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Study of Blood Groups and Rhesus Factor in Beta Thalassemia Patients Undergoing Blood Transfusions
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
1-5
Received:
19 September 2021
Accepted:
11 October 2021
Published:
5 February 2022
Abstract: Beta thalassemia is the most common genetic blood disease, affecting millions of people in both developing and developed countries including Iraq. Patients with thalassemia require frequent blood transfusions, which can cause a variety of complications. Several researches have looked into the link between ABO blood groups and diseases. The associations of ABO blood group with thalassemia have not been extensively studied. In order to know the prevalence of thalassemia according to age, gender and blood group frequency, a study was conducted on 200 individuals, 100 of them were a control sample, which was considered a standard sample, while the rest 100 individuals were infected with beta thalassemia. The study aims to find out any relationship between the frequency of blood group phenotypes and susceptibility to thalassemia compared to the control sample. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of thalassemia was higher in female patients than in male patients. Found in the lowest age group 15-19 years. There was a significant difference (P 0.05) in the frequency of ABO blood groups that was O>B>A>AB. A significant difference of Rh factor (P<0.01) was found in the patients compared with the control group. The current study indicated the importance of the studied blood groups, as they are sources for detecting the risks of inheriting beta thalassemia or the variability in the likelihood of its appearance, and they can be used with other laboratory tests in genetic counseling.
Abstract: Beta thalassemia is the most common genetic blood disease, affecting millions of people in both developing and developed countries including Iraq. Patients with thalassemia require frequent blood transfusions, which can cause a variety of complications. Several researches have looked into the link between ABO blood groups and diseases. The associat...
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Functional Assessment of Pain in Post-COVID-19 Patients
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
6-9
Received:
2 November 2021
Accepted:
3 December 2021
Published:
5 February 2022
Abstract: According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, it is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience linked or similar to that linked to an actual or potential tissue injury. A practical instrument for assessing pain is the Abbreviated Pain Inventory, which is a questionnaire developed to assess the severity and effect of pain on the individual's daily functioning. It is because of the aforementioned that the purpose of this analysis is based on Identifying the impact and severity of pain in the daily activities of Post-COVID-19 patients, according to the BPI questionnaire. The type of study selected for this research work is descriptive, cross-sectional, non-experimental and retrospective, the approach is quantitative. A digital survey was used through Google Forms, based on the abbreviated Pain Inventory (BPI), in addition to containing items on the sociodemographic characteristics of the study sample and the symptoms in Post-COVID-19 patients. Results, the symptoms referenced by Post-COVID-19 patients are numerous, among which stand out, muscle fatigue with 26 individuals in the sample, generalized weakness with 23 individuals in the sample, and memory alterations with 18 individuals in the sample. shows. In general terms, it is observed that the pain perceived by the study participants has not greatly disturbed their general activities, only 13 respondents report a moderate to severe degree of disturbance.
Abstract: According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, it is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience linked or similar to that linked to an actual or potential tissue injury. A practical instrument for assessing pain is the Abbreviated Pain Inventory, which is a questionnaire developed to assess the severity and effect of pain on ...
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The Effect of the Alcoholic Essence of Laurus nobilis L. on Pro-inflammatoiry Cytokine Gene Expression in Synoviocytes and Macrophage/Monocyte
Hossein Maghsoudi,
Mahsa Khosrogardi,
Amir Akbarnejad Eshkalak,
Younes Tatar Mamaghani,
Gholamreza Bakhshi Khanaki,
Enayatollah Yazdanpanah
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
10-19
Received:
31 December 2021
Accepted:
20 January 2022
Published:
16 February 2022
Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease with an inflammatory component. It is associated with progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Today, drugs such as glucocorticoids (GCs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly employed for the treatment of osteoarthritis but have serious and life-threatening side effects. The current study aims to evaluate the effects of alcoholic essences of Laurus nobilis L. (AELN) on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, isoform), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on inflammatory cells, similar osteoarthritis in synoviocytes, and monocytes/ macrophages, and to compare it with dexamethasone (DEX) and ibuprofen (IBP). After collecting the leaves of the Laurus nobilis L. (LN) and after drying, the essences were collected by the Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran. Synovial cells were isolated from the synovial membrane of the radiocarpal joint cartilage of an 8-month-old Holstein cow. THP-1 cells were prepared from the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Cells were cultivated and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation without, or in the presence of, DEX, IBP, or alcoholic essences of Laurus nobilis L. (AELN) The gene expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18, COX-2, and iNOS were evaluated by real-time PCR. Concentrations of NO and PGE2 were measured by ELISA methods. Treatment of the studied cell with alcoholic essences of Laurus nobilis L, before stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, reduces the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes such as cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-18, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and It also reduces the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 by almost 50%. This reduction is significant compared to the 90% reduction due to treatment with dexamethasone and ibuprofen. Significant reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by alcoholic essences of Laurus nobilis L can be considered as a new drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis and requires further studies in laboratory animals and clinical studies.
Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease with an inflammatory component. It is associated with progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Today, drugs such as glucocorticoids (GCs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly employed for the treatment of osteoarthritis but have serious and lif...
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Hypokalemia and Its Correlates Among Nigerian SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients
Bright Amadi,
Stephenson Lawson,
Collins Amadi
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
20-27
Received:
14 January 2022
Accepted:
28 January 2022
Published:
16 February 2022
Abstract: Background: Disorders of electrolytes balance, especially that of potassium, have frequently been documented among patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, most of these reports have been documented among the western populations. Hence, this current study was aimed to evaluate the pattern of derangement in potassium balance and its correlation to other clinical and laboratory variables among Nigerians. Methods: Archived data of all eligible adult patients, who were managed at the Eleme treatment center in Port Harcourt, Nigeria following a positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 infection, were enrolled for this study. All relevant data of enrolled subjects were retrieved from the archived case notes, medical review charts, nurses’ charts, and laboratory-related records at initial presentation before any form of medical treatment by trained research assistants using well-structured data extraction forms. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. Results: Hypokalemia was recorded in 323 (62.8%) subjects out of a total of 515 eligible subjects. Mild, moderate, and severe hypokalemia was recorded among 32 (9.9%), 219 (67.9%), and 72 (22.2%) subjects, respectively. The subjects with severe hypokalemic status were mostly males and also of older age and had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, CRP, D-dimer, neutrophil count, and higher proportions of those with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection but lower albumin levels, lymphocyte and platelet counts compared to those with mild and moderate hypokalemic status (p<0.05). Inverse relationships were established between plasma potassium status and systolic blood pressure, sodium, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and neutrophil count. While a significant positive relationship was observed between plasma potassium status and plasma albumin, lymphocyte counts, platelet counts, and oxygen saturation among the hypokalemic subjects (p<0.05). Compare to mild and moderate hypokalemic status, severe hypokalemic status was associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR: 5.671; (95%CI: 4.467-7.365); p<0.001) and unfavorable clinical outcomes (OR: 7.863; (95%CI: 6.502-9.342); p<0.001) among the hypokalemic subjects. Conclusion: The present study findings suggest a high frequency of hypokalemia among subjects with the SARS-CoV-2 infection who are mostly males and of older age. The observed hypokalemia, especially the severe variant, was found in association with the severe infection and unfavorable clinical outcome. These findings should be considered during the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, further studies are recommended to verify the conclusions of the present study.
Abstract: Background: Disorders of electrolytes balance, especially that of potassium, have frequently been documented among patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, most of these reports have been documented among the western populations. Hence, this current study was aimed to evaluate the pattern of der...
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Association of Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Laboratory Abnormalities on Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Hospital
Charisse Begonia Ferrer,
Marie Ellaine Nicer Velasquez
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
28-36
Received:
28 January 2022
Accepted:
14 February 2022
Published:
25 February 2022
Abstract: SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19 disease, initially reported in Wuhan, Hubei China as an outbreak of viral pneumonia. The presentation ranged from asymptomatic to a severe viral pneumonia which can be fatal in high-risk groups. Some patients also presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies on its symptomatology had been widely discussed in various literatures but its effect on aminotransferases and gastrointestinal system in general were still underway. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal and liver manifestations and corresponding laboratory abnormalities among COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary referral hospital, and to determine its associations with disease severity and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection. Cross-sectional study design was used. A 340-sample population was computed with a 95% confidence interval. The population consisted of randomly selected COVID-19 confirmed patients aged >19 years-old admitted at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center from May 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. Data were encoded in a spreadsheet; and were analyzed through frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Kruskal-Wallis H Test, One-way ANOVA and Chi-square were used to test for association with <0.01 alpha level of significance. 18.23% COVID-19 patients had GI and liver manifestations. The presence of GI symptoms also showed an increased risk for developing abnormal laboratory parameters (aminotransferases, INR, inflammatory markers, and Procalcitonin). Symptoms and laboratory parameters were also associated with severe COVID-19 infection and abnormal laboratories were also associated with worse outcomes (recovery status, need for ICU admission, mortality and length of hospitalizations), except for GGT. Mild acute liver injury was common in COVID-19 patients and signified better recovery outcomes. In conclusion, these symptoms and laboratory tests provided significant associations which can be used by clinicians in tailoring specific diagnostics and therapeutics; and can simultaneously be used in prognostication of COVID-19 patients.
Abstract: SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19 disease, initially reported in Wuhan, Hubei China as an outbreak of viral pneumonia. The presentation ranged from asymptomatic to a severe viral pneumonia which can be fatal in high-risk groups. Some patients also presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies on its symptomatology had been widely dis...
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Test Item Analysis of MCQS of Medical Physiology: Summative Assessment
Abdul Rehman Khokhar,
Qurrat-ul Ain Rehman,
Mujahid Hussain
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
37-40
Received:
4 February 2022
Accepted:
24 February 2022
Published:
3 March 2022
Abstract: Introduction: MCQs in one of popular test item of educational institution in a short time, large part of curriculum. It is an effective tool for student assessment as well as providing guidelines to teachers. Objectives: Our study objectives were to analyze the quality of MCQs and identify the low scorers and student learning difficulties. Standardization of MCQs is required only after test item analysis. Material and Methods: The study design was cross sectional analytical study. Simple random sampling technique was applied. The total participants were 100 students of 1st year MBBS of Ghazi Khan Medical College, Dera Ghazi Khan. Fifty best MCQs were given in send up of Medical Physiology 2021. On basis of students total score in test, they were divides into two groups, high scorers (n=25) and low scorers (n=25). The difficulty index (P) and discrimination index, distracter efficiency (DE%) were calculated. Results: Our study 80% of test items have acceptable range of difficulty index and very high distracter efficiency. Only 20% of test item showed very poor difficulty index, which needs to be rephrased or deleted. The 20% test item had acceptable difficulty index (P=38), high D. I (0.36) and highest distracter efficiency (DE=100%). Conclusion: Test items with average difficulty index (P), excellent DI and all functional distracters should be given in subsequent tests.
Abstract: Introduction: MCQs in one of popular test item of educational institution in a short time, large part of curriculum. It is an effective tool for student assessment as well as providing guidelines to teachers. Objectives: Our study objectives were to analyze the quality of MCQs and identify the low scorers and student learning difficulties. Standard...
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Correlation of Plasma Albumin Status with Markers of Hepato-biliary Dysfunction and Systemic Inflammation Among COVID-19 Patients
Collins Amadi,
Stephenson Lawson,
Bright Amadi,
Ezra Agbo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
41-48
Received:
26 January 2022
Accepted:
10 February 2022
Published:
9 March 2022
Abstract: Background: Several studies have reported profound altered serum albumin level status among patients with COVID-19 disease. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate the plasma albumin status levels and to establish the relationship between serum albumin level status and markers of hepato-biliary dysfunction and systemic inflammation among COVID-19 patients of African origin. Methods: This was a retrospective study of pre-treatment data obtained from patients with confirmed real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 disease in Eleme COVID-19 treatment center, Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Data were obtained from each patients’ case notes, medical review charts, nurses’ vital signs/medication charts, laboratory records, and archived data from the electronic medical records using trained research assistants at the treatment center. The data extraction was done using validated data collection templates. Data analysis was done using standard protocols. Results: Among the 473 studied cases, 112 (23.7%) had normal plasma albumin status while 361 (76.3%) had low plasma albumin status. Among the low plasma albumin status subgroups, 57.6% and 42.4% had clinically insignificant and clinically significant low plasma albumin status levels, respectively. No difference was observed in the mean plasma levels/activities of all the markers of hepato-biliary dysfunctions between the subjects with normal and low albumin status levels and also between the clinically insignificant and clinically significant low plasma albumin status subgroups (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the mean plasma levels of all the systemic inflammatory markers between the subjects with normal and low albumin status levels as well as between the clinically insignificant and clinically significant low plasma albumin status subgroups (p<0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship existed between the plasma albumin status levels and all the markers of hepato-biliary dysfunctions (p>0.05). However, significant inverse relationships existed between plasma albumin status levels and all the systemic inflammatory markers/indices (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study indicates that low plasma albumin level status is common among COVID-19 patients and correlates significantly with systemic inflammation. Since COVID-19 is invariably associated with systemic inflammation, albumin may have therapeutic value in COVID-19 management. However, further studies are highly recommended.
Abstract: Background: Several studies have reported profound altered serum albumin level status among patients with COVID-19 disease. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate the plasma albumin status levels and to establish the relationship between serum albumin level status and markers of hepato-biliary dysfunction and systemic inflammation among COVID-1...
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Outcomes of Total Knee Replacement: A Prospective Observational Study in Bangladesh
Mohammad Abdullah Al Muti,
Naresh Kumar Roy,
Syed Shamsul Arefin,
Abdullah Al Mamun,
Mohi Uddin Aslam
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2022
Pages:
49-52
Received:
12 January 2022
Accepted:
28 January 2022
Published:
15 March 2022
Abstract: World-wide, total knee replacement (TKR) is a standard and definitive treatment option following failed adequate non-operative management of knee. After completing total knee replacement for the patients, it is necessary to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of the procedure. We have very few research-based information outcomes of total knee replacement. Aim of the study: The aim of to this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogura, Bangladesh during the period from March 2019 to December 2019. In total 37 patients with knee osteoarthritis attended and selected for total knee replacement in the mentioned hospital, maintained proper documentations were finalized as the study subjects. The outcomes of the patients were measured in terms of treatment excellent and good rate, incidence rate of complications, KSS, Hss, VAS and NRS scores. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by using MS Office and SPSS version 22 as per need. Results: In this study, the mean (±SD) Hss scores of pre and post TKR among the participants were 56.06±4.17 and 89.83±6.76 respectively. The mean (±SD) KSS scores of pre and post TKR among the participants were 54.17±5.27 and 85.79±8.32 respectively. The mean (±SD) VAS scores of pre and post TKR among the participants were 5.54±1.11 and 1.17±0.23 respectively. The mean (±SD) NRS scores of pre and post TKR among the participants were 5.44±1.05 and 1.25±0.33 respectively. In comparing all the scores between pre and post stages the P values were ‘<0.0001’. In analyzing the final outcomes among the participants, we observed that, 27.03%, 45.95%, 21.62% and 5.41% participants got ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Acceptable’ and ‘Poor’ results respectively. Conclusion: Total knee replacement (TKR) significantly relieves pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis and ensures improves knee joint function with fewer complications. Considering the prompt healing, less complication and effectiveness of total knee replacement method physicians can take TKR as a prominent treatment option for the knee arthritis patients.
Abstract: World-wide, total knee replacement (TKR) is a standard and definitive treatment option following failed adequate non-operative management of knee. After completing total knee replacement for the patients, it is necessary to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of the procedure. We have very few research-based information outcomes of total kn...
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