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
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: 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
Tumor lysis syndrome is a metabolic emergency in oncology. It is the direct outcome of the massive destruction of tumor cells, with the release of their components in quantities that exceed the body's homeostatic regulatory capacity. Often observed following the initiation of cytotoxic treatment, we report the observation of a 13-year-old Moroccan female who developed a spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome, in the absence of any cytotoxic treatment, which led to the diagnosis of hematological malignancy, later confirmed and characterized as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

ABSTRACT
Abruptio placentae is a dire obstetric emergency and is associated with adverse foeto-maternal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the risk factors and foeto-maternal outcomes of abruptio placentae at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of all cases of abruptio placentae managed at RSUTH from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2021. Data were analysed using IBM, Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25.0 Armonk, New York. Results: Over the period reviewed, there were sixty-eight (68) cases of abruptio placentae and 14,195 deliveries recorded. The prevalence of abruptio placentae was 4.8/1000 deliveries or 0.48%. The mean (SD) age of study participants was 32.7 (4.8), 95% Confidence Interval (CI):31.5,33.9. The majority 66 (97.1%) had formal education, 65 (95.6%) were Christians and 63(92.6%) had emergency caesarean section. The risk factors identified in order of decreasing occurrence were hypertensive heart diseases (55.9%), Abdominal massage (17.6%), retroplacental fibroid (14.7%), polyhydramnios (7.4%) and Premature rupture of foetal membranes (4.4%). There was no maternal death. The most common maternal complication was the need for blood transfusion (43.9%), followed by preterm delivery (30.4%). Forty- three (60.6%) of the foetuses were males while 28(39.4%) were females. The commonest foetal complication was admission into Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) 37(47.4%). The stillbirth rate was 5.1%. Conclusion: Abruptio placentae is not uncommon at the RSUTH and hypertensive heart disease was the most common risk factor observed. The commonest foetal and maternal complications were need for blood transfusion and admission into Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). Knowledge of this would be helpful in the management of patient with placental abruption for improved foeto-maternal outcome.

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Background and Aim: Oral Lichen Planus is a relatively common mucocutaneous disorder with autoimmune etiology. Considering its malignant potential, diagnosing and treating this disorder from all dimensions is crucial. One such multi-dimensional aspect of OLP was aimed to be put forth through our study of the correlation of anxiety, depression, and xerostomia using questionnaires. Materials and Methods: A group of 15 Oral Lichen Planus patients included in this study from outpatients in a college in Uttar Pradesh. The symptoms of Anxiety-Depression disorder and salivary gland disorders in oral lichen planus were recorded using two standard questionnaires, and their correlation was assessed using student’s t-test analysis. Results: The co-occurrence of symptoms of both disorders in Oral Lichen Planus patients was statistically significant. The results demonstrate an association between anxiety, depression, and xerostomia in Oral Lichen Planus patients. Conclusion: Most patients showed the simultaneous occurrence of all three parameters in the same patients, thus indicative of a positive correlation between themselves.

ABSTRACT
The association of elevated pancreatic lipase during chronic end-stage renal disease is poorly studied in the literature. We report the case of a 51-year-old female patient which has an hyperlipasemia associated with chronic end-stage renal disease outside of acute pancreatitis. Knowledge of this association will help the clinician in the management of this patients.