Advances in drug delivery systems, challenges and future directions.

Advances in molecular pharmacology and an improved understanding of the mechanism of most diseases have created the need to specifically target the cells involved in the initiation and progression of diseases. This is especially true for most life-threatening diseases requiring therapeutic agents which have numerous side effects, thus requiring accurate tissue targeting to minimize systemic exposure. Recent drug delivery systems (DDS) are formulated using advanced technology to accelerate systemic drug delivery to the specific target site, maximizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing off-target accumulation in the body.

Association between sociodemographic characteristics and age stopped breastfeeding on early childhood weight status.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have suggested that breastfeeding is associated with child weight status. However, the length of breastfeeding in relation to child weight remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigated the association between age stopped breastfeeding and child weight status by sociodemographic characteristics.

Impact of ultrasound scanning on pregnant Women's compliance with attendance at antenatal care visits and supervised delivery at primary healthcare centres in northern Nigeria: Initial experiences.

Introduction: The world health organisation (WHO) recommends at least one ultrasound scan amidst eight antenatal care visits, however, most pregnant women in low and middle-income countries do not achieve this. This study aims to assess the impact of limited obstetrics ultrasound (LOUS) within primary healthcare centres in northern Nigeria.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted across selected primary healthcare centres in Bauchi and Kano States (northern Nigeria).

Evaluation of Serum Interleukin 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, and Interferon-Gamma Levels in Relation to Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure in HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women Coinfected with Malaria.

Malaria and HIV are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Both diseases are highly endemic and have a wide geographic overlap with severe impact on pregnancy. This was a case-control study designed to evaluate the levels of interleukin -6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), and interferon-gamma (IFN-) and their relationship with some anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in HIV-malaria coinfected women attending antenatal clinic at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria.

A Review of Heavy Metal Contamination of Food Crops in Nigeria.

Heavy metal contamination of food crops is an issue of global concern that ultimately results in toxicity and diseases in humans and animals through consumption of contaminated soils and food crops. With a population of 182 million people, Nigeria is regarded as the most populous country in Africa. The people suffer environmental pollution from high levels of heavy metal accumulation in the environment and in food crops.

The diagnostic value of nipple discharge cytology: breast imaging complements predictive value of nipple discharge cytology.

Background: Papilloma is the most common finding associated with pathologic nipple discharge. In the absence of breast imaging abnormalities, the incidence of occult malignancy is <3%.

Objective: To determine the predictive value of nipple discharge cytology in conjunction with breast imaging.

Armillifer armillatus infection.

We report a case of human pentastomiasis in a 70-year-old retired long-distance driver/farmer whose diagnosis was made incidentally while being investigated for a 1-month history of cough and abdominal pain. The chest X-ray revealed multiple comma-shaped and rounded opacities in keeping with Armillifer infection, most likely Armillifer armillatus. The patient made an uneventful recovery after a 10-day course of mebendazole (an antihelminthic) tablet and ciprofloxacin (antibiotic) capsules and was discharged home.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia among adult diabetic patients with overt diabetic nephropathy in Anambra state south-east Nigeria.

Background: Dyslipidemia has been identified as a risk factor for the development and progression of diabetic renal disease.

Objective: This study was done to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia among diabetic patients with overt nephropathy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 72 diabetic patients with overt diabetic nephropathy and 36 age- and sex-matched normoalbuminuric diabetic patients were studied.

Submucosal hematoma presenting as small bowel obturator obstruction in a patient on low-molecular-weight heparin.

Recent studies have shown the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment of venous thromboembolic disease in children. Compared to unfractionated heparin and coumadin, LMWH has more predictable pharmacokinetics and a reported lower incidence of osteoporosis and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in children. The overall incidence of severe hemorrhage on LMWH in children is low.

Isolation of pathogenic bacteria from hospital staff apparel in Nigeria.

A survey of bacteria contamination of hospital staff apparel in use in Anambra State, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the extent of contamination by clinically important bacteria. Of a total of 125 swab samples of hospital staff apparel, 72 (58%) showed bacterial contamination including 32 (70%) of 46 samples from hand gloves, 28 of 45 (62%) samples from protective gowns, and 12 of 34 (35%) samples from face-shields. The potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated were Salmonella spp, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

[Anticancer drugs use evaluation: limits of the approved labeling].

A practice survey was performed in Tenon hospital on 396 consecutive patients treated for solid tumors during 4 weeks in november 2002. 33% of anticancer drugs were off label used. The wording heterogeneity of the different anticancer drugs approved labeling and the lack of anticancer drugs in a number of cancers can explain those results.

Linear and circular plasmid content in Borrelia burgdorferi clinical isolates.

The genome of Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, is composed of a linear chromosome and more than 20 linear and circular plasmids. Typically, plasmid content analysis has been carried out by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and confirmed by Southern hybridization. However, multiple plasmids of virtually identical sizes (e.