African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
An evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp-9) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (Timp-1) Serum levels and the Mmp-9/Timp-1 Ratio in Covid-19 patients.
The progression of COVID-19 has different clinical presentations, which raises a number of immunological questions. ⋯ Diagnostic and treatment methods targeting MMP-9 activity or neutrophil activation may be important in predicting lung involvement in COVID-19 and directing clinical outcomes.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum among asymptomatic pregnant women on intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Nigeria.
This study investigated the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum among asymptomatic pregnant women on intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-Sp) in Osogbo, southwest Nigeria. Blood sample was obtained from consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Microscopy and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to diagnose and analyse genetic diversity. ⋯ Nine alleles were detected with glurp gene, presenting with the highest monoclonal and the lowest polyclonal infection. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1.5, 1.8, and 1.2 were obtained for msp-1, msp-2 and glurp genes. In light of the high P. falciparum genetic diversity among pregnant women on IPT-Sp in this study, additional strategies for preventing and controlling malaria in pregnancy might be required.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Association of pro-fibrinolytic receptor AnnexinA2 with tissue plasminogen activator/Inhibitor-1 in pre-eclampsia.
The clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia are related to placental anti-angiogenic factor alteration. These variations are mainly due to the alteration of plasminolytic components. The study aims to compare the expression of plasminolytic components in the placenta of women with and without pre-eclampsia. ⋯ Decreased AnxA2 with increased expression of PAI-1 and tPA may be responsible for the altered fibrinolytic activity and play a significant role in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Factors associated with intention to smoke cigarettes among never smoker school going adolescents in Zambia.
Cigarette smoking intention is a strong predictor of cigarette smoking initiation. There is limited data on predictors of cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents in developing countries. ⋯ Having smoking parents, smoking friends or around people who smoke in public places were associated with cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Occupational therapy assessment and interventions for young autistic children in South Africa.
Occupational Therapy is among the top interventions for autistic children, hence the need for equitable and effective services in the public and private health and education sectors. Ongoing research into the therapies for autism spectrum disorders in different contexts is also required. ⋯ Occupational therapy assessments had diagnostic value. Informal tools such as developmental checklists were found to have clinical utility, whilst standardised tools were most commonly used to assess sensory processing and visual perception. Recommendations included incorporating ASI® into undergraduate curricula and postgraduate training opportunities with multidisciplinary input to develop ASD professionals in South Africa. It is imperative to advocate for services in under-resourced rural areas and marginalised communities that lack financial and social resources. Occupational therapists need to find new ways of working collaboratively across sectors to ensure effective and comprehensive services in public health and special schools.