Online e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago: prevalence and associated factors with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 11-19 years.

Background: The increase in online learning during the pandemic has been linked to various ocular complaints. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 12-19 years during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown in T&T among secondary school students studying remotely.

Laevifins A-G, clerodane diterpenoids from the Bark of Croton oblongus Burm.f.

A phytochemical investigation of the stem barks of the Malaysian Croton oblongus Burm.f. (Syn.

Association Between Hyperuricemia and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: To investigate the association between hyperuricemia and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted with AMI to the Coronary Care Unit at R. K.

Regulation of Biobanks in South Africa.

The availability of biological samples and data is critical for the establishment of biobanks for health research purposes. Such availability should be ensured in accordance with relevant national legislation and ethical principles. In this article, we consider the extent to which the current legal and ethical regulatory frameworks in South Africa are capable of governing the use of stored biological samples in a manner that facilitates health research while at the same time protecting the interests of sample donors.

Preduodenal portal vein: a potential laparoscopic cholecystectomy nightmare.

Variations of biliary anatomy are well described. Those of most relevance to the operative surgeon are the variations of the extrahepatic ducts and their relationships to the right hepatic artery and its branches. We describe another even rarer congenital anomaly of a preduodenal portal vein.

Kallikreins, kininogens and kinin receptors on circulating and synovial fluid neutrophils: role in kinin generation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Neutrophils traffic into and have the capacity to generate kinins in SF of RA patients. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of kallikreins, kininogens and kinin receptors in circulating and SF neutrophils, as well as synovial tissue of RA patients, and to assess kinin generation in SF.

Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from blood and SF of RA patients and blood of healthy volunteers.

Antihypertensive Effect and Tolerability of Perindopril in Indian Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetic Patients: 1-Year Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel Study vs Atenolol.

Objective: This study compared the antihypertensive effect and acceptability of a perindopril-based group with that of an atenolol-based group in Indian hypertensive type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients.

Design And Setting: 100 ambulant patients aged between 35 and 69 years were recruited into this monocentric, randomised, double-blind study in two parallel groups for 1 year after a 1-month washout period on placebo. The setting was a tertiary care institution.

The role of preoperative biopsy in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Cyto-histological diagnosis of pancreatic pathology in the management of suspected pancreatic malignancy is re-evaluated in the light of evolving trends in management and tissue sampling.

Methods: The literature on cyto-histological diagnosis of pancreatic pathology was reviewed over the period 1977-2003.

Results And Conclusion: Endoluminal techniques of tissue sampling carry less risk of tumour seeding and are the sampling methods of choice for potentially resectable lesions if a tissue diagnosis will alter therapy.

Embolisation of metachronous pseudoaneurysms complicating chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Pseudoaneurysm bleeding is a well-described complication of chronic pancreatitis. Reports of embolisation therapy for metachronous pseudoaneurysms in this condition are rare. We present such a patient and describe his management.

Acceptance and disclosure of HIV status through an integrated community/home-based care program in South Africa.

Aim: To report the outcome of a comparative study among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) served by an integrated community/home-based care (ICHC) programme and those who are not in any home-based care programme in terms of acceptance and disclosure of the HIV status.

Background: One of the major challenges in HIV/AIDS care in developing countries is acceptance and disclosure of a positive HIV status by PLWHAs. Denial and non-disclosure of HIV status hinders prevention efforts as well as access to treatment, care and support for PLWHAs.

Stroke in the young: The multiethnic prospective durban stroke data bank results.

Aim: To determine the clinical syndromes, etiopathogenesis, and prognostic factors in a prospectively evaluated multiethnic young stroke population.

Methods: Only first-ever patients with a World Heath Organization definition of stroke and anatomic brain imaging were included. A hierarchy of investigative modalities divided into three tiers was applied and a range of standardized scales scored in each patient.

Cognitive dysfunction in isolated brainstem stroke: a neuropsychological and SPECT study.

In a prospective series of patients with brainstem stroke (n=73) of the Durban Stroke Data Bank (n=752), five patients with first-ever, isolated brainstem stroke were studied neuropsychologically and with single-photon-emission computed tomographic (SPECT) scanning. Magnetic resonance brain scanning showed four pontine infarcts and one midbrain infarct without accompanying diencephalic or cerebral convexity lesions. Frontal (n=5) and parietal (n=5) hypoperfusion was detected by SPECT scanning and comparison in terms of mean counts made to five age-matched controls with a significant P value of .

Gastrointestinal tract perforation in neonates.

Gastrointestinal tract perforation in neonates is a serious problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Co-morbid factors, particularly prematurity and low birth weight, impact negatively on the outcome. This article highlights issues related to diagnosis and treatment with a view to improving the poor prognosis found in this condition.

Inferior lumbar triangle hernia: case report.

A patient with a spontaneously acquired hernia along the inferior lumbar triangle commonly referred to as lumbar triangle of Petit is presented. This was confirmed on CT scan and successfully treated surgically. A review of the literature relevant to this condition is presented.

The perceptions of nurses in a district health system in KwaZulu-Natal of their supervision, self-esteem and job satisfaction.

Background: Supervision has been identified as a major issue in quality of care. Although increasing attention is being given to supervision in the District Health System, there have been no studies describing the current situation. This article describes a survey done in two health districts in KwaZulu-Natal involving 319 nurses from all types of government health care settings.