Spirituality and Health Education: A National Survey of Academic Leaders UK.

Whole person care is deemed important within UK medical practice and is therefore fundamental in education. However, spirituality is an aspect of this often neglected. Confusion and discomfort exists regarding how care relating to issues of spirituality and health (S&H) should be delivered.

Occult HBV infection among a cohort of Nigerian adults.

Objective: To determine markers of HBV infection and detect the presence of its occult infection in serum of a cohort of adult Nigerians.

Methodology: The study involved 28 adult Nigerians with viral hepatitis (Group 1) and 28 apparently healthy adult Nigerians as controls (Group 2). Their sera were assayed for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV, while HBV DNA was determined in 15 patients with chronic hepatitis.

The most appropriate site for endoscopic biopsy for the detection of H. pylori among Nigerians in Ibadan.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a significant aetiological factor for acid peptic diseases and gastric cancer. Detection of the organism in gastric mucosal biopsies is important, hence the need to ascertain the optimal site for biopsy that will facilitate identification of the organism.

Study Design: The study was carried out by obtaining directed gastric and duodenal endoscopic biopsies from twenty-five adult Nigerian patients clinically diagnosed to have gastroduodenitis at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia presenting as acute generalised peritonism.

A 63 year old man presented with the signs of acute generalised peritonism in the presence of a clear chest radiograph. At laparotomy no abnormal findings were noted. Further inquiries revealed a history of recent acquisition of budgerigars, over the following days the chest radiograph developed patchy opacification.

Modifying dyspepsia management in primary care: a cluster randomised controlled trial of educational outreach compared with passive guideline dissemination.

Background: Quality improvement initiatives in health services rely upon the effective introduction of clinical practice guidelines. However, even well constructed guidelines have little effect unless supported by dissemination and implementation strategies.

Aim: To test the effectiveness of 'educational outreach' as a strategy for facilitating the uptake of dyspepsia management guidelines in primary care.

Faecal calprotectin: a marker of inflammation throughout the intestinal tract.

Objective: To assess the potential of measuring the calcium-binding protein calprotectin in faeces as a method of screening for alimentary inflammation and neoplasia.

Setting: Hospital day services unit for endoscopy and faecal analysis in the clinical biochemistry department.

Participants: Consented patients attending for routine endoscopy were requested to provide faeces.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as mania.

Objective: Psychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are well recognized but usually occur in the later stages of the illness, with organic syndromes being the most common. This case highlights the fact that SLE can present with mania.

Method: Single case report.

Duplex Doppler measurements of the portal vein in portal hypertension.

In order to assess the validity of quantitative duplex Doppler measurements of portal vein flow, 10 patients with proven diffuse liver disease and portal hypertension were examined serially by two independent observers over a 3 month period. Multiple measurements of the portal vein were made using a consistent technique in an attempt to minimize observer errors. One patient proved unsuitable for ultrasound examination.

An assessment of intrarenal hydrostatic pressure measurements in the diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection.

Postoperative intrarenal pressure measurements may be an aid to the diagnosis of acute renal transplant rejection, especially in patients treated with cyclosporine. Serial measurements of intrarenal pressure were made in 38 recipients using a fine-needle technique. Thirty-two intraoperative and 207 postoperative measurements were made, and 39 clinical rejection episodes (23 confirmed by biopsy) monitored.