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Some Problems of Vaccination Campaigns in Developing Countries
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Quality Improvement in Clinical Laboratories: A Six Sigma Concept
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Is There Scientific Evidence that Panax Promotes Hair Growth
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C-C Chemokine Receptor Seven (CCR7): Coming of Age In Vaccines
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Herd Immunity Conferred By Hepatitis B Vaccination Increases the Protection Efficacy against Hepatitis B Virus Infection
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Is Normal Knee Biomechanics Reproduced by Modern Total Knee Arthroplasty Designs? The Role of Fluoroscopy
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Galdieria sulphuraria Relieves Oily and Seborrheic Skin By Inhibiting the 5-α Reductase Expression in Skin Cells and Reducing Sebum Production In Vivo
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Model Based vs. Rule Based Designs in Phase I Dose Finding Clinical Trials
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Cultural Adaptation for Common Orthopedic Disorders Pathology and Presentations With Focus on Middle Eastern and Asian Patients
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A Simple Method for Breast De-epithelialization: The Monobloc Method
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Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors May Improve Glycemic Control in Patients Rheumatoid Arthritis and Concomitant Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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A Rare Cause of Shoulder Pain: Ganglion Cyst of the Acromioclavicular Joint
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Innovations in Microbial Biodiscovery, Targeting Silent Metabolism and New Chemical Diversity
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Dendritic Cell Maturation is a Critical Step in Dendritic Cell Vaccine Preparation for Cancer Therapy
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The QuickDASH in the Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity
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Innovation of Wound and Burn Care Dressings from Traditional to Nonwoven Polymeric Scaffolds
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Invasive Moderately-Differentiated Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Incidentally Identified in Perforated Acute Diverticulitis With Abscess Formation
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Mesotherapy Cocktails Can be the Secrecy for Youthful Keeping
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Could Hair Loss be a Relevant Symptom Associated with Chikungunya
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Distribution and Conduct of Clinical Trials Involving Music Therapy: Registered Clinical Trials in the Lost 15 Years
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Abstract [+]
Objective: This study aimed to conduct an evaluation of music therapy clinical trials
worldwide, to understand what trials have been conducted and to show the chronological
changes. Additionally, we sought to clarify issues related to providing clinical trial registration
information.
Methods: We searched the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) database for
“music therapy,” and identified the disease target for each article found.
Results: A total of 150 clinical trial studies were found in the ICTRP using the term “music
therapy.” In these trials, music therapy was used for improvement of social functioning in
schizophrenia and/or serious mental disorders, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and cancer
symptoms. Twenty-five clinical trials were actively recruiting. Sixteen of the 25 trials were
registered in the United States at ClinicalTrials.gov, of which 9 trials were conducted in the US.
Seven trials were conducted in other countries such as Spain, Taiwan, and China.
Conclusion: A search for music therapy clinical trials retrieved 150 trials from the ICTRP, and
the number of clinical trial registrations has increased yearly. Music therapy is widely used in
patients with various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and arthritic pain and
has the potential to improve certain disease outcomes, but there is not enough evidence to
substantiate its efficacy. It is important to enlighten researchers and pharmaceutical companies
on the proper management of the quality of such clinical trial information, as this is an important
issue.
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Plaque Psoriasis Formation and Body Hair (Re)Growth: A Common Pathway Activation
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Cell Derived Virus-Like Particles (VLP) in Future Vaccine Development
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Topical Corticosteroid Misuse Among Females Attending at Dermatology Outpatient Department in Ethiopia
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The Swan Song of a Pathologist: “Why Do I Love Thee, Pathology? Let Me Count the Ways….”
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Fluorinated Lipids Conjugated to Peptide Antigens do not Induce Immune Responses Against Cervical Cancer
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Recent Advances in Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines Development
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Hair Loss and Chemotherapy: An Overview about What You Need To Know
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Clinical Investigations on Medical Devices, after the New European Regulation (2017/745)
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Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials: A Quick Update on Concepts and Types
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Immunobiology of Anticancer Virotherapy With Newcastle Disease Virus in Cancer Patients
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Education and Health System Collaboration are Indispensable in Vaccination Coverage
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The Concept of Developing a Plasmodium vivax Malarial Vaccine with a Focus on its Pre-erythrocytic Stage
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Don’t Shun the Shunt: Surgical Portosystemic Shunts in the Era of TIPS and Liver Transplantation
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Hair as a Specimen to Determine the Concentration of Cortisol Levels in Individuals that have Performed Physical Activity
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Glucocorticoid Induced Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Alterations Associated with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
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Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment for Vaginal Rejuvenation in Post-Menopausal Indian Women
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Actinic Lichen Nitidus with Dermoscopic Features, and Response to Hydroxychloroquine
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The Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Versus Carbamazepine in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Alternative Effective Management of the Musculoskeletal Pain
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Consensus Meeting on International Standards for Oral Whole Cell Killed Cholera Vaccines, 17-18 May 2018, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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The Prognostic Value of PD-L1 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Cohort Study and Systematic Literature Review
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Antihyperglycemic Mechanisms of Allium sativum, Citrus sinensis and Persea americana Extracts: Effects on Inhibition of Digestive Enzymes, Glucose Adsorption and Absorption on Yeast Cells and Psoas Muscles
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Abstract [+]
Mechanisms by which some plants with antihyperglycemic effects reduce postprandial hyperglycemiaare not fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate some action mechanisms of extracts from stem bark of Citrus sinensis, seeds of Persea americana and bulbs of Allium sativum including in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and invertase; glucophagic capacity, absorption capacity on yeast cells and psoas tissues.
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Latest Results from Immunotherapy Clinical Trials in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
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Abstract [+]
Cancer immunotherapy has evolved enormously in the recent years with better understanding of immune reactions, immune microenvironment and immunosurveillance. Breast cancer is characterized by large heterogeneity, a fact which rather complicated the development and the approval of novel therapeutic options in comparison to the majority of other solid tumors since each subtype has required a unique scientific approach and different targets and goals. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive of the breast cancer subtypes with limited treatment options and worse outcome compared to others. This article summarizes some of the early clinical studies and the recently presented phase III clinical study of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors in this difficult setting.
Keywords: Cancer; Immunotherapy; Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC); Breast cancer.
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In Need of Care but Providers of Care: Grandparents Giving Fulltime Care to their Grandchildren in Rural Uganda
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Abstract [+]
Background
In most African countries, the elderly face challenges that affect their health and wellbeing and are more pronounced because of the systemic factors of inadequate health care, food insecurity and the general care. Increasing population of the elderly persons in Uganda is raising concern than ever before. The purpose of this paper to ascertain care available to the rural elderly persons and their role as carers for their grandchildren and implications on their wellbeing.
Methods
This was a qualitative study conducted among the rural elderly aged 60 years and above in eight purposively selected district that included Lira, Nebbi, Kampala, Luwero, Pallisa, Jinja, Mbarara, and Ntungamo. The study sample consisted of 101 elderly person from whom in-depth interviews were conducted. Data was analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis.
Results
Rural elderly in Uganda face a lot of constraints that include access to healthcare and information, poor economic status, food insecurity and poor nutrition, and poor accommodation and housing conditions. Two broader themes emerged inductively from the analysis that include care available for the rural elderly and providing care to grandchildren. These themes generated several subthemes. Taking care of grandchildren crippled the elderly and reduced the economic benefits. That said some rural elderly were happy and felt fulfilled to care of the grandchildren despite the lack of resources.
Conclusion
The rural elderly in Uganda are living in doleful conditions with limited care and support. They need care but are the providers of care to the grandchildren. They are frails and may not afford to provide adequate care. They care for grandchildren many of whom are orphans and vulnerable yet they themselves need care. It is important the government and the community re-enforce this care not to put strain on elderly. The rural elderly unique challenges necessitates special targeting and mobilization of resources at the household, local, district and national levels.
Keywords
Grandparents; Care; Orphans; Grandchildren; Skip-generation; Uganda.
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Neoantigen: A New Hope for Effective Cancer Immunotherapy
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Role of Sound Enhancer Device in Teleconsultation
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Abstract [+]
Aim
To study the role of sound enhancer device in teleconsultation.
Methods
This study was conducted in the plastic surgery department in a tertiary care centre in the month of May-June 2019. A sound enhancer device was used with mobile phone for videoconferencing as form of teleconsultation by plastic surgery trainees in operation theatre and outpatient department. At the end of the study feedbacks were taken from the trainees.
Results
It was found that on using the sound enhancer device, the sound quality improved and it was helpful in the teleconsultation sessions using videoconferencing.
Conclusion
The use of sound enhancer is a simple, cost-effective, innovative method of using a simple technology to aid in utilisation of teleconsultation facilities in a very non-sophisticated way.
Keywords
Sound enhancer device; Teleconsultation; Telemedicine.
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Self-Adjuvanting Peptide Vaccines Against Cervical Cancer
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Abstract [+]
Background
Cervical cancer is a common cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide, with a fatality rate second only to breast cancer. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the main causative agents of cervical cancer, and are therefore obvious targets for vaccine development. Although two prophylactic HPV vaccines have been commercialized, therapeutic vaccines against HPVs have not been developed yet. Current vaccine technologies emphasize the power of small particles in targeting immune cells, and particles of 20-50 nm have been reported to induce optimal immune responses against a variety of pathogens and cancers.
Methods
We synthesized new nanoparticle-based vaccines against cervical cancer by using antigenic 8Qmin peptide epitope derived from HPV-16 E7 protein, a hydrophilic poly-(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) linker, and an 8-arm poly (tert-butyl acrylate) dendrimer-based delivery system (D8).
Results
Four different peptides containing 8Qmin and PGA of different lengths were successfully synthesized with high yield and purity. These were then conjugated to alkyne-functionalized D8 by copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition “click” reaction. The conjugates self-assembled into nanoparticles, with decreased particle size corresponding to a greater number of Glu units. The four vaccine candidates were tested in C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice bearing well-established (7-day-old) tumors to examine their therapeutic effects.
Conclusion
Interestingly, only one conjugate delayed tumor growth, and montanide adjuvanted antigen, used as a positive control, failed to demonstrate any therapeutic effect.
Keywords
Peptide-based subunit vaccine; Human papillomavirus; Polyglutamic acid; Therapeutic cancer vaccine; Polymer-peptide conjugate; Self-adjuvanting; Cervical cancer.
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Clinical Research: The Future of Medicine Stuck in the Digital Past
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Role of Bactiguard Infection Technology in Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
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Abstract [+]
To study the role of bactiguard infection technology (BIP) in preventing Catheter-associated urinary tract infections. This study was conducted in a tertiary care centre in the Department of Plastic Surgery, JIPMER, Pondicherry, India in the month of August 2019. The study subject was a 55-year-old gentleman with Fournier’s gangrene and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The Foley’s catheter with BIP technology was used and its role in preventing urinary tract infections (UTI) was studied over a period of 10-days. During the period of the catheter use in our subject, patient did not develop features of urinary tract infections. BIP technology is claimed to be effective in preventing Catheter-associated urinary tract infections but further studies in more individuals is required to validate the same.
Keywords
Bactiguard infection technology (BIP); Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI); Biofilm.
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Diagnosis and Cure: Intellectual Honesty is the Basis of All Science
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Remote Consent Clinical Research
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Abstract [+]
Recruitment in clinical research trials can be challenging in trials that are time-sensitive and/or are rare disease and critical care trials. One of the hurdles for recruitment in these types of clinical trials is due to the consent process, and the need to have consent of the patient within a certain timeframe, or the patient unable to consent for themselves. This paper will discuss the usage of the utilization of remote consent options for these trials.
Keywords
Recruitment; e-consent; Remote consent; Clinical trials; Rare disease; Time-sensitive.
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Circulating Tumor Cells: Beyond Isolation and Detection
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Abstract [+]
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the precursors to metastases and increased numbers of CTCs in the peripheral circulation have been shown to correlate with decreased progression-free and overall survival. Although the current clinical utility has been focused on the prognostic significance, other clinical applications are being explored, such as determining if a patient is a candidate for treatment, determining the efficacy of treatment, evaluation for resistance to therapy, prediction of metastatic site, or as an early predictor of metastases. Current methodologies are based on quantifying CTCs and include technologies based on physical, immunological, and molecular techniques. However, these have limitations, of which most of them do not have the ability to perform morphological evaluation. Using morphological evaluation, CTCs in body fluids could be used for primary diagnosis in the setting of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) or in initial or early diagnostic scenarios. Additionally, cytological specimens have been shown to be useful for ancillary testing in patients when surgical resection specimens or biopsies are not available. Evaluation of CTCs should incorporate histological, immunehistochemical, and molecular characterization to enable clinicians to obtain the comprehensive diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic information necessary to provide appropriate personalized care to cancer patients.
Keywords
Circulating tumor cell (CTC); Circulating; Tumor cell; Cancer; Isolation; Detection; Metastasis; Prognosis.
Abbreviations
CTC: Circulating tumor cell; RT-PCR: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; MET: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition; TRAIL: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CUP: Cancer of unknown primary; CAP: College of American Pathologists; AMP: Association for Molecular Pathology; ASCO: American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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Outpatient–Focused Advance Care Planning: Telehealth Consultation for Geriatric Primary Care Patients
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Abstract [+]
Introduction
Documentation of advance care planning (ACP) in the electronic health record (EHR) is a quality measure promoted by both the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There is no best practice model for promotion of ACP in primary care. Clinic prompts reminders from staff, and provision of forms and handouts modestly increase ACP completion. Targeted advance care planning and goals of care discussions for high-risk high-need older patients may help promote ACP in primary care.
Methods
High-risk, high-need geriatric patients were identified by the clinical assessment of need (CAN) risk calculator for a telehealth intervention by an advanced practice nurse trained in palliative care and embedded in the geriatric patient-aligned care team (Geri-PACT) and provided telehealth outreach for ACP and goals of care discussions.
Outcomes
At baseline the Geri-PACT panel had a 54% prevalence of ACP in the EHR. Completion of a life-sustaining treatment note (LST) increased from 39% to 74% following the telehealth intervention producing a total of 89% ACP documents in the EHR. Additionally, 9% of patients received goals of care discussions and a need for additional home and community-based services was identified for 12% of patients contacted. Outreach to three practices in an established physician referral and patient visit network which included 10 providers indicated that primary care providers desired to approach their own patients for ACP. These providers were educated and provided tools and information about CMS and VA ACP quality improvement directives.
Conclusion
A focused telehealth intervention performed by a nurse trained in palliative care and embedded in a geriatric patient-centered medical home was able to significantly increase ACP documentation in the EHR for elderly patients in the practice. Primary care providers place core importance on the value of the patient-clinician relationship and prefer to approach their own patients rather than rely on consultation for ACP. Education for primary care providers and provision of resources to perform ACP and goals of care discussions for their patients may be a worthwhile strategy to improve ACP completion and documentation in the EHR.
Keywords
Advance directives; Primary care; Telehealth.
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Spontaneous Resolution of Pituitary Cystic Lesion
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Abstract [+]
Differentiating between cystic lesions of pituitary gland may be challenging. Usual differentials are cystic pituitary adenoma (cPA) and Rathke’s cleft cyst (RCC). Diagnostic certainty of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited in the absence of usual suggestive features. Furthermore, RCC can co-exist with approximately 2% of pituitary adenomas. Over time, these cystic lesions may remain static, resolve spontaneously, or result in symptomatology relating to mass effect and/or hormonal disruption. In cases of an asymptomatic lesion being found incidentally, little is known about how it may progress, raising question whether to proceed with surgical management or follow-up. We a present case of a spontaneously resolving pituitary cystic lesion with imaging features more suggestive of cPA than RCC, for which watchful waiting proved a successful treatment strategy. The current case serves as a reminder that small cystic lesions can be followed-up with spontaneous resolution and should be offered active treatment only when clinically required.
Keywords
Pituitary gland; Pituitary cystic lesion; Cystic pituitary adenoma (cPA); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
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Single-Blind Comparative Study of the Aesthetic Outcome of Armouring Procedures with PLLA/PCL- and HA-Enriched Absorbable Threads
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Abstract [+]
Background
Absorbable threads represent one of the most exciting breakthroughs in aesthetic medicine. The innovative composition of absorbable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/caprolactone (PCL) threads enriched with hyaluronic acid (HA) has triggered the interest of aesthetic practitioners.
Objective
To compare the aesthetic outcomes of armouring procedures with absorbable PLLA/PCL threads versus the same procedure performed with PLLA/PCL/HA threads (APTOS, Tbilisi, Georgia threads).
Materials and Methods
Eight patients underwent thread insertion in the face (PLLA/PCL threads on one side and PLLA/PCL/HA threads on the other). Aesthetic outcome was determined subjectively by the patient after 7 days using a 5-point rating questionnaire. Wrinkles were evaluated objectively using 3D photosystem software after 7, 30, and 90 days.
Results
Seven days after treatment there was significantly less pain, less swelling, less burning and a faster reduction of skin irregularities on the side treated with HA-enriched threads (all p<0.05). The side of the face treated with HA-enriched threads also demonstrated faster and more obvious improvement of wrinkles.
Conclusion
Absorbable PLLA/PCL threads have a reliable reputation for oval correction of the face and long-lasting biostimulation. The new HA-enriched threads shorten the post-procedure downtime, accelerate rejuvenation and provide more significant patient satisfaction.
Keywords
Absorbable thread; Thread lifting; HA-enriched threads; Aesthetics.
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Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance of the Probiotic Bacteria Found in Commercial Food Products
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Abstract [+]
Aim
The Lactobacillus is an industrially-important group of probiotic organisms that plays an important role in human health by inhibiting harmful and pathogenic bacterial growth, boosting immune function, and increasing resistance to infection. The aim of this study was to identify the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus based on their phenotypic features and genotypic features. This study also shows the importance of probiotic bacterium, and the effects of their antibiotic resistance to human.
Method
Six different brands were cultured on man, rogosa and sharpe (MRS) agar. The identity of the culture was based on the characteristics of the strains of Lactobacillus spp. which was characterized using their phenotypic features (cell morphology, Gram’s staining tests which are specific for Lactobacillus genus). The bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted by two different methods, boiled cell method and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Furthermore, the extracted DNA yields were compared to determine which gives the best yield. The bacterial genus was detected with using genus specific primers, specific to the Lactobacillus. All the isolates were further subjected to antibiotic resistance test using disc diffusion method against a total of 4 antibiotics (Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Vancomycin and Ampicillin) and the antibiotic resistant genes of tet(M) & erm(B), were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results
Five isolates out of six samples (A to E) were found to exhibit multiple resistance against some of the most commonly used antibiotics. The isolates showed resistance toward tetracycline, erythromycin & vancomycin. Besides that, the isolates displayed a low-level of resistance toward ampicillin.
Conclusion
This study proves that antibiotic resistance is present in different species of probiotic strains, which may pose a food safety concern.
Keywords
Lactobacillus; Probiotics; Antibiotics; Tetracycline; Vancomycin; Erythromycin; Ampicillin; Antibiotic resistance.
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The Skinny on Moisturizers: A Brief Report
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Abstract [+]
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of 5 different skin moisturizers using JELL-O® as a model for the human skin.
Methods
In this study five different moisturizers (Equate®, Burt’s Bees®, Suave®, Aveeno® and Vaseline®) were applied to equivalent samples of JELL-O®. Observations were made over a 12-day period and data was collected at 15 different time intervals. The primary outcome was the height (cm) and weight (g) of the JELL-O® sample at each time interval. The study was an ex vivo experiment conducted in a home laboratory. No Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was required since the research does not involve living organisms.
Results
Overall, the JELL-O® sample that had the Vaseline® applied on it had the lowest loss of height and weight. The height stayed at 100% of its original value and the weight only decreased to 97.2% of the original value by the end of the observation period. In contrast, the sample which had Suave® applied to the surface its height and weight decrease the most (42% and 28% respectively). The other moisturizers had effects intermediate between these two extremes.
Conclusion
Based on this ex vivo head to head study using JELL-O® as a model for the human skin the 5 moisturizers examined had widely differing levels of effectiveness with Vaseline® appearing to be the most protective against evaporative losses and Suave® appearing to be the least.
Keywords
Moisturizers; Dry skin; Different moisturizers; Skin lotions; Vaseline® effectiveness.
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Principles and Applications of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Microarray: A Review
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Abstract [+]
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarrays are collections of DNA probes arranged on a base pair and the latest commercialized molecular diagnostic technologies that offer high throughput results, more sensitive and require less time. It is the most reliable and widely accepted tool facilitating the simultaneous identification of thousands of genetic elements even a single gene. Microarrays are powerful new tools for the investigation of global changes in gene expression profiles in cells and tissues. The different types of DNA microarray or DNA chip devices and systems are described along with their methods of fabrication and their use. The DNA microarrays assembly process is automatized and further miniaturized. DNA microarrays are used in the search of various specific genes or in gene polymorphism and expression analysis. They will be widely used to investigate the expression of various genes connected with various diseases in order to find the causes of these diseases and to enable their accurate treatment. Generally, microarray analysis is not only applied for gene expression studies, but also used in immunology, genotyping, diagnostics and sequence analysis. Additionally, microarray technology being developed and applied to new areas of proteomics, cancer research, and cellular analysis.
Keywords
Application, DNA, Microarray, Principle.
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Squamous Melanocytic Tumour at an Unusual Site: An Uncommon Case and Literature Review
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Abstract [+]
We herein present a case report of a 60-year-old male patient diagnosed with squamous-melanocytic tumour (SMT) in his anal region, comprised of two intermingled different phenotypic lesions. This dual tumour is quite uncommon and could potentially be challenging on both diagnose and also management. It is the first case reported on this location, moreover, the lack of consensus for these lesions makes it difficult to classify them. We reviewed the literature of similar SMT’s and discussed its histogenesis. As they are rare, their biological behavior and potential metastasis remain unclear. Therefore, close follow-up is advised.
Keywords
Combined neoplasia; Squamous-melanocytic tumour; Uncertain; Anal canal.
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Graves Disease: Successful Cesarean Section and Salpingectomy
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Characteristics of Effective and Safe Methods of Treatment for Fresh Fracture-Dislocations of the Proximal Humerus
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Abstract [+]
Aim
The study was aimed to assess the results of treatment for fracture-dislocations of the proximal humerus (PH) within different time frames for optimizing treatment tactics.
Patients and Methods
This retrospective cohort study evaluated clinical outcomes of 25 patients with fracture-dislocations of the PH (15 patients were analyzed for short- and medium-term results, and 10 – for long-term results). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 9-years. All patients underwent: clinical examination, constant score assessment and shoulder X-ray examination. Clinical, radiological and statistical methods were used for analysis.
Results
Assessment of the degree of initial displacement of tubercles and its impact on the results of treatment showed that significantly better results were obtained in case of displacement no more than 10 mm (p=0.041). Patients with displacement no more than 10 mm had an average score of 68.0±16.1 points (Mean=69.5), while those with displacement of the tubercle(s) exceeding 10 mm had an average score of 49.5±19.5 points (Mean=44). Analysis of the results of treatment showed that the delay in restoring normal anatomy of the PH or avoiding surgical interventions at all led to functional disorders of the shoulder joint. It was also demonstrated that neither patients, nor doctors were satisfied with the outcomes of the unipolar shoulder replacement (USR). Based on the results of the study, we proposed an algorithm for determining the tactics of surgical treatment in cases when a fracture-dislocation of the PH with complete dislocation of the fragment involving the articular surface of the humeral head is diagnosed.
Conclusion
The present study demonstrated some factors affecting the outcomes of treatment for fracture-dislocations of the PH. Current approaches for endoprosthesis replacement in these cases remain debatable and require further investigation.
Keywords
Trauma; Fracture; Shoulder joint; Fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus.
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Nutrient-Dense, Functional Foods Enhance Hair, Skin, and Nail Appearance
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Abstract [+]
Objective
The American diet is nutrient-poor and rich in unhealthy compounds like sodium, sugar, and saturated fats. Whether food has an effect on appearance has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this prospective, single-armed study was to evaluate the impact of consuming two nutrient-dense functional foods, which are low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, on hair, skin, and fingernail health.
Methods
Both subjective (self-reported questionnaires and photographs) and objective (i.e., salivary pH and skin hydration) tests were used to evaluate appearance. Weekly compliance with nutrient-dense foods, body weight, and quality of life assessment were also recorded.
Results
Participants(n=28) consumed most of the nutrient-dense foods and remained weight stable, which was the goal of the study to exclude the effect of changes in body weight on appearance. Neither objective measurement of appearance showed significant improvements. Subjective measurements using questionnaires specific to hair, skin, and fingernails improved significantly over the 8-week study. Rating of photographs that the participants took of themselves improved significantly over the 8-weeks. These included reduced redness, decreased pore size, and better skin color. Using an acne-rating scale, a significant improvement was observed at week 8 compared to baseline. The quality of life parameters improved significantly including feeling of well-being, feeling full, having more energy, sleeping better, having less stress, and being more focused.
Conclusion
Inclusion of two nutrient-rich, functional foods in the diet improved the appearance of hair, skin, and fingernails. These foods were well-received and easy-to-prepare, leading to excellent compliance with the dietary protocol.
Keywords
Appearance; Diet; Functional foods; Nutrient-dense foods; Hair; Skin; Nails.
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Better Together: Evolving Social Process between Bystanders and First Responders is a Force Multiplier for Effective Emergency Response
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Abstract [+]
Bystanders are an integral part of an emergency scene. Their presence on site makes them the immediate potential responders, who can provide life-saving assistance as well as various rescue actions. Research has shown that bystanders are willing to and are capable of helping, especially (but not limited to) when a leader emerges, as the help is rooted in a collective action. In this article, we suggest a new framework for understanding the effectiveness of bystanders help, based on the evolving social process between bystanders and first responders. As we show, the transition from no help, at the very first moment right after the emergency has occurred, to an effective coordinated response where first responders and bystanders act together, goes through engagement of bystanders. Further, first responders should acknowledge the social organization of bystanders, utilize and leverage it in order to optimize their efforts. This framework has important insights for policy makers when managing emergency and disaster situations with limited resources.
Keywords
Bystanders; First responders; Mass casualty incident; Help; Emergency; Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Non-Invasive Treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis Not Helped by Physical Therapy: A Case Study in Manipulative Medicine
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Abstract [+]
This case documents the treatment of a middle-aged woman with chronic, unresponsive adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) using manipulation, active release therapy, and electronic acupuncture. She had not responded to typical physical therapy but did respond to active release therapy along with adjunctive manipulation and acupuncture. In our course of treatment we wanted to see if we could significantly improve pain-free range of motion and normal; function without using invasive treatments like surgery and manipulation under anesthesia. Over a course of five weeks, using a soft tissue manipulation technique known as active release technique along with electrified acupuncture and home exercises, we were able to increase her range of motion to near normal and her function to normal. She was not forced to miss any work because of the treatment and can now do all the things she needs to do for work.
Keywords
Frozen shoulder; Adhesive capsulitis; Manipulation; Active release therapy; Non-invasive treatment.
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Dynamic Shape Change of an Aortic Valve Cusp Perforation on 3D Transesophageal Echocardiogram
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Outstanding Outcome of Pancreatic Cancer: What Lessons Do We Learn
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Gender, Creativity and Insanity: From an Anthropologist’s Notebook
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Abstract [+]
This essay has emerged through my research engagements with life history as a research method in anthropology. It is based on the life events of a woman artist. The past few decades have brought an explosion of cultural criticisms and also explorations of women’s creative expressions across cultures. Some of the queries addressed are, how do external forces shape the creativity of female artists. Also, how do creative women respond to such forces? Creative women, then, have a unique relationship to their cultural contexts, as well as to the creative genre to which they respond. This essay also delves into myths related to insanity and women. It discusses creativity, as a mode of engagement with rigid social structures.
Keywords
Life history; Women; Creativity; Body psyche; Insanity; Myths; Anthropology.
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Recombinant Protein D from Haemophilus influenzae Induces Mouse Bactericidal Antibodies Against Typeable and Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae, which Partially Protect Infant Rats Against Serotype b Bacteraemia
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Abstract [+]
Aim
To evaluate the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein D from Haemophilus Influenzae (Hi) and the functional activities of the induced protein D antibodies in a mouse model.
Methods
Female Balb/c mice were immunised subcutaneously with recombinant protein D in the presence or absence of adjuvants and the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to protein D was assessed by ELISA. The functional activity of the immune sera was evaluated in vitro using bactericidal assay against typeable Hi serotype b (Hib) and non-typeable Hi (NTHi) clinical isolates and in vivo using an infant rat bacteraemia model and a Hib clinical isolate.
Results
A dose-dependent IgG response was induced in mice immunised with the recombinant protein D and this response was further increased by the adjuvants used [CPG, AlPO4 and Al(OH)3], with the latter showing the greatest effect on the antibody response. Immune sera were very effective in bactericidal assay against several Hib and NTHi clinical isolates, with a higher serum bactericidal titre against the NTHi than against the Hib isolates. This is possibly due to the lower expression of protein D on the Hib isolates used in our study, compared to the NTHi isolates. In addition, anti-protein D antibodies were partially protective in vivo infant rat bacteraemia model against a challenge with Hib Eagan strain.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that recombinant protein D is a good vaccine candidate against Hi and should be given in combination with other vaccine candidates to ensure complete protection against Hib and NTHi.
Keywords
Haemophilus influenzae (Hi); Haemophilus influenzae serotype b bacteraemia; Rats.
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Blighted Ovum: A Case Report
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Abstract [+]
Presenting in her late twenties, this case report examines a G6P2 patient at 11-weeks gestation that was diagnosed with a blighted ovum, as well as the subsequent outcome and methods of additional management. A blighted ovum refers to a fertilized egg that does not develop, despite the formation of a gestational sac. The most common cause of a blighted ovum is of genetic origin. Trisomies account for most first trimester miscarriages, while consanguineous marriages result in recurrent miscarriages due to a blighted ovum. Additionally, a higher percentage of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in sperm carries a higher rate of miscarriage. Nutritional factors that may lead to a blighted ovum include low-levels of copper, prostaglandin E2, and anti-oxidative enzymes. High body mass index (BMI), especially in women with a BMI≥30 kg/m2 has been shown to be linked to a blighted ovum. Globally, it has been shown that a blighted ovum is a serious adverse event related to vaccination against dengue fever.
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Superior Mesenteric Artery and Nutcracker Syndromes in a Healthy 14-Year-Old Girl Requiring Surgical Intervention after Failed Conservative Management
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Abstract [+]
This case report presents the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery and nutcracker syndromes in a previously fit and well 14-year-old girl. Although these two entities usually occur in isolation, despite their related aetiology, our patient was a rare example of their occurrence together. In this case the duodenal compression of superior mesenteric artery syndrome caused intractable vomiting leading to weight loss, and her nutcracker syndrome caused severe left-sided abdominal pain and microscopic haematuria without renal compromise. Management of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome can be conservative by increasing the weight of the child which leads to improvement of retroperitoneal fat and hence the angle of the artery. The weight can be improved either by enteral feeds or parenteral nutrition. This conservative management initially helped but not in the long-term as the child started losing weight again. The next step in management is surgery (duodenojejunostomy – if the conservative management fails), which the child went through, remarkably improving their symptoms.
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Beyond Placebo: Alternative Options to the Randomized Control Trial Design in Rare Disease Studies
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Abstract [+]
Unique difficulties and challenges can arise for rare diseases and orphan disease indications within a clinical trial. Some of the challenges encountered by trials that are working on rare diseases can include recruitment and enrollment. One of the explanations for the challenges that are encountered in rare disease trials is because of the trial design of study, where the investigational product is being compared to the placebo. This review paper discusses the usage of placebo and when other options could be taken into consideration while creating the protocol, specifically with consideration to rare disease studies. It is essential for the investigators and those designing the protocol to consider alternative options from the standard randomized controlled trial. The aim of this paper is to review alternative trial design options. The trial designs discussed in this review paper include crossover trials, single arm studies and historical data, and n-of-1 trials.
Keywords
Recruitment; Enrollment; Placebo controlled; Clinical trials; Rare disease; Crossover trials; Single arm study;
Historical data; n-of-1 trials.
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A Rare Cutaneous Manifestation of the Systemic Erythematosus Lupus: The Chilblain Lupus – A Clinical Case
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Abstract [+]
Perniosis or chilblain pernio is an inflammatory skin disease, typically located on acral skin surfaces secondary to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and damp conditions. This disorder can appear as an idiopathic dermatosis, usually in young women, but occasionally it is associated with diseases such as anorexia, intestinal lymphoma, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, monoclonal gammopathies, cryoproteinaemia, viral infections, as well as connective tissue diseases, especially lupus, picture that is known as chilblain lupus. We present a case of perniosis associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and review the literature.
Keywords
Chilblain lupus; Perniosis; Chilblain pernio; Rare cutaneous; Myelomonocytic leukemia; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
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Advanced Heart Failure Exacerbated by Discreet Left Ventricular Lead Non-Capture
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Abstract [+]
This case report illustrates a challenging case of worsening heart failure in a previously well-compensated patient with unclear etiology. Further workup revealed the patient’s cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) left ventricle (LV) lead was losing capture during positional changes. This case demonstrates the importance of device optimization, as well as electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring to elucidate possible causes of acute systolic heart failure.
Keywords
Cardiac resynchronization; cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT); Systolic heart failure; Lead positioning;
Advanced heart failure.
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Awareness of Ototoxicity among Medical Doctors in Assam
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Abstract [+]
Introduction
Previous literature has reported ill-effect of ototoxic drug on hearing and balance. Present study investigated awareness among medical doctors for the same.
Method
A total of 55-medical doctors of multiple specialties from Assam, India participated in the present study. A total of 14 questions with Likert Scale based scoring pattern were framed and validated for the present study.
Results
Outcome of the present study showed high awareness percentage about side effect ototoxic drugs was obtained, which was a satisfying outcome.
Conclusion
While low audiological referral and consultation awareness was identified as an area of concern.Keywords
Ototoxicity; Doctors; Assam; Awareness.
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Rechargeable Battery Solutions for Digital Hearing Aids: A Mini Review
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Abstract [+]
Everyday all of us use rechargeable solutions either its smartphones, televisions, or any other electronic devices. Faster streaming of these electronic devices to other external devices may be facilitated through wireless connectivity. Wireless streaming demands much more battery backup. With advancement of hearing aid technology many features exists in hearing aids which may facilitate better spectral information, improved speech understanding in presence of background noise and thus improving communication and quality of life of the users. The use of these advanced features often requires continuous uninterrupted power supply. Traditional disposable hearing aid batteries cannot be assured of their performance due to their inopportune time discharge. Recently rechargeable solutions in hearing aids have been discovered that can support long-lasting wireless streaming. Modern day rechargeable batteries are expected to be easy to charge which can last for longer duration with more reliability and durability. Rechargeable as a feature is added on over and boon. Rechargeable battery solutions based on its various benefits may support as boon for environment, hearing aid users and professionals (better counseling and more satisfied users). The aim of this article is to highlight the awareness of these different rechargeable solutions for the users and professionals. In addition mentioning in brief the superiority of Lithium ion battery which is widely accepted in rechargeable hearing aids.
Keywords
Rechargeable hearing aids; Wireless streaming; Batteries for hearing aids; Li-ion batteries.
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Pseudo Metabolic Acidosis in the Setting of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Report
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Abstract [+]
Low serum bicarbonate, with or without an elevated anion gap, can indicate metabolic acidosis. High anion gap metabolic acidosis is due to the unmeasured anions. Hypertriglyceridemia can also be associated with spuriously low serum bicarbonate levels due to lab interference. We present a 44-year-old woman who presented with anion gap metabolic acidosis in the presence of severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Keywords
Hypertriglyceridemia; Acid-base disorders; Low serum bicarbonate; Metabolic acidosis.
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A Case Study Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Programming Difficulties and Strategies when Learning Programming Languages
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Abstract [+]
Understanding the importance of training young people, this study sought to explore the early experience of pre-service teachers in their computational practices in terms of the difficulties they faced and the strategies they used while learning how to program. Based on convenience sampling, four participants were recruited from an undergraduate course focusing on computer science education in K-12. The literature on novice programmers’ difficulties and their strategies was used to establish the conceptual background for this study. We collected four semi-structured interviews with pre-service teachers, a total of five hour-long classroom observations, and 19 class activities (archival data). After conducting a content analysis, findings showed four categories in which pre-service teachers face difficulties: (a) understanding the computational concepts (semantic); (b) using the concepts inappropriately (syntax); (c) developing a program (algorithmic thinking), and (d) identifying problems (debugging). We also found five categories in which pre-service teachers overcome their difficulties: planning, using resources, seeking support, guessing and checking, and looking for visual assistance. This study emphasized that pre-service teachers encounter several difficulties in learning computational concepts through programming languages, which should be considered in pre-service teacher education.
Keywords
Computational Thinking; Computer science education; Pre-service teachers; Problem solving strategies.
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Bone Grafting, Its Principle and Application: A Review
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Abstract [+]
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone through transferring bone cells from a donor to the recipient site and the graft could be from a patient’s own body, an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. Bone grafts and bone graft substitutes are indicated for a variety of orthopedic abnormalities such as comminuted fractures (due to car accidents, falling from a height or gunshot injury), delayed unions, non-unions, arthrodesis, osteomyelitis and congenital diseases (rickets, abnormal bone development) and are used to provide structural support and enhance bone healing. Autogenous, allogeneic, and artificial bone grafts are common types and sources of grafts and the advancement of allografts, synthetic bone grafts, and new operative techniques may have influenced the use of bone grafts in recent years. Osteogenesis, osteoinduction, osteoconduction, mechanical supports are the four basic mechanisms of bone grafting and help bone tissue to regenerate completely. A bone graft can be harvested from the iliac crest, proximal tibia, proximal humerus, proximal femur, ribs, and sternum. An ideal bone graft substitutes should be biologically inert, readily available, must possess osteogenic, osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, provide mechanical support, easily adaptable in terms of size, shape, length and substituted by the host bone. Bone banks are the source of bone grafts and implants and necessary for providing biological material for a series of orthopedic procedures. Bone grafts and implants can be selected as per clinical problems, the equipment available and the preference of the surgeon. A search for an ideal bone graft is on and may continue time to time.
Keywords
Application; Bone; Bone graft; Bone replacement; Bone bank; Principle.
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Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation: Our Experience
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Abstract [+]
Introduction
Traditionally, ciliary body destruction has been used to treat uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) following maximally tolerable medical therapy. This is due to the large number of complications seen with this procedure. However, recently a new technique of sub-threshold laser or micropulse laser, is able to provide selective destruction of the ciliary body in a controlled manner. This avoids most of the complications seen with other modalities. We have performed a small case descriptive pilot study to assess the effectiveness of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in lowering IOP.
Methods
This pilot study was conducted on four patients in the age range 55-70-years with intractable glaucoma. Two patients had primary angle closure glaucoma, one-each had steroid-induced glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma. Mean baseline IOP was 32±2.4 mmHg. Mean number of glaucoma medications were 2.5±1.5. All patients underwent 180° MP-TSCPC. Absolute success was defined as IOP<20 mmHg without acetazolamide.
Results
Following the procedure the patients were followed-up at days 1,7,30 and 90. At the last follow-up of the study, mean IOP was 18.2±1.2 mmHg in all four patients. Mild anterior chamber inflammation was the only complication noted. Mean number of glaucoma medications reduced to 1.5±1.0 following the procedure. Thus, absolute success was achieved in all patients.
Conclusion
This small pilot study validates other studies which show effectiveness of MP-TSCPC as an efficient and safe procedure to lower IOP. This procedure can be used over a wide variety of cases, though the indications for such procedures are still evolving. More extensive and long-term studies will clarify the position of this procedure in our glaucoma management practices.
Keywords
Glaucoma; Micropulse laser; Cyclophotocoagulation.
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The Catalytic Framework: Africa’s Weapon to End Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by 2030
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An In-Depth Analysis of Our Myositis Cohort Following the Example of the EuroMyositis Registry
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Abstract [+]
Background
To describe our myositis cohort in-depth.
Methods
From January 2006 to December 2018, all newly diagnosed myositis patients were retrospectively enrolled in the study. We performed a subtype reclassification using the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria, following the example of the EuroMyositis registry. Disease activity and damage were measured by the newest standardized assessment-tools for clinical studies. Comparisons between myositis subgroups were conducted using Fisher’s exact test.
Results
We enrolled 32 patients (25 were female): six patients with dermatomyositis, six with polymyositis, eleven with overlap myositis, six with antisynthetase syndrome, one with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy, one with juvenile antisynthetase syndrome and one with juvenile dermatomyositis. The overall median follow-up period was 23-months (9-44.75). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was most frequently seen in patients with antisynthetase syndrome. Patients with overlap myositis were more likely to have polyarthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis, reduced capillary density in the nail fold capillaroscopy and Raynaud syndrome. Ovarian cancer during the follow-up period occurred in two patients (one with polymyositis and one with dermatomyositis). Myositis-related death was reported in two patients: acute respiratory failure in autoimmune necrotizing myopathy and dysphagia-related complications in polymyositis. Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and rituximab demonstrated a significant steroid-sparing effect. In 22 of 32 patients, the myositis subgroup classifications made on the basis of our opinion and the new EULAR/ACR classification criteria were different, showing strong disagreement, especially in the subtype polymyositis.
Conclusion
Our analysis highlights the heterogeneity in myositis subgroups and shows the steroid-sparing effect of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and rituximab.
Keywords
Myositis; Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy; Dermatomyositis; Antisynthetase syndrome; Overlap myositis; Rituximab.
Abbreviations
CCP: Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide; CK: Creatine kinase; CYC: Cyclophosphamide; IIM: Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy; ILD: Interstitial lung disease; IMACS: International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group; MDI: Myositis Damage Index; MMT8: Manual muscle test 8; MTX: Methotrexate; MYOACT: MYOsitis disease ACTivity; RTX: Rituximab; TIF-1γ: Transcriptional factor-1γ.
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Optimizing Cardiovascular Outcome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Better Control of Diabetes Mellitus with Empigliflozin and Hypertension with Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors and Manidipine Preferably of the Dihydropyridones
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Abstract [+]
Aim: Obesity is increasing globally by leaps and bounds and thus the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) along with it so much so that the term diabesity had to be coined. Earlier we had reviewed how to treat the both together and the role of empagliflozin to improve cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT). Similarly T2DM and hypertension are pathophysiologically-related diseases which co-exist with a broader complex of metabolic diseases which co-exist possessing similar set of risk factors. Hence it is important to consider which antihypertensives are suitable that possess a positive effect on metabolic factors in cases of T2DM who require an antihypertensive.
Method: A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed search engine with the MeSH terms: “T2DM”; “essential hypertension; “cardiovascular (CV)”; “Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and antihypertensive”; “Antihypertensive preferred in T2DM subjects”; “Renin-angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors”; “Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)”; “Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)”; “Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker”; “β2 blockers”; “Diuretics”.
Discussion: Most diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects need a minimum of two antihypertensive drugs, combining a renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAS) inhibitor with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker seems to be the most indicated approach. But not all dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers have equivalent effects on metabolic parameters. Hence manidipine that causes positive effect on insulin resistance (IR) seems to be an effective option. We have reviewed how manidipine is superior to amlodipine with regards to improving IR, not seen with amlodipine, along with not causing excessive sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, pulse pressure and ankle edema or to much lesser extent than amlodipine. Therefore, manidipine needs to be the first addition to RAS inhibitors in case of DM’s having hypertension of the dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers. Further good blood pressure (BP) control been correlated with good CVs outcomes.
Conclusion: A RAS inhibitor is the first line of choice of drugs in a subject with T2DM who needs to be treated with empagliflozin for better CVOT outcome, and when a 2nd drug has to be added it is manidipine that is preferred over amlodipine. Plant products are proving to be having a lot of beneficial effects in DM, obesity and hypertension. Thus need for developing agents from plants will prove to be more cost effective in these chronic diseases where compliance is difficult to achieve with the use of common antiDM drugs and antihypertensives with the cost factor along with their side effects.
Keywords
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); Diabesity; Antihypertensives; Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitor; Dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers; Plant products.
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Recent Tendency of Therapeutic Medical Agents for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
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Abstract [+]
Recently, elder patients tend to have neuropathic pain such as lower back and joints pain, stiff shoulders, besides diabetic neuropathy. Typical peripheral neuropathic pain includes diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and chronic pain due to herniated disc. Three analgesic agents are described. Pregabalin (Lyrica®) has been prevalent worldwide. However, it has been provided for several diseases for off-label administration, which has been one of the clinical problems.Mirogabalin (Tarlige®) has revealed efficacy for DPNP in a dose-dependent manner. Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta®) has efficacy for pain and also depression as serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Keywords
Neuropathic pain; Pregabalin; Mirogabalin; Duloxetine hydrochloride; Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).
Abbreviations
DPNP: Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain; PHN: Postherpetic neuralgia; CRPS: Complex regional pain syndrome; FDA: Food and Drug Administration.
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Profile of Blood Glucose in Diabetic Patient Suffered from Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis with Effective Low Carbohydrate Diet
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Abstract [+]
The case was 52-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for 10-years. She complained of the decreased sensation of right lower foot, and revealed diabetic foot infection (DFI) and/or diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) at right 1st proximal phalanx. Various data included body mass index (BMI) 33.3 kg/m2, HbA1c 11.4%, blood glucose 430 mg/dL, WBC 12100 /μL, C-reactive Protein (CRP) 13.5 mg/dL. On admission (day 1), she was started by 4 times of injection (Aspart and Glargin) with glucose profile 200-500 mg/dL. Surgical amputation of the right toe was performed between 1st metatarsal and proximal phalanx (day 17). Then, blood glucose profile decreased moderately. After discharge of the hospital, super-Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) was started without Aspart (day 37). Consequently, glucose profile was normalized with HbA1c 6.3% on (day 77). Consequently, LCD was evaluated to be effective for glucose variability in this case and some related discussion was described.
Keywords
Diabetic foot infection (DFI); Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO); Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD); Japanese LCD promotion association (JLCDPA); International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF).
Abbreviations
DFI: Diabetic foot infection; DFO: Diabetic foot osteomyelitis; LCD: Low carbohydrate diet; JLCDPA: Japanese LCD promotion association; IWGDF: International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot.
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A New Mindset: Artificial Intelligence in Digital Hearing Aids
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Neurofibromatosis 1 Somatic Mutation Triggering Cellular Apoptosis to Prevent Neurofibromatosis 1 Progression
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Cancer Dynamics
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An Unusual Case of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Case Report
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Abstract [+]
Malrotation of the gut is rare in adults. We discuss the case of a 30-year-old primiparous woman who presented to the acute gynecology ward at 19-weeks’ gestation with ongoing nausea and vomiting throughout pregnancy. She attended on a number of occasions with the same symptoms and was trialed on a number of different antiemetics. Initial biochemical investigations were unremarkable, however, the patient started to develop signs of ‘abdominal obstruction’. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the pelvis showed evidence of duodenal obstruction secondary to malrotation which may be secondary to a fibrous (Ladd’s) band. She was treated laparoscopically via a Ladd procedure and had an uneventful recovery. Interestingly, the patient presented again in her second pregnancy with very similar symptoms and underwent another Ladd procedure, but via a laparotomy. This is an interesting, rare and unusual case of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Keywords
Ladd bands; Pregnancy; Nausea; Vomiting; Hyperemesis; Volvulus.
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Correlation of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Glucose Uptake by Liver Cancer and Transcriptional Regulation of the Warburg Effects in ATT-MYC Mouse Model of Liver Cancer
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Abstract [+]
Background
It was previously reported that diethylnitrosamine (DEN) enhanced liver cancer progression in ATT-MYC mouse model of liver cancer. Radiogenomics is a new tool in advanced science technology that gives information on tumor biology, non-tumor surrounding tissue, the degree of tumor size and presence of necrosis of cells especially with joined micro computed tomography – positron emission tomographys (CT/PETs).
Aim
To evaluate the correlation of gene expression and non-invasive microPET information of the liver tumors at different points of the stage of growth.
Methods
Exon array expression of the liver of ATT-MYC mice treated with DEN or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) compared to control non-transgenic mice were analyzed by array track and the current data were also compared to microarray expression of liver tumor of ATT-MYC mice.
Results
The expression of genes responsible for glucose transport such as glut1, 3, 4, hk1, slc1a5, slc1a1, slc1a4, slc1a2, gp6c and gpc-1-3-4 were up-regulated significantly in DEN-treated transgenic mice immediately after end of treatment (p≤0.05), while glut2 (fold change 0.9503, p-value 0.4385) and hk2 (fold change 3.0589, p-value 0.0565) genes were increased not significantly immediately after end of treatment. Additionally, at 4.5-months of observation after the end of treatment slc1a5, slc38a2, glut1, glut4 and gpc3-4 genes had a significant fold change in liver tumor tissue in DEN treated mice when compared to BHT or control transgenic or non-transgenic one. While hk1, 2, slc5a1, slc1a4, glut2, glut3, g6pc and gpc-1 genes were increased non-significantly in the liver of treated mice when compared to control group at 4.5-months of observation after the end of treatment. Notably, c-myc, hif-1 and aldoa glycolytic genes were expressed significantly both time points of 4 and 8.5-months while ldhb, hk-2 and PKM2 were increased non-significantly in DEN treatment when compared to BHT/control non-transgenic animals.
Conclusion
There is a definitive correlation between genes responsible for glucose transport and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the early and advanced degree of liver carcinogenesis. This study of glucose pathway in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at different stages of early and advanced one is the potential for therapeutic anticancer therapy.
Keywords
18-FFluorodeoxyglucose (FDG); MicroPET; Exon array expression; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Att-myc transgenic mice; Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); Glucose metabolism.
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The Dirty Business of Dying: From Charitable Endeavor to Cut-Throat Enterprise, Hospice in America is a Shameful Shadow of its Former Self
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Pre-Debridement and Post-Debridement Culture in Open Fractures of the Extremities: A Comparative Study
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Abstract [+]
Background
Due to contamination, open fractures are considered to be dangerous and thereby require proper management. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, this study compares the literature on pre-debridement and post-debridement cultures derived from such fracture sites.
Methods
Data for this review was collected through various online sources such as dataBASE (EMBASE), medical literature analysis and retrieval system online (MEDLINE) and different citations provided the relevant data.
Results
Twenty articles were included. The desired timing to examine the debridement was six hours post-injury (according to the six-hour rule). Antibiotics including ampicillin, penicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, and flucloxacillin were used in some patients. The use of Ancef I as an antibiotic during the starting hours of fracture helps to reduce the chances of infection in 1.4% of the infected patients. The infection rate was 3% in pre-debridement culture, while a 2% infection rate was found in post debridement culture. Gram-negative bacteria were responsible for pre-debridement infection, while gram-positive bacteria were responsible for post-debridement.
Conclusion
The pre-debridement infection rates are reduced as compared to post-debridement when treatment is initiated within a strict time interval and limited to the specific use of antibiotics. Treatment of gram-negative bacteria helps to reduce the bulk of infectious material and thereby reduces the infection rate.
Keywords
Open fractures; Debridement; Pre-debridement; Post-debridement; Meta- analysis; Systematic review.
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Evaluation of Upright Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Female Genuine Stress Urinary Incontinence before and after MonarcR Bladder Neck Suspension: A Prospective Cohort Study
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Abstract [+]
Aim
Current methods used to assess patient suitability for bladder neck suspension prior to surgery are limited due to their inability to examine patients in physiologic positions. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of patients with genuine stress urinary incontinence (GSUI) prior to undergoing MonarcR bladder neck suspension.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-seven female patients with known GSUI were selected to participate in the study. Each patient was asked to complete an incontinence symptom score and then have 300 ml of sterile water instilled into their bladder. While standing in an upright MRI scanner a T2-weighted image at 0.6 tesla was then obtained while at rest and then undergoing standardized Valsalva maneuver. Special attention was then given to the downward movement of the H-line against the M-line. Measurements were taken to determine excursion of the H-line against the M-line. The procedure was then repeated for each patient three-months after surgery. The change in H-line excursion following surgery was compared to the change in symptom score using Spearman’s rank correlation test.
Results
A positive correlation was found between the pre- and post-operative improvements in international consultation on incontinence questionnaire female lower urinary tract symptoms modules (ICIQ-FLUTS) and the post-operative reduction of excursion of the pelvic floor. These correlations were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001) using Spearman’s rank correlation test.
Conclusion
A greater degree of pelvic floor prolapse visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a standardized Valsalva maneuver prior to MonarcR bladder neck suspension surgery predicts for better patient symptom score outcomes as determined by ICIQ-FLUTS.
Keywords
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Bladder neck suspension; Stress urinary incontinence.
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Effect of Statins Therapy in Diabetogenesis
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Abstract [+]
Statins are widely used in the management or inhibition of several processes that lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Increased statin therapy has been related to the induction of type II diabetes (DM), a state which predisposes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are well-known to possess anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to disrupt de novo biosynthesis of cholesterol and lipid homeostasis has been implicated in the induction of inflammatory responses within pancreatic β-cells. Inhibition of β-hydroxy β-methyl glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) results an increased level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) receptors. Increased LDL receptor numbers will replenish exhausted intracellular supplies, resulting in higher levels of intracellular cholesterol. Therefore, stimulating immunological response and inflammatory reactions, disrupt the functional integrity of the β-cell via oxidation of the plasma-derived low-density lipoprotein. Despite the pleiotropic effects of statins on the pancreatic β-cell, they have also been reported to affect a number of other cell types associated with the development of diabetes. Inhibition of the biosynthesis of isoprenoid by statins has been associated with the down-stream regulation of glucose transporter (GLUT 4) in adipose tissues, which facilitates the uptake of glucose. This effect resulted in increasing resistance to insulin in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Adiponectin, a plasma protein released by adipocytes, alters fatty acids and carbohydrate metabolism both in the muscle cells and liver. This process indirectly influences resistance to insulin by the attendant decrease in hepatic gluconeogenesis and to upregulate muscular β-oxidation and glucose uptake.
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Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa in Adult Patient
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Abstract [+]
Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rarer variant of classic polyarteritis nodosa with unknown etiopathogenesis. It presents with skin, articular and nervous involvement, after systemic involvement is ruled out. This work reports the case of a 41-year-old male patient diagnosed with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa with skin lesions, polyarthralgia and sensory axonal polyneuropathy.
Keywords
Skin; Polyarteritis; Vasculitis; Biopsy; Immunofluorescence; Histology.
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Clinical and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Pelvic Floor in Primiparous Women after Normal Vaginal Delivery with Episiotomy and without Episiotomy
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Abstract [+]
Objective
The aim of this prospective study is clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the pelvic floor in primiparous women after normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy and without episiotomy.
Methods
This is a cross-section study of primiparous women with a history of delivery at Tanta University Hospital from August 2018 to August 2019. The sample power was calculated based on avulsion (major and minor) in two groups (vaginal delivery with episiotomy and without episiotomy) of total forty-primiparous women with an interval after delivery (20 cases after normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy and 20 cases after normal vaginal delivery without episiotomy).
Results
Twenty-four hours of delivery there was a highly significant difference between group A (with episiotomy) and group B (without episiotomy) regarding to ultrasound abnormalities, degree of tear, blood loss, hemoglobin concentration and clinical findings, while no difference regarding levator ani weakness. Two months later from delivery there was no significant difference between group A and group B regarding to ultrasound abnormalities and levator ani weakness while there was a difference between the two groups in regarding with clinical findings.
Conclusion
Normal vaginal delivery without episiotomy in primiparous women is better than normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy as there is no perineal tenderness, no dyspareunia. Low incidence of urinary, rectal incontinence, tear and perineal infection.
Keywords
Clinical and ultrasonography; Primiparous; Normal vaginal delivery; Episiotomy.
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A Comparison of Continuous Wound Infiltration Plus Patient Controlled Analgesia Versus Epidural Analgesia after Open Renal Surgery
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Abstract [+]
Aim
Open nephrectomy is associated with significant post-operative pain. Epidurals have been a core method for provision of analgesia, however, there is increased use of novel analgesic strategies with comparative analgesia but potentially fewer side effects. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of a randomised control trial comparing continuous wound infusion (CWI) to epidural analgesia for open renal surgery. Objectives included estimation of recruitment rates, failure rates and complications and refining design of a randomised control trial.
Methods
Participants were randomised using randomisation software. Patients received standardised anaesthesia as per the study protocol. Patients randomised to the CWI group had a wound infiltration catheter inserted at the end of surgery. In the epidural group, patients had an epidural sited prior to surgery. Primary outcomes evaluated were visual analogue pain scores. Secondary outcomes included intravenous fluid use, hypotensive episodes, patient mobilisation, evidence of post-operative ileus, respiratory morbidity, demands on medical and nursing care, length of hospital stay and patient acceptability as assessed by the Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) questionnaire.
Results
Pain scores were similar for both groups with marginally higher mean scores in the wound infiltration group on post-operative day 1 and 3. Supplementary analgesia rates were comparable for both groups with tramadol use being higher in the wound infiltration group.
Conclusion
Collecting outcome data for an appropriately powered randomised controlled trial is feasible. Recruitment was challenging due to the increased minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic nephrectomies and consideration of a multicentre study is warranted. The two analgesic techniques appear broadly comparable in efficacy and time to discharge. CWI potentially presents safety advantages compared to epidural analgesia.
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The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
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Abstract [+]
Background
Current image reconstruction techniques in computed tomography (CT) such as filtered back-projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) have limited use in low-dose CT imaging due to poor image quality and reconstruction times not fit for clinical implementation. Hence, with the increasing need for radiation dose reductions in CT, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in image reconstruction has been an area of growing interest.
Aim
The aim of this review is to examine the use of AI in CT image reconstruction and its effectiveness in enabling further dose reductions through improvements in image quality of low-dose CT images.
Method
A review of the literature from 2016 to 2020 was conducted using the databases Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. A subsequent search of several well-known journals was performed to obtain additional information. After careful assessment, articles were excluded if they were not obtainable from the databases or not available in English.
Results
This review found that deep learning-based algorithms demonstrate promising results in improving the image quality of low-dose images through noise suppression, artefact reduction, and structure preservation in addition to optimising IR methods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with the two AI-based CT systems currently in clinical use showing favourable benefits, it is expected that AI algorithms will continue to proliferate and enable significant dose reductions in CT imaging.
Keywords
Computed tomography (CT); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Image reconstruction (IN); Machine learning (ML); Deep learning (DL); Dose reduction.
Abbreviations
AI: Artificial intelligence; CT: Computed tomography; ML: Machine learning; DL: Deep learning; FBP: Filtered back-projection; IR: Iterative reconstruction; MBIR: Model-based iterative reconstruction; LDCT: Low-dose computed tomography; FDA: U.S Food and Drug Administration; ANN: Artificial neural network; DNN: Deep neural network; CNN: Convolutional neural network; CNR: Contrast-to-noise ratio; SNR: Signal-to-noise ratio.
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Suffering from Pain: Reflexology as an Advantageous Adjuvant to Palliative Care
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The Digital Stethoscope in Telemedicine: A Health Camp Study
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Abstract [+]
India is a vast country with limited human resources. People living in remote areas often have limited access to healthcare facilities. To address this need and to increase healthcare awareness, health camps have been established. These camps are often supervised by junior physicians. Telemedicine, and in particular use of a digital stethoscope may provide better diagnosis and better consultation to the patient by senior physicians located remotely. This article highlights the clinical use of a digital stethoscope in such a health camp.
Keywords
Health camp; Telemedicine; Digital stethoscope.
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Diversity and Recruitment of Minorities in Clinical Trials: An Unmet Need
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Abstract [+]
Patient centricity has led to the idea that drugs should answer medical needs not only defined by the medical bodies but relevant for the patients themselves. This implies that the diversity of the patients should be represented in clinical trials. Disparities in representation of diverse populations in clinical trials have been well-documented for several pathologies like arterial hypertension, diabetes but also in oncology. Today, Caucasian patients included in clinical trials represent at least 75% of the clinical trials population even in pathologies where minorities are largely more affected than Caucasians. Filling the gap in diversity is an important matter to ensure ethics, good practices, regulatory compliance, patient safety and scientific validity. To achieve their recruitment goals and being patient centric, sponsors and investigational sites need to pay attention of this problem and put in place specific strategies. Mistrust of patients of minority groups toward clinical research is one of the main barriers along with lack of access to clinical trials (low awareness, communication barriers, distance to investigational sites). Adapted communication, community-based strategies are some of the useful strategies directed to the patients. Investigators may not encounter diverse populations in their area or may not be aware of unconscious bias when identifying patients suitable for a clinical trial. Looking for referrals and raising awareness of the risk of bias with training on culturally sounded approaches could help investigators to recruit more diverse populations. Lack of awareness and costs may prevent sponsors to focus on diversity but ethics, benefits of data acquisition and patient centricity should be enough motivators to modify this trend. Patients, investigators and sponsors have their own barriers to tackle the lack of diversity in clinical trials. The cultural background of all stakeholders is an important factor in those barriers. Only multidisciplinary approaches including human sciences would help to define patient recruitment strategies that would mitigate the current lack of diversity.
Keywords
Clinical trials; Patient recruitment; Diversity, Minorities.
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Towards a More Sustainable Response: Strengthening the Social Agenda in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Epidemic
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Agenesis of the Thyroid Isthmus: A Case Report
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Abstract [+]
Agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is a rare entity with a incidence rate of 0.5 and 10%. Thyroid isthmus agenesis could be associated with ectopic thyroid tissue or agenesis of the thyroid lobes. We discuss a case of a multinodular goitre which presented with morphological variations which was not detected on ultrasonography of the neck.
Keywords
Thyroid; Head and neck; Isthmus.
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A System or Method of Analysis for Injury Prevention in Sports, Youth Fastpitch Softball Pitchers: A Pilot Study
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Abstract [+]
Background
The prevalence of softball injuries in young pitchers is increasing with more injuries in the upper extremity in the beginning of the season.
Research Question
Calculate the forces generated during the pitching motion of female youth pitchers at four main areas: the stride, hips, shoulder, and wrist for 2 groups. R1: u1≠u2.
Study Design
Pilot study, Cross-sectional design.
Level of Evidence
Level-2, Strength-B.
Methods
This study included a total of 15 female youth fastpitch softball pitchers (mean age, 14.33-years; mean weight, 59.01 kg) recruited to participate during the Fall Softball League (2014). Divided into two groups: 270° hip rotation group vs. a projected 360° hip rotation group.
Results
A paired sample t-test showed that the 2 groups (270° hip rotation and projected 360° hip rotation) were strongly and positively correlated (r=0.993, p<0.001). There was a significant average difference between 270° hip rotation and the projected 360° hip rotation forces (t14=12.996, p<0.001). On average, the projected 360° hip rotation forces were 580.68 N higher than 270° hip rotation forces (95% CI [676.51, 484.84].
Conclusion
The Current Method (CM) of pitching clearly uses the shoulder as the driving force of the pitch, as pitchers created 467.96 N of force at the shoulder. Pitchers who used 270° hip rotation produced an average of 147.33 N at the hip while these same individuals can create an average of 589.30 N with full hip rotation.
Clinical Relevance
Pitchers using the CM of pitching generated an average of 468 N of force at the shoulder. Identifying interruptions in the kinetic chain is the key to reducing injuries. This is accomplished by creating the ideal kinetic chain and teaching it through a certified pitching coach program. Once identified, interruptions can be modified and changed through exercises to strengthen and improve the kinetic chain.
Keywords
Softball injury prevention; Fastpitch softball; Windmill pitch; Female youth pitchers; Windmill biomechanics.
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Challenges and Practices in the Implementation of Coaching Manuals in Selected Youth Handball Coaching Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Abstract [+]
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess challenges and current practices in implementation of coaching manuals in selected Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia youth handball coaching program.
Methods
The study was employed a descriptive survey research method. Ten sample youth projects were selected, from twenty-four youth handball projects using stratified and purposive sampling technique. Thus, the samples of this study were 50 players, 10 coaches and 32 sport administrative officials. The data was collected through questionnaire and observation checklist and thus, analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods by describing statements and frequency counts and percentages.
Results
The findings of the study indicated that, lack of coordination work among the concerned stakeholders, due to financial scarcity; unavailability of adequate training materials and equipment, and the selection of trainees conducted just randomly without clearly stated criteria. Lack of suitable and standardized handball courts in the area and less emphasis given to maintain even the existing ones, the existed manual was not well designed and modified based on the trainee’s age level since similar manual for both sex. Due to monitoring were limited to certain sport expertise, here were no concerned bodies in charge of finding immediate solutions to the problem that were faced by the coaches and trainees. Furthermore, due to lack of awareness of communities, trainee families did not support the training program.
Conclusion
This kind of implementations revealed that was exposed to failure to solve the confronted challenges. Therefore, attention must be paid to the availability of sport infrastructures and qualified human resources should be employed. In addition, special attention must be given to acquiring and developing resource material such as manuals and coaching kits, which may assist in improving knowledge and advancing the technical skills of sport experts and coaches.
Keywords
Handball; Program; Trainee; Coaching manual; Challenges; Coach; Implementation.
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Proteinuria: A Guide to Diagnosis and Assessment
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Abstract [+]
Proteinuria is a common incidental finding that physicians face in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Proteinuria may represent a benign pathology in asymptomatic patients, or it can be a sign of significant renal or systemic disease. The latter is usually associated with persistent proteinuria or other clinical findings such as renal failure. This article will focus on the mechanisms, causes and diagnostic approach of proteinuria. Proteinuria is a common incidental finding that physicians face in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Proteinuria may represent a benign pathology in asymptomatic patients, or it can be a sign of significant renal or systemic disease. The latter is usually associated with persistent proteinuria or other clinical findings such as renal failure. This article will focus on the mechanisms, causes and diagnostic approach of proteinuria.
Keywords
Proteinuria; Glomerular; Tubular; Nephritic; Nephrotic.
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A Rare Case of Giant Cell Myocarditis
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Abstract [+]
Giant cell myocarditis is a rare condition first described in 1905. It has a reported incidence range from 0.007% to 0.051%. It affects female and male individuals, equally, and usually occurs in young and middle-aged persons. The underlying aetiology of giant cell myocarditis is unknown but it is thought to be mediated by T-lymphocytes. Diagnosis is made via histological examination of myocardial tissue and is characterized by a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with multinucleated giant cells and cardiomyocyte necrosis, predominantly affecting the ventricles. The following report describes a rare case of giant cell myocarditis in a 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and heart failure, who died while waiting to be seen in the emergency department. Autopsy findings revealed an enlarged, dilated heart with histologic features in keeping with giant cell myocarditis, along with features of heart failure. Diagnosis of giant cell myocarditis is less common in the elderly age group, possibly due to a less severe disease process in this age group and it may be misdiagnosed because older individuals may have other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Keywords
Myocarditis; Giant cell myocarditis; Autopsy; Elderly, Cardiovascular.
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Contributions to Global Self-Esteem: Domain Specific Self Perceptions in Athletes Vs. Non-Athletes
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Abstract [+]
Objective
The objective of the present study was to examine the influence of social self-concept and physical self-worth on global self-esteem in college athletes compared to their non-competing peers. It was hypothesized that the unique contribution of each variable on self-esteem would be markedly different between the groups.
Methods
In a population of 146 undergraduate students, regression analyses revealed significant relationships between the domain-specific self-perceptions and global self-esteem in both groups. It was determined, however, that athletes and non-athletes differed in the distribution of variance explained by the variables. Specifically, the variance in self-esteem in athletes was attributed exclusively to physical self-worth while non-athletes revealed unique contributions from both social self-concept as well as physical self-worth.
Results and Conclusion
The results of the present study may be meaningful from the perspective of athletic identity and retirement from sport. Further investigation is warranted, both qualitatively and quantitatively, that may assist in developing strategies to ease the transition from participating athlete to non-competitive participation. An additional area of interest may be in examining the relationship between the domain-specific self-perceptions and psychological risk for, and impact of, athletic injury.
Keywords
Self-esteem; Athletes; Social self-concept; Physical self-worth; Non-athletes.
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Photobiomodulation in Cells’ Repair
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Abstract [+]
Photobiomodulation is a non-invasive treatment modality acting at different biological levels through the non-thermal transfer of photons to the living matter via a photoelectric effect, inducing photochemical reactions in treated cells. The objectives of this article is to review the literature on Photobiomodulation, its different fields of application and mechanisms of action, for establishing a comprehensive summary of evidence. The search strategy initially run searches in scientific databases MEDLINE,
PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane registries from 1990 up to March 2020, with entries Photobiomodulation, LLLT-LEDT, PDT, Photobiology, Cytochrome c Oxidase. Selection criteria was based on preferably inclusion of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), systematic reviews (SR) and studies providing qualitative and quantitative data with the best consistency, in a field where heterogeneity of light parameters is often a difficulty to comparison of findings. Publised expert opinions were also considered. A total of 80 publications were reviewed out of a thousand obtained from databases, among which were retained 9 RCTs, 6 systematic reviews, 3 meta-analysis and 2 case-reports. Differences were found in treatment parameters as wavelength, dosage, energy output, treatment length, performances of light-sources, quantity of diodes and single power of these, which may explain the paucity of high-level body of evidence in Cochrane databases. However, numerous state-of-the- art researches are also found, led by dedicated research teams paving the way to standardized methods of evaluation and comprehension of light-biological-tissues interaction and optimization of outcomes in a promising field.
Keywords
PhotoBioModulation; Low-Level-Laser-Therapy (LLLT); Light emitting diodes (LED); Biophotons-mitochondria; Adenosine-triphosphate (ATP); Inflammation-pain-skin rejuvenation; Photo dynamic therapy (PDT); Photobiology.
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Looking Back, Moving Forward: Reflection on Race and Racism
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Abstract [+]
This paper addresses the history of racism, its manifestation and its impact. It recognises that racism is both interpersonal and structural. It is embedded in the way society and organisations are structured, through policies and practices that disadvantage black people. It is important now to work towards racial justice for the sake of a better and shared future.
Keywords
Racism; Race; Black lives matter; Psychotherapy; Belonging; Identity and black identity; Internalised racism; White racism.
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How Self-Reflection Influences Use of Cognitive and Analytical Language
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Abstract [+]
Objective
We examined cognitive processes and analytic expression according to emotional prime, hypothesizing that negative affect may increase rumination as seen in analytic language (that is, lead to language of “explaining”), as well as insight and causality, reflecting language focused on specific reasons.
Method
Sixty-four participants were assigned randomly to write about either “positive aspects of myself ” or “aspects of myself that I would like to change”. These narratives about positive and negative characteristics were subjected to the linguistic inquiry and word count (LIWC) in order to examine how the manipulations influenced expression.
Results
More insight and causation in language was seen in participants’ language that focused on positive (rather than negative) aspects of themselves, but more discrepancy was seen when writing about negative qualities. These findings were not a function of wordiness.
Conclusion
Causality and insight were prevalent in language after positive prompting, perhaps because people were providing rationale and support for positive self-talk. Discrepancy suggests counterfactual thought and was common in writing from a negative prompt.
Keywords
Language use; Analytical language; Sex differences in linguistics.
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Combining Ability Analysis in Sweet Corn (Zea Mays Saccharrata L.) Using Line by Tester Design
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Abstract [+]
Aim
The purpose of this study was to investigate the different combination of testcrosses for morphological and yield relating traits and to investigate general combining ability of the inbred lines.
Materials and Methods
This research was conducted at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2016. Line x-tester analysis was used to test general combining ability (GCA) effects of 24 S4 lines of sweet corn. Alpha lattice design with two replications and two checks was used during the experiment. Research data were recorded on various flowering, morphological and yield parameters.
Results
Highly significant variations were recorded among the testcrosses for the studied traits except anthesis silking interval (ASI), 100-kernel weight. Minimum days to tasseling (48-days) and silking (53.5-days) was exhibited by pop-syn-swt (9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect was -2.14 for tasseling and -2.00 for silking. Maximum value (3.5-days) for ASI was recorded for Pop-synswt 1(8-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for ASI was -0.71. Lowest plant height (129.8 cm) was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(3-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for plant height was observed to be -14.79. Maximum cob length (16.6 cm) was revealed by pop-syn-swt 1(12-2)×synthetic sweet. For cob length GCA effect of 1.01 was recorded. Maximum 100 kernel weight (31.3 g) was estimated for pop-syn-swt 1(2-1)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect of 1.85 was recorded for 100-kernel weight. Highest mean (7143.9 kg ha-1) for grain yield was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect for grain yield was found to be 1370.93.
Conclusion
Generally a low GCA value, either positive or negative indicates that the mean of a parent does not largely vary from its offsprings. In contrast, high GCA value suggests that parent is either superior or inferior to the general mean and it has high heritability and less environmental effects. Based on the findings in this research, the above mentioned testcrosses can be included in future sweet corn breeding programs where early flowering and yield attributes is desired.
Keywords
Sweet corn; General combining ability; Inbred lines; Line by tester; Yield; Flowering.
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Current Issue
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Training of Future Surgeons in Minimally Invasive Surgery Needs Intensification: A Multicentre Study
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Cranial and Spinal Subdural Hygroma Following Lumbar Epidural for Labour Analgesia
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Abstract [+]
Intracranial hygroma is a rare and probably missed complication of epidural analgesia secondary to accidental dural breech. The patient presented had a presumed spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak with symptoms of intracranial hypotension. Unusually the patient had both an intracranial subdural hygroma and rarely reported extensive spinal intradural (extra-arachnoid) collection following a lumbar epidural, administered in labour. Given the potential for progression to symptomatic neurological deficits, anesthetists should consider subdural hygroma when encountering patients with features of intracranial hypotension, or altered neurology following epidural. Pathophysiology, imaging and management are discussed.
Keywords
Subdural hygroma; Epidural; Dural puncture.
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A Cycle of Altered Proteasome and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells
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Anesthetic Considerations in Bilateral Congenital Anophthalmia: A Rare Clinical Entity
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Abstract [+]
Congenital anomalies planned for ocular surgeries range from the rare to atypical to common. Many of this rare ophthalmopathy are associated with clinical syndromes and have important anesthetic implications. Not only is it important to know the syndrome we are dealing with, but it’s also the more important to understand the systems that are involved, the extent of involvement, potential anesthetic complications, right from the cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, neuromuscular, genitourinary systems to airway. Understanding these aspects becomes more important in rare clinical scenarios as it helps to plan the case, anticipate and treat the complications. Congenital anophthalmia is one of the rare conditions with an incidence of <3/1000 with microphthalmia reported in up to 11% of blind children, hence we report a rare case of bilateral congenital anophthalmia planned for excision of right ocular swelling.
Keywords
Ophthalmopathies; Congenital anophthalmia; Microophthalmia; Ocular surgery.
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Hardware Causing Hard Times: Use of the SuperNO2VA™ Nasal PAP Device to Address Airway Challenges Caused by Eroding Mandibular Hardware
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Abstract [+]
Background
Maintenance of the airway and adequate ventilation are essential for the anesthetized patient and may be compromised in patients with pan-facial trauma, abnormal dentition, abnormal mandibular space, or presence of dental hardware. We present an unusual case of a patient with a lack of natural mandibular structure and exposed mechanical hardware with fistula complicating intubation and ventilation prior to surgery.
Case Presentation
A 35-year-old male with a history of a self-inflicted gunshot to the left submandibular region approximately 6 years prior was scheduled for urgent mandibular hardware removal, closure of left facial fistula, and removal of several teeth. Pre-oxygenation and ventilation were complicated by extruding hardware and eroded skin, causing interference with a conventional facemask seal. The patient was pre-oxygenated using the SuperNO2VA™ nasal mask with which an adequate seal was achieved without use of a nasal trumpet and with a modified grip. Tracheal intubation via oral video laryngoscopy was successful, and the case proceeded uneventfully.
Conclusion
Adequate ventilation and airway maintenance can be difficult to achieve in patients with abnormal facial structure or mandibular mechanical hardware using conventional methods. The SuperNO2VA™ nasal mask can address airway issues for these patients peri-operatively.
Keywords
Anesthesiology; Airway management; Difficult airway; Airway devices; Difficult intubation; Ventilation; Oxygenation; Facial trauma; Mask ventilation.
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Pneumocephalus Caused by an Epidural Ozone Injection for Treatment of Disc Prolapse
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Abstract [+]
Pneumocephalus is a complication seen either after head trauma or post-neurosurgical procedure. It can be life-threatening if it turns into tension pneumocephalus. The presence of intracranial air indicates the presence of an open communication of cerebrospinal fluid. Air enters dura matter even without connection. Thin air flows upstream along the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway. Herein, we report a case of pneumocephalus in a 62-year-old female after epidural injection of Bupivacaine and Ozone for the treatment of a prolapsed disc. She was shifted to our hospital post-epidural injection for the management of severe headache. Though it is a rare complication, keeping this in mind will help to quickly diagnose, if need arises.
Keywords
Pneumocephalus; Head trauma; CT; Thunderclap headache.
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The Praxitype: An Improved Interpretation of Genotype-Phenotype Variation
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Abstract [+]
There is a need for an understanding of the genomic reality that realizes a connector between the genotype and the phenotype by addressing HOW the genotype actually manifests as the phenotype, as a function of the locus or the allele, mutated, variant or wildtype. That understanding is encompassed by the notion of the PRAXITYPE, which assembles and presents the available answers to the HOW!
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Compliance with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) does not Prevent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)- Related Cancers in Women Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
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Introduction
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in people with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), due to behavioral choices and overlapping risk factors.Aim
The purpose of this report is to determine the long-term incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated cancer in women with pre-invasive cervical neoplasia, and compliance with medication and cancer screening recommendations.Methods
HIV-infected women diagnosed with pre-invasive cervical neoplasia and an HPV-associated malignancy between 1995-2008 were identified. Data collected includes: demographics, HIV treatment/response, malignancy treatment/response, other healthcare utilization, use of health navigators, and compliance.Results
Seventy-one subjects were identified with HIV infection, cervical dysplasia, and at least ten years’ follow-up. 17/71 (24%) were identified with an HPV-related malignancy. The mean age of those diagnosed with HPV-related malignancy was 39-years. Malignancies included: Cervix-9, Vulva-7, Anal-4, Vagina-3, Uretha/Bladder-2, Oropharyngeal-3. Eight also had in-situ neoplasms: Cervix-4, Vulva-3, Oropharyngeal-1. Four subjects had 3 separate malignancies, and two others had 2 malignancies. Compliance with HAART correlated strongly with immunocompetence, response to therapy, use of patient navigators, and survival. Sixty out of saventy one (84.5%) subjects underwent screening mammography, 57/71 (80.3%) underwent colonoscopy, and 67/71 (94.3%) underwent pap smear testing. Compliance with screening compared favorably with the general population, and overall survival was similar.Discussion and Conclusion
The long-term incidence and mortality from cancer in women with HIV and cervical dysplasia appears to be comparable to that seen in the general population, with the possible exception of oropharyngeal cancers. Compliance with cancer screening recommendations appears to be higher than in the general population. This suggests that structured primary care programs for HIV-infected women are effective in prevention/early diagnosis of cancer. Standardized screening programs for oropharyngeal cancers should be considered in this population.Keywords
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Cancer; Human papilloma virus(HPV); Women; AIDS;
Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).
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Hysteroscopy Versus Laparoscopy in the Management of Isthmocele: A Review of the Literature
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Objective
Isthmocele is a pouch defect of the anterior uterine wall, detected at the site of the previous cesarean scar. It can be asymptomatic or cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic discomfort and difficulty conceiving. The main objective of this review is to highlight the hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approaches in the management of this disorder.Main Findings
During the hysteroscopic approach, the superior and inferior edges or just the superior edge of the defect are resected, removing the fibrotic tissue and allowing renewal of the continuous canal between the cervix and the uterine cavity. Whereas, the laparoscopic approach consists of direct visualization and removal of the defect followed by re-approximation of the myometrium. Both methods lead to significant improvement in symptoms and fertility.Conclusion
While hysteroscopy is a quick non-morbid procedure that allows concurrent removal of other uterine pathology, laparoscopy is characterized by improved visualization and decreased risk of complications with defects less than 3mm as well as the possible correction of uterine retroversion. Definitely, randomized controlled trials are required in this field for better guidance of the diagnosis and management.Keywords
Isthmocele; Uterine niche; Cesarean scar defect; Cesarean scar syndrome; Hysteroscopy; Laparoscopy.
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Changes in Blood Bone Metabolism Markers with Oat Bran Consumption and Brisk Walking Exercise in Middle Age Hypercholesterolemic Women
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Purpose
To investigate the additional beneficial effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise compared to oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers in 40 to 50 years-old hypercholesterolemic women.Methods
Thirty-three hypercholesterolemic women participants aged 40 to 50-years-old were recruited and were assigned into three groups, with eleven participants per group (n=11): sedentary without oat bran consumption control (C), oat bran consumption alone (Ob), and combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise (ObEx) groups. Participants in the ObEx group performed brisk walking exercise sessions 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Participants in the Ob group and ObEx group consumed 18 g of oat bran powder, 7 days per week for 6 weeks. Participants’ anthropometry and blood bone metabolism markers were measured at pre- and post-tests.Results
There were no significant main effects of time (p>0.05) in serum total calcium, serum phosphorus and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) (bone resorption marker) concentrations in all the groups. However, significantly (p<0.05) increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (bone formation marker) concentration was observed in Ob group and ObEx group respectively.Conclusion
The present observations did not show large difference in the beneficial effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking compared to oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers. Future studies with longer duration may be needed to elicit greater effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking than oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers in middle age hypercholesterolemic women.Keywords
Bone metabolism; Brisk walking; Hypercholesterolemic; Oat bran consumption; Middle age women.
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The Effectiveness of Inferior Turbinoplasty in Children with Nasal Obstruction
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Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of medial flap inferior turbinoplasty for the treatment of nasal obstruction in children.Patients and Methods
This study was conducted at the ear nose throat (ENT) Department at Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt which include 40 children with bilateral nasal obstruction due to bilateral hypertrophied inferior turbinates that did not respond to medical treatment for 3 successive months in the form of (systemic antihistamines, systemic and local decongestant drugs and local corticosteroid spray) who attended the ENT outpatient clinic. All patients were subjected to turbinate reduction through medial flap inferior turbinoplasty.Results
Forty patients with bilateral hypertrophied inferior turbinates were assessed. Ninety days after surgery, 90% of patients transformed from severe or moderate degrees of nasal obstruction “pre-operatively” to mild degree or completely with no nasal obstruction; 80% of patients had grade I improvement in nasal obstruction and 14 patients had only grade II improvement; only
10% of patients had crustation.Conclusion
Medial flap inferior turbinoplasty is safe and effective in the treatment of nasal obstruction in children with almost no complications was recorded.Keywords
Inferior turbinate hypertrophy; Inferior turbinoplasty; Nasal obstruction; Children.
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Coexistence of Tuberculosis and Metastatic Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Nasopharynx in Cervical Lymph Node
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The coexistence of a head and neck cancer and a lymph node tuberculosis is rarely described. The problem is essentially diagnostic. We report the case of a patient with cervical lymphadenopathy and non suspect swelliing of nasopharynx. Histopathological study of lymph node reveled an association of a tubercular adenitis and a metastasis of a squamous cell carcinoma.
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Changes in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Biochemical and Hematological Profile of Workers in Spray Painting Industry: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Introduction
There is a global increase in occupational exposure to solvents, some of which are suspected to cause acute or chronic toxic nephropathies in humans. However, limited studies have been done to evaluate the systemic effects of exposure to some of the commonly used solvents such as paints.
Aim
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of chronic exposure to paint fumes on renal and hepatic functions of industrial spray painters. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, 49 occupationally exposed male industrial spray painters who had served for greater than 5 years were evaluated for changes in renal, hepatic and hematological indices using standard instruments and results were compared with levels in the unexposed (sex and age-matched) participants.
Results
Significant changes in markers of renal, hepatic and hematological functions were observed in the exposed compared with unexposed participants including significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum levels of potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-), and significant increases in serum levels of creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na+), urea (Ur) and uric acid (UA) in the exposed compared to levels in the unexposed group. Abnormal serum levels of hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and hematological indices (PCV, total-RBC, nuetrophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes) were also observed in the exposed compared to levels in the unexposed participants.
Conclusion
Prolonged exposure to paint fumes may be associated with a significant risk for hepato-renal dysfunction and hematotoxicity. Preventive measures should include limiting exposure and using antioxidant medications.
Keywords
Spray painting; Toxicity; Workers; Kidney; Liver; Blood cells.
Abbreviations ALT: Alanine transaminase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; AST: Aspartate transaminase; eGFR: Estimated glomerular fitration rate; C-G: Cockroft-Gault; MDRD: Modification of diet in renal disease; Na+/K+/ATPase: Sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase; PH: Hydrogen Concentration; PCV: Packed cell volume; RBC: Red blood cells; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; UA: Uric acid; Ur: Urea.
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Loss of Pancreatic β-cell Secretory Function During Disease Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – A Small Cross-Sectional Study
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Introduction: Overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease which is produced by the collusion of three metabolic defects-increased hepatic glucose production, impaired pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion and decreased insulin action. The measurement of plasma glucose 2 hours post-ingestion of 75 g of glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be used to classify individuals as normal glucose tolerant (NGT), impaired glucose tolerant, T2DM and T2DM with pancreatic β-cell failure.
Objectives: This study was undertaken primarily to show the importance of assessing the pancreatic β-cell function especially during the care of the diabetic patient.
Methods: A standard 75 g glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered to four groups of 8 subjects (4 male, 4 female). Blood was drawn every 15 minutes for 2 hours for the measurement of glucose, insulin and C-peptide and the measurement of the area under the curve (AUC(0→2)) over the 2-hour period.
Results: American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria were used to classify the subjects. The normal glucose tolerant (NGT), had 2 h glucose 111±11 mg/dL, those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) had 2 h glucose 160±13 mg/dL. The 2 h glucose for the T2DM group was 258±27 mg/dL and those for the T2DM-PE group was 260±42 mg/dL. The AUC(0→2) for NGT group were 254±40 mg/dL/h, 112±61 μU/mL/h and 10.2±4.6 ng/ml/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the IGT group were 394±32 mg/dL/h, 160±48 μU/mL/h and 19.8±7.7 ng/ml/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the T2DM group were 474±62 mg/dL/h, 194±40 μU/mL/h and 13.4±4.7 ng/mL/h for glucose and insulin, and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the T2DM-PE group were 481±80 mg/dL/h, 51±29 μU/mL/h and 7.2±2.8 ng/mL/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. There was no significant difference between the diabetic groups with respect to the glucose AUC(0→2) but a significant difference existed in the insulin AUC(0→2), (p<0.0001) mirrored by the fasting plasma insulin levels (30±8 μU/mL vs 14+8 μU/mL, for T2DM and T2DM-PE, respectively, p<0.0005). Although there was about a 300% increase in fasting insulin between the IGT and T2DM groups, the corresponding fasting C-peptide levels were only about 15%. This is probably due to differences in hepatic and renal functions in those two groups, the processes that control insulin and C-peptide levels in the body.
Conclusion: Although measurement of blood glucose appears adequate in the diagnosis of the diabetes, it seems that plasma insulin/C-peptide measurements could guide physicians in their choice of medications for the treatment of diabetic patients, especially when the pancreas begins to fail. To that end, larger studies are warranted to study the effects of hypoglycemic agents on hepatic insulin extraction and renal C-peptide excretion to ascertain the reliability of the plasma insulin and C-peptide levels.
Keywords
Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Pancreatic β-cells; Oral glucose tolerance test; Pancreatic exhaustion.
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Exploring the Everyday Lived Experience of African American People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in the Rural South
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Aims/Objectives
Despite previous findings attesting to the syndemic nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chronic disease and mental illness coordination of these issues remains a significant barrier to initiating and maintaining the delivery of mental and physical health care to persons living with HIV (PLWH). These inequities are even greater when applied to rural settings, particularly in areas that are medically underserved. To date, there is scarce research regarding the lived experiences of African American PLWH
in rural settings. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyze this qualitative data set. These discourses provide a rich narrative regarding effective systems of care, the context in which these processes take place and related constraints or limitations of the current systems.Methods
In-depth interviews with 24 African American PLWH both inside (N=20) and outside (N=4) of care in rural Northwestern Virginia were conducted. Rural African American PLWH were queried about their perceptions of the provision of HIV health care services, barriers to linkages to care, retention of PLWH in care, and recommendations for improving HIV health care services for rural PLWH.
Results
Participants offered insights on the linkages to health and mental health care consistent with the pattern recommended by the cascade of care (i.e. pre-screening, testing, refer to treatment, treatment and sustain treatment). Participants identified contextual factors, including traumatic events, medication (side effects), other chronic health issues, issues with the current health and mental health system, stigma, and lack of social support. We highlight PLWH’s recommendations for linking rural PLWH into care and sustaining that care.
Conclusion
We discuss the implications of these findings for programmatic development in the rural context.
Keywords
Rural African Americans living with HIV; Barriers to HIV health care; Rural South; HIV lived experience.
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Early Onset, But Late Diagnosis of a Rare Disease
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One of the most common sphingolipidosis, Gaucher disease (GD) remains rare till date. A case report of a 56-year-old patient diagnosed with GD is presented herein. Her sister was known to have Gaucher disease. Her personal medical record consisted of splenectomy, anemia, recurrent infections, and bone lesions at a young age. Taking into consideration her personal and familial history, the clinical and paraclinical examinations, she was diagnosed with Gaucher disease which was confirmed with enzyme and gene testing. Upon introduction of specific enzyme replacement treatment for Gaucher patients,much evidence demonstrated the substantial improvement of hematological and visceral parameters. However, it has been observed that the bone tissue does not respond equally to the treatment.
Learning Points
• The physician should always investigate the splenomegaly of unknown etiology before deciding to do a splenectomy
• Bone lesions in Gaucher disease are sometimes irreversible, hence the importance of early diagnosis of this rare disease
Keywords
Gaucher disease; Bone lesion; Splenomeagly.
Acronyms
GD: Gaucher disease; Hb: Hemoglobin; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; ERT: Enzyme replacement therapy.
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Outcomes of Vocal Fold Immobility After Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
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Objectives
Cardiovascular surgery is increasingly performed in children for congenital malformations of the heart and great vessels. Observed as vocal fold immobility, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a well-described complication. As overall outcomes improve and patients live longer, the sequelae of vocal fold immobility amplify insignificance. Families are often unaware of the longterm issues related to vocal fold immobility especially with regard to need for alternative alimentation routes. We report on the incidence of use of feeding tubes, the timing of vocal fold function return and need for additional aerodigestive interventions.
Methods
We reviewed 65 patients <2-years who underwent cardiovascular surgery at a tertiary center from 2008-2013 and were diagnosed post-operatively with vocal fold immobility by fiberoptic examination.
Results
Patent ductus arteriosus and hypoplastic left heart syndrome were the most common of the cardiovascular anomalies included. The majority (92%) had unilateral left immobility. Recovery of motion was observed in 29% ranging from 1-month to 3-years. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome had a significant negative correlation with recovery. Forty-six percent required gastrostomy tube placement either to supplement their oral intake or to completely meet their nutritional needs. Forty-eight percent required subsequent aerodigestive surgery including direct laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy (22%), tracheostomy (8%) and vocal fold injection (5%).
Conclusion
Counseling of families and primary care providers regarding the impact of pediatric vocal fold immobility after cardiac surgery should include the high potential requirement for supplemental alimentation as well as the need for feeding and speech therapy. Longitudinal otolaryngology and speech pathology care is imperative with vocal fold immobility since the majority of these patients do not experience functional recovery and may require further interventions over time.
Keywords
Vocal cord paralysis; Pediatric cardiovascular surgery; Pediatric aerodigestive disorders; Voice; Swallow; Gastrostomy.
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Why do HIV PrEP Patients Become Lost-to-Care and How Can We Improve PrEP Retention?
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Objectives
To assess reasons for patients being lost-to-care (LTC) at an urban health center (Philadelphia, PA, USA) that provides access to oral tenofovir/emtricitabine(TDF/FTC) as pre- exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) to patients ages 13-30 years through a drop-in model of care.
Methods
Ninety-nine patients were identified as LTC based on not visiting a clinician in ≥4 months during the period April 2016-January 2017. Patients were contacted by phone/email to participate in a voluntary telephone survey regarding reasons for falling out of care. Results were analyzed descriptively.
Results
Of the 99 patients preliminarily identified as LTC, 19 completed the survey. Reason(s) for becoming LTC included: 47%(9) relocation, 11%(2) transportation difficulties to/from clinic, 26%(5) financial/insurance problems, 5%(1) perceived medication side effects, 16%(3) trouble remembering to attend appointments regularly, 5%(1) difficulty with daily medication adherence, and 0% social stigma. Furthermore, 21%(4) remain at high-risk of HIV/STI acquisition after becoming LTC. The main study limitations are selection bias and small sample size, where the small sample size did not allow for statistical significance.
Conclusion
While the major cause for becoming LTC was relocation, these findings suggest 37% of LTC incidences may be preventable with additional/up-front support. Because 21% of LTC patients remain at high-risk of HIV/STI acquisition, proactive re-engagement initiatives are potentially useful.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Retention and care; Socioeconomic factors; Adolescent Health; Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Persons.
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Music Therapy for Seniors at End-of-Life: Literature Review and a Preliminary Randomized Feasibility Study
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Background
Music therapy (MT) is part of the care plan in many end-of-life (EOL) settings, though several authors remain cautious about its effectiveness to improve EOL symptoms and patient well-being.
Objective
Our primary goal was to design and test the feasibility of a clinical trial protocol that would address the main critiques of MT trials previously reported in the literature.
Methods
We conducted a literature review guided by the questions: (1) What is the set of indicators and tools that can be used to measure effectiveness of MT for seniors in palliative care and EOL settings? (2) What are the characteristics of a well-designed clinical trial protocol that can measure effectiveness of MT in palliative care and EOL settings and can be used for a future large scale study? Based on best practices from the review, we developed a clinical trial protocol and tested its feasibility.
Results
Ten participants were accrued. Approximately 25% of eligible participants chose to participate. The consent rate was 55% with 70% of participants completing all MT sessions. All participants completed more than 60% of questionnaires.
Conclusion
Although our protocol could not be considered feasible based on the parameters we originally set, we argue that our study provides enough data to make adjustments to our original trial protocol, which could lead to the collection of reliable evidence related to the effectiveness of MT for seniors at EOL. We recommend future studies to use block randomization and allocation concealment, focus on one primary outcome and conduct intention-to-treat analysis.
Keywords
Music Therapy (MT); End-of-Life (EOL); Seniors; Clinical trial; Palliative Performance Scale (PPS); Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE); Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS); Spiritual Health Assessment (SHA).
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Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Case Report
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Background
Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The significant impact of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) on maternal mortality can be reduced if timely measures are implemented. Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) is an alternative therapeutic strategy for PPH.
Case report
We report a case of postpartum haemorrhage which was managed by transcatheter arterial embolization in lieu of hysterectomy to preserve fertility and menstruation in a 27-year-old patient.
Conclusion
The critical role of obstetrician, anaesthesiologist and interventional radiologist as a team, improve the quality of care and patient safety.
Keywords
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); Peripartum hysterectomy; Transarterial embolisation.
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A Novel Hospital-Based Mass Casualty Decontamination Facility for Hazardous Material Disasters
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Since the Sarin incident in the subways of Tokyo in 1995, there has been an unprecedented increase in the use of chemical agents on civilian populations internationally. This scourge of chemical terrorism has been relentless worldwide and is likely to continue to be a public health issue that needs to be addressed by the relevant authorities as part of national disaster preparedness and response. One aspect of chemical disasters involves the need for mass decontamination of chemically-contaminated casualties from the scene. The traditional role of hazardous materials civil defence experts in providing such decontamination of victims in the pre-hospital setting is limited by many factors. The presence of congestion in densely populated areas in a highly built up environment of modern-day cities, compounds the timeliness of putting up cordons and crowd control and hence delays the prompt set up of such mobile decontamination facilities close to the incident site. The expected side effect is an almost instantaneous influx of contaminated casualties to the nearest hospital in such situations, which drives the need for public hospitals to be ultimately capable of performing mass casualty decontamination as part of hazardous materials disaster preparedness. This review presents an innovatively designed rapidly deployable hospital-based decontamination facility that has served a tertiary care hospital in Singapore for the last 2 decades in being prepared for managing mass casualties arriving from a chemical disaster in a timely manner.
Keywords
Decontamination; Chemical incident; Industrial disasters; Toxic industrial chemicals; Hazardous materials preparedness; Disaster contingency plans; Emergency preparedness.
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Uptake of the BI-RADS Ultrasound Characterization of Breast Masses: Perceptions among Staff at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
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Introduction
The Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a classification system aimed at standardizing risk assessment during breast ultrasound to ensure patient safety. BI-RADS is currently used in Uganda so as to standardize breast ultrasound reporting and enhance patient management.
Objective
This study aimed at exploring staff perceptions towards the use of the BI-RADS ultrasound characterization of breast masses.
Methodology
It was an exploratory qualitative study that involved staff who perform breast ultrasound at Mulago Hospital in Uganda. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted.
Findings
All staff used the BI-RADS system, however, some of them had a negative attitude towards BI-RADS. The three major themes that emerged were: standardization of breast ultrasound reporting for patient safety; need for more Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and challenges with the BI-RADS system.
Conclusion
The study demonstrated that the staff generally had positive perceptions and attitude of the BI-RADS system and felt that it was an efficient system for ensuring patient safety and further reduce mortality from breast cancer.
Keywords
Breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS); Breast; Ultrasound; Staff perceptions.
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Preconception Care: Existing Knowledge in Karnataka, India and Need for an Intervention
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Background
Preconception care improves pregnancy outcomes. The aim of preconception care is to identify situation in which the parents particularly mother or the fetus may be in any additional health risk, and to take steps to minimize the risk before pregnancy is possible. But the concept of preconception care is not as popular as in western countries comparing to India where the number of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality is high.
Objectives
To assess the level of knowledge among married women on preconception care by structured knowledge questionnaire; determine the effectiveness of informational booklet in terms of gain in knowledge scores; find the association between pre-test knowledge score and selected variables like age, education, occupation, type of family and parity.
Materials and methods
The study was carried out among married women between the age group of 18-35 residing in a selected village of Udupi District, Karnataka, India. An evaluative approach with one group pre-test and post-test design was used. Frequency, percentage, paired t-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data.
Results
Majority (55%) of the women had poor knowledge and 45% women had average knowledge in pre-test. In the post-test 57% of women had good knowledge and 43% had average knowledge. Mean difference between the pre-test and post-test knowledge score was 7.92, p<0.001 which showed an improvement in knowledge scores among women. An association was found between educational status and knowledge among women which can be inferred that the level of knowledge is dependent on the level of education.
Conclusion
Majority of the married women had poor knowledge on preconception care and an informational booklet on preconception care is an effective intervention in improving the knowledge.
Keywords
Preconception care; Married women; Information booklet; Knowledge level.
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The Use of Single-Cell Transcriptomics’ to Detect Cellular Transition through Notch Signaling and Receptor Expression in Differentiated Kidney Collecting Tubule Cells in Adult Mice: A Review
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Transcriptomics has allowed for a better understanding of disease, and the sequencing of individual genes is becoming a leading approach to discovering novel germ lines. A newly defined cell type, described as transitional cells, was characterized based on their expression of key marker genes that define principle cells (PC) and intercalated cells (IC). Gene expression patterns suggested that a Notch signaling pathway was activated during the transition from IC to PC. An experimental model studying the transition in an inducible transgenic mouse demonstrated that Notch signaling and receptor expression is sufficient to drive cell transition in differentiated adult kidney collecting tubule. The identification of novel cell lines allows for a more accurate diagnosis of kidney disease and precise staging of disease. Molecular profiling and precision therapy will continue to revolutionize the field of medicine and warrants further exploration.
Keywords
Transcriptomics; Kidney disease; Principle cell; Intercalated cell; Notch signaling; Gene sequencing.
Abbreviations
PC: Principle cell; IC: Intercalated cell, DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: Ribonucleic acid; mRNA: Messenger ribonucleic acid.
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A Case of Pleomorphic Adenoma Metastasising to Contralateral Supraclavicular Lymph Node
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Introduction
Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign parotid tumours in all populations. Management always consists of a curative superficial parotidectomy. However, rare cases described, in which these histological benign tumors metastasize to distant sites. We present an example of a recurrent parotid pleomorphic adenoma with a contralateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis after several surgical interventions.
Case report
In this case, we reported reported a case of 29-years male with extensive metastasis in submandibular, submental and also very rarely seen contralateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. Parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve and radiotherapy was given to the patient since the lesions were very aggressive.
Conclusion
The patient had several surgical interventions, so it is essential to do meticulous resection in the first surgery to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis.
Keywords
Pleomorphic adenoma; Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma; Salivary gland benign neoplasia.
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Efficacy and Safety of Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (Bird) Therapy for Japanese Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
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Object
It is difficult for the elderly, those with complications, and those who live in remote areas to visit the hospital, and as a result, there are limits on the drugs they are able to use. It is therefore effective to prescribe such patients oral medications that have few adverse effects and in regimens that require few hospital visits. Clarithromycin can induce cell death by autophagy and it has a direct antitumor effect. There have been reports of the outcomes of Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy with Clarithromycin which is administered orally and is safe on multiple myeloma. However, in Japan, there have been few studies. Here, we report on Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy in our hospital.
Method
We analyzed 7 patients with relapsed refractory or refractory multiple myeloma who were treated at this hospital between January 2012 and December 2014. The Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy were administered in a 28-day cycle as follows: Clarithromycin 400 mg/day for 28-days, Lenalidomide 15 mg/day for 21-days, and Dexamethasone was administered in a dose of 20 mg once per week. The response criteria used were standard International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Uniform Response Criteria. and adverse events were graded according to the national cancer institute-common terminology criteria for adverse events (NCI-CTCAE) Ver. 4. Statistical analysis was performed using Easy R (EZR).
Result
The response to Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy were selective catalytic reduction (sCR) in 2 patients, CR in 1 patient, per rectum (PR) in 3 patients, and standard deviation (SD) in 1 patient. Response rates of PR or better were observed in 86% of the patients. Duration of response was median 316-days (range, 160-522-days). Median oculus sinister (OS) period was 1,907 days. Median OS following discontinuation of the study was 1,385 days. Hematological adverse events were G1-2 anemia in 3 patients and G3-4 anemia in 1 patient. G1-2 thrombocytopenia was observed in 1 patient and G3-4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 1 patient. Leukopenia of G1-2 was observed in 6 patients but G3 was not observed. Non-hematological adverse events were G1-2 liver disorder in 6 patients, G1-2 skin rash in 3 patients, and G1-2 constipation in 2 patients. G4 adverse events were fainting and duodenal ulcer in 1 patient each.
Conclusion
Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone can be safely and effectively administered in the relapsed refractory multiple myeloma
Keywords
Multiple myeloma; Bird; Clarithromycin, lethal dose (Ld).
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Anticancer Natural Products: A Review
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Historically, natural products played a forceful role in human treatment ailments. Nowadays, natural products include a large part of current pharmaceutical agents, mostly in the field of cancer therapy. The main aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most known natural product used as anticancer globally, including various other natural products. Many of these natural product appears to act through an anticancer mechanism. Overall, natural product research is a vigorous tool to discover novel biologically active components with unique mechanisms of action. Given the diversity of nature, it is sensible to indicate that chemical leads can be produced that are able to interact with most therapeutic targets. This review creates a solid foundation for further study these natural products with additional research and study.
Keywords
Anticancer; Natural product; Plant compounds; Marine flora; Microorganisms; Venom.
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Stroke Prevention: Extra-Cranial Carotid Artery Therapy
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A patient-centered approach is reasonable in candidates for carotid revascularization. The patient and their physician should discuss the available treatment options, including revascularization (either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA)) with their physician. There remains uncertainty regarding the value proposition for revascularization (either CEA or CAS) in asymptomatic patients as a strategy to prevent stroke. Investigation continues into characterizing high-risk carotid plaque subsets, but until that data is available, physicians and patients should continue to strive to achieve the best outcomes with the information that is currently available. The other consideration in asymptomatic patients is that there is a cumulative benefit to revascularization that is dependent on life expectancy. However, the magnitude of the benefit of revascularization, over the longer term in the setting of multifactorial medical therapy, including statins, is not known.
Keywords
Carotid endarterectomy; Carotid stent; Angioplasty; Embolic protection devices.
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Managing Cancer Cachexia: Multi-Disciplinary Healthcare Perspectives
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Background
Cachexia is a syndrome which is a common feature in more than 80% of patients with advanced cancer and globally accounts for over two million deaths per annum. At present there are no standard treatment guidelines for cancer cachexia management. Previous research conducted with the United Kingdom and Australia has highlighted different understanding and treatment practices of health care professionals in cachexia management, however, no study has elucidated the understanding and current practices of health care professionals in the United States.
Aim
The aim of this research was to explore the understanding and current practices of health care professionals in the United States when providing care to an individual with advanced cancer who has cachexia.
Methods
This is a qualitative study underpinned by symbolic interactionism. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted (n=17) with multi-disciplinary oncology staff and thematically analysed. Health care professionals were recruited from one large health care facility in the United States, until data saturation was reached. NVivo was used for data management. Criteria for upholding rigor (credibility, dependability, confirmability, transferability) were adhered to within this qualitative study. Full ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection commencing.
Results
Analysis determined four main themes related to (1) recognizingthe signs and symptoms of cachexia; (2) the multidimensional impact of cachexia on both patients and families; (3) complexities when treating cachexia; and (4) future direction of care delivery for patients with advanced cancer who have cachexia.
Conclusion
Participants within this study recognized the multi-factorial pathophysiology of cachexia and its holistic impact which spanned biological, psychological and social domains. Additionally, they recognized the impact of cachexia on not only patients but also their family carers. In particular the feelings of helplessness family carers experience in trying to stop the progressive and involuntary weight loss associated with cachexia. Further research is required to examine how to best support the needs of patients with advanced cancer who have cachexia and their family carers and equip staff to optimize delivery of this.
Keywords
Qualitative research; Cancer cachexia; Symbolic interactionism; Multi professional care; Patients and carers.
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Malignant Restenosis and Progression of Disease in Psoriatic Patients Undergoing Coronary Interventions: Is it the Koebner’s Phenomena to Blame?
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Severe psoriasis is associated with an enhanced risk of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The potential impact of psoriasis on the prognosis following coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or surgical) is not well studied and sparse data available in literature points towards a grim long-term prognosis. The following two cases highlight this phenomenon. We also discuss the plausible reasons responsible for the poor prognosis and propose some possible mechanisms for the same.
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Ovine Network between Fatteners and Breeders in Middle Atlas of Morocco: Where to Act to Prevent the Spread of Epidemics?
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Objective
This cartographic and analytical study, using the social network analysis method, aims to characterize sheep mobility from breeders producing lambs in the Middle Atlas Mountains to the fattening centers, passing through livestock markets in order to describe the exchange network, to identify the main mobility hubs and to secure the production of fattening lambs by improving the efficiency of the epidemiological surveillance system for “peste des petits ruminants” (PPR) in lambs producers of the Middle Atlas in Morocco.
Design
Descriptive cross-sectional study within the framework of active epidemiological surveillance. It was carried out at a regional level, for mapping the movements of sheep and to analyze the network of exchange relating to this species by the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method in the middle atlas massif and in the zone of sheep fatteners to guide epidemiological surveillance efforts. A total of 807 breeders producing lambs, sheep fatteners and traders were surveyed, including 54 fatteners in fattening workshops (sampling fraction of 48.6%), 150 breeders and traders in livestock markets of Middle Atlas and 603 producing lamb breeders of this massif (sampling fraction at the massif level of 6.64%).
Results
The study revealed a very strong commercial relationship between middle Atlas breeders and fattening zone breeders whose longrange outflows mainly converge towards urban consumption centers. The major strategic livestock markets of the middle Atlas proved to be key points in the articulation of the flows, as was the commune gathering the fatteners. Centrality indicators were used to identify the main trade hubs that contribute to the spread of diseases and to quantify their importance in the influence of sheep movement, while network cohesion parameters have shown that network is vulnerable to the spread of epidemics.
Conclusion
The results of this survey revealed the main commercial hubs at the Middle Atlas level and at the level of the province of fatteners, which represent a great risk of spreading sheep diseases over long distances rather quickly in event of an epizootic, but also representing the ability to control the spread through the control of the movement of animals at their level.
Keywords
Ovine network; Epizotic of (Peste des Petits Ruminants); Mapping; Social network analysis; Hub; Betweenness; Degree; Strong component; Cutpoint.
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Oligo-Metastatic Carcinoma Cervix: A Few Do Extremely Well
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The consequence of metastatic carcinoma cervix is regarded to be poor. We present three patients with carcinoma cervix who relapsed in the paraaortic nodes, lungs and vertebra. All of them had oligometastatic disease and were treated with chemotherapy to the lung lesion and radiotherapy to the bone lesion and paraaortic nodes. After more than 5-years they are disease free and on regular follow-up.
Keywords
Carcinoma; Cervix; Oligometastasis; Paraaortic lymph nodes; Chemoradiation; Chemotherapy.
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Prothrombin Complex Concentrates in Post-traumatic Hemorrhage: A Review
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Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) has long been used to reverse vitamin K antagonists (VKA)-induced coagulopathy rapidly and safely. However, its use in trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) in patients not using VKA drugs is yet to be elucidated. This article is a narrative review and analysis of the most recent literature to analyse consequences, and intended effects associated with this treatment modality in TIC. Utilization of PCC was addressed in the literature data found by searches of databases. The indications, efficacy and outcomes associated with the use of the product were reviewed in the articles. Some studies point out promising results with respect to PCC use to overcome the VKA-related coagulopathy in victims of trauma. PCC may be a viable option for resuscitation in emergency and critical care in the management of severe hemodynamic deterioration induced by trauma, despite contradictory findings in the literature.
Keywords
Blood coagulation factor; Trauma; Hemorrhagic shock; Exsanguinating hemorrhage.
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Exploring the Association between Demographic Factors and Breast Cancer Diagnosis at a Holistic Breast Imaging Clinic in Cairo, Egypt
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Background
Breast cancer is among the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, including Egypt. Age is a well-known determinant of breast cancer risk; however, more data is needed to better understand the importance of age on incidence of breast cancer in the Middle East. Being overweight or obese are also known risk factors—especially for post-menopausal women–however, these data are not available for women in developing countries.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the association between age, breast density, and demographic factors of breast cancer patients, across a spectrum of radiological breast diagnoses at a large Breast Imaging Clinic in Cairo, Egypt.
Materials and Methods
We explored the association between age, demographic factors, and Breast cancer incidence among 6,711 women undergoing mammographic screening over a consecutive period of 6-years. Data was collected from March 2007 until March 2013 and extracted
from an electronic data base system.
Results
A total of 6,711 participants were included in this study. The median age of all patients was 46.1. Mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.5, where 34% of the patients were overweight and 32.4% were obese. Older women were more likely to be obese compared to younger women (38.4% vs 18.1%, p<0.001). Older females were more likely to have less dense breasts (ACR: A) compared to younger females (18.1% vs 8.7%, p<0.001). Women older than 40 had a higher confirmed number of breast cancer diagnoses compared with the younger age group (10.7% vs 3.5%, p<0.001). Women with breast cancer were more obese (p<0.001), had denser breasts (p<0.001), were post-menopausal (p=0.002), and more likely to be Muslim (p=0.0021). In the multivariate analysis, aforementioned factors were significant predictors for confirmed diagnosis.
Conclusion
To our knowledge this is the largest study to examine the association of radiological breast assessments on breast cancer incidence, obesity and demographic factors in Egypt. Although data shows the global burden of breast cancer is shifting to the developing world and affecting younger women at alarming rates, our data demonstrated a very low occurrence of breast cancer in both age groups.
Keywords
Breast cancer; Breast radiological diagnoses; Phenotypic variations; Breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS).
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Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Development of Hypogammaglobulinemia after Rituximab
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Objective
Low-levels of gamma globulin are associated with a risk of infection, and complications of hypogammaglobulinemia are often observed in hematologic malignancies. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), IgG≤600 mg/dL is reportedly associated with higher risks of infection. The objective was to determine the risks of hypogammaglobulinemia and infection in malignant lymphomas for which rituximab that targets B-cells is used.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of data from medical records of patients with malignant lymphomas treated with rituximab-containing therapy at our hospital between April 2014 and March 2016 was performed to assess the risks of infections through an evaluation of IgG levels and hospitalizations for and deaths due to infections in patients hospitalized with infections during this period.
Results
From April 2014 to March 2016, 128 patients with malignant lymphomas received rituximab-containing therapy at our hospital, and 94 (61%) of these patients had IgG levels measured. These 94 patients were included in the analysis. The histological types were as follows: 30 had follicular lymphoma (FL), 17 had indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL), 42 had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 5 had mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The mean minimum immunoglobulin G (IgG) level in patients hospitalized for infection was 546 mg/dL and was 628 mg/dL in those not hospitalized (p=0.6). Although a significant difference was not observed, IgG levels tended to be low in hospitalized patients with infection. In addition, there were 4 patients with mean IgG levels that were 600 mg/dL or less in the 6-months immediately prior to hospitalization. Among these 2 died of infection.
Conclusion
Low-levels of gamma globulin are associated with a risk of mortality due to infections in malignant lymphomas.
Keywords
Hypogammaglobulinemia; Malignant lymphoma; Rituximab.
Abbreviations
CLL: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; FL: Follicular lymphoma; iNHL: Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; DLBCL: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; MCL: Mantle cell lymphoma; FN: Febrile neutropenia.
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Do You Still Use Topical Antibiotics after Intravitreal Injections?
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Nowadays intravitreal drug injection is the most frequent treatment for retinal diseases. Despite widely use endophthalmitis is already most feared complication of every intravitreal injection in each patient. In clinical setting topical antibiotics have been widely used as a precaution to prevent endophthalmitis however recent published evidence showed it to be unnecessary. Furthermore repeated use of topical antibiotics might give rise to antibiotic resistance in conjunctival flora and thus more aggressive endophthalmitis. Strict asepsis has been awarded as the main rule for endophthalmitis prophylaxis intravitreal injection.
Keywords
Intravitreal injection; Steroid; Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); Topical antibiotic; Enodphthalmitis; Antibiotic resistance.
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Building Resilience in Children to Prevent Social Aggression: The Principles of Behavioral Sciences
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Most anti-bullying programs today are punitive. They rely heavily on schools enforcing procedures based on reporting, investigating, punishing, and labeling bullies. This paper challenges the notion that bullying behavior can be regulated effectively by legislative bodies and policymakers. Schools are communal ecosystems featuring unique social norms and behaviors. For example, in school, a student reporting a classmate to authorities may be labeled a ‘snitch’ because ‘tattling’ violates accepted social norms. Furthermore, the current legal definitions of bullying are confusing and complicated. In many cases, even trained lawyers have difficulty identifying acts of bullying. We suggest, the better approach to preventing bullying in schools, even the workplace, is to ground interventions using psychological frameworks to strengthen children’s social and emotional competence. We contend that social development models provide the psychological frameworks society needs to develop emotionally stable children and
adults while providing them with the internal fortitude to bounce back effectively from adverse situations like bullying.
Keywords
Bullying prevention; Social-emotional learning (SEL); Social development; Emotional strength; Social aggression; Anti-bullying; Self-awareness; Social-emotional competence; Power imbalance; Intentional; Columbine; Intervention.
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The Relationship between Pre-Season Testing Performance and Playing Time among NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Athletes Over a Competitive Season: A Pilot Analysis
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Aim
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between pre-season testing performance and playing time within a Division II men’s soccer team over a competitive season.
Methods
Data was collected from pre-season athletic performance testing data for 13 male National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II men’s soccer players (age=20±1.5-years; height=180±6 cm; weight=75±7 kg), and was analyzed to determine if relationships existed between physical performance tests (countermovement jump height, peak anaerobic power in watts derived from jump height], change-of-direction performance (505-agility, modified T-test), linear speed (10 m and 30 m sprint intervals), and aerobic fitness (20 m multi-stage fitness test), and playing time over a collegiate season were provided by the University’s coaching staff and retrospectively analyzed.
Results
A Pearson’s moment correlations correlation revealed significant (p<0.05) moderate relationships between playing time and 10 m speed (r=-0.569) only.
Discussion
These results suggest that linear speed, in particular acceleration over short distance, could be a key characteristic that has some influence on playing time for Division II men’s soccer players.
Conclusion
Pre-season testing of soccer players is commonly used to assess athletic potential. Minimal research has investigated the associations between these tests and playing time over the course of a collegiate season.
Keywords
Aerobic capacity; Power; Speed; Agility; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
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Complications Related to Implants Used in Anterior Bleb Forming Glaucoma Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature
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Purpose
To make an account of published implant-related complications (IRC) by a systematic review of the literature.
Methods
A systematic search of Pubmed and Scopus databases and Google Scholar engine was performed with selection criteria to detect papers on IRC. We excluded unrelated papers and reviewed selected ones. We considered papers that did not explicitly state about occurrence or not occurrence of IRC as non-IRC reporting. Main outcome measures were the number of papers reporting on complications, IRC, and types of IRC.
Results
After the search, selection, and addition, we studied 109 papers. Incidence of IRC was 4.5%, half required explantation. While 26 implant studies found IRCs (23%), 13 case reports on surgical complications, 8 (61.5%) of them reported IRC. Frequent complications were conjunctival erosion, blockage of the tube, migration to anterior chamber or damage to surrounding tissues.
Conclusion
Most papers did not report on IRC. Length or nature of studies may skew finding IRC. The incidence of IRC was 4.5%. Hard and sharp implants carry a greater risk of IRC and explantation.
Keywords
Implant-related complications (IRC); Glaucoma surgery; Anterior bleb forming.
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A Study to Explore the Impact of Endometriosis in the United Kingdom: A Qualitative Content Analysis
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Objective
To gain insight into the areas that impact women with endometriosis.
Design
A qualitative content analysis of an online survey.
Setting
Online questionnaire via Endometriosis UK.
Population
Women diagnosed with endometriosis of any age range.
Methods
Free-text online questionnaire through Endometriosis UK completed by women. Results were analysed using NVivo version 9, qualitative analysis software. The software creates links between common words (codes), and these links allow data to be placed in nodes (called themes) which are then developed into categories. Content analysis was used to understand this data.
Main outcome measures
Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives.
Results
In total, 1872 questionnaires were returned but not everyone was able to identify ten separate features that affected them. As such, 1872 women provided at least one area that affected them, 1800 provided two areas, 1770 provided three areas and 1600 provided four areas. The results show that the main areas of concern for these women were pain (53%), heavy menstrual bleeding (11%), low mood (8%) and the perceived lack of understanding displayed by other people (7%). Other important factors were fertility concerns, impact on employment, problems with the medical team and uncertainty. These then impacted on their daily life whereby some women felt “guilty” for not ‘being a normal mother’. A key term that resonated was that endometriosis is an “invisible disease”.
Conclusion
This analysis provides us with insight into the complex psycho-social factors that interact with bio-physical symptoms. Further research is required in sub-population groups such as teenagers and ethnic minority women to explore any differences in impact and how care can be guided accordingly.
Keywords
Endometriosis; Impact; Qualitative methods; Quantitative methods; Online survey.
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Sirtuin Inhibitor as a Novel Cell Cycle Checkpoint and Regulator of the TP53-MDM2 Pathway in Uveal Melanoma
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Purpose
The liver is the most common site of uveal melanoma (UM) metastasis with approximately 50% of UM patients being affected. With no proven therapies that mitigate metastases the mortality rate is 85% within the first year after detection of the liver disease. In this study, we provide a mechanistic understanding of the de-regulation of the TP53-MDM2 pathway in UM, which plays a central role in tumor biology.
Methods
We investigated the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway in the microenvironment of liver metastases taken from both a murine orthotopic xenograft and post-mortem metastatic UM human liver. These findings were studied in-depth using both primary and metastatic UM cell lines treated with the MDM2 antagonist Nutlin-3a and the sirtuin inhibitor and transcriptional activator of TP53, Tenovin-6.
Results
De-regulation of the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway is specific to the liver microenvironment, providing a survival mechanism for UM metastases. Tenovin-6, not Nutlin-3a, reduced UM cell survival by increasing the percentage of cell death and reducing the percentage of proliferating cells. Tenovin-6 increased acetylation of p53, reduced ubiquitination of the protein, and acted as a cell cycle regulator.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that in patients with metastatic UM de-regulation of TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway promotes growth of the liver metastases and provides pre-clinical information on the potential of targeting of the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway via Tenovin-6.
Keywords
Uveal melanoma; Ocular tumors; Nutlin-3a; Tenovin-6; TP53; MDM2.
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Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Children Living with Sickle Cell Anaemia
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Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) ultimately leads to straining of the right ventricle and increases the risk of heart failure in affected patients. Its clinical presentation is similar to that of many other diseases thus delaying the diagnosis until the disease is far advanced. It remains one of the leading causes of death in adults with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) worldwide. It confers a high risk of death with two-year mortality rates as high as 40-50% even at modest elevation of pulmonary artery pressure. Median survival age after detection of the disease is said to be 25.6-months. Early detection of elevated pulmonary artery pressure in childhood and appropriate intervention by optimization of anti-haemolytic therapy may prevent the progression of this complication. The current writes up is a review of literatures on pulmonary artery hypertension among children with sickle cell anaemia. This will give information which will aid early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension among children with sickle cell anaemia. This will ultimately improve the quality of life of children with sickle cell anaemia and reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease in adults and children living with sickle cell anaemia.
Keywords
Sickle cell anaemia; Pulmonary artery hypertension; Children.
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Multiple Tumoral Calcinosis in a Hemodialysis Patient
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Pseudotumoral calcinosis is a rare condition characterized by periarticular calcium deposition. It preferentially affects large joints such as the hip, shoulder and elbow. It is a severe complication of chronic renal failure. We report a case of secondary pseudotumoral calcinosis in a chronic hemodialysis patient.
Keywords
Tumoral calcinosis; Chronicrenal failure; Hemodialysis.
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The Evolving Field of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer
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Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with dismal outcomes despite the development of novel chemotherapeutic regimens and radiation techniques. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers an advantage both in image guidance and radiation dose delivery to direct ablative doses to tumors with acceptable toxicity compared to conventional techniques. Recent literature is clustered with data pertaining to SBRT in patients with resectable, borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic tumors. We here present a summary of the current data and highlight the limitations and potential for future growth. Further clinical study in the form of multi-institutional trials is warranted to establish the role of SBRT in combination with new chemotherapeutic agents as well as a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Keywords
Pancreatic neoplasms; Pancreas cancer; Radiosurgery; Stereotactic; Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT); Radiation; Radiotherapy.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis by Beryllium Chloride as Unique Sensitivity: A Case Report
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Beryllium can be found in silver alloy, in costume jewelry and in dental prosthesis. It is also used in aerospace industry and might be also found in precision instruments. Pure contact dermatitis to Beryllium has never been described as in this case associated with allergic contact dermatitis to jewelry. Most reports of Beryllium contact dermatitis are related to dental prosthesis and most of the cases we have seen Beryllium allergic contact dermatitis is associated with other positive allergens. We believe that this metal should be added to the dental screening as according to our findings.
Keywords
Beryllium; Jewelry; Allergy; Skin allergy; Allergic contact dermatitis.
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Muscle Cell Function and the Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
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There are different processes via which a muscle cell can utilize oxygen to make energy that will sustain activity. The type of activity and duration of activity will determine what energy system is used to sustain the activity being done. Aerobic metabolism uses oxygen to sustain the energy demand. Oxygen is obtained from the air we breathe, and then transported to the cells though the myoglobin. Although ambient air only contains 21% oxygen, it is enough to sustain life and energy needs. But what if the muscle cell could instead receive 100% oxygen? The delivery method would be via hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) which supplies oxygen at 100% concentration under a minimum of 1 atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure will affect the outcomes of consuming 100% oxygen. Research supports positive findings on oxygen therapy under pressure and muscle cell recovery but much research still needs to be investigated. One research study revealed detrimental effects of 100% oxygen breathed in consistently for days resulting in comorbidities that did not exist prior to experiment. HBO can pose some risks but if it is applied in a controlled manner, HBO can be a safe option to enhance cellular recovery and cell function.
Keywords
Oxygen; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; Muscle recovery; Muscle cells; Pure oxygen.
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Exploring the Notion of Performance in Branch Sales Managers: A Narrative Approach
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Aim
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affect the performance of branch sales managers (BSM) of a private bank in India. It also aimed to identify factors that differentiate high performing BSMs from the rest.
Methods
A phenomenological methodology known as narrative analysis was used to uncover the lived experiences of Branch sales managers. Open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 Branch sales managers situated across the Northern, Western and Southern Regions of India who were pre-classified in two pools of talent–high performers and average performers based on their performance ratings.
Results
Results yielded two distinguishing profiles of high and average performing BSMs known as ‘Bulls’, and ‘Bears’ respectively. Ramifications of individual’s personality, family structure and education profile, birth order, educational and vocational choices, influence of their past work experience, etc., were found to contribute to distinct patters of wok behavior and thereby performance.
Conclusion
Sales organizations will need to hire both “Bull I/Bull II” and “Bears” as each brings a different work ethos that is critical for high and consistent performance within the sales function. Organizations will need to create specific performance levers to engage the “Bull I/Bull II” and “Bears”.
Keywords
Bears; Bull I; Bull II; Sales performance; Sloths.
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Robot Assisted Comprehensive Surgical Staging for Endometrial Cancer: A Validation Study
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Objective
The study sought to evaluate the historical surgical-pathological trends in Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 33 in a cohort of patients who underwent robot-assisted staging of uterine carcinomas.
Materials and Methods
This is a retrospective study from June 2016 through December 2018 at Catholic Health Services Hospitals in Long Island (CHSLI), NY, USA. All patients underwent robotic surgical staging with hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Fifty patients were included, and patients were separated into cohorts with endometrioid or non-endometrioid histology for analysis. Patients were staged using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 classification.
Results
For all patients undergoing surgical staging, the rate of pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastases occurred at 10% and 8%, respectively. Sixty percent of the grade 1 endometrioid tumors had less than 50% myometrial invasion. No patients had positive paraaortic lymph nodes in the absence of pelvic node involvement. High-risk histologies were associated with nodal disease thirteen percent of the time. A correlation between increasing depth of invasion and positive lymph nodes was demonstrated. Increasing grade of tumors was correlated with the frequency of nodal metastasis. Intraperitoneal spread was highly correlated to metastatic lymph nodes. Deep invasion was positively correlated with nodal disease.
Conclusion
The results of this study validate the trends previously known from GOG 33 in a population undergoing robot-assisted surgical staging for uterine carcinomas.
Keywords
Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 33; Robotic; Surgery; Uterine cancer; Lymph nodes; Trends.
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An Observational Study to Evaluate Infection Risk in Two Staff Warming Devices and a Review of Current Literature into Thermal Comfort in the Operating Room and Beyond
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Objective
To compare the degree of bacteria dissemination using two currently available operating room (OR) personnel warming devices. The “off-label” use of 3MTM’s Bair HuggerTM vs. a fairly new device, worn around the torso and under a scrub warm-up jacket or surgical gown, the OPERATIONHEATJAC® transformer only (TRO) powered by a transformer and controlled by a 4-level controller, and best for anesthesia providers and perfusionists.
Methods
Initially, staff members in scrubs sat in a room for 3 and 6-hours with agar plates placed in various positions throughout the room. Then staff members sat in the same room under the same conditions for 3 and 6-hours, and placed the hose from 3M’s Bair Hugger under their scrubs. Agar plates were positioned in the room in the same positions as in the control. Then staff members sat in the same room under the same conditions for 3 and 6-hours, wearing the OPERATIONHEATJAC® TRO over their scrub shirt and under a scrub warm-up jacket. Agar plates were again positioned in the room in the same positions as in the control. Bacteria colony counts were compared.
Results
The bacteria colony counts were 43.78% and 46.18% higher at 3 and 6-hours respectively from placement of the hose from 3MTM’s Bair HuggerTM under scrubs vs. the control. There was no significant difference in bacteria colony counts with using the OPERATIONHEATJAC® TRO vs. the control.
Conclusion
ORs are maintained cold, mostly for surgeon comfort. In an attempt to keep comfortable in this environment, peripheral OR staff opt for the “off-label” use of 3M’s Bair Hugger hose placed under scrubs. An increased spread of bacteria throughout the OR can result from this practice. Currently, there are now safer OR personnel warming devices available. In addition, this paper reviews the significance and benefits of keeping staff warm and comfortable.
Keywords
Warming devices; OPERATIONHEATJAC®; surgical site infections (SSIs); Operating room (OR); Temperature.
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A Couple’s Personalized-Care Intervention for Weight-Loss and Diabetes based on DNA and Gut Biome Profiles: A Case Study
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Introduction
The global prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Given the negative strain that obesity and associated chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, put on the healthcare system and the economy, disease management has begun evolving to help individuals change their behaviors. Obesity is often difficult to treat and even harder to maintain. Past studies have failed to show weight loss maintenance over long periods after interventions. To overcome the complexity of obesity, a multifaceted precision care treatment approach should be adopted.
Aim
The aim of this case study was to assess the health benefits and weight loss journey of a cohabiting Caucasian heterosexual married couple using the Digbi Health personalized obesity management program. A personalized integrative nutrition plan is created based on one’s genetic and gut microbiome obesity risk profile and incorporates daily digital tracking and lifestyle coaching. Never before has a program offered personalized data including genetic, gut microbiome and lifestyle coaching to help people understand the best plan to lose weight and keep it off long term.
Method
The male subject achieved a total change in weight loss of 15.94%, as well as a reduction in A1C and blood pressure levels and the female subject achieved a 13.65% change in weight loss over a period of four months. The couple have still been able to maintain their weight loss goals four months after completing the program, stating their individual and personalized approach gave them the tools long-term to maintain.
Conclusion
A supportive environment for cohabiting couples following a personalized weight loss program based on their genetic and gut microbiome profile may help with weight loss and long-term maintenance.
Keywords
Diabetes; Gut microbiome; Obesity; Diet; Physical exercise; Overweight; Body mass index (BMI); Couples; Hypertension.
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How the Desensitization of Police Violence, Stereotyped Language, and Racial Bias Impact Black Communities
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As the access to create media continues to expand, issues related to the desensitization of police violence, stereotyped language (racial baiting), and implicit bias within the criminal justice system are brought to the forefront highlighting the negative and harmful relationships between the criminal justice system and Black communities. In order to address these issues on a national scale, a call to action is made for psychologists to assist in restructuring the understanding of the relationship of violence, cognition, and media in order to advocate for social justice. Psychological research on the topics are discussed as well as how the field of psychology can inform training within police departments and the communities they serve.
Keywords
Police violence; Racial bias; Black communities.
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Melorheostosis: A Rare Cause of Limb Pain
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Melorheostosis is a rare skeletal dysplasia, and to date there are no reports of this condition in Australia. This is a case of a lady who presented with dull arm pain with a pathognomonic radiological findings. The plain radiographs obtained of the limb demonstrated a characteristic candle wax appearance in a monomelic distribution. The natural history, presentation, and management are discussed in detail.
Keywords
Melorheostosis; Skeletal dysplasia; Central Australia.