Detection and Diagnostic Accuracy of Rapid Urine Lipoarabinomannan Lateral-Flow Assay in Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients in Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. Early diagnosis is essential in preventing the further spread of the disease, but the control programs are currently facing a number of constraints and fewer than 25% of all tuberculosis cases especially childhood cases are detected. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of a commercially available qualitative immunoassay for the detection of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen of Mycobacteria in human urine by comparing its sensitivity and specificity in TB patients with the AFB and GeneXpert in individuals with presumptive tuberculosis cases.Methods: A cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled 53 eligible TB adults’ patients attending TB Centre, Mangu, Plateau State from February to March 2017. We applied the LAM test on urine collected as a spot and early morning sample. Diagnostic accuracy was analyzed for a microbiological TB reference standard based on Gene Xpert MTB/RIF results and for a composite reference standard including clinical data. Performance of sputum smear microscopy (AFB) was included for comparison. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 41.0±17.0 years.) The male proportion was 36(68.0%) and female was 17(32.0%). The patients with HIV-1 Co-infection were 9(23.8%). Of the 53 patients, the positive testing rate of TB using LAM test was 11 (20.8 %). The proportion of those who tested positive using Gene Xpert was 9(17.0%) and AFB was 33(62.2%), and the sensitivity and specificity were 33.3% and 93.2%, respectively. Negative and positive predictive values were 87.23% and 50.0%, diagnostic accuracy was 83.02%. Conclusion: The study showed great sensitivity of urine LAM test suggesting it could be useful as point of care diagnostic test for presumptive TB cases. Its high negative predictive value suggests a role in screening out uninfected patients; though GeneXpert had superior sensitivity, but the ease of the LAM test holds operational advantage as a screening method, however larger studies are needed to further determine diagnostic accuracy

The Effects of Rosemary Extract on Spermatogenesis and Sexual Hormones of Mice under Heat Stress

Heat stress can affect reproduction potential as an environmental factor. This Study was carried out to investigate the effects of rosemary extract on spermatogenesis and sexual hormones of laboratory mice under heat stress. 50 male mature mice were examined in five groups including a control group and four experimental groups [0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of rosemary extract]. Samples were kept under heat stress four hours a day and received the extract doses for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the amount of testosterone, LH, and FSH hormones plus the number of spermatogenic cells were measured. Obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS program. Heat stress in zero doses reduced testosterone, LH, and FSH significantly whereas rosemary extract increased testosterone and LH in 200 and 400 doses and FSH in 100,200, and 400 doses. Primary spermatocytes were decreased in zero doses significantly but increased significantly in other experimental groups [p<0.05]. In general, Heat stress reduces male sex hormones and spermatogenic cells but rosemary extract compensated this reduction dose-dependently and improved sexual potential under heat stress

Primary Malignant Cardiac Tumors (PMCTs) Successful Resection of a Huge Liposarcoma of the Heart

Primary cardiac tumors are rare with an incidence ranging from 0.001% to 0.03% in autopsy series. The prognosis of cardiac sarcomas remains poor because it proliferates rapidly, and distant metastases are often found at diagnosis. We present a case of liposarcoma in the atrium of the heart as case report and same time ,we do a literature review about it.  Case Report: We present the case of a young 30 years old female with a significant tumor of cardiac liposarcoma, with chief complaint of dyspnea, tachycardia and heart failure even angina pectoris. Conclusion: The diagnostician’s differential diagnosis must be broad when encountering common chief complaints, such as tachycardia, heart failure and angina pectoris

Nanoceramics in Bone Tissue Engineering: The Future Lies Ahead

Nanoceramics are composed of ceramics and are classified as inorganic, heat-resistant, nonmetallic solids made of both metallic and nonmetallic compounds. Bone tissue engineering applies bioactive scaffolds, host cells and osteogenic signals for restoring damaged or diseased tissues. Composites of bioactive ceramics closely match the properties of bone. In the present review paper, an attempt has been made to emphasize the suitability of nanoceramics in the field of bone tissue engineering. Toxicity of these synthesized nanomaterials should be checked before their real application. Nanoceramics, in future, will surely prove to be important nanomaterials in the field of tissue engineering

Relationship between Cholesterol Levels and Suicide Attempts in Chronic Psychosis: Cholesterol Levels and Suicide Attempts in Chronic Psychosis

Objective: Suicide is the most common cause of premature death of schizophrenia. This study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and suicidal behaviour in chronic psychosis Methods: The study group consisted of 109 schizophrenia, schizoaffective and other non affectice psychosis defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Lifetime suicide attempts of patients were retrospectively screened. The patients were divided into two groups with and without suicide. Serum cholesterol levels were compared between two groups. Results:The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels were 163.8 mg /dl,150.8 mg /dl,40.8 mg /dl and 132.4 mg/dl, respectively in the study group while they were 197.1 mg / dl, 194 mg / dl, 44.9 mg / dl and 124.2 mg/dl, respectively in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were significantly lower than patients with suicidal attempts compared with the patients with no suicidal attemps (p=0,03). No association was found between  suicidal attempt and HDL cholesterol (p=0,24), triglyceride (p=0,193), and LDL(p=0,45).  Conclusion:This result supports the hypothesis of association low plasma cholesterol levels and suicidal behavior in psychosi

Traumatic Pulmonary Pneumatoceles (Pseudocyst)

Introduction: Traumatic pulmonary parenchymal cavitary lesions (TPPCs) are pulmonary pseudocysts raiding secondary to lung contusion. Method: To provide an overview of the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of TPPCs, and to discuss this in the context of a cohort of 12 retrospectively reviewed patients with TPPCs presenting to Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, from January 2014 to December 2016. Between January 2014 and December 2016, a total of twelve trauma patients presented to Sahlgrenska University Hospital with TPPC following blunt trauma. Results: TPPCs are of limited clinical consequence. Inexperienced clinicians may treat these inappropriately. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is the investigation of choice. Treatment is symptomatic. Intervention is indicated only in case of complications

Comparative Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Medications among Schizophrenic Smokers

Objective: To examine which medication could lead to a higher short and long term smoking abstinence in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using General Electric (GE) medical records database (1995 – 2011). The cohort consisted of adult smokers with diagnosis of schizophrenia newly initiating cessation medication. Short term and long term outcomes of cessation were measured at 3 weeks and 1 year. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were used to determine the frequencies and associations of patient characteristics with the abstinence outcomes. Logistic regression models were carried out to determine the predictors of short term and long term abstinence. Results: The cohort consisted of 3,976 patients. Abstinence rate was highest for Varenicline, followed by Bupropion, NRT, and lastly combination at week 12. At one year, abstinence rate was highest for Varenicline, followed by combination, NRT, and lastly Bupropion. Age, race, household locations and receiving counseling were associated with abstinence. No significant differences were found between cessation medications. Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences in quitting with type of cessation medication. Predictors of better abstinence identified included older age, white race, western household location. These factors should be considered when designing future interventions for schizophrenic population as this minority population may need more tailored approaches to achieve a successful cessation outcome

Spontaneous Migration of Central Venous Catheter to Anterior Mediastinum

Central venous devices are routinely used in delivering chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition. Spontaneous migration of central venous catheters is a very rare complication, but the etiology of this problem is not clear. We report here a case of migration of a port catheter to the anterior mediastinum in a patient with stage IVC nasopharyngeal cancer during chemotherapy. The patient presented with pulmonary manifestations in form of shortness of breath and chest tightness caused by left massive pleural effusion. The pleural effusion was resolved by thoracocentesis and the migrated catheter was retrieved surgically

A Comparative Geophysical Study of the Sedimentary-Metamorphic Contacts in the Douala and Kribi-Campo Sub-Basins of Cameroon

The magnetotelluric method has been used in this work to compare the nature of the sedimentary-metamorphic contacts of the Douala and Kribi-Campo sub-basins in Cameroon. The results show that the sedimentary-metamorphic contact zones for the two sub-basins, marked by a subsidence of the low resistivity materials on the sedimentary formations and uplift of the high resistivity materials characterized by intrusive bodies of higher values of resistivity on the metamorphic formations, are structurally similar,. However, the very low values of resistivity of rocks in the Douala sub-basin is suggestive of high porosity, permeability and high level of saline ions dissociation leading to high conductivity. These rocks should be of unconsolidated sediments for the sedimentary formation and gneiss for the metamorphic formation. On the contrary, the very high values of resistivity for rocks in the Kribi-Campo sub-basin indicate the absence of free mobile electrons and ions and low porosity, permeability and non-conductivity. The sedimentary formation of this sub-basin should be composed of limestone and conglomerates rocks with some gneissic and unconsolidated granitic materials. The rocks in the metamorphic formation should be completely granitic in nature. The shallow depth of penetration of only 4 km of telluric current in the Douala sub-basin is enough evidence that the tectonic events responsible for the emplacement of this contact zone were limited to the earth crust. On the other hand, in the Kribi-Campo sub-basin the tectonic events should have originated from within the earth mantle as the depth of penetration of telluric current attains 150 km

Fish and Rat as Models to Assess Environmental Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles: Fish and rat as models

Nano-sized particles of less than 100 nm in diameter are attracting the scientific community due to their wide range of new applications in various fields including biophysics, material and medical sciences. Nanoparticles of noble metals such as silver have been found to reveal significantly distinct physical, chemical and biological properties from their bulk counterparts. As industrial production of nano-sized particles is increasing day by day, their dissemination in natural environments is also at an increase. This is leading to substantial water and soil pollution. Finding the adverse effects of such nano-sized particles on different faunal species is thus of utmost importance. In the present paper, toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on fish and rat models have been presented so as to have a view about the type of the damage posed by them. This study will not only add to the existing knowledge about the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on faunal species but also help in formulating future pollution controlling programs