7 research outputs found

    Ebinformatics: Ebola fuzzy informatics systems on the diagnosis, prediction and recommendation of appropriate treatments for Ebola virus disease (EVD)

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    AbstractEbola Virus Disease (EVD) also known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a very deadly infectious disease to humankind. Therefore, a safer and complementary method of diagnosis is to employ the use of an expert system in order to initiate a platform for pre-clinical treatments, thus acting as a precursor to comprehensive medical diagnosis and treatments. This work presents a design and implementation of informatics software and a knowledge-based expert system for the diagnosis, and provision of recommendations on the appropriate type of recommended treatment to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).In this research an Ebola fuzzy informatics system was developed for the purpose of diagnosing and providing useful recommendations to the management of the EVD in West Africa and other affected regions of the world. It also acts as a supplementary resource in providing medical advice to individuals in Ebola ā€“ ravaged countries. This aim was achieved through the following objectives: (i) gathering of facts through the conduct of a comprehensive continental survey to determine the knowledge and perception level of the public about factors responsible for the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (ii) develop an informatics software based on information collated from health institutions on basic diagnosis of the Ebola Virus Disease-related symptoms (iii) adopting and marrying the knowledge of fuzzy logic and expert systems in developing the informatics software. Necessary requirements were collated from the review of existing expert systems, consultation of journals and articles, and internet sources. Online survey was conducted to determine the level at which individuals are aware of the factors responsible for the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The expert system developed, was designed to use fuzzy logic as its inference mechanism along with a set of rules. A knowledge base was created to help provide diagnosis on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Root Sum Square (RSS) was adopted as a fuzzy inference method. The degree of participation of each input parameter was shown using the triangular membership function and the defuzzification technique used is the Center of Gravity (CoG).The resulting software produced a user-friendly desktop-based, Windows-based, application and the tools used were explained in the results section in three (3) separate phases. First, a comprehensive online survey was conducted over a period of about 3ā€“9 months. 100 Participants participated in the survey on the perception and knowledge analysis of different individuals about Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) transmission factors. 31% of the participants didn't know that there is presently no cure for Ebola. 28% believed that there is presently a cure for Ebola. 43% agreed that Ebola is both air-borne and water-borne, while 33% disagreed, 24% do not know. 23% believed that insects and mosquitoes can help in transmitting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), while 30% were completely ignorant. We noticed that ignorance was a major limiting factor among some participants.Second, a test was conducted among 45 people. Results from a comprehensive testing of the Ebinformatics software by allowing users to operate and use the software, revealed that 60% of them were satisfied, while 16% were not satisfied with the software, while 24% were indifferent. 69% of the users were in agreement that Ebinformatics was supportive, 20% disagreed, while 11% were indifferent. 67% found the software easy to use, 13% disagreed, while 20% were indifferent. Third, the output of the software, showing the various diagnosis and recommendations interfaces were presented. Recommendations were also given with respect to how the system can be extended, and further improved upon

    The Impact of Peer Victimization on Psychosocial Functioning and Adjustment of African-Born Adolescents

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    AbstractPeer victimization is aggressive behavior, a school stressor, and a social problem that could have significant adverse outcomes on adolescentsā€™ psychological, social, and physical well-being. Some of the adverse outcomes of peer victimization in the adolescent population include externalizing and internalizing problems. More insight is needed on the impact of peer victimization on the well-being of adolescents, especially those who belong to minority groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of peer victimization on the psychosocial functioning and adjustment of African-born adolescents in the United States by using Lazarus and Folkmanā€™s transactional theory of stress and coping. The research questions centered on ascertaining how exposure to different types of peer victimization predicts the psychosocial functioning and adjustment of African-born adolescents and which combination of the different types of peer victimization is the best predictor of the selected outcome. A quantitative correlational design with logistic regression was used to analyze secondary data collected from 282 African-born adolescents between 12 and 18 years who participated in the National Center for Education Statisticsā€™ 2015 School Crime Supplement. The findings showed that physical assault and intimidation (PAI), verbal aggression, and relational unfriendly behaviors (RUB) significantly predicted the psychosocial functioning and adjustment (PFA) of African-born adolescents while the combination of PAI and RUB best predicted PFA. The findings of this study may promote positive social change by facilitating school leadersā€™ and cliniciansā€™ knowledge of the impact of this aggressive behavior on adolescents and selection of appropriate interventions for victims

    Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the anal wall in a Nigerian

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    Documented reports of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are relatively few in the sub-Saharan continent. The body of evidence points towards anal wall involvement being a rarity indeed. In this article we document a 61 year old Nigerian man who presented with bleeding per rectum and in whom the histological features (including immunohistochemistry) of the biopsied anal lesion was GIST.Key words: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), anal wall, immunohistochemistry, Nigeri

    Urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder Diverticulum stones: a case report

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    BACKGROUND: Secondary urethral stone although rare, commonly arises from the kidneys, bladder or are seen in patients with urethral stricture. These stones are either found in the posterior or anterior urethra and do result in acute urinary retention. We report urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder diverticulum stones. This to our knowledge is the first report from Nigeria and in English literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69 year old, male, Nigerian with clinical and radiological features of acute urinary retention, benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum. He had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and was lost to follow up. He re-presented with retained urethral catheter of 4months duration. The catheter was removed but attempt at re-passing the catheter failed and a suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Clinical examination and plain radiograph of the penis confirmed anterior and posterior urethral stones. He had meatotomy and antegrade manual stone extraction with no urethra injury. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral obstruction can result from inadequate treatment of patient with benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum stones. Surgeons in resource limited environment should be conversant with transurethral resection of the prostate and cystolithotripsy or open prostatectomy and diverticulectomy

    Sleep Quality and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Patients with Prostatic Diseases

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    Background: Incidence of symptomatic prostatic diseases increases with age. Nocturia disturbs sleep. We set out to determine the quality of sleep and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bother score in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and carcinoma of the prostate (CAP). Methods: A cross-sectional study of new patients seen in the urology outpatient clinic with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) from either BPH or CAP over a period of 18 months. Patients were interviewed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and International prostate symptoms score (IPSS) questionnaires. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results:168 patients were interviewed. CAP patients were older than their BPH counterparts. About 45% of the patients had poor sleep quality. CAP patients (52.9%) were more of poor sleepers compared with BPH patients (40.0%). CAP patients (46.3%) had more severe IPSS than BPH patients (33.3%). Both CAP (70.6%) and BPH (76.0%) patients reported high bother score. Conclusion: CAP and BPH patients have high bother score, affirming need for early treatment. CAP patients had more severe lower urinary tract symptoms and poorer sleep quality than BPH patients. Keywords: IPSS, Sleep quality, LUTS, Bother scor
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