scholarly journals Evaluation of Vitamin B₁₂, Folate, Haematological Parameters and Some Reproductive Hormones in Subjects Attending Fertility Centres in Port Harcourt

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
Abiye Chiladi Isomah ◽  
Risikat Oladunni Allison ◽  
Serekara Gideon Christian ◽  
Evelyn Mgbeoma Eze
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
And Control

Background: Vitamin B12 has proven to have effect in fertility because it improves mature oocyte counts and embryo quality in women and helps in sperm quality in men, so it is efficient to carry out vitamin B12 analysis in addition to other hormone profile during routine infertility examination. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin B12, folate, some haematological parameters and some reproductive hormones in men and women attending fertility centres in Port Harcourt. Study Design: This study is a case-control and comparative study, and a random convenient sampling method was employed. A total of two hundred (200) apparently healthy participants within the reproductive age group of 18-44 years attending the fertility clinics of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) Port Harcourt formerly Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH) which is the only State Government owned teaching hospital in Rivers State located at Forces Avenue Port Harcourt and Save a Life Mission Hospital Port Harcourt a private owned fertility hospital located at Stadium Road, Port Harcourt were recruited for this study. Results: The result showed that there was no statistically significant difference in haematological parameters in cases of infertility in the female and male test groups as compared to control groups (p>0.05). The mean ±SD showed non-significant difference of serum folate in the male and female test and control groups of the study (p>0.05). This study however observed Vitamin B12 level to be statistically significantly lower in infertile females when compared with the controls (p=0.0078). There was also a statistically significant difference between the mean values of Vitamin B12 in the male test and control groups of this study (p<0.0001). Prolactin levels in the females showed a significant difference between the test and control group at (p<0.0001), with the mean (± SD) value higher in the test than the control which shows that the infertile female group were mostly having high prolactin levels. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly lower in infertile female group as compared with the control (p<0.0001). In the study carried out on the principal reproductive male hormone testosterone there was a statistically significant difference between the test and control groups (p<0.0001). Conclusion: There was a significant fall in vitamin B12 alongside predominant fertility hormones like testosterone in the infertile male subjects. There was also significant reduction in the serum concentration of vitamin B12 with a corresponding fall in serum concentration of fertility hormones like; luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the infertile females and a significant rise in the concentration of the female prolactin level. Therefore, Vitamin B12 should be included in the evaluation of infertility either primary or secondary alongside other vital conventional parameters usually considered in infertility cases.

Investigation of the Association Between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) and Cardiac Risk Factors in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133
Author(s):  
Zahra Rezaieyazdi ◽  
Sima Sedighi ◽  
Masoumeh Salari ◽  
Mohammadreza H. Fard ◽  
Mahmoud R. Azarpazhooh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Serum Insulin ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background: The relationship between SLE and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events was evaluated. Methods: The data regarding sixty patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls (age and sex matched) were gathered using SLEDAI forms. Venous blood (10mL) from all the participants was examined for hs-CRP, homocysteine, VCAM1, CBC, anti-DNA antibody, C3, C4, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, FBS and triglyceride. : The IMT of carotid arteries was determined bilaterally by ultrasound. Other measurements included insulin levels via Elisa (Linco/Millipore Corp) and the HOMA-IR index for insulin resistance. Results: The mean age (in years) in the test and control groups was 28.8±10.3 (18-52) and 33.8±9.13 (18-48), respectively. Results: The mean age (in years) in the test and control groups was 28.8±10.3 (18-52) and 33.8±9.13 (18-48), respectively. : The average IMT in the test group was directly related to serum levels of VCAM1 (p<0.001), homocysteine (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.009), LDL (p<0.001), TG (p<0.001), and FPG (p=0.004). The association between other risk factors, insulin resistance, carotid IMT and SLEDAI, was nonexistent. Mean insulin and insulin resistance levels in all the participants were 0.43±2.06 µU/mL and 0.09±0.44, respectively. There was no significant difference between the test and control groups regarding serum insulin and insulin resistance levels (p=0.42 and p=0.9, respectively). None of the risk factors, such as hsCRP, VCAM1, or homocysteine, were shown to be related to insulin resistance (p=0.6, p=0.6, p=0.09, respectively). Conclusion:: Our findings did not show an increase in the prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with SLE. There was no association between IMT and insulin resistance. However, the former was associated with FPG, total cholesterol, LDL, TG, homocystein and VCAM1.

The Baby Shark (Songs Heard Affecting Resuscitation Kinetics) study

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000657
Author(s):  
Rebecca Singer ◽  
Grace Leo ◽  
Tessa Davis ◽  
Ben Lawton ◽  
Henry Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Target Zone ◽  
Compression Depth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Training Exercises ◽  
And Control ◽  
Musical Cues

Previous research has examined the utilisation of musical cues to improve the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivered in training environments. We postulated a musical cue that is both contemporary and transcends cultures may improve CPR performance. Our aim was to establish whether chest compressions are performed with improved rate and depth if a song of a fixed beat (PinkFong’s ‘Baby Shark’ with a tempo of 115 beats per minute (bpm) and 15 beats in each verse) is played to a healthcare professional immediately before undertaking CPR compared to whale noises (a non-metronomic rhythm). 58 Participants of a paediatric conference (majority doctors) were randomly assigned to listen to a minute of Baby Shark (28) or whale song (30) and then undertake a minute of CPR. There was no significant difference in the mean compression rate between the Baby Shark and control groups, with the groups achieving 121 and 125 bpm, respectively (p=0.18). In relation to compression depth within the target zone, the Baby Shark group had more compressions completed within the target zone (55%) than the control group (39%) although this difference was not significant (p=0.08). Listening to Baby Shark prior to undertaking simulated CPR does not improve overall performance, but there is a potential tendency to improve adequate compression depth which may be beneficial in training exercises.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of employing the enrichment activities of mental thinking on the development of thinking and mathematical achievement among the students of the second cycle Education has been essential: فاعلية توظيف الأنشطة الإثرائية للتفكير الذهني في تنمية التفكير والتحصيل الرياضي لدى طلاب الحلقة الثانية من التعليم الأساسي

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim Ahmed Saif Al-rashdi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Mathematical Thinking ◽  
Achievement Test ◽  
Cognitive Achievement ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

    The present study aimed at uncovering the effectiveness of employing the enrichment activities for mental thinking on the development of mathematical thinking and achievement among Grade 7 students. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher used the semi experimental design known as the design of the control group with the tribal and remote tests. In light of the experimental design, the average Grade 7 students tested the sample of the study in the second semester of 30 students who were divided into 15 students for the experimental group and 15 students for the control group after checking the validity and stability of the tools. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference at (0.05) between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups in the cognitive achievement test related to the unit of Engineering in the second semester and the mathematical thinking test for the average of the experimental group. The results also showed a statistically significant difference) between the average scores of the experimental group students in the tribal and remote applications in the cognitive achievement test and the mathematical thinking test, and in favor of the average post-implementation. In the light of these results, the study presented a number of recommendations and suggestions.   ، ، ، ،

scholarly journals Malaria Infection and Efficacy of Antimalarials among Persons Patronizing Drugstores for Malaria Treatment in Port Harcourt

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
E. L. Augustine–D ’israel ◽  
A. E. Abah ◽  
E. O. Onosakponome
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Drug Efficacy ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
And Control ◽  
Effective Case

Background: Monitoring of malaria infection and antimalarial drug efficacy is necessary for effective case management, detection of resistance and control of the disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess malaria infection and the efficacy of antimalarials among persons patronizing drugstores for malaria treatment in Port Harcourt and its environs, Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Whole blood was randomly collected from individuals visiting 24 drug stores for malaria treatment in three different locations in Port Harcourt and analysed using both microscopy and rapid diagnostic techniques. Results: The overall prevalence of 22.8% was recorded out of 633 participants for (P. falciparum) malaria. Infection was highest in Mile IV (Rumueme) 30.8% followed by Rumuosi, 23.1% and the least was D/Line area, 14.5% out of 221 participants per location respectively. The incidence of malaria in the study area was significantly different (X2 = 16.69; p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the intensity of malaria parasite infection in the study areas. Seven types of drugs were purchased to treat perceived malaria. 177 (26.7%) participants purchased coatem, 187 (28.3%) purchased Lonart. The others were Lumartem 133 (20.1%), P.alaxin 83 (12.5%), Amarla by 19 (2.9%) and artesunate by 57 (8.6%). All the antimalarial were purchased by those that tested positive. The most purchased drug was Lonart 11 (34.37%), Lumartem 25 (36.8%) and Malareich 19 (31.3%) in D/Line, Mile IV and Rumuosi cluster areas respectively. There was a significant difference in the antimalarials purchased. Result of Follow up test shows that only 59.6% returned to be tested and they all tested negative. Conclusion: Malaria preponderance was high among studied subjects, ACT was topmost among antimalarials regularly purchased by the individuals. Conformity to the use of ACT could be said to be impressive though not yet 100%. People who are treated for malaria should be encouraged to undergo a test after treatment for effective case management and detection of resistance.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Need-Based Program in Relieving Psychological Distress of Family Caregivers of Leukemia Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Abdullahzadeh ◽  
Narjes Khosravi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract PurposeThe family of leukemia patients, due to their caring role, often feel psychological distress. This paper describes the efficacy of a designed family-need-based program on relieving depression, anxiety, and stress of family caregivers of leukemia patients by meeting the specific psychological needs of caregivers.MethodsIn this clinical trial, 64 family caregivers of leukemia patients referring to a medical center in Iran were recruited by convenience sampling and divided into study and control groups randomly. The study group attended a designed need-based program. The control group did not receive the intervention. Stress, anxiety, and depression before, right after, and one month after the intervention in family caregivers were compared using DASS-42. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; the significance level adopted was 5%.ResultsBefore the intervention, the mean score of depression, anxiety, and stress scale in both study and control groups showed no considerable difference (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mean score of DASS-42 revealed a significant difference between the two groups and the study group did better on outcomes (P < 0.001).ConclusionThis family-need-based program can decrease the level of stress, anxiety, and depression of the family caregivers of leukemia patients and may potentially alleviate the psychological distress of family caregivers over their caring role.Trial registration number: IRCT2013093011895N2. Date of registration: 2014-05-06

scholarly journals Investigation of the effect of the virtual reality application on experimental pain severity in healthy

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-451
Author(s):  
Dilek Karaman ◽  
Funda Erol ◽  
Dilek Yılmaz ◽  
Yurdanur Dikmen
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Adult Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Virtual Reality Application

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality application on experimental ischemic pain created with a blood pressure instrument in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 172 volunteer adult students who conformed to the inclusion criteria. These individuals were assigned into an experimental (n=86) and a control group (n=86) by a simple randomization method. All individuals in the experimental and control groups wereexperimentally subjected to pain for two minutes by applying 260 mmHg of pressure 3-4 cm above the antecubital region of the left arm with an aneroid adult-type blood pressure instrument. During the procedure, the volunteers in the experimental group watched virtual reality images, while those in the control group received no intervention. Immediately after the procedure, the pain levels of the individuals in both groups were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: We found that the mean pain score of the individuals in the experimental group was 2.62±1.82, and that of individuals in the control group was 5.75±1.65. Results of the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the mean pain scores of the individuals in the experimental and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that the use of virtual reality was effective in reducing the level of pain in healthy individuals. This method used a smartphone with widespread availability and ease of transportation, which can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method in the management of pain.

scholarly journals The Impact of Dialogic Learning on Students’ Attention and Academic Achievement

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Ali Nouri ◽  
Fataneh Esmaeilli ◽  
Saman Seifpour ◽  
Mahmoud Talkhabi ◽  
Anahita Khorami
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Dialogic Learning ◽  
Achievement Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

This study is a mixed method design which employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to investigate the impact of dialogic learning on students’ attention and academic achievement. Data were collected using several instruments, including: the Attention Network Test; academic performance tests and semi-structured interviews. Results of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of students of the experimental and control groups on the executive control in favor of the experimental group after controlling the IQ score and pre-test scores. Further, there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of student of the experimental and control groups on the academic achievement tests (except of mathematics) in favor of the experimental group. The qualitative data also supported the quantitative findings. Therefore, dialogic teaching has significantly greater and more positive changes on some aspects of attention and academic performance.

scholarly journals Comparison of acute normovolemic hemodilution effect on the amount of bleeding in the first 48 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1417
Author(s):  
Vadoud Norouzi ◽  
Mohammad Hasanpour ◽  
Sahar Khajavi
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Coronary Artery Bypass ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Bleeding Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of mortality in developed countries, as well as in the whole world. In this regard, autologous transfusion is a topic that can be useful and valuable, especially in complex surgery such as heart surgery and organ transplantation. One of its variants is Acute Normovolomic Hemodilution (ANH). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of ANH on the amount of bleeding in the first 48hours after coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods: In this clinical trial, 100 patients were selected from all heart patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardebil for CABG surgery in the years 2016-17. They were selected by simple random sampling as a statistical sample and They were divided into intervention (50 ANH recipients’ people) and control groups (50 without ANH people).Results: Based on the findings, in the ANH recipients’ group, the mean of bleeding volume was 59.1±7.3ml in the first day and 55.6±4.2ml in the control group and the difference between the two groups was not significant on the first day. The mean of bleeding volume on the second day was 46.1±2.8ml in the ANH group and 42.7±2.9ml in the control group. Although it was somewhat higher, it was not statistically significant. Of all samples 45% were female and 55% were male. The most common type of blood group was 33 (33%) in the blood group O. The highest age group (61%) was over the 60 years old. The pump time varied with an average of 122.2±21.5minutes. The lowest value was PT 11 and the highest was 15 with an average of 13.02±0.9seconds. The mean of PTT was 32.5±2.6seconds and the mean INR was 1.1±1.0. The average plt was 251170±64124. The mean ACT was 596 / 6±183/7seconds.Conclusions: The results showed that in the mean of bleeding volume between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.41), bleeding volume by age (p = 0.3), bleeding volume by gender (p =0.54) and bleeding volume by blood group (p=0.48) was not significant difference. Based on these results, it is suggested that more studies be done on the more number of samples.

scholarly journals The effect of delivery ball and warm shower on the childbirth experience of nulliparous women: A randomized controlled clinical trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
parvaneh sharifipour ◽  
Masoomeh Kheirkhah ◽  
Mojgan Rajati ◽  
hamid haghani
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Childbirth Experience ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Childbirth is a unique experience that affects women’s life. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effect of delivery ball and warm shower on the childbirth experience of primiparous women. Methods This study is a clinical trial that was carried out on primiparous pregnant women referred to Motazedi Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. Sampling was done by continuous method and pregnant women were divided into three groups of delivery ball-warm shower (n = 33), delivery ball (n = 33) and control (n = 33). Exercise with ball at the dilation of 4 cm was similar in the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and delivery ball, but the first group also used warm shower at the dilatation of 7 cm. The control group only received the routine delivery care. Demographic information form consisting of pregnancy history and information about the mother and infant were completed and the childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ) were completed by the women two hours after the childbirth. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of childbirth experience after the intervention between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.001), and also between the delivery ball and control groups (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of professional support between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.02) and also between the delivery ball and control groups (p = 0.02). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of participation between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.003) and also between the delivery ball and control groups (P = 0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of sense of security between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.01). Conclusion Delivery ball and warm shower were effective interventions to create a positive childbirth experience. This method was more effective than using delivery ball alone in childbirth experience. To achieve a positive experience of childbirth in mothers, the use of both intervention (delivery ball and warm shower) is recommended.

scholarly journals Effect of an aged wearing suit on nursing student’s knowledge and attitude

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Mandegari Bamakan ◽  
Khadijeh Nasiriani ◽  
Farzan Madadizadeh ◽  
Fatemeh Keshmiri
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background The knowledge and attitude of health care providers are important and influential factors in providing care services to the elderly and need to be considered during the training course. Simulation in geriatric nursing education can be an opportunity for learners to experience the restrictions of the elderly. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of training through simulation on the attitude and knowledge of nursing students in elderly care. Methods This study was quasi-experimental with two experimental and control groups of pre and post-test, which was conducted on 70 nursing students of the 5th semester (two groups of 35 people). For the experimental group, the elderly simulation suit was worn for two hours, which was designed by the researcher and created sensory, physical, and motor restrictions similar to the elderly for students. Before and after the study, Kogan’s attitudes toward older people scale and Palmore’s “facts on aging quiz” were completed by students. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test and paired t-test using SPSS version 16 software. Results The mean scores of students’ knowledge in the experimental and control groups had no significant difference at the beginning of the study (p < 0.05). But the mean scores of knowledge in the experimental group before and after the intervention was (9.2 ± 2.6) and (15.3 ± 3.5), respectively, and in the control group before and after the intervention was (10.4 ± 2.9) and (11.3 ± 2.6), respectively, which had a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001). The mean scores of students’ attitudes in the experimental and control groups had no significant difference at the beginning of the study (p < 0.05). The mean scores of attitude in the experimental group before and after the intervention was (114.69 ± 8.4) and (157.31 ± 10.7), respectively and in the control group before and after the intervention was (113.34 ± 13.6) and (108.5 ± 16.6), respectively, which was significantly different (p = 0.0001). Conclusions Based on the findings, the experience of aging restrictions through simulation has improved the knowledge and attitude of nursing students towards the elderly. Nursing education requires the growth of attitudinal skills, individuals’ beliefs, and creating empathy among them, so creating simulation opportunities can assist nursing students in the educational processes.

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