World Journal of Biomedical Research

Effect of Standardized Milk-Based Versus Standardized Non-Milk-Based Formulation on the Biochemical Parameters of Children Aged 6–59 Months with Moderate Acute Malnutrition

2024-05-01T11:20:14+00:00

Differences in composition of dietary formulations could affect the biochemical parameters of under-fives with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). To determine the effect of standardized milk-based formulation (SMBF) versus standardized non-milk-based formulation (SNMBF) on the biochemical parameters of under-fives with MAM. Children aged 6-59 months with MAM were randomized to receive either SMBF or SNMBF. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and endline for packed cell volume (PCV), serum protein, serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine estimation. Changes in biochemical parameters were considered statistically significant at p value < 0.05. Seventeen (SMBF group) versus 16 (SNMBF group) children were recruited. Both formulations were associated with a significant increase in the mean serum bicarbonate (p = 0.003 and 0.0001) and PCV (p= 0.021 and 0.012), and a significant reduction in mean serum albumin (p = 0.003 and 0.006) respectively. The endline mean serum potassium and globulin were significantly higher in the SNMBF than the SMBF group (4.71 ± 0.69 vs 4.3 ± 0.20; p = 0.025) and (38.14 ± 9.23 vs 31.45 ± 6.21; p = 0.02) respectively. Serum globulin was significantly higher in the SMBF than the SNMBF group (37.32 ± 5.84 vs 20.1 ± 7.04; p = 0.0001). Both formulations were associated with a significant increase in the mean PCV and serum bicarbonate. The endline mean serum potassium and albumin were higher in the SNMBF than the SMBF group, while the serum globulin was higher in the SMBF group.

Penile Fracture: Abuse of Erect Penis, Concomitant Urethral Injuries and Outcome of Surgical Management- A Case Series

2024-05-01T10:24:00+00:00

The erect penis can be fractured by blunt trauma, commonly vigorous sexual intercourse or forced flexion. Forced flexion is a self-inflicted or self-abused injury, and concomitant urethral injury is reflective of the application of excessive force to the organ. We aim to describe the aetiology and concomitant urethral injuries corroborative of these observations and the outcome of surgical management in our institution.18 consecutive patients with Penile Fractures managed by the Urology Department of our institution over 14 years (-2008-2021) were retrospectively studied for demographic characteristics, time to presentation, etiologic mechanism, clinical features, surgical technique, findings at exploration and complications. All patients underwent immediate surgical exploration and repair. The mean age of the patients and time to presentation were 35±9.2 years and 124.4±200.6 hours, respectively. 38% (7) of injuries were self- inflicted(taaqhandan) while one (5.5%) was caused by partner abuse. Concomitant urethral injuries occurred in 44.3% of patients (33.1% and 11.2% for the sexual and nonsexual groups, respectively). Three patients (16.5%) demonstrated tricorporeal fractures; one (5.5%) of these resulted from forced flexion (self-abuse). 94.4% (17) of patients reported satisfactory voiding and erectile functions in the follow-up period. Vigorous sexual intercourse, partner and self-abuse resulted in severe penile fractures, with high percentage of concomitant urethral injuries, describable as, “Abuse of the erect penis.” Immediate surgical repair demonstrated fewer complications and excellent functional outcomes.

Serological and Molecular Detection of Dual Brucella and Toxoplasma Gondii Infections and Plausible Risk Factors Among Abattoir Workers and Livestock Sellers in Uyo-Nigeria

2024-05-01T12:30:27+00:00

Toxoplasmosis and brucellosis are global public health zoonoses, but scarcely is dual infection reported in Nigeria. This study investigated the occurrence of dual brucella/Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated factors in abattoir workers and livestock sellers in Uyo, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of abattoir workers and livestock sellers in Uyo. Sociodemographic information was collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii, brucella species, and HIV were conducted using standard methods. Out of 339 participants, 14 (4.1%) and 189 (55.8%) were seropositive for anti-brucella IgG and anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, respectively. Of these, PCR positives were 9 (64.3%) and 166 (87.8%), respectively. Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis accounted for two-thirds (66.7%) and one-third (33.3%) of brucella infections as detected by PCR. Nine (5.4%) of the 166 participants with toxoplasmosis were HIV seropositive. Of the 175 participants with the zoonoses (9-brucella and 166-T. gondii), 6 (3.4%) had dual brucella/T. gondii infection, mostly among butchers/meat sellers, while one (16.7%) had ocular complications. Consumption of raw/unpasteurized raw milk and/or drinking of raw egg were significant risk factors associated with dual brucella/T. gondii infection (OR=6.4, 95% CI: 0.74,55.42). Higher frequency of infection was noted in participants with >5 years of work duration. Dual brucella/T. gondii infection among butchers/meat sellers is of serious public health concern. Prolonged occupational exposure and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products were the plausible risk factors. Awareness creation about these zoonoses among butchers, meat sellers, livestock traders and other at-risk populations is paramount.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Profile of Pregnant Women with Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitemia in Uyo, Nigeria

2024-05-01T12:18:42+00:00

Malaria is still regarded as a public health problem in tropical Africa and is endemic in Nigeria. Pregnant women and their fetuses are at greater risk of malaria in endemic areas. Pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by malaria parasites play vital role in pregnant women’s immunity to malaria. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tissue Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) in asymptomatic pregnant women with and without malaria parasite infection in Uyo, South-South Nigeria. Blood samples of asymptomatic pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Uyo and St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo, were analysed for malaria parasites by microscopy of blood films and for IFN-γ and TNF-α using sandwich ELISA methods. Ninety-six pregnant women were recruited of which 84 (87.57 %) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The mean levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α among malaria-infected women were significantly higher than levels among uninfected pregnant women. Pregnant women with asymptomatic parasitemia have higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α and may be at risk of fetal morbidity due to increased levels of cytokines released as a result of malaria parasite infection.

Eight years Auditing of Chalazion pattern in Tertiary Eye Centre, North-western Nigeria

2024-05-01T10:41:19+00:00

Chalazion is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the meibomian gland. It presents as a single or multiple lid swelling. The treatment of chalazion could be conservative (massage), drug (intralesion steroid), and surgical (incision and curettage). The study was conducted to know the prevalence, management, and correlation between the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of chalazion in our hospital. This is an eight-year retrospective study of all patients with Chalazion seen at our eye clinic between 1st January 2012 and 30th December 2019. The folders of all the patients diagnosed with chalazion were retrieved and the following information was extracted: sociodemographic characteristics, presenting complaint, eye involved, lid involved, number of the lesion, treatment offered, clinical and histopathological correlation of the lesion. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science version 20. One hundred and two patients with chalazion were seen during the study period. The age ranges from 9 years to 54 years with a mean age of 24.8 ± 7.1(SD). Majority of the patients (52%) were males while 48% were females. The majority 88.2% of the participants were less than 30 years old. There was a correlation between clinical diagnosis and histopathology reports in 100 cases. One hundred of the patients had incisions and curettage while only two patients were treated conservatively. Chalazion cases are not common eye diseases seen in our eye clinic. There are no discrepancies between the preoperative clinical diagnosis and the pathological findings in our study.

Barriers to early presentation of breast cancer among women in Ondo State, Nigeria

2024-05-01T10:51:47+00:00

The study aimed to determine the factors that constitute barriers to early presentation among women with breast cancer in Ondo State, Nigeria. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the surgical outpatient department of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complex, Akure over a period of three years between May 2018 and April 2021. A pre-tested interviewer administered structured proforma and a medical record data extraction tool were used to address the objective of the study. Then, statistical analysis done; bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. The 225 patients studied had a mean age of 40.2 (SD = 10.80), and the peak age category was 35–42. The majority, 139 (89 %) patients were delayed by more than 3 months after noticing symptoms; while only 17 (11%) patients sought attention within 3 months of noticing symptoms of breast cancer. There was a significant association between patients’ delay and lack of social support (AOR = 8.12, 95 % CI 1.22–24.80, P = 0.002); (where P value <0.005 is significant). Delay presentation by patients with breast cancer is a very serious health problem that needs to be addressed urgently in Ondo State, Nigeria. The delay was significantly associated with lack of social support from close family members and health education programs regarding breast cancer should address social support, provide more information about the variability of breast cancer symptoms and encourage self-breast examination and clinical breast examination.

Pattern of Ocular Disorders among Attendees of a Mental Health Clinic, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

2024-05-01T12:02:28+00:00

Visual impairment appears to be yet another component of physical health that is overlooked and ignored in mentally ill individuals. This study aimed to assess the pattern of ocular disorders among attendees of a mental health clinic in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study that took place between September and November 2019. One hundred and fifty-seven consecutive respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire was used. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.2, the age range was 18-69 years, and a mean age of 40.7 ± 14.3 years. Antipsychotic 32(20.4%) was the most frequently prescribed psychotropic class. Most of the respondents, 138 (87.9%), had a previous history of previous eye complaints in the past five years. There was a statistically significant association (p = < 0.001) between visual impairment among respondents and previous history of poor distance vision. The prevalence of visual impairment was 24(15.3%), while blindness was 1(0.6%). Normal vision was recorded in 132(84.1%), moderate visual impairment in 24(15.3%), and 1(0.6%) was blind. The prevalence of ocular disorders was 99(63.1%) with multiple responses, while 58(36.9%) had normal ocular findings. The common ocular disorders were refractive errors/presbyopia 68 (43.3%), pterygium 34 (21.7%), allergic conjunctivitis 32 (20.1%), cataract 31 (19.7%) and glaucoma 8(5.1%). Respondents with normal ocular findings had the lowest mean duration of exposure to the psychotropic treatment (1.0 years). The majority of respondents had good vision. The predominant eye disorders were refractive errors/presbyopia, pterygium, and cataracts.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Scalp and Lid - A Huge Challenge: Case Report

2024-05-01T11:08:01+00:00

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low grade locally invasive soft tissue sarcoma that rarely metastasizes; it mostly affects the trunk and extremities, and less often the head and neck. The nonspecificity of early presentation in terms of symptoms and signs makes it difficult to differentiate from other benign soft tissue tumours. The main modality of treatment is total surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and oral medication-, imatinib mesylate. We report a case of aggressive DFSP involving the right part of head and right upper eye lid in a 35year old house wife. She subsequently had excisional biopsy and Culter-Beard procedure to construct the right upper eyelid. This study was done to create awareness, challenges and the role of Oculoplasty in the management of this rare condition. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare and difficult tumour to treat. The role of the Oculoplastic Surgeon in managing this tumor is underscored.

Ocular Surface Squamous Cell Papilloma Seen in a Tertiary Institution; In South-South, Nigeria

2024-05-01T11:46:57+00:00

Ocular surface squamous cell papilloma can mimic a malignant lesion clinically, hence the need for prompt and accurate histopathological diagnosis. Ocular surface squamous cell papilloma with dysplastic histologic features that may give rise to its malignant counterpart has been documented. In spite of this, we observe that there is a dearth of research in Nigeria that is focused exclusively on ocular surface squamous cell papilloma. This study aimed to determine the frequency of ocular surface squamous cell papilloma (OSSP) amongst ocular surface squamous cell tumours (OSSTs) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over an eighteen- year period. This was a retrospective study of all cases of OSSP histologically diagnosed over an 18-year period at the Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The results showed that the OSSP accounted for 27.3% of OSSTs. The median duration of diagnosis OSPPwas 29 years with an interquartile range (IQR) of 16 to 42 years while the peak age of diagnosis of OSSP was in the 3rd decade. The sexual predilection was in favour of males. Ocular squamous cell papilloma accounted for about one- third of OSSTs with males being more affected.