Insight from the study of acidity and reactivity of Cr2O3 catalyst in propane dehydrogenation: a computational approach

By converting low-value commodity fuels into high-value products, like polymer precursors, chemical and other intermediates, the dehydrogenation of light paraffin (such as ethane and propane) into olefins, can add significant value to the refining processes that generate propane. In this study, the parameterised method 3 (PM3) approximation of semi empirical theory was employed to study the acidity and reactivity of chromium (III) oxide catalyst in the dehydrogenation of propane into propylene. Ammonia and pyridine were used computationally as molecular probes for the evaluation of the Lewis acidity of the catalyst sites. The propane adsorption and dissociation activation energies were also evaluated. The study showed that the chromium sites are highly acidic and reactive compared to the oxygen sites. In particular, the study showed that the chromium site is the main active site in the promotion of propane dehydrogenation into propylene, over chromium (III) oxide catalyst. Keywords: Acidity, Reactivity, Dehydrogenation, Propane, Chromium

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a devastating chronic microvascular complication that represents the major cause of end-stage renal failure leading to the development and progression of diabetic syndrome. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 DM with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Eighty (80) type 2 diabetic patients with DN and apparently healthy controls were respectively recruited. Blood samples were collected and tested for serum NGAL, creatinine, albumin, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Creatinine and albumin were analyzed using Abbot autoanalyser, HbA1c was analyzed using fine care system and serum NGAL using the ELISA method. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 20.0. Student t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation were used for comparisons and correlation of data respectively with level of significance set <0.05. Result: The mean values of the serum NGAL, FPG, HbA1c, BMI and eGFR in both DN group and control group were found to be 3.72±2.62 vs 1.08±0.78μg/ml, 7.06 ±3.46 vs 4.08± 0.39mmo/l, 6.73±1.08 vs 4.71 ±0.39%, 27.33±5.29 vs 25.08±3.65ml/min/1.73m2 and 76.57 ±11.20 vs 118.23 ±12.11ml/min/1.73m2 respectively. The study found a high and significant difference in the mean values of the DN group compared to the control group. A positive and significant relationship was observed between serum NGAL and eGFR and duration of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Serum NGAL could therefore be used as a biomarker to diagnose DN even earlier to incipient nephropathy, NGAL, Diabetes nephropathy, eGFR, Microalbuminuria, Glycated haemoglobin

Effects of micronutrients on oxidative stress in HIV positive patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a tertiary health care facility in Kano, northwest Nigeria

The study examined the effects of micronutrients supplementation on oxidative stress markers in HIV positive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Kano-Nigeria. Fifty four (54) HIV positive individuals already taking HAART were placed on a daily dose of a multivitamin supplement for a period of three months. Another 54 HIV positive subjects who were already on HAART served as the control group for the same period of time. Prior to the multivitamin supplementation, the baseline mean serum vitamin A, C, and E, selenium, zinc, malondehaldehyde (MDA), albumin, total protein, and CD4+ count values were established. With the exception of mean serum vitamin C, the mean serum values for the studied parameters after the supplementation period increased significantly (P<0.05) in the non supplemented group compared to their baseline values. The mean serum vitamin A, C, and E, Se, total protein and CD4+ count of the supplemented group increased significantly when compared to their baseline values. Mean serum MDA was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the multivitamin supplemented group compared to their baseline. No significant difference (P<0.05) was seen in the mean serum vitamin C and albumin of the multivitamin supplemented group as compared to their baseline. The mean serum vitamins A, C, and E and the CD4+ count of the multivitamins supplemented subjects significantly increased (P<0.05) when compared to that of the non supplemented subjects. Mean serum selenium and zinc increased significantly (P<0.05) in the non supplemented subjects but not in the supplemented subjects. The serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) in the form of malondialdehyde (MDA), for the supplemented subjects was found to reduce significantly (P<0.05) compared to that of the non supplemented subjects. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the supplemented and the non supplemented subjects in their serum total protein and albumin. Among the supplemented Subjects, vitamin A and C increased significantly (P<0.05) in the ARV treatment naïve sub group. Vitamin E, selenium and zinc increased significantly (P<0.05) in the ARV treated sub group, while MDA decreased significantly (P<0.05) in this sub group. Micronutrient supplementation was therefore shown to reduce oxidative stress in HIV positive patients on HAART and could possibly be very helpful as an adjunct in the treatment of this disease.Key Words: Antiretroviral, micronutrients, malondialdehyde, ART naïve, reactive oxygen species, supplementation

Gastroenterology practice in the COVID-19 era: Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD) position statement

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare negatively across the globe. The practice of gastroenterology has been affected especially gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy which is considered high risk for transmission of the virus. As a community of practitioners there is the need to share information and make evidence-based statements to guide GI practice in Ghana. This GASLIDD position statement based on the growing and rapidly evolving body of knowledge is to provide up to date information on the COVID-19 disease and guidance for the practice of gastroenterology in Ghana and beyond. It is to help the GI community of practice to maintain the highest level of health delivery and safety for our patients, staff, community and GI practitioners

Abnormalities of the external genitalia and groins among primary school boys in Bida, Nigeria

Background: Abnormalities of the male external genitalia and groin, a set of lesions which may be congenital or acquired, are rather obscured to many kids and their parents and Nigerian health care system has no formal program to detect them.Objectives: To identify and determine the prevalence of abnormalities of external genitalia and groin among primary school boys in Bida, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of primary school male pupils in Bida. A detailed clinical examination of the external genitalia and groin was performed on them.Results: Abnormalities were detected in 240 (36.20%) of the 663 boys, with 35 (5.28%) having more than one abnormality. The three most prevalent abnormalities were penile chordee (37, 5.58%), excessive removal of penile skin (37, 5.58%) and retractile testis (34, 5.13%). The prevalence of complications of circumcision was 15.40% and included excessive residual foreskin, excessive removal of skin, skin bridges and meatal stenosis. Undescended testes were seen in 6 (0.90%) boys, with median age of 9 years and 2 were bilateral. Also, micropenis was detected in 27 (4.07%) of the pupils.Conclusion: Inguino-penoscrotal abnormalities are common in our community (36.20%). Screening of pre-school and school children to  detect them should be introduced into the school health programs in Nigeria.Keywords: External genitalia, groin abnormalities, boy

Hepatoprotective Effect of Camel Milk on Poloxamer 407 Induced Hyperlipidaemic Wistar Rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of oral administration of camel milk on liver enzymes, total proteins and histology of poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidaemic wistar rats.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty male wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g were randomly assigned into six groups of five each; group I: administered distilled water, group II: induced with P407, group III: induced with P407 and treated with atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) and groups IV, V and VI: induced with P407 and treated with camel milk 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. After three weeks, blood samples and liver tissues were collected for the determination of alkaline phospatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio and histological studies respectively.RESULTS: All camel milk treated groups showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALT and AST. Camel milk treated groups; 250 mg/kg and 1000mg/kg showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in total protein, globulin with all camel milk treated groups having significant (p < 0.05) increase in A/G ratio. Histological examination of liver tissues showed that camel milk at a dose of 250 mg/kg had slight adipocytes infiltration.CONCLUSION: The results of our findings highlight the hepatoprotective effect of camel milk in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidaemic wistar rats

Diffusion of e-health innovations in 'post-conflict' settings: a qualitative study on the personal experiences of health workers.

BACKGROUND: Technological innovations have the potential to strengthen human resources for health and improve access and quality of care in challenging 'post-conflict' contexts. However, analyses on the adoption of technology for health (that is, 'e-health') and whether and how e-health can strengthen a health workforce in these settings have been limited so far. This study explores the personal experiences of health workers using e-health innovations in selected post-conflict situations. METHODS: This study had a cross-sectional qualitative design. Telephone interviews were conducted with 12 health workers, from a variety of cadres and stages in their careers, from four post-conflict settings (Liberia, West Bank and Gaza, Sierra Leone and Somaliland) in 2012. Everett Roger's diffusion of innovation-decision model (that is, knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, contemplation) guided the thematic analysis. RESULTS: All health workers interviewed held positive perceptions of e-health, related to their beliefs that e-health can help them to access information and communicate with other health workers. However, understanding of the scope of e-health was generally limited, and often based on innovations that health workers have been introduced through by their international partners. Health workers reported a range of engagement with e-health innovations, mostly for communication (for example, email) and educational purposes (for example, online learning platforms). Poor, unreliable and unaffordable Internet was a commonly mentioned barrier to e-health use. Scaling-up existing e-health partnerships and innovations were suggested starting points to increase e-health innovation dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study showed ICT based e-health innovations can relieve information and communication needs of health workers in post-conflict settings. However, more efforts and investments, preferably driven by healthcare workers within the post-conflict context, are needed to make e-health more widespread and sustainable. Increased awareness is necessary among health professionals, even among current e-health users, and physical and financial access barriers need to be addressed. Future e-health initiatives are likely to increase their impact if based on perceived health information needs of intended users

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks