HIV-1 virion lysis following centrifugation improves the sensitivity of the Fourth-Generation HIV Ag/Ab combo assay.

Objective: Fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is used for HIV screening of blood for transfusion in developing countries, however, the sensitivity of the assay is questionable during the acute phase of HIV infection. Thus, the study aimed to determine the effect of combining centrifugation with HIV-1 virion lysis on the sensitivity of the fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab combo assay.

Results: When the 50 HIV-1 antibody-negative samples were run on the fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab combo assay, 8 (16%) were positive following centrifugation, 13 (26%) were positive following lysis while 25 (50%) were positive after combining centrifugation with HIV-1 virion lysis.

Methanol Crude Peel Extract of Prevents Oxidative Damage in Kidneys of Rats Exposed to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has been linked to oxidative damage to kidney cells leading to renal disease in people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART treatment. The toxic effects of HAART affect the patients' quality of life leading to poor adherence to their regimen. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the nephron-protective activity of methanol crude peel extract of (MPEPG) in HAART-administered Wistar rats.

Treatment outcomes of esophageal cancer in Eastern Africa: protocol of a multi-center, prospective, observational, open cohort study.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Eastern Africa. The majority of patients with ESCC in Eastern Africa present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Several palliative interventions for ESCC are currently in use within the region, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy with and without chemotherapy, and esophageal stenting with self-expandable metallic stents; however, the comparative effectiveness of these interventions in a low resource setting has yet to be examined.

Open abdomen management and outcomes: two case reports from western Kenya and a review of literature from Africa.

The open abdomen (OA) is clinically indicated for attenuating the effects of select intra-abdominal insults that may lead to high intra-abdominal pressure with fascial closure. Despite the high incidence of conditions warranting OA in Africa, there are few reports on its use and outcomes. A retrospective chart review was performed for two patients managed with an OA at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Is Rarely Detected at Early Stages Compared With Liver Diseases of Other Etiologies Worldwide.

Background & Aims: Despite recent advances in treatment of viral hepatitis, liver-related mortality is high, possibly owing to the large burden of advanced alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). We investigated whether patients with ALD are initially seen at later stages of disease development than patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or other etiologies.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 3453 consecutive patients with either early or advanced liver disease (1699 patients with early and 1754 with advanced liver disease) seen at 17 tertiary care liver or gastrointestinal units worldwide, from August 2015 through March 2017.

Enhancing resilience to landslide disaster risks through rehabilitation of slide scars by local communities in Mt Elgon, Uganda.

Mass movements are key drivers affecting the utilisation of many farmlands and consequently the livelihoods in mountains' ecosystems. Numerous expansive landslide scars can for years remain unusable for crop farming purposes, which is a major livelihood activity. This article examined the approaches and challenges faced by local communities in the rehabilitation of landslide-degraded areas in selected areas of Mt Elgon.

Corrigendum: Enhancing resilience to landslide disaster risks through rehabilitation of slide scars by local communities in Mt Elgon, Uganda.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4102/jamba.v9i1.

Sex-biased inbreeding effects on reproductive success and home range size of the critically endangered black rhinoceros.

A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring).

Early childhood caries and quality of life: child and parent perspectives.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early childhood caries (ECC) on children's oral health-related quality of life (QOL) before and 4 weeks after its treatment, as assessed by the children themselves as well as by their parents/guardians.

Methods: This study had a longitudinal intervention design. Sixty-nine children diagnosed with ECC and 43 children without caries (combined children's mean age=50.

Caries prediction and indicators using a pediatric risk assessment teaching tool.

The goals of this study were to determine both predictability and risk indicators in a young pediatric population seen in a dental school clinic using a Caries Risk Assessment teaching tool. Assigned risk categories and factors for 140 patients were analyzed for relationships with future caries development using Logistic Regression (p < 0.01) and Chi-square analysis (p < 0.

Bilateral versus unilateral mandibular block anesthesia in a pediatric population.

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to evaluate unilateral versus bilateral mandibular nerve block anesthesia with regard to post-operative soft tissue trauma and other complications in a pediatric population.

Methods: A total of 320 patients age 2 to 18 years were appointed for routine operative treatment. There were no age, gender, behavior, or general health exclusions.

In vitro enamel effects of a resin-modified glass ionomer: fluoride uptake and resistance to demineralization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of a resin-modified glass-ionomer restorative material on human enamel.

Methods: Enamel specimens were restored with Photac-Fil, a resin-modified glass ionomer; Ketac-Fil, an autopolymerizing glass ionomer and silver amalgam. The samples were pH cycled and then subjected to an artificial caries challenge.

Preparation and beliefs of graduates of a predoctoral infant oral health clinical program.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a predoctoral clinical educational program on preparation and beliefs of participants related to infant oral health.

Methods: Questionnaires were constructed and mailed out to four classes of past dental students, two of which had attended the program.

Results: Significant differences were detected between groups regarding their feelings of preparation for examination procedures in children younger than 36 months and their beliefs regarding appropriate age of the initial dental visit.

Equilibrium vapour pressure of mercury from dental amalgam under loading conditions.

Earlier studies have failed to establish a consensus on the amount of mercury vapour released from dental amalgam restorations. The purpose of this study was to accurately and quantitatively measure the equilibrium mercury vapour pressure from dental amalgam. The vapour pressure was measured using a quartz crystal microbalance as a function of the load from 0-5.

Comparative in vitro microradiographic effects of resin-modified and autopolymerizing glass ionomers on demineralization of primary and permanent enamel.

The purpose of this study was to compare in vitro effects of resin-modified and autopolymerizing glass ionomer restorative materials on demineralization of primary and permanent human enamel. Thirty primary and permanent enamel specimens measuring approximately 3 x 4 x 4 mm were sectioned and plano-paralleled before random placement of materials: Photac-Fil, a resin-modified glass ionomer; Ketac-Fil, an autopolymerizing glass ionomer; and Tytin, a silver amalgam. After incubation for twenty-four hours, the samples were pH cycled for eight hours at pH 5.

Epidermolysis bullosa: case report of appropriate classification of subtype because of an early dental exam.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a unique group of disorders that have blister formation as the common feature. Although there are many variants of this disorder, the subtypes are classified into three groups based upon the level of tissue separation that occurs after mechanical trauma is sustained by the skin. Specific subtypes of EB may have substantial involvement of extracutaneous areas such as the oral cavity and dentition.

Equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury from dental amalgam in vitro.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to acquire reliable quantitative data on mercury vapor pressure above the surface of dental amalgam samples in both the as-formed and the abraded state.

Methods: The equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury from dental amalgam was obtained using residual gas analysis in conjunction with a quartz crystal microbalance. The measurements were performed under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions.

In vitro comparative fluoride release, and weight and volume change in light-curing and self-curing glass ionomer materials.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare in vitro fluoride release from and weight and volume changes of Photac-Fil, a light-curing polymaleinate restorative glass ionomer, with Ketac-Fil, a self-curing glass ionomer, and Ketac-Silver, a metal reinforced glass ionomer. Five discs of each material, measuring 2 mm height and 5 mm diameter, were suspended in separate vials of distilled water and laboratory artificial saliva. Fluoride release into the solutions was measured using a calibrated fluoride-sensitive ion meter initially at 24 hr and then weekly from 1 to 9 weeks.

Home-use tooth bleaching agents: an in vitro study on quantitative effects on enamel, dentin, and cementum.

Studies on home-use bleaching agents containing carbamide or hydrogen peroxide demonstrate minimal topographic alteration and insignificant organic change to tooth material. This in vitro study evaluated the effects of a three-step commercial home-use bleaching agent on extracted human incisors over time. Each tooth was digitized by baseline and sequential profilometry and analyzed using computer software.

Parental child abuse and neglect from a paediatric dental clinic: two case reports.

A seven and twelve-year old boy and girl presented to the paediatric dental clinic seeking dental treatment. The boy had dental neglect with fearful and uncooperative behaviour; while the girl was defiant and had disruptive behaviour. The behaviour of the two children was extreme, and this helped the clinician to question child abuse.