Low birth weight(LBW)is defined as a birth weight of less than 2,500 g.It has been estimated that 15%–20%of infants(more than 20 million worldwide)were born with LBW,and 95.6%of the overall LBW infants were born in l...Low birth weight(LBW)is defined as a birth weight of less than 2,500 g.It has been estimated that 15%–20%of infants(more than 20 million worldwide)were born with LBW,and 95.6%of the overall LBW infants were born in low and middle income countries[1].Not only is LBW a crucial cause of infant mortality and morbidity,it also plays a critical role in adverse health outcomes later in life.Therefore,exploring the factors influencing LBW may have important implications for reducing maternal-child health burden.展开更多
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance is an emerging health problem in Kenya and especially in Coastal region. This...Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance is an emerging health problem in Kenya and especially in Coastal region. This is a major challenge in tuberculosis control. Diagnosis is based on Ziel-Neelsen staining alone and patients are treated without information on sensitivity patterns. Aim: This study aimed to determine drug susceptibility patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Coastal Kenya. Study Design: Hospital and laboratory based cross-sectional study was carried between April 2015 and July 2016 at Coast General Referral hospital;Tudor, Port-Reitz, Likoni Sub-County hospitals;Mlaleo, Kongowea and Mikindani health centers. Methodology: Sputum samples from patients with bacteriological confirmed TB on microscopy were cultured on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media. Strains of MTB complex from Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) slopes were subjected to drug susceptibility testing (DST) to first-line drugs including isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), streptomycin (S) and Ethambutol (E) using proportional method on the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) conventional method. Participants were offered diagnostic testing and counselling for HIV testing. Results: Drug sensitivity test was performed for a total of 210 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates for the first line anti-TB drugs. About seventy eight percent and twenty nine percent of the strains from new patients and previously treated patients were fully sensitive to all the drugs tested respectively. Prevalence of any resistance to one drug was 102 (48.6%, 95% CI: 20.45 - 28.23). Any single drug resistance was most frequent in isoniazid 30 (16.0%), Ethambutol 20 (10.0%), Streptomycin 18 (18.3%) and Rifampicin 4 (2.1%) in newly diagnosed patients. Among previously treated patients any resistance to streptomycin, ethambutol, isoniaziad and rifampicin was 10 (58.8%), 9 (52.9%), 7 (41.2%) and 4 (23.5%) respectively. Prevalence of MDR-TB defined as resistant to at least both isoniazid and rifampicin was 10 (4.8%) among new and previously treated patients respectively. Conclusion: The current study reveals that the overall resistance to first line anti-TB drugs was high. Although the rate of MDR-TB was relatively low, this signifies that conditions favouring the spread of MDR-TB are on high rise. Therefore, it is essential to address the problems of development of drug re-sistant strains of TB by establishing good TB programmes (DOTS). Patients’ adherence to anti-TB drugs and introducing drug sensitivity testing (DST) services at County level hospitals will minimize occurrence of drug resistant.展开更多
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health concern and cause of death globally including Kenya. HIV infection is characterised by CD4+ lymphocyte depletion manifested through the loss of t...Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health concern and cause of death globally including Kenya. HIV infection is characterised by CD4+ lymphocyte depletion manifested through the loss of the immune response capacity. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and CD4+T cell counts among suspected tuberculosis (TB) cases seeking healthcare at TB clinics in Mombasa County, Kenya. Study Design: Hospital and laboratory based cross-sectional study was carried between May 2011 and November 2013 in Coast General Referral Hospital, Tudor, Port-Reitz, Mlaleo, Likoni and Mikandani districts and sub-districts hospitals. Methodology: A total of 500 suspected TB cases (271 males and 229 females) were screened for HIV infection using Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold<sup>TM</sup> test and positives confirmed with the enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. CD4+ and CD8+T cells were analyzed using a BD FACS Count flow cytometer. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data of the participants. Results: In total, 127 (25.4%) of the suspects were HIV infected 55.1% females and 44.9% males. Females were significantly affected than males (OR = 0.78;95% CI: 0.44 - 1.37;p = 0.042). The majority (36.2%) of the HIV cases were in the 25 - 34 years age group followed by the 35 - 44 (33.9%), 45 - 54 (16.5%) and 18 - 24 (7.1%) age groups, respectively. Widowed (AOR = 6.14;95% CI: 1.53 - 20.54;p < 0.033), alcohol (AOR = 2.83;95% CI: 1.71 - 4.87;p < 0.001) and condom use (AOR = 2.31;95% CI: 1.62 = 4.71;p < 0.002) were risk factors associated with HIV infection. The mean CD4 cell count was 333.27 ± 150.59 cells/mm3 and it was higher in males (343.05 ± 149.33 cells/mm3) than females (325.93 ± 152.92 cells). The mean values of white blood cells (5.9 ± 2.42) × 109/l), packed cell value (34.1% ± 4.3%), platelets (195.16 ± 88.7) × 109/l and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (102.0 ± 17.4 mm/hr) were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection among suspected TB cases was 25.4% which was higher than the current national average HIV prevalence of 6.9%. Lower CD4+ lymphocyte count was found to be the only predicting factor for HIV. There was a significant relationship between CD4/ESR and HIV infection.展开更多
Background: Studies on the reference values of CD4 and CD3 T cells in healthy individuals have continued to gain significance because of the importance of these immunological markers in the initiation of antiretrovira...Background: Studies on the reference values of CD4 and CD3 T cells in healthy individuals have continued to gain significance because of the importance of these immunological markers in the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and prophylactic drugs for opportunistic infections. These ranges tend to vary across populations. The CD4:CD8 ratio is used to measure of how balanced immune function is. Therefore, this study aimed at determining normal reference values for CD4+ and CD3+T-lymphocytes and leucocytes in healthy adults in Coastal Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried between May 2015 and February 2016 in Coast General Referral hospital, Tudor, Port-Reitz, Mlaleo, Likoni and Sub-County hospitals. Participants were recruited from voluntary HIV counselling and testing clinics. Patients were counselled for HIV test and those who consented were tested for HIV. They were screened for diseases that potentially cause lymphocyte homeostasis perturbation. CD4+, CD3+ CD8+cells/μl were analyzed using a BD FACSCount flow cytometer (Becton-Dickson, NJ). Results: We enrolled 500 participants, two hundred and forty (48.0%) were males and two hundred and sixty (52.0) females. The mean CD4 cell count was 1054.9 ± 95% CI 1041.2 - 1068.6 cells/mm3, absolute CD8 was 688.4 ± 95% CI 679.1 - 697.7 cells/mm3, absolute CD3 cell count was 1945.1 ± 95% CI 1907.4 - 1982.2 cells/mm3 absolute leukocyte count 5.19 ± 95% CI 5.12 - 5.19, absolute lymphocyte count 1.85 ± 95% CI1.83 - 1.88 and haemoglobin level 12.76 ± 95% CI 12.65 - 12.87. Females had significantly higher mean CD4 and CD8 T cell counts than males (p < 0.05). The mean values of white blood cells 4.7 (3.0 - 7.9) × 109/l, platelets 239 (77 - 353) × 109/l and erythrocytes 4.65 (3.51 - 5.40) × 109 were significantly higher in males than females (p Conclusion: Immunohaematological markers found in this study were different from the standard values for the western countries. Females had significantly higher mean CD4+T and CD3+T cell counts but lower mean haemoglobin level, erythrocytes, white blood cells and platelets than males. Our findings provide new insight in the CD4 and CD3 T cell reference values of Kenyans.展开更多
The brain’s blood microvessels restrict the exchange of substances between the blood and brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Methyl-glyoxal (MG), a byproduct of glucose metabolism, contributes to the ...The brain’s blood microvessels restrict the exchange of substances between the blood and brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Methyl-glyoxal (MG), a byproduct of glucose metabolism, contributes to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and disrupts the BBB, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. L-Theanine (TA), an amino acid found in green tea with antioxidant properties, may protect the BBB. This study aimed to determine whether MG increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and permeability by reducing tight junction proteins in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/d3), and whether TA pretreatment can counteract these effects. Our findings demonstrated that MG treatment led to increased BBB permeability, decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values to 39% of control levels, reduced expression of Claudin-5 to 53% and Occludin to 69% of control levels, and elevated intracellular ROS levels. TA pretreatment restored barrier integrity, preserved tight junction protein expression, and decreased ROS accumulation to levels comparable to control levels. These findings suggest that TA effectively prevents MG-induced BBB dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress and maintaining tight junction proteins, showing promise as a protective agent for the BBB in conditions associated with elevated MG and AGEs.展开更多
This study focused on evaluating the efficiency of powdered activated carbon （PAC） adsorption process and tackling chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols spill in drinking water source. The adsorption kinetics and PAC＇s ...This study focused on evaluating the efficiency of powdered activated carbon （PAC） adsorption process and tackling chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols spill in drinking water source. The adsorption kinetics and PAC＇s capacities for five chlorobenzenes and three chlorophenols at drinking water contamination levels were studied in order to determine the influence of different functional groups on the adsorption behavior. The results showed that PAC adsorption could be used as an effective emergency drinking water treatment process to remove these compounds. The adsorption kinetics took 30 min to achieve nearly equilibrium and could be described by both pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. A mathematic relationship was developed between the pseudo first-order adsorption rate constant, k1, and the solutes＇ properties including lgKow, polarizability and molecular weight. The Freundlich isotherm equation could well describe the adsorption equilibrium behaviors of chlorinated aromatics with r2 from 0.920 to 0.999. The H-bond donor/acceptor group, hydrophobicity, solubility and molecular volume were identified as important solute properties that affect the PAC adsorption capacity. These results could assist water professionals in removing chlorinated aromatics during emergency drinking water treatment.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[82003401&81972981]the Key Projects of Colleges and Universities of Henan Education Department[21A330006]the Opening Foundation of National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention[ZD202001]。
文摘Low birth weight(LBW)is defined as a birth weight of less than 2,500 g.It has been estimated that 15%–20%of infants(more than 20 million worldwide)were born with LBW,and 95.6%of the overall LBW infants were born in low and middle income countries[1].Not only is LBW a crucial cause of infant mortality and morbidity,it also plays a critical role in adverse health outcomes later in life.Therefore,exploring the factors influencing LBW may have important implications for reducing maternal-child health burden.
文摘Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance is an emerging health problem in Kenya and especially in Coastal region. This is a major challenge in tuberculosis control. Diagnosis is based on Ziel-Neelsen staining alone and patients are treated without information on sensitivity patterns. Aim: This study aimed to determine drug susceptibility patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Coastal Kenya. Study Design: Hospital and laboratory based cross-sectional study was carried between April 2015 and July 2016 at Coast General Referral hospital;Tudor, Port-Reitz, Likoni Sub-County hospitals;Mlaleo, Kongowea and Mikindani health centers. Methodology: Sputum samples from patients with bacteriological confirmed TB on microscopy were cultured on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media. Strains of MTB complex from Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) slopes were subjected to drug susceptibility testing (DST) to first-line drugs including isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), streptomycin (S) and Ethambutol (E) using proportional method on the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) conventional method. Participants were offered diagnostic testing and counselling for HIV testing. Results: Drug sensitivity test was performed for a total of 210 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates for the first line anti-TB drugs. About seventy eight percent and twenty nine percent of the strains from new patients and previously treated patients were fully sensitive to all the drugs tested respectively. Prevalence of any resistance to one drug was 102 (48.6%, 95% CI: 20.45 - 28.23). Any single drug resistance was most frequent in isoniazid 30 (16.0%), Ethambutol 20 (10.0%), Streptomycin 18 (18.3%) and Rifampicin 4 (2.1%) in newly diagnosed patients. Among previously treated patients any resistance to streptomycin, ethambutol, isoniaziad and rifampicin was 10 (58.8%), 9 (52.9%), 7 (41.2%) and 4 (23.5%) respectively. Prevalence of MDR-TB defined as resistant to at least both isoniazid and rifampicin was 10 (4.8%) among new and previously treated patients respectively. Conclusion: The current study reveals that the overall resistance to first line anti-TB drugs was high. Although the rate of MDR-TB was relatively low, this signifies that conditions favouring the spread of MDR-TB are on high rise. Therefore, it is essential to address the problems of development of drug re-sistant strains of TB by establishing good TB programmes (DOTS). Patients’ adherence to anti-TB drugs and introducing drug sensitivity testing (DST) services at County level hospitals will minimize occurrence of drug resistant.
文摘Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health concern and cause of death globally including Kenya. HIV infection is characterised by CD4+ lymphocyte depletion manifested through the loss of the immune response capacity. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and CD4+T cell counts among suspected tuberculosis (TB) cases seeking healthcare at TB clinics in Mombasa County, Kenya. Study Design: Hospital and laboratory based cross-sectional study was carried between May 2011 and November 2013 in Coast General Referral Hospital, Tudor, Port-Reitz, Mlaleo, Likoni and Mikandani districts and sub-districts hospitals. Methodology: A total of 500 suspected TB cases (271 males and 229 females) were screened for HIV infection using Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold<sup>TM</sup> test and positives confirmed with the enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. CD4+ and CD8+T cells were analyzed using a BD FACS Count flow cytometer. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data of the participants. Results: In total, 127 (25.4%) of the suspects were HIV infected 55.1% females and 44.9% males. Females were significantly affected than males (OR = 0.78;95% CI: 0.44 - 1.37;p = 0.042). The majority (36.2%) of the HIV cases were in the 25 - 34 years age group followed by the 35 - 44 (33.9%), 45 - 54 (16.5%) and 18 - 24 (7.1%) age groups, respectively. Widowed (AOR = 6.14;95% CI: 1.53 - 20.54;p < 0.033), alcohol (AOR = 2.83;95% CI: 1.71 - 4.87;p < 0.001) and condom use (AOR = 2.31;95% CI: 1.62 = 4.71;p < 0.002) were risk factors associated with HIV infection. The mean CD4 cell count was 333.27 ± 150.59 cells/mm3 and it was higher in males (343.05 ± 149.33 cells/mm3) than females (325.93 ± 152.92 cells). The mean values of white blood cells (5.9 ± 2.42) × 109/l), packed cell value (34.1% ± 4.3%), platelets (195.16 ± 88.7) × 109/l and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (102.0 ± 17.4 mm/hr) were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection among suspected TB cases was 25.4% which was higher than the current national average HIV prevalence of 6.9%. Lower CD4+ lymphocyte count was found to be the only predicting factor for HIV. There was a significant relationship between CD4/ESR and HIV infection.
文摘Background: Studies on the reference values of CD4 and CD3 T cells in healthy individuals have continued to gain significance because of the importance of these immunological markers in the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and prophylactic drugs for opportunistic infections. These ranges tend to vary across populations. The CD4:CD8 ratio is used to measure of how balanced immune function is. Therefore, this study aimed at determining normal reference values for CD4+ and CD3+T-lymphocytes and leucocytes in healthy adults in Coastal Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried between May 2015 and February 2016 in Coast General Referral hospital, Tudor, Port-Reitz, Mlaleo, Likoni and Sub-County hospitals. Participants were recruited from voluntary HIV counselling and testing clinics. Patients were counselled for HIV test and those who consented were tested for HIV. They were screened for diseases that potentially cause lymphocyte homeostasis perturbation. CD4+, CD3+ CD8+cells/μl were analyzed using a BD FACSCount flow cytometer (Becton-Dickson, NJ). Results: We enrolled 500 participants, two hundred and forty (48.0%) were males and two hundred and sixty (52.0) females. The mean CD4 cell count was 1054.9 ± 95% CI 1041.2 - 1068.6 cells/mm3, absolute CD8 was 688.4 ± 95% CI 679.1 - 697.7 cells/mm3, absolute CD3 cell count was 1945.1 ± 95% CI 1907.4 - 1982.2 cells/mm3 absolute leukocyte count 5.19 ± 95% CI 5.12 - 5.19, absolute lymphocyte count 1.85 ± 95% CI1.83 - 1.88 and haemoglobin level 12.76 ± 95% CI 12.65 - 12.87. Females had significantly higher mean CD4 and CD8 T cell counts than males (p < 0.05). The mean values of white blood cells 4.7 (3.0 - 7.9) × 109/l, platelets 239 (77 - 353) × 109/l and erythrocytes 4.65 (3.51 - 5.40) × 109 were significantly higher in males than females (p Conclusion: Immunohaematological markers found in this study were different from the standard values for the western countries. Females had significantly higher mean CD4+T and CD3+T cell counts but lower mean haemoglobin level, erythrocytes, white blood cells and platelets than males. Our findings provide new insight in the CD4 and CD3 T cell reference values of Kenyans.
文摘The brain’s blood microvessels restrict the exchange of substances between the blood and brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Methyl-glyoxal (MG), a byproduct of glucose metabolism, contributes to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and disrupts the BBB, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. L-Theanine (TA), an amino acid found in green tea with antioxidant properties, may protect the BBB. This study aimed to determine whether MG increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and permeability by reducing tight junction proteins in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/d3), and whether TA pretreatment can counteract these effects. Our findings demonstrated that MG treatment led to increased BBB permeability, decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values to 39% of control levels, reduced expression of Claudin-5 to 53% and Occludin to 69% of control levels, and elevated intracellular ROS levels. TA pretreatment restored barrier integrity, preserved tight junction protein expression, and decreased ROS accumulation to levels comparable to control levels. These findings suggest that TA effectively prevents MG-induced BBB dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress and maintaining tight junction proteins, showing promise as a protective agent for the BBB in conditions associated with elevated MG and AGEs.
文摘This study focused on evaluating the efficiency of powdered activated carbon （PAC） adsorption process and tackling chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols spill in drinking water source. The adsorption kinetics and PAC＇s capacities for five chlorobenzenes and three chlorophenols at drinking water contamination levels were studied in order to determine the influence of different functional groups on the adsorption behavior. The results showed that PAC adsorption could be used as an effective emergency drinking water treatment process to remove these compounds. The adsorption kinetics took 30 min to achieve nearly equilibrium and could be described by both pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. A mathematic relationship was developed between the pseudo first-order adsorption rate constant, k1, and the solutes＇ properties including lgKow, polarizability and molecular weight. The Freundlich isotherm equation could well describe the adsorption equilibrium behaviors of chlorinated aromatics with r2 from 0.920 to 0.999. The H-bond donor/acceptor group, hydrophobicity, solubility and molecular volume were identified as important solute properties that affect the PAC adsorption capacity. These results could assist water professionals in removing chlorinated aromatics during emergency drinking water treatment.
