International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Rapid Viral Response Frequency in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Interferon and Ribavirin: A Comprehensive Analysis

Memon Sadiq¹, Shaikh Samiullah²*, Devrajani Bikha² Ram and Shaikh Khalid²

¹Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan.
²Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Accepted 10 October, 2012

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of rapid viral response (RVR) and influence of various factors on the response rates in chronic hepatitis C infected patients treated with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. This study was conducted in Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad-Pakistan and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/ Hyderabad, Pakistan, from July 2007 to December 2008. All consecutive adult patients aged between 18 and 65 years who were naïve to interferon-based therapy and fulfilled the following criteria were eligible for this study: anti-HCV antibody, HCV RNA positive, genotype 3, and with elevated ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical program for social sciences (SPSS 16.0 for window SPSS Inc: Chicago, IL).This descriptive case series study included 195 consecutive patients of which 113 (57.9%) were male and 82 (42.1%) female. The mean age of the patients was 37.3± 9.62 years. 150 (76.9%) patients were on conventional interferon. Rapid viral response was seen in 167 (85.6%) patients. In univariate analysis, only serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) quotient has shown a statistically significant difference as 96/107 (89.7%) patients with quotient < 2.3 went into RVR as compared to 71/88 (80.6%) patients with >2.3 quotient (p=0.03). In multivariate analysis, SGPT quotient has shown statistical significance with SGPT quotient < 2.3; this indicates that odds ratio of 0.40 (p=0.04) RVR is rapidly becoming a new tool for predicting treatment outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C and represents a key opportunity to individualize therapy according to treatment-related viral kinetics

Key words: Hepatitis C, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), rapid viral response (RVR).

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Antibiotic Sensitivity Profiles of Enterococcus faecalis and an Emerging Planomicrobium Species in Bloodstream Infections

Munaff J. Abd Al-Abbas

Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

Accepted 14 January, 2013

Abstract

During nucleotide sequences of 16SrDNA gene, Enterococcus faecalis was predominant in 322 samples; 11 isolates (100%) were from outpatients' vaginal swabs and 3 isolates (75%) from inpatients' blood samples. The three isolates from the blood showed two frame shift mutations "Deletion" at sequence positions 21 and 1076 bp to be 100% similar with type strain OG1RF. The isolates totally showed no resistance to gentamycin, streptomycin and erythromycin whereas, there was high resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (71.4%), methicillin and vancomycin (92.8%, for each). All isolates from the blood were completely resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. The study also detected Planomicrobium mcmeekinii from an inpatients' blood case (containing Gene or Point mutation type Transversion at position 358 bp resulting to 99% sequence identity to ATCC 700539) as first reporting and revealing it to be a new subspecies or species.

Key words: Enterococcus faecalis, Planomicrobium mcmeekinii, 16SrDNA and sequencing.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Albuterol vs. Levalbuterol on Pulmonary Function in Moderate to Severe Bronchial Asthma: A Comparative Study

Kavita Rathore¹, Tarun Kumar Sharma²*, M. L. Aseri¹, Sunil Kumar Mathur¹, Rakesh Chandra Gupta³, Satish Kumar Vardey⁴, G. G. Kaushik⁵ and Maheep Sinha⁴

¹Department of Pharmacology, J. L. N. Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
²Department of Biochemistry, Pt. B. D. Sharma, University of Health Sciences, P.G.I.M.S., Rohtak (Haryana), India
124001.
³Department of Respiratory Medicine, J. L. N. Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
⁴Department of Biochemistry, S. M. S. Medical College, Jaipur, India.
⁵Department of Biochemistry, J. L. N. Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.

Accepted 1 November, 2012

Abstract

β2 - adrenoceptor stimulants play a key role in the management of bronchial asthma. This study was carried out on 80 patients of moderate to severe bronchial asthma. Group I (n = 40) received Albuterol 2.5 mg/2.5 ml and Group II (n = 40) received Levalbuterol 0.63 mg/2.5 ml TDS for 4 weeks. Baseline and post-treatment evaluation of lung function, respiratory rate, Total leukocytes Count, Total eosinophil Count, Serum potassium and Heart rate were carried out. In group I, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s was increased from 1.565±0.53 to 1.74±0.64 L (p>0.05) and in group II it was increased from 1.48±0.91 to 2.10±0.70 L (p<0.05). Forced vital capacity and Peak Expiratory Forced Rate were also increased in both groups (p<0.05). Respiratory rate and Total eosinophil count were significantly decreased by both drugs. Total leukocyte count was decreased non-significantly by both drugs (p>0.05). Serum potassium was decreased in group I from 3.77±0.38 to 2.96±0.49 mEq/L (p = 0.001) and in group II from 3.79±0.57 to 3.51±0.56 mEq/L (P = 0.017). Heart rate was significantly increased by both drugs, but it was greater with Albuterol. Levalbuterol appears to be more effective with better tolerability in low dose as compare to Albuterol.

Keywords: Albuterol, Levalbuterol, bronchial asthma, bronchodilation, β2-agonists.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Dementia Prevalence in Senegalese Elderly: Impact of Age, Education, and Social Network

Touré K.^1,2, Coumé M.³, Sow P. G.⁴*, Ndiaye N. N. D.⁵, Basse A.², Diagne N.², Sow A.², Diop M.², Seck L.², Thiam M. H.⁵, Diop A. G.² and Ndiaye M. M.²

¹Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar,
Senegal.
²Department of Neurology, Fann Teaching Hospital, Dakar-Senegal.
³MedicoSocial and University Center of IPRES, Dakar-Senegal.
⁴Department of Community Health, University of Bambey, Senegal
⁵Department of Psychiatry, Fann Teaching Hospital, Dakar-Senegal.

Accepted 13 February, 2013

Abstract

With the ageing of the population, dementia is increasing. In Africa, studies on dementia of the elderly are seldom. However, dementia exists and is not well documented in Senegal especially among the elderly population. We conducted a study to estimate the prevalence of this disease among Senegalese elderly population utilizing the Medico Social and University Center of IPRES, Dakar-Senegal. The study was cross-sectional and intended, through a two-wave process of data collection, to collect data from March 2004 to December 2005 among Senegalese elderly population (aged 65 years) over utilizing the MedicoSocial and University Center of IPRES, Dakar-Senegal for health care. Sociodemographic, medical history, lifestyles and social network data were collected with a structured questionnaire completed with a clinical examination and neuropsychological testing. Diagnosis of dementia was based on DSM IV criteria. The population composed of 507 patients with a mean age of 72.4 years (±5.25), mostly male, married, and non-educated. Hypertension, arthritis, gastro-intestinal, respiratory and urinary diseases were the main health conditions reported. The elderly population had a high social network. 45 patients (8.87; 95% IC: 7.61 to 10.13) had dementia in which prevalence varied significantly with age, education and social network. The results confirm the variability of dementia with age, education and social network at the Medico Social and University Center of IPRES, Dakar-Senegal.

Keywords: Dementia, prevalence, education, elderly person, Senegal.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among HIV-Positive Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in North Eastern Nigeria

Ballah Akawu Denue¹*, Babajide Ajayi², Abubakar Usman Abja³, Abubakar Abdullahi Bukar⁴, Cecilia Akawu⁵, Ernest Ekong⁶ and Mohammed Bashir Alkali⁷

¹Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
²Department of Immunology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
³Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
⁴Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
⁵Department of Geography University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
⁶AIDS Preventive Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Nigeria.
⁷Department of Medicine University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Accepted 06 December, 2012

Abstract

Co-infection of hepatotropic virus(es), with HIV has been associated with a reduced survival rate, an increased risk of progression to severe liver disease, and an increased risk of hepatotoxicity associated with active antiretroviral therapy. Information regarding prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection with HIV in Nigeria is limited. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the impact of co-infection on baseline serum alanine transaminase (ALT), CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4) count, and plasma HIV-RNA (viral load) in a cohort of HIV-infected Nigerians. Patients confirmed to be positive for HIV infection by Western blot analysis were consecutively recruited into the study from Infectious Disease Clinic, General Out-patient Department and Medical Wards of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Demographic data and pre-treatment laboratory results (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), ALT, CD4 count and viral load) were analysed. A total of 569 HIV-infected patients (male: female ratio, 1:1.4) were consecutively recruited. HBsAg was present in 12.3%; anti- HCV in 0.5% and both markers was not present in any patients. HBsAg prevalence was 12.3% in both male and females, while anti-HCV was detected in 0.8% in males and 0.3% females. HIV-infected patients alone had a higher mean baseline CD4 count compared to those without anti- HCV or HBsAg (181 vs. 117 cells/mm3, respectively; p = 0.01). Serum ALT was higher among patients co-infected with HBsAg or anti-HCV than only HIV infected (37 vs. 34 International Units (IU), respectively p = 0.1). The high frequency of HBsAg confirms the need for routine screening for these markers in HIV-infected patients in our setting. CD4 count was significantly lower, in patients with prior exposure to hepatitis B or C, while ALT was slightly higher among those positive for HBV or C infection. These findings are pointer to the importance of testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected persons in our setting.

Key words: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, CD4, HIV.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Artificial Neural Network-Assisted Ultrasound Image Capture on Personal Computers

Mitra Ahmad Soltani-MD, MS

Lutalo Medical Research Corporation 15- Shariaty all- Kord St- Ressalat HW- Tehran –Iran.
E-mail: m_a_sol@yahoo.com. Tel: 00989127964990.

Accepted 20 October, 2012

Abstract

Traditional probes consist of 40 to 60 crystals each attached to a pin attached to a specialized cable of minimum 2 to 3 m. Each crystal has piezoelectric properties. To capture images by personal computers to improve accessibility and reduce the cost of having ultrasonic image with special reference to obstetrics and gynecology emergency settings, a probe was designed consisting of three Doppler transducers (each with 4 pins hence generating 4 signals, altogether 12 signal) that by an analog switching with micro (1000 HZ per second) can generate 12000 signals per second changing the scan line form linear into a plane. The signals are translated into WAV sound format file that can be displayed by a Windows-based program of a personal computer. The pattern produced is created by the sound of blood flow in an organ. This vascular pattern was matched with traditional sonography of the organ. By training the network, the resolution of images can be improved further based on the formula: output = 0.77*target + 38. The probe can capture images 1/6 resolution of a traditional probe, deeper penetration (19 cm depth), 1/34 price and weight of a traditional ultrasound equipment

Key words: Doppler transducers, scan line, artificial neural network, ultrasound, obstetrics and gynecology.