bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multidisciplinary approach to acute pain management in the adult sickle cell disease patient
Authors: Eyelade OR  , Amanor-Boadu SD  
Published: December 2023

Pain is the hallmark of sickle cell disease and is a major concern of patients and their families. The anaesthetists as pain specialists are sometimes involved in the management of intractable acutely painful vaso-occlusive crises in these patients.
We present our experiences in these 3 case reports of known haemoglobin S patients in acute painful sickle cell crises. Two of the patients were males aged 32years and 29years and the third patient was a female aged 25years. The male patients required admission into the intensive care unit for close monitoring while on continuous intravenous opioids analgesia. The female patient was successfully managed on the medical ward with parenteral and oral analgesics.
Pattern of traditional eye medications use as seen in a tertiary hospital-university of Uyo Teaching Hospital experience
Authors: Abraham EG  , Ekanem US  
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND: Traditional eye medications (TEM) are biologically based concoctions instilled into the eye to achieve a desired ocular therapeutic effect but its use, though widely practiced, has no sound scientific evidence in the treatment of eye diseases.AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and types of traditional eye medications in use in our environment.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study of new patients who presented in the eye clinic between January 2008 and December 2009.
RESULTA total of 47 of the 5,416 patients (0.87%) that were seen within the study period recorded to have used TEM before presentation at the Eye clinic were used for the study. Four (4) records were discarded because of incomplete documentation. Data obtained was analysed with SPSS version 17 for windows package. Mean age was 37.7years. Prevalence of use TEM was0.87%. The most common form of TEM was herbal concoction/roots (32.2%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TEM use is low but significant enough for definite steps to be taken by relevant authorities and eye care givers in educating the public. Primary eye care in the state should be upgraded and greater emphasis than it is now should be placed on the eye care during the training of nurses and community health extension workers.
Knowledge and practice of universal precautions among professionals in public and private health facilities in Uyo, southern Nigeria- A comparative study
Authors: Johnson OE  , Asuzu MC  , Adebiyi AO  
Published: December 2023

Background: Occupationally acquired blood borne pathogens are becoming major killers globally. Consequently, the practice of Universal Precautions (UP) is key in protecting health workers from these pathogens.Objective: This was to assess the knowledge and practice of UP among health workers in private and public hospitals in Uyo, Nigeria.Method: This was a cross sectional study in which all eligible health workers in the private facilities were enlisted, while health workers from the public facilities were selected through multistage sampling method. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 11.Result: A total of 360 respondents participated in the study, 240 (66.7%) from the public and 120 (33.3%) from the private facilities. Overall, 154 (64.2%) of the health workers in the public, compared to 65 (54.2%) in the private facilities had good knowledge of UP (x2= 8.09, p< 0.05) with a mean score of 14.5 out of 20 in the public and 12.3 in the private facilities. Those in the public facilities had a UP practice score of 11.86 out of a total score of 18 which was significantly higher than 9.54 in the private hospitals (t=6.01; p<0.05). Gloves and leak proof containers were the UP materials most in use in all facilities. Doctors recorded the highest use of UP materials in all facilities.Conclusion: Though the knowledge and practice of UP were generally better in public compared to private facilities, there is need for training on UP in both public and private health facilities to improve the practice of UP.
survey of attitude of lecturers and students of anatomy towards making anatomy career friendly in Nigeria
Authors: Peter AI  , Azu OO  , Ekandem G  , Etuknwa BT  , Bassey RB  
Published: December 2023

Background: Anatomy graduates in Nigeria face a lot of career uncertainties with a narrow career prospect and consequent employment challenges in a country where unemployment is high.Method: A total of 258 structured questionnaires were administered to lecturers and students attending the 10th annual conference of Society for Experimental and Clinical Anatomy (SECAN) held in Enugu, South East Nigeria, out of which 248 returned the questionnaires and were included in the study.Results: This showed that 73.4% of the respondents believed that the present anatomy curriculum is not career-friendly, while 88.7% suggested that it should be restructured to make it more career-friendly. A total of 62.9% of the respondents were of the view that students do not spend enough time on practical sessions and 100% of the respondents agreed that students are not sent out for industrial training or clinical experience in related areas. Majority (91.9%) of the respondents were of the view that this will motivate and further improve the quality of anatomy graduates. Only 23.6% of the students believed that there is career satisfaction amongst anatomy students while 95.5% of the lecturers believed that there is career satisfaction amongst anatomy lecturers. One hundred and four (41.9%) respondents felt that failure rate in their school was high, 96 (38.7%) felt it was moderate and only 48 (19.4%) felt it was low. Majority of the respondents also believed that subspecialties like radiology, forensic anatomy, embryology, teratology, embalmment, and anatomical techniques should be introduced.Conclusion: The present anatomy curriculum needs urgent review and major restructuring to make it career friendly as shown by the attitudes of respondents in this study. There is need to introduce clinical experience and industrial training in relevant areas to motivate students and improve the learning process.
Co-existing mental and medical conditions among family medicine outpatients in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria
Authors: Umoh KA  , Idung AU  
Published: December 2023

Background: A considerable number of patients seen in the Primary Care Clinics have co-morbid mental disorders with medical conditions that are largely not recognized by the primary care physician. This inability to recognize these mental disorders lead to non diagnosis and non treatment with eventual amplification of physical symptoms, low productivity at work and functional disability at home.Aims: To screen the patients attending the general outpatient clinic for anxiety and depression co-occurring with medical conditions.Methods: Two hundred and forty five patients aged 20 years and above attending the General Outpatient Clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were randomly assessed for anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The level of caseness for anxiety and depression were determined using a HADS score of 8 and above. Their medical conditions were diagnosed and associations were determined with mental disorders (anxiety and depression).Results: A total of 36.7% of patients scored above cut off point of 8 on the anxiety subscale while 24.5% of the subjects scored above cut off point of 8 on the depression subscale. 24.1%, (n=59) scored 8-10 on the anxiety subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be mild anxiety, 11.0%, (n=27) scored 11-14 on the anxiety subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be moderate anxiety and 1.6%, (n=4) scored 15-21 on the anxiety subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be severe anxiety. Similarly, 15.9%, (n=39) scored 8-10 on the depression subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be mild depression, 7.8%, (n=19) scored 11-14 on the depression subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be moderate depression and 0.8%, (n=2) scored 15-21 on the depression subscale of HADS which is interpreted to be severe depression. Hypertension was present in 22.04%, (n=54) respondents with anxiety p = 0.016 and depression p=0.025. HIV/AIDS was present in 4.08%, (n=10) respondents with depression p = 0.006.Conclusion: The result of the study shows that patients attending general outpatients' clinic suffer from mental disorders like anxiety and depression which may co- exist with hypertension and HIV/AIDS. Therefore, a careful assessment of patients attending these clinics will detect these disorders and treatment will improve the physical condition of the patients.
Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope and the difficult airway: A case report
Authors: Edubio MN  , Mohammed RI  
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND: Management of the difficult airway will always confront the anaesthetist. This is one area of the practice that the anaesthetist is required to develop divers skills suited for each clinical situation. The ability to use the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) presents the anaesthetist with an addition tool to conduct endotracheal intubation when faced with a difficult airway.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope in the management of the difficult airway.
CASE REPORT: A 21-year old male farmer who presented with a 2-year history of a slowly increasing left-sided jaw swelling. The swelling was painless with protrusion into the oral cavity. There was limited mouth opening but no history of trauma. Examination revealed a clinically ill-looking patient who was not in respiratory distress. Interincisor distance was less than 3cm with associated dental anarchy and a large tumour mass in the oral cavity. Cardiorespiratory findings were within normal limits. Radiology revealed translucency of the mandible with multiloculated “soap bubble” appearance. Histology showed typical characteristics of ameloblastoma of the plexiform type.The flexible FOB was checked before the patient was bought into the theatre. An intravenous access was established and a multi-parameter monitor was attached to the patient. Baseline vital signs were within normal limits. Premedication was with intravenous atropine, diazepam and fentanyl.Using a combination of inhalational and airway anaesthesia, with patient breathing spontaneously, flexible FOB was used to effect right nasotracheal intubation with a size 7.0mm cuffed endotracheal tube. The cuff was inflated and the tube secured with adhesive tape. Anaesthesia was augmented with sodium thiopentone and pancuronium bromide was given to achieve muscle relaxation. Left-hemimandibulectomy was done with disarticulation of the left temporomandibular joint. The patient was extubated fully awake after suctioning and reversal of residual relaxation. Postoperative analgesia was with intramuscular pentazocine and diclofenac. The patient was discharged home after ten days.
CONCLUSION: The use of the flexible FOB can be very effective in the management of the difficult airway and the modern anaesthetist must strive to acquire the necessary skill needed to use it.
Histopathological changes due to combined administration of douvir-ntm and folic acid on the kidney of wistar rats
Authors: Peter AI  , Okon KA  
Published: December 2023

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Drugs like lamivudine, zidovudine, nevirapine are used in combination as highly active antiretroviral therapy to reduce viral load to undetectable level and improve immunity and prolong survival of patients. However, these antiretroviral drugs are associated with numerous side effects that may be severe and affect patients. Folic acid belongs to the family of medications called vitamins, it is required for healthy skin, hair, liver, nervous system function. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Douvir–NTm on the histology of the kidney of adult wistar rats. and the effect of of its combined administration with folic acid. forty albino Wistar rats weighing between 120g – 260g body weights were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats/group). Group A served as control group and received 1ml of distilled water, while rats in group B received 9.29mg/kg bodyweight of Douvir–NTM , Rats in group C received a combination of 9.29mg/kg of Douvir–NTm. and 0.07mg/kg of folic acid, rats in group D received 0.07mg/kg of folic acid. At the end of the experimental period, that lasted for 30 days, animals from each group were sacrificed and the kidneys were carefully removed and weighed. Administration of 9.29mg/kg body weight of Dourvir–NTm to the rats in group B showed distorted glomerulus, narrowed Bowman's space and dilated renal tubules. Combined administration of 9.29mg/kg body weight of Douvir–NTm and 0.07mg/kg body weight of folic acid to animals in group C showed mild changes in Bowman's space, and renal tubule whereas the administration of 0.07mg/kg body weight of folic acid alone to rats in group D had no effects on the morphology of the kidney when compared with the control. The findings suggest that Douvir–NTm can significantly distort the cytoarchitecture of the kidney which could be ameliorated by combined administration with folic acid.
Dental fluorosis, unguided flouride dosing and oral health advocacy practitioners perception of the emerging paradigm
Authors: Madukwe IU  
Published: December 2023

BackgroundOral health day is an international day to highlight the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of issues around oral health. In Nigeria oral health policy was developed by the Federal Ministry of Health, approved by the National Council on Health and launched in November 2012.
ObjectivesFluoride is a topical issue world over. Knowledge of sources of fluoride is a pre-condition to adjusting of the existing natural occurring fluoride level in drinking water.Materials and methods 259 questionnaires were administered to oral health practitioners in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Consultants through Senior Registrars to Dental students. 182 (70.27%) were returned. Aggregate percentage response was 42.88%.
Conclusion:We therefore conclude that a deliberate policy on fluoride dosing through regulation of quality of fluoride sources from Dental products to sea food is very necessary and timely.
A temática interdisciplinar entre química, física e biologia nos livros didáticos do ensino médio
Authors: Fernandes da Silva Lívia , Amorim da Silva Lidiane , Rodrigues Ana Paula 
Published: December 2023

A pesquisa visa uma análise dos principais temas entre as três áreas de conhecimento, fazendo com que o ensino/aprendizagem proporcione uma ampla relação interdisciplinar com a realidade dos discentes. A divisão contextual de cada componente curricular integra diferentes assuntos, estabelecendo os seguintes objetivos: analisar os PCN com os temas estruturados, investigar a situação atual da interdisciplinaridade entre o ensino de Química é Física, Química é Biologia, Física é Biologia, nos livros didáticos da 1ª, 2ª e 3ª série do ensino médio. Os temas estruturados é uma proposta que pode ser trabalhado de acordo com a necessidade dos alunos, selecionando de forma significativa os conteúdos, atribuindo condições de aprendizagem com o desenvolvimento de competências.
A Study on the Evaluation and Impact of Self Medication Practice Among the Pharmacy Students
Authors: Venkata Bala Chennakeswari V , Satya Priya B , Hema Sri B , Mohiddin Shaik Khwaja , Pavan Kumar Y , Rajeswara Rao P 
Published: December 2023

Aim: To evaluate the impact of self medication practice among the pharmacy students of Andhra Pradesh in this study.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted among the pharmacy students by using the questionnaire which was circulated by means of Google forms to various pharmacy colleges located in Andhra Pradesh, India. Students from the pharmacy colleges with both the genders of all age groups were included and students other than pharmacy stream were excluded from the study.
Results: In this study, a total of 473 pharmacy students were involved in order to evaluate the impact of self-medication practice among them. Most of the study participants used self-medication for headache (52%) followed by fever (38.3%) and cough (25.6%). Majority of the study participants used the drug paracetamol (78%) followed by cetirizine (38.9%) and multivitamins (25.8%) as self-medication. In this study, almost half of the study participants (48.4%) have searched the internet for selecting the drug for self-medication as most of the study participants were from urban areas. Most of the study participants always used to check the prescribing the information before self-medicating themselves (75.1%).
Conclusion: Searching the treatment strategies for specific medical conditions over the internet was becoming a common phenomenon in the present generation. Responsible utilization of the self medication definitely results in positive outcomes. Hence, students should have the awareness in the aspects of rational drug usage while practicing the self medication.
Pattern of Drug Utilization among the Out-Patients of Dermatology Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Enjety Sraveena , Satyavathi KVV , Balla Udaya Sri , Nallamilli Anil Kumar Reddy 
Published: December 2023

Aim: To evaluate the epidemiology of skin diseases and drug utilization pattern in dermatology out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods: This study was designed to be a prospective observational study and patients of all age groups and both the genders were included. Pregnant and lactating women, patients suffering from chronic and genetic conditions, and in-patients were excluded from the study. Specially designed patient data collection form which contains patient demographics, diagnosis and treatment chart was used to obtain all the required information for the study.
Results: In this study, a total of 300 study participants were observed with various dermatological conditions. Among them, 64 (21.3%) were found to be males and 236 (78.7%) were found to be females. Among the 300 study participants, most of the patients were observed in the age group 21-30 years (23.7%) followed by the age group 31-40 years (19.7%). In this study, most of the patients were diagnosed with fungal infections (31%) followed by eczematous diseases (67%) and parasitic infections (15.3%). Antihistamines (30.9%) were observed to be the most commonly prescribed drug classes followed by antifungals (24.3%). Among the antihistamines, cetrizine (75%) was the most commonly prescribed drug and in case of anti fungals, oral fluconozole (43%) and clotrimazole ointment (35%) were the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Conclusion: In this study, most of the patients were diagnosed with fungal infections followed by eczematous diseases and parasitic infections. Antihistamines were observed to be the most commonly prescribed drug classes followed by antifungals. Among the antihistamines, cetrizine was the most commonly prescribed drug and in case of anti fungals, oral fluconozole and clotrimazole ointment were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Patients must be educated properly in the aspect of dermatological complications and also regarding the pharmacological management for better prognosis by the health care professionals.
Rett Syndrome: A Review
Authors: Padala Sudeepthi 
Published: December 2023

Rett syndrome (RS) is a progressive neuro developmental disorder with a significant severity of intellectual disability that occurs mainly in females. The syndrome was named after an Austrian physician called Andreas Rett who first described it in the medical literature in the year 1960. This disorder involves a regression of previously acquired skills followed by a period of typical development. Rett syndrome unveils multitude of symptoms such as deceleration in head growth, gait abnormalities, loss of purposeful hand movements often replaced with repetitive stereotypical movement, loss of speech and breathing abnormalities. It is caused by the mutations (de novo mutations) in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) and Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5(CDKL5) genes. In this article, various aspects of Rett Syndrome along with the gene modifying therapy were discussed. The road to cure Rett syndrome is paved with novel findings but also escalating many challenges. In the current scenario a special focus is laid in addressing the specific symptoms of Rett syndrome neglecting the underlying cause, which might impact the disease progression. Therefore a multidisciplinary team approach to treat the prevailing symptoms will maximise the patient’s abilities and provides an effective cure. This will involve major efforts on the part of translational researchers and collaboration with both pharmaceutical enterprises and regulatory agencies overseeing the critical safety concerns.
Synergistic Nootropic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Ziziphus Jujuba and Tinospora Cordifolia against Stress Induced Rats
Authors: Kakaraparthy Ravishankar , K Gnaneswari , Cherakani Veeradurgalakshmi 
Published: December 2023

Aim: The present investigation deals with the preliminary phytochemical analysis, synergistic nootropic activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of Ziziphus jujuba and Tinospora cordifolia against stress induced rats.
Methods: Nootropic activity was observed in Albino Wistar rats of either sex using behavior paradigms such as elevated plus maze, staircase and morris water maze.
Results: In elevated plus maze and morris water maze, the rats were treated with extracts at doses (100 and 200 mg/kg-po) for 9 days and were observed on 9th day of treatment. Piracetam (100 mg/kg) was used as standard drug for comparison. In the elevated plus maze, the combination of leaf extracts of Ziziphus jujuba and Tinospora cordifolia at 200mg/kg significantly decreased the transfer latency when compared to 100 mg/kg. In the staircase, the combination of leaf extracts of Ziziphus jujuba and Tinospora cordifolia at 200mg/kg significantly decreased the number of climbings and the number of rearings when compared to 100 mg/kg. In the morris water maze, the combination of leaf extracts of Ziziphus jujuba and Tinospora cordifolia at 200mg/kg significantly decreased the escape latency when compared to 100 mg/kg and control.
Conclusion: The combination of these two medicinal plants Ziziphus jujuba and Tinospora cordifolia possessed significant synergistic nootropic activity and further research attempts can be made so as to isolate the novel moiety molecules which can be elucidated and can be evaluated for their therapeutic potential.