ABSTRACT
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is defined as an anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells by antibodies directed against the patient's own red blood cell surface antigens. Different forms of AIHA are distinguished based on the characteristics of the antibody responsible for the disease. The most common form (70% of cases) is warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia. These antibodies become active at temperatures between 35°C and 40°C. This type of hemolysis occurs mainly within tissues, particularly in the spleen. The diagnosis of AIHA relies on rigorous interpretation of immunohematological parameters, as well as additional tests to exclude associated diseases. In "idiopathic" cases, it is recommended to continue monitoring elderly patients beyond remission to detect the possible occurrence of lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome. Corticosteroid therapy is the standard treatment, but it can lead to numerous side effects. The efficacy of rituximab appears particularly promising in "refractory" forms of AIHA, and its use in the early phase of management to spare corticosteroid therapy should be evaluated in a prospective and randomized study.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents are fundamental for the prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health problems. The sexual and reproductive health services play a critical role in enhancement of adolescent’s health generally. However, children living on the streets are ill-placed to draw benefit from such services. The main purpose of this study was to assess streets children’s awareness, perceptions, needs and barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health in Lusaka district. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Snow ball sampling was used to identify and collect data from a total of 61 children living on the streets in Lusaka Central Business District. Instruments for data collection consisted of interview schedules used to collect data from children living on the streets as well as Key informant interviews with adolescent health focal point persons from health facilities. All data collection instruments were pre-tested. Data analysis was done using categorization. Results: A total of 61 participants were interviewed among them males constituting (70.49 per cent) per cent while females constituted (29.51 per cent). The majority (59.01per cent) reported that they were not aware of what sexual and reproductive health was. A majority (81.96 per cent) of respondents were aware of at least more than one sexual and reproductive health service with condoms being reported by (68.95 per cent) of respondents. The study also found that the majority (83.6 per cent) of respondents reported awareness on where to access sexual and reproductive health services. The study also showed that the majority (60.65 per cent) reported as perceiving sexual and reproductive health as important to them. Additionally, (68.85 per cent) of respondents reported that condoms are the sexual and reproductive health service they needed. The study showed that (77.04 per cent) of respondents were sexually active and out of ...
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Exposure to microorganisms could be caused infectious diseases but some exposures were not caused disease in normal situation. Objective of this study was to determine the health effects of biological hazards in low to moderate concentration. Methods: It was a study. The people who were employed in different industries were participated in this study. Groups were followed for infections in skin, respiratory, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal, urinary and etc. symptoms and signs. These groups were exposed to biological hazards; according to working sections, 3 groups were participated: working section A, working section B and working section C. Symptoms and signs were determined. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16. ANOVA, Chi-2, Exact test and relative risks with considering P<0.05 as significant level. Results: Working section B, had the most microorganisms; in air: 5.01±0.01 CFU on surface: 10.15±0.01 CFU. Infection in skin, respiratory, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal, urinary and etc symptoms and sign were determined. Skin, gastrointestinal, urinary and etc were the most in group B and relative risks were shown significant risks. Relative risks for skin infection were 1.80(1.12-3.15). Conclusions: Even in normal situation microorganism in workplace could be caused many infection diseases and prevention was necessary.
ABSTRACT
With the recent advancement in the field of artificial intelligence [AI] many path breaking innovations have come up in various specialties of medical sciences. There are numerous possibilities and usages of AI in the field of dentistry. AI is being already used in field of prosthodontics and dental implantology. The future of AI in prosthodontics and dental implants is ever developing. AI-powered tools have the potential to revolutionize the way these procedures are performed, and to improve the quality of care that dentists can provide to their patients. Some of the potential benefits of AI in prosthodontics and dental implants include improved accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis and treatment planning.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background to the study: Nicotine, which is the most abundant constituent of tobacco cigarette is one of the most commonly abused drugs. The duo of obesity and tobacco smoking increases the risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Methodology: The experiment involved 48 male wistar rats separated into 4 groups of 8 rats each. All the animals were placed on high-fat diet (Margarine; blue band) in addition to the different doses of nicotine in the experimental groups. Group 1 served as control and received distilled water, Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 200µg/kg, 400µg/kg and 800µg/kg of nicotine oral solution respectively. The experimental groups were placed on their respective doses of nicotine solution for an initial four weeks. Thereafter, four animals in each group were sacrificed and blood samples collected to determine their nicotine exposure plasma levels of glucose, insulin and glycated hemoglobin. The remaining four animals in each group continued without nicotine for another four weeks after which they were sacrificed and blood samples collected to determine their nicotine withdrawal plasma levels of glucose, insulin and glycated hemoglobin. Results: The results showed that exposure to the three concentrations of nicotine (200, 400 and 800µg/kg respectively) significantly caused a rise in plasma insulin levels but dose-dependent reduction in both glucose and glycated haemoglobin compared to their control groups. Four weeks after withdrawal of initial 200µg/kg nicotine there were no significant changes in the levels of plasma glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin compared to the nicotine exposed groups. Withdrawal, after initial exposure to 400µg/kg of nicotine was associated with significant rise in both the plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin but no significant change in insulin compared to their respective nicotine exposed groups. Cessation, after initial exposure 800µg/kg of nicotine resulted in significant rise in plasma levels of glucose, ..........
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Estimating fetal weight plays a crucial role in decision-making, particularly in high-risk pregnancies when determining the timing and method of delivery. In resource-limited settings where ultrasound availability is limited, Symphysio-Fundal Height and Abdominal Girth (clinical method) have been utilized as a substitute for predicting fetal weight. However, the accuracy of this clinical method has not been assessed locally. This study seeks to evaluate the precision of clinical method in estimating fetal weight and its correlation with the actual birth weight at Bugando Medical Centre. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Lake Zone area of Tanzania at Bugando Medical Centre. The study conveniently enrolled 400 mothers with singleton pregnancies who were admitted for normal vaginal delivery, elective cesarean section, or induction of labor. Fetal weight was estimated using clinical methods and compared with the birth weight at delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, employing descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The relationship between estimated fetal weight, and birth weight were examined using the Chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study participants had an average age of 29.13 years (± 5.346). Our analysis revealed that the mean estimated fetal weight slightly exceeded the actual birth weight, with values of 3495 grams and 3250 grams, respectively. Notably, this difference was statistically significant with a P-value < 0.001, indicating the clinical method's tendency to overestimate fetal weight. Furthermore, the clinical method showed a strong positive correlation with actual birth weight (correlation coefficient = 0.7309, p-value < 0.001), demonstrating its reliability in fetal weight estimation. The positive linear correlation between clinical fetal weight ...........