International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients: Is it a useful parameter in assessing prediction for mortality?

Yasar Kucukardali*, Yalcin Onem*, Hakan Terekeci*, Fatih Tangi*, Burak Sahan*, Alev Akyol Erikci**, Ozkan Sayan**, Selim Nalbant*, Cagatay Oktenli*

*Department of Internal Medicine, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul-Turkey

**Department of Haemotology, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul-Turkey

Accepted 20 March, 2011

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate MPV (mean platelet volume) showing platelet reactivity if it is associated with the severity of the critical illness or mortality in ICU patients. Study group (130 patients) was formed from survivor group (68 patients) and non-survivor group (62 patients). Platelet counts and MPV values were compared between two groups in the first five days of hospitalization. MPV correlation was studied with APACHE II score, age, haemoglobin level, duration in the ICU and as an independent risk factor in mortality. Mean age and APACHE scores were significantly higher in non-survivor group compared to survivor group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups according to MPV and platelet counts in first five days of hospitalization. There was a unique positive correlation between MPV and APACHE score (r: 0.34, p< 0.05). Only age was independent risk factor in mortality. In our study, we found positive correlation between severity of critical illness and MPV. However, there was no relation between MPV and mortality in heterogenic critical patients. Subgroup analysis of patients in ICU might be useful in assessing prediction for mortality.

Key words: Mean platelet volume, critical illness, mortality, APACHE, ICU.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Retinoblastoma in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

¹Adio Adedayo Omobolanle, ²Komolafe Rhoda Dein.

¹Ophthalmology unit Dept. of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria.

²Eye clinic, University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 March, 2011

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is a challenge in Nigeria due to delay in presentation and poverty. Study of outcome will enable better advice on policy. Patients presenting at University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital eye clinic with clinical retinoblastoma between January 2000 and December 2009 were studied retrospectively. Clinical features, treatment offered response etc. International classification of Retinoblastoma of 2006 was used. Data analyzed with Epi-Info version 6.Twenty six eyes of 13 children. Mean age 3.17 yrs (SD+_0.64). Male-female ratio 1:1. Most parents were illiterate (96.2%).Over sixty percent (61.5%) delayed presentation till over 6 months. All were uniocular. Five had Group D and eight were group E type of retinoblastoma. Eight had leukocoria (61.5%).Two cases (15.4%) had extra ocular RB. Enucleation carried out in 46.2%. Four patients (30.8%) absconded when enucleation was suggested. Histology of 3 cases showed primitive undifferentiated type with areas of extensive necrosis. Five relapsed within 2 to 5 months. None had more than 2 cycles chemotherapy. None followed up for more than 36months post-enucleation. Treatment not completed in any subject. Poor prognostic factors include late presentation, delay in accepting treatment options, indigence and low parental education. Awareness campaigns and early case finding by community health officers is necessary.

Key words: Retinoblastoma, Chemotherapy, Enucleation, Histology, Illiteracy, Case finding, Nigeria.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Visfatin in hyperlipidemic female patients

Gürsoy G, Akçayöz S, Acar Y, Demirba B

Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Accepted 19 March, 2011

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia was a modifiable major risk factor in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In recent studies it was demonstrated that adipose tissue besides being a store of lipids, was a site that secrete bioactive proteins into the circulation, one of which was visfatin. In clinical trials visfatin levels were found to be related to lipid parameters and obesity. In our study, we intended to show the relation of visfatin with lipid profile and metabolic parameters. The study included 60 female patients and 20 age matched control subjects. As well as making physical and antropometric examinations, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, post prandal plasma glucose and insulin, lipid profile, uric acid, homocysteine, c-reactive protein and visfatin levels were measured in all female subjects. Hyperlipidemic group had significantly higher plasma visfatin levels than control group ( p < 0.01). In hyperlipidemic patients positive correlation was found between triglyceride and visfatin levels and negative correlation between low density cholesterol and visfatin levels. Then we classified our patient group with an indirect measure of insulin resistance as homeostasis model assesment 2.7 and homeostasis model assesment < 2.7. We found that the group with homeostasis model assessment 2.7 had significantly high triglyceride, postprandial glucose, post prandial insulin and visfatin levels ( p<0.05). In conclusion, our data may point toward a role of visfatin in lipid parameters and insulin resistance.

Key words: Visfatin, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hypolipemic effects of methanolic extract of persea americana seeds in hypercholestrolemic rats

Asaolu, Modupe Fisayo^1*, Asaolu, Samuel Sunday², Oyeyemi Ajibade Olugbenga¹ and Aluko, Bukola Tola¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 March, 2011

Abstract

In this study, our objective was to investigate the possible hypolipemic effect of Persea americana (PA) on hypercholestrolemic rats. Acute administration of cholesterol resulted in the elevation of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC) and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). However, treatment with various doses of the methanolic extract of the seeds of Persea americana caused a significant reduction in the levels of TC, TG, LDLC and VLDLC while the levels of HDLC increased significantly. These effects were dose dependent as marked changes were observed at the highest concentration (300mg/kg) of the methanolic extract of Persea americana seeds. It was concluded that Persea americana seeds showed an hypolipemic effect and may serve as possible alternative treatment for hyperlipemia and hypertension.

Key words: Hypercholestrolemic, hypolipidemia, methanolic, persea americana, doses

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and patterns of chronic suppurative otitis media and hearing impairment in Basrah city

Ahmed M. Alabbasi**, Ihsan E. Alsaimary*, Jassim M Najim*

*Department Of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Republic of Iraq.

**Department of Surgery College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Republic of Iraq.

Accepted 10 January, 2011

Abstract

One hundred twenty (120) patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in Basrah, 65 (54.2%) males and 55 (45.8%) females, with male: females ratio (1.2:1) and 60 individual without otological problems as control group were included in this study, which done during the period between March 2009 and January 2010 in Basrah governorate. The clinical study include: history, address of patients, tuning fork examination (Rinne,s and Weber,s) test, examination of the ear using otoscopy, audiological investigation including pure tone audiometery and tympanometery. The result of clinical study showed that CSOM cause various type of hearing loss. Most common type was conductive hearing loss (55.5%) followed by mixed hearing loss (27.7%) and senserineural hearing loss(16.6%).It was found that CSOM was most common among infants and children (60%). There was no significant variation in the prevalence of CSOM between patients according to sex .P>0.05. There was significant variation in the prevalence of CSOM between urban area (84%) and rural (16%).P<0.01

Keyword: Otitis media, hearing impairment, chronic, Basrah

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Subclinical significant bacteriuria among pre-school children in calabar municipality: A survey

Jombo GTA¹, Odey F², Ibor S³, Bolarin DM ⁴, Ejezie GC³, Egah DZ⁵, Okwori EE¹, Enenebeaku MNO ⁵, Alao OO⁶

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, P M B 102119 Makurdi, Nigeria.

²Department of Paediatrics, College of Medical Sciences University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.

³Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar. PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Haematology, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, PMB 102119, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 April, 2010

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often considered uncommon among children by clinicians. The study was therefore set up to ascertain the prevalence of significant bacteriuria among pre- school children in a Nigerian urban community. Pre-school children attending nursery schools in different distinct geographical locations of Calabar city were recruited through computer assisted random sampling methods. Information from both children and parents such as age and gender of children, educational level and occupation of parents/guardians were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire; other anthropometric measurements on the children were also carried out. Urine samples were collected stored and processed using standard laboratory methods while diffusion methods were used to carry out the antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Dipstick was also used to screen the urine for probable urinary tract infection and the results compared with cultural methods. Data obtained was analyzed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. The prevalence of significant bacteriuria among the 455 pre-school children was 7.3% with infection rate increasing proportionately with age (P< 0.05) but with no gender difference (P> 0.05). Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella spp. were the commonest organisms encountered. Dipstick screening UTI was found to be 87.9% and 96% sensitive and specific respectively compared to the gold standard. Urinary tract infection is a probable phenomenon among pre-school children and screening for it could be carried out with the aid of urinary dipstick in the absence of appropriate cultural methods and its obvious limitations proportionately factored into medical decision making.

Key Words: Bacteriuria, significant, dipstick method, children, pre-school.