The Impact of Inoculation of Two Strains of Rhizobacteria on Radionuclide Transfer in Sesbania Grandiflora

Transfer factors of some naturally-occurring and artificial radionuclides from an agricultural soil to rhizobacteria-treated Sesbania grandiflora, a small leguminous tree, were studied. Two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains (SCR17 and PCE2) were used to carry out an agricultural experiment in pots in semi-arid region (Syria). The results showed the bacterial strain (SCR17) increased the transfer and accumulation of 238U and 40K in Sesbania grandiflora, while both bacterial strains showed no effect on the accumulation of 234Th, 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb in the treated plants. The transfer factor of 137Cs from soil to rhizobacteria-treated Sesbania grandiflora was negligible. The values of the transfer factors of 234Th, 226Ra, 210Po and 40K were found to be within the global values, while the values of the transfer factors of 238U and 210Pb were found to be relatively higher. This study highlights the importance of using Phytoremediation by PGPR strains for radionuclides-contaminated soils. Therefore, this method is a promising technique for the restoration and rehabilitation of contaminated sites with radionuclides, as it is low cost, easy to apply, and environmentally friendly.

Behavior Analysis of the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Workers at PT. Maruki International Indonesia

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a set of tools used by workers to protect all or part of their body against the potential danger of work accidents in the work area. The use of personal protective equipment is often considered unimportant by workers, especially those working in dangerous and risky areas. The discipline of workers in using personal protective equipment is still low, so the risk of work accidents that can endanger workers is quite large. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between perception, motivation, knowledge and supervision of the behavior of using PPE at PT. Maruki International Indonesia, Tamalanrea District, Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province. This type of research is analytical research with a cross-sectional study approach with a total sample of 41 people. The results showed that there was a relationship between perceptions and the behavior of using PPE (p = .004), there was a relationship between motivation and behavior in using PPE (p = .002), there was no relationship between knowledge and behavior in using PPE (p = .814), there was a relationship between supervision and usage behavior. PPE (p = .008). It is recommended that workers be obedient and disciplined to use PPE (personal protective equipment) according to the regulations and make it a work norm, provide IEC PPE in all work locations, and increase supervision of the use of PPE through improved management.

Community stigma and discrimination against the incidence of HIV and AIDS

The problem of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is increasingly complex, including not only health-related concerns problems but also rampant stigma and discrimination, further exacerbating the health and social conditions of the affected individuals. This study aimed to examine the triggers of stigma and discrimination among individuals with HIV/AIDS in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi. We employed a quasi-qualitative design with a case study approach involving data reduction, presentation, and drawing conclusions. Triggers of stigma and discrimination experienced by individuals living with HIV/AIDS encompassed a range of factors. Stigma was rooted in various causes, including fear, perceptions of unattractiveness, anxiety, associations with the disease, and lack of confidentiality. Discrimination, on the other hand, was caused by disappointment, feelings of insecurity, diminished self-esteem, and factors like competition and exploitation. The forms of stigma for people living with HIV/AIDS were public stigma, self-stigma, verbal discrimination, and avoidance. Meanwhile, the impact of stigma and discrimination on individuals living with HIV and AIDS is substantial. They encounter difficulties in finding help, restoring their lives, and discrimination. Stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory acts of people living with HIV/AIDS worsen the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, which can potentially cause new infections. Therefore, the government should undertake extensive educational initiatives regarding HIV and AIDS. By enhancing public knowledge and awareness, society can work towards eradicating stigma and discrimination from social interactions.

Pola konsumsi makanan keluarga miskin perkotaan dalam pusaran kapitalisme nutrisi

Low-income families' understanding of nutrition is still irrational because they still use myths about consumption that cause malnutrition in their children. It is exacerbated by the influence of advertising so that the behavior of family consumption patterns is systematically constructed. The research explores the transformation of consumer behavior that causes malnutrition and the role of nutrition capitalism in meeting nutritional needs. A qualitative study design using a critical paradigm was conducted in Makassar City in 2021. Research informants are urban low-income families. Data were collected using interviews and Focus Group Discussions and analyzed qualitatively. The result is that malnutrition in low-income families is caused by people's knowledge and tastes constructed by industrial power and leads people to consume industrial food. The transformation of consumption behavior of low-income families is caused by the operation of nutritional capitalism, which is present in various forms such as industrial processed food advertisements and franchise outlets. In conclusion, the consumption behavior of the poor is constructed by food and beverage capitalism. In addition, the advertising factor has an impact on nutritional capitalism.

Public Misperceptions of the Existence of Makassar Community Lung Health Center Services

BACKGROUND:The incidence of TB disease is not a new disease like several other infectious diseases such as bird flu, swine flu, and the latest disease, namely Corona Virus Disease (Covid)-19 which has hit human health globally. Various realities show that people are not willing to access TB health services. This is because there is still a negative stigma for TB disease as a disease and it is embarrassing because of the lack of public knowledge.AIM: The aim is to dig in-depth information about the causes of public misperceptions of TB services at the Makassar Community Lung Health Center.METHODOLOGY:This research is descriptive-interpretative research with a qualitative approach. The data collection technique was carried out by in-depth interviews.RESULTS:The results showed that the informants' relatively lack of knowledge about TB services at the Makassar Community Lung Health Center made the informants build erroneous perceptions. The informant's knowledge about services at the Makassar Community Lung Health Center that the health services in that place are devoted to patients with a TB disease diagnosis so that the informant becomes hesitant to visit the health facility on the grounds that the person concerned can be infected with TB disease, sometimes also for the informant to cause feelings embarrassed when said to go for treatment at the health facility.CONCLUSION:Based on the results of the research above, it can be concluded that some people still have less knowledge so there is a misperception about TB services at the Makassar Community Lung Health Center.

[Characteristics of effusive pericarditis in N'Djamena (Chad)]

INTRODUCTION

Pericarditis is a commun cause of hospitalisation in cardiology and internal medicine wards.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of effusive pericarditis at the Department of cardiology of the National Referral Teaching Hospital of N'Djamena, Chad.

METHODS

We undertook a descriptive cross-sectional study from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients presenting with effusive pericarditis and who consent to participate were consecutively enrolled during the study period.

RESULTS

Overall, 1805 patients were hospitalized at the department of cardiology during the study period with effusive pericarditis accounting for 4.3% of all cases (n = 78). Patients' mean age was 35.84 ± 14 years, [range 16 and 73 years]. The sex ratio was 0.89. Exertional dyspnea, chest pain, poor general condition and fever were main symptoms reported in 90%, 89%, 81% and 51% of the cases respectively. Pericardial rub was found in 51% of the study patients. Eighteen patients (26%) were HIV positive and 97% of the study patients had cardiomegaly. ECG demonstrated low QRS voltage (97%) and diffuse abnormalities of repolarisation (96%). Pericardial effusion was found abundant in 57% of the cases. Etiologies of effusive pericarditis were mainly tuberculosis (47%), idiopathic (21%) and HIV infection (13%). Thirty patients (43%) benefited from pericardiocentesis. The in-hospital mortality rate of the disease was 17%.

CONCLUSION

Effusive pericarditis is frequent and associated with poor outcome. Treatment depends on etiology dominated by tuberculosis in Chad.

"Killing two birds with one stone": endoscopic management of PUJ and VUJ obstructions with a renal stone in a congenital solitary kidney

We report on the diagnosis and management of a 25-year-old female with a congenital solitary kidney associated with simultaneous pelviureteric (PUJ) and vesicoureteric (VUJ) junction obstructions complicated by a lower pole renal stone. The patient was successfully managed completely endoluminally over two procedures with the use of double-J stents and a laser fibre to incise the VUJ and perform endopyelotomy at the PUJ followed by extraction of the stone. This case demonstrates the efficacy and minimal invasive endoscopic urological surgery even in the face of numerous pathologies, which traditionally required more invasive procedures.

Urethral obstruction from Cobb's collar in association with VACTERL

Cobb's collar is a rare intraluminal congenital cause of bulbar urethral obstruction that is commonly mislabelled congenital obstructive posterior urethral membrane (COPUM) but may be distinguished from this endoscopically as it has no connecting folds to the verumontanum. In this report, Cobb's collar is described for the first time in association with the VACTERL syndrome. The abnormality was diagnosed and treated by diathermy and dilatation at the time of endoscopic evaluation, with improvement of vesicoureteric reflux on micturating cystourethrogram and renal ultrasound.

1302 Ratio of Adenoma Detection Rate to Polyp Detection Rate

Introduction

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK. The higher Adenoma Detection Rate during colonoscopy is associated with reduction in the mortality incidence of colorectal cancer. Endoscopists with less than 20% ADR is directly proportional to higher risk of the development of an interval Colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to calculate the Adenoma Detection Rate and Polyp Detection Rate for each endoscopist to assess the performance of the unit as well as individuals.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who had colonoscopy in a period of 3 consecutive months at a primary care hospital in England. This study included collecting the data through patient’s histology reports and medical records. The primary outcome was total Adenoma Detection Rate and Polyp Detection Rate and its ratio for each endoscopist.

Results

913 colonoscopies were done by 16 different endoscopists out of which 279 patients with polyps were considered for the study. It was observed that half of the total endoscopists were found to have ADR more than 20%. 4 endoscopists had ADR between 15-20% whereas below minimal rate (less than 15%) ADR was recorded by the other 4 endoscopists.

Conclusions

Lower ADRs are associated with higher rates of interval cancers. An improvement of the ADR of 1% prevents 3% people from colon cancer which can be achieved by maintaining the aspirational adenoma detection rate more than 20%.

Online Learning and Distortion of Character Education in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era

This study aims to describe the distortion of the implementation of student character education in online learning in the Covid-19 Pandemic era. The research was conducted in Majene Regency, West Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Methodologically, this study is based on a mixed-methods approach, where data was collected through 4,380 respondents. Respondents were selected to represent Elementary Schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools, and Vocational High Schools in Majene Regency. Apart from respondents, data was also collected through the interview process and documentation study. The results showed that as many as 292 schools spread across 8 districts with a total of 44,949 students actively implementing online learning. Applications that are commonly used during online learning are WhatsApp, Ruang Guru, Zoom Meeting, and Google Classroom. The implementation of online distance education has distorted character education in students, including distortions in religious, nationalist, independence, mutual-cooperation, and distortions in integrity characters. Therefore, to reduce the distortion of character education through online learning, blended learning should be carried out, namely combining online and offline learning processes while still paying attention to health protocols.

Transformation of Consumption Behavior of the Poor in the Case of Malnutrition: Health Sociology Study with Participatory Approach in Makassar City, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Poor families understand, interpret, and interpret the balanced nutritional content of food and drinks consumed daily according to their experiences and the environment that hits them. The assumption of this research assumes that there is a change in consumption behaviour due to the knowledge of the poor which is formed by advertisements with very high exposure and frequency every day.AIM: This study aims to explore the transformation of consumer behaviour that causes the process of malnutrition and the framework of capitalism in marginalizing the poor to fulfil their nutritional needs. METHODS: This study uses qualitative research methods with a critical approach paradigm. RESULTS: This study found that malnutrition among the poor in Makassar City is caused by the wrong knowledge of the community in understanding nutritious food. Meanwhile, children's tastes are formed based on environmental influences which are generally constructed by industrially processed foods. Another finding is that the framework of capitalism in marginalizing the poor to fulfil their nutritional needs operates in the form of massification of industrial processed food and beverage products; the intensity of advertising for nutritious food products, the presence of online food ordering technology; the construction of the lifestyle of the person who belongs; and the emergence of outlets/shops serving fast food. CONCLUSIONS: The critical paradigm used in this study produces sociological actions that need to be taken to avoid the trap of food capitalism for poor families through community empowerment movements towards healthy shopping behaviours.

Urethral obstruction from Cobb's collar in association with VACTERL

SUMMARY Cobb's collar is a rare intraluminal congenital cause of bulbar urethral obstruction that is commonly mislabelled congenital obstructive posterior urethral membrane (COPUM) but may be distinguished from this endoscopically as it has no connecting folds to the verumontanum. In this report, Cobb's collar is described for the first time in association with the VACTERL syndrome. The abnormality was diagnosed and treated by diathermy and dilatation at the time of endoscopic evaluation, with improvement of vesicoureteric reflux on micturating cystourethrogram and renal ultrasound. Supplementary video available online: http://sajs.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/sajs/article/view/3527 Keywords: Cobb's collar, VACTERL association, posterior urethral valves, Moormann's ring, COPUM

"Killing two birds with one stone": endoscopic management of PUJ and VUJ obstructions with a renal stone in a congenital solitary kidney

SUMMARY We report on the diagnosis and management of a 25-year-old female with a congenital solitary kidney associated with simultaneous pelviureteric (PUJ) and vesicoureteric (VUJ) junction obstructions complicated by a lower pole renal stone. The patient was successfully managed completely endoluminally over two procedures with the use of double-J stents and a laser fibre to incise the VUJ and perform endopyelotomy at the PUJ followed by extraction of the stone. This case demonstrates the efficacy and minimal invasive endoscopic urological surgery even in the face of numerous pathologies, which traditionally required more invasive procedures. Keywords: solitary kidney, pelviureteric junction obstruction, vesicoureteric junction obstruction, renal calculus, endoscopy

Isolated coronal urethral duplication in an adolescent presenting with enuresis

This report describes an isolated urethral duplication in the coronal plane in a child referred with primary 'enuresis'. This presentation is unique because duplications usually occur in the sagittal plane. In patients with suspected urethral duplication, magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with catheterisation of the distal duplicate opening accurately delineates the abnormality, so that individualised treatment strategies can be considered.

Large bowel obstruction from advanced prostate cancer in a 41-year-old: the role of genetic testing

We report a rare presentation of an advanced prostate cancer (Gleason 10) in a 41-year-old man with complete large bowel obstruction relieved by loop colostomy. His young age prompted a search for a cause and genetic testing confirmed chromosome 10 PTEN deletion. His immediate family members were screened and counselled appropriately. This case outlines the role of genetic testing in young males with prostate cancer.

Management of forearm bone loss with induced membrane technique

There are very few published studies describing the treatment of segmental bone defects of the forearm using the induced membrane technique. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the time to bone union, the function of the joints above and below the treated bone segment and the patients' quality of life over the long-term. We performed a retrospective study in all patients treated by the induced membrane for a forearm bone defect over at 13-year period. Demographics, bone union, complications, functional outcomes and occupational status were collected. Six patients were included: 2 posttraumatic injuries, 1 osteomyelitis, 1 septic arthritis, 1 aseptic nonunion, 1 tumor. The average defect length was 64mm (48-110). All defects were treated with internal fixation. Bone graft was harvested from the iliac crest in two patients, the femur (using the Reamer Irrigator Aspirator technique) in three patients and the radius in one patient. Five patients achieved bone union after a mean of 4months (3-6). Three complications were observed: 1 radioulnar instability, 1 infection of the fixation device, 1 abscess. At an average 8½ years' follow-up, the pain level on the VAS was 0.6 (0-3), the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 98 (90-100), the Herzberg score was 108 (85.6-140) and the QuickDASH was 14.9 (2.7-35). All patients returned to work. Using the induced membrane technique avoids the complications associated with vascularized autograft and yields good functional outcome and quality of life.

Pemanfaatan Pelayanan Puskesmas : Studi Deskriptif pada Masyarakat di Puskesmas Moanemani Kabupaten Dogiyai

Secara umum yang dimaksud dengan pelayanan kesehatan adalah setiap upaya yang diselenggarakan secara bersama-sama dalam suatu organisasi untuk memelihara dan meningkatkan derajat kesehatan, mecegah dan mengobati penyakit serta memulihkan kesehatan perorangan, kelompok, keluarga ataupun masyarakat.Puskesmas merupakan pelayanan kesehatan di tingkat kecamatan yang memberikan pelayanan kesehatan berupa Pelayanan Rawat Jalan, UGD, Pelayanan Perawatan Gigi, Pelayanan Persalinan (KIA), Pelayanan Posyandu, Pelayanan Obat, Pelayanan aboratorium Dahak dan Darah, serta Pelayanan Sanitasi dan Gizi serta Pelayanan Kesehatan Jiwa. Tujuan penelitian. Untuk memperoleh gambaran “Bagaimana pemanfaatan Pelayanan Puskesmas Moanemani di Moanemani Kabupaten Dogiyai”.Jenis penelitian adalah survey deskriktif yaitu penelitian yang diarahkan untuk mendeskripsikan atau menguraikan suatu keadaan di dalam komunitas atau masyarakat. Pada penelitian ini akan dilihat gambaran pemanfaatan pelayanan Puskesmas di tinjau dari pengetahuan, motivasi, dan sikap petugas puskesmas. Dari hasil penelitian ini terlihat bahwa sebanyak 88,1% responden telah memanfaatkan pelayanan puskesmas, artinya sebagian besar responden di Moanemani memanfaatkan pelayanan puskesmas. Hal tersebut sangat dipengaruhi oleh faktor pengetahuan, motivasi dan sikap petugas, meskipun dari beberapa faktor tersebut masih menjadi penghambat kunjungan ke puskesmas terlihat dengan masih adanya masyarakat yang terkendala dengan pengetahuan yang kurang tentang pemanfaatan puskesmas, motivasi yang kurang untuk mengunjungi puskesmas, serta sikap petugas yang kurang baik pada pengunjung.

Tuberculous prostatitis: a condition not confined to the immunocompromised

Tuberculous (TB) prostatitis is rare; usually occurring in immunocompromised men. It can mimic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), chronic prostatitis or prostate cancer. This report in an immunocompetent 72-year-old man adds to the clinical spectrum of the five prior reported cases. A low threshold for prostatic biopsy led to a histological evaluation and subsequent microbiological confirmation of TB. This attests to the value of such an approach in arriving at the correct diagnosis and the institution of appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy even amongst immune-competent men.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck - screening in patients who misuse alcohol and tobacco in Switzerland: a prospective pilot study

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. It is preceded by early asymptomatic lesions which, if identified early enough and removed, would prevent malignant transformation or avoid delaying diagnosis to advanced stages. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a screening programme for SCC of the head and neck in a group of high-risk patients, and to investigate their addiction profile. Patients admitted to an inpatient alcohol addiction centre (n=101) were prospectively enrolled and asked to fill in a questionnaire about their use of tobacco and alcohol, and the presence of warning symptoms for SCC of the head and neck from 23 June 2014 to 21 January2016. Participants in the study had a physical examination by an alcohol addiction physician followed by a full examination of the head and neck by an otorhinolaryngologist to rule out premalignant or malignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Of the 101 patients, 62 (60%) had at least one warning symptom. Alcohol addiction physicians identified leukoplakia in six (6%) and erythroplakia in two. No pre-malignant or malignant lesions were confirmed on examination by the otolaryngologist. We were unable to draw conclusions about the cost-effectiveness or the yield of the screening programme. Despite our negative findings, we may need further investigation to clarify the relevance of such a programme on health-related outcome given the high compliance rate and minimal delay that was achieved by taking advantage of an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation centre.

Management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children-a roundtable discussion

The investigation, management and follow-up of paediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction is not standardized. The Young Pediatric Urology Committee of the European Society of Pediatric Urology interviewed five experts in the field on various aspects of management and compared this with published literature.

Abstract P5-07-05: Obesity, adipose inflammation, and race in patients with early stage breast cancer

Background: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer. Mechanistically, most individuals with elevated BMI have breast white adipose tissue inflammation (WATi) which confers increased breast cancer risk, particularly in those with existing benign breast disease. Individuals with WATi have elevated in-breast expression of aromatase and several systemic changes that increase breast cancer risk, including hyperinsulinemia and higher levels of C-reactive protein. However, women with normal BMI but high levels of body fat are also likely to harbor WATi and are at increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. The accuracy of BMI for assessing adiposity and predicting obesity-related disorders, including cancer, varies across race and ethnicity. Whether the association between BMI and WATi varies by race is unknown. Here we aimed to characterize relationships among breast WATi and clinicopathologic features in a racially diverse cohort undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer treatment.

Methods: Non-tumorous breast tissue and fasting blood were collected from women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer treatment or prevention at a single center serving a racially diverse patient population. Breast WATi was detected by the presence of crown-like structures in the breast (CLS-B), which are composed of a dead/dying adipocyte surrounded by CD68+ macrophages. Clinicopathologic data were abstracted from electronic medical records. Associations among categorical variables were examined using Fisher's exact test. Relationships between continuous variables were examined using the Spearman correlation.

Results: As of May 18, 2018 62 patients have been accrued; median age 55 (range 32 to 84). Self-reported race distribution was: 36 (58%) Asian, 5 African American (8%), 20 (32%) Caucasian, and 1 (2%) unknown. Breast tissue has been analyzed for WATi in 60 cases thus far. Clinicopathologic features stratified by the presence or absence of breast WATi are presented in. Breast WAT inflammation was associated with obesity (P=0.02) and a trend to association was observed with dyslipidemia (P<0.09).

VariableBreast WATi Absent (n=25)Breast WATi Present (n=35)Age, years  Median (range)51 (32 to 71)59 (36 to 80)BMI, kg/m2  Median (range)22.5 (18.1 to 35.3)28.0 (19.2 to 38.9)BMI Category  Underweight1 (4%)0 (0%)Normal16 (64%)10 (29%)Overweight5 (20%)18 (51%)Obese3 (12%)7 (20%)Race, n (%)  Asian15 (60%)19 (54%)African American2 (8%)3 (9%)Caucasian8 (32%)12 (34%)Unknown0 (0%)1 (3%)Menopausal Status, n (%)  Pre10 (40%)12 (34%)Post15 (60%)23 (66%)Hypertension, n (%)7 (28%)16 (46%)Diabetes mellitus, n (%)0 (0%)5 (14%)Dyslipidemia, n (%)1 (4%)11 (31%)

Conclusions: Breast adipose inflammation is associated with elevated BMI and possibly metabolic syndrome disorders in a racially diverse population. These findings are consistent with observations from predominantly Caucasian cohorts. Race-specific characteristics will also be examined. Study accrual is ongoing and updated results will be presented.

Citation Format: Iyengar NM, Siegel B, Malik M, Giri DD, Tsai J, Hughes M, Adam A, Williams S, Zhou XK, Rodgers W, Ginter P, Patel A, Yong F, Cherian A, August P, Dannenberg AJ. Obesity, adipose inflammation, and race in patients with early stage breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-05.

Associations between maternal socioeconomic position and psoriasis: a cohort study among the offspring of the Danish National Birth Cohort

BACKGROUND

The socioeconomic determinants of paediatric-onset psoriasis have not been previously investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether a social gradient exists for paediatric-onset psoriasis, using measures of maternal socioeconomic position.

METHODS

Data on paediatric-onset psoriasis from 36 003 Danish National Birth Cohort offspring were cross-linked with nationwide registry data on maternal age and three measures of maternal socioeconomic position: maternal educational attainment, maternal labour market attachment and equivalized household income. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of psoriasis in the offspring, in cohort analyses for data from the year of enrolment and cross-sectional analyses from the year of the 11-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Maternal age at birth, maternal educational attainment and equivalized household income were inversely associated with psoriasis in the offspring. Low maternal educational attainment was associated with offspring psoriasis [adjusted OR 1·62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·20-2·18] after adjusting for maternal psoriasis and age in the cohort analysis. The crude OR of psoriasis in offspring of mothers in the highest quartile compared with mothers in the lowest quartile of equivalized household income was 0·57 (95% CI 0·43-0·76), and the adjusted OR was 0·59 (95% CI 0·44-0·80) after adjusting for maternal psoriasis and age. Similar results were observed for data on maternal socioeconomic position at enrolment and at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

A steep social gradient in paediatric-onset psoriasis was observed. Maternal socioeconomic position may play a role in early-life exposure to modifiable risk factors for psoriasis. Future studies may help to elucidate which biological factors mediate the social gradient observed in our study.

Is there a role for perfusion imaging in assessing treatment response following ablative therapy of small renal masses-A systematic review

Aims

Ablation therapies are an innovative nephron-sparing alternative to radical nephrectomy for early stage renal cancers, although determination of treatment success is challenging. We aimed to undertake a systematic review of the literature to determine whether assessment of tumour perfusion may improve response assessment or alter clinical management when compared to standard imaging.

Material and Methods

Two radiologists performed independent primary literature searches for perfusion imaging in response assessment following ablative therapies (radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy) focused on renal tumours.

Results

5 of 795 articles were eligible, totaling 110 patients. The study designs were heterogeneous with different imaging techniques, perfusion calculations, reference standard and follow-up periods. All studies found lower perfusion following treatment, with a return of ‘high grade’ perfusion in the 7/110 patients with residual or recurrent tumour. One study found perfusion curves were different between successfully ablated regions and residual tumour.

Conclusions

Studies were limited by small sample size and heterogeneous methodology. No studies have investigated the impact of perfusion imaging on management. This review highlights the current lack of evidence for perfusion imaging in response assessment following renal ablation, however it suggests that there may be a future role. Further prospective research is required to address this.

Prevalence of neural tube defect and hydrocephalus in Northern Ghana

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS) which affects approximately one in every thousand pregnancies. The estimates, however, varies from country to country with countries implementing national programmes on folic acid fortification recording lower estimates. Neural tube defects are a common cause of morbidity and mortality especially in low-middle income countries such as Ghana. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of neural tube defect and hydrocephalus in the only tertiary hospital in northern Ghana. This was a 4-year retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2014. Data regarding the age, sex, clinical diagnosis, and treatment outcomes were all retrieved from the registry of medical records using a simple data form designed for this study. During the study period, there were 35,426 deliveries at the facility with 57 cases of neural tube defects, thus giving a prevalence of 1.6 per 1000 births. They were more males than females with a male: female ratio of 2.4:1. All cases were diagnosed at birth. All the cases reported in this study were open neural tube defect (NTD). The most common defect was hydrocephalus occurring in 33 patients representing 57.9%, with spinal bifida occurring in 21 patients representing 38.6%. Encephalocele or cranium bifida occurred in only 5.3% (3 patients). Among the spinal bifida cases, myelomeningocele occurred in 13 patients (59.1%), with meningocele occurring in 8 patients (40.9%). Case fatality was about 15% of diagnosed cases. The prevalence of NTDs in this study is relatively high compared to earlier studies but, is consistent with other findings in the subregion. Prenatal screening and diagnosis are highly recommended since most women undergo routine ultrasonography as part of antenatal service.Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences (2017) 6(1), 18-23Keywords: neural tube defect, prevalence, spinal bifida, Northern Ghana

Effects of Selenium Yeast on Blood Glucose and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Cholesterol Fed Diet Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Wistar Rats

Selenium is an antioxidant that prevents oxygen radical from damaging cells from chronic diseases that can develop from cell injury and inflammation such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible protective effect of selenium yeast on cholesterol diet induced type-2 diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress in rats. Twenty male wistar rats were divided in to four groups of five animals each: Group 1: (Negative control) received standard animal feed only, Group 2:  received cholesterol diet (CD) only, Group 3: received CD and 0.1 mg/kg selenium yeast orally, Group 4: Received CD and 0.2 mg/kg selenium yeast orally for six weeks. At the end of the study period, the animals were sacrificed and the serum samples were collected and evaluated for estimation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the groups  co-administered CD and selenium yeast when compared to CD group only. Antioxidant enzymes status recorded significant decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx activities in CD and selenium yeast administered when compared to CD group only. In Conclusion, Selenium yeast administrations prevent free radical formations which are potent inducer of diabetes mellitus.

A novel fabrication methodology for sulfur-doped ZnO nanorods as an active photoanode for improved water oxidation in visible-light regime

Incorporation of foreign moiety in the lattice of semiconductors significantly alters their optoelectronic behavior and opens a plethora of new applications. In this paper, we report the synthesis of sulfur-doped zinc oxide (S-doped ZnO) nanorods by reacting ZnO nanorods with diammonium sulfide in vapor phase. Microscopic investigation revealed that the morphological features, such as, the length (2-4 μm) and width (100-250 nm) of the original hexagonal ZnO nanorods remained intact post-sulfidation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the sulfide sample confirmed the incorporation of sulfur into ZnO lattice. The optical measurements suggested the extension of absorption threshold into visible region upon sulfidation. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) activities of pure and S-doped ZnO nanorods were compared for water oxidation in visible light (λ > 420 nm), which showed several-fold increment in the performance of S-doped ZnO sample; the observed amelioration in the PEC activity was rationalized in terms of preferred visible light absorption and low resistance of sulfide sample, as evidenced by optical and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.