Aquatic environmental assessment in relation to buruli ulcer epidemiolgy In Ogun State, Nigeria: the public health implication

This study attempted to access water quality status of aquatic habitats in BU identified communities in Ogun State and evaluated the heavy metal level in the rivers using fish as a bio-monitor. Water and fish samples were sourced from Eggua, Yewa and Whekan Topa rivers in Ogun State. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals were assessed using standardised methods for water and waste water analysis protocol. All the assessed physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals were within acceptable limits for fresh water bodies. However, WhekanTopa river showed highest level of total dissolved solids, conductivity and chemical oxygen demand which were significantly higher than those of Eggua and Yewa rivers. The limnology from this study revealed no obvious evidence of pollution of the study locations. This condition does not encourage growth sustenance of Mycobacterium ulcerans pathogen as it has been established that BU pathogen growth thrives in poor water quality environment. Therefore, it is of public health importance that the environments studied should be protected from environmental pollution to forestall possible M. ulcerans increased proliferation and concomitant outbreak of Buruli ulcer disease in the study areas.Keywords: Water quality, Buruli ulcer, aquatic environment, public health, Ogun Stat

Genetics of Tobacco Use

The worldwide prevalence of tobacco use is widespread, resulting in nearly 4.5 million deaths every year. Nicotine is addictive and has psychopharmacological effects that maintain the use of tobacco products. Several studies have documented a strong hereditary component to tobacco use. The present article reviews results from twin and adoption studies and proceeds to present association studies of specific genes that may be involved in tobacco use. Cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta polypeptide 2, serotonin receptor and transporter genes, dopamine receptor and transporter genes, and the cytochrome P450A6 gene are reviewed. Linkage studies help to identify regions of the genome that may be worth further investigation. The paper concludes with a discussion of the limitations of genetic research and the future of genetic epidemiology in this domain

Seroepidemiological Study of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Ardabil Province, Iran, 1986 – 2009

Introduction & Objective: Visceral Leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is the most important endemic disease in Northwestern Iran, particularly in Ardabil province. This study aimed to review the seroepidemiological studies which have been performed in Ardabil province during 1986-2009. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, studies which have been carried out from 1986 through 2009 in Northwestern Iran about clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological features of Kala azar, using DAT, were reviewed. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: in total, 2703 of human visceral leishmaniasis were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT) in Ardabil province, 1787 (66.1%) of them were from Meshkin-shahr district, 837 (31%) cases were from Moghan district, and 79 (2.9%) cases were from Ardabil district. Ninety eight percent of the cases were under 10 years old while only 0.5% of the VL cases were 20 years old and 17% of them were under 1 year of age. Conclusion: Currently Kala-Azar is the most important endemic disease in Northwestern Iran, particularly in Ardabil province. Anti- Leishmania antibodies at the titers of 1:3200 using DAT along with clinical signs including fever, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly are considered as active visceral leishmaniasis. DAT antibody titer of 1/800 and lower and absent of clinical signs is considered as negative VL

Narcolepsy :a review amongst sleep disorders.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder known and studied about from time to time is a sleep disorder characterized by a combination of myriad of symptoms including excessive day time sleepiness with recurrent irresistible sleep attacks , hypnogogic hallucinations ,hypnopompic hallucinations ,sleep paralysis and cataplexy (sudden and bilateral loss of muscle tone.1 Narcolepsy may present it self long with cataplexy or without cataplexy. The pathogenesis behind narcolepsy is found to be due to degeneration of hypocretin/orexin secreting neurones in the central nervous system due to disorder of human leukocyte antigen DQB1*0602.Narcolepsy is a deblitating disorder which causes intense functional impairment and hampers quality of life. Diagnosing narcolepsy can be challenging with help from clinical signs and symptoms , serum hypocretin/orexin levels and certain laboratory sleep tests . A definative cure for narcolepsy is not known , but pharmacological therapy with certain lifestyle changes are the main options

Globalization of Corporate Covernance: The American Influence on Dismissal Performance Sensitivity of European CEOs

This study examines how globalization of corporate governance practices influence the risk of European CEOs being dismissed. We argue that the harsh monitoring of the American corporate governance system spills over to the rest of the world as a result of this globalization. We focus on direct and indirect American influence on the dismissal performance sensitivity among the 250 largest European publicly listed firms. The indirect influence is assumed to materialize via European firms cross-listing on U.S. exchanges, whereas the direct influence is assumed to appear as a result of European firms hiring of American independent board members. Both sources of influence are hypothesized to result in increased dismissal performance sensitivity. The empirical results show a significant increase in the dismissal sensitivity in poorly performing companies with American board membership whereas no significant increase is found from cross-listing in the U.S.CEO dismissal; Performance sensitivity; Globalization; Corporate governance; Foreign board membership; Institutional contagion

Microscopy ‘AIDS’ in diagnosing a febrile infant

No Abstract

Bibliografía sobre Trichinella SPP

"Se presenta la bibliografía sobre Trichinella spp., que aparece en los documentos TRICHINELLA: EPIDEMIOLOGÍA Y NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS DE INSPECCIÓN SANITARIA EN CARNES DE EQUINO (II), de Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran y Javier de Benito (2001), TRICHINELLA STATUS IN THE WILD FAUNA OF CATALONIA (NE SPAIN): FIRST REPORT OF T. SPIRALIS IN A WILD BOAR FROM MONTSENY (BARCELONA PROVINCE), de Alfredo Torrents, Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran, Francisco Bolás y Juan José Nogal (2014) y REVISIÓN BIBLIOGRÁFICA SOBRE TRICHINELLA SPP. EN JABALÍ Y CERDO, de Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran (2018). En los dos documentos presentados se cita la bibliografía de Trichinella en cerdo y jabalí (1973-2016) y en los anexos: I. Otra bibliografía sobre Trichinella; II. Bibliografía sobre Trichinella en caballos; III. Bibliografía sobre Trichinella en zorros; IV. Bibliografía sobre jabalí-caza mayor; y V. Bibliografía sobre Trichinella en carnívoros salvajes.Es presenta la bibliografia sobre Trichinella spp., que apareix als documents TRICHINELLA: EPIDEMIOLOGÍA Y NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS DE INSPECCIÓN SANITARIA EN CARNES DE EQUINO (II), de Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran y Javier de Benito (2001), TRICHINELLA STATUS IN THE WILD FAUNA OF CATALONIA (NE SPAIN): FIRST REPORT OF T. SPIRALIS IN A WILD BOAR FROM MONTSENY (BARCELONA PROVINCE), de Alfredo Torrents, Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran, Francisco Bolás y Juan José Nogal (2014) i REVISIÓN BIBLIOGRÁFICA SOBRE TRICHINELLA SPP. EN JABALÍ Y CERDO, de Xavier Fàbregas i Comadran (2018). Als dos documents presentats es cita la bibliografia de Trichinella en porc i senglar (1973-2016) i als annexes: I. Altra bibliografia sobre Trichinella; II. Bibliografia sobre Trichinella en cavalls; III. Bibliografia sobre Trichinella en guineus; IV. Bibliografia sobre senglar-caça major; i V. Bibliografia sobre Trichinella en carnívors salvatges.

Physical Activity Levels & Successful Aging

Hypothesis: Greater levels of physical activity have a positive correlation with greater levels of independence as well as better outcomes with respect to self-perceived health-related quality of life for elderly individuals (65+ years of age)

Clinical vignette: Acute esophageal necrosis

Acute Esophageal Necrosis (AEN), also known as Black Esophagus\u27 is a condition which occurs after a period of ischemia of the esophagus. On initial evaluation one must identify risk factors, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of the acute esophageal necrosis. Risk factors include age, male sex, heart disease, hemodynamic instability, alcohol ingestion, diabetes, renal insufficiency, and hypercoagulable state. The physiologic insult is often multi-factorial, ultimately leading up to ischemic compromise. Discovery of acute esophageal necrosis should be viewed as a poor prognostic factor, and may suggest eminent mortality from the underlying disease process.\u2