African health sciences
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The thyroid gland and hormonal regulation are among the most important systems to be investigated in pre-term infants. This study sought to investigate thyroid hormone levels of healthy and unhealthy pre-term infants. ⋯ Pre-term infants, especially those having problems, have significant hypothyroxinemia that may require thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Biochemical markers as diagnostic/prognostic indicators for ischemic disease.
The use of a biomarker was extremely useful in clinical emergencies such as stroke to aid in triage and early management of cases. The diagnostic accuracy of laboratory biomarkers is run to approve the identification of easy, cheap and fast tests associated with cerebral ischemia and intracranial hemorrhage. The present study was designed to screen serum enolase activity, activities of CK-BB, LDH and lipid profile in patients with ischemic or related diseases as good diagnostic/ prognostic indicator for ischemic diseases. ⋯ Serum enolase can be considered as a more sensitive and specific marker and used as a sensitive diagnostic or prognostic marker for ischemic related diseases.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Diagnostic utility of, and influence of tobacco usage and genetic predisposition on, immunoglobulin A, rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide auto-antibodies in South African rheumatoid arthritis patients.
The immunoglobulin A isotypes of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are associated with disease severity and progression in Caucasian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as with genetic predisposition and tobacco use. ⋯ Although lacking in serodiagnostic superiority over cRF and ACPA-IgG, inclusion of RF-IgA and ACPA-IgA in autoantibody panels may provide insights into disease pathogenesis, interactions between tobacco usage and HLA genotype in the production of potentially disease-triggering ACPA-IgA antibodies.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Secondary hyperparathyroidism among Nigerians with chronic kidney disease.
Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a manifestation of chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD). SHPT is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. ⋯ The prevalence of SHPT in CKD is high, occurs early and is independently associated with hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase. The prevalence of SHPT also increases with worsening renal function.
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Sexual function is an important part of each human being's personality and in the general couple relationship, with an obvious impact on quality of life and safe sexual performance during pregnancy is important for couples. The objective of this study was to assess effects of pregnancy on sexual function of couples. ⋯ Sexual function is a widespread problem during pregnancy among Iranian couples. Therefore, pregnant women and their husbands need counseling about healthy sexual function in pregnancy.