Epidemiologic Characteristics, Clinical Features and Outcomes of COVID 19: Patients Admitted at the Asokoro District Hospital Isolation and Treatment Center, Abuja, North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The COVID -19 pandemic spread rapidly across the globe, making a land-fall on the Nigerian geo-space in early 2020. Key presenting features were; fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, headache, sore-throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspnoea amongst others, with a clinical spectrum ranging from mild through severe forms. Aside infection control and supportive care, there was no specific therapy until trials with Remdesivir. Studies have described limited epidemiological findings, presentations and outcomes of COVID patients in Nigeria and elsewhere, but not for the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) specifically Abuja, the Nation's capital city and the second epicenter of the pandemic in Nigeria. The objective of this study therefore, was to describe the Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients admitted at the Asokoro District Hospital (ADH), Abuja. METHODS: Retrospective study that used records of patients admitted, between April and September 2020. Data include; Socio-demographics, medical history, exposure, residential area, co-morbidities, symptoms, signs, treatment measures, duration of hospital stay and outcomes. RESULTS: 270 patients were enrolled for this study. 170(63%) males and 100(37%) females. Mean age was 40.03+13.5years. Forty-one(15.2%) had travel history while 99(36.7%) had contact with confirmed cases. Majority of the patients were married(63.33%), and had tertiary education(74.82%). Commonest symptoms were cough(43.33%), fever(36.67%), headaches(32.22%) and fatigue(31.48%). The duration of stay at the ADH ranged from 2 hours to 28 days. CONCLUSION: Our patients were young, mainly of the upper class, educated people with mild to severe disease. There was one death, a case with multiple comorbid factors.

CONTEXTE: La pandémie COVID-19 s'est propagée rapidement à travers le globe, faisant une chute sur le géo-espace Nigérian au début 2020. Les principales caractéristiques de présentation étaient les suivantes : fièvre, toux sèche, fatigue, myalgie, maux de tête, maux de gorge, douleurs abdominales, diarrhée, dyspnée, entre autres, avec un spectre clinique allant de doux à travers des formes sévères. En dehors de la lutte contre l'infection soins, il n'y avait pas de traitement spécifique avant les essais avec Remdesivir. Des études ont décrit des résultats épidémiologiques limités, présentations et résultats des patients atteints de COVID au Nigeria et ailleurs, mais pas pour le Territoire de la capitale Fédérale, plus précisément Abuja, la Capitale de la nation et épicentre de la pandémie au Nigeria. L'objectif de cette étude par conséquent, était de décrire le clinique et démographique caractéristiques des patients admis dans le district d'Asokoro Hôpital (ADH), Abuja. MÉTHODES: Étude rétrospective utilisant les dossiers des patients admis, entre avril et septembre 2020. Les données comprennent : Sociodémographie, antécédents médicaux, exposition, quartier résidentiel, comorbidités, symptômes, signes, mesures de traitement, durée de séjour à l'hôpital et des résultats. RÉSULTATS: 270 patients ont été inscrits pour cette étude. 170 (63 %) hommes et 100 (37 %) femmes. L'âge moyen était de 40,03 + 13,5 ans. Quarante et un (15,2 %) avaient des antécédents de voyage, tandis que 99 (36,7 %) avaient des contacts avec cas confirmés. La majorité des patients mariés (63,33 %) et ayant fait des études supérieures (74,82%). Les symptômes les plus fréquents étaient la toux (43,33 %), la fièvre (36,67 %), maux de tête (32,22 %) et fatigue (31,48 %). Durée du séjour à l'ADH variait de 2 heures à 28 jours. CONCLUSION: Nos patients étaient jeunes, principalement de la partie supérieure de la classe, des gens instruits atteints de maladies bénignes à graves. Il y avait un décès, un cas avec de multiples facteurs comorbides. MOTS-CLÉS: Socio-démographie, caractéristiques cliniques, résultats, Patients de la COVID, Abuja-Nigeria.

Skin denervation does not alter cortical potentials to surface concentric electrode stimulation: A comparison with laser evoked potentials and contact heat evoked potentials.

BACKGROUND: In the neurophysiological assessment of patients with neuropathic pain, laser evoked potentials (LEPs), contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) and the evoked potentials by the intraepidermal electrical stimulation via concentric needle electrode are widely agreed as nociceptive specific responses; conversely, the nociceptive specificity of evoked potentials by surface concentric electrode (SE-PREPs) is still debated. METHODS: In this neurophysiological study we aimed at verifying the nociceptive specificity of SE-PREPs. We recorded LEPs, CHEPs and SE-PREPs in eleven healthy participants, before and after epidermal denervation produced by prolonged capsaicin application. We also used skin biopsy to verify the capsaicin-induced nociceptive nerve fibre loss in the epidermis. RESULTS: We found that whereas LEPs and CHEPs were suppressed after capsaicin-induced epidermal denervation, the surface concentric electrode stimulation of the same denervated skin area yielded unchanged SE-PREPs. CONCLUSION: The suppression of LEPs and CHEPs after nociceptive nerve fibre loss in the epidermis indicates that these techniques are selectively mediated by nociceptive system. Conversely, the lack of SE-PREP changes suggests that SE-PREPs do not provide selective information on nociceptive system function. SIGNIFICANCE: Capsaicin-induced epidermal denervation abolishes laser evoked potentials (LEPs) and contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs), but leaves unaffected pain-related evoked potentials by surface concentric electrode (SE-PREPs). These findings suggest that unlike LEPs and CHEPs, SE-PREPs are not selectively mediated by nociceptive system.

Failure of angiotensin II and insulin to stimulate transforming growth factor-beta1. Release from cultured bovine retinal pericytes.

BACKGROUND: Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may induce cardiovascular and renal fibrosis in hypertension and diabetes. This fibrogenic effect is mainly mediated by Transforming Growth Factor-B1 (TGF-B1), a multifunctional citokyne released by endothelial, vascular smooth muscle and renal mesangial cells, that is able to increase extracellular matrix deposition. Retinal capillary pericytes have functions similar to those of mesangial cells, including ability to synthesize and release TGF-B1 and produce extracellular matrix. An intraocular RAS was described in the human eye and may produce effects similar to those observed in the heart and kidney, which could be mediated by TGF-B1. In particular, TGF-B1 might be involved in thickening of the capillary basement membrane in diabetic microangiopathy. We therefore aimed at evaluating the possible effects of Angiotensin-II on TGF-B1 secretion by cultured retinal pericytes (BRP). METHODS: BRP cultures were incubated with Angiotensin-II or insulin (known to play a permissive effect on TGF-B1 release from mesangial cells) or Angiotensin-II + insulin at final concentrations of 10-10, 10-8, 10-6, 10-4 mol/L. RESULTS: Baseline TGF-B1 concentrations in the supernatants of pericyte cultures were 6 139 +/- 1 919 pg/mL/106 cells; no changes of TGF-B1 concentrations resulted from adding increasing amounts of Ang II, insulin or both. CONCLUSIONS: Though confirming that cultured bovine retinal pericytes spontaneously release TGF-B1, Angiotensin-II did not produce any stimulatory effects of in our experimental system

Serum albumin, creatinine, uric acid and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia is a form of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. It is a common cause of both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of early prediction of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy using single estimation of serum protein, creatinine and uric in serum samples of healthy primigravidae with singleton pregnancy. SETTING: University College Hospital, Ibadan. SUBJECTS: Fifty nine normortensive primigravidae. METHODS: Fifty nine healthy normotensive primigravidae with singleton pregnancy who booked for antenal care and delivered at the University College Hospital, Ibadan had single estimations of their serum albumin, creatinine and uric acid levels at booking before the 20th week of pregnancy. The women were followed up longitudinally throughout pregnancy. RESULTS: Pre-eclampsia occurred in five of the patients (21.7%), two had pregnancy induced hypertension only (8.7%) while 16 remained normotensive (69.6%). The difference in the mean serum concentration of uric acid (0.162 +/- 0.02 mmol/L) and creatinine (93.70 +/- 10.08 micromol/L) respectively were not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the difference in the mean serum albumin levels (4.06 +/- 0.06 versus 3.71 +/- 0.33 gm/dl) was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group (p<0.05). The predictive performance of these tests was generally low whether alone or in combination. CONCLUSION: Single estimation of serum uric acid and creatinine levels early in pregnancy are of little value in the prediction of pre-eclampsia. A large study is recommended to properly define the value of serum albumin levels in pregnancy in the prediction of pre-eclampsia in the light of the findings of this study.

Predictors of maternal mortality in institutional deliveries in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality in poor countries reflects the under-development in these societies. Global recognition of the burden of maternal mortality and the urgency for a reversal of the trend underpin the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for maternal mortality in institutional births in Nigeria. METHOD: Twenty one health facilities in three states were selected using stratified multi-stage cluster sampling strategy. Information on all delivered mothers and their newborn infants within a three-month period was culled from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 9 208 deliveries were recorded. About one-fifth (20.5%) of women had no antenatal care while 79.5% had at least one antenatal visit during pregnancy. Four-fifths (80.5%) of all deliveries were normal deliveries. Elective and emergency caesarean section rates were 3.1% and 11.5% respectively. There were 79 maternal deaths and 8 526 live births, giving a maternal mortality ratio of 927 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. No antenatal care, parity, level of education, and mode of delivery were significantly associated with maternal mortality. Low maternal education, high parity, emergency caesarean delivery, and high risk patients risk independently predicted maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: Meeting goal five of the MDGs remains a major challenge in Nigeria. Multi-sectoral approaches and focused political will are needed to revert the high maternal mortality.

Pericyte adhesion is impaired on extracellular matrix produced by endothelial cells in high hexose concentrations.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Thickening of the basement membrane and selective loss of pericytes are early events in diabetic retinopathy. We aimed at checking whether pericyte interaction with extracellular matrix produced by endothelial cells is influenced by the hexose concentrations in which endothelial cells are cultured. METHODS: Conditioned extracellular matrixes were obtained by growing human umbilical vein endothelial cells in media containing 28 mmol/l hexoses (D-glucose, D-galactose, L-glucose), which undergo different intracellular processing, before and after adding the inhibitors of protein glycation thiamine or aminoguanidine. Having removed the endothelium, bovine retinal pericytes were grown on such matrixes and, in separate experiments, on laminin, fibronectin or type IV collagen. Pericyte adhesion was determined by cell counts 18 h after seeding. RESULTS: Reduced adhesion was observed on matrixes produced in high D-glucose, high D-galactose and high L-glucose. Both thiamine and aminoguanidine restored impaired pericyte adhesion when added to high D-glucose and high D-galactose, but not L-glucose. Laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen did not consistently modify pericyte adhesion. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: Pericyte adhesion is impaired on extracellular matrix produced by endothelium in high hexose concentrations. This could result from excess protein glycation, corrected by aminoguanidine and thiamine, rather than altered glycoprotein composition.

A study of capillary pericyte viability on extracellular matrix produced by endothelial cells in high glucose.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Thickening of the basement membrane and selective loss of pericytes occur early in diabetic retinopathy. As we showed previously that pericyte adhesion is impaired on extracellular matrix produced by endothelial cells in high hexose concentrations, we aimed to verify if altered adhesion could influence pericyte viability and replication. METHODS: Conditioned extracellular matrices were obtained by growing human umbilical vein endothelial cells in media containing 28 mmol/l D-glucose, with or without the inhibitors of protein glycation thiamine or aminoguanidine, and D-galactose or L-glucose up to 28 mmol/l. Having removed the endothelium, bovine retinal pericytes were grown on these matrices and, in separate experiments, on laminin, fibronectin or type IV collagen. Pericyte viability and replication were measured by cell counts and DNA synthesis after 7 days, cell cycle traversal after 2 days and apoptosis after 18 h, 2 days and 7 days. RESULTS: Pericyte counts and DNA synthesis were reduced on matrices produced in high D-glucose and D-galactose, whilst matrix obtained in L-glucose reduced DNA synthesis but not counts. Both thiamine and aminoguanidine corrected reduced pericyte viability when added to high D-glucose. Cell cycle and apoptosis were not affected by growing pericytes on different conditioned matrices. Laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen did not modify pericyte replication. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: Reduced pericyte counts could depend on impaired initial adhesion to the extracellular matrix produced by endothelium in high hexose concentrations, rather than impaired replication or viability. Altered cell-matrix interactions might facilitate pericyte dropout in diabetic retinopathy, independently of the effects of high glucose on pericyte replication.

Effects of protein kinase C inhibition and activation on proliferation and apoptosis of bovine retinal pericytes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Drop-out of capillary pericytes occurs early and selectively in diabetic retinopathy. High glucose concentrations decrease replication and increase apoptosis of cultured pericytes. Since glucose activates protein kinase C, we investigated the effects of modulating this intracellular mediator on replication, cell cycle and apoptosis of cultured bovine retinal pericytes. METHODS: Pericytes cultured in 5.6 or 28 mmol/l glucose were exposed to a protein kinase C activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and/or a selective inhibitor of its beta2 isoform (LY379196). Cells were counted after 7 days. Proliferation by the tetrazolium to formazan assay and DNA synthesis by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation were measured at day 4. Cell cycle by flow cytometry and apoptosis by ELISA were assessed at day 2. RESULTS: High glucose reduced pericyte replication and increased apoptosis. Protein kinase C activation increased proliferation, while inhibition of its beta2 isoform decreased it. Cell cycle was accelerated by protein kinase C activation and delayed by inhibition. Apoptosis was enhanced by protein kinase C inhibition and reduced by activation. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Protein kinase C inhibition amplifies the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of high glucose on cultured pericytes, whereas stimulation reduces apoptosis and promotes proliferation both in physiological glucose and high glucose. Protein kinase C inhibition, proposed for the treatment of diabetic macular edema and proliferative retinopathy, might accelerate pericyte dropout in earlier stages when these cells are still present in retinal capillaries.