Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
-
Comparative Study
Evaluation of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompetent adults: a retrospective case series analysis.
It was the aim of this study to evaluate the demographic factors and clinical features of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) compared to those of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among adult immunocompetent patients. ⋯ There was a high incidence of EPTB in our study. Early diagnosis of EPTB is crucial for treatment, and atypical presentations of TB should be kept in mind for immunocompetent patients living in endemic areas. Females especially should be investigated for EPTB.
-
We aimed to ascertain the factors potentially contributing to the manifestation of pressure ulcers (PU) due to poor nutritional status in a nonselected hospitalized population. ⋯ Poor nutritional status, limited autonomy in everyday activities and artificial nutrition seemed to confer noteworthy prognostic value regarding PU development in the acute-care setting.
-
Comparative Study
A microcomputed tomography-based comparison of root canal filling quality following different instrumentation and obturation techniques.
With a microcomputed tomography (microCT) imaging device, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate root canal fillings after commonly used endodontic procedures and also tested the suitability of microCT for this purpose. ⋯ MicroCT was a useful tool for 3D quantitative evaluations of these root canal fillings. None of the root canal instrumentation and filling methods ensured void-free obturation. CL condensation produced mainly i-voids. With Th compaction, internal s-voids were particularly common, but there were mainly i-voids in the apical part.
-
To assess N51I, C59R and S108N polymorphisms of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and A437G and K540E of dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) genes of P. falciparum isolates recovered from pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria in a coastal setting in Nigeria. ⋯ This study revealed the emergence of the K540E mutation among the parasite population in Lagos. However, it supports the implementation of the intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine with continuous effectiveness monitoring in the study area.
-
Comparative Study
A comparative study of the beneficial effects of ipratropium and beclomethasone against insulin-induced tracheal tissue contraction in a guinea pig model.
To evaluate the acute effects of insulin on airway reactivity and the protective effects of beclomethasone and ipratropium against insulin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness on isolated tracheal smooth muscle in a guinea pig model. ⋯ The data showed that beclomethasone inhibited the contractile response of insulin to a greater extent than ipratropium. Thus we suggest that inhalational insulin pretreated with beclomethasone may be more efficacious than with ipratropium for the amelioration of potential respiratory adverse effects such as bronchoconstriction.