Fault Tolerance in Intranet Information Systems for Tertiary Health Institutions

The critical nature of information and data in some systems like health sector requires a system that gives optimal tolerance to fault without trading off or compromising system integrity, availability and security in order for the system to afford greater efficiency. The main thrust of this work is to examine health system information flow and application(s) in the light of fault tolerance and come up with application software of higher tolerance to fault that can be deployed as an intranet in a tertiary health institution for sharing Patients’ Case Notes among care givers. Besides extensive literature review on the work, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, one of the teaching hospitals in Nigeria, was chosen as a case study. The various departments and users are interviewed and interacted with in order to, among other things, gather system requirements. The software development technologies used are ASP.NET with Visual Basic as language and Microsoft SQL 2005 Express Edition. The platform used is Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition. The web server used is Internet Information System (IIS). Keywords: fault tolerance, information system, health institution, health care, case note

Prevalence of symptoms, comorbidities, fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in individuals with Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

BackgroundFibrin(ogen) amyloid microclots and platelet hyperactivation previously reported as a novel finding in South African patients with the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) and Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), might form a suitable set of foci for the clinical treatment of the symptoms of Long COVID/PASC. A Long COVID/PASC Registry was subsequently established as an online platform where patients can report Long COVID/PASC symptoms and previous comorbidities.MethodsIn this study, we report on the comorbidities and persistent symptoms, using data obtained from 845 South African Long COVID/PASC patients. By using a previously published scoring system for fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology, we also analysed blood samples from 80 patients, and report the presence of significant fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in all cases.ResultsHypertension, high cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemia), cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were found to be the most important comorbidities. The gender balance (70% female) and the most commonly reported Long COVID/PASC symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, loss of concentration and forgetfulness, shortness of breath, as well as joint and muscle pains) were comparable to those reported elsewhere. These findings confirmed that our sample was not atypical. Microclot and platelet pathologies were associated with Long COVID/PASC symptoms that persisted after the recovery from acute COVID-19.ConclusionsFibrin amyloid microclots that block capillaries and inhibit the transport of O2 to tissues, accompanied by platelet hyperactivation, provide a ready explanation for the symptoms of Long COVID/PASC. Removal and reversal of these underlying endotheliopathies provide an important treatment option that urgently warrants controlled clinical studies to determine efficacy in patients with a diversity of comorbidities impacting on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. We suggest that our platelet and clotting grading system provides a simple and cost-effective diagnostic method for early detection of Long COVID/PASC as a major determinant of effective treatment, including those focusing on reducing clot burden and platelet hyperactivation

Nutrient, antinutrient composition and potential contribution of Amaranthus cruentus grain and Amaranthus hybridus leaf to micronutrient intake of consumers

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the nutrient and antinutrient composition of Amaranthus cruentus grain and Amaranthus hybridus leaf as possible sources of micronutrients for combating  malnutrition.Methods: Fresh sample of Amaranthus cruentus grain and Amaranthus hybridus leaf were purchased from NIHORT and Bodija market in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria respectively. The grain was washed and drained. The drained grain and vegetable leaf were dried at 600C for six hours before milling into flour and powder respectively. Proximate, mineral, ascorbic acid and antinutrient content of the samples were  determined in triplicate using AOAC standard methods of analyses.Results: One hundred grammes of the grain sample contained 4.3g moisture, 24.5g crude protein, 7.3g crude fat, 1.5g crude fibre, 2.1g ash, 61.8g carbohydrate, 9.6mg vitamin C, 374.5mg potassium, 30.7mg sodium, 120.9mg calcium, 187.52mg magnesium, 41.1mg phosphorous, 7.9mg iron, 4.7mg manganese, 0.1mg phytate, 0.08mg tannins, 0.1mg saponins; and yielded 410.0 kcal of energy; while the leaf contained 81.5g moisture, 5.2g crude protein, 0.6g fat, 0.9g fibre, 1.3g ash, 6.8g carbohydrate, 63.9Kcal, 25.2 mg vitamin C, 719.48mg potassium, 27.74mg sodium, 282.61mg calcium, 135.28mg magnesium, 61.90mg phosphorous, 1.89mg manganese, 7.72mg iron, 0.28mg phytate, 0.14mg tannins, and 0.63mg saponins /100g sample.Conclusion and Recommendation: The grain and leaf are rich in essential minerals and ascorbic acid, low in sodium and antinutrients, hence, they can contribute significantly to micronutrient intake of consumers and reduce micronutrient malnutrition. Their consumption should therefore be encouraged. Key words: Amaranthus cruentus grain, Amaranthus hybridus leaf, Proximate composition, Micronutrient contributio

Data sharing:A Long COVID perspective, challenges, and road map for the future

‘Long COVID’ is the term used to describe the phenomenon in which patients who have survived a COVID-19 infection continue to experience prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Millions of people across the globe are affected by Long COVID. Solving the Long COVID conundrum will require drawing upon the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which thousands of experts across diverse disciplines such as epidemiology, genomics, medicine, data science, and computer science collaborated, sharing data and pooling resources to attack the problem from multiple angles. Thus far, there has been no global consensus on the definition, diagnosis, and most effective treatment of Long COVID. In this work, we examine the possible applications of data sharing and data science in general with a view to, ultimately, understand Long COVID in greater detail and hasten relief for the millions of people experiencing it. We examine the literature and investigate the current state, challenges, and opportunities of data sharing in Long COVID research

Data sharing: A Long COVID perspective, challenges, and road map for the future

‘Long COVID’ is the term used to describe the phenomenon in which patients who have survived a COVID-19 infection continue to experience prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Millions of people across the globe are affected by Long COVID. Solving the Long COVID conundrum will require drawing upon the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which thousands of experts across diverse disciplines such as epidemiology, genomics, medicine, data science, and computer science collaborated, sharing data and pooling resources to attack the problem from multiple angles. Thus far, there has been no global consensus on the definition, diagnosis, and most effective treatment of Long COVID. In this work, we examine the possible applications of data sharing and data science in general with a view to, ultimately, understand Long COVID in greater detail and hasten relief for the millions of people experiencing it. We examine the literature and investigate the current state, challenges, and opportunities of data sharing in Long COVID research.</jats:p