Real-world data on treatment outcomes or the quality of large-scale chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is extremely difficult to obtain. In this study, we aimed to provide data on the prevalence and incidence of mortality, loss to follow-up (LFTU), and their associated factors in patients with CHB in three treatment centres in Eritrea. Additional information includes baseline clinical profiles of CHB patients initiated on nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUCs) along with a comparison of treatment with Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe use of nano additives to improve the cold properties of biodiesel is encouraged by its drawbacks and incompatibility in cold climate. Waste cooking oil (WCO) was transesterified to create biodiesel. A 20% by volume was used for combination of diesel and methyl ester.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Detecting a group of esophageal cancer (EC) cases in endemic regions is essential in identifying high-risk populations and executing appropriate interventions. The main aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of EC in Eritrea.
Methods: A retrospective (period: 2011 - 2021) study was carried out by abstracting data on EC patients from the logbook kept at the National Health Laboratory (ENHL).
Background: Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global threat to the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in low- and middle-income regions such as Africa. This study is aimed at analyzing antimicrobial resistance patterns in vaginal swab samples from patients at the National Health Laboratory from 2019 to 2022.
Methods: This retrospective study examined patient records from vaginal swab analyses performed at the National Health Laboratory between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022.
Introduction And Importance: Fournier gangrene (FG) is a rare form of necrotizing fasciitis that affects both the deep and superficial layers of the perineal genital region. When left untreated, Fournier gangrene can rapidly advance, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Herein, we present a case of Fournier's gangrene, which revealed acute arterial occlusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper aims to develop the Euler implicit time-discretization of multivariable sliding-mode controllers to solve the numerical chattering problem without modifying the continuous-time control law. To this end, a continuous-time multi-input plant under a multivariable sliding-mode control is studied, and it is shown that the implicit discretization of the continuous-time sliding-mode controller leads to a multivariable generalized equation with several set-valued terms which is not possible to be solved using the graphical interpretations. Subsequently, an algorithm is proposed to solve such a multivariable generalized equation required to synthesize the implicit sliding-mode control signal at each time step.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReliable real-world data on direct acting anti-retroviral (DAA) uptake and treatment outcomes are lacking for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa. This study provides data on HCV DAA-based treatment outcomes, mortality, loss-to-follow up, and associated factors among patients in Eritrea. A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite the outstanding measles vaccine coverage (MVC) in Eritrea, sporadic outbreaks are not uncommon. Therefore, understanding the incidence of laboratory-confirmed measles virus cases, related factors, and spatial inequalities in testing and surveillance remains crucial. In this analysis, we evaluated the incidence and spatiotemporal distribution of measles in Eritrea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study is established on a simulation using CFD analysis in COMSOL. Blood acted as the base fluid with this simulation. The taken flow is been modeled as incompressible, unsteady, laminar and Newtonian fluid, which is appropriate at high rates of shear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn exploration is made to investigate numerically and theoretically the time dependent flow of blood along with heat transfer through abnormal artery having trapezoidal shaped plaque. The flow is taken to be Newtonian, laminar, unsteady and incompressible. A suitable geometrical model is constructed to simulate the trapezoidal stenosis affected artery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper proposes an adaptive sensorless control based on sliding mode approach for Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM) using the method of the angular position estimation error extraction. The proposed strategy combines a novel Adaptive Super-Twisting Controller (ASTWC) with a novel Adaptive Observer High-Order Sliding Mode (AOHOSM), where: (i) The control and observer gains are parameterized in terms of a single parameter simplifying its implementation and reducing the tuning time. (ii) By using an auxiliary system, which does not depend on machine parameters, an AOHOSM is designed for estimating the angular position, speed and acceleration in a wide speed range of the IPMSM, (iii) and these are used in an ASTWC to track a desired reference of speed and direct-axis current.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanofluids with their augmented thermal characteristics exhibit numerous implementations in engineering and industrial fields such as heat exchangers, microelectronics, chiller, pharmaceutical procedures, etc. Due to such properties of nanofluids, a mathematical model of non-Newtonian Casson nanofluid is analyzed in this current study to explore the steady flow mechanism with the contribution of water-based Aluminum oxide nanoparticles. A stretchable surface incorporating variable thickness is considered to be the source of the concerning fluid flow in two-dimension.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatients infected with COVID-19 are at an increased risk for thrombosis, suggesting a possible role of COVID-19 in the induction of coagulopathy. This study aimed to investigate the presence of prothrombotic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in the course of COVID-19 infection and to correlate these markers with severity and fatality, suggesting that COVID-19-induced autoimmune thrombosis is a possible axis in the inflammatory circuit of this infection. To investigate this, we conducted a case-control study which included patients with a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test of COVID-19 and a control group with negative COVID-19 PCR and antibody (IgG-IgM and IgA nucleoprotein) ELISA results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Reducing attrition in paediatric HIV-positive patients using combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa is a challenge. This study explored the rates and predictors of attrition in children started on cART in Asmara, Eritrea.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from all paediatric patients on cART between 2005 and 2020, conducted at the Orotta National Referral and Teaching Hospital.
Reliable serological assays are needed to understand the real impact of COVID-19. In order to compare the efficiency of different COVID-19 vaccines used in the National Vaccination Program in Tunisia, we have developed a quantitative in-house ELISA. The ELISA is based on the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Baculovirus recombinant protein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn current paper, a finned micro-channel is designed for the cooling application in Light Emitting Diode (LED), numerically using Galerkin weighted residual Finite Element Method (GFEM). Selected materials for LED-chip is GaN, Die from Si, Die-attach is made by Au-20Sn, substrate is copper and heat sink material is considered to be Al. To make a convection heat transfer for cooling process, AlO-water nanofluid is used as the cooling fluid flow through the micro-channel and tried to maximize the heat transfer efficiency by optimized geometry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEritrea is an East African multiethnic country with an intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B. Our aim was to establish the most prevalent genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among patients with liver disease. A total of 293 Eritrean patients with liver disease who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive were enrolled.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Understanding the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is important for determining optimal management and predicting prognosis in patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of different phases of CHB infection among Eritrean patients and to identify the proportion of patients who are eligible for treatment according to the latest American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 293 CHB patients (213 males and 80 females) between Jan 2017 and Feb 2019.
Background: The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of understanding the epidemiology of MDR organisms from a local standpoint. Here, we report on a spectrum of bacteria associated with surgical site infections in two referral hospitals in Eritrea and the associated antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
Methods: This survey was conducted between February and June 2017.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
February 2021
Cystic fibrosis (CF) arises from mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator () gene, resulting in progressive and life-limiting respiratory disease. R751L is a rare CFTR mutation that is poorly characterized. Our aims were to describe the clinical and molecular phenotypes associated with R751L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTuberculosis of the cervical spine is a rare extra-pulmonary localization. We reported the case of a 59-year-old woman with no medical history. She consulted for a 9 weeks history of painful cervical stiffness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Libyan revolution which began in February 2011 caused a massive influx of refugees of different nationalities into Tunisia. A refugee camp was gradually set up by the Tunisian authorities in collaboration with civil society and international humanitarian organisations. The refugees' health care and emergency treatment became a necessity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypertrichosis is a well-recognized adverse effect of therapy with either oral or topical minoxidil. We report a case of fronto-temporal hypertrichosis occurring in an 8-year-old girl treated for patchy alopecia areata of the frontal area of the scalp with 2% minoxidil solution. After failure of 5-months minoxidil-discontinuation, hair removal with Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm line) (Smartepil II, Deka) was tested leading to complete resolution within 2 sessions.
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