scholarly journals Clinical Presentations of Brucellosis Over a Four-Year Period at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Armed Forces Hospital, Muscat, Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. e282-288
Author(s):  
Kowthar S Hassan ◽  
Helmut Schuster ◽  
Abdullah Al-Rawahi ◽  
Abdullah Balkhair
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sultan Qaboos University ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

Objectives: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease which can have serious health implications for affected humans and livestock. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, geographical distribution and risk factors of brucellosis cases admitted over a four-year period to two hospitals in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This observational study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2018 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Armed Forces Hospital in Muscat. All patients with probable or definitive diagnoses of brucellosis according to the diagnostic criteria of the World Health Organization were included. Relevant data were gathered from the patients’ medical records, including results from standard agglutination tests, Brucella enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, bacterial blood or tissue/aspirate cultures and Brucella polymerase chain reaction tests. Results: A total of 64 patients were diagnosed with brucellosis over the study period. The median age was 31.5 years and 73.4% were male. The majority (95.2%) presented with fever, followed by weight loss (51%), transaminitis (48.4%), peripheral arthritis/arthralgia (15.9%) and back pain (spondylodiscitis/sacroiliitis; 23.4%). Overall, 75.5% reported having consumed raw dairy products, while only 25.9% gave a positive history of animal contact. Conclusion: Patients with brucellosis presented with a wide range of clinical features, the most predominant of which was fever. The majority of patients were residents of or had recently visited Salalah and had consumed raw dairy products. These findings highlight the need for healthcare practitioners to maintain a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis. Moreover, further regulatory measures are necessary to oversee the sale of raw/unpasteurised dairy products. Keywords: Brucellosis; Bacterial Infections; Zoonotic Bacterial Infections; Risk Factors; Epidemiology; Oman.

scholarly journals WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DRUG PRESCRIBING INDICATORS AT A UNIVERSITY PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE CENTER IN OMAN

2019 ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
AL-RUBKHI SS ◽  
AL-HINAI M ◽  
AL-GHAFRI F ◽  
AL BALUSHI KA
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Prescribing Indicators ◽  
Sultan Qaboos University ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Community Health Clinic

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the prescribing patterns of drugs based on the World Health Organization (WHO) indicators at the primary health-care Family Medicine and Community Health Clinic in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study covering a 6-month period in 2016 (January–June) for all patients attended Family Medicine and Community Health Clinic in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Data of 300 patients with 892 prescriptions were assessed during the study period. Results: The average number of drugs per encounter (2.82), the percentage of encounters with antibiotics (13.3%), and the percentage of encounters with an injection (7.6%) were within the optimal range set by the WHO. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name (80.1%) and the percentage of drugs prescribed from an essential drug list (EDL) (40.4%) did not reach the optimal 100% value set by the WHO. Conclusion: Most of the WHO core prescribing indicators in the study were within the optimal range. Prescribing from the WHO EDL was sub-optimal. These data will set ground to optimize rational drug prescribing in the primary health-care setting.

As(III) Removal by Dynamic Adsorption onto Amberlite XAD7 Functionalized with Crown Ether and Doped with Fe(III) Ions

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 2330-2334
Author(s):  
Mihaela Ciopec ◽  
Adina Negrea ◽  
Narcis Duteanu ◽  
Corneliu Mircea Davidescu ◽  
Iosif Hulka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adsorption Process ◽  
Arsenic Removal ◽  
Arsenic Concentration ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
World Health ◽  
Arsenic Content ◽  
Arsenic Adsorption ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Organization

Arsenic content in groundwater�s present a wide range of concentration, ranging from hundreds of micrograms to thousands of micrograms of arsenic per litter, while the maximum permitted arsenic concentration established by World Health Organization (WHO) is 10 mg L-1. According to the WHO all people, regardless of their stage of development and their social economic condition, have the right to have access to adequate drinking water. The most efficient and economic technique used for arsenic removal is represented by adsorption. In order to make this remediation technique more affordable and environmentally friendly is important to new materials with advance adsorbent properties. Novelty of present paper is represented by the usage of a new adsorbent material obtained by physical - chemical modification of Amberlite XAD polymers using crown ethers followed by iron doping, due to well-known affinity of arsenic for iron ions. Present paper aims to test the obtained modified Amberlite polymer for arsenic removal from real groundwater by using adsorption in a fixed bed column, establishing in this way a mechanism for the adsorption process. During experimental work was studied the influence of competing ions from real water into the arsenic adsorption process.

scholarly journals The Search for Natural and Synthetic Inhibitors That Would Complement Antivenoms as Therapeutics for Snakebite Envenoming

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
José María Gutiérrez ◽  
Laura-Oana Albulescu ◽  
Rachel H. Clare ◽  
Nicholas R. Casewell ◽  
Tarek Mohamed Abd Abd El-Aziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Snake Venom ◽  
Serine Proteinase ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Variable Chemical ◽  
Snake Venom Metalloproteinase ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Natural And Synthetic

A global strategy, under the coordination of the World Health Organization, is being unfolded to reduce the impact of snakebite envenoming. One of the pillars of this strategy is to ensure safe and effective treatments. The mainstay in the therapy of snakebite envenoming is the administration of animal-derived antivenoms. In addition, new therapeutic options are being explored, including recombinant antibodies and natural and synthetic toxin inhibitors. In this review, snake venom toxins are classified in terms of their abundance and toxicity, and priority actions are being proposed in the search for snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), three-finger toxin (3FTx), and serine proteinase (SVSP) inhibitors. Natural inhibitors include compounds isolated from plants, animal sera, and mast cells, whereas synthetic inhibitors comprise a wide range of molecules of a variable chemical nature. Some of the most promising inhibitors, especially SVMP and PLA2 inhibitors, have been developed for other diseases and are being repurposed for snakebite envenoming. In addition, the search for drugs aimed at controlling endogenous processes generated in the course of envenoming is being pursued. The present review summarizes some of the most promising developments in this field and discusses issues that need to be considered for the effective translation of this knowledge to improve therapies for tackling snakebite envenoming.

74 Epidemiology and Outcomes of Cooking and Cookstove-related Burn Injuries: A World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burn Registry (GBR) Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S51-S52
Author(s):  
Kajal Mehta ◽  
Nikitha Thrikutam ◽  
Kiran K Nakarmi ◽  
Paa Ekow Hoyte-Williams ◽  
Michael Peck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Total Body Surface Area ◽  
Burn Injuries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Improved Cookstove ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Introduction Cooking- and cookstove-related burns (CSBs) comprise a large proportion of burn injuries globally. A cookstove is any apparatus that provides heat and is used for cooking (e.g., three-stone fire, traditional or improved cookstove). There are limited data on patterns of cooking behaviors and CSBs to inform prevention initiatives and advocacy. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of cooking-related burns and CSBs, specifically. Methods Patients with cooking and non-cooking related burns from 2018 to 2020 were identified in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burn Registry (GBR). Patient demographics, cooking arrangement, injury characteristics [mechanism, total body surface area (TBSA), revised Baux score] and outcomes were described. Differences in proportions and medians were compared. Bivariate regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with occurrence of CSB. Results GBR contained data of 6,965 burn-injured patients from 17 countries; 88% were from middle-income countries. One quarter of burn injuries (1,723 burns) were cooking-related. More than half of cooking-related burns (55%) occurred in females. Median age for cooking-related burns was 11 years (IQR 2–35). Of cooking-related burns, 22% were cookstove-related burns (CSBs; 311 burns). The most common mechanism in CSB was flame (87%), whereas the most common mechanism in other cooking burns was scald (62%). Patients with CSBs were more often female (65% vs 53%; p< 0.001) and much older than patients with other cooking burns (32 years, IQR 22–47 vs 5 years, IQR 2–30). CSBs were significantly larger in TBSA size (30%, IQR 15–45% vs 15%, IQR 10–25%; p< 0.001), had higher revised Baux scores (70, IQR 46–95 vs 28, IQR 10–25; p< 0.001) and more often resulted in death (41 vs 11%; p< 0.001) than other cooking burns (Table1). Patients with CSBs were more likely to be burned by fires (OR 4.74; 95% CI 2.99–7.54) and explosions (OR 2.91, 95% CI 2.03–4.18) than other cooking injuries. Kerosene had the highest odds of CSB than all other cooking fuels (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.52–3.69). Conclusions Cooking-related burns are common and have different epidemiology than CSBs, specifically (e.g., more often female, older, larger burn size, higher mortality). CSBs were more likely caused by structural factors (e.g., explosion, fire) than behavioral factors (e.g., accidental movements) when compared to other cooking burns.

scholarly journals Bleeding risks are higher in children versus adults given prophylactic platelet transfusions for treatment-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 748-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra D. Josephson ◽  
Suzanne Granger ◽  
Susan F. Assmann ◽  
Marta-Inés Castillejo ◽  
Ronald G. Strauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Disease Treatment ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Treatment Category ◽  
Dose Trial ◽  
Health Organization

Age-group analyses were conducted of patients in the prophylactic platelet dose trial (PLADO), which evaluated the relation between platelet dose per transfusion and bleeding. Hospitalized patients with treatment-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 platelet doses: 1.1 × 1011, 2.2 × 1011, or 4.4 × 1011 platelets/m2 per transfusion, given for morning counts of ≤ 10 000 platelets/μL. Daily hemostatic assessments were performed. The primary end point (percentage of patients who developed grade 2 or higher World Health Organization bleeding) was evaluated in 198 children (0-18 years) and 1044 adults. Although platelet dose did not predict bleeding for any age group, children overall had a significantly higher risk of grade 2 or higher bleeding than adults (86%, 88%, 77% vs 67% of patients aged 0-5 years, 6-12 years, 13-18 years, vs adults, respectively) and more days with grade 2 or higher bleeding (median, 3 days in each pediatric group vs 1 day in adults; P < .001). The effect of age on bleeding differed by disease treatment category and was most pronounced among autologous transplant recipients. Pediatric subjects were at higher risk of bleeding over a wide range of platelet counts, indicating that their excess bleeding risk may be because of factors other than platelet counts. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00128713.

Prevalence of and factors associated with insufficient physical activity among adolescents: evidence from a nationwide survey in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Md Mokbul Hossain ◽  
Fahmida Akter ◽  
Abu Abdullah Mohammad Hanif ◽  
Md Showkat Ali Khan ◽  
Abu Ahmed Shamim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
World Health ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Adolescent Girls And Boys ◽  
The World ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract The World Health Organization set a target of a 15% relative reduction in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity (IPA) by 2025 among adolescents and adults globally. In Bangladesh, there are no national estimates of the prevalence of IPA among adolescents. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with IPA among adolescent girls and boys. Data for 4865 adolescent girls and 4907 adolescent boys, collected as a part of a National Nutrition Surveillance in 2018–19, were analysed for this study. A modified version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to collect physical activity data. The World Health Organization recommended cut-off points were used to estimate the prevalence of IPA. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with IPA. Prevalences of IPA among adolescent girls and boys were 50.3% and 29.0%, respectively, and the prevalence was significantly higher among early adolescents (10–14 years) than late adolescents (15–19 years) among both boys and girls. The IPA prevalence was highest among adolescents living in non-slum urban areas (girls: 77.7%; boys: 64.1%). For both boys and girls, younger age, non-slum urban residence, higher paternal education and increased television viewing time were significantly associated with IPA. Additionally, residing in slums was significantly associated with IPA only among the boys. Higher maternal education was associated with IPA only among the girls. This study identified several modifiable risk factors associated with IPA among adolescent boys and girls in Bangladesh. These factors should be addressed through comprehensive public health interventions to promote physical activity among adolescent girls and boys.

Cryopreservation of sperm before gonadotoxic treatment at the University Hospital Brno in the years 1995–2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-162
Author(s):  
Pavel Ventruba ◽  
◽  
Jana Žáková ◽  
Michal Ješeta ◽  
Igor Crha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Testicular Cancer ◽  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hematopoietic Tissue ◽  
Severe Oligozoospermia ◽  
Sperm Bank ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphomas

Summary Objective: Sperm cryopreservation before gonadotoxic treatment is the basic and mos teffective method of preserving reproduction, which can be used during adolescence. The communication summarizes 26 years of experience in the operation of an oncological sperm bank, analyzes spermiograms of oncological patients, assesses the relationship between sperm pathology and diagnosis, and determines the number of deaths and the use of frozen sperm. Methods: During the existence of CAR 01 (assisted reproduction center), more than 50,000 spermiograms were performed. From January 1995 to December 2020, a total of 24,729 men were examined within the sperm bank, of which 1,448 (5.9%) had an oncological diagnosis. The spermiograms were evaluated according to current WHO (World Health Organization) manuals. Cryopreservation of sperm has undergone a major development. The rules for the storage of frozen cells have been laid down by Act No. 296/2008 Coll. since 2008. In 2019, the methodology „Cryopreservation of reproductive cells and tissues in patients before cancer treatment“ was updated. In all cases, the standard thawing technique was used. The sperms were processed by the swim-up method. As part of the treatment with assisted reproduction methods, oocytes were fertilized by the ICSI (intracytoplasmatic sperm injection) micromanipulation technique. Results: Out of 1,448 examined spermiograms in men with oncological diagnoses, testicular cancer was present in 43.7% of patients and malignant diseases of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue were found in 24.1%, of which 70,1% included Hodgkin‘s lymphomas and 29,9% were non-Hodgkin‘s lymphomas. Leukemia was found in 7.9%, bone and cartilage cancers in 6.8%. The age of the clients of the whole group ranged from 13 to 64 years (27.2 ± 6.8 years). A total of 38.3% of men had normozoospermia, 54.2% of spermiograms showed pathological findings in 1 to 3 evaluated parameters and 7.5% of patients had azoospermia. Severe asthenozoospermia (mobility ≤ 10%) was detected in 57.2% of men and severe oligozoospermia (concentration ≤ 1 × 106 mm3) in 22.3% of patients. The lowest values of the spermiogram were found in men with testicular cancer; the best values were seen in CNS (central nervous system) cancers. The cryopreservation of sperm was performed in 1,340 cases (92.5%). So far, a total of 160 men (11.9%) have used frozen sperm, of which 6.2% in our center. In these 83 cases, the ICSI technique was always used, 38 clinical pregnancies (45.8%) and 32 births were achieved. We have registered 424 completed storages of semen (31.6%), of which 148 (11.0% of all oncology patients) were made due to death and the others at patients’ request. Using the sperm of the dead is a specific issue. Conclusion: In cancer patients, sperm pathologies occur in high percentage. The lowest spermiogram values were found in men with testicular cancer. It is necessary to take into account long-term storage and fertilization by micromanipulation methods. The number of men who die is significantly higher than the number of those who use sperm to treat infertility. Cryopreservation of sperm should be offered to each patient prior to the therapy leading to the destruction of spermatogenesis.

The impact of SARS-Cov-2 on the Nervous system and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Said Boulkrane ◽  
Victoria Ilina ◽  
Roman Melchakov ◽  
Mikhail Arisov ◽  
Julia Fedotova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Serious Disease ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Illness

: The World Health Organization declared the pandemic situation caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) in March 2020, but the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are not yet completely understood. Therefore, to date, few therapeutic options are available for patients with mild-moderate or serious disease. In addition to systemic and respiratory symptoms, several reports have documented various neurological symptoms and impairments of mental health. The current review aims to provide the available evidence about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mental health. The present data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 produces a wide range of impairments and disorders of the brain. However, a limited number of studies investigated the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2. Although the main features and outcomes of COVID-19 are linked to severe acute respiratory illness. The possible damages on the brain should be considered, too.

Urinary Schistosomiasis and Primary Evidence of Female Genital Schistosomiasis among Pupils in Nsugbe Community, Anambra State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 394-402
Author(s):  
O.B. Aribodor ◽  
C.E. Okaka ◽  
S.O. Sam-Wobo ◽  
B.C. Okpala ◽  
D.N. Aribodor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Test Strip ◽  
World Health ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Urinary Schistosomiasis ◽  
Anambra State ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Female Genital

Urinary schistosomiasis is considered a major public health parasitic disease in African communities. Prior to this study, Nsugbe community was not considered endemic for the disease and as such was not involved in Praziquantel-Preventive Chemotherapy (PC). Longitudinal study of 281 consented pupils aged 5-16 years was carried out with aim of determining the status of urinary schistosomiasis. Urinalysis laboratory test strip, urine filtration technique and syndromic diagnosis were used for the confirmation of the presence of haematuria in urine samples, identification of Schistosoma haematobium ova and the confirmation of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), respectively. Risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis infection were determined using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Minitab 17 software and intensity of infection categorized following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Of the 281 pupils, 117 (42%) were males and 164 (58%) were females with mean age of 9 years. At baseline, an overall prevalence of 0.4% (1/281) which was of light intensity was established. At follow-up, an overall prevalence of 2.1% (6/281) which was of both light (16.7%) and heavy infection (83.3%) was established. The result of the clinical examination showed eggs of S. haematobium in and around the vaginal area indicating FGS of a female pupil aged 12 years. This was treated. Identified risk factors for S. haematobium infection in the community include water-contact activities, ignorance, source of water supply among others. The study revealed the need for an all inclusive mass administration of Praziquantel-PC in the study community for effective control and possible elimination.

scholarly journals Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Risk Factors among adult Population in Bisha Province, Southwest of Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Al-Shahrani ◽  
Mohammed A. Al-Saleem ◽  
Mohamed O’haj ◽  
Faleh Th. Mohammed ◽  
Mutasim E. Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Married Individuals ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of diabetes mellitus (DM) among the adult population in Bisha province, Saudi Arabia.METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted during December, 2015 using the World Health Organization STEPS wise approach for data collection. Blood glucose level and anthropometric measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference were performed per standard methods.  Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the prevalence and risk of diabetes.RESULTS: Of 542 adult individuals included in the study, 13.3% (72) had diabetes, of which 8.1% were previously diagnosed and 5.2% represented new cases. The proportions of DM were 14.7% for men and 10.8% for women. Diabetes was significantly higher among married compared to unmarried individuals (19.3% vs 5.5 %; p<0.001) and among individuals aged ≥40 years old compared to those <40 years (31.3% vs 9.3%; p<0.001). The risk of diabetes was significantly increased with older age (Odds Ratio=4.470; 95% CI 2.264-7.614), married individuals (OR=4.097; 95% CI 2.188-7.672), weight/obesity (OR=2.827; 95% CI 1.567-5.072), hypertension (OR=4.383; 95% CI 2.085-9.214) and having a job (OR=2.327; 95% CI 1.347-4.02). The independent risk factors predicted diabetes were hypertension (Adjusted OR=2.897; 95% CI 1.269-66.13) and job patterns (Adjusted OR=2.793; 95% CI 1.064-7.329).CONCLUSION: Different risk factors alarming diabetes among adult population in Bisha province were detected.  Strategies aimed to improving a healthy lifestyle are necessary to reduce the burden of the disease. 

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