Histomorphological evaluation of placenta in SARS-CoV-2 patients: A cross-sectional study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major pandemic of the century and little is known about the impact of maternal infection on placental histopathology. Histopathologic examination of placental tissue can contribute to significant information regarding the pathophysiology of the disease and how it affects the fetal outcome. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Pathology, Government Doon Medical College and Hospital, Dehradun, on the placenta of 50 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive pregnant females confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from August 2020 to October 2020. Fifty term historical placentas were taken as control. Placenta sections were fixed in formalin, processed into paraffin blocks, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain, and visualized for any abnormality. Results: The most prominent histological finding in the placenta of pregnant women affected by COVID-19 was chorangiosis, which is a feature of fetal vascular malperfusion seen in 28 (56%) cases. Other features included maternal vascular malperfusions (MVM) such as villous crowding and agglutination in 12 (24%) cases. Tenney–Parker change was seen in 13 (26%) patients. Intervillous fibrinoid deposition and intervillous hemorrhage were seen in 37 (74%) patients and 7 (14%) patients showed significant calcification. Other findings observed were less common. Conclusion: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with a significant impact on fetal and maternal circulation causing features of fetal and maternal malperfusion such as chorangiosis, villous crowding, and agglutination. Indicating that the infection could cause a potential rise in the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes such as intrauterine fetal growth retardation, preterm birth, or stillbirth.

Stroke-related knowledge and attitudes among university students in Northeast Nigeria

te public knowledge of stroke, but the impact in Nigeria is notwell known. This study assessed stroke-related knowledge andattitudes among university students in Nigeria, where health stud-ies are parts of college curricula. This was a cross-sectional studyof students at three universities in Northeast Nigeria. Using ques-tionnaire survey, we assessed biographical data and participantknowledge of the primary site, warning signs and risk factors ofstroke. Responses were graded on a knowledge score, where ≥2.5points indicated adequate knowledge. Data were analyzed with theSPSS version 21 program. We studied 824 participants, 67.1%males. Males were older than females (mean age ± SD: 27.42±5.58years versus 26.27±5.31 years; P = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.29 ­ 1.99)and 14.5% participants had stroke lectures during general studies.Major sources of stroke knowledge were personal discussions(44.6%) and internet websites (24.5%). Only 15.7% participantscorrectly identified the brain as the primary site of stroke, whileknowledge of one or more stroke warning signs and risk factorswere noted in 42.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Mean knowledgescore was 1.08 ± 0.99. Adequate knowledge of stroke was noted in13.2% participants, and was higher in females (17.7% versus10.7%; P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed significantassociations between adequate knowledge of stroke with femalesex (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 ­ 2.8; P = 0.008) and a history of strokein close relatives (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 ­ 2.6; P = 0.025) but notwith age, academic discipline or stroke lectures. University stu-dents in Northeast Nigeria have low knowledge of stroke, which isworse in males. Although health issues are taught at universities,little is taught on stroke, suggesting a need to prioritize strokeknowledge in the universities little is taught on stroke, suggeting a need to prioritize stroke knowlegde in the university curriculum .

Attainment of Lipid Targets Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery:Can We Do Better?

Objective@#Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remain at high cardiovascular risk; however, few studies have evaluated lipid management and attainment of lipid targets in these patients. We investigated the proportion of CABG surgery patients who attained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) targets. @*Methods@#Data were retrospectively obtained from patients undergoing CABG surgery at an Australian tertiary hospital between February 2015 and August 2020. The most recent lipid profile was recorded (at least 3 weeks post-operatively). We studied patients with electronically available data to ensure accuracy. Target LDL-C was defined as <1.4 (54 mg/dL) and <1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), and target non-HDL-C as <2.2 (85 mg/dL) and <2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL), as per the 2019 and 2016 European dyslipidaemia guidelines, respectively. @*Results@#Follow-up lipid results were available for 484 patients (median post-operative follow-up, 483 days; interquartile range, 177.5–938.75 days). The mean age was 62.7±10.5 years and 387 (80.1%) were male. At discharge, 469 (96.9%) patients were prescribed statins, 425 (90.6%) high-intensity. Ezetimibe was prescribed for 62 (12.8%) patients and a proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitor for 1. LDL-C levels <1.4 and <1.8 mmol/L were attained in 118 (24.4%) and 231 (47.7%) patients, respectively, and non-HDL-C levels <2.2 and <2.6 mmol/L in 140 (28.9%) and 237 (49.0%) patients, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The use of non-statin lipid-lowering therapies was limited, and many CABG surgery patients did not attain lipid targets despite high-intensity statins. Further studies are required to optimise lipid management in this very high-risk population.

Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices in an Urban Slum, North Western Nigeria.

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the pattern and factors influencing exclusivebreast feeding and weaning practices in a homogenous urban slum. Study Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional among 143 mother-child pairsusing a combination of simple and systematic sampling methods. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on pattern of breastfeeding, weaning and weaning foods. Results: The ages of the mothers ranged from 13-41 years while the infants were aged 0-26 months. Breastfeeding was initiated by 83 mothers within 30 minutes of delivery and the main reason for delayed initiation of breastfeeding was the belief that colostrum was dirty 99(69.2%). only 32 (22.3%) of the mothers commenced weaning before the age of 4 months mainly on pap made from corn or millet.Out of the 143 respondents, only 46 (32.2%) practiced exclusivebreast feeding. There was a statistically significant relationship (P=0.006) between the age ofthe respondents’ and the practice of EBF as the mothers who were more than 30 years of agewere more likely to practice EBF compared to those younger than 30 years. However, the level of education andoccupation of the mothers had no significant bearing on the practice of EBF. Conclusion: The practice of exclusive breast feeding is low and is influenced by socialdeterminants that need to be addressed by policy makers. Risk factors for early weaning should be identified and appropriate interventions put in place.

Leaf biochemistry of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. at different stages of plant development as affected by mercury treatment.

The effect of mercury (Hg) on the biochemical parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill leaf was studied. Application of mercuric chloride in varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM HgCl2 kg(-1) sand) caused significant reduction that went up to 89% and 72% chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents respectively (at flowering stage), 69% in carotenoid content, 64% in total soluble protein content and 91% in nitrate reductase activity (all at post-flowering stage). The amounts of nitrate and proline increased maximally (151% and 143% respectively) at the flowering stage, whereas total soluble sugar enhanced by 57% at the post-flowering stage. Changes observed in most of the parameters, were concentration dependent. Such studies seem to be able to discover suitable bioindicators of heavy metal pollution.