Stroke in patients with diabetes mellitus: a study from North Western Nigeria.

Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and apart from being exceedingly harmful in diabetics, stroke is a disabling disorder. The study was undertaken to describe the clinical characteristics, outcome pattern and predictors of mortality in a cohort of diabetic patients presenting with stroke in two tertiary health facilities in North Western Nigeria. Method: Out of all stroke patients seen from June 2007 to February 2011, persons with diabetes mellitus presenting with stroke in the emergency unit of the two tertiary hospitals in Kano were consecutively recruited for the study. Classification of stroke into hemorrhagic and infarctive subtypes was based on brain computerized tomography (CT), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Follow-up period was for thirty days. Result: Out of the five hundred and thirty six stroke patients seen during the study period, 85 (15.9%) patients, comprising 48 (56.5%) males, had diabetes. Thirty eight (44.7%) of the identified diabetics were previously undiagnosed. Sixty four (75.3%) had infarctive stroke. One-month case fatality rate was 30.6%. Factors associated with death included male sex, past history of TIA, abnormal respiratory pattern, hemorrhagic stroke, aspiration pneumonitis, and worsening GCS. Aspiration pneumonitis and worsening GCS were independent predictors of one month mortality of stroke in the patients. Conclusion: In DM patients studied, infarctive stroke was more common, case fatality was 30.6%. Male gender, past history of TIA, abnormal respiratory pattern, hemorrhagic stroke, aspiration pneumonitis, and worsening Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) were associated with mortality. Aspiration pneumonitis and worsening GCS were independent predictors of one month mortality of stroke in diabetic patients.

Predictors of maternal mortality among critically ill obstetric patients

Aim Evaluation of the predictors of maternal mortality among critically ill obstetric patients managed at the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A case control study to evaluate the predictors of maternal mortality among critically ill obstetric patients managed at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria from 1st January 2010 to 30th June 2013. Participants were critically ill obstetric patients who were admitted and managed at the ICU during the study period. Subjects were those who died while controls were age and parity matched survivors. Statistical analysis was with SPSS-20 to determine chi square, Cox-regression and odds ratio; p value < 0.05 was significant. Results The mean age of subjects and controls were 28.92 ± 5.09 versus 29.44 ± 5.74 (p = 0.736), the level of education was higher among controls (p = 0.048) while more subjects were of low social class (p = 0.321), did not have antenatal care (p = 0.131) and had partners with lower level of education (p = 0.156) compared to controls. The two leading indications for admission among subjects and controls were massive postpartum haemorrhage and severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. The mean duration of admission was higher among controls (3.32 ± 2.46 versus 3.00 ± 2.58; p = 0.656) while the mean cost of ICU care was higher among the subjects (p = 0.472). The statistical significant predictors of maternal deaths were the patient’s level of education, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, oxygen saturation, multiple organ failure at ICU admission and the need for mechanical ventilation or inotrophic drugs after admission. Conclusion The clinical state at ICU admission of the critically ill obstetric patients is the major outcome determinant. Therefore, early recognition of the need for ICU care, adequate pre-ICU admission supportive care and prompt transfer will improve the outcome.

Outcome Prediction of Consciousness Disorders in the Acute Stage Based on a Complementary Motor Behavioural Tool.

INTRODUCTION: Attaining an accurate diagnosis in the acute phase for severely brain-damaged patients presenting Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) is crucial for prognostic validity; such a diagnosis determines further medical management, in terms of therapeutic choices and end-of-life decisions. However, DOC evaluation based on validated scales, such as the Revised Coma Recovery Scale (CRS-R), can lead to an underestimation of consciousness and to frequent misdiagnoses particularly in cases of cognitive motor dissociation due to other aetiologies. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical signs that lead to a more accurate consciousness assessment allowing more reliable outcome prediction. METHODS: From the Unit of Acute Neurorehabilitation (University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland) between 2011 and 2014, we enrolled 33 DOC patients with a DOC diagnosis according to the CRS-R that had been established within 28 days of brain damage. The first CRS-R assessment established the initial diagnosis of Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) in 20 patients and a Minimally Consciousness State (MCS) in the remaining13 patients. We clinically evaluated the patients over time using the CRS-R scale and concurrently from the beginning with complementary clinical items of a new observational Motor Behaviour Tool (MBT). Primary endpoint was outcome at unit discharge distinguishing two main classes of patients (DOC patients having emerged from DOC and those remaining in DOC) and 6 subclasses detailing the outcome of UWS and MCS patients, respectively. Based on CRS-R and MBT scores assessed separately and jointly, statistical testing was performed in the acute phase using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test; longitudinal CRS-R data were modelled with a Generalized Linear Model. RESULTS: Fifty-five per cent of the UWS patients and 77% of the MCS patients had emerged from DOC. First, statistical prediction of the first CRS-R scores did not permit outcome differentiation between classes; longitudinal regression modelling of the CRS-R data identified distinct outcome evolution, but not earlier than 19 days. Second, the MBT yielded a significant outcome predictability in the acute phase (p<0.02, sensitivity>0.81). Third, a statistical comparison of the CRS-R subscales weighted by MBT became significantly predictive for DOC outcome (p<0.02). DISCUSSION: The association of MBT and CRS-R scoring improves significantly the evaluation of consciousness and the predictability of outcome in the acute phase. Subtle motor behaviour assessment provides accurate insight into the amount and the content of consciousness even in the case of cognitive motor dissociation.

The Myosin Heavy Chain specific A4.1025 antibody discriminates different cardiac segments in ancient groups of gnathostomes: Morphological and evolutionary implications

The pan-Myosin Heavy Chain (pan-MyHC) marker MF20 have been reported to show similar, homogeneous signal in the myocardial segments of the heart of teleosts and tetrapods. However, in an ongoing study of the myocardial structure of the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula; Chondrichthyes), we observed differential immunostaining of the cardiac segments using another pan-MyHC, the A4.1025 antibody. In order to investigate the relevance of this finding for better understanding of the morphology and evolution of the vertebrate heart, we performed immunohistochemistry, slot blot and western blot in several species of chondrichthyans, actinopterygians and mammals using the above mentioned antibodies. In the dogfish heart, A4.1025 and MF20 specifically recognized MyHC isoforms, although with different degree of affinity. MF20 reactivity was homogeneous and high in all the myocardial segments. However, A4.1025 reactivity was heterogeneous. It was high in the sinus venosus (external layer), atrium and atrioventricular region, low in the ventricle and conus arteriosus, and null in the internal layer of the sinus venosus. A heterogeneous pattern of A4.1025 immunoreactivity was also detected in two other elasmobranchs, a holocephalan, a polypteryform and an acipenseriform. In all of these species, MF20 immunoreactivity was homogeneous. In addition, both markers showed a homogeneous immunoreactivity pattern in teleosts and mammals. Our results indicate that in the hearts of ancient gnathostomes, in all of which a conspicuous conus arteriosus exists, one or more MyHC isoforms with low affinity for A4.1025 show segment-specific distributions. Thus, A4.1025 appears to be an appropriated marker to identify the cardiac segments and their boundaries. We propose that the segmentspecific distribution of MyHC isoforms may generate a particular type of myocardial contractility associated with the presence of a conus arteriosus.

Anatomical, histochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of the outflow tract of ray hearts (Rajiformes; Chondrichthyes)

Recent work has shown that the cardiac outflow tract of sharks and chimaeras does not consist of a single myocardial component, the conus arteriosus, as classically accepted, but two, namely, the myocardial conus arteriosus and the non-myocardial bulbus arteriosus. However, the anatomical composition of the outflow tract of the batoid hearts remains unknown. The present study was designed to fill this gap. The material examined consisted of hearts of two species of rays, namely, the Mediterranean starry ray (Raja asterias) and sandy ray (Leucoraja circularis). They were studied using scanning electron microscopy, and histochemical and inmunohistochemical techniques. In both species, the outflow tract consists of two components, proximal and distal with regard to the ventricle. The proximal component is the conus arteriosus; it is characterized by the presence of compact myocardium in its wall and several transverse rows of pocket-shaped valves at its luminal side. Each valve consists of a leaflet and its supporting sinus. Histologically, the leaflet has two fibrosas, inner and outer, and a middle coat, the spongiosa. The distal component lacks myocardium. Its wall consists of smooth muscle cells, elastic fibers and collagen. Thus, it shows an arterial-like structure. However, it differs from the aorta because it is covered by the epicardium and crossed by coronary arteries. These findings indicate that the distal component is morphologically equivalent to the bulbus arteriosus of sharks and chimaeras. In contrast to foregoing descriptions, the valves of the first transverse row are distally anchored to the bulbus arteriosus and not to the ventral aorta. Our findings give added support to the notion that presence of a bulbus arteriosus at the arterial pole of the heart is common to all chondrichtyans, and not an apomorphy of actinopterygians as classically thought.

La poesía de Ángel González: Segundo tiempo

Para la cita de los poemas de Ángel González hasta Nada grave he empleado la quinta impresión de su obra completa, Palabra sobre palabra, publicada por Seix Barral en enero de 2008. No obstante, también he trabajado directamente sobre primeras ediciones1 de Muestra de algunos procedimientos narrativos y de las actitudes sentimentales que habitualmente comportan; Muestra, corregida y aumentada, de algunos procedimientos narrativos y de las actitudes sentimentales que habitualmente comportan, y de Prosemas o menos, aunque la referencia final contemple en todos los casos las páginas que ocupan en la obra conjunta. En el comentario de Otoños y otras luces, además de su ya mencionada obra completa, he consultado un ejemplar editado por Tusquets en febrero de 2002 (4ª edición); y para la reseña de su póstumo Nada grave, la primera edición de la Colección Palabra de Honor, publicada por Visor en mayo de 2008, unos meses después de la muerte del poeta. Los poemas titulados por el autor se citan en letra redonda entre comillas angulares («...»); sin embargo, en los casos en los que la composición carece de epígrafe he empleado el primer verso escrito en cursiva enmarcado con comillas inglesas (“...”). El sistema de cita se ajusta a la norma ISO 690-I, haciendo constar entre paréntesis el apellido del autor, el año de edición, y si procede, la/s página/s (AUTOR, AÑO: N.º PÁG.). Las obras firmadas por varios autores se señalan mediante la abreviatura VV.AA. separada del año mediante una coma (VV.AA., AÑO: N.º PÁG.). Si el nombre del autor se encuentra en el texto próximo a la cita, solo se indica el año y la página...

Deserción y repitencia universitaria en una cohorte de estudiantes de la escuela de enfermería de la Universidad de Cuenca, ciclo septiembre 2009-enero 2010

investigar la deserci6n y repitencia universitaria en una cohorte de estudiantes que ingresaron en el ciclo sepfiembre de 2009 a Enero de 2010 a la Escuela de Enfermeria de la Universidad de Cuenca. La investigación estudia el fen6meno de la deserci6n universitaria, tomando en consideración factores coma: rendimiento academic°, ingreso familiar, sexo, estado civil, tipo de colegio y edad de los estudiantes. Se ofrece elementos que contribuyan al diserio de un modelo explicafivo que permita determinar la magnitud de la deserción en la Escuela de Enfermeria y se busca abrir un espacio de discusión de ideas y propuestas para conseguir las mejores decisiones en la birsqueda de posibles soluciones a esta problematica. Material y Metodos: la investigacion tiene un enfoque cuantitafivo y explicativo, este Ultimo por que se aplico el analisis de documentos oficiales de la Universidad de Cuenca: ficha socioecon6mica (ficha personal de inscripción) y actas acadernicas de rendimiento escolar; asi coma el metodo estadistico, para detectar si la intervención de un factor asociado explica el cambio sabre la variable relacionada que es en este caso el fen6meno de la deserci6n universitaria. Los datos obtenidos se procesaron en los programas: Excel, SPSS y los resultados se representaron en cuadros, graficos y mediante porcentajes y pruebas de significación estadistica. Resultados: El modelo estadisfico de la Chi Cuadrado, permitio reportar el resultado de rechazar la hipatesis nula y aceptar la hip6tesis alterna, lo cual implica que el fenómeno de la deserciOn fue influenciado par el rendimiento

Programa de intervención nutricional en el paciente oncológico

La presencia de tumores malignos es habitual en nuestra sociedad y ha ido creciendo de manera exponencial con la llegada de ciertos factores ligados a su prevalencia. Algunos de ellos están íntimamente relacionados con la dieta y su presencia o ausencia en la ingesta y en el día a día de las personas es en la actualidad motivo de estudio. Por ello, aunque gracias a la quimioterapia, radioterapia y cirugía los pacientes han aumentado su esperanza de vida, queremos promover la mejora de esta alimentación antes de la aparición de la enfermedad y una vez se haya diagnosticado, intentar ayudar a la mejora de los síntomas que sufren y que merman su calidad de vida justo desde el momento del diagnóstico. El objetivo de este programa propuesto es que todos estos efectos secundarios que aparecen, motivados no sólo por los tratamientos sino también por la enfermedad y el desarrollo de la misma, sean lo más compatible posible con una vida normal y, en lo que a la alimentación se refiere, y así el momento de la comida no se convierta en otro problema más del proceso. La utilidad de un programa de estas características está demostrado en la práctica clínica siempre con el objetivo de revertir el peso, método más extendido de cribado de la caquexia e implantado desde el momento del diagnóstico y con el propósito de mantenerlo, al menos, durante el tratamiento que está recibiendo el paciente. Por ello propusimos un programa integral en el que ayudamos a los pacientes y familiares a mejorar la alimentación durante el tiempo de estancia en los ciclos de tratamiento que recibían los enfermos así como beneficiarse gracias a implantar la mejora de sus hábitos alimenticios para revertir cualquier mala praxis, en el caso de que la misma existiera. El programa consistió en seleccionar pacientes que de manera voluntaria quisieron participar y que acudían a las consultas externas del Servicio de Radioterapia del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, realizarles el Screening Nutricional y a continuación la Valoración Global Subjetiva en su modalidad generada por el paciente (VGS-gp). Gracias a estas dos herramientas, sumadas a una evaluación antropométrica consistente en Talla, Peso, IMC, Circunferencia Muscular del Brazo, Pliegue tricipital y por último una bioimpedancia a través de una báscula tipo Tanita obtenemos un perfil mucho más completo de la situación basal del paciente. A esto unimos una analítica también basal y un registro de lo que el paciente comía para conocer los hábitos de los que partimos. Con todo ello empezamos a trabajar según la posible sintomatología que fuera a presentar el paciente valorando el tratamiento que fuera a recibir y las complicaciones añadidas dependiendo la ubicación del tumor...

Visual outcomes after bilateral trifocal diffractive intraocular lens implantation

Background In recent years new models of intraocular lenses are appearing on the market to reduce requirements for additional optical correction. The purpose of this study is to assess visual outcomes following bilateral cataract surgery and the implant of a FineVision® trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). Methods Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Vision was assessed in 44 eyes of 22 patients (mean age 68.4 ± 5.5 years) before and 3 months after surgery. Aberrations were determined using the Topcon KR-1 W wave-front analyzer. LogMAR visual acuity was measured at distance (corrected distance visual acuity, CDVA 4 m), intermediate (distance corrected intermediate visual acuity, DCIVA 60 cm) and near (distance corrected near visual acuity, DCNVA 40 cm). The Pelli-Robson letter chart and the CSV-1000 test were used to estimate contrast sensitivity (CS). Defocus curve testing was performed in photopic and mesopic conditions. Adverse photic phenomena were assessed using the Halo v1.0 program. Results Mean aberration values for a mesopic pupil diameter were: total HOA RMS: 0.41 ± 0.30 μm, coma: 0.32 ± 0.22 μm and spherical aberration: 0.21 ± 0.20 μm. Binocular logMAR measurements were: CDVA −0.05 ± 0.05, DCIVA 0.15 ± 0.10, and DCNVA 0.06 ± 0.10. Mean Pelli-Robson CS was 1.40 ± 0.14 log units. Mean CSV100 CS for the 4 frequencies examined (A: 3 cycles/degree (cpd), B: 6 cpd, C: 12 cpd, D: 18 cpd) were 1.64 ± 0.14, 1.77 ± 0.18, 1.44 ± 0.24 and 0.98 ± 0.24 log units, respectively. Significant differences were observed in defocus curves for photopic and mesopic conditions (p < 0.0001). A mean disturbance index of 0.28 ± 0.22 was obtained. Conclusions Bilateral FineVision IOL implant achieved a full range of adequate vision, satisfactory contrast sensitivity, and a lack of significant adverse photic phenomena. Trial registration Eudract Clinical Trials Registry Number: 2014-003266-2.

Development of an activity disease score in patients with uveitis (UVEDAI)

To develop a disease activity index for patients with uveitis (UVEDAI) encompassing the relevant domains of disease activity considered important among experts in this field. The steps for designing UVEDAI were: (a) Defining the construct and establishing the domains through a formal judgment of experts, (b) A two-round Delphi study with a panel of 15 experts to determine the relevant items, (c) Selection of items: A logistic regression model was developed that set ocular inflammatory activity as the dependent variable. The construct “uveitis inflammatory activity” was defined as any intraocular inflammation that included external structures (cornea) in addition to uvea. Seven domains and 15 items were identified: best-corrected visual acuity, inflammation of the anterior chamber (anterior chamber cells, hypopyon, the presence of fibrin, active posterior keratic precipitates and iris nodules), intraocular pressure, inflammation of the vitreous cavity (vitreous haze, snowballs and snowbanks), central macular edema, inflammation of the posterior pole (the presence and number of choroidal/retinal lesions, vascular inflammation and papillitis), and global assessment from both (patient and physician). From all the variables studied in the multivariate model, anterior chamber cell grade, vitreous haze, central macular edema, inflammatory vessel sheathing, papillitis, choroidal/retinal lesions and patient evaluation were included in UVEDAI. UVEDAI is an index designed to assess the global ocular inflammatory activity in patients with uveitis. It might prove worthwhile to motorize the activity of this extraarticular manifestation of some rheumatic diseases.

2016 Eastern Equine Encephalitis Activity

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare illness in humans, and only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most cases occur in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. Most people infected with EEEV have no apparent illness. Severe cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, or coma. EEE virus is one of the most severe mosquito transmitted diseases in the United States with approximately 33% mortality and significant brain damage in most survivors. There is no specific treatment for EEE; care is based on symptoms. You can reduce your risk of being infected with EEEV by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors while mosquitoes are most active.

Desenvolvimento e produção do milho BRS Gorutuba submetido a diferentes níveis de disponibilidade de água no solo e adubo orgânico.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de água na presença e ausência de esterco caprino no desenvolvimento e produção do milho verde cultivar BRS Gorutuba. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em parcela subdividida na faixa de irrigação, com espaçamento 0,50 m x 0,80 m. Aos 68 dias após o plantio, foram avaliadas as variáveis altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, biomassa, massa seca e peso de espiga verde com palha. Observou- se que os valores de altura de plantas de milho tendem a decrescer com o aumento dos teores de água disponível. Para o diâmetro, foi constatado que a presença de esterco tem influência significativa, dependendo dos teores de água. O maior peso de espiga de milho verde foi observado coma lâmina de 90%, com 210 g, na presença de esterco. Concluiu-se que a altura de plantas de milho é dependente da quantidade de água aplicada, não respondendo em altura em quantidade superior a 87%. Os valores médio de diâmetro, biomassa e peso de espiga dependem da adubação com esterco e de disponibilidade de uma lâmina de 419 mm de água para atingir seus valores máximos.