ABSTRACT
A system of differential equations for compartmental model of pharmacokinetics is discussed. Example of medication for two- compartmental models are given. Discrete approximation of the system will result in a system of difference equations. Eigenvalues and eigenvector are used to find powers of a matrix which will be used to find approximate solution of difference equation.

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the pattern of dental services utilization and determinants of utilization of oral health services among beneficiaries of Health Insurance Corporation Khartoum State (HICKS).Four hundred and forty two insured individuals under HICKS were randomly selected from twenty one governmental health centers in Khartoum state. Data were collected by pretested and translated questionnaire administered by face to face interview. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic variables, oral health practices, smoking, accessibility of dental clinics covered by HICKS, and reasons for the last dental visits. Of the 442 participants 46% had visited a dental clinic within the previous year, 53.9% out of them used insurance card. The reported reasons of the last dental visit among HICKS beneficiaries included routine dental check-up 8.8%, dental caries 42.8%, dental pain 28% and gingival pain 12%. Logistic regression analysis showed that beneficiaries using the insurance card tended to utilize dental services 8 times more than their counterparts. The utilization pattern of dental services among HICKS beneficiaries was predominantly curative. Availability of insurance card at the point of access of oral healthcare was a determinant for the utilization of dental services.

ABSTRACT
Antacids are commonly used as over - the - counter (OTC) drugs or prescribed medications. Some antacid products may neutralize more acid in the stomach than others. The ability of an antacid to neutralize acid is expressed as its Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC). This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the quality of different brands of antacid tablets. The assessment parameters included the evaluation of uniformity of weight, uniformity of thickness, crushing strength, friability, as well as the ANC (using pH and titrimetric method), which is easy to use, accurate, reproducible, simple, and inexpensive. The study revealed that all the brands complied with the compendia specification for uniformity of weight and friability. The acid neutralizing capacity of the brands were in the order Brand E > Brand D > Brand C > Brand A > Brand F > Brand B > Brand G. The average final pH of the mixture of Antacid and acid after 10 minutes is as follows: Brand E 8.30, Brand D 7.46, Brand C 7.37, Brand A 6.67, Brand F 6.35, Brand B 6.02 and finally Brand G 5.88. It can be concluded from the study that two of the brands (D and E) evaluated in this study could be regarded as being of highest quality with Brand E having the highest ANC value. This study could help prescribers to make informed choices for their patients. The titrimetric procedure used in this study is simple, inexpensive, easy to use and could be used in routine monitoring or periodic evaluation of the quality of Antacid tablets, especially in the absence of high technology equipment that are not easily available in most developing countries.

ABSTRACT
The paper provides an analysis of some of the explanatory elements of stigmatization and the issues related to family therapy for the healing and social reintegration of the mentally ill. The study is based on a purely qualitative approach with appropriate investigative tools and analyses this social fact through the structural approach, which is a fundamental theoretical current of systemic analysis (Alpe et al. 2007). In this study, the structural approach allowed us to identify the cultural symbols and norms that codify and guide behaviours, the opinions of social actors to the mechanisms of care for the mentally ill.

ABSTRACT
Identification of gaps in stroke related knowledge among at risk individuals is vital to effective stroke prevention measures. This study aimed to assess the awareness of self risk of stroke and superstitions regarding stroke, among persons with sickle cell anemia in Calabar, Nigeria. We conducted a survey on eighty three members of the sickle cell support club, in Calabar, diagnosed with HbSS hemoglobinopathy. Univariate, bivariate and binary logistic regression were used to analyze data generated with a self-administered questionnaire on awareness of self risk of stroke conferred by inherited HbSS hemoglobin, held superstitions regarding stroke, knowledge of stroke symptoms and their opinion of where stroke is best managed. 34.9% of the respondents were unaware of their increased stroke risk. 27.7% of them believed that stroke is caused by witchcraft or voodoo. Four fifths of those who had up to tertiary level of education did not agree that stroke is caused by voodoo, compared to two thirds of those with less education (p=0.047). 65.1% of the respondents possessed poor awareness of stroke symptoms. High level of education (p=0.04) and recognizing hospital as where stroke is best managed (p= 0.047) were identified predictors of awareness of increased self-risk of stroke. Many of the respondents were unaware of their increased stroke risk, believed voodoo to be a cause of stroke, and unable to correctly identify stroke symptoms. Improved population literacy rate and tailored public health education would help to address identified stroke related knowledge gaps and erroneous beliefs.

ABSTRACT
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) is a serious and rare complication of unknown chronic hypocalcaemia. We report three cases of asymptomatic chronic hypoparathyroidism post thyroidectomy complicated of DCMP with heart failure. The first case is 56-year-old patient, asymptomatic for 14 years, admitted for generalized seizures of sudden onset revealing hypoparathyroidism, on examination we found diastolic murmur at mitral focus with signs of hypocalcaemia confirmed by biology: Serum calcium at 40 mg/L, serum phosphate at 98mg/L, her brain scan showed a Fahr syndrome and her transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a DCMP, global hypokinesia and an ejection fraction at 39%. The second is 29-year-old patient admitted for insidious hypoparathyroidism dating back to 8 years, On blood examination she had hypocalcaemia at 32 mg/l with PTH level at 10.5 pg/ml, her TTE showed DCMP, global hypokinesia and an ejection fraction at 28%. The third case is a 62-year-old patient who had thyroidectomy 5 years ago, admitted for etiological assessment of DCMP revealed by dyspnea, his blood examination showed hypocalcemia at 50mg/l, phosphoremia at 109 mg/l, his TTE objectified DCMP with ejection fraction at 20%. DCMP is a very serious complication of hypoparathyroidism after cervical surgery. Hence, the importance of the systematic screening based on calcium levels after any thyroid surgery and adequate supplementation.

ABSTRACT
Burn injuries in the elderly burn victim need to be treated as aggressively as is done in young people; yet, special considerations are necessary. In this study, we first looked at our entire cohort of 441 patients with over 60 years old. In work were used investigation methods of whole protein content and aluminous fractions, hemorheology and systems of hemostasis, hematocrit and intermediary metabolism rates. Gradual normalization of glutathione level, catalase, carbonic anhydrase, concentrations of lactic and pyruvic acids, confirm that skin defect restoration by auto grafts eliminates oxygen lack and improves liver function in the burned.

ABSTRACT
Inguinal hernia repair is an ever-evolving surgical solution to an age old problem. Many studies have compared the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) repair with the gold standard Lichtenstein Mesh Repair (LMR). Despite theoretical advantages, results have been inconclusive about the superiority of either method. Hence, a prospective study was planned to compare the early & late outcomes in patients undergoing these surgical repairs. Patients were enrolled and followed up for a period of 1 year post-operatively. All the included patients were randomized into two groups, Group A underwent Lichtenstein tension free mesh hernioplasty and Group B underwent Prolene Hernia System mesh repair. Patients were inquired about post-operative pain and if present the pain intensity was assessed on visual analogue scale. If pain was present, analgesic requirement for pain relief was recorded. During the review, complications like surgical site infection, seroma / hematoma formation, chronic pain, implant infection etc. were noted. The data collected was analyzed statistically. PHS is an alternative approach in the management of inguinal hernias, but the Lichtenstein mesh repair still remains the gold standard. Both methods guarantee effective repair resulting in a relatively low rate of recurrence and complications and are comparable in terms of ease of surgery and time taken for surgery. The final choice of treatment technique depends on intra-operative evaluation and ability of the surgeon to perform a given method.

ABSTRACT
Malignant non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) accounts for 0.5% of all breast cancers. Diagnosis is essentially based on histology. We report the case of a 42-year old female patient with MNHL of the breast and positive HIV serology. This study aimed to highlight the clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects of this disease and to emphasize the importance of HIV testing in patients with extraganglionar MNHL.