Team based learning: an effective teaching-learning method in undergraduate teaching in community medicine

Background: “Team-based learning (TBL)” is a special approach by using small groups that is student centered, teacher guided Teaching and Learning method. Medical Council of India (MCI) emphasizes small group teaching. With increasing student numbers and decreasing/no change in faculty strength, the need for an effective T-L method for incorporating small group teaching in a large group is essential. So, this study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness and student reaction for TBL. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among III-year MBBS students attending block posting in the Department of Community Medicine, KIMS and RC. Pre-test and post-test after Team based learning implementation by designated faculties was conducted, and scores were analysed. The feedback of TBL was collected by using a Likert scale from students and also from faculties. Results: The mean scores of pre- and post-test were analyzed by Paired T test which was statistically significant (p value <0.05). The student reaction evaluated by 7 items Likert scale questionnaire showed that most of the students either agreed or strongly agreed that TBL enhanced their learning experience and confidence. The faculty feedback about TBL was also positive. Conclusions: TBL can be effectively implemented in medical colleges for the better results and student reaction.

Mindful aging: an insightful examination of cognitive impairment in the elderly population of Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, using Mini-Cog scale

Background: By 2050, United Nations projects that one in five Indians would be 60 years of age or older. This demographic transition is likely to be accompanied by substantial rise in prevalence of cognitive problems, which will have an impact on quality of life among elderly people. Effective screening at primary level would help in identification of burden of diseases and better planning at secondary and tertiary level. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study over a period of three months was conducted at Pulipakkam in Chengalpattu district. The estimated sample size was 215, and simple random sampling method was used. Elderly people aged 60 years and above who consented to participate were included in the study. After obtaining informed consent, they were screened using the Mini-Cog tool which combines a short memory test with a simple clock- drawing test followed by a recall component. Results: The 215 participants in total were screened. The mean age of participants was 66.02±3.83 years. The prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) based on Mini-Cog scale was 44.2%. Females (44.8%) had marginally higher prevalence than males (43.8%). CI was more prevalent among people over 65 years (57.6%). The likelihood of experiencing CI was higher among those who lived without their spouse (59.4%), were unemployed (53.7%), and who were smokers / alcoholics (63.7%). Conclusions: Considering the high burden of CI, there is need for long term prospective research for a comprehensive profile of mental disorders at community level. Early assessment and detection of CI could help in improving quality of life of elderly. Implementing initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and conducting widespread screening using reliable tools.

An outline on the global insights of implementation and challenges in primary healthcare telemedicine

Background: The utilization of telephone consultation (TC) has seen a significant increase of up to 86% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to bridge the existing knowledge gap by examining the usage and efficacy of telephone or virtual consultations in a clinical setting during the COVID-19 lockdown, the objective of the current review is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and limitations of TC in the light of physicians and familial perspectives to enlighten future healthcare planning and decision-making. Methods: The data utilized in this research spanning the period of COVID-19 and other studies related to TC that occurred before the onset of the pandemic were gathered from a variety of reputable sources, such as Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and Science Direct with the pre-established eligibility criteria and relevant keywords. Results: Studies revealed that the incorporation of teleconsultation has demonstrated numerous benefits for patients, including effective handling of data, fair accessibility, and adherence to standardized care protocols. Nonetheless, the implementation of TC also presents obstacles such as insufficiently trained staff, technical hurdles like connectivity issues and unreliable internet connections, and the possibility of erroneous diagnoses. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 phase, TC has proven effective with fewer limitations that can be minimized by training the healthcare staff and overcoming technical issues.

Assessing the reaction to and efficacy of the Screener drug discovery and development board game as a pedagogical tool in postgraduate courses

Screener, a board game supplemented with online resources, was introduced and distributed by the Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics to postgraduate programs as an instructional tool for the process of drug discovery and development (DDD). In this study, we provided a comprehensive analysis of five critical aspects for evaluating the quality of educational games, namely: 1) description of the intervention; 2) underlying pedagogical theory; 3) identification of local educational gaps; 4) impact on diverse stakeholders; and 5) elucidation of iterative quality enhancement processes. We also present qualitative and quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of this game in 11 postgraduate courses. We employed the MEEGA+ online survey, comprising thirty-three close-ended unipolar items with 5-point Likert-type response scales, to assess student perceptions of the quality and utility of Screener. Based on 115 responses, the results indicated a highly positive outlook among students. In addition, we performed a preliminary evaluation of learning outcomes in two courses involving 28 students. Pre- and post-quizzes were applied, each consisting of 20 True/False questions directly aligned with the game's content. The analysis revealed significant improvement in students' performance following engagement with the game, with scores rising from 8.4 to 13.3 (P<0.0001, paired t-test) and 9.7 to 12.7 (P<0.0001, paired t-test). These findings underscore the utility of Screener as an enjoyable and effective tool for facilitating a positive learning experience in the DDD process. Notably, the game can also reduce the educational disparities across different regions of our continental country.

Aspects cliniques et IRM de l'endométriose pelvienne à Abidja: à propos de 68 cas / Clinical and MRI findings of pelvic endometriosis in Abidjan: A study of 68 patients

Introduction.L'endométriose est une pathologie mal connue et sous explorée en Afrique en particulier en Côte d'Ivoire. L'objectif de notre étude était d'étudierles caractéristiques épidémio-cliniques et à l'imagerie par résonnance magnétique(IRM)de l'endométriose pelvienne à Abidjan.Méthodologie. Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective et descriptive qui s'est déroulée à Abidjan sur une durée 15 mois. Les examens ont été réalisés sur une IRM 1,5 T avec les séquences conventionnelles. Les patientes retenues ont réalisé une IRM du pelvis pour suspicion d'endométriose pendant la période. N'ont pas été retenues les patientes qui ont réalisés l'examen pour d'autres affections gynécologiques. L'ensemble des données ont été recueillies à partir des comptes rendus d'IRM des patientes. Les paramètres épidémio-cliniques; les paramètres IRM des lésions endométriosiques ont été étudiés. Nous avons utilisé le test de khi carré pour vérifier le lien entre certains facteurs.Résultats.Nous avons enregistré 68 patientes dont l'âge moyen était de 38,61 ans. L'adénomyose représentait la localisation la plus fréquente (67,65%) suivi de l'atteinte ovarienne (35,29%). Dans l'adénomyose, la zone jonctionnelle était inférieure à 20 mm dans 44,19%. L'endométriose ovarienne a été objectivée chez 24 patientes, soit 35,29% des cas. Une endométriose sous péritonéale a été objectivée dans 19,12% des cas. L'atteinte tubaire était de 10,29%. L'association endométriose et fibrome a été observé chez 44,12% des patientes. Le risque d'adénomyose était élevé après 40 ans p < 0,005.Conclusion.L'IRM apparait comme l'examen d'imagerie de référence dans le diagnostic et le bilan d'extension de l'endométriose pelvienne. A Abidjan, le diagnostic d'endométriose se fait à un âge avancé.

Introduction.Endometriosis is a poorly understood and under-explored condition in Africa, particularly in Ivory Coast. The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of pelvic endometriosis in Abidjan. Methodology.This was a prospective and descriptive study conducted in Abidjan over a period of 15 months. The examinations were performed on a 1.5 T MRI machine using conventional sequences. Patients who underwent pelvic MRI for suspected endometriosis during the study period were included, while those who underwent the examination for other gynecological conditions were excluded. All data were collected from the MRI reports of the patients. Epidemiological and clinical parameters, as well as MRI parameters of endometriotic lesions, were analyzed. The chi-square test was used to verify the association between certain factors. Results.We included 68 patients with a mean age of 38.61 years. Adenomyosis was the most common localization (67.65%), followed by ovarian involvement (35.29%). In adenomyosis, the junctional zone was less than 20 mm in 44.19% of cases. Ovarian endometriosis was documented in 24 patients, accounting for 35.29% of cases. Subperitoneal endometriosis was observed in 19.12% of cases. Tubal involvement was seen in 10.29% of cases. The co-occurrence of endometriosis and fibroids was observed in 44.12% of patients. The risk of adenomyosis was higher after the age of 40 (p < 0.005). Conclusion.MRI appears to be the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing and assessing the extent of pelvic endometriosis. In Abidjan, endometriosis is diagnosed at an older age.

Agrobiological evaluations of newly introduced grapes varieties under climatic conditions of the south of Kazakhstan / Avaliações agrobiológicas de variedades de uvas recém-introduzidas sob as condições climáticas do sul do Cazaquistão

Variety assortment enhancement is a normal task that involves enhancing the assortment's quality and upgrading varieties. The findings of a research of imported grape varieties in the southeast of Kazakhstan, namely in the Almaty region's bottom-mountain zone, are presented in this article. The onset and conclusion of the main phenological phases of a grape plant throughout the vegetative period were directly influenced by the climatic and meteorological conditions of this district. In comparison to the recognized variety Almaty early-maturing, it has been proven that types Priusadebny, Iyulsky, and Kuibyshevsk early-maturing have a high degree of eyes wintering buds and may provide a high-quality crop in this location.

O aprimoramento da variedade é uma tarefa normal que envolve o aprimoramento da qualidade da variedade e o aprimoramento das variedades. As descobertas de uma pesquisa de variedades de uvas importadas no sudeste do Cazaquistão, ou seja, na zona de base da montanha da região de Almaty, são apresentadas neste artigo. O início e a conclusão das principais fases fenológicas de uma videira ao longo do período vegetativo foram diretamente influenciados pelas condições climáticas e meteorológicas deste distrito. Em comparação com a variedade reconhecida Almaty de maturação precoce, foi comprovado que os tipos Priusadebny, Iyulsky e Kuibyshevsk de maturação precoce têm um alto grau de gomos de inverno de olhos e podem fornecer uma safra de alta qualidade neste local.

Agrobiological evaluations of newly introduced grapes varieties under climatic conditions of the south of Kazakhstan

Abstract Variety assortment enhancement is a normal task that involves enhancing the assortment's quality and upgrading varieties. The findings of a research of imported grape varieties in the southeast of Kazakhstan, namely in the Almaty region's bottom-mountain zone, are presented in this article. The onset and conclusion of the main phenological phases of a grape plant throughout the vegetative period were directly influenced by the climatic and meteorological conditions of this district. In comparison to the recognized variety Almaty early-maturing, it has been proven that types Priusadebny, Iyulsky, and Kuibyshevsk early-maturing have a high degree of eyes wintering buds and may provide a high-quality crop in this location.

Resumo O aprimoramento da variedade é uma tarefa normal que envolve o aprimoramento da qualidade da variedade e o aprimoramento das variedades. As descobertas de uma pesquisa de variedades de uvas importadas no sudeste do Cazaquistão, ou seja, na zona de base da montanha da região de Almaty, são apresentadas neste artigo. O início e a conclusão das principais fases fenológicas de uma videira ao longo do período vegetativo foram diretamente influenciados pelas condições climáticas e meteorológicas deste distrito. Em comparação com a variedade reconhecida Almaty de maturação precoce, foi comprovado que os tipos Priusadebny, Iyulsky e Kuibyshevsk de maturação precoce têm um alto grau de gomos de inverno de olhos e podem fornecer uma safra de alta qualidade neste local.

Fostering a safe psychological environment and encouraging speak-up culture in primary care setups

Patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare, and encouraging healthcare employees to speak up and voice their concerns plays a pivotal role in preventing avoidable harm to patients. Establishing a safe environment and fostering a supportive psychological climate within healthcare organizations, particularly in primary care settings, is essential for achieving better patient outcomes and enhancing overall organizational performance. This review emphasizes the importance of a safe environment and supportive psychological climate in primary care, enhancing patient outcomes and organizational performance. Speaking up leads to timely error correction, mitigates unsafe practices, and upholds ethical standards despite barriers like hierarchy, fear of retaliation, and inadequate policies. In the quest to foster a culture of speaking up, diverse interventions have emerged, ranging from comprehensive training initiatives to initiatives promoting psychological safety and establishing clear communication channels. Leadership development programs play a vital role in encouraging employee voices and fostering a positive environment for open communication. To advance further, research must evaluate intervention impact and contextual nuances for more tailored strategies. In conclusion, psychological safety is vital for speaking up and enhancing employee engagement, communication, and patient outcomes. Overcoming implementation challenges and fostering a culture of safety and open communication empower healthcare employees to contribute to continuous improvement in patient care. Leadership development plays a pivotal role in nurturing this culture envisioning a safer, compassionate healthcare ecosystem.

Lifestyle, nutrition knowledge, body dissatisfaction, and nutritional status of IPB university students in Indonesia

Background: Adolescents experience changes as a response to concerned behaviour about body shape, leading to a restricted diet in their food consumption. It is stated that 76.56% of male students and 82.87% of female students experienced body dissatisfaction. As a result, the students are developing negative eating behaviour despite having a normal nutritional status. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at IPB University dormitories. The study involved selecting samples using a systematic random sampling method. Total samples were 80 students. Results: A significant difference was found in the diversity of food consumption between male and female subject groups (p=0.038). This research also showed other significant differences found in consumption of green leafy vegetable group (p=0.013), fruits and vegetables source of vitamin A group (p=0.000), and meat and fish group (p=0.033) within the male and female subjects. The other significant differences were also found in the frequency of exercise (p=0.000) and in the level of physical activity (p=0.027) between male and female subject groups. There was a significant correlation between nutritional knowledge and nutritional status of male (r=0.784, p=0.045) subjects, and correlation between body dissatisfaction and nutritional status of male (r=0.349, p=0.027) and of female (r=0.383, p=0.015) subjects. Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between nutritional knowledge and nutritional status in male subjects. Furthermore, there is a relationship between body dissatisfaction and the nutritional status of the subject, where subjects with more nutritional status tend to have higher body dissatisfaction scores.

Advancements in Genetic Diversity and Genome Characteristics of Durians (Durio spp.)

Durian is one of the important fruit crops in Southeast Asia with its unique flavor and important economic benefits. Breeding programs have produced hundreds of different cultivars of durian. These cultivars are classified mainly by fruit and flower characteristics, which cannot be observed at the vegetative stage. Therefore, molecular biology is a powerful tool to approach and explore the genetic characteristics of durians. Many studies based on barcoded DNA and molecular markers have been conducted and valuable data have been exploited. Thanks to the advancement of sequencing technology, the plastid genome and the whole genome were sequenced in some durian cultivars. The data revealed reliable data on the structure and function of several genes. This review aims to update recent studies on the durian genome attributes and potential applications in the conservation of germplasm, authentication, and exploration of the gene structure and function of this specialty plant.

Early-stage intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma as an incidental finding: case report and review of literature

Gastric cancer is the malignant neoplasm in which gastric resection is the only viable strategy for long-term survival. Gastric carcinoma typically does not produce symptoms, therefore presenting as either advance or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. The most common early symptoms tend to be abdominal pain and weight loss. Adequate surgical resection is the only curative therapeutic option in patients with resectable gastric cancer. We present the case of a 66-year-old male patient who initially presented with abdominal pain and one episode of gastrointestinal bleeding, for which an endoscopic biopsy was conducted which reported intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was then performed without reported complications. Patient remains asymptomatic 3 months following the surgical intervention in surveillance with ambulatory care.

Early-stage intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma as an incidental finding: case report and review of literature

Gastric cancer is the malignant neoplasm in which gastric resection is the only viable strategy for long-term survival. Gastric carcinoma typically does not produce symptoms, therefore presenting as either advance or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. The most common early symptoms tend to be abdominal pain and weight loss. Adequate surgical resection is the only curative therapeutic option in patients with resectable gastric cancer. We present the case of a 66-year-old male patient who initially presented with abdominal pain and one episode of gastrointestinal bleeding, for which an endoscopic biopsy was conducted which reported intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was then performed without reported complications. Patient remains asymptomatic 3 months following the surgical intervention in surveillance with ambulatory care.

Study on pattern of drug utilization in the treatment of congestive cardiac failure in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Congestive cardiac failure/congestive heart failure (CCF/CHF) is one of the major public health problem seen in more than 23 million people worldwide. Drug utilization studies were stood as a powerful exploratory tool to ascertain the role of drugs in determining the therapeutic efficacy, cost effectiveness and also in minimizing the adverse effects due to it during the treatment of a disease. Aims and Objectives: The present study undertaken to describe the drug utilization pattern in patients of CHF in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a Prospective, Observational, and Non-interventional study. The study was undertaken after obtaining the ethical committee approval in the in-patient department of Medicine. Case records of 100 patients were obtained and treatments were noted. Results: The present study had 60 male and 40 female patients admitted and undergoing treatment for CCF. Most of them were above 50 years of age and the most common comorbidity among them were hypertension (25%) followed by diabetes mellitus (19%). The most commonly used drugs were diuretics and antihypertensives. Conclusion: In our study, patients use of more than 2 ?3 drugs (Polytherapy) was found very common than use of one drug (Monotherapy).

Prevalence of internet addiction in south Indian chat rooms

Background: There are various reasons for internet addiction. In the recent covid and post covid era people have taken up chatting as a pastime. Many spend time chatting with strangers for various reasons. This study was conducted to see the prevalence of internet addiction in south Indian chat rooms and the reasons leading to it Methods: After doing a pilot study, many chat room users were administered an online questionnaire. Of the 1763 people approached only 700 of them agreed to participate in this study Results: Of the seven hundred participants, two hundred and sixteen suffered from internet addiction. Of those with Internet addiction, 85% of the chat room users agreed that they drink alcohol when they chat,63.9% cited individual factors as a reason,62% of the chat room users said they visit chat rooms to game with their friends,31% stated cyber relation addiction as a cause,7.4% said lack of a steady job made them get online and chat and 2.3% of the chat users said they frequented chat sites for want of cyber sex Conclusions: People should understand that it’s a virtual world and not real. They should start stepping out and decrease spending time online. Chat rooms should be on a strict vigilance and steps should be taken to screen the chat room users.

Symptoms of depression (not anxiety) mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in men

Objective: Childhood sexual abuse is associated with compulsive sexual behavior, depression, and anxiety in men. Furthermore, both depression and anxiety have been linked to compulsive sexual behaviors. However, whether anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors has yet to be tested. We investigated whether symptoms of depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in 222 men seeking treatment for such behaviors. Methods: Participants completed the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. A cross-sectional parallel mediation analysis was conducted. Results: The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in our sample was 57%. Significant correlations were found between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors, depression, and anxiety. The results of the mediation analyses suggested that depression (B = 0.07, standard error [SE] = 0.03, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.15), but not anxiety (B = 0.02, SE = 0.02, 95%CI -0.2 to 0.07), mediated the link between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors. The pattern of our results remained the same when controlling for other types of childhood trauma. Conclusions: Depression, not anxiety, appears to mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in men. Future research that tests our mediation analyses using a prospective longitudinal study would be highly informative.

Leptin and interleukin-1β levels associated with osteoarthritis in Vietnamese patients: a cross-sectional analysis

Leptin and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) are two extensively studied biomarkers associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoarthritis (OA). Previous studies have mostly focused on either MetS or OA alone, with no available data on Vietnamese patients. This study aimed to investigate the levels of leptin and IL-1β in this patient population and explore their association with clinical parameters of MetS and OA. The study included 164 patients with primary knee OA, who were classified into two categories based on the presence of MetS, and 78 healthy controls. The plasma leptin and IL-1β levels were quantified by ELISA and correlated with clinical parameters. Leptin levels were higher in patients with OA (11.50±10.04 ng/mL) than in healthy controls (0.54±0.37 ng/mL) and increased in patients with MetS compared to those without MetS. IL-1β levels were also significantly higher in OA patients (14.63±15.87 pg/mL) than in controls (7.79±5.11 pg/mL), but were not significantly different between the MetS and non-MetS groups. Leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, visual analogue scale scores, HbA1c and insulin levels, and HOMA-IR index, whereas IL-1β levels were only correlated with insulin levels and HOMA-IR index. ROC curve analysis revealed that leptin and IL-1β levels could distinguish individuals with and without OA (AUC=0.96; 0.88, respectively), and individuals with and without MetS (AUC=0.82; 0.71, respectively). Our findings suggested that both leptin and IL-1β levels were associated with both MetS and OA and may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MetS-related OA.

Aumento de Captação Cardíaca de 18F-FDG Induzida por Quimioterapia em Pacientes com Linfoma: Um Marcador Precoce de Cardiotoxicidade? / Chemotherapy-induced Cardiac18F-FDG Uptake in Patients with Lymphoma: An Early Metabolic Index of Cardiotoxicity?

Resumo Fundamento Ainda não está estabelecido se a captação de fluorodesoxiglicose no miocárdio ocorre exclusivamente por características fisiológicas ou se representa um desarranjo metabólico causado pela quimioterapia. Objetivo Investigar os efeitos da quimioterapia no coração dos pacientes com linfoma por tomografia por emissão de pósitrons associada a tomografia computadorizada (PET/CT) com 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-desoxi-D-glicose (18F-FDG PET/CT) antes, durante e/ou após a quimioterapia. Métodos Setenta pacientes com linfoma submetidos a 18F-FDG PET/CT foram retrospectivamente analisados. O nível de significância foi de 5%. A captação de 18F-FDG foi avaliada por três medidas: captação máxima no ventrículo esquerdo ( standardized uptake value , SUV max), razão SUV cardíaco / aorta e SUV cardíaco / SUV no fígado. Também foram comparados peso corporal, glicemia de jejum, tempo pós-injeção e dose administrada de 18F-FDG entre os exames. Resultados A idade média foi de 50,4 ± 20,1 anos e 50% dos pacientes eram mulheres. A análise foi realizada em dois grupos - PET/CT basal vs. intermediário e PET/CT basal vs pós-terapia. Não houve diferença significativa entre as variáveis clínicas e do protocolo dos exames entre os diferentes momentos avaliados. Nós observamos um aumento na SUV máxima no ventrículo esquerdo de 3,5±1,9 (basal) para 5,6±4,0 (intermediário), p=0,01, e de 4,0±2,2 (basal) para 6,1±4,2 (pós-terapia), p<0,001. Uma porcentagem de aumento ≥30% na SUV máxima no ventrículo esquerdo ocorreu em mais da metade da amostra. O aumento da SUV cardíaca foi acompanhado por um aumento na razão SUV máxima no ventrículo esquerdo / SUV máxima na aorta e SUV média no ventrículo esquerdo /SUV média no fígado. Conclusão O estudo mostrou um aumento evidente na captação cardíaca de 18F-FDG em pacientes com linfoma, durante e após quimioterapia. A literatura corrobora com esses achados e sugere que a 18F-FDG PET/CT pode ser um exame de imagem sensível e confiável para detectar sinais metabólicos precoces de cardiotoxicidade.

Abstract Background It is uncertain whether myocardial fluorodeoxyglucose uptake occurs solely due to physiological features or if it represents a metabolic disarrangement under chemotherapy. Objective To investigate the chemotherapy effects on the heart of patients with lymphoma by positron emission tomography associated with computed tomography scans (PET/CT) with 2-deoxy-2[18F] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG PET/CT) before, during and/or after chemotherapy. Methods Seventy patients with lymphoma submitted to18F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. The level of significance was 5%.18F-FDG cardiac uptake was assessed by three measurements: left ventricular maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), heart to blood pool (aorta) ratio, and heart to liver ratio in all the exams. Body weight, fasting blood sugar, post-injection time, and the injected dose of18F-FDG between the scans were also compared. Results Mean age was 50.4 ± 20.1 years and 50% was female. The analysis was carried out in two groups: baseline vs. interim PET/CT, and baseline vs. post-therapy PET/CT. There was no significant difference in clinical variables or protocol scans variables. We observed an increase in left ventricular (LV) SUVmax from 3.5±1.9 (baseline) to 5.6±4.0 (interim), p=0.01, and from 4.0±2.2 (baseline) to 6.1±4.2 (post-therapy), p<0.001. A percentage increase ≥30% of LV SUVmax occurred in more than half of the sample. The rise of cardiac SUV was accompanied by an increase in LV SUVmax/Aorta SUVmax and LV SUVmean/Liver SUVmean ratios. Conclusion This study showed a clear increase in cardiac18F-FDG uptake in patients with lymphoma during and/or after chemotherapy. The literature corroborates with these findings and suggests that18F-FDG PET/CT is a sensitive and reliable imaging exam to detect early metabolic signs of cardiotoxicity.

Environmental Effect of KPO-Fire in Niger Delta and Future Health Implication

Crude oil discovery and exploration in the Niger Delta of Nigeria which includes Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Edo and Ondo States of Nigeria, has led to significant economic growth of the nation especially in the creation of job opportunities also the generation of revenue. Unfortunately, Oil thefts have become the idea that replaced the most crisis and agitations in the Niger Delta communities against the perceived neglect of the areas. This had resulted to widespread operation of illegal oil bunkering activities called Kpofire. Kpofire, as described by the Niger deltans, is a process of burning crude oil by illegal oil operatives or thieves at isolated locations called bunkering sites or dumpsites in order to extract refined petroleum products. The design for the extraction of the petroleum products involves the sections of steaming and collection. These sections are connected by a very long pipe. Heat is applied to the steaming section using wood from the mangroves that is called ‘Ngala’ or ‘Agala’, thereafter, crude oil is used. The products extracted are fuel, kerosene and diesel. One of the major problems of Kpofire is the introduction of soot into the environment. Soot is a product is uncontrolled and incomplete combustion or pyrolisis of materials that contain carbon. The highest constituent of soot is the Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The Niger Delta people are faced with daily environmental challenges such as inadequate housing facilities, contaminated drinking water sources, barren lands for agriculture, dead rivers for fishing activities and poor health conditions, soot, which has become a gradual but huge challenge in many Niger Delta communities, has been shown to play a huge role in respiratory, skin, and reproductive health conditions. However, vulnerability is seen more in babies and children (particularly because their respiratory organs are not matured enough), the elderly, and people with preexisting health conditions, also heart or lung diseases (such as asthma). High exposure to PAH at prenatal stages is linked to a low IQ and lead to increased behavioral problems in the early-age child and childhood asthma. A collective effort is needed to put a stop this menace called kpofire in order to avoid environmental pollution thereby endangering the health of the people of Niger Delta.

Efficacy and safety of praziquantel in the treatment of neurocysticercosis in Vietnam

@#Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection of the nervous system and is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Praziquantel (PZQ) is one of the antiparasitics mostly used in managing NCC, however, there have been only a few studies on the treatment outcome of this drug. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PZQ in patients with NCC. Sixty patients with typical characteristics of NCC received three 10-day cycles of PZQ and the interruption between these cycles was 10 days. Additional treatment included antiinflammation (steroids), antiepileptics and analgesics. Clinical and imaging studies were done at baseline and six months after therapy to assess the efficacy of treatment. Laboratory evaluation was done before and after each cycle to investigate laboratory safety profiles. By six months after finishing therapy, all patients had clinical improvement and 75% of them were free of symptoms. The rates of complete, partial or no resolution of cysts on brain magnetic resonance imaging were 61.7%, 28.3% and 10% respectively. The efficacy of therapy was not associated with the number of cysts. There was no difference between the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and creatinine before and after treatment. Conclusion: Praziquantel is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with neurocysticercosis.

Preferences, Utilization and Factors affecting Use of Contraceptives amongWomen attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Delta State,Southern Nigeria

Contraceptive use has numerous benefits for thefamily and the nation that can be maximized with its consistent use.However, many women have preferences for certain contraceptiveswith implications for continued use.OBJECTIVE: To determine the contraceptive preferences of women,their utilization pattern and factors affecting utilization of the preferredcontraceptive choices.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 426women of reproductive age selected from 32 primary health facilitiesusing multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive andinferential analysis of data collected was carried out using IBM SPSSversion 22 software. P-value was set at 0.05.RESULTS: Close to half of the respondents 211 (49.5%) preferredinjectable contraceptives, 79 (18.6%) selected implants and 27 (6.3%)chose condoms. The majority 212 (49.8%) of respondents usedinjectable contraceptives, followed by implants 66 (15.5%), condoms33 (7.7%), IUCD 54 (12.7%) and OCP 61 (14.3%). Age (p<0.001),number of children (p<0.001), clients' employment status (p<0.001),husband support (p<0.021) and desire for more children (p<0.001)were all statistically associated with the utilization of preferredcontraceptives.CONCLUSION: Even though respondents preferred the injectablecontraceptives, implants and IUCD in that order, their utilizationpattern followed the order of Injectable, implants and OCP. Severalfactors were identified to be statistically associated with the utilizationof preferred contraceptives. Health education on contraceptive useamong women, spousal support and health workers training tohighlight those factors influencing women's contraceptive preferencesand utilization are recommended