D.I.Y. Treatment of Cancer

The cancer cells are different from normal human body cells. The scientists advocating the Somatic Mutation Theory speculated that cancer is caused when mutations have caused the Human Genome of the human body-cells to be changed into the Cancer Genomes of the cancer cells. There is, however, no good reason to assume that mutations of the Human Genome would cause the cancer cells to grow and replicate out of control. There is, in fact, no good evidence indicating that there has ever been such mutations, or that cancer cells had been human body cells before they are changed by mutations into cancer cells. Perhaps cancer cells have always been cancer cells, but some cancer cells have not been inherited by the offsprings from their ancestors.Some of us believe that the difference between Human and cancer cells have resulted from the difference of their inherently different genomes, and have not resulted from changes, or mutations. The evolution of the eukaryote genomes and the evolution of the Cancer Genomes during the course of Earth’s history have followed parallel paths of evolution that indicate adaptations of the metabolic modes in response to the ever-increasing oxygenation of the Earth’s atmosphere during the past few billion years. Compared to that of the Human Genome of the human body cells, the cancer cells have genomes that indicate a retarded development in the evolution of the metabolisms. When the Human genome encodes a progressive mode of OXPHOS, the cancer genomes may still encode the anammox mode of metabolism.We cannot deny an assumption that cancer cells have inherited evolving cancer genomes that encode different metabolic modes, while their hallmark is the uncontrolled cell-growth and replications. |We have good evidence that cancer genomes have also evolved to encode progressively different metabolic modes. Chinese medical scientists have found, for example, a wealth of evidence that some forms of cancer may have been caused by the nitrite pollution of the public water supply. China’s Deep Standardized Well Water (DSWW) Program of substituting nitrite-free deep groundwaters as the source of public water supply was partially successful. Local cancer-mortality rates were reduced by half at places where there had been such substitutions. Nitrite, as a reducing agent, could be the indispensable chemical in our food or drink intakes that could render the interior of cancer cells anaerobic. Nitrite, as an oxidation agent, could then be the substrate of the metabolic reaction anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox). The source of oxygen would then be mineral-oxygen from the nitrite. PET scan studies have indicated an advanced stage of metabolism, when cancer cells have evolved to encode aerobic glycolysis under hypoxic conditions. We can postulate a hypothesis that predicts the starvation of cancer cells if there is no supply of nitrite in the food-take to the cancer cells as a substrate of anammox metabolism, or if there is no sufficient supply of glucose for glycolysis. We recommend thus to the UK’s National Health Services to look into this matter that nitrite in public water is a health hazard. Such an investigation serves as a clinical trial on the efficacy of diet-treatments to cure cancer.

Traditional Practices among Rural Women to Relieve Their Common Pregnancy Minor Discomforts: A Descriptive Study

Background: Pregnancy is a normal process that results in ? series of both physiological and psychological changes in women that require adjustment and adaptation on the part of the mother. The observable result of physiological changes is minor discomforts. The most common discomforts are morning sickness, heartburn, constipation, backache, and leg cramps. Although minor discomforts are non-serious, their presences detract from the mother feeling of comfort and well-being in many instances they can be avoid by preventive measures or healthful practices once they do occur. Aim: This study was done to assess the practices adopted by rural pregnant women to relive their common minor discomforts. Subject & Methods: The study was conducted at six maternal and child health centers in El-Mahalla Elkobra. A sample of 300 pregnant women was selected. Data were collected by an interview questionnaire. Results: the mean age of mothers was 27.44±5.36, 61.0% of them had 3 pregnancies or more, 76.7% used antenatal care services during their previous pregnancies, and 74.4% of the study subjects had irregular follow-up visits. The majority of them used harmful measures to overcome their minor discomfort than useful ones. Women’s mothers were the main sources of women’s information about practices to overcome common minor discomforts. Significant statistical relationships were observed between traditional practices to overcome common minor discomforts and some times of women’s characteristics as educational level, occupational status, age at marriage, family income and utilization of antenatal care services by the studied subjects. Conclusion: Most of the rural dwellers used traditional measures to relieve associated pregnancy minor discomforts. Traditional practices among pregnant women to relieve common minor discomfort during pregnancy in the rural area tended to be more harmful than useful ones. Usage of traditional practiced affected by women’s education, occupation, age at marriage, family income, and regular utilization of ANC services. Recommendations: Continuous education and training programs about pregnancy and its accompanied minor discomforts should be conducted for physicians, nurses, midwives, and TBAs to manage minor discomforts. Measures to combat women’s delay in initiation antenatal care services should be taken.

Effects of Endotracheal Administration of Epinephrine in Cardiac Arrest of Adult and Pediatric Swine

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the effects of hypovolemia on area under the curve (AUC) and the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) comparing adults and children in cardiac arrest.AIMS: To compare the epinephrine endotracheal (ET) administration relative to AUC, rate, time to, and odds of achieving ROSC between hypovolemic adult and pediatric cardiac arrest models.METHODS: This was an experimental study using male Adult ET and Pediatric ET swine. Pediatric ET pigs (N=7) weighed 20-30 kg representing the average weight for a child between 5 and 6 years of age. Adult ET pigs (N=7) weighed 60 to 80 kg. All were exsanguinated 35% of their blood volume. Swine were put into arrest for 2 minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated for 2 minutes; epinephrine was then administered. Blood samples were collected over 5 minutes. RESULTS: No significant difference occurred in AUC between the groups (p > 0.05). The Pediatric ET group had higher rates of ROSC and a shorter time to ROSC (p < 0.05). Pediatric ET group had a 15 times greater odds of achieving ROSC compared to the Adult ET group. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we recommend epinephrine administration via ET within the pediatric arrest model, but not for the adult.

Prevalence of Anaemia in Pregnancy and Related Factors among Women Attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in General Hospitalbunza, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal death in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it mostly results from a deficiency of iron and folate.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anemia and the factors associated with it among pregnant women in Bunza, Nigeria. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study conducted among 327 pregnant women attending ANC in General Hospital Bunza, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Estimation of packed cell volume and RDT were alsodone for the participants; datawereanalysedusing IBMSPSS version 20. Results: The mean packed cell volume of the respondents was 30.7, with a SD 3.7 and majority of the respondents were having anemia 240(75.7%). Level of education of the respondents and their spouses, age at first pregnancy, spouses’ occupation, and the trimester at which the respondents booked were found to be significant p ?0.05for anemic status. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is high among pregnant women in Bunza, Nigeria, with the factors associated with it being the levels of education of the woman and that of her spouse, spouse’s occupation, having the first pregnancy before the age of 19 years, and late booking. Recommendations: Anemia in Pregnancy should be considered a public health problem in the LGA and state in general and girl child education should be given priority as a long term measure.

Competing Risk of Death and Time-Varying Covariates in Cardiovascular Epidemiologic Research: Modeling the Hazards of Coronary Heart Disease in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study

<p><em>Competing risk of death and time-varying covariates, often overlooked during statistical analyses of longitudinal studies, can alter the magnitude of estimates of the effect of covariates on the hazards of health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether estimates obtained when modeling the effect of risk factors on the hazards of coronary heart disease (CHD) varied significantly while accounting for the presence of competing risk of death and time-varying covariates. We used data from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (n=6346) to model estimates of the effect of risk factors on the hazards of CHD using Cox proportional hazards model, Cox extension with time-varying covariates, and the Fine Gray approach. We used a chi-square test to compare coefficient estimates obtained from the three modeling techniques. We obtained a P-value &gt; 0.05 when comparing coefficient estimates for body mass index, age, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes after fitting the three models. Coefficient estimates obtained when modeling the effect of risk factors on the hazards of CHD did not vary significantly in the presence of competing risk of death and time-varying covariates. Researchers should consider exploring these concepts more systematically in cohort studies with cardiovascular outcomes.</em><em></em></p>

Endovascular Intervention for Critical Lower Limb Ischemia; a Review of Outcomes after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty using Balloon Catheter

<p><em>Peripheral </em><em>A</em><em>rterial </em><em>D</em><em>isease (PAD) of lower limb with variable morbidity can be manifested as an asymptomatic, sever or life threatening disease. It is also a major cause of disability in many cases. </em></p><p><em>The management of patients with PAD can be defined from a number of different treatment options in the terms of conservative-, interventional- and surgical therapies.</em></p><p><em>Percutaneous </em><em>T</em><em>ransluminal </em><em>A</em><em>ngioplasty (PTA) using balloon catheter as a revascularization procedure has been used with acceptable outcomes. The method results are highlighted with comparable success—and patency rates, low complications, improving the quality of life and survival.</em><em> We reviewed published studies and found that PTA is an appropriate alternative in the management of patient with </em><em>C</em><em>ritical </em><em>L</em><em>imb </em><em>I</em><em>schemia (CLI). Better outcomes have been achieved using </em><em>D</em><em>rug </em><em>C</em><em>oated </em><em>B</em><em>alloons (DCB) as well as </em><em>D</em><em>rug </em><em>E</em><em>luting </em><em>S</em><em>tents (DES). Atherectomy remains with controversial results. </em><em>Patient characteristics, the presence of associated risk factors, characteristics of lesions and accompanied cardiopulmonary disease may be the main challenges to use of these treatment options in the future.</em></p>

A Pilot Study of Barriers to Psychiatric Treatment among Japanese Healthcare Workers

<p><em>Background:</em><em> The medical service industry has the highest number of industry-classified workers’ compensation claims related to mental disorders. They are a group of people who particularly need mental health care.</em><em></em></p><p><em>Aims: T</em><em>o</em><em> investigate the barriers to seeking psychiatric treatment among healthcare workers. </em></p><p><em>Methods: </em><em>This cross-sectional survey was conducted for healthcare workers.</em><em> We assessed the relationship between barriers to psychiatric treatment, stress perception, coping methods, and demographic variables.</em></p><p><em>Results: T</em><em>here were 91 respondents in the final analysis (participants’ mean age was 34.73</em><em>±</em><em>11.41). Factor analysis identified three factors that affect resistance to seeking treatment (?=0.83): 1) </em><em>anxiety toward psychiatric medicine</em><em>,</em><em> 2) </em><em>resistance to psychiatric visits</em><em>, and 3) </em><em>lack of belief in the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment</em><em>. C</em><em>orrelation analysis indicated that resistance to psychiatric treatment increased with age (r=0.21, p&lt;0.05). In addition, women scored significantly higher than men concerning resistance toward psychiatric visits, and doctors scored lower than those in other occupations on this measure. </em></p><p><em>Conclusion: These results indicated that </em><em>a main component of resistance was related to resistance toward the word “psychiatric”</em><em>.</em><em> </em><em>It may be useful to avoid using the word </em><em>“</em><em>psychiatric</em><em>”</em><em> with individuals belonging to groups with high resistance to psychiatric treatment when suggesting that they consult a psychiatrist.</em></p>

Perceptions and Motivations of Osteopathic Medical Students to Participate in the ACGME Match

<p><em>Each year the majority of osteopathic students do not participate in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) match. The ongoing merger of the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and AOA graduate medical education does not delineate formation of a single match process. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of osteopathic medical students about the matching process and perceived differences between the matches.</em></p><p><em>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with third and fourth year osteopathic medical students. Transcripts were analyzed </em><em>using Grounded Theory. The replies to each question were considered separately as well as in context of the entire interview. </em></p><p><em>Eleven medical students were interviewed. </em><em>Many of the themes found in the current study are consistent with past surveys. Local culture, lifestyle balance and geographic location were the themes found under Home Life, whereas Academic or Work Life consisted of good fit, diversity of patients, hands-on experience and formal educational process.</em></p><p><em>Two broad themes were developed: Home Life and Academic Life. </em><em>A perceived balance between the two is necessary for a residency program to have substantial appeal.</em></p>

An Epidemiological Study of Dengue Outbreak in Pakistan

<p><em>In 2016, Hazara Division reported his major outbreak of Dengue fever. In this context, current epidemiological and serological survey conducted to highlight the actual burden of Dengue fever in cities of Hazara Division. Blood samples were taken from the total of 1462 suspected people for detection of Dengue antibodies. Among these patients, 1359 (93%) were found to be positive for Dengue, including 965 (71%) males and 394 (29%) females. Distribution in keeping the presence of antibodies shows 897 (66%) IgM positive people.</em><em> </em><em>Second most frequently seen antibodies were both IgG and IgM in 435 (32%) people. Presence of IgG antibodies was detected in 27 (2%) individuals. 1142 (84%) of Dengue positive people were not found to be symptomatic while rest of 217 (16%) observed with various symptoms. In this outbreak peak incidence of Dengue fever was observed in Manshera city. Although minimum was seen in Abbottabad city. To conclude, this might be the largest outbreak in the history of Hazara Division and second in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We recommend that policymakers and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa desperately need to make efforts to prevent this mounting ratio of Dengue fever and implement the vector management policies by environmental measures and promote awareness in this area.</em></p>

Investigating the Inhibitory Effect of Fatty Acids on NMDA Receptor

<p><em>Previous research has showed that AMPA receptor can be used as a molecular target for anti-epileptic drugs, and there is evidence of an inhibitory effect of several fatty acids on AMPA receptor, for example, </em><em>D</em><em>ecanoic </em><em>A</em><em>cid (DA), 4-</em><em>E</em><em>thyl </em><em>O</em><em>ctanoic </em><em>A</em><em>cid (4EOA) and 4-</em><em>B</em><em>utyl</em><em>c</em><em>y</em><em> C</em><em>loheaxne </em><em>C</em><em>arboxylic </em><em>A</em><em>cid (4BCCA). However, as NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor are quite similar in structures and are widely distributed in CNS, there is a concern on whether the three fatty acids also have an effect on NMDA receptor, and NMDA receptor inhibition may result in some unwanted side effects, such as hallucinations, nightmares, and memory loss. Two-electrode voltage clamp was performed on the oocytes of Xenopus Laevis expressing the NMDAR subunit GluN1/N2A, to record agonist evoked inward currents generated from oocytes exposed to different concentrations of fatty acid solutions. On further examination it was found that all of the three acids have some inhibitory effect on NMDA recceptor, and seem to act as non-competitive antagonists. The 4EOA has the strongest inhibition effect on NMDA receptor, followed by 4BCCA and DA. However, the three fatty acids only have a clear inhibitory effect when the concentration of the corresponding fatty acid is higher than 500 µM, which is considered high for clinical use. Moreover, the fatty acids tested had a stronger inhibitory effect on NMDA receptor containing the GluN1/N2B subunits.</em></p>