Dexamethasone induced psychosis presenting with catatonic features

Scientific Lette

Development and feasibility testing of an animated cartoon-based self-care application for low-back pain – a pilot study

Objectives: The use of animated cartoons for pain management is an emerging area, however, in no study has it been explored as a digital platform for the rehabilitation of low-back pain (LBP). This study was aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of an animated cartoon-based self-care (ACBSC) app for LBP, and to examine the correlation between the app rating parameters and patients’ pain. Methods: This 2-phase study comprised development and feasibility testing components. Development of the ACBSC app was based on Mckenzie’s Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) extension protocol plus back hygiene following standard it-eration and prototyping process. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with chronic non-specific LBP with ‘direction Preference’ for extension based on the MDT screening algorithm participated in the feasibility phase. The participants utilised the car-toon-based app thrice weekly for 2 weeks. Outcomes were assessed in terms of usability, satisfaction and user experience ap-plying the system usability and mobile application rating scales. The Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS) was used to assess the participants’ pain intensity. Results: On a unified scale up to 20, functionality (15.4 ± 2.41) and aesthetics 14 ± 2.00 had highest and least objective quality rating on the app parameters. Total objective and subjective quality rating of the app was 16.9 ± 1.97 and 15.6 ± 2.42, respectively. The total impact and usability scores were 24.1 ± 3.39 (out of 30) and 27.8 ± 3.09 (out of 50). Participants re-ported that the cartoon app for back care mostly affected mindfulness/meditation/relaxation (42.9%), increasing happiness/ well-being (46.4%), leading to behavioural changes (60.7%), while targeting physical health (100%). There was no significant correlation between participants’ pain characteristics and app rating parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: The animated cartoon-based self-care LBP app has moderate to high usability, functionality, aesthetics and quality rating, and may serve as an effective mobile-app for self-management of long-term LBP

EDITORIAL: Biomedical HIV Prevention Research and Development in Africa

No Abstract

Field evaluation of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) varieties for resistance to some major insect pests in Ago-Iwoye, South west Nigeria

Field trials to screen twelve varieties of cowpea for resistance to major insect pests were conducted over two planting seasons (2002 and 2003) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Results showed that varietal resistance to insect pests in cowpea varied with growth stages and seasonal changes. Five major insect pests (Aphis craccivora, Megalurothrips sjostedti, Maruca vitrata, Riptortus dentipes and Clavigralla tomentosicollis) were observed at the various stages of growth of cowpea plant. Results suggest that the cowpea variety IT90K-277-2 was resistant to Aphis craccivora while IT86D-719 was resistant to Megalurothrips sjostedti. Maruca vitrata did not pose any threat to most of the cowpea varieties tested. IT95M-118, IT86D-719, IT95M-120 and IT95M-220 were resistant to Riptortus dentipes, a pod-sucking pest. The pod evaluation index showed that IT95M-118 and IT84E-124 were resistant to pod sucking insects. The highest pod and peduncle damage were recorded on variety IT95M-120. Keywords: Cowpea; Major Insect pests; Resistanc

Hospital workers' practice of malaria prevention and treatment in Sagamu: implications for malaria control in the community

Hospital workers constitute an important resource for the community on matters relating to health care including malaria control. To identify the prevention methods recommended and drugs hospital workers in Sagamu routinely use and recommend to community members as first line in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Information was obtained in September 2005 from a cross section of hospital workers (including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and administrative workers) in Sagamu on their practices regarding prevention of malaria and treatment of uncomplicated malaria using a semi-structured questionnaire. There were a total of 157 respondents from 22 health facilities. Ninety - three (59.2%) were medical workers while 64 (40.8%) were non-medical health workers. 118 (75.0%) mentioned chloroquine or chloroquine plus any other drug as the first line drug recommended to community members for uncomplicated malaria, and 83 (52.9%) actually use chloroquine alone when treating self for malaria. Artemisinin-based combination therapy was preferred as first line by only 13, (8.3%) of the workers. To prevent malaria, 88 (56.1%) spray their rooms with insecticide, while 28 (17.8%) sleep under insecticide treated nets (ITNs). One hundred and ten (70%) had not attended a workshop on malaria management in the last five years. Hospital workers in Sagamu have a good understanding of the impact of malaria on their community but their practices regarding prevention and treatment of the disease have the potential to further increase the severity of malaria in the community. They need urgent training and periodic re-education on current evidence-based malaria control practices. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(6) 2006: 164-16

Coffee Consumption Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Glucose Intolerance in Rats fed on High-Sucrose Diet

Summary: Several epidemiological evidences indicate that consumption of coffee is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) however; there is dearth of experimental data to support these  observations. Given that associations do not necessarily infer causality, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on glucose regulation, T2DM and the probable mechanisms of action, using an animal model. The effect of coffee (2-fold dilution) by oral gavage on normal and high sucrose-solution (HSS) fed (30 % w/v) rats was evaluated. The results showed that consumption of coffee significantly increase  glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (p<0.05) along with significant  improvement in SOD and GSH activities. In addition, lipid indices such as TG and LDL as well as the lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) were markedly reduced (p<0.05) in rats fed with coffee compared with that of the HSS fed rats. These findings suggest that coffee consumption improves insulin  sensitivity, glucose tolerance in HSS-fed rat possibly via inhibition of  oxidative stress.Keywords: Coffee, Glucose Tolerance, Insulin resistance, Oxidative Stress, Sucros

Assessment Of Immunoglobulin Levels In The Cause Of False Pass Rate In The Use Of Copper Sulphate (CuSO )4 As Pre-donation Screening Test

Click on the link to view the abstract.The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol 20 No 2 (July 2013