Living with Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disease that increases blood levels of phenylalanine. Persistent elevations in the concentration of this amino acid in the blood can cause neurological damage which, in its most severe form, is manifested by irreversible mental retardation. The neonatal screening test, carried out on the third to fifth day of life, enables early diagnosis and the start of treatment in good time, with the aim of guaranteeing normal growth and development for the affected child. Dietary treatment, which is very restrictive, is influenced by various factors that produce significant changes in family dynamics and becomes a major challenge for professionals, since purely biological knowledge is not enough to encompass its complexity and how to deal with it. Living with Phenylketonuria sought to emphasise the difficulties of treatment, not only in relation to the restrictive diet, but also in relation to emotional, social, economic and cultural aspects. The study helps to improve understanding of living with the disease in family dynamics, contributing to a more humanised and integrated approach to the treatment of PKU.
Molecular Food Microbiology
Forming part of the Food Microbiology series, this book provides a state of art coverage on molecular techniques applicable to food microbiology.
Metformin
The topic of this book is prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease which are increasing by epidemic proportions all over the world. Metabolic syndrome is well established risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Hyperinsulinaemia is considered as the earliest stage of development of type 2 diabetes and a core defect unifying the cardiovascular cluster of the metabolic syndrome. Treatment of the metabolic syndrome and hyperinsulinaemia is essential for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Metformin is a medication of first choice in therapeutic strategy of type 2 diabetes. The book comprises of two research articles representing results of metformin treatment in people at high risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease such as those with hyperinsulinaemia, normal glucose tolerance and metabolic syndrome.
Socio-familial factors associated with cannabis abuse
Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit substance worldwide, and seems to be of particular interest to younger populations. To describe the socio-familial factors associated with cannabis abuse and to evaluate the types of substances associated with cannabis. This is a retrospective, descriptive, monocentric study of cannabis-using patients over a 3-year period. Data processing was carried out using Microsoft Office Word and Excel 2016. Among 551 hospitalized patients, 137 had used cannabis, and 88 were selected. The mean age was 24.43 years, and the majority were male (96.6%), 93.2% of whom smoked in groups. Single people (80.7%), young people from single-parent families (63.6%) and forced labourers (56.8%) were most interested in smoking. Group influence (62.5%) dominated the reason for use. The most frequently observed associated substances were alcohol and tobacco (44.3%). Cannabis use is a real public health problem in Antsiranana, and indeed in Madagascar.
The Art and Science of Medical Practice
The medical students and doctors who read this book will learn many practical tips about how to practise medicine, judged as successful by patients. These tips result from 55-years of medical practice experience, using both its art and science; its judgement tools, methods and creative processes, rather than anonymous, check-box ticking algorithmic processing. Everyday medical practices save lives and reduce suffering, but with problematic cases both independent thought and creativity are often necessary. Scientific medicine has provided us with many indispensable tools, but it is the art of medicine that defines how best to use them to fulfil our patient's needs. Applying the science of medicine can be as effective as a bowl of cold soup served to stranded, freezing and frightened mountaineers. Even though it contains every ingredient necessary to sustain life, the soup alone might not uplift their spirits enough for the journey ahead. For that, knowing how to handle people is the essential art. Only the art of medical practice serves this purpose for patients.No matter how much science we apply to a clinical situation, someone, sometime, will need to draw a line between what is 'normal' and 'abnormal'; between what is acceptable and the unacceptable, and between what is clinically advisable, risky or ineffective. Science has provided doctors with the means to draw such lines of distinction, but not the ability to know where best to draw them for each patient. That remains a medical art.Some controversial medical topics discussed are: The relative importance of scientific medicine and the art of medicine. The challenge of cultural diversity and our personal biases.Why the poor suffer five times more disease than the wealthy. The statistical paradox, informed consent and patient agreement. The merit of doctors and nurses performing in 'attached' and 'detached' modes.The relative merits of medical training rather the education of experience. The sovereignty of medical learning, ability, and practice and the duties it imposes. Why doctors in the UK are leaving the medical profession ('Drexit')?The contents will be most pertinent to all medical students, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and anyone unfortunate enough to be a patient. It could also be pertinent to those still at school, considering a career in medicine.Only those with a strong interest in their fellow man should attempt to practise the art of medicine. They will need to be brave enough, and irreverent enough of regulatory bureaucracy, to practise it in the future. The reason is simple. Medical science alone is used to define the regulatory high ground. While the progressive impenetrability and detached nature of scientific knowledge helps to grow its mystique, the art of medicine is being simultaneously derided and undervalued. This is because the art of medical practice is impossible to regulate and there are no means to measure its indispensable merits.
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are frequent pathologies and present a common clinical problem. The challenge in their evaluation is to find the right balance between over-treatment, and the risk of missing a thyroid cancer. The management of thyroid nodules must be multidisciplinary, involving endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists and ENT surgeons.Diagnostic strategies were gradually developed to minimize the percentage of nodules requiring surgical management, so that only suspected nodules were operated on. Alongside cervical ultrasound, CPAF is the cornerstone of these strategies for exploring thyroid nodules.
Aorto-femoral bypass surgery
Atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the aortic crossroads and iliac axes is the preferred site for atherosclerotic disease, which is a general disease that can affect all medium- and large-caliber arteries.The management of these patients has benefited from advances in diagnostic imaging based on ultra-sonographic, CT and angiographic explorations. The therapeutic options for aorto-iliac occlusive disease are endovascular and surgical treatment, both of which have undergone considerable expansion, aided by increasingly high-performance imaging tools. Endovascular treatment is indicated mainly for focal lesions of moderate length, whereas surgery is indicated for patients with long, multiple lesions. Surgery is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate, dominated by cardiac and digestive complications.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare form of toxidermia, one of the severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR). It is a febrile, erythematous, putular cutaneous reaction, most often caused by drugs. It may also be due to a viral infection (enterovirus: coxsackie, echovirus or cytomegalovirus), a toxic substance (mercury) or a food allergen. All ages are concerned. The drugs most often responsible are antibiotics such as beta-lactams and pristinamycin. PEAG is a model of delayed drug hypersensitivity mediated by CD8 T lymphocytes. The onset of this toxidermia is short, ranging from a few hours to a few days. Diagnosis of this dermatosis is based on clinical and para-clinical criteria. These criteria were validated by a score, established in 2001 by the European SCAR study group (EuroSCAR).Clinically, PEAG manifests as a bright red, sometimes scarlatiniform, edematous erythema, undertaking the trunk, limbs, and more particularly the axillary and inguinal folds.
Fixed bullous erythema pigmentosum
Bullous fixed erythema pigmentosum is a severe drug-induced toxidermia requiring specialized management. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of erythema pigmentosum fixe bullosa.We carried out a retrospective descriptive study in the dermatology department of the Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis over a 17-year period from January 2000 to December 2016 collating 16 cases of erythema pigmentosum fixe bullosa confirmed histologically and by a pharmacovigilance survey. In total, we collected 16 cases of bullous erythema pigmentosum fixe. The mean age of our patients was 42.8 years, with a M/F sex ratio of 1.23. Bullous EPF was localized in 8 cases and generalized in 8. Mucocutaneous involvement was present in 6 patients, isolated cutaneous in 7 and isolated mucosal in 3. Two patients had systemic signs such as fever and altered general condition. Eight patients were treated with dermocorticoids alone, and eight with general corticosteroids and dermocorticoids. Our patients progressed well.
Health and Safety at Work and Professional Environments in Mali
In Mali, the Centre National d'Appareillage Orthop矇dique du Mali (CNAOM) provides specialized orthopedic and rehabilitation services. It also specializes in the design and promotion of appliances and technical aids for disabled people.Objective: To assess physical and chemical hazards in orthopedic appliance manufacturing workshops.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study running from August 1 to August 31, 2020. All orthoprosthetists working in production workshops were included. Technical visits to the premises and a multi-part questionnaire (socio-demographic aspects, working conditions, etc.) were carried out. Data were collected in production areas for environmental metrology (noise, ambient temperature, dust, light).
Doctors, medicines and the market
In recent decades, due to significant economic and technological changes, medical discourse has become linked to economic development, transforming medicine into a territory dominated by capitalist and mercantilist forces. In this context, a powerful machinery has been set up in which the pharmaceutical industry has become linked to the knowledge industry, with the aim of funding research programmes and producing scientific knowledge. This work is based on the investigation of this role in funding clinical trials, based on the testimonies of four doctors, professors of medicine, who are co-participants in pharmaceutical industry projects. It aims to contribute to the critical and reflective capacity of prescribing doctors, both in relation to their professional practices and in assessing the quality of medical knowledge presented as new. It also provides data for understanding how this powerful mechanism limits the supposed social omnipotence of medicine, while at the same time colonising the medical profession. This is a relativisation of values that calls for a critical ethical review.
Abortion
In view of the controversy that arises when the subject of abortion comes up, the author, based on his experience, brings to light different perspectives that he considers important for the reader to discern. In the introduction, he clarifies the use of the terms abortion and miscarriage, and elucidates which types of surgery can be established. It highlights the medical opinion that it is considered a safe process. It considers ethical aspects and the patient's right to decide in accordance with her autonomy. It discusses how the beginning of life is considered in the cultures of different societies and other aspects that it deems pertinent. It focuses on how the major religions on the planet deal with the matter, and how peoples with different legislations judge the participants in this practice, as well as bringing several examples of the importance of discussion and positioning of abortion in political and social life. This is a matter for women and doctors, but it is punished by priests following the dogmas of different churches and by jurists obeying the laws voted for by politicians in various parliaments.
SARS-Cov2-related dysthyroidism in intensive care patients
In addition to its respiratory tropism, covid-19 can cause systemic symptoms, including thyroid damage. The aim of our work was to study the incidence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia and its prognostic impact. It is a prospective study including patients admitted for covid-19 pneumonia between September 2020 and August 2022 and having a thyroid balance disturbance. We included 364 patients. The incidence of dysthyroidism was 32.4% (89% hyperthyroidism and 11% hypothyroidism). SAPS II score, use of mechanical ventilation, catecholamine administration, nosocomial infection rate, occurrence of septic DCI and mortality were significantly higher in the dysthyroidism group. In the multivariate analysis, corticosteroid therapy and preventive anticoagulation were factors independently associated with dysthyroidism. Larger, longer-term studies could complement this work.
Integrated light, electron transmission, scanning and confocal laser
In this book are applied several correlative microscopy methodologies for analysis of vertebrate cerebellar cortex by means of light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy for studying the cell substructures and histochemistry of nerve and their intrinsic cerebellar circuits and synaptic organization, We have shown by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy the immunoreactivity of rat cerebellar nerve cells for calbindin, synapsin-I, PSD-95, GluR1, CaMKII alpha, and N-cadherin.
Implementation of a Breast Cancer Early Detection System
This work represents a significant advance in the field of early detection of breast cancer by implementing an innovative system based on advanced image processing methods. The approach adopted is of key importance in the context of aiding medical diagnosis through the analysis of medical imaging, focusing specifically on mammography. The innovative methods developed in this work are aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of early-stage detection of breast tumors. The uniqueness of this approach also lies in its rigorous validation on the basis of images from the "Mias" database, demonstrating its innovative potential and practical usefulness for the early detection of breast cancer.
Heart tumors
Cardiac tumors are tumors that develop from various elements of the endocardium, myocardium and pericardium. Metastases have a higher incidence than primary tumors. As far as primary tumours are concerned, myxoma is the most frequent tumour in the cavitary region, unlike in the valvular region, where fibroelastoma predominates. Clinical symptoms are polymorphic. It depends more on the location of the tumour than on its size. A large tumor infiltrating the cardiac muscle may be clinically asymptomatic, whereas a small tumor located in the valvular endocardium may impede blood flow and have a noisy clinical expression. Diagnosis of these tumors is currently facilitated by non-invasive imaging techniques, in particular echocardiography. The development of cardiac excision and reconstruction surgery has transformed this pathology into a curable condition.
Healing Plants Ancient Remedies Indians Secret Health System (Vaidoos)
Healing Plants: Ancient Remedies: Indian Secret Health System (Vaidoos) Unlock the timeless secrets of ancient India's healing traditions with "Healing Plants Ancient Remedies: Indian Secret Health System (Vaidoos)". Dive into a world where nature's bounty has been meticulously documented and harnessed for thousands of years.This captivating book reveals the wisdom of the Vaidoos, the traditional healers of India, who have perfected the art of using medicinal plants to treat a myriad of ailments. Each page is a journey into the rich history, detailed descriptions, and practical applications of these potent natural remedies. Learn how these time-tested practices can enhance your well-being and offer alternatives to modern medicine.Imagine having the knowledge to naturally boost your immunity, alleviate stress, and heal common ailments right at your fingertips. With this book, you'll uncover: Comprehensive Profiles: Detailed information on hundreds of healing plants, their properties, and their uses.Practical Remedies: Step-by-step guides to preparing and using plant-based remedies for various health issues.Cultural Insights: Fascinating stories and historical
Post-traumatic peritonitis
Peritonitis is the acute inflammation or infection of the thin membrane covering the intra-abdominal organs. It is generally secondary to perforation of a hollow digestive organ or to the spread of an intra-abdominal septic focus. It may be generalised or localised. Acute generalised peritonitis accounts for a large proportion of abdominal emergencies. According to Cl矇ment et al, it is a global health problem, with a mortality rate of up to 20%. In 2020, Tochie et al. reported a worldwide prevalence of 0.93%, with mortality ranging from 8.4% to 34%, depending on the country and the aetiology. According to the Hamburg classification, peritonitis can be primary, secondary or tertiary. Secondary peritonitis is the most common, accounting for 98% of peritonitis and 7% of abdominal pain syndromes. It may occur following abdominal trauma, contusion or abdominal wounds, perendoscopic perforation or the presence of an intra-abdominal foreign body.
Prevalence of swine cysticercosis and risk factors
Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and risk factors for Taenia solium taeniasis among pork consumers in the city of Ouagadougou.Objective: To determine the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis at the Ouagadougou cold-storage abattoir and identify risk factors for taenia solium taeniasis among pork consumers in the city of Ouagadougou.Material and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 2022 to April 2023 at the Ouagadougou refrigerated abattoir and among pork consumers in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The survey took the form of an online and face-to-face questionnaire. All data were entered, processed and analyzed on Epi Info, version 7.2.4.0 and Microsoft Excel version 2019.Results: A total of 4,923 pigs were inspected during the study. The overall prevalence of porcine cysticercosis at AFO using the post-mortem inspection technique was 1.4%. This relatively low prevalence may be explained by the sensitivity of the technique used and also by the number of carcasses defrauded.
Angioscan diagnosis
Superficial vascular malformations are relatively rare and often unrecognized. Their classification is essential to avoid diagnostic and therapeutic errors. Angiography-CT is an effective approach, even if it can cause irradiation.Doppler ultrasound and MRI angiography are the ideal diagnostic tools. Management is multidisciplinary.
Spirituality in the face of illness
The motivation for carrying out this research arose when, passing through some of my university internships, my attention was drawn to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as it is a place with a wide variety of devices, highly complex and invasive procedures and its beds occupied by patients who are mostly in a 'serious condition'. This type of unit generates fear in the family member, 'fear of the unknown', of the devices, of the procedures, causes anguish at not being able to accompany their family member and doubts at not knowing if the patient will leave this place alive, thus generating stress due to hospitalisation. This book presents a study on the Religious-Spiritual Coping (RSC) of relatives of patients in the ICU. The data was collected from family members while they were waiting to visit their relative, and they answered a questionnaire. The results of the study showed that the family members who took part in this research use more positive than negative SRC strategies. We can see that regardless of religion/spirituality, all family members believe in God and that this helps in the hospitalisation process.
Hyper barric oxygen
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or tube. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the air pressure is increased to three times higher than normal air pressure. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. (HBOT) was first reported in The Lancet in 1887 and is best known for the treatment of deep-sea divers suffering from the "bends" (decompression sickness)
Living Without a Heartbeat
Imagine a life where the very organ that sustains you, the heart, fails to beat. For centuries, this meant certain death. But now, thanks to the tireless efforts of pioneering physicians and engineers, the impossible has become possible. Today, revolutionary machines can seamlessly take over the heart's pumping function, saving thousands of lives every year.In this gripping narrative, professor of medicine and cardiac surgeon Steven Jacobs demystifies the intricate workings of these life-saving technologies while exploring their limitations and the transformative impact they have on those who rely on them. But Living Without a Heartbeat is more than just a book about medical technology. It's a testament to the human spirit, a celebration of the unwavering dedication of medical professionals, and a beacon of hope for those facing the uncertainty of heart disease. In these pages, uncover the extraordinary story of how science has given new life to the most vital organ of all.
Childhood asthma
Asthma, a heterogeneous and multifactorial pathology due to chronic inflammation of the bronchi, constitutes the most common chronic respiratory pathology in pediatrics.In our study, asthma was controlled in 36% of cases. However, during the last year of follow-up, almost half of the patients (n=23) were admitted for an asthma attack, 13 of whom were transferred to the intensive care unit. Asthmatic children who had poor medication compliance were the most hospitalized for asthma attacks (p= 10-3) and had a greater risk of being hospitalized in an intensive care unit (p= 10-3).The knowledge of mothers and caregivers was insufficient, hence the importance of increasing the number of educational sessions and strengthening ongoing training for caregivers.
Animal Ethics in the Wild
Animals, like humans, suffer and die from natural causes. This is particularly true of animals living in the wild, given their high exposure to, and low capacity to cope with, harmful natural processes. Most wild animals likely have short lives, full of suffering, usually ending in terrible deaths. This book argues that on the assumption that we have reasons to assist others in need, we should intervene in nature to prevent or reduce the harms wild animals suffer, provided that it is feasible and that the expected result is positive overall. It is of the utmost importance that academics from different disciplines as well as animal advocates begin to confront this issue. The more people are concerned with wild animal suffering, the more probable it is that safe and effective solutions to the plight of wild animals will be implemented in the future.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Almost all boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are unable to walk between the ages of 7 and 12. When adolescence arrives, they need help for any activity involving the upper limbs, lower limbs or trunk. Later, important organs such as the heart or lungs begin to fail, leading to respiratory failure and death of the patient at the early age of 40 years.There are many doubts that arise when you have a child with DMD: What are the symptoms that my child will have to face; if I have more children, will they inherit the disease; what are the possible treatments; is there hope or is all lost; what are the current avenues of research?This book attempts to resolve all these doubts, delving into the anatomo-pathological and pathophysiological origin of the disease.
Updates in Pharmacology
In the 1980s, Brazil was marked by advances in the control of HIs, which began to sensitize health professionals, where the first Hospital Infection Control Commissions emerged. The main aim of this study was to evaluate publications on antibiotic control in hospital pharmacies. Data was collected from the following scientific databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), National Library of Medicine (PUBMED), Virtual Health Library (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO). The following descriptors were used (DECS/MESH): ANTIBIOTICS CONTROL, HOSPITALPHARMACY, BACTERIAL RESISTANCE in English, Portuguese and Spanish. This search used the papers on antibiotic control in hospital pharmacies that best suited the objective. Sixteen articles were found in the following scientific databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), National Library of Medicine (PUBMED), Virtual Health Library (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (HEAVEN).
Heat stroke; North African experience
Heat stroke is a critical medical emergency characterized by a rapid rise in core temperature above 40簞C, accompanied by neurological and cardiovascular disorders. This condition can lead to Multi-Visceral Failure Syndrome and potentially death.Our descriptive cross-sectional study included 27 heatstroke victims, taken into pre-hospital care by the SAMU of central-eastern Tunisia, over three months June-August 2023.92.6% of patients benefited from physical cooling and 70.3% from pharmacological cooling. Oral hydration was administered to 48.1% and 85.1% received cooled serum filling. Vasoactive drugs were required in 11.1% of patients. Oxygen therapy was delivered to 48.1%, with mechanical ventilation used for 22.2%.33.3% of patients died, while 66.7% improved.Predictive factors for mortality included elevated core temperature, confusion, coma, visceral compromise, hemodynamic distress, use of mechanical ventilation, administration of vasoactive drugs No significant difference for cooling...
What's new in the treatment of coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine following the consumption of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The only effective treatment for coeliac disease is strict adherence to a lifelong gluten-free diet. However, the gluten-free diet often represents a challenge for coeliac disease patients because of the significant dietary restrictions and the risk of cross-contamination. In recent years, significant research has been carried out to explore alternative therapies. Based on various molecular targets involved in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.
The Art of Dermato-Oncology
Skin cancer, particularly in the head and neck region, represents a significant medical concern due to the area's high visibility and functional importance. The most common types of skin cancer affecting this area are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and less frequently, melanoma. After the removal of skin cancer, especially in the head and neck region, reconstructive plastic surgery is often necessary to restore both appearance and function. The goals of reconstructive surgery are to repair the damaged area, improve aesthetic outcomes, and maintain or restore normal function.Reconstructive surgery plays a crucial role in the recovery process, aiming not only to heal physical wounds but also to help patients regain confidence and quality of life after battling skin cancer.
Surgery for triple valve disease
Triple valve disease refers to dysfunction of all three heart valves: mitral, aortic and tricuspid. This pathology is essentially of rheumatic origin. Valvular heart disease is now rare in Western countries, thanks to the decline in rheumatic fever. However, they remain frequent in our country.These triple disorders are characterized by great diversity in their clinical presentation and evolution, as they associate varying degrees of leakage and stenosis in each of the valve orifices. Diagnosis of this pathology relies essentially on cardiac Doppler ultrasound, which can also be used to assess the impact on cardiac function and pulmonary pressures. The treatment of this condition has benefited greatly from advances in cardiac surgery over the last few decades. However, despite advances in surgical techniques, myocardial protection and post-operative resuscitation, this type of surgery still carries a high mortality rate.
Nodule Displacements by External Compressions of the Breast
We present a fast and reliable algorithm that gives precise loca-tion of breast tumours for a partial mastectomy. Our algorithmis fully implemented in the Surface Evolver, which is a general-purpose simulator of physical experiments. By starting from theX-ray images that show a tumour one takes its 2D coordinates ineach view. These views are called CC (Craniocaudal) and MLO(Mediolateral Oblique). Together with some measurements of thepatient's breast, these coordinates are given as input to our simula-tor. From this point on the simulator reproduces all main steps oftaking mammography with a virtual transparent breast that matchesthe patient's. The virtual mammography procedure is graphicallydisplayed on the computer screen, so that users can track the vir-tual tumour inside the breast. As output we have the coordinates ofthe tumour position when the woman lies on the operating table forthe surgery. With these coordinates the surgeon can make a smallincision into the breast and reach the tumour for its removal. Aftera simple plastic correction the whole structure of the breast will bepreserved.
Hepatoprotective activity of Calycopteris floribunda
Liver illness is among the most important medical conditions. When allopathic medicine is unable to provide effective protective drugs for a range of liver issues, herbs are employed as treatments. Since the last few years, there has been a considerable increase in our understanding of liver illnesses, which has had an impact on how we diagnose and treat hepatic issues. We attempted to investigate the hepatoprotective properties of a locally accessible plant in our study. This plant is used by the tribal people in the area but has not been mentioned in scientific literature. By evaluating the prevention of atorvastatin and clopidogrel induced hepatotoxicity in rats, our research intends to better understand the therapeutic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Calycopteris floribunda.
Post-traumatic aortic dissections
Traumatic lesions of the aorta are considered to be one of the most serious complications of polytrauma, generally occurring as a result of closed shear force trauma. These traumas are typically observed in road accidents or falls from great heights. The most common site for these injuries is the aortic isthmus, a vulnerable point on the aortic arch. The management of these aortic traumas requires rapid and rigorous intervention, and thus constitutes a medical-surgical emergency. In the past, urgent surgical revision by temporary suture, graft interposition or thoracic aortic replacement represented the only therapeutic option. However, this procedure, particularly in polytraumatized patients, was associated with a high risk of mortality, reaching up to 42%. Recently, the implantation of a stent graft in the damaged part of the thoracic aorta, an innovative endovascular method known as endovascular thoracic aortic repair, has become the standard of care.
Treatment of zolpidem dependence
Introduction: Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic used to treat insomnia, which selectively binds to the alpha1 unit of GABA receptors. Therapeutic doses range from 5mg to 10mg a day. Continuous use, as well as doses above those reported, are associated with memory loss, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal syndrome. The latter is associated with anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction and seizures. Objectives: To analyse 40 clinical cases described in the literature as case series of Zolpidem dependence and its treatment, as well as the presence of associated psychiatric pathologies.
Aortic aneurysms of inflammatory origin
Inflammatory aortitis is dominated by Takayasu's disease, Horton's disease and Beh癟et's disease.Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteritis of the large vessels, primarily affecting the aorta and its main branches. It affects young people and manifests itself mainly as multiple arterial stenoses. Beh癟et's disease is a systemic vasculitis of as yet obscure etiology, progressing in successive attacks and affecting vessels of all calibers. Horton's disease affects the elderly, and is principally responsible for aortic aneurysms, with the risk of rupture a major factor in its severity.Diagnosis of inflammatory aortitis is based on imaging. Currently, echo-Doppler, angiography-CT and MRI are reliable and rapid methods for assessing vessel lumina and walls.
Seroprevalence of infectious diseases
The transfusion of blood or its derivatives has become an essential part for public health providers and, therefore, for blood banks. For this reason, it is currently stipulated that screening tests of blood units are mandatory for the detection of potentially transmissible agents through transfusions, which can cause diseases if not identified in a timely manner. The present research is a retrospective, cross-sectional, non-experimental, descriptive, descriptive study, whose total population consisted of voluntary donor users who attended the Blood Bank of the Coromoto Hospital of Maracaibo in the period July 2019-July 2020, and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study.
Vascular accidents
The responsibility of family carers is a well-known issue for patients suffering from disabling chronic illnesses. Family caregivers are indispensable during all stages of stroke treatment, and particularly when patients return home. In the DRC, there have been no such studies among caregivers of stroke survivors. The aim of this study is to describe the weight of these caregivers in Kinshasa. Paradoxically, these unrecognized and neglected players in the healthcare system are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders of varying severity. Depression and anxiety are often present among caregivers. In caregivers, signs of depression and anxiety testify to the severity of psychological suffering, which can be avoided by adopting best-practice measures for stroke management, including care for family carers.
Intestinal Fistula
Intestinal fistulas are holes in the intestinal wall separated from the free abdominal cavity, which communicate with the external environment or with other hollow organs.Intestinal fistulas occur as a result of various abdominal diseases and injuries. Most extrinsic fistulas occur, where intestinal fluid leaks out or into an abscess cavity. In this case, the intestinal passage is completely or partially broken. The amount of liquid in the intestine depends on the size of the intestinal fistula, the level of the intestinal tract, and the patient's diet. The higher the fistula is located in the intestinal tract, the higher the intestinal fluid, and therefore, water, electrolytes, oxygen, and enzymes.
Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
Blood is a connective tissue in fluid form. It is called as the 'fluid of life' because it carries oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body and carbon dioxide from all parts of the body to the lungs. It is called as the 'fluid of growth' because it carries nutritive substances from the digestive system and hormones from endocrine gland to all the tissues. It is called as the 'fluid of health' because it protects the body against the diseases and gets rid of the waste products and unwanted substances by transporting them to the excretory organs like kidneys.
Bioethics in Search of Virtue
Through a collection of scholarly articles, Bioethics in Search of Virtue: A Character-Based Approach explores the character-based ethics embedded within healthcare practices, addressing a pivotal but often overlooked aspect of medical ethics. The anthology dissects the role of virtues as opposed to rules and laws in guiding healthcare practitioners' conduct, offering a unique and vital perspective that navigates through moral theory, moral virtue, and specific bioethical issues.The content is organized into three core units, which explore moral theory, the essence and structure of moral virtue, and a range of moral issues as they manifest in healthcare scenarios. It discusses ethical theories such as consequentialism and deontology and their applicability to clinical practices. The text includes case studies and real-world applications, grounding complex theoretical discussions in practical healthcare dilemmas.Bioethics in Search of Virtue encourages students to critically explore the moral landscape of contemporary healthcare, fostering a nuanced understanding of ethical principles as they pertain to healthcare providers' vocational integrity and the broader field of bioethical debate. It is well suited for coursework in bioethics, medical humanities, and philosophy of healthcare.
Medical Protozoology
Medical protozoology is the science which deals with study of medical protozoa, this study focus on definition, biology and life cycles, mode of transmission of diseases, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention and control of protozoan infections. Protozoa are unicellular single celled organisms which included four types according to movement: pseudopoda, ciliates, sporozoa and flagellates which are divided into three types according to habitat: blood and tissues flagellates, intestinal flagellates and uro-genital flagellates. The trophozoite and cyst stage are two diagnostic life-cycle stages which are commonly seen in protozoa. Protozoa caused dangerous effects on human body like: toxic effect; these produce allergy or necrosis, anaemia, loss of weight, fever and abortion or congenital anomalies. The objective of this book is to help medical and medical laboratory students to understand the protozoan infections and how to diagnose them.
Anemia, Iron Overload, and Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in β-Thalassemia
Thalassemia is a hereditary hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in globin genes that cause reduced or complete absence of specific globin chains (commonly, α or β). Although oxidative stress is not the primary etiology of thalassemia, it mediates several of its pathologies. The main causes of oxidative stress in thalassemia are the degradation of the unstable hemoglobin and iron overload-both stimulate the production of excess free radicals. The symptoms aggravated by oxidative stress include increased hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis and functional failure of vital organs such as the heart and liver. The oxidative status of each patient is affected by multiple internal and external factors, including genetic makeup, health conditions, nutrition, physical activity, age, and the environment (e.g., air pollution, radiation). In addition, oxidative stress is influenced by the clinical manifestations of the disease (unpaired globin chains, iron overload, anemia, etc.).
The Ethics of Precision Medicine
Paul Scherz explores the ethical challenges raised by precision medicine and its focus on medical risk as opposed to current disease.Genetic technologies and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing the landscape of medical practice and patient care. In the emerging field of precision medicine, a patient's risk factors--especially genetic risk factors--are incorporated into an all-encompassing plan to prevent future disease. But identifying at-risk individuals through technologies such as wearable devices and direct-to-consumer genetic sequencing can undermine the overall experience of health. The potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment grows as patients are prescribed medications and receive prophylactic surgeries that carry inherent risks. Also, as the medical industry shifts its attention from individuals to trends in the general population, the one-to-one practitioner-patient relationship becomes strained.Using the lens of virtue ethics and theological bioethics, The Ethics of Precision Medicine offers suggestions for better implementing precision medicine to treat those currently suffering from or at high risk of disease, while also recognizing that effectively preventing disease depends, ultimately, on addressing the social determinants of health. The book provides a new perspective on the problems of contemporary healthcare, proposing practical steps that individuals and institutions can take to ensure that the advanced technologies of precision medicine can be used to promote human flourishing.
From Taste to Disgust
Taste, which is already constructed in the first school of the human being, which is gestation, will be remodeled by the family and the environment. It is therefore impossible to construct taste without taking these parameters into account. Influences during gestation, during family life, from the environment and from the person himself, influence taste perception. Current neuroscience allows us to know details about the functioning of the sense of taste.The concept of taste explained to date is part of an unfinished knowledge, which is far from what really happens. Taste is constructed from many aspects and is evidently educable, which means that not only the "palatability" of taste is educated, but also the action that derives from its links with other areas and brain functions, such as those of disgust, justice, morality, etc.This book shows the "multidimensionality" of taste with the phenomena that accompany it to really teach us what taste perception is all about.
Clinical and Historical Perspectives of Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is one of the parasitic infections caused by flukes of the genus Schistosoma, which cause the acute or chronic form of the disease in humans. The alternative name of the disease is bilharziasis. The disease is transmitted by specific amphibious or aquatic snails that are found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. Five different species of schistosomes are responsible for infecting human beings; these are: Shistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mekongi. Beside learning the basics of schistosomiasis among other diseases, it is important for all categories of learners to appreciate that although control of schistosomiasis has considerably improved in many parts of the world, challenges still exist and the war against the disease is far from over. The information in this book will enable the reader to appreciate the contemporary efforts towards understanding transmission, clinical manifestations, complications, treatment and prevention of schistosomiasis.
Essentials in Clinical Pharmacokinetics
This book provides essentials in clinical pharmacokinetics and serves as a useful tool for readers interested in this topic. This book has three parts: Part I (Chapters 1-4) covers fundamental concepts; Part II (Chapters 5-11) introduces dose optimization under various scenarios; and Part III (Chapter 12-16) covers biological products, including antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.This book was written in an unconventional way, with the goal of being engaging and informative. In this book, I provided many case examples, magazine interviews, interesting real-world stories, etc. I hope readers will find this book useful.
Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress in post COVID-19
Psychiatrists conducted a study in a primary care unit treating patients with Covid-19 in Tunisia, at the height of the pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress and anxiety-depressive disorders in a population of subjects with Covid-19, as well as the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with these disorders.A total of 120 patients were included. The prevalence of depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic symptomatology was 65.84%, 96% and 52.2% respectively. Scores were significantly higher in cases of age > 40, low level of education, use of respiratory assistance, or presence of post-infection sequelae.In conclusion, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention measures should be implemented to maintain the mental well-being of people with Covid-19.
