Vaughanlaugesen1663

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) has become a pandemic. There is currently no vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19. Early diagnosis and management is key to favourable outcomes. In order to prevent more widespread transmission of the virus, rapid detection and isolation of confirmed cases is of utmost importance. Real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is currently the "gold standard" for the detection of SARS-COV-2. There are several challenges associated with this test from sample collection to processing and the longer turnaround time for the results to be available. More rapid and faster diagnostic tests that may produce results within minutes to a few hours will be instrumental in controlling the disease. Serological tests that detect specific antibodies to the virus may be such options. LY2228820 In this review, we extensively searched for studies that compared RT-PCR with serological tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19. We extracted the data from the various selected studies that compared the different tests and summarised the available evidence to determine which test is more appropriate especially in Africa. We also reviewed the current evidence and the challenges for the genome sequencing of SARS-COV-2 in Africa. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the different diagnostic tests and the importance of genome sequencing in identifying potential therapeutic options for the control of COVID-19 in Africa.

the outcome of the undergraduate medical training programme in South Africa is to produce competent medical doctors who can integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to the South African context. Training facilities have a responsibility to ensure that they perform this assessment of competence effectively and defend the results of high-stakes assessments. This study aimed to obtain qualitative data to suggest practical recommendations on best assessment practices to address the gaps between theoretical principles that inform assessment and current assessment practices.

a focus group interview was used to gather this data. The teaching and learning coordinators for five of the six modules that are offered in the clinical phase of the undergraduate medical programme participated in the focus group interview. The focus group interview proceeded as planned and took 95 minutes to complete. The responses were transcribed and recorded on a matrix.

the lack of formal feedback to students was identified as an area of concern; feedback plays an important role to promote student learning and improve patient care. The role of teaching and learning coordinators as drivers of quality assessment were recognized and supported. All participants agreed on the outcome of the programme and the central role of the outcome in all assessments.

the training of assessors and the implementation of workplace-based assessment and assessment portfolios were recommended and can also address feasibility challenges. Participants recommended decreasing summative assessments and only performing these for borderline students.

the training of assessors and the implementation of workplace-based assessment and assessment portfolios were recommended and can also address feasibility challenges. Participants recommended decreasing summative assessments and only performing these for borderline students.Hepatic infarction is a rare and fatal complication associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome. It can develop into fulminant liver failure and lead to death in 16% of cases. A 25-year-old woman, with unremarkable prenatal history, was sent to gynecological emergency unit for management of severe preeclampsia at 30 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy. Initial laboratory studies revealed aspartate aminotransferase at 290 U/L, alanine aminotransferase at 193 U/L and a normal value of hemoglobin, platelets and the prothrombin time. Behind the persistence of high blood pressure despite dual therapy, an emergent cesarean section was performed. However, two days after surgery, the patient accused an epigastric pain and was subsequently noted to have developed HELLP syndrome thrombocytopenia (77000 /ul), anemia (hemoglobin 9.1 g/dL) and worsened liver injury (aspartate aminotransferase 2809 U/L; alanine aminotransferase 2502 U/L). A thoraco-abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) was perfion and multidisciplinary management is necessary to prevent hepatic failure and death.

it has been close to four years since the authors highlighted the total neglect of the oral health of street children in the Journal of Public Health Policy. Since then, the authorities appear to have simply turned the blind eye making this follow-up imperative. This follow-up report specifically examines the resultant oral health disparity between Nigeria's street children and Private, fee-paying secondary school students in Northern Nigeria.

we conducted a cross-sectional comparative survey of randomly selected 12-14 years old street children (children of Quranic informal educational institutions) in Northern Nigeria while fee paying, private secondary school children served as controls. A simple close-ended questionnaire translated into Hausa language was used to assess oral health knowledge and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index used to categorize oral hygiene status of the participants.

the mean age (SD) of the participating street children was 12.7 (0.86) while that of the private secondary school tooth cleaning, none of the secondary school students practiced this (p = 0.0005).

there is disparity in oral health practice between Nigeria's street children and private secondary school children. This disparity may be attributed to lack of western education and socio-economic status.

there is disparity in oral health practice between Nigeria's street children and private secondary school children. This disparity may be attributed to lack of western education and socio-economic status.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been frequently associated with co-morbidities. The purpose of our study is to analyze the impact of co-morbidities on the progression and prognosis of COPD.

we conducted a retrospective study of patients with COPD hospitalized and/or followed up in the Department of Pneumology at the Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir over the period January 2000-December 2017. The patients were initially divided into two groups, the G0 group (isolated COPD) and the G1 group (with at least one comorbidity). Patients in the G1 group were divided in two subgroups A group (patients with 1-2 co-morbidities) and B group (≥ 3 comorbidities associated). Different parameters of COPD severity were compared between the different groups.

a total of 1152 patients with COPD were enrolled. Seventy-nine percent of patients had at least a chronic disease associated with COPD. The presence of at least one co-morbidity was associated with an increase in the number of severe exacerbations (p = 0.