ABSTRACT
Background: Information on the incidence of Obesity in western countries has been documented, whereas there is paucity of information in the incidence of obesity in Africa and in Nigeria in particular. This study was done to examine the rate of obesity among men and women in Kalabari between the ages of 12 to 65 with different communities taken as case study. Materials and Methods: The Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a ratio of weight per height square of a total of three hundred and four (304) subjects was studied. One hundred and eighty-seven (187) subjects were females while one hundred and seventeen (117) subjects were males. Obesity was measured by body mass index (BMI) with relative weight and height. BMI less than 18.5 was considered as underweight. BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 was considered as normal weight. BMI greater than or equal to 30 was considered as obese. Results and Discussion: Obesity increased in all sex and age groups from 12 to 65 years. Of the 104 subjects studied, 149 were considered to be obese. Relating with age group, increase in obesity was generally seen to be more in females than in males. The rate of obesity is highest in women between the ages of 31-40 with a percentage of 18.79, while the rate of obesity is highest in men between the ages of 51-65 with a percentage of 12.75. Conclusion: Body mass index, occupational background, eating habit and cultural practice (fattening room practice) have significant impact on increase of obesity.

ABSTRACT
Background: Since December 2019, Coronavirus has been spreading widely becoming a fatal global pandemic. We need to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease in order to determine early and effective predictive biomarkers for severity and mortality, therefore finding better treatment approaches. Object: We aim to investigate the predictive value of d-dimer in COVID-19 in order to determine the severity, mortality and the risk of developing thrombotic events. Methods: We enrolled patients with confirmed COVID-19 who referred to the COVID department at Tishreen University Hospital (Latakia, Syria) from May 2020 to March 2021. We retrospectively documented demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory parameters and chest computed tomography staging. We followed up the patients' clinical progress during hospitalization, as well as their need for supportive oxygen (invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation) and the occurrence of thrombotic complications during hospitalization. Finally, we listed the cases of recovery and death. Results: We included 284 patients (68.3% males and 31.7% females). The mean age was 65 years, ranging from 27 to 92. D-dimer was only obtained for 193 patients, which included 28 mild to moderate, 115 severe and 50 critically ill patients. D-dimer was elevated (≥ 500 ng/mL) in 110 patients. On admission, D-dimer level was associated with an increased clinical severity. It was higher in critically ill compared to moderate cases ([3397.5±3296.7]ng/mL vs [1066.1± 1963.2] ng/ml, P = 0.0001) as well as for radiographic severity ([626.5±1047.1] ng/mL vs [2262.6± 2751.2] ng/ml, P= 0.007), respectively. All of those who did not survive had increased D-dimer level upon admission. When compared between patients who survived and who died during hospitalization, a significantly higher D-dimer level was detected in non-survivors versus survivors ([3099.9±2808.2] ng/mL vs [1308.9± 2249.3] ng/ml, P= 0.0001). ...........

ABSTRACT
Background: The World Health Organization is saddled with the responsibilities of regulating health care services across the globe and had over the years provided reference values to various medical parameters for clinicians and medical research. However, due to socio-economic variations amidst different populations in various parts of the world, the standard reference values had significantly differed among different races, tribes, gender and socio-economic backgrounds. Consequently, several regions of the world now had their respective local medical references. Back home in Nigeria and Port Harcourt in particular, over-reliance on this WHO references still prevail as a result of the absence of our local reference data. To this end, this study therefore investigates the Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Haematological Indices in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 112 participants across 3 different socio-economic classes (Upper, Middle and Lower Classes) were recruited into the study using well-structured questionnaires based on purposive non-probability sampling techniques. Blood samples were also aspirated and analysed for haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, Platelets) against their socio-economic variables (gender, level education, income level and nutritional intakes). Results and Discussions: Result from the study showed that both male and female haematological parameters were significantly (ρ≤0.05) different from the WHO reference. Significant difference in low and high level education was also noted among the educational group whereas the middle class education was not. The income level among the 3 economic classes and their nutritional groups were also significant (ρ≤0.05) whereas those on balanced diets were not. Conclusion: The study therefore concluded that gender, income, education and nutrition of the people of Port Harcourt significantly (ρ≤0.05) affected their haematological parameters as compared with the global .....

ABSTRACT
Joint mobilization also called joint manipulation technique commonly used in a clinical setting to improve the range of movement of a joint in order to prevent stiffness and pain. Any joint which presents with pain or stiffness can be treated with mobilization except in rare instances such as where there is malignancy, bone infection, spinal cord compression or unhealed fracture. There are different grades of mobilization used to treat various conditions. Where there is significant local pain and inflammation, gentle mobilization is used (Grade 1 or 2) to help with pain relief and reduce inflammation by promoting movement. In conditions where there is not much pain but rather the main problem is joint stiffness, then a more vigorous mobilizing technique (Grade 3 or 4) can be used to help restore full range of movement. The manipulation can be considered as an advanced way of joint mobilization, because it shares the same biomechanical principles. So, in OMT, the manipulation consists on a linear translatoric movement (traction or gliding) performed in the joint’s resting position, through a high velocity, low amplitude and low force thrust. These linear translatoric thrust techniques are technically more difficult to perform, but equally effective and much safer than the rotatory thrusts that have been traditionally performed. The manipulations are performed with the aim of obtaining joint surface separation and restoring the gliding component in joints that, even if they show an appropriate end-feel, they are hypomobile when examining them. It is a very effective technique if it is performed correctly and if it is indicated, but in the opposite cases it also carries serious injury risk. Because of the risk it can carry, and because of the expertise grade it requires for its execution, the manipulation training, mainly in the spine, for those physical therapists who have demonstrated their experience in the joint mobilization. However, basic low risk and equally ...

ABSTRACT
Background: Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of chronic or atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric lymphoma, and gastric cancer in children and adolescents. People with the blood group O have an estimated 16.3% higher risk of developing H. pylori infection and thus at risk of developing gastric carcinoma among other complications. Knowledge of determinants of H. pylori can help design interventions to prevent helicobacter pylori infection. Objectives: To find out the determinants of helicobacter pylori infection among patients with blood group O among African population. Methods: The study was cross sectional prospective design that targeted 50 patients who tested positive at Siaya county referral hospital between June 20 and October 5 2023. Each patient who consented to participate in the study blood samples were taken for grouping. Demographic characteristics were collected through interviews sessions. Results: Majority 38 (76%) of the patients who tested positive were females. Females and males are not infected by helicobacter pylori in equal chances (p=0.000). Majority of patients 23 (46%) were aged between 15-29 years, followed by 45-59 years (14, 28%), 30-44 years (9, 18%), 60-64 years (2, 4%) and more than 75 (2, 4%). Age categories do not occur with equal chance (p=0.000) thus persons aged 15-29 are likely to be infected by helicobacter pylori infection. Majority of patients (48, 96%) were Christians. There was significant statistical relationship between helicobacter pylori infection and religion (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant relationship between employment status and infection with h pylori infection (p=0.203). Majority (22, 44%) of the patients had secondary education level. Education level is significantly associated with h pylori infection (p=0.04). Majority of patients (25, 50%) had a body mass index of 25-30. BMI does not occur with equal chances and as such patients with BMI 25-30 are likely to have h pylori ........