Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Chemical Profile And In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation Of Unripe Citrus Aurantifolia Essential Oil, Christian K. Adokoh, Du-Bois Asante, Desmond O. Acheampong, Yohei Kotsuchibashi, Francis A. Armah, Ignatius H. Sirikyi, Keisuke Kimura, Edward Gmakame, Sey Abdul-Rauf

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (syn. C. MEDICA var. ACIDA Brandis) (family: Rutaceae) essential oil is one of the cheapest oils found in local markets. Although, it is generally accepted as non-toxic to vital organs and cells, majority of people are cynical about it usage. Herein, the present study reports the chemical composition and in vivo oral toxicity study of unripe C. aurantifolia essential oil found in Ghana. The toxicity of C. aurantifolia essential oil extract was investigated via oral administration using two methods: The acute toxicity single dose study (SDS) and the repeated dose method. The oil exhibited no acute …

Is The Blood An Alternative For Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Assessment In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?, Emmanuel Acheampong, Isaac Spencer, Weitao Lin, Melanie Ziman, Michael Millward, Elin Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Anti-programmed cell death (PD)-1/PD-ligand 1 (L1) therapies have significantly improved the outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in recent years. These therapies work by reactivating the immune system and enabling it to target cancer cells once more. There is a general agreement that expression of PD-L1 on tumour cells predicts the therapeutic response to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in NSCLC. Hence, immunohistochemical staining of tumour tissue biopsies from NSCLC patients with PD-L1 antibodies is the current standard used to aid selection of patients for treatment with anti-PD-1 as first line therapy. However, issues of small tissue samples, tissue heterogeneity, the …

The Exercise And Sports Science Australia Position Statement: Exercise Medicine In Cancer Management, Sandra C. Hayes, Robert U. Newton, Rosalind R. Spence, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objectives: Since Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) first published its position statement on exercise guidelines for people with cancer, there has been exponential growth in research evaluating the role of exercise pre-, during and post-cancer treatment.

Design and Methods: The purpose of this report is to use the current scientific evidence, alongside clinical experience and exercise science principles to update ESSA’s position statement on cancer-specific exercise prescription.

Results: Reported in this position statement is a summary of the benefits accrued through exercise following a cancer diagnosis and the strengths and limitations of this evidence-base. An exercise prescription framework is …

Prevalence Of Coexistent Plantaris Tendon Pathology In Patients With Mid-Portion Achilles Pathology: A Retrospective Mri Study, Sachin Khullar, Prasanna Gamage, Peter Malliaras, Leesa Huguenin, Ashutosh Prakash, David Connell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Co-existence of Plantaris tendinopathy (PT) in patients with mid-Achilles tendinopathy (Mid-AT) is of clinical significance. This study aims to describe the MRI-based pathological characteristics of co-existing PT and Mid-AT. One-hundred MRI studies of patients diagnosed with Mid-AT were retrospectively analysed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Presence or absence of a Plantaris tendon, co-existing PT with Mid-AT, insertional characteristics of Plantaris tendon, and maximum anteroposterior thickness of the tendon in Mid-AT (axial images) were evaluated. When PT co-existed with Mid-AT, the location of the tendon pathologies in relation to calcaneal insertion was assessed (sagittal images) and their association was analysed using …

Occupational Exposure Of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene And Xylene (Btex) To Pump Attendants In Ghana: Implications For Policy Guidance, Francis Atta Kuranchie, Prosper Naah Angnunavuri, Francis Attiogbe, Esi Nana Nerquaye-Tetteh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Gasoline plays an important role as fuel for engines, but its use is replete with a high probability of adverse health to persons along the distribution chain, especially pump attendants. This study is a systematic review of the literature on gasoline exposure and the specific risks of adverse health on pump attendants by benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene (BTEX) to instigate policy in Ghana. A careful review of the literature indicates that pump attendants are at risk of developing cancer and non-cancer health hazards. This is particularly so in Ghana due to poor safe work practices and controls at pump …

Perceptions Of Climate Change And Occupational Heat Stress Risks And Adaptation Strategies Of Mining Workers In Ghana, Victor Fannam Nunfam, Jacques Oosthuizen, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Eddie Van Etten, Kwasi Frimpong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Heavy physical workload for long hours coupled with increasing workplace heat exposure due to rising temperatures stemming from climate change, especially where there are inadequate prevention and control policies, adversely affect workers' health and safety, productive capacity and social well-being. However, variations in workers' concerns and awareness of occupational heat stress and climate change risks impede the effectiveness of heat stress management. A mixed method approach was used to assess climate change perceptions and occupational heat stress risks and adaptation strategies of Ghanaian mining workers. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 320 respondents. Quantitative and …

Time-To-Event Analysis For Sports Injury Research Part 1: Time-Varying Exposures, Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen, Michael Lejbach Bertelsen, Daniel Ramskov, Merete Møller, Adam Hulme, Daniel Theisen, Caroline F. Finch, Lauren Victoria Fortington, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Erik Thorlund Parner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: ‘How much change in training load is too much before injury is sustained, among different athletes?’ is a key question in sports medicine and sports science. To address this question the investigator/practitioner must analyse exposure variables that change over time, such as change in training load. Very few studies have included time-varying exposures (eg, training load) and time-varying effect-measure modifiers (eg, previous injury, biomechanics, sleep/stress) when studying sports injury aetiology.

AIM: To discuss advanced statistical methods suitable for the complex analysis of time-varying exposures such as changes in training load and injury-related outcomes.

CONTENT: Time-varying exposures and time-varying effect-measure …

Time-To-Event Analysis For Sports Injury Research Part 2: Time-Varying Outcomes, Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen, Michael Lejbach Bertelsen, Daniel Ramskov, Merete Møller, Adam Hulme, Daniel Theisen, Caroline F. Finch, Lauren Victoria Fortington, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Erik Thorlund Parner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Time-to-event modelling is underutilised in sports injury research. Still, sports injury researchers have been encouraged to consider time-to-event analyses as a powerful alternative to other statistical methods. Therefore, it is important to shed light on statistical approaches suitable for analysing training load related key-questions within the sports injury domain.

CONTENT: In the present article, we illuminate: (i) the possibilities of including time-varying outcomes in time-to-event analyses, (ii) how to deal with a situation where different types of sports injuries are included in the analyses (ie, competing risks), and (iii) how to deal with the situation where multiple subsequent injuries …

Investigating The Relationships Between Hypothalamic Volume And Measures Of Circadian Rhythm And Habitual Sleep In Premanifest Huntington's Disease, Danielle M. Bartlett, Juan F. Domínguez D, Alvaro Reyes, Pauline Zaenker, Kirk W. Feindel, Robert U. Newton, Anthony J. Hannan, James A. Slater, Peter R. Eastwood, Alpar S. Lazar, Mel Ziman, Travis Cruickshank

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective

Pathological changes within the hypothalamus have been proposed to mediate circadian rhythm and habitual sleep disturbances in individuals with Huntington’s disease (HD). However, investigations examining the relationships between hypothalamic volume and circadian rhythm and habitual sleep in individuals with HD are sparse. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the relationships between hypothalamic pathology and circadian rhythm and habitual sleep disturbances in individuals with premanifest HD.

Methods

Thirty-two individuals with premanifest HD and twenty-nine healthy age- and gender-matched controls participated in this dual-site, cross-sectional study. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed to evaluate hypothalamic volume. Circadian rhythm and habitual sleep …

Doppler Radar-Based Non-Contact Health Monitoring For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review, Vinh Phuc Tran, Adel Ali Al-Jumaily, Syed Mohammed Shamsul Islam

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Today’s rapid growth of elderly populations and aging problems coupled with the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other health related issues have affected many aspects of society. This has led to high demands for a more robust healthcare monitoring, diagnosing and treatments facilities. In particular to Sleep Medicine, sleep has a key role to play in both physical and mental health. The quality and duration of sleep have a direct and significant impact on people’s learning, memory, metabolism, weight, safety, mood, cardio-vascular health, diseases, and immune system function. The gold-standard for OSA diagnosis is the overnight sleep monitoring …

Effect Of Ice Slushy Ingestion And Cold Water Immersion On Thermoregulatory Behavior, Hui C. Choo, Jeremiah J. Peiffer, João P. Lopes-Silva, Ricardo N. O. Mesquita, Tatsuro Amano, Narihiko Kondo, Chris R. Abbiss

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of ice slushy ingestion (ICE) and cold water immersion (CWI) on thermoregulatory and sweat responses during constant (study 1) and self-paced (study 2) exercise. In study 1, 11 men cycled at 40–50% of peak aerobic power for 60 min (33.2 ± 0.3C, 45.9 ± 0.5% relative humidity, RH). In study 2, 11 men cycled for 60 min at perceived exertion (RPE) equivalent to 15 (33.9 ± 0.2C and 42.5 ± 3.9%RH). In both studies, each trial was preceded by 30 min of CWI (~22C), ICE or no cooling (CON). Rectal temperature (T …

Vegetable Nitrate Intakes Are Associated With Reduced Self-Reported Cardiovascular-Related Complications Within A Representative Sample Of Middle-Aged Australian Women, Prospectively Followed Up For 15 Years, J.K. Jackson, Amanda J. Patterson, Lesley K. Macdonald-Wicks, Peta M. Forder, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Natalie C. Ward, Carl Holder, Christopher Oldmeadow, Julie E. Byles, Mark A. Mcevoy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nitric oxide (NO) facilitates anti-atherosclerotic effects. Vegetables are a major source of dietary nitrate. Experimental data indicates that dietary nitrate can significantly reduce major risk factors for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), as nitrate can be metabolized to produce NO via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the association between habitual dietary nitrate intakes and the incidence of self-reported CVD-related complications within a representative sample of middle-aged Australian women (1946–1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health). Women free from disease at baseline who had completed the food frequency questionnaire data …

Fasting Salivary Glucose Levels Is Not A Better Measure For Identifying Diabetes Mellitus Than Serum Or Capillary Blood Glucose Levels: Comparison In A Ghanaian Population, Richard K.D. Ephraim, Enoch Odame Anto, Emmanuel Acheampong, Linda Ahenkorah Fondjo, Richmond B. Barnie, Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, Ambrose Asare

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims/introduction: We compared the diagnostic performance and correlation between salivary, serum and capillary blood glucose of diabetes and non-diabetes patients. Early detection of diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes to the prevention of complications and management. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted among a total of 138 participants comprising 79 newly diagnosed diabetes patients (cases) and 59 non-diabetes patients (controls). Fasting salivary glucose (FSLG), fasting serum glucose (FSEG) levels and fasting capillary whole blood glucose (FCWBG) level were assayed for each participant. Results: The mean FSLG, FSEG and FCWBG levels were significantly higher among the cases compared to controls (p …

The Use Of A Functional Test Battery As A Noninvasive Method Of Fatigue Assessment, Steven Hughes, Dale W. Chapman, G. Gregory Haff, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

To assess whether a battery of performance markers, both individually and as group, would be sensitive to fatigue, a within group random cross-over design compared multiple variables during seated control and fatigue (repeated sprint cycling) conditions. Thirty-two physically active participants completed a neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire, Stroop task, postural sway, squat jump, countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull and 10 s maximal sprint cycle (Sprintmax) before and after each condition (15 min, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h). In comparison to control, larger neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire total score decrements were observed 15 min (5.20 ± 4.6), 1 h (3.33 ± 3.9) …

Acute Effects Of Fine Particulate Matter (Pm2.5) On Hospital Admissions For Cardiovascular Disease In Beijing, China: A Time-Series Study, Endawoke Amsalu, Tianqi Wang, Haibin Li, Yue Liu, Anxin Wang, Xiangtong Liu, Lixin Tao, Yanxia Luo, Feng Zhang, Xinghua Yang, Xia Li, Wei Wang, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Air pollution and cardiovascular disease are increasing problems in China. However, the short-term association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not well documented. The purpose of this study is to estimate the short-term effects of PM2.5 on CVD admissions in Beijing, China.

Methods

In total, 460,938 electronic hospitalization summary reports for CVD between 2013 and 2017 were obtained. A generalized additive model using a quasi-Poisson distribution was used to investigate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and hospitalizations for total and cause-specific CVD, including coronary heart disease (CHD), atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart failure (HF) …

Cultural Practices And The Transmission Of Ebola In Sierra Leone: Lessons Learned From A Medical Anthropology Perspective, Abubakarr Jalloh

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The link between culture and infectious diseases has long been established. This is primarily due to the notion that culture shapes and influences people’s beliefs, actions, and ways of life. Such beliefs and their accompanying actions ultimately contribute to people’s risk of contracting an infectious disease. As such, there is a need for a cultural perspective in understanding infectious diseases because human behavior plays a significant role in the emergent, transmission, and spread of such diseases. This study explores the cultural practices that may have contributed to the transmission of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone during the 2013-2016 …

Risk Factors Associated With Myopia In Schoolchildren In Ireland, Síofra Harrington, Jim Stack, Veronica O'Dwyer

Articles

Aim To examine the demographic and social factors associated with myopia in schoolchildren in Ireland.

Methods Thirty-seven schools participated, representing a mix of urban and rural schools and schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged areas in Ireland. Examination included cyclopleged autorefraction (1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride). Height and weight of participants were measured. Parents filled in a participant’s lifestyle questionnaire, including questions on daily screen time use and daylight exposure. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent ≤−0.50 D.

Results Data from 1626 participants (881 boys, 745 girls) in two age groups, 6–7 years (728) and 12–13 years (898), were examined. Myopia prevalence …

Refractive Error And Visual Impairment In Ireland Schoolchildren, Síofra Harrington, Jim Stack, Kathryn Saunders, Veronica O'Dwyer

Articles

Aim To report refractive error prevalence and visual impairment in Republic of Ireland (henceforth 'Ireland') schoolchildren.

Methods The Ireland Eye Study examined 1626 participants (881 boys, 745 girls) in two age groups, 6–7 years (728) and 12–13 years (898), in Ireland between June 2016 and January 2018. Participating schools were selected by stratified random sampling, representing a mix of school type (primary/postprimary), location (urban/rural) and socioeconomic status (disadvantaged/advantaged). Examination included monocular logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) presenting visual acuity (with spectacles if worn) and cycloplegic autorefraction (1% Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride). Parents completed a questionnaire to ascertain participants’ lifestyle. …

Statistical Methods For Joint Analysis Of Multiple Phenotypes And Their Applications For Phewas, Xueling Li

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully detected tens of thousands of robust SNP-trait associations. Earlier researches have primarily focused on association studies of genetic variants and some well-defined functions or phenotypic traits. Emerging evidence suggests that pleiotropy, the phenomenon of one genetic variant affects multiple phenotypes, is widespread, especially in complex human diseases. Therefore, individual phenotype analyses may lose statistical power to identify the underlying genetic mechanism. Contrasting with single phenotype analyses, joint analysis of multiple phenotypes exploits the correlations between phenotypes and aggregates multiple weak marginal effects and is therefore likely to provide new insights into the functional consequences …

3d Printing In Low Resource Healthcare Settings: Analysis Of Potential Implementations, Alenna Beroza

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

3D printing has gained significant momentum in the past ten years, and its unique advantages make it especially ideal for use in low resource healthcare settings, where many designs have already been successfully implemented. Yet, little has been studied on how 3D printing can be sustainably and functionally implemented in low resource healthcare systems as a manufacturing practice. In this report, three business models are proposed for this implementation: In-House Operator, Independent Operator, and Print Farm. These models were then tested over four months in Kisumu county, Kenya, at two workshops and seven public hospitals. I worked with local medical …

Informed Hearing Loss Prevention For Theatre Uni, Mallory Park

Honors Program Theses

This study explores the opinions and behaviors related to hearing loss and hearing loss prevention in the demographic of theatre workers at Theatre UNI. Data was collected through a survey dispersed in a department-wide email and by measuring sound level in the scene shop and the costume studio. Survey responses from 11 participants indicated that theatre workers at Theatre UNI may be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss and that further education may aid in prevention of hearing damage.

Association Between Preseason Training And Performance In Elite Australian Football, Callum J. Mccaskie, Warren B. Young, Brendan B. Fahrner, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: To examine the association between preseason training variables and subsequent in-season performance in an elite Australian football team.

Methods: Data from 41 elite male Australian footballers (mean [SD] age = 23.4 [3.1] y, height =188.4 [7.1] cm, and mass = 86.7 [7.9] kg) were collected from 1 Australian Football League (AFL) club. Preseason training data (external load, internal load, fitness testing, and session participation) were collected across the 17-wk preseason phase (6 and 11 wk post-Christmas). Champion Data© Player Rank (CDPR), coaches’ ratings, and round 1 selection were used as in-season performance measures. CDPR and coaches’ ratings were examined …

Utility Of Hepatic Or Total Body Iron Burden In The Assessment Of Advanced Hepatic Fibrosis In Hfe Hemochromatosis, Justin Chin, Lawrie W. Powell, Louise E. Ramm, Oyekoya T. Ayonrinde, Grant A. Ramm, John K. Olynyk

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Development of advanced hepatic fibrosis in HFE Hemochromatosis (HH) is influenced by hepatic iron concentration (HIC) and age. In patients with HH, it is important to assess the likelihood of cirrhosis and thus the need for confirmatory liver biopsy. Therapeutic phlebotomy also provides an estimate of mobilisable iron stores. We determined whether mobilisable iron stores may predict the presence of advanced fibrosis. Retrospective analysis of 137 male and 65 female HH subjects was undertaken. Biochemical, histological and phlebotomy data were available on all subjects. The mean values of HIC, HIC × [age], mobilisable iron, mobilisable iron × [age] and serum …

Barriers To Vaccination Service Delivery Within General Practice: Opportunity To Make A Sustainable Difference In Aboriginal Child Health?, Rebecca Carman, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Devine, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: To identify behavioural barriers of service provision within general practice that may be impacting the vaccination coverage rates of Aboriginal children in Perth, Western Australia (WA). Methods: A purposive developed survey was distributed to 316 general practices across Perth and three key informant interviews were conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Results: Of the surveyed participants (n=101), 67.4% were unaware of the low vaccination coverage in Aboriginal children; 64.8% had not received cultural sensitivity training in their workplace and 46.8% reported having inadequate time to follow up overdue child vaccinations. Opportunistic vaccination was not routinely performed by 30.8% of participants. …

What Predicts Regression From Pre-Diabetes To Normal Glucose Regulation Following A Primary Care Nurse-Delivered Dietary Intervention? A Study Protocol For A Prospective Cohort Study, Kirsten Coppell, Trish Freer, Sally Abel, Lisa Whitehead, David Tipene-Leach, Andrew R. Gray, Tony Merriman, Trudy Sullivan, Jeremy Krebs, Leigh Perreault

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Pre-diabetes is a high-risk state for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Regression to normoglycaemia, even if transient, significantly reduces the risk of developing T2DM. The primary aim of this mixed-methods study is to determine if there are clinically relevant differences among those with pre-diabetes and excess weight who regress to normoglycaemia, those who have persistent pre-diabetes and those who progress to T2DM following participation in a 6-month primary care nurse-delivered pre-diabetes dietary intervention. Incidence of T2DM at 2 years will be examined.

Methods and analysis Four hundred participants with pre-diabetes (New Zealand definition …

Effects Of A Group-Mediated Cognitive Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention On Select Social Cognitive Outcomes In Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy, Brian C. Focht, Alexander R. Lucas, Elizabeth Grainger, Christina Simpson, Ciaran M. Fairman, Jennifer M. Thomas-Ahner, Zachary L. Chaplow, Victoria R. Descenza, Jessica Bowman, Steven K. Clinton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective. To compare the effects of a group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) exercise and dietary (EX+D) intervention with those of standard-of-care (SC) treatment on select social cognitive outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods. In the single-blind, 2-arm, randomized controlled Individualized Diet and Exercise Adherence–Pilot (IDEA-P) trial, 32 PCa patients (mean age = 66.2 years; SD = 7.8) undergoing ADT were randomly assigned to a 12-week EX+D intervention (n = 16) or SC treatment (n = 16). The exercise component of the personalized EX+D intervention integrated a combination of supervised resistance and aerobic exercise …

Benchmarking Nurse Outcomes In Australian Magnet® Hospitals: Cross-Sectional Survey, L. Stone, M. Arneil, Linda Coventry, V. Casey, S. Moss, A. Cavadino, B. Laing, A. L. Mccarthy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Positive reports of nursing-related outcomes such as quality nursing care, nursing engagement with work and good practice environment are crucial in attaining and maintaining Magnet® designation. The majority of Magnet®-designated organisations (N = 482) are in the USA, with their aggregate nursing outcomes widely published as benchmark data. Australian Magnet® outcomes have not been aggregated or published to date. Methods: The aims are to benchmark educational preparation, occupational burnout, job satisfaction, intention to leave and working environment of nurses in Australian Magnet®-designated facilities and to determine the reliability of the Practice Environment Scale-Australia. The design is a cross-sectional multisite …

Disability Transitions And Health Expectancies Among Elderly People Aged 65 Years And Over In China: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study, Chengbei Hou, Yuan Ma, Xinghua Yang, Lixin Tao, Deqiang Zheng, Xiangtong Liu, Xia Li, Wei Wang, Xianghua Fang, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Disability has become a critical issue among elderly populations, yet limited large-scale research related to this issue has been conducted in China, an aging society. This study explored sex and urban-rural differences in disability transitions and life expectancies among older adults in China. Data were collected from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which enrolled people aged 65 and older and was conducted in randomly selected counties and cities across 22 provinces in China. Disability was diagnosed based on basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Several individual characteristics were assessed, including sociodemographic …

Targeting Lipoprotein Biogenesis: Considerations Towards Antimicrobials, Toufic El Arnaout, Tewfic Soulimane

Articles

Decades have passed without approval of a new antibiotic class. Several companies have recently halted related discovery efforts because of multiple obstacles. One promising route under research is to target the lipoprotein maturation pathway in light of major recent findings and the virulence roles of lipoproteins. To support the future design of selective drugs, considerations and priority-setting are established for the main lipoprotein processing enzymes (Lgt, LspA, and Lnt) based on microbiology, biochemistry, structural biology, chemical design, and pharmacology. Although not all bacterial species will be similarly impacted by drug candidates, several advantages make LspA a top target to pursue …

Eligibility And Patient Barriers To Peritoneal Dialysis In Patients With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, Saleem Mohamed Abdulkarim

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease is on the rise in Kenya and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. While definitive treatment is renal transplantation, many patients require renal replacement therapy in the form of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The predominant modality utilized in Kenya is currently hemodialysis despite peritoneal dialysis having similar survival outcomes with the potential benefit of cost-effectiveness. There is need therefore to explore why peritoneal dialysis remains underutilized and whether patient factors may be contributory to barriers that limit the uptake of peritoneal dialysis. Purpose: The main objective of this study is to …