Efficacy of Muscle Relaxants in Routine Treatment Protocol of OSMF and Regional Epidemiological

Oral submucous fibrosisis a chronic disorder presenting with the plaguing symptoms of burning sensation in mouth, intolerance to spicy food and progressive trismus.

OSMF is insidious in onset characterized by fibrosis of the lining mucosa of the upper digestive tract involving the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx and the upper third of oesophagus.

The fibrosisinvolves the lamina propria and the submucosa and may extend into the underlying musculature resulting in the deposition of dense fibrous bands, resulting in limited mouth opening.

It is widely prevalent in all age groups and across all socioeconomic strata in India. OSMF is etiologically related to chewing of areca nut [betel nut] and its commercial products, a habit prevalent in India and South-East Asia.

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Brazilian Healthcare Establishments gearing up for Palliative care for the Cancer Patients

Out of 1.1 million deaths recorded each year in Brazil, 15.9 % of them are cancer deaths. 4.5 million People were hospitalized with cancer in Brazil during 2008-2014 and 24.6% of them are cases admitted due to recurrence.

In an average 8% of the patients are dying while in the hospital and 21.4% of them are approaching hospitals for clinical intercurrence of cancer. As per the WHO recommendations, 85% of the cancer affected need Palliative care. Yet, Brazilian health establishments are not well equipped to offer them.

They need specialized assistance in the oncology and the authorities are gearing up to estimate resources at their end to tailor a suitable programme for cancer patients.

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The H-Scan Format for Classification of Ultrasound Scattering

The H-scan is based on a simplified framework for characterizing scattering behavior, and visualizing the results as color-coding of the B-scan image.

The methodology begins with a standard convolution model of pulse-echo formation from typical situations, and then matches those results to the mathematics of Gaussian Weighted Hermite Functions.

In this framework, echoes can be classified as returning from specific categories of scatterers, and these can be conveniently displayed as colors. Thus, some information not evident in conventional grayscale pulse-echo images can be visualized in the H-scan format.

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Retrospective Analysis of Drowning Incidents at a University Hospital in Switzerland

The annual rate of accidental fatal drowning in Switzerland is about 50 deaths/year (0.6/100 000). We report on the fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents among adults that were treated at the University Hospital in Bern, Switzerland, between 2000 and 2014.

Retrospective analysis of the electronic database of the emergency centre for adults of the university hospital in Bern. Between 2000 and 2014 all fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents were analysed using specific medical keywords.

126 patients were included. Ninety-one (72%) were male, 94 (76%) aged between 16-44 years, 107 (89%) of the incidents occurred in rivers. In 83 (68%) cases the activity during the incident was swimming. Twentytwo (18%) were non-accidental drowning incidents, 14 (11%) of all the drowning patients needed reanimation and 6 (4.8%) died within 24 h.

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Correlates and Predictors of Low Back Pain Disability and its Impact on Health- Related Quality of Life in a Family Practice Clinic in Calabar, South- South Nigeria

Non-specific low back pain is a common health problem incurring immense health and social costs with concomitant disability, which has assumed significant public health importance in our setting.

The impact from this condition is multi-factorial, and includes pain, activity limitations and impairment of quality of life. This study therefore aimed to examine the level of low back pain disability, its correlates and predictors, and the impact on selfperceived quality of life.

It also sought to determine the predictors of health-related quality of life among low back pain patients in a Family Practice setting in Calabar, Nigeria.

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Leptospirosis: a Global Health Burden in Review

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted by fresh water and mammalian vectors in predominantly tropical regions, with an incidence of 0.1-10 per 100,000 in temperate climates, 10 or more per 100,000 in tropical climates, and up to 100 or more per 100,000 during outbreaks.

Its rate of transmission spikes in areas affected by natural disasters such as floods and heavy rainfall and, because it often presents with non-specific symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose.

The case fatality rate in severe leptospirosis from <5 - 30% makes it a pathogen of clinical importance. This review aims to summarize the most recent literature on the subject and provide recommendations to providers who may encounter afflicted patients.

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Experiences, Strengths and Challenges of Integration of Mental Health into Primary Care in Ethiopia. Experiences of East African Country

The burden of mental disorders is increaasing in low and middle income countries including Ethiopia but the number of psychiatry professionals is scarce. Integrating mental health in primary health care is vital to address the problem. This survey aimed in assessing the experiences, strengths and challenges of integrating mental health in primary health care in Ethiopia.

Facility based supervisions was done in primary health care centers where the scale up program was implemented and giving mental health services. Semi structured and standardized WHO mental health Global Action Programme support and supervision questionnaires was used to collect information's.

A total of 1576 mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders were identified and treated in selected four regions. Majority of identified cases were epilepsy (46.64%) followed by psychosis (28.49%). Essential drugs for treating psychosis, depression and epilepsy were available in almost all health institutions.

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Sickle Cell Trait, Malaria and Sensorineural Hearing Loss–A Case-Control Study from São Tomé and Príncipe

Hearing loss is a problem with higher incidence in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa. In these countries there is also associated history of anemia and malaria.

This study aims to identify a putative role of Beta globin mutation - sickle cell trait and HL in São Tomé and Príncipe population. A retrospective case-control study of a convenience sample was collected during Otolaryngologist Humanitarian Missions in São Tomé and Príncipe. Control group includes individuals with normal hearing in both ears, and the case group has participants presenting bilateral or unilateral HL.

It was evaluated the potential risk factors and sickle cell trait with HL, as well self-report of malaria infection, consanguinity, familial history of HL. The HbS gene point mutation (Glu6Val) was determined by PCR-RFLP. Results: Our results showed a statistical significance between HL - oral language and self-report of HL. Taken altogether, our data did not reveal association between sickle cell trait and HL.

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The Need to Find the Personal Lifestyle Factor Counteracting Cognitive Decline in Normal Aging

In the last years, much research focuses on the possible influence of physical activity on cognitive decline. Retrospective studies with healthy older people show that long lasting physical activity may reduce the risk for this decline.

Prospective studies supply, in part, results arguing in favor of the efficacy of physical activity regarding cognition. One of the first meta-analysis was the one of Colcombe and Kramer. They analyzed the effects of different trainings on executive, controlled, spatial, and speed tasks. The authors showed a higher improvement of the physical trainings groups compared to the control groups, especially in executive tasks.

Until this study, on the one hand, few other meta-analyses were published, where the results were either interpreted with caution or positive effects of a physical activity training compared to a control group could not be shown.

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Medical Residents' Practices and Perceptions toward Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order

The knowledge and implementation skills of the DNR order amongst physicians in training appear to be quite variable. Few studies had assessed residents' views on this complex topic. Our objective was to describe the medical residents’ practices and perceptions toward DNR order. A 26 question survey was distributed to medical residents during the academic day activity.

Only 56 residents completed the questionnaire (75% response rate). 61.40% of the residents understood the definition of DNR order. 85.96% thought physicians shouldn’t order diagnostic tests for DNR patients and 92.98% thought physicians shouldn’t give blood products and antibiotics to DNR patients. 45.61% thought DNR order would lead to poor care. 36.84% thought physician alone should decide about the DNR decision. 45.61% answered that DNR order never discussed with patients. 64.91% answered that consultant discussed DNR order with patients. 42.11% of residents were involved in the discussion of DNR order.

66.67% answered that time to decide about the DNR order on day of admission. 42.11% answered there was variation between consultants regarding the care of DNR patient. 43.86% answered there was variation in the clinical care before and after DNR order was placed. 87.72% thought here was a need for formal training in DNR discussion. 68.42% didn’t know if KFSH and RC had clinical guidelines for DNR patients care.

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Phytochemical Analysis and Acute Toxicological Study of Erythrina senegalensis Ethanolic Leaf Extract in Albino Wistar Rats

Plants usually synthesize aromatic substances, which in many cases serve as the molecules of plant defense against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Several of the plants possess medicinal properties. Erythrina senegalensis is one of such plants and belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is a thorny shrub used as vegetable, with common names that include ‘Minjirya’ (Hausa, Nigeria). Some phytochemicals such as tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and others have been identified in the E. senegalensis stem bark. The leaf has also been shown to contain some phytochemicals.

The stem bark and root extracts of Erythrina senegalensis have been reported in Nigerian studies to have antimalarial, analgesic, antiinflammatory, and anti-bacterial actions, while in other African studies it has been used to treat female secondary sterility, asthma, liver disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, jaundice, nose bleeding, urinary bilharziasis, eye infections, and body pain.

Given the continual consumption of E. senegalensis for the maintenance of health and in management of several diseases, and secondly the paucity of information on the leaf extract, the present study is aimed at evaluating the phytochemical constituents and acute oral toxicity (LD50) of the leaf extract of E. senegalensis.

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