International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 051-057, August, 2014.© International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatocyte growth factor levels are elevated in patients with Asthma

ZHAO JIAN JUN, ZHAO FENG QIN, WANG JING, SONG YU MING, TAN PING, YANG LEI

Respiratory Department, China-Japan Union Hospital of Ji Lin University,Changchun 130033. Ji Lin Province, China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]. Tel: 086-0431-84995860

Accepted 22 July, 2014

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide with a broad range of functions. It acts as an endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factor and regulates a wide range of cellular processes such as cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. Recently, some animal experiments suggest that HGF play important part role in the pathogenesis of asthma. On the basis of these results, the present study was designed to determine whether serum HGF levels are elevated in patients with asthma, and whether its level are associated with the severity of disease. We found that HGF levels were significantly higher in three asthmatic patient groups as compared with healthy control group [9.8 (6.3-14.5), 11.4 (8.5-16.2), 13.7 (9.9-18.3) and 2.3 (1.6-3.7) ng/mL, respectively, P<0.01]. The HGF levels were also elevated associated with the severity of disease, but this difference was not significant. The data suggest a role for HGF in the pathogenesis of asthma. Further studies are needed to clarify the involvement of HGF in various aspects of asthma.

Key Words: Asthma, HGF, serum, AHR , pathogenesis, airway remodeling.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 047-050, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of unintended pregnancy among patients attending antenatal clinics in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Tayo AO ¹, Akinola OI ², Adewunmi AA³ and Rabiu KA ⁴

^1,2,3,4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos state, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 17 June, 2014

Abstract

Unwanted or unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy not desired at the time of conception. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy among married women attending antenatal clinic and factors responsible for this trend. 2000 Antenatal patients were counseled to participate in this questionnaire based study however 1600 consented. Questions asked included socio-demographic data, contraceptive practice and sexual history. 400 were discarded for inadequate information. Of the final 1200 patients studied, 99% were married whilst 1% was unmarried. Forty-nine (49%) had only one partner, 25% had 2 partners, 27% had more than 3 partners since first intercourse. Twenty one (21%) of the study group did not desire the pregnancy at the time of conception. Analysis of the contraceptive history showed only 29% used any form of contraception whilst 71% were non-users. We concluded that the high degree of unwanted pregnancy among antenatal patients is due to the low acceptability/or usage of contraception. We therefore advocate the intensification of contraceptive counseling both at Antenatal and postnatal clinics to patients and their husband.

Key words: Unwanted pregnancy, antenatal clinic, contraception, prevalence, married women, husband.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 042-046, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Bone diseases in HIV infected children at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

O. A Oyedeji,¹ K.S Oluwadiya,² O.A Olakulehin,³ and A. A Aremu,⁴*

¹Department of Paediatrics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo

²Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo

³Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

⁴Department of Radiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

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

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract

In a study 78 consecutive HIV infected children attending a pediatric Anti-retroviral clinic in a Nigerian Tertiary hospital over a seven year period, seven (9.0%) children had bone diseases. The 78 children were made up of 35 girls and 43 boys with their ages ranging between 9 months - 11 years. The bone diseases were single cases of, fractured humerus, fractured clavicle, septic arthritis of the left hip, osteomyelitis of the right index finger, left knee septic arthritis with dactylitis of the right fourth finger, bilateral genu valgum and unilateral genu valrum each. Complications of digital amputation and destruction of the femoral head with consequent limb shortening were recorded in the children with digital osteomyelitis and septic arthritis respectively. Healing of the femoral head and the shortened limb was noted after 2 years of HAART therapy. The differences between the 2 cases of bone diseases recorded among the 57 children on HAART, compared to 5 children that developed bone disease amongst the remainder 11 yet to be initiated on HAART is significant. (X² =5.46, P = 0.02). It is concluded HAART administration is associated with lower occurrence of bone disease and good outcome amongst those with infectious bone diseases.

Key words: Bone, HIV, Children.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 030-034, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Trait anxiety, awareness, health attitudes and 16-year hazard ratio of acute cardiovascular disease in open female population in Russia

Valery V. Gafarov,^{1, 2} Dmitry O. Panov,^{1, 2} Elena A. Gromova,^{1, 2} Igor V. Gagulin,^{1, 2} Almira V. Gafarova^{1, 2}

¹Federal State Budgetary Institution the Research Institute of Internal Medicine of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.

²The Interdepartmental Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.

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

Accepted 22 January, 2014

Abstract

Anxiety is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Objective of the study was to elucidate impact of trait anxiety on hazard ratios (HRs) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke in open population of 25-64year old women in Russia. Representative sample of female residents (n=870) of Novosibirsk was examined according to WHO MONICA-Psychosocial program. First-time AMI and stroke events were studied in the cohort from 1994 to 2010. Trait anxiety was evaluated by Spielberger’s test. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine HRs for CVD. Prevalence of high level of trait anxiety (HLA) was 60%. Poor self-rated health was associated with HLA. HLA group had higher levels of stress at workplace and in family. Increased trait anxiety was associated with worse behavioral risk profile related to smoking, diet and physical activity. Women with HLA had 4.2-fold (p=0.05) and 3.5-fold (p<0.05) increases in AMI and stroke HRs, respectively. Among women with HLA, increased MI and stroke rates were associated with married marital status, lower education levels and physically demanding jobs. Integrated analysis of epidemiological traits in CVD psychosocial risk factors allowed to identify pathogenetic mechanisms providing background for prevention.

Key words: Trait anxiety, hazard ratio, myocardial infarction, stroke, awareness, health-rated health.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 035-041, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Symptomatic BCG balanitis occurring after induction of intravesical BCG immunotherapy. What is the optimal treatment duration and regimen?

¹Peter R Hinds, ²Martin M. Goldstein, ³Anastasia Canacci and ⁴Mohammed Nayeemuddin

^1,4University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, 140 Bergen Street, G-1680, Newark, NJ 07101 USA.

²Hackensack University Medical Center/Bergen Urologic Associates, 20 Prospect Avenue, Suite 715, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601. USA.

³New Jersey Urology Cancer Treatment Centers, 1515 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 USA.

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

Accepted 31 December, 2013

Abstract

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy is the standard initial therapy for patients with high-grade urothelial bladder cancer without muscle invasion. While minor complications due to intravesical BCG immunotherapy are common, cutaneous infections of the glans penis are quite rare. Granulomatous balanitis can be devastating if not identified and treated early. A well-established treatment regimen and duration of therapy is lacking. We review the English literature to define an optimal treatment strategy. To date there have been 12 reports of BCG balanitis occurrences after intravesical instillation of BCG for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. In general, there appears to exist both under-diagnosis and failure of early diagnosis of the disease. Additionally, there are still many unanswered questions such as: What is the optimal regimen and duration of the treatment? Is repeated intravesical BCG administration safe, in patients with prior balanitis, for managing tumor recurrence or maintenance of BCG protocols? What are the clinical signs and symptoms of BCG balanitis? Isoniazid therapy of at least three months with adjuvant Rifampicin therapy for a minimum of two weeks is an optimal regimen. Repeated and maintained administration of intravesical BCG after prior balanitis is affordable. Early diagnosis and treatment of BCG balanitis usually leads to complete resolution and minimal morbidity.

Key words: Balanitis, Intravesical BCG, Bladder cancer, Balanoposthitis, Granulomatous balanitis, Granulomatous balanoposthitis.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 026-029, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Elevated Cardiac Troponin T in Patients with COPD

Zhao Jian Jun, Song Yu Ming, Wang Jing, Zhao Feng Qin, Tan Ping and * Yang Lei

Respiratory Department, China-Japan Union Hospital of Ji Lin University, Changchun 130033. Ji Lin Province, China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Phone/Fax: 086-0431-84995860.

Accepted 19 November, 2013

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is common in patients with COPD. It has been found that a considerable number of patients who are hospitalized for AECOPD have elevated cardiac troponin, suggests there is subclinical myocardial damage in AECOPD, but little is known in stable COPD patients. Hence, the aims of the study were to compare troponin T among patients with stable COPD and AECOPD with healthy controls and assess the association between pulmonary function and plasma troponin T level. Samples were obtained from 68 stable COPD and 72 AECOPD patients and 48 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of troponin T were measured by ELISA. Pulmonary function testing was performed in all patients and healthy controls. We found that troponin T levels were significantly higher in both stable COPD and AECOPD patients as compared with healthy controls [19.7±1.3 and 27.6±3.4, 4.3±0.5μg/L, P<0.01]. The troponin T levels were also elevated associated with the severity of disease. Our data indicate that low-grade myocardial damage seems to be present not only in AECOPD but also in stable COPD patients. We need to understand the pathogenic mechanisms in COPD and its comorbidities in order to be able to develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of this condition.

Key words: COPD, ELISA, pulmonary function, troponin T, plasma.