Heel Raises and Calf Stretches Exercises Versus Medication Only in Ischemic Intermittent Claudication: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Intermittent claudication is a primary symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). a chronic progressive disease caused primarily by atherosclerosis. It is usually characterized by leg pain, aches, cramps, or fatigue when walking, which improves with rest.

Adherence to Lifestyle Recommendations among Adults Attending Hypertension Clinics in Selected Hospitals in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Hypertension is the first contributor to the deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. A change of lifestyle is recommended as an equal-first-line approach for controlling hypertension. However, the burden of uncontrolled hypertension remains high.

Acute Vascular Complications of VA-ECMO in COVID-19 Patients. Does COVID-19 Affect the Outcome?

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) through the femoral artery and vein can lead to significant vascular complications. We retrospectively studied the acute vascular complications of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID patients during the period from January 2020 to July 2023.

Results: Seventy-eight patients underwent VA-ECMO for various indications from January 2020 to July 2023.

Clinical and radiographic results of internal fixation of quadrilateral plate fractures of acetabulum.

Introduction: Quadrilateral plate (QLP) is a relatively thin bony structure located below the pelvic brim proximal to the hip joint, so management of its fractures is challenging.

Objectives: Evaluation of the functional and radiological outcomes of internal fixation of quadrilateral plate acetabular fractures; comparison of two methods of fracture fixation.

Patients And Methods: A prospective multicentric study including 30 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of QLP fractures through modified Stoppa approach.

The outcome of endovenous intervention for acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis with and without inferior vena cava filter.

Background: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an endovenous interventional therapy that can quickly remove the acute thrombus, thereby improving the clinical outcomes of proximal DVT. However, instrumentation of extensive fresh thrombus may be associated with iatrogenic pulmonary embolism (PE). Therefore, we aimed to compare CDT's safety, complications, and perioperative embolic (PE) insults for acute iliofemoral DVT, with and without an IVC filter.

Infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm ligation and revascularisation: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Although ligating femoral pseudoaneurysm is a safe procedure, some cases require revascularization, and the appropriate treatment should be tailored to the patient.

Abstract: In this case report, we highlight the challenge in treating infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient, a 37-year-old male intravenous drug abuser, presented to the emergency department with a 2-month history of a progressively growing lump over his right groin.

Outcomes of Alprostadil As an Adjuvant Therapy with Indirect Angiosomal Revascularization in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia after Failure of Direct Revascularization.

Background: This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) when used as an adjuvant therapy with indirect revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) after the failure of direct revascularization (DR).

Methods: At our centers, 120 patients suffering from infrainguinal peripheral arterial disease with CLI underwent a failed trial of DR procedure, all revascularization procedures were endovascular. Median follow-up was 2 years and 2.

Femoral vein stenting versus endovenectomy as adjuncts to iliofemoral venous stenting in extensive chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

Purpose: To compare femoral endovenectomy with the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (FE + AVF), versus iliofemoral endovenous stenting with the concurrent extended femoral vein (FV-S) stenting in patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (IFVO).

Materials And Methods: In a randomized prospective single-center study, 48 received (FV-S), while the other 54 had (FE + AVF).

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcomes between the two groups (FV-S) and (FE + AVF) (59% vs 56.

Development of standards for assessing water quality in marine coastal waters of Bahrain.

Marine coastal waters of Bahrain are under pressure due to human activities and climate change. We used marine monitoring data (2005-2020) from 27 sites to establish baseline conditions and develop standards for assessments of water quality. Five hydrodynamic regions were identified: Oyster Beds, North, West, East, East (Coastal).

Influence of diet quality on nutritional status of school-aged children and adolescents in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Background: Malnutrition among young children and adolescents poses a serious health challenge in developing countries which results in many health problems during adulthood. Poor diet quality is known as the root cause of malnutrition which is caused by unhealthy food choices and bad eating habits among young children and adolescents. However, limited evidence is available on diet quality and its association with nutrition status among young children and adolescents in Zanzibar.

Utility of a microRNA panel in diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis C-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality. Various studies have linked dysregulated microRNA expression to liver cancers, but those related to viral hepatitis-related HCC are limited.

Methods: We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic roles of circulating miR-331-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-3194-5p in EDTA-treated blood samples of 50 hepatitis C virus (HCV) HCC patients, 50 HCV cirrhotic patients, and 50 healthy controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Bioaccumulation of trace metal ions in the blue swimmer crab tissues Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Bahrain, Arabian Gulf.

The blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, is an edible abundant crustacean found in many seas around the world, including the Arabian Gulf. In this study, the concentrations of six metal ions in the white and brown meats of P. pelagicus from four sites in Bahrain were determined.

The potential impact of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome on migraine headache characteristics.

Background & Objectives: Studying comorbidities with migraine aids in a better understanding of its pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets. This case-control study aimed to study the impact of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome on the characteristics of migraine headache attacks.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 30 migraine patients and 30 healthy controls.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in evaluation of patients with missed common bile duct stones.

Background: Choledocholithiasis develops in up to 20% of patients with gall bladder stones. The challenge in diagnosis usually occurs with small stones that may be missed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is accurate in detecting common bile duct (CBD) stones missed by MRCP, especially the small ones or those impacted at the distal CBD or the papillary region.

The potential role of insulin resistance in predicting outcome from intravenous thrombolytic therapy.

Background: The potential impact of insulin resistance on stroke prognosis after IV thrombolysis is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the effect of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome on the outcome of IV thrombolysis in non-diabetic patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 70 non-diabetic acute ischaemic stroke patients who received rt-PA within 3 h of stroke onset.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors and Wound Healing Complications in Kidney Transplantation: Old Myths and New Realities.

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR-I) lacks nephrotoxicity, has antineoplastic effects, and reduces viral infections in kidney transplant recipients. Earlier studies reported a significant incidence of wound healing complications and lymphocele. This resulted in the uncomfortable willingness of transplant clinicians to use these agents in the immediate posttransplant period.

Aortic root pseudoaneurysm after blunt trauma to chest - an interesting case.

Acquired pseudoaneurysms of the aortic root involving the sinus of Valsalva are rare and serious complications arising from trauma, infection, or following cardiac surgery or intervention. We describe the surgical treatment of a patient who had acquired sinus of Valsalva pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma to chest; wherein pericardial patch closure of the orifice of the pseudoaneurysm without aortic valve replacement or coronary artery bypass grafting. The management of these sinus of Valsalva pseudoaneurysms depends on the underlying mechanism causing symptoms such as compression or thrombosis of coronary artery; or the defective anatomy involving sinus of Valsalva, aortic valve or the coronary artery.

Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Children in Zanzibar, Tanzania: Analysis of Cross-Sectional Population Representative Surveys.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and its determinants among children aged 6-59 months in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from 2005 to 2015. We used secondary data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys from three different periods: 2005, 2010, and 2015. A sample of 3502 child-mother pairs from three survey datasets was used to analyze the overall prevalence of anemia and reveal its determinants.

Circulating microRNA 9-3p and serum endocan as potential biomarkers for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The high mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt is due mainly to the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and late diagnosis of the carcinoma. MicroRNAs (miRNA), which regulate tumor proliferation and metastasis in HCC, may serve as a useful diagnostic approach for the early detection of HCC, thus decreasing its mortality. Meanwhile, endocan is a protein with angiogenic and inflammatory properties that are associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes.

Design and validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the dietary intake for adults in pastoral settings in Northern Tanzania.

Objective: Food frequency questionnaires are widely used as a dietary assessment tool in nutritional epidemiology to determine the relationship between diet and diseases. In Tanzania, there are several cultural variations in food intake which makes it necessary to design and validate a culture-specific food frequency questionnaire (CFFQ). Therefore, we designed a 27-items CFFQ and examine its validity in pastoral communities.

Acute Effects of Ketamine Infusion on Postoperative Mood Scores in Patients Undergoing Dilation and Curettage: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study.

Background: Emotional and psychological effects following abortion are more common than physical side effects and can range from mild regret to more serious complications such as depression. In the last decade, it has been suggested that low dose of ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of intraoperative ketamine infusion on postoperative mood score in patients undergoing Dilation and Curettage (D&C) under spinal anesthesia.

Association between dietary diversity with overweight and obesity: A cross-sectional study conducted among pastoralists in Monduli District in Tanzania.

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising at a rapid pace and is associated with negative health consequences like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Obesity is a multifactorial problem that develops mainly from lifestyle factors including physical inactivity and poor dietary intake. Dietary diversity is a simplified method for assessing the adequacy and quality of diet and is associated with nutritional need and overall health status.

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension among pastoralists in Monduli District, Arusha region in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hypertension is among the growing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries and the leading cause of death worldwide. Pastoral areas have been identified to be at a higher risk of diseases due to challenges in their daily food production, livelihoods or mobility. Unfortunately, the prevalence of hypertension and the risk factors particularly affecting rural and pastoral populations are not fully understood, making intervention efforts challenging.

The influence of dietary diversity on the nutritional status of children between 6 and 23 months of age in Tanzania.

Background: Undernutrition poses a serious health challenge in developing countries and Tanzania has the highest undernutrition burden of Eastern and Southern Africa. Poor infant and young child feeding practices have been identified as the main causes for undernutrition. As dietary diversity is a major requirement if children are to get all essential nutrients, it can thus be used as one of the core indicators when assessing feeding practices and nutrition of children.