Towards 2030 target for hepatitis B and C viruses elimination: assessing the validity of predonation rapid diagnostic tests versus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in state hospitals in Kaduna, Nigeria

ntroduction: Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 25% of the estimated global 325 million people with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections. Weak blood transfusion systems facilitate the spread of both hepatitis B and C virus infections. This is worsened by the absence of sustainable quality assurance programs and perennial shortage of sensitive screening kits. We aim to compare the validity of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) with the World Health Organization-recommended quality-assured enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening method for these viruses. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on consecutive blood donor samples. Two hundred and sixty-four blood donor samples screened for hepatitis B and C viruses using RDTs were retested at a National blood transfusion service, Kaduna, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using OpenEpi version 3.01 to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of RDTs versus ELISA. Results: The sensitivities of the RDTs at 95% confidence interval (CI) were low ­ 40% (19.8­64.3) and 50.0% (18.8­81.2) ­ for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, respectively. The specificities and 95% CI were high ­ 99.9% (97.8­99.9) and 100.0% (98.5­100) for HBsAg and HCV antibody, respectively. Conclusion: Predonation RDTs screening of blood donor samples for hepatitis B virus and HCV in hospital donation units performed poorly compared to quality-assured ELISA screening in Kaduna. The risk of transmitting viral hepatitis through blood transfusion still exists. We recommend quality-assured ELISA screening of all donated units for HBsAg and HCV antibody to reduce the risk of these transfusion-transmitted infections

The Relationship between Brain Dominance and Academic Performance: A Cross-sectional Study.

Aims: To study the relationship between brain dominance and academic performance among undergraduates. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), Melaka campus, Malaysia, from April 2014 to June 2014. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical college and a total of 168 students participated. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaires. It consisted of the personal profile and 3 validated questionnaires to identify the brain dominance. Academic performance of a student is obtained from the student academic office based on the roll numbers written on the questionnaire. Written informed consent was taken from the students before they participate in this research. Analysis of the data was done using EpiInfo7, with significance level set at .05 and 95% confidence level. Results: Our study shows that there is no significant association between brain predilection and academic performance (P>0.05). It was found that there were 58.3% of the students with left brain dominance, 25.6% right-brained students and 16.1% with whole-brained. Besides that, race of a student had significant association with academic performance (P<0.001). Conclusion: The brain dominance of a student has no significant relationship with academic performance. Hence, students do not have to worry which brain dominant are they and can focus on other factors affecting academic performance. Seminars and campaigns should be conducted to address students that early preparation for exam is vital to have excellent academic performance.

Life quality assessment of patients suffering from oral cancer

This study was aimed to determine the patient's own perception of quality of life [QL]; that were under treatment for oral cancers. University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire [UW-QOL] [1] was used as a screening tool for this purpose. Questionnaire based Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted at Kiran hospital Karachi [Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine] from March to August 2011. Thirty patients diagnosed with oral cancer that were coming for treatment at the Kiran hospital Karachi, [Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine] were included in the sample. No limitation of age or cancer stage was specified. Data analysis with SPSS showed that majority of patient surveyed had pain that was controlled by medications; majority of patient felt significantly disfigured; had limited activities. Although activities were slowed down due to fatigue still patients managed to go out however enjoyable recreation was bounded for patients. Swallowing function showed variation from no change, complete liquid diet, soft diet to choking. However most patients could chew soft foods, majority of patient had difficulty with some words but their speech was understood on phone. Greater parts choose no issue regarding function and pain in shoulders. Almost half the patients had normal consistency of saliva, mood mostly unaffected and majority patient were not anxious about their tumour lesion. General health was better before development of cancer and was good in previous seven days. Over all mental health and spiritual health was outstanding and pain was the most important issue patient complained. This study emphasizes the importance of measuring quality of life of oral cancer patients. UW-QOL[1] questionnaire was an effective screening tool for evaluating the different domains from each patient at an individual level

Frequency of abo and RH [D] blood groups among blood donors in Rawalpindi/Islamabad area

To determine the frequency of various ABO and Rh [D] blood groups among the blood donors in Rawalpindi/Islamabad area of Pakistan. Cross sectional descriptive study. Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion [AFIT], Rawalpindi from Sep 2010 to Jan 2011. A total of 4642 healthy adult, blood donors [volunteer and directed both] belonging to Rawalpindi/Islamabad region were included. From each donor 2 ml of EDTA blood was taken. ABO and Rh [D] blood grouping were carried out by tube method using commercially prepared antisera. The frequency of each type was calculated. Among ABO blood groups the most frequent was B with 1593 subjects [34.3%], followed by O with 1454 [31.3%], A with 1124 [24.2%], and AB with 471 [10.1%] individuals. The Rh [D] positive were 4226 subjects [91%] and Rh [D] negative were 416 [9%]. Among Rh [D] positive cases, blood group B was most frequent with 1476 [34.9%] individuals, however among Rh [D] negative individuals the most frequent blood group was O with 149 individuals [35.8%]. 'B' was most frequent among the ABO blood groups. Knowledge of prevalence of various blood groups in the area will help in managing the transfusion services

Salivary gland diseases: analysis of patients attended at dow lab Karachi

The aim of this study is to describe demographic characteristic of 103 cases of major and minor salivary glands diagnosed at DDRRL [Dow lab Diagnostic reference and research laboratory] OJHA campus, DUHS Karachi. Observational Study. This study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences Ojha Campus, Karachi from January 2009 to April 2011. Salivary gland diseases are uncommon and include diseases which affect both major and minor salivary gland. They consist of a group of heterogeneous lesions with complex clinicopathological characteristics and distinct biologic behavior. Epidemiological data of these diseases in the various parts of the world can be helpful for a better understanding of its biology and clinical characteristics. Clinical and histopathological data of all patients with salivary gland diseases are retrospectively analyzed and described. In this study, 103 cases of salivary gland diseases be analyzed, out of all cases 31 were infections, 50 were benign neoplasms, and 22 were malignant neoplasms. Majority of the cases occurred in parotid gland followed by submandibular and minor salivary glands. Infections are common between the ages between 10-35 years and peak incidence in 30 years. Benign tumors are common between 20-25 years and 40-50 years and with a peak incidence in 40 years. Tumor affected more commonly the adult patients with peak incidence between 35065 years and peak incidence in 50 years with slight predominance in females. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent finding followed by sialadenitis and squamous cell carcinoma. patients with salivary gland diseases were mainly adults with marginally more female patients. Most commonly found infections are sialadenitis involving sub mandibular gland in majority of cases. Benign tumors are more frequent then malignant ones. Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest benign tumor and squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest malignant neoplasm. Both benign and malignant tumors involve parotid gland commonly

Comparison between primary closure and open technique for the surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus

Objective: to compare the two different surgical techniques for the treatment of pilonidal sinus primary closure and open technique in respect of hospital stay, duration of healing time and rate of recurrence

Material and Methods: this prospective randomized study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Fatima Memorial Hospital, and Lahore from January 2003 to December 2008. A total number of 42 cases of chronic pilonidal sinus, all belonging to Pakistani nationality were identified and divided in two groups randomly. Patients in Group A were treated by excision and primary mid line closure of the defect while in Group B the wounds were left open. After excision to be healed by granulation. Four patients were lost at follow up. The remaining 38 cases, 32 males and 6 females, were finally analyzed. Mean follow up period was 2.5 years

Results: the mean hospital stay was 5.5 days in group A while 8.2 in groups B [p=0:025and. The mean healing time was much shorter in group A than group B which is statistically significant [p=0.001and. Complications in both groups were comparable

Conclusion: excision with primary closure of the defect has less morbidity and is a cost effective way of treating chronic pilonidal sinus

Role of serum troponin-l in identifying left ventricular ejection fraction of

To determine the serum levels of troponin-l in identifying left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] of 63.5 ng/ml predicted LVEF of <40% with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 97% in patients receiving streptokinase, whereas in patients undergoing primary PCI, troponin-l levels of > 87.5 ng/ml predicted LVEF < /=40% with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100%. Troponin-l concentration of > 63.5 ng/ml and > 87.5 ng/ml can predict LVEF

Indications and relative frequencies for diseases requiring closed tube thoracostomy in medical patients

To determine the indications and relative frequencies for diseases requiring closed tube thoracostomy in medical patients. To determine the frequency of tuberculosis as a causative factor for different indications and the time required for the chest tube to be withdrawn in different diseases. To compare the male: female ratio and also the ratio of right and left side pleural involvement requiring closed tube thoracostomy. Study Design: Descriptive study on 70 patients. Settings: Medical units 1, 2 and 3 of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. Subjects: All patients of both sexes between the age groups of 13 years to 75 years have been included in the study. The Study was done on 70 patients. The frequency of male: female ratio was 37 [52.9%] and 33 [47.1%] respectively. The commonest indication for closed tube thoracostomy was pneumothorax which occurred in 29 [41.4%] patients and the least common was parapneumonic effusion [PNE] affecting 5[7.1%] patients. Tuberculosis [TB] was the single most prevalent etiological factor and occurred in 29 [41.4%] patients. It also required the longest duration for tube placement - average 49.28 +/- 4.70 days. Pleural involvement for right or left side was 36 [51.4%] and 34 [48.6%] respectively. Our study demonstrated that pneumothorax was the commonest disease, requiring closed tube thoracostomy. The most common etiological factor was tuberculosis and patients with tuberculosis also required longest duration of time for chest tube placement