Comparative cardiotoxicity risk of pembrolizumab versus nivolumab in cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Recently, several researchers have reported the incidence of cardiac-related toxicities occurring with nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda). There is still a need for balance between oncology treatment efficacy and reduction of cardiotoxicity burden in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated patients. Thus, the primary aim was to determine whether pembrolizumab or nivolumab would present with a greater risk for cardiotoxicity reports.

The relationship between leukocyte to albumin ratio and atrial fibrillation severity.

Background: An increased leukocyte count is a sign of inflammation and has been demonstrated to be a predisposing factor and complication of atrial fibrillation. Similarly, albumin, the major protein in the serum, is also considered an acute phase reactant protein that has osmotic and anti-inflammatory properties, and a low albumin level is a known factor associated with severity in many pathologies, including atrial fibrillation. The neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and other emerging leukocyte counts/albumin ratios have been reliable systemic inflammation-based predictors of mortality and complications in various diseases, but they have not yet been used with atrial fibrillation.

Prevalence of Trachoma in 47 Administrative Districts of Zambia: Results of 32 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys.

Purpose: A number of previous administrative-district-level baseline trachoma prevalence estimates in Zambia required verification. We used methodologies and systems for trachoma surveys considered to represent international best practice in order to generate reliable estimates of the prevalence of trachoma.

Methods: Between March 2016 and July 2017, we undertook 32 population-based prevalence surveys covering 47 administrative districts.

Refractive errors in type 2 diabetic patients.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among African type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and establish the relationship between baseline refractive status and degree of glycaemic control.

Design: A hospital based cross sectional study.

Setting: Diabetic medical and eye clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Perinatal mortality in twin deliveries in a general hospital in Zambia.

Data from birth records and death certificates were used retrospectively to determine the risk factors associated with perinatal mortality in twin pregnancy at Mansa General Hospital between 1 August 1993 and 31 July 1995. A total of 3091 singleton births, 128 sets of twins, and three sets of triplets was recorded during the study period with a twinning rate of 4 per cent of the total deliveries. Perinatal mortality in twin gestation was high (141/1000) and affected mostly the second twin (72 per cent).

Maternal deaths in teenage mothers.

In developing countries such as Zambia, teenage pregnancy is common and dangerous. In this study, out of 677 teenage mothers 33 died. The causes of this alarming mortality are documented and show the influence of sepsis, obstructed labour and uterine rupture.