African Journal of Internal Medicine

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 276-277, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Lung abscess caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a child

*Swami Nath Kapoor, Satyajit K. O. and Salman Akshay

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh, India.

*Corresponding author.  E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 19 October, 2015

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a common cause of pulmonary morbidity and mortality in children. We report a seven month old unimmunized child admitted with complaints of cough and fever for fifteen days. Investigations revealed a large cavity in the right lung. Chest computed tomography scan revealed an abscess in the right upper lobe along with multiple necrotic lymph nodes. Gastric aspirates were positive for acid fast bacilli. However, children younger than five years old may develop disseminated TB before the Tubercular Skin Tests result becomes positive. As such, a very high index of suspicion must be adopted when pediatric patients have a contact history.

Key words: Lung Abscess, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Infant.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 288-290 November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of short term administration of testosterone on serum development hormone and body mass index in mature male albino rats

*Egbovwe E. Matthew, Akintola Adenuga and Odimeagwe P. Eze

Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 28 October, 2015

Abstract

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen groups, secreted primarily in the testicles of males. Studies have shown that testosterone production will also boost growth. The present study was carried out to study the effect of short-term administration of testosterone on serum growth hormone concentration, body mass index (BMI) and body weight in adult male rats. Twenty-one male rats were divided into three (3) groups of seven (7) rats each; a control group, a low-dose and a high-dose testosterone group. Normal saline was administered intramuscularly to the control group, while 2.5 and 6.25 mg/d of testosterone propionate were administered intramuscularly to the low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively, for fourteen (14) days. The body weight and the length of the rats were recorded for calculation of the body mass index. Blood samples for serum growth hormone assay were collected via cardiac puncture. Results showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the serum growth hormone concentration in the high dose testosterone group when compared to the control while changes recorded in the BMI and body weight were not significant. It was concluded that testosterone can exert its anabolic effects by acting synergistically with the anabolic effects of growth hormone.

Key words: Testosterone, growth hormone, high-dose, body mass index.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 294-300 November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A critical evaluation of health care reforms in Uganda and its implication on health equity

*William Biwott Ruto, Tegla B. Donald and Ezekiel K. Wanyama

Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Corresponding Authors. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 18 October, 2015

Abstract

Uganda Government has continued to strengthen the country’s health system by initiating policy reforms aimed at enhancing equity in health care. In this report, analytical review health care reforms are provided with their corresponding equity outcomes. This report is based on a review of both published and unpublished reports from the government of Uganda and multilateral stakeholders in the health sector from the review, various health equity issues were identified including high incidences of inefficiencies in health care such as stock-outs, low quality of health care under-table payments, increase of out-of pocket payments which continue to contribute towards high incidences of catastrophic health expenditures. Others include dilapidated health infrastructure, low morale among the health personnel, and low levels of spending by the government on health. The reforms have however, contributed towards efficiency gains in terms of increased use of lower-level government health centers and concomitant reductions in the use of hospital services. Various recommendations were suggested in lieu of the findings. These include increased investment in the health sector; strengthening supply of essential medicines, rehabilitation of health infrastructure, provision of incentives to health personnel. Other recommendations include supporting the operations of community health insurance and other pre-payment schemes meant to caution the poor from health expenditure catastrophe. Political commitment in increasing government spending on health care in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2001 is also recommended while putting in place policies aimed at efficiency in health care delivery.

Key words: Equity, health care reforms, financial protection, catastrophic health expenditure.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 242-245, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the level of sexual dimorphism in ear length, width and index for both left and right sides

*Abdullahi M. Jibrin, Rabi'u A. Gaya and Kabiru Musa Ibrahim

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kano University of Science and Technology, Kano, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 October, 2015

Abstract

External ear composed of three primary components: helix-antihelical complex, conchal complex, and lobe. The aim of the study was to determine the level of sexual dimorphism in ear length, width and index for both left and right sides. The correlation between the ear variables was also determined. The population consisted of 137 males and 82 females recruited among the students of Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. Direct method was employed in measurement of ear length and width. Independent sample t test and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyse the data using SPSS version 16. The result shows that mean value of ear dimensions is higher on the right side. Significant differences were also observed on ear length and width of the right side (P < 0.05), and the width and index show significant difference (P < 0.05) in the left side. In the entire variables, male tend to have higher mean value. A negative correlation between the ear length and index was observed. In conclusion, the study has established the existence of sexual dimorphism on ear linear dimensions among Hausas of Nigerian population. Therefore, the use of ear dimensions on anthropometry for characterization of the differences in sex was highlighted.

Key words: External ear, Hausas, morphometry, Nigeria, sexual dimorphism.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 266-275, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Synthesis of series of macro compounds via alkylation and azotation reactions

*Hisham G. Hadid, Saddam C. Zainab and Ahmed Munir Adnan

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 October, 2015

Abstract

This paper involved synthesis of series from macro compounds through reaction between di carbonyl compounds like (cyclo hexane-1,3-dione., 1,3-diphenyl–propadione, acetyl acetone, maleic anhydride, maleic acid, malonic acid) with di amine compounds or thiophene compound to produce compounds [1-5 ,7, 8,11], which reacted with azo compound, benzaldehyde, via alkylation reaction and azotation reaction to yield compounds [6,9,10,12] .The structure of these compounds were characterized by (H.NMR, FT.IR, C.H.N–analysis) techniques and their melting points.

Key words: Macro compound, azotation, seven–membered, thiophene, diazepine, hydrazo.