Associations of High BMI and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain With Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The increased risk of pregnancy complications in type 1 diabetes is mainly attributed to maternal hyperglycemia. However, it is unclear whether other potentially modifiable factors also contribute to risk in this population.

Purpose: We sought to assess whether high BMI and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with perinatal complications in type 1 diabetes.

Urinary tract infections in acute psychosis.

Objective: Schizophrenia is associated with increased infections across the lifespan. We previously found an association between urinary tract infection (UTI) and acute nonaffective psychosis. The aims of this study were to explore further the relationship between UTI and acute psychosis, including associated clinical features.

A systematic, quantitative review of blood autoantibodies in schizophrenia.

Objective: Schizophrenia is associated with immune system dysfunction, including an increased prevalence of autoimmune disorders and autoantibodies. We performed a systematic, quantitative review of self-reacting blood antibodies in patients with schizophrenia.

Method: We identified articles by searching PubMed, PsychInfo, and ISI, and the reference lists of identified studies.

Comparative study of C-reactive protein and other biochemical parameters in patients with hepatitis B and malaria in Calabar, Nigeria.

Serum levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin and globulins were investigated using high sensitivity immunoturbidometric and colorimetric techniques in individuals with hepatitis (n=50), malaria (n=50) and 40 control subjects in age range of 30 to 65 years. The hepatitis patients had a significantly higher (P < 0.01) level of aminotransferases when compared to malaria patients and control subjects.

Evaluation of syphilis in patients with HIV infection in Nigeria.

Objective: To document the manifestations of syphilis among patients with concurrent HIV infection over a 12-month period.

Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study of all adult patients with syphilis and HIV infection who attended the skin clinic of the University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital, Enugu, between July 2000 and June 2001. A standardized questionnaire was used to record age, sex, marital status, occupation and risk factor for HIV infection; initial site of onset of rash/ulcers, duration of the illness, any concomitant affection of mucosa, hair and nails as well as treatments received by each patient prior to presentation.

Serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activity in normal pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the reference values for heat-stable alkaline phosphatase in apparently healthy non-pregnant and in normal pregnant females and to assess the suitability of this parameter as a measure of placental function and indirectly as a measure of foetal survival.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: Ante-natal clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Use of a portable glucose meter in a Nigerian diabetic clinic.

We assessed the performance of a portable glucose meter in a tropical environment. This was undertaken in an effort to reduce the costs of regular blood glucose measurements for our diabetic patients, many of whom were finding regular laboratory tests financially burdensome. The glucose meter was as accurate as the laboratory up to glucose concentrations of 250 mg/dl (14 mmol/l) but slightly overestimated results above that level.

Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) in Eastern Nigeria.

Fifteen cases of selective IgA deficiency were found among 3772 children. Six had IgA levels of 0.01 g/l both in their serum and saliva, and had associated allergic disorders.

Hypersensitivity to paw-paw (Cerica papaya): report of a case.

A 23-year-old female presented with classical features of immediate hypersensitivity reaction after contact with paw-paw (Cerica papaya). She had a total serum IgE of 2500 i.u.

Biochemical studies of apparently 'healthy' blood donors with reference to liver function tests and immunoglobulins.

Liver function tests and immunoglobulin features of apparently 'healthy' blood donors were studied. Twenty-one (9.5%) subjects with HBsAg were observed.

Observations of Trichomonas vaginalis infections at the University Teaching Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.

The pattern of Trichomonas vaginalis infections at the Outpatient Clinic of the University Teaching Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria was determined for the two-year period (January 1981 - December 1982). Of the 5520 patients examined in 1981, T. vaginalis was found in 10 males (0.

IgE, IgG and patient-self tests during slow hyposensitization to grass pollen.

Twenty-two patients with severe hay fever unrelieved by antihistamines in previous years were slowly hyposensitized with alum-precipitated pyridine grass pollen extracts. Their responses were objectively assessed as very good (55%), good (18%) or improved (23%). Two mechanisms were detected: (i) an increase in serum blocking activity in 59% and (ii) the prevention in 59% of the serum IgE elevation expected in the pollen season.

Immunological studies on the mechanism of gold hypersensitivity reactions.

Immunological studies were performed on 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed reactions to gold. IgE levels were found to be raised in 10 of 11 patients tested at the time of the gold reaction, returning to normal on stopping therapy. Two of 12 patients with gold reactions had positive in-vitro lymphocyte transformation responses to gold.