Recently Published Articles
Embryogenesis and Applications of Fingerprints- a review
Abstract:
Fingerprint is an impression made by the friction ridges that are almost parallel at constant crest to crest wavelength. The pattern is dominated by central features, such as whorls, loops, arches and triradii. Fingerprints have been used for several decades in forensic and medical sciences. The fingerprints characteristics such uniqueness, consistency and universality are the main features that are used by forensic experts in identification processes, are well developed during intra-uterine life. Understanding embryogenesis of fingerprints is essential in linking its features to some disease conditions. The purpose of this review was to highlight information regarding establishment, formation, hypotheses and factors affecting fingerprints. Applications of the fingerprints in forensic and medical sciences were also highlighted. Both environmental (in utero) and genetic factors have role to play in the formation of the fingerprints. The primary role of fingerprints...
The Role of Helmet Use on Severity and Pattern of Maxillofacial Injuries Among Motorcycle Crash Victims Attending Mulago Hospital, Uganda
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to establish the role of helmet use on severity and pattern of maxillofacial injuries among motorcycle crash victims attending Mulago Hospital. This was descriptive cross sectional case series study using a questionnaire in form of an oral interview, clinical examination and review of medical records of the patients. The pattern of injuries was assessed based on the demarcated regions of the face. The severities of the injuries were scored using the Facial Injury Severity Scale. The data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. There were 105 participants (male/female: 97/8) aged 15 to 63 years. Most participants (n= 74, 70.5%) were riders and the rest were passengers. There were no female riders. Most participants were from Kampala and surrounding districts. Overall, 35.2% of the participants had helmets: 50% of the riders and 0% of the passengers. About 73% o the participants used Three Quarter Shell helmet design. There was no sig...
Nurses Working with Unlicensed Assistive Personnel: A Phenomenological Study
Abstract:
To describe the attitudes and behavior of registered nurses in their professional interaction toward unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) and to identify areas to develop policy for an effective nursing development and workforce planning. One of the challenges health care systems have been addressing is the integration of the UAPs into the nursing care delivery systems.
Facilitators and Barriers to Health Care Access among the Elderly in Tanzania: A Health System Perspective from Managers and Service Providers.
Abstract:
Tanzania is among the developing countries experiencing rapid growth of an ageing population, which has an implication in healthcare expenditure especially in resource poor settings where majority of elderly people cannot afford to pay for the cost of accessing health services. The country has developed the Tanzania National Health Policy (2007) and National Ageing Policy (2003), which, among other things, recognize the importance of having a healthcare system that provides free basic services to the vulnerable elderly population. This study aimed at exploring health service providers’ and managers’ perspectives on the factors facilitating or prohibiting access to health services among elderly people in Tanzania. The study adopted a qualitative approach and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. A total of 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with district healthcare managers, heads of public healthcare facilitie...
Colorectal Carcinogenic Pathways and Chemotherapeutic Responsiveness : A Review
Abstract:
This review synthesizes key molecular pathways in colorectal carcinogenesis and relates them to differential chemotherapeutic responsiveness. It discusses mismatch repair, chromosomal instability, and serrated pathways, linking biomarkers to therapeutic decision‑making.
Short-Term and Chronic Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Sleep in Young Men
Abstract:
Despite the generally accepted benefits of exercise on sleep there remains limited research on potential differential effects by exercise type. The purpose of the present study was to examine short-term and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on various sleep quality parameters, as well as sleep duration. Generally healthy, previously sedentary young (27±3 years) men completed a 16-week aerobic and 16-week resistance exercise program in random order separated by a minimum of 6 weeks with no formal exercise. Each exercise program consisted of three supervised exercise sessions per week. Quality and duration of sleep was determined with a multi-sensor device that was worn prior to, during week 1 and week 16 of each exercise program. A total of 8 participants provided valid data on time spent awake after sleep onset, sleep latency, total sleep time, sleep efficiency and time spent in bed for both exercise programs. During week 1, aerobic exercise was ...
Changes in Statistics of Malignant Neoplasms of Central Nervous System Excluding Brain (ICD-10: C70, C72) In the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the Years 2006-2012
Abstract:
Epidemiological data concerning malignant neoplasms of meninges and central nervous system parts other than brain in Poland are reported to many medical databases run by various institutions and are incongruent with each other which makes their practical interpretation highly difficult. Data on registered cases of malignant neoplasms of meninges (C70-C70.9 ICD-10) and of spinal cord, cranial nerves and parts of central nervous system other than brain (C72-C72.9 ICD-10) in the years 2006-2012, made available by public healthcare insurance provider Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia in Lower Silesia region of Poland (NFZ) and data on new cases from Polish national neoplasms registry Krajowy Rejestr Nowotworow (KRN), were analyzed. The study revealed that those neoplasms are rare in Lower Silesia region of Poland population, number of new cases dropped in the analyzed period, but the NFZ/KRN cases ratio increased significantly especially in case of malignant neoplasms of ce...
Raising HLA-E-Restricted HIV-1-Specific Immune Responses Through T Cell Vaccination: A Hypothesis
Abstract:
This essay draws on recent evidences from SIV vaccination studies in rhesus macaques to argue for the potential importance of HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells restricted by the non-classical major histocompatibility complex, HLA-E, in controlling HIV-1 replication. It then seeks to present a possible method of inducing such responses through the procedure of T cell vaccination using activated autoimmune CD4+ T lymphocytes ‘infected’ with inactivated replication-incompetent structurally intact HIV-1 particles. It is hoped that the argument presented here will interest many of those involved in HIV/AIDS research and others in the general scientific community.
Chronic Pain One to Five Years after Lung Transplantation
Abstract:
Chronic bodily pain after lung transplantation has received little attention. Therefore, the aim was to provide a multidimensional assessment of self-reported chronic pain 1-5 years after lung transplantation and its relationship with self-reported psychological general well-being (PGWB) and self-efficacy. This multicenter, cross-sectional study is a part of the Swedish national study: Self-management after thoracic transplantation (SMATT). In total, 117 lung transplant recipients, all white, due for their yearly follow-up at one (n=35), two (n=28), three (n=23), four (n=20) or five years (n=11) after transplantation were included. Of these, 113 reported their pain on the Pain-O-Meter (POM), which provides information about pain intensity, quality, location, and duration. In addition, they responded to the PGWB instrument and the Self-Efficacy instrument for managing chronic disease. The prevalence of pain was 51% after 1 year, 68 % after 2 years, 69.5 % after 3 ...
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Profiles of Patients with Acute Renal Rejection to Personalize Immunosuppressive Therapy: Preliminary Results from An On-Going, Italian Study
Abstract:
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in immune responses and in the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of immunosuppressive drugs influence transplant outcomes of patients receiving the same immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of our preliminary study was to determine the SNPs profiles of ABCB1/MDR-1, UGT1A9, IMPDH2, IL-10 and TNF-α genes associated with acute rejection (AR) events in renal allograft recipients.
DNA was extracted from whole blood samples of 220 individuals in 3 experimental groups; Case: 41 kidney transplant patients with AR event(s), Control I: 109 kidney transplant patients without AR event, Control II: 70 healthy blood donors. Acute rejection defined as rapid, unexplained rise in serum creatinine was biopsy-proven. 19 SNPs were analyzed by Sanger Sequencing. Analysis of allele and genotype frequencies and gene-disease association tests were performed. Allele frequencies of healthy persons are in line with ones...