Health Factors

This study aimed to compare complete blood cell parameters obtained using the automated XN-1000 analyzer with those obtained by manual methods at the Kenyatta National Hospital hematology laboratory. About 110 samples were obtained from patients requesting complete blood count (CBC) test that were used in this study. Automated CBC test was done on Sysmex XN-100 hematology analyzer and validated against peripheral blood slide films read by a qualified lab technologist. Obtained data were analyzed using STATA v13 and the two methods compared using t-test and correlation. The study results showed a strong positive correlation between the automated and manual reader (p<0.001). However, basophil readings had a negative correlation for the two methods. A statistically significant difference was noted in neutrophil (p=0.013), monocyte (p<0.001) eosinophil (p=0.054) and MCHC (p<0.001) readings. The automated analyzer was unable to detect abnormal cell types. The study concluded that Peripheral blood film proved superior in detection of abnormal blood cells though the automated analyzer was able to handle a bigger workload and reduce the turnaround time. In view of the results, it is important to confirm results flagged by the automated analyzer using manual PBF.

We evaluated the efficacy of white blood cell (WBC) differential counts in severely leukopenic samples by the Hematoflow method and by automated hematology analyzers and compared the results with manual counts. EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples (175 samples) with WBC counts of 40-990/µL were selected. Hematoflow differential counts were performed in duplicates employing flow cytometry using the CytoDiff reagent and analysis software. Differential counts were also performed using the DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter) and XE-2100 (Sysmex) automated hematology analyzers. The sum of the manual counts by a hematology technician and a resident were used as the manual counts. The total analysis time and hands-on time required by the Hematoflow method were shorter than those required by manual counting. Hematoflow counts were reproducible, showed a good correlation with automated analyzers, and also showed strong correlation with manual counts (r &gt; 0.8) in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes...

Despite a continual interest in developing information systems (IS) to support the work of top managers, assessing the impact of IS support for top managers and their capabilities on the bottom-line performance of firms has received little attention in existing literature. Information and communication technology (ICT) is of much importance to various institutions. The best institution which has implemented this will reap more than the one which is reluctant in implementing. Some of the benefits accrued can be high productivity and more efficient, costs cutting, service delivery improved easy management and monitoring inventory, competitive advantage and customer satisfaction. Institutions have tried to integrate IS in their managerial functions of planning, controlling, coordinating, directing, staffing and decision making with the purpose of improving and attaining organizational goals and performance. However, firms have shown different performance after the implementation of IS. In Kenya, the benefits of IS has been indicated by various sectors such as Safaricom M-Pesa money transfer platform which has been ranked as one of the best in the world. The research review conducted by use of secondary source and basically it focused on other researchers' studies who did research on the same topic. The study was anchored on Information Systems capabilities and top managers' performance in Kenyan universities. Basically the review wanted to determine and explain the relationship that exists between the two variables. From the various literature review it is evident that IS capabilities and performance have produced vary results. Some researchers have found out significant relationship between the two variables and another set of researchers have contradicted those findings. Therefore, there is lack of consistency in the findings and conclusions.

Aims: This study investigated the trends and levels of the prevalence of health factors, and the association of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality with healthy levels of combined risk factors among Lithuanian urban population. Methods: Data from five general population surveys in Kaunas, Lithuania, conducted between 1983 and 2008 were used. Healthy factors measured at baseline include non-smoking, normal weight, normal arterial blood pressure, normal level of total serum cholesterol, normal physical activity and normal level of fasting glucose. Among 9,209 men and women aged 45-64 (7,648 were free from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke at baseline), 1,219 death cases from any cause, 589 deaths from CVD, and 342 deaths from CHD occurred during follow up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the association between health factors and mortality from all causes, CVD and CHD. Results: Between 1983 and 2008, the proportion of subjects with 6 healthy levels of risk factors was higher in 2006-2008 than in 1983-1984 (0.6% vs. 0.2%; p50.09), although there was a significant increase in fasting glucose and a decline in intermediate physical activity. Men and women with normal or intermediate levels of risk factors had significantly lower all-cause, CVD and CHD mortality risk than persons with high levels of risk factors. Subjects with 5-6 healthy factors had hazard ratio (HR) of CVD mortality 0.35 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.83) compared to average risk in the whole population. The hazard ratio for CVD mortality risk was significant in men (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.97) but not in women (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.09-1.67).

Sri Lanka is a habitat of diverse fruit varieties; nevertheless 95% of them are underutilized by people due to unawareness of their nutritional values and health aspects, and hence become ‘minor fruits’. This study was aimed on revealing vitamin C, iron and antioxidant contents of 29 varieties of minor fruits (MFs) with the comparison of the same with three best commonly consumable fruits (CFs), namely Carica papaya, Mangifera indica and Psidium guajava. Ascorbic acid (Asc), dehydroascorbic acid (DAsc), vitamin C (TC), phenolic (TP), flavonoid (TF), iron (Fe) contents and antioxidant capacities (AOCs) of fruits were determined using standard methods. The results of mean Asc, DAsc, TC, TP, TF and Fe contents in 100 gm of MFs ranged from 3.1 to 121.5 mg, 1.2 to 70.7 mg, 6.6 to 136.1 mg, 24.9 to 1613.3 mg Gallic acid equivalent, 6.2 to 228.0 mg Quercetin equivalents and 0.2 to 4.9 mg respectively. DPPH and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays were used for AOCs and variation...

Aims: This study investigated the trends and levels of the prevalence of health factors, and the association of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality with healthy levels of combined risk factors among Lithuanian urban population. Methods: Data from five general population surveys in Kaunas, Lithuania, conducted between 1983 and 2008 were used. Healthy factors measured at baseline include non-smoking, normal weight, normal arterial blood pressure, normal level of total serum cholesterol, normal physical activity and normal level of fasting glucose. Among 9,209 men and women aged 45-64 (7,648 were free from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke at baseline), 1,219 death cases from any cause, 589 deaths from CVD, and 342 deaths from CHD occurred during follow up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the association between health factors and mortality from all causes, CVD and CHD. Results: Between 1983 and 2008, the proportion of subjects with 6 healthy levels of risk factors was higher in 2006-2008 than in 1983-1984 (0.6% vs. 0.2%; p50.09), although there was a significant increase in fasting glucose and a decline in intermediate physical activity. Men and women with normal or intermediate levels of risk factors had significantly lower all-cause, CVD and CHD mortality risk than persons with high levels of risk factors. Subjects with 5-6 healthy factors had hazard ratio (HR) of CVD mortality 0.35 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.83) compared to average risk in the whole population. The hazard ratio for CVD mortality risk was significant in men (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.97) but not in women (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.09-1.67).

Children of parents with drug and alcohol use disorders often grow up under severe stress and are at greater risk of developing psychological and social problems. However, a substantial proportion of affected children adapt to their distressing life conditions and show positive development in terms of their mental health. These children are described as resilient. One difference between resilient and maladapted children is the presence of protective factors. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the current state of the research concerning protective mental health factors in children of parents with alcohol or drug use disorders (COPAD). For that purpose, the PsychInfo, PubMed, CINAHL and ISI Web of Science databases were searched through January 2017. All the identified publications were screened using previously developed inclusion criteria. The search yielded 3,402 articles. Eleven of these publications (2003-2013) met the criteria for inclusion in the present review. Information on the studies was extracted using an extraction form. A narrative analysis was performed, and the methodological quality was examined using a checklist based on the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The research identified familial, parental, child-related and biological factors that influenced mental health outcomes in affected children (N = 1,376, age range = 1-20 years). Overall, protective mental health factors are understudied in this target group. Most of the included studies were conducted in the United States and employed a cross-sectional design. A comparison of the included cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicated consistent results related to a secure parent-child attachment. Based on the current state of the research, no causal conclusions with regard to the effectiveness of protective factors can be drawn. To develop effective prevention programs, further longitudinal studies and studies assessing the interactions between risk and protective factors are needed.

Sri Lanka is a habitat of diverse fruit varieties; nevertheless 95% of them are underutilized by people due to unawareness of their nutritional values and health aspects, and hence become ‘minor fruits’. This study was aimed on revealing vitamin C, iron and antioxidant contents of 29 varieties of minor fruits (MFs) with the comparison of the same with three best commonly consumable fruits (CFs), namely Carica papaya, Mangifera indica and Psidium guajava. Ascorbic acid (Asc), dehydroascorbic acid (DAsc), vitamin C (TC), phenolic (TP), flavonoid (TF), iron (Fe) contents and antioxidant capacities (AOCs) of fruits were determined using standard methods. The results of mean Asc, DAsc, TC, TP, TF and Fe contents in 100 gm of MFs ranged from 3.1 to 121.5 mg, 1.2 to 70.7 mg, 6.6 to 136.1 mg, 24.9 to 1613.3 mg Gallic acid equivalent, 6.2 to 228.0 mg Quercetin equivalents and 0.2 to 4.9 mg respectively. DPPH and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays were used for AOCs and variation...

This study aimed to compare complete blood cell parameters obtained using the automated XN-1000 analyzer with those obtained by manual methods at the Kenyatta National Hospital hematology laboratory. About 110 samples were obtained from patients requesting complete blood count (CBC) test that were used in this study. Automated CBC test was done on Sysmex XN-100 hematology analyzer and validated against peripheral blood slide films read by a qualified lab technologist. Obtained data were analyzed using STATA v13 and the two methods compared using t-test and correlation. The study results showed a strong positive correlation between the automated and manual reader (p<0.001). However, basophil readings had a negative correlation for the two methods. A statistically significant difference was noted in neutrophil (p=0.013), monocyte (p<0.001) eosinophil (p=0.054) and MCHC (p<0.001) readings. The automated analyzer was unable to detect abnormal cell types. The study concluded that Peripheral blood film proved superior in detection of abnormal blood cells though the automated analyzer was able to handle a bigger workload and reduce the turnaround time. In view of the results, it is important to confirm results flagged by the automated analyzer using manual PBF.

This study aimed to compare complete blood cell parameters obtained using the automated XN-1000 analyzer with those obtained by manual methods at the Kenyatta National Hospital hematology laboratory. About 110 samples were obtained from patients requesting complete blood count (CBC) test that were used in this study. Automated CBC test was done on Sysmex XN-100 hematology analyzer and validated against peripheral blood slide films read by a qualified lab technologist. Obtained data were analyzed using STATA v13 and the two methods compared using t-test and correlation. The study results showed a strong positive correlation between the automated and manual reader (p<0.001). However, basophil readings had a negative correlation for the two methods. A statistically significant difference was noted in neutrophil (p=0.013), monocyte (p<0.001) eosinophil (p=0.054) and MCHC (p<0.001) readings. The automated analyzer was unable to detect abnormal cell types. The study concluded that Peripheral blood film proved superior in detection of abnormal blood cells though the automated analyzer was able to handle a bigger workload and reduce the turnaround time. In view of the results, it is important to confirm results flagged by the automated analyzer using manual PBF.

Background: Clinical laboratory reference intervals are an important tool to identify abnormal laboratory test results. The generating of hematological parameters reference intervals for local population is very crucial to improve quality of health care, which otherwise may lead to unnecessary expenditure or denying care for the needy. There are no well-established reference intervals for hematological parameters in southwest Ethiopia. Objective: To generate hematological parameters reference intervals for apparently healthy individuals in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 883 individuals from March to May 2017. Four milliliter of blood sample was collected and transported to Jimma University Medical Center Laboratory for hematological analysis and screening tests. A hematological parameters were measured by Sysmex XS-500i hematology analyzer (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 statistical software. The non-parametric independent Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test (Mann-Whitney U test) were used to compare the parameters between age groups and genders. The 97.5 percentile and 2.5 percentile were the upper and lower reference limit for the population. Results: The reference interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in children were 4.99

Background: Clinical laboratory reference intervals are an important tool to identify abnormal laboratory test results. The generating of hematological parameters reference intervals for local population is very crucial to improve quality of health care, which otherwise may lead to unnecessary expenditure or denying care for the needy. There are no well-established reference intervals for hematological parameters in southwest Ethiopia. Objective: To generate hematological parameters reference intervals for apparently healthy individuals in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 883 individuals from March to May 2017. Four milliliter of blood sample was collected and transported to Jimma University Medical Center Laboratory for hematological analysis and screening tests. A hematological parameters were measured by Sysmex XS-500i hematology analyzer (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 statist...

Abstract
Background: Clinical laboratory reference intervals are an important tool to identify abnormal laboratory test results. The
generating of hematological parameters reference intervals for local population is very crucial to improve quality of health
care, which otherwise may lead to unnecessary expenditure or denying care for the needy. There are no well-established
reference intervals for hematological parameters in southwest Ethiopia.
Objective: To generate hematological parameters reference intervals for apparently healthy individuals in southwest
Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 883 individuals from March to May
2017. Four milliliter of blood sample was collected and transported to Jimma University Medical Center Laboratory for
hematological analysis and screening tests. A hematological parameters were measured by Sysmex XS-500i hematology
analyzer (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 statistical software. The
non-parametric independent Kruskal–Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test (Mann–Whitney U test) were used to
compare the parameters between age groups and genders. The 97.5 percentile and 2.5 percentile were the upper and
lower reference limit for the population.
Results: The reference interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in children were 4.99 × 1012/L (4.26–
5.99 × 1012/L), 7.04 × 109/L (4.00–11.67 × 109/L), and 324.00 × 109/L (188.00–463.50 × 109/L), respectively. The reference
interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in adults was 5.19 × 1012/L (4.08–6.33 × 1012/L), 6.35 × 109/L
(3.28–11.22 × 109/L), and 282.00 × 109/L (172.50–415.25 × 109/L), respectively. The reference interval of red blood cell, white
blood cell, and platelet count in geriatrics were 5.02 × 1012/L (4.21–5.87 × 1012/L), 6.21 × 109/L (3.33–10.03 × 109/L), and
265.50 × 109/L (165.53–418.80 × 109/L), respectively. Most of the hematological parameters showed significant differences
across all age groups.
Conclusion: Most of the hematological parameters in this study showed differences from similar studies done in the
country. This study provided population-specific hematological reference interval for southwest Ethiopians. Reference
intervals should also be established in the other regions of the country.
Keywords
Reference interval, hematological parameters, southwest Ethiopian

This study aimed to compare complete blood cell parameters obtained using the automated XN-1000 analyzer with those
obtained by manual methods at the Kenyatta National Hospital hematology laboratory. About 110 samples were obtained from
patients requesting complete blood count (CBC) test that were used in this study. Automated CBC test was done on Sysmex
XN-100 hematology analyzer and validated against peripheral blood slide films read by a qualified lab technologist. Obtained
data were analyzed using STATA v13 and the two methods compared using t-test and correlation. The study results showed a
strong positive correlation between the automated and manual reader (p<0.001). However, basophil readings had a negative
correlation for the two methods. A statistically significant difference was noted in neutrophil (p=0.013), monocyte (p<0.001)
eosinophil (p=0.054) and MCHC (p<0.001) readings. The automated analyzer was unable to detect abnormal cell types. The
study concluded that Peripheral blood film proved superior in detection of abnormal blood cells though the automated analyzer
was able to handle a bigger workload and reduce the turnaround time. In view of the results, it is important to confirm results
flagged by the automated analyzer using manual PBF.