African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Predicting mortality and length-of-stay for neonatal admissions to private hospital neonatal intensive care units: a Southern African retrospective study.
To predict neonatal mortality and length of stay (LOS) from readily available perinatal data for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions in Southern African private hospitals. ⋯ Apgar score at one minute, birth weight, and delivery mode significantly influence the odds of neonatal death and are associated with significant effects on LOS.
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Association of paraoxonase activity and atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B virus is a significant pathogen that causes cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer as a result of the damage it causes to liver cells. Its infection affects more than 400 million people globally. Although there is an effective vaccine and treatment methods, almost 1, 000, 000 people die every year. ⋯ The diminution in the paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities could contribute to the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Progesterone, selected heavy metals and micronutrients in pregnant Nigerian women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
Environmental and endocrine factors have been implicated in the aetiology of recurrent abortion, with poorly understood roles. Luteal phase insufficiency marked with insufficient progesterone secretion has been reported. ⋯ Results suggest that elevated serum heavy metals (cadmium and lead) and reduction of essential micronutrients (zinc, copper and vitamin E) may contribute to recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Welders have been identified as a high risk group for eye disorders due to their exposure to ultraviolet radiation. ⋯ Pingueculum, Pterygium, corneal opacity, and pigmentary macular deposits were the common eye disorders among welders.
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of vitamin A adjunct therapy for cerebral malaria in children admitted to Mulago hospital: a randomized controlled trial.
Malaria is a leading cause of mortality in Uganda accounting for 25% of deaths among children. Hitherto no adjunct therapy has been identified to improve outcome of cerebral malaria. Retinol suppresses growth of P.falciparum, scavenges free radicals, and exhibits synergistic action with quinine in parasite clearance. ⋯ Vitamin A as adjunct therapy did not significantly reduce coma duration but there were fewer deaths in the vitamin A arm.