by Kunio Yui, Hitomi Sasaki, Ryoichi Shiroki and Yohei Kawasaki
Original Research
The imbalance between oxidative stress such as increased free radicals and decreased antioxidant capacity has been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However. which of these has a greater effects on ASD behavioral symptoms is still unclear. We measured urinary levels of the oxidative stress biomarker hexanoyl-lysine (HEL) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the plasma levels of the oxidative stress biomarker superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of the anti-inflammatory fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). We examined the relationships between these biomarkers and behavioral symptoms in 19 individuals with ASD (mean age 10.9 ± 5.3 years) and 11 healthy controls (mean age 14.3 ± 6.3 years). Ages were not no significant difference between the two groups. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). In the ASD group, urinary TAC levels were significantly lower and urinary HEL levels were significantly higher than in the control group without plasma SOD and EPA levels. ABC scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Stepwise regression analysis and the standardized regression coefficient revealed that urinary TAC levels provided greater impact for distinguishing the two groups, and that that TAOC levels had a larger effect size than HEL levels in urine. Plasma SOD levels were significantly correlated with the ABC irritability and stereotypy score. Thus, urinary TAP levels may be important factor in the pathophysiology of ASD, and altered plasma SOD levels may contribute to the autistic behaviors.
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2018, 6(3), 58-64. DOI: 10.12691/ajcmr-6-3-2
Pub. Date: September 28, 2018
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by Anozie O.B, Asiegbu O.G, Esike C.U, Ekwedigwe K.C., Agbata A.T., Ukaegbe C.I., Nwafor J.I. and Mba U.E
Original Research
Background: Obstetric delivery is the most frequent cause of hospital admission and the length of stay in hospital after birth varies from one country to another and from one maternity unit to another, depending on economic factors, attitudes to childbirth and traditions in obstetric care. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the trends and determinants of hospital discharge following uncomplicated caesarean section in South-Eastern Nigeria tertiary hospitals. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. The study population comprises Gynaecologists and Obstetricians practicing in tertiary hospitals in south eastern Nigeria. The study was carried out among obstetricians-Gynaecologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) and those who attended the Eastern sector zonal meeting of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held on 9TH September 2017 in Enugu coal-city, Enugu State, Nigeria. Results: The study included 286 participants. The study showed that few (16.7%) of the patients had early discharge and late hospital discharge accounted for 83.3%. The determinants of early hospital discharge were cost of treatment (11.8%), obstetricians personal preferences (10.8%), lack of bed space (4.9%) and patient choice (4.9%). Hospital policy (36.3%) and fear of readmission for maternal or neonatal complications (59.8%) are major reasons for late hospital discharge following uncomplicated caesarean section.
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2018, 6(3), 53-57. DOI: 10.12691/ajcmr-6-3-1
Pub. Date: August 24, 2018
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