in CSF and is the preferred diagnostic tool in TBM.Case: In this case report we present a 33 years patient of concern who presented with progressive lower limb weakness associated with pain and paresthesia for 4 months, admitted via the Orthopedic unit with a diagnosis of spinal mass (meningioma, neurofibroma, or nerve sheath tumor) for which biopsy was done and revealed a chronic inflammatory process, necrotic bone lesions with no granulomas and no malignancy, he was later diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis and promptly started anti-tuberculous therapy with a dramatic recovery and improvement in neurological function.Conclusion: Tuberculous meningitis conditions have high morbidity and mortality yet diagnosis and start of treatment continue to experience an important delay. Clinicians should keep in mind the limitations of clinical presentation due to pleiotropy and current diagnostics and should employ a combination of diagnostic modalities in addition to a high index of suspicion to prevent morbidity in patients with TBM.
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Stomach cancer: epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects at the Kara Teaching Hospital, Togo

Published on: 16th March, 2022

Objective: To report our experience in the management of gastric cancers at the Kara University Hospital (Togo).Materials and methods: This was a retrospective and prospective study which was conducted from January 1, 2018, to July 31, 2021, in the general surgery and hepato-gastroenterology department of the Kara University Hospital (Togo). This study involved all patients treated for gastric cancer during the study period at CHU Kara (Togo).Results: We recorded 32 gastric cancers out of the 218 cases of cancer diagnosed during the study period. We had 20 men and 12 women with a sex ratio (M/F = 1.7). The average age was 58 years with the extremes ranging from 17 to 85 years. The pattern of the consultation was dominated by epigastralgia (100%) and deterioration in general condition (100%). Upper digestive endoscopy with biopsies was performed in all our patients. The antral localization was the most found in 62.5% of cases. The most common macroscopic appearance was ulcers-budding (90.6%) and the dominant histological type was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (87.5%). The extension assessment found liver metastasis in 10 cases, multiple regional lymphadenopathies of the hepatic pedicle and celiac trunk in 26 cases, ascites related to peritoneal carcinomatosis in 26 cases. Therapeutically, a 4/5 gastrectomy with D1 dissection was performed in 6 cases; gastrojejunal anastomosis in one case and palliative treatment in 25 cases. Survival at 1 year is 50% (3 patients) among operated patients. All the other patients (78.1%) who received palliative treatment all died within 3 months.Conclusion: Improving the prognosis of stomach cancer like other cancers requires early diagnosis to perform a gastrectomy, the only guarantee of long survival.
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Personal and academic factors of stress in nursing students during clinical practices in the context of COVID-19

Published on: 23rd March, 2022

In the year 2020, COVID-19 spread globally. The increase in cases and deaths has created problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression in health workers.The health care workers (inclusive of students in professional practices are vulnerable to psychiatric pathology due to their exposure to the virus, their increased risk of contagion and even death, overload of functions, pressure for decision-making, the close experience of patients, relatives, and colleagues’ pain, and the requirement to function at the top of capacity.The objective of this research is to analyse the personal and academic factors of stress development in nursing students, during clinical practices in the COVID-19 context.It is a cases and controls study, with 154 students who attended clinical practices during the period of May-August 2020. High levels of stress were found in 61% of students, 34 of these had difficulties concentrating (OR: 3.08), 64 participants reported fear of contact with COVID-19 patients, (OR: 1.9) and 68 participants were identified with inadequate knowledge of COVID-19 transmission (OR: 1.5).The study found that the transition to virtual classes as a strategy to reduce contagion increases three times the possibilities of developing stress, another variable that doubles the risk of stress is the fear of caring for a patient with COVID-19 who has not been diagnosed.
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Community-acquired AKI and its management

Published on: 17th March, 2022

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 9486957608

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decrease in kidney function within hours to days and is caused by multiple factors. Community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI) is common in developing countries, and it is crucial to bring awareness about its epidemiology and simple preventive strategies that can tackle this potentially serious complication. Infections, use of over-the-counter medicines, traditional herbal remedies, animal (and insect) bites, and pregnancy-related complications are common causes of CA-AKI in developing countries. The incidence of vector-borne disease-related AKI and obstetric causes of AKI have decreased following better public health policies in most developing countries. Appropriate fluid management is critical in AKI, both in terms of prevention of development and progression of AKI. Timely initiation and de-escalation of fluid therapy are both equally important. Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is indicated when AKI progresses to stage 3 and/or patients develop refractory fluid overload or electrolyte imbalances and/or uremic complications. Hemodialysis is the most common modality of KRT in adults, whereas peritoneal dialysis is the dominant modality in small children. Convective renal replacement therapy, such as hemofiltration, is increasingly used in critically sick patients with AKI and hemodynamic instability. To summarize, CA-AKI is a common, serious, and often preventable complication of certain conditions acquired in the community, and is, therefore, a matter of utmost concern from the public health perspective. 
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To estimate the levels of gingival crevicular fluid YKL-40 in patients with chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis with chronic periodontitis - a clinico-biochemical study

Published on: 25th March, 2022

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 9470199605

Background and objectives: YKL-40, a C-reactive protein belongs to the positive acute-phase protein. It is also known as Human chitinase-3-like protein 1(HCI3L1) and is closely related to both acute and chronic inflammation. The present study aimed to detect and estimate the levels of YKL-40 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with healthy periodontium, chronic periodontitis, and rheumatoid arthritis with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients in the age range of 25-55years were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: Group I-15 Periodontal healthy patients, Group II-15 Chronic Periodontitis patients, and Group III-15 Rheumatoid arthritis with chronic periodontitis patients. Clinical parameters recorded were Plaque index, Gingival index, Gingival bleeding index, probing depth, and Relative attachment level. GCF samples were analyzed using ELISA. p - value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The highest mean YKL-40 concentration in GCF was observed in rheumatoid arthritis with Chronic periodontitis. The mean concentration of YKL-40 in GCF showed a three to four folds increase in its levels when compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Contrary, GCF YKL-40 levels between Group II and Group III were not significant.Conclusion: With the increase in severity of periodontal destruction from healthy periodontium to chronic periodontitis, there was a substantial increase in the concentration of YKL-40 in GCF. Correlation of GCF YKL-40 with clinical parameters demonstrated increased severity of the diseases increased its levels
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Stage and symptoms of bipolar disorders

Published on: 6th April, 2022

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. During mood swings, there may be features of psychosis (delusions and hallucinations) that are mood-congruent. Although psychotic symptoms are seen only in a minority of patients, they explain the early terminology of manic–depressive psychosis. Stage 1a is defined as mild or non-specific symptoms of mood disorder and intervened as formal mental health literacy; family psychoeducation; substance abuse reduction; cognitive behavioral therapy. Euphoric means the experience of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music, and dancing, can induce a state of euphoria. Racing thoughts are consistent, persistent, often intrusive thoughts that come in rapid succession. There is a direct link between depression and anxiety and racing thoughts. Whereas jumping from topic to topic as in the flight of ideas can be observed by others, ascertainment of racing thoughts requires asking the child whether his or her thoughts seem to be going too fast.
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Assessment of knowledge of acute kidney injury among non-nephrology healthcare workers in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Published on: 6th April, 2022

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 9470693131

Background: Assessment of knowledge of acute kidney injury (AKI) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is necessary to identify areas of deficiency and key topics to focus on while organizing educational programs to improve AKI care. The objective of this study was to assess AKI knowledge and practice among health care providers in North Kivu province, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in six public hospitals in North Kivu province using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 158 HCWs completed the survey, among them 66 (41.78%) were physicians. The mean age of respondents was 36.07 ± 10.16 years and the male gender was 56.33%. Only 12 (7.59%) of the respondents had a good knowledge of the definition and classification of AKI. The respondents’ mean scores were 6.76 out of a total of 18 about risk factors for AKI and 6.29 out of a total of 11 with regard to nephrotoxic drugs. Regarding practices, 28.48% of the respondents assess the risk of AKI in their patients in their daily practices; 31.65% report AKI in the patients’ medical history, and 33.54% call on a nephrologist specialist to get specialized advice. Conclusion: This study found considerable gaps in knowledge and practice regarding AKI among most of HCWs in North Kivu province. 
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Profiling children with cerebral visual impairment in a tertiary eye care center

Published on: 7th April, 2022

Background: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is a bilateral visual impairment that affects children in all industrialized countries. It has become more common in low-income countries as a result of the increased survival rates of children who suffer from severe neurological conditions during the perinatal period. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of children with CVI in a tertiary children’s eye care center population.Methods: From October 2020 to September 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted to select all consecutive patients with a diagnosis of cerebral visual impairment aged 6 months to 16 years. On the neurological deficit, information was gathered from the patient’s referral: parental interviews, observations, and direct assessment were used for functional vision characteristics, and an ophthalmic examination was performed for eye findings. The interviewees’ responses were matched to the ten specific behavioral characteristics shared by children with CVI. Cortical visual impairment was diagnosed using three criteria: [the vision loss is not explained by abnormalities found on the eye examination, a neurological medical diagnosis, and the child exhibits one of the unique visual and behavioral characteristics described by Roman Lantz]. A descriptive statistical analysis (frequency, mean, and range) was calculated. Results: Forty children with CVI (1.96% of total children) were seen. The mean age was 2.56 ( 1.98) years. There were 24 (60%) males. On a referral paper of 28, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was the commonest cause mentioned (70.0%). Seizures were the most frequent neurological deficit at presentation. Ophthalmic and neurologic impairments were found in 42.5% of children with CVI. Based on Roman-Lantzy’s three phases of the CVI Range, 90% of children with CVI at the test time had Phase I or Phase II vision.Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, visual impairment is critical in the diagnosis of CVI. The prevalence of CVI as a cause of childhood vision impairment is significant. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the most common cause of CVI. All children with CVI have serious neurological issues, and the majority have associated ophthalmic abnormalities.
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Convalescent plasma therapy in aHUS patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Published on: 22nd April, 2022

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 9485831799

Endotheliosis, thrombotic microangiopathy and complement system over activation have been described as pathologic features of tissue damage in the setting of coronavirus disease. Interestingly, complement-mediated cell injury is also a typical feature of atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Indeed, a growing body of literature has described a higher risk of microangiopathy recurrence, in aHUS patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2. The correct clinical and therapeutic management patients with a history of HUS and SARS-CoV-2 infection is not well established.We report a case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an aHUS patient who did not develop a recurrence of the disease and that was successfully treated with convalescent immune plasma therapy.
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Associations of arterial stiffness with left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness in the hypertensives

Published on: 5th May, 2022

Background: Arterial stiffness has been considered an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in addition to the traditionally known cardiovascular risk factors. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the associations between arterial stiffness with left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness in the hypertensives. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study compared a control group in 210 study subjects (105 hypertensives and 105 normotensives). Measuring left ventricular mass index by echocardiography and carotid intima-media thickness by carotid doppler ultrasonography. Pulse wave velocity was measured using the Agedio B900 device and the Agedio K520 application. The manual method was measured by the ankle-brachial index.Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between pulse wave velocity and age (r = 0.922, p < 0.001). The ankle-brachial index had a statistically significant positive correlation at a weak level with left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness, in which the coefficient r was equal to 0.219 (p < 0.05) and 0.250 (p < 0,001), respectively. Pulse wave velocity also had a statistically significant positive correlation at a weak level with left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness, in which the coefficient r was equal to 0.188 (p < 0.05) and 0.289 (p < 0,001), respectively. Pulse wave velocity had a multivariable linear correlation with gender, pulse, mean blood pressure, and ankle-brachial index with statistical significance; and they were written in the form of the following equation: Pulse wave velocity (R2: 41.3%) = 0.641*(Gender) – 0.027*(Pulse) + 0.043*(Mean blood pressure) + 8.378*(Ankle-brachial index) – 3.254.Conclusion: Arterial stiffness was statistically correlated with left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness in the hypertensives. Through the above research results, we suggest that the hypertensives should be combined with the evaluation of hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness for contributing to the diagnosis and detection of cardiovascular complications, thereby improving the quality of monitoring and treatment in hypertensive patients.
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Treatment of perianal fistulae in crohn's disease with mesenchymal stem cells

Published on: 4th May, 2022

Crohn's disease is a chronic syndrome of the gastrointestinal tract that produces idiopathic inflammation. Approximately half of the patients develop abscesses and/or fistulas throughout their history that are located, mainly, in the perianal region. Current treatments are based on individualized plans that generally use combined pharmacology for symptomatic relief based on glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants or immunomodulators, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, probiotics, and antibodies, or surgical therapies such as intestinal resections or ostomizations (colostomy and ileostomy) that tend to cause notable side effects in a considerable percentage of patients and a significant decrease in their quality of life.Perianal fistulas consist of abnormal tracts, inflammatory tunnels, or chronic tracts of granular tissue that connect two surfaces lined with epithelium, have an external hole in the skin that borders the anus, and an internal hole located inside it around the anal canal, rectus and sphincters. Treatment is a complex process that requires a multidisciplinary approach and the combination of several treatments. In the short term, the goal is to drain abscesses, reduce inflammatory and infectious processes, guard the fistulous tract with seton or lax lines, facilitate patency, and hinder new formations. In the long term, a total cure and the avoidance of complications that require surgery or the creation of intestinal stomas are pursued.For this reason, new effective remedies with fewer adverse effects continue to be investigated, one of the most promising being the use of mesenchymal stem cells for the regeneration and cure of perianal fistulas and the remission of symptoms. The present bibliographic review delves into this new therapy and analyzes the current state of the situation regarding its efficacy and safety.
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Dermatomycoses in Pakistan; an urgent need for National Surveillance Programs

Published on: 10th May, 2022

Despite the rising burden of fungal infections across the globe, the World Health Organization's efforts remained questionable in fungal infection-related projects. Most of the developing countries consequently lost focus on the need for assessment and establishment of national surveillance set up or advanced technology hubs against mycological infections. The current study aimed to the determination of the local burden of cutaneous fungal infections in 2019-2021. Among 497 suspected fungal cultures, 22.5% depicted fungal growth. Among males, the prevalence of dermatomycosis was 0.75 times higher than in females. Penicillium species followed by Epidermophyton and Candida species were common among subjects of < 30 years of age. The Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, mucormycosis agents, and Candida albicans infections were more common among subjects 30 to 60 years of age. Aspergillus species were more commonly observed among patients > 60 of age. 22.2% of the fungal infections were Penicillium species, 9% of the infections were Aspergillus species, followed by 4.4% of Epidermophyton, mucormycosis, Candida species, and Candida albicans respectively. There is an urgent need for the establishment of national policy for the prevention of fungal disease.
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Idiopathic parkinson’s disease and fatigue

Published on: 10th May, 2022

Introduction: Fatigue is a common non-motor symptom of Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD). The aim is to research the relationship between fatigue of IPD patients and the clinical findings, of mood disorders.Material and methods: A total of 39 patients with IPD were included in the study. The relationship between fatigue severity and demographic characteristics and the treatment was evaluated in IPD. The severity of fatigue was evaluated by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Motor impairment was scored by the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale. The patients were assessed for the presence of depression and anxiety with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The mean age of the patients was 70.62 ± 8.35 years. 23 were men and 16 were women. The mean disease duration was 6.18 ± 3.35 years. The patients were assigned into two groups according to the presence of fatigue measured by FSS with less than 5 (Group I) and 5 or more (Group II). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to mean age, mean age of onset, and mean disease duration of the patients (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups for HADS depression, anxiety values, and terms of antiparkinsonian therapies (p > 0.05). The severity of fatigue was correlated with the HADS anxiety levels (p < 0.05).Discussion: Fatigue is an important non-motor symptom that is underestimated in clinical follow-up. We didn’t find any correlation between fatigue and age, duration of disease onset, or drug use. There was no significant correlation between the fatigue score and depression, and pain. However, the fatigue scores were higher in patients with high anxiety scores and females.
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Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Fox A1 in epithelial ovarian cancer

Published on: 20th May, 2022

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth cause of cancer mortality in females. There were an estimated 300,000 new cases of OC diagnosed worldwide in 2018, corresponding to 3.4% of all cancer cases among women. The high mortality rate of OC attributed to asymptomatic growth of the tumor leads to its diagnosis at advanced stages. About 85% - 90% of OC are epithelial including serous, endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous carcinoma. Aim: To study the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of FOXA1 and p53 in epithelial OC and its association with prognostic indicators such as age, tumor size, stage, grade, and histological type.Materials and methods: The study included 52 cases with EOC from the pathology department, faculty of medicine, Aswan, and Sohag Universities, in the period from January 2017 to December 2019. This study involved 52 patients with OC and a median age of 53 years. Different histological types were included as 37 serous, 12 mucinous, 1 case endometroid 2 cases clear cell OC. The study cases were classified into 22 Grade I, 16 Grade II, and 20 Grade III. About 22 cases were at stage I, 9 at stage II, 11 at stage III, and 10 at stage IV. Tissue sections were stained using the IHC technique with FOX A1 at a dilution of 1:100 and p53 at 1:100. Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between FOX A1 expression and advanced patient's age, high grade, advanced stage, ruptured capsule, and ascites, regardless of tumor laterality. No significant association was found between p53 immunoexpression and the same clinic-pathological parameters although p53 was associated with serious type. Conclusion: FOXA1 immunoexpression in EOC is considered a poor prognostic factor in EOC. FOXA1 could be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in EOC.
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The value of bone scans to predict survival time in patients with diagnosed prostate cancer: single-center retrospective study

Published on: 25th May, 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated the significance of the bone scan results as a prognostic factor to predict survival by comparing age, serum PSA level, and Gleason score. Methods: Medical records of 313 patients were retrospectively examined. 265 patients of 313 were included in the study. Results: 202 (76%) patients of 265 were still alive and 63 (24%) patients of 265 were dead because of prostate cancer. Patients’ mean estimated survival times for those with, without, and suspected bone metastases were 47.4 ± 5.4 months, 159.1 ± 8.6 months, and 71.1 ± 14.4 months, respectively (p = 0.0001). While the mean estimated survival time of < 70 years patients old was 137.1 ± 9.4 months, the mean estimated survival time of ≥ 70 years old patients was 78.2 ± 5.0 (p = 0.031). 243 patients with known PSA values, of those whose PSA levels were < 10 ng/ml, between 10-20 ng/ml, between > 20-50 ng/ml, and > 50 ng/ml, the estimated mean survival time was 106.9 ± 4.2 months, 118.1 ± 14.8 months, 87.6 ± 7.4 months and 51.7 ± 6.2 month, respectively and a significant difference was determined (p = 0.0001). For patients whose Gleason scores were < 7, 7,and >7, the mean estimated survival time was 167.5 ± 10.8 months), 86.8 ± 5.5 months, and 61.0 ± 5.4 months, respectively, and a significant difference was determined (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: We identified that the estimated mean survival time of the patients who had bone metastases, had a high level of PSA, had a high level of Gleason score, and were older than 70 years old was shorter than other groups. We concluded the most important prognostic factor affecting survival time independently was the finding of metastasis detected in bone scintigraphy.
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The surrey county lunatic asylum-an overview of some of the first admissions in 1863-1867

Published on: 31st May, 2022

In the 19th Century in much of Western Europe and North America the number and size of asylums increased hugely. In London, there was a wave of new asylums built in response to the 1808 County Asylums Act and the 1845 Lunacy Act, which required publicly funded care for those deemed mentally unwell. One such asylum was the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum which was built on the grounds which now house Springfield University Hospital in South West London.This paper describes the admission records from Surrey County Lunatic Asylum, between 1863-1867, from information stored in the London Metropolitan Archives. Although the terminology is different from that of today’s, the picture the records paint is of an institution aiming at recovery rather than long-term incarceration which can be how asylums are now remembered. This more nuanced view is starting to be discussed more in public conversations about the topic. The optimism this may imbue is tempered by the shocking number of patients who died within the institution.
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat
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