The influence of enhanced vegetation index, proximity to national borders, proximity to protected areas, and proximity to water on malaria case prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2000-2020

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of enhanced vegetation index, proximity to national borders, proximity to protected areas, and water on malaria morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Data were pooled from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 32 Sub-Saharan African countries spanning 2000 to 2020. Women's standard weights were denormalized and bivariate analyses were conducted to identify potential confounders. Two models were fitted; model 1 involved primary exposure variables and model 2 involved primary exposure variables adjusted for significant confounders. The final interpretation of the results was based on model 2. Results: The prevalence of malaria cases was 23.1%, The risk of children suffering malaria in households that belong to the 3rd quantile of the vegetation index is 27% less compared to children that belong to the households in the 1st quantile of the vegetation index [aOR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.55-0.99; p-value<0.05]. Children belonging to households in the 4th quantile of proximity to water have a 33% higher risk of suffering from malaria compared to households that are closer to water [aOR=1.33, 95%CI:1.08-1.63; p-value<0.01]. Conclusions: Environmental factors have been found to influence malaria morbidity among children in SSA. Intervention should be targeted at households especially those that are closer to water with more children under five to ensure full access and use of ITNs among all children under five as part of the overall goal of achieving the health-related SDGs.

Comparison of Outcomes After Transcatheter Versus Surgical Repeat Mitral Valve Replacement

ABSTRACT Introduction: Repeat transcatheter mitral valve replacement (rTMVR) has emerged as a new option for the management of high-risk patients unsuitable for repeat surgical mitral valve replacement (rSMVR). The aim of this study was to compare hospital outcomes, survival, and reoperations after rTMVR versus surgical mitral valve replacement. Methods: We compared patients who underwent rTMVR (n=22) from 2017 to 2019 (Group 1) to patients who underwent rSMVR (n=98) with or without tricuspid valve surgery from 2009 to 2019 (Group 2). We excluded patients who underwent a concomitant transcatheter aortic valve replacement or other concomitant surgery. Results: Patients in Group 1 were significantly older (72.5 [67-78] vs. 57 [52-64] years, P<0.001). There was no diference in EuroSCORE II between groups (6.56 [5.47-8.04] vs. 6.74 [4.28-11.84], P=0.86). Implanted valve size was 26 (26-29) mm in Group 1 and 25 (25-27) mm in Group 2 (P=0.106). There was no diference in operative mortality between groups (P=0.46). However, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays were shorter in Group 1 (P=0.03 and <0.001, respectively). NYHA class improved significantly in both groups at one year (P<0.001 for both groups). There was no group effect on survival (P=0.84) or cardiac readmission (P=0.26). However, reoperations were more frequent in Group 1 (P=0.01). Conclusion: Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve could shorten ICU and hospital stay compared to rSMVR with a comparable mortality rate. rTMVR is a safe procedure; however, it has a higher risk of reoperation. rTMVR can be an option in selected high-risk patients.

Management of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation During Surgical Ventricular Restoration for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

ABSTRACT Introduction: We studied the effect of tricuspid valve (TV) surgery combined with surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) on operative outcomes, rehospitalization, recurrent tricuspid regurgitation, and survival of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, surgery was compared to conservative management in patients with mild or moderate tricuspid regurgitation. To the best of our knowledge, the advantage of combining TV surgery with SVR in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy had not been investigated before. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 137 SVR patients who were recruited from 2009 to 2020. Patients were divided into two groups - those with no concomitant TV surgery (n=74) and those with concomitant TV repair or replacement (n=63). Results: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use was higher in SVR patients without TV surgery (P=0.015). Re-exploration and blood transfusion were significantly higher in those with TV surgery (P=0.048 and P=0.037, respectively). Hospital mortality occurred in eight (10.81%) patients with no TV surgery vs. five (7.94%) in the TV surgery group (P=0.771). Neither rehospitalization (log-rank P=0.749) nor survival (log-rank P=0.515) differed in patients with mild and moderate tricuspid regurgitation in both groups. Freedom from recurrent tricuspid regurgitation was non-significantly higher in mild and moderate tricuspid regurgitation patients with no TV surgery (P=0.059). Conservative management predicted the recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusion: TV surgery concomitant with SVR could reduce the recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation; however, its effect on the clinical outcomes of rehospitalization and survival was not evident. The same effects were observed in patients with mild and moderate tricuspid regurgitation.

Dysregulation of mTOR activity through LKB1 inactivation / 癌症

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is aberrantly activated in many cancer types, and two rapamycin derivatives are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States for treating renal cell carcinoma. Mechanistically, mTOR is hyperactivated in human cancers either due to the genetic activation of its upstream activating signaling pathways or the genetic inactivation of its negative regulators. The tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 (LKB1), also known as serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11), is involved in cell polarity, cell detachment and adhesion, tumor metastasis, and energetic stress response. A key role of LKB1 is to negatively regulate the activity of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). This review summarizes the molecular basis of this negative interaction and recent research progress in this area.

Segmental testicular infarction following cysto-prostatectomy

Segmental [partial] testicular infarction is a very rare condition of unknown cause in more than 70% of cases. Several predisposing conditions have been described, but to our knowledge, this is the first documented case and often overlooked complication occurring as a result of cysto-prostatectomy. It usually presents in an acute manner resembling testicular torsion or epididymo-orchitis and is confirmed using ultrasonography. In some cases, it may present insidiously with no pain and may be confused with a testicular tumor due to the hypo-echoic features on imaging. In unclear situations, Doppler sonography shows vascularity and a magnetic resonance scan can be useful to distinguish between the two conditions

Morbidity and Mortality Pattern of Neonates Admitted into Nursery Unit in Wad Medani Hospital; Sudan

Background: Neonatal outcome is an important indicator of obstetrics and health care. Few or no published data are available concerning neonatal morbidity and mortality in Sudan. Objectives: To study morbidity and mortality pattern amongst inborn neonates admitted into nursery unit in Wad Medani Hospital; Sudan during the period Jan-June; 2009. Results: A total of 1211 (29.5) out of 4098 in-born neonates were admitted during study period. The major indications for neonatal admission were; infections 300 (24.8); low birth weight (LBW) 307(25.4) and asphyxia 130(10.7). There were 133(11) neonatal deaths; preterm delivery; LBW and birth asphyxia were the major causes of death among these neonates. Conclusion: neonatal infection; preterm birth and LBW were the common causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need for more research throughout the country concerning these common causes of morbidity and mortality

simulation theatre: a means to enhanced learning in the 21[st] century

The increasing role of simulation in medical education has paralleled advancement of this technology. Full environment simulation [FES] can be employed to effectively replicate rare medical catastrophes with exacting realism. It has been suggested that emotion can significantly enhance learning by producing memories that are processed and stored via the amygdaloid complex which is relatively impervious to extinction and thus forgetting. Theoretically the addition of emotional content to simulated crises during FES can be used to affect such changes in the participants and thus facilitate learning. We discuss the theoretic benefit and the use of FES with emotional enhancement as it relates to improved memory and learning

Efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria among children under 5 years in eastern Sudan

PURPOSE : the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children (aged 6-59 months) in Kassala in eastern Sudan. METHOD: This was a prospective clinical trial where the artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension was given for three days and the patients were followed-up for 28 days. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in the study and 43 of them completed the 28-days follow-up. Treatment rapidly cleared parasitemia and fever. The overall 28-day cure rate was 100 percent and no clinical or parasitological failures were observed among these patients. Mild side effects were observed in three (7 percent) children. CONCLUSION: Artemether-lumfantrine (coartem) suspension appears to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria

Renal failure and neonatal death following snakebite during pregnancy: a case report

A thirty-five-year-old Sudanese woman (gravida 4, para 3), at 34 weeks gestational age, presented with snakebite in her right leg. Examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems revealed no abnormalities. Her blood urea was 58 mg/dl; creatinine, 2.6 mg/dl; whole blood clotting time, 5:35 minutes. The patient was diagnosed as having acute renal failure and was then managed conservatively. She received polyvalent antivenom serum intravenously. On the next day, she delivered prematurely and the baby passed away due to respiratory distress. There was no postpartum bleeding and the patient's clotting time was 5:30 minutes. She was discharged from the hospital after 7 days when her clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters returned to normal values without dialysis.(AU)