Development of a risk prediction score for acute kidney injury in critically-ill septic Filipino patients admitted in perpetual succour hospital

Introduction@#Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a lethal complication of critical illness characterized by the rapid loss of the kidney's excretory function encountered in 50% of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Its impact on the outcome of critically ill patients makes AKI a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.@*Objectives@#To develop and validate an acute kidney injury risk prediction score based on routinely available variables and common laboratories of admitted critically-ill septic Filipino patients.@*Methods@#This is a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu from February to September 2020. The data of 2545 patients were identified by chart review but only 607 patients with a quick Sepsis Organ Failure Assessment Score (qSOFA) score of >2 were included in the pre-screening. After stratified sampling, a total of 198 septic ICU patients were enrolled. Demographic profile, laboratory results and outcome data were collated. Variables were screened then stepwise forward elimination was done to identify the significant predictors. An AKI risk score model was developed with binomial regression analysis by identifying independent prognostic factors. The diagnostic ability of the model was determined by the Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AuROC).@*Results@#AKI developed in 155 (78%) patients. The significant predictors for Acute Kidney Injury were age, hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, weight, white blood count, creatinine, and BUN. An AKI prediction model with a cut off score of 161.9 was made with a fair diagnostic ability for predicting AKI at 0.79 based on AuROC.@*Conclusion@#The developed risk prediction tool using routinely available variables is found to be fairly accurate to predict the development of AKI among critically ill septic patients.

Factors predisposing to post thyroidectomy vocal cord paralysis at Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center

Objective@#To determine the prevalence of vocal cord paralysis among post thyroidectomy patients based on severity and laterality, and explore possible associations with age, sex, diagnosis and type of thyroid lesion and surgical procedure.@*Methods@#Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital. Participants: Records of patients who underwent thyroidectomy under the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery of the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2021. @*Results@#There were strong associations between the type of lesion and the presence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (V=.211, p=.001) and the diagnosis and the presence of RLNI (V=.245, p=.006). There were no significant associations between patient’s sex, age, diagnosis, type of thyroid lesion, surgical procedure with laterality and severity of RLNI. It was notable that all cases of bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were due to carcinoma only. Patients with malignant tumors were 2.8x (95% CI: 1.48-5.29) as likely to develop post surgical RLNI than those with benign tumors (p=.0015).@*Conclusion@#The factors that had a strong association with the presence of vocal cord paralysis among post-thyroidectomy patients were the diagnosis and type of thyroid lesion. Malignant thyroid lesions (specifically thyroid carcinoma) had a higher incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury compared to benign thyroid lesions. More data from different institutions and including other predisposing factors may confirm our findings.

Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Health

In this review, we provide a brief synopsis of the connections between adipose tissue and metabolic health and highlight some recent developments in understanding and exploiting adipocyte biology. Adipose tissue plays critical roles in the regulation of systemic glucose and lipid metabolism and secretes bioactive molecules possessing endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine functions. Dysfunctional adipose tissue has a detrimental impact on metabolic health and is intimately involved in key aspects of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, lipid overload, inflammation, and organelle stress. Differences in the distribution of fat depots and adipose characteristics relate to divergent degrees of metabolic dysfunction found in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese individuals. Thermogenic adipocytes increase energy expenditure via mitochondrial uncoupling or adenosine triphosphate-consuming futile substrate cycles, while functioning as a metabolic sink and participating in crosstalk with other metabolic organs. Manipulation of adipose tissue provides a wealth of opportunities to intervene and combat the progression of associated metabolic diseases. We discuss current treatment modalities for obesity including incretin hormone analogs and touch upon emerging strategies with therapeutic potential including exosome-based therapy, pharmacological activation of brown and beige adipocyte thermogenesis, and administration or inhibition of adipocyte-derived factors.

Economic analysis of an educational human security model in southwestern bateyes of the Dominican Republic / Análisis económico de un modelo educativo de seguridad humana en los bateyes del suroeste de la República Dominicana

Objetivos: realizar un análisis económico para evaluar los costos de una intervención educativa, utilizando los principios de un modelo de seguridad humana en Bateyes del suroeste de la República Dominicana. Métodos: se consideraron cuatro recursos de intervención, incluyendo la capacitación del personal, los incentivos mensuales, la supervisión de las actividades de campo y el costo total asociado al tratamiento anual de la diarrea aguda. El gasto se comparó entre el programa estándar de atención (Batey Control) y la intervención con el modelo de seguridad humana (Batey Caso). Resultados: el ahorro del costo total anual para el Ministerio de Salud de República Dominicana asociado con la reducción de la incidencia de episodios de diarrea aguda fue de US$252,399. Si se extrapolan a los 300 Bateyes de República Dominicana, se podría ahorrar aproximadamente US$75 millones en prevención de enfermedades infecciosas. Conclusiones: el modelo de seguridad humana luce ser un método eficaz para mejorar el conocimiento sobre la prevención de enfermedades y aumentar el empoderamiento de la comunidad para la movilización de recursos. Aplicada a otros entornos, la intervención podría tener una incidencia beneficiosa en las poblaciones de refugiados e indocumentados bajo el impacto de la violencia estructural.

Objectives: To conduct an economic analysis to evaluate the costs of an educational intervention, using the human security model, and potential sources of economic benefits, in Southwestern Bateyes in the Dominican Republic. Methods: Four intervention resources were considered, including staff training, monthly incentives, supervision of field activities, and total cost associated with annual treatment for acute diarrhea. The expenditure was compared between the standard program of care and the intervention using the human security model. Results: The total annual cost saving to the Dominican Republic Ministry of Health, associated with reducing the incidence of acute diarrhea episodes, was US$252,399. If this is extrapolated to the 300 Bateyes of the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Health could save approximately US$75 million in infectious disease prevention by implementing this intervention model in these isolated rural communities. Conclusions: The educational intervention, which incorporated a human security approach, appeared to be an effective method to enhance knowledge about disease prevention and to increase empathy among community members for resource mobilization and local empowerment. Applied to other settings, the intervention could have a beneficial impact on refugee and undocumented populations under the

Comentarios sobre: Disminución del riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes obesos que participaron en un programa de medicina de estilo de vida / Comment on: Reduction of cardiovascular risk in obese patients who participated in a lifestyle medicine program

Sr. Editor Definitivamente las enfermedades crónicas han ocupado un lugar protagónico en las estadísticas de morbimortalidad mundial, dado el incremento de la esperanza de vida y el acceso a nuevas tecnologías terapéuticas y fármacos de avanzada. De hecho, las enfermedades cardio-metabólicas como la diabetes, la hipertensión arterial, la dislipidemia y la obesidad entre otras, constituyen claros ejemplos tanto del impacto, como del advenimiento de nuevas oportunidades terapéuticas.

Dear Editor Chronic diseases have occupied a leading place in global morbidity and mortality statistics, given the increase in life expectancy and access to new therapeutic technologies and advanced drugs. Cardio-metabolic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and obesity, among others, are clear examples of both the impact and the advent of new therapeutic opportunities. In this study, the effect of a lifestyle program on the cardiovascular risk of enrolled patients was evaluated.

Factors influencing decisions on contralateral symmetrisation procedure among patients with breast cancer

INTRODUCTION@#Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) can cause breast asymmetry. Although contralateral breast surgery to achieve symmetry was offered to these patients, the uptake of symmetrisation was variable. We aimed to determine the factors that deter patients with breast cancer undergoing OBCS from opting for symmetrisation.@*METHODS@#All patients with breast cancer who underwent OBCS of displacement type with no symmetrisation were prospectively surveyed to explore the social, economic, psychological and physical reasons against symmetrisation.@*RESULTS@#A total of 28 patients participated in a survey administered at a mean 21.6 (range 2-47) months after OBCS. A combination of factors, such as worry and desire to treat breast cancer first (67.9%), not being overly concerned about breast cosmesis (57.1%) and fear of pain from additional operation (28.6%), deterred patients from immediate symmetrisation. Worry and desire to treat breast cancer first was the most important single factor for 50% of the patients. Reasons for no delayed symmetrisation included not being overly concerned about breast cosmesis (70.4%), fear of breast cancer recurrence (48.1%) and being happy with current breast cosmesis (33.3%), with the former two reasons equally cited as the single most important deterrent by 30% of patients each.@*CONCLUSION@#A combination of factors may deter patients from symmetrisation. The most significant factors deterring OBCS among patients were worry and desire to treat breast cancer first for immediate symmetrisation, and not being overly concerned about breast cosmesis and fear of breast cancer recurrence for delayed symmetrisation. Reassuring these patients may increase their uptake of symmetrisation, thereby improving patient cosmesis and satisfaction.

Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Structural Microenvironment in Post-Traumatic War Wounds

BACKGROUND@#The development of post-traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common, undesirable sequela in patients with high-energy (war-related) extremity injuries. While inflammatory and osteoinductive signaling pathways are known to be involved in the development and progression of post-traumatic HO, features of the structural microenvironment within which the ectopic bone begins to form remain poorly understood. Thus, increasing our knowledge of molecular and structural changes within the healing wound may help elucidate the pathogenesis of post-traumatic HO and aid in the development of specific treatment and/or prevention strategies. @*METHODS@#In this study, we performed high-resolution microscopy and biochemical analysis of tissues obtained from traumatic war wounds to characterize changes in the structural microenvironment. In addition, using an electrospinning approach, we modeled this microenvironment to reconstitute a three-dimensional type I collagen scaffold with non-woven, randomly oriented nanofibers where we evaluated the performance of primary mesenchymal progenitor cells. @*RESULTS@#We found that traumatic war wounds are characterized by a disorganized, densely fibrotic collagen I matrix that influences progenitor cells adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential. @*CONCLUSION@#Altogether, these results suggest that the structural microenvironment present in traumatic war wounds has the potential to contribute to the development of post-traumatic HO. Our findings may support novel treatment strategies directed towards modifying the structural microenvironment after traumatic injury.

Appropriate use of coronary angiogram among service patients at the UP-Philippine General Hospital in the Year 2019

Rationale@#Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and coronary angiography (CA) remains the gold standard for its diagnosis. However, proper patient selection for CA is important to avoid unnecessary risks and expense. The American College of Cardiology (ACC), with other major organizations, developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for CA. AUC assist clinicians in decision making on whether to use the tests according to indications and objectively assess if these tests are appropriately utilized. This is the first study to determine the appropriateness of CA performed and the clinical and angiographic profile among adult service patients in UP-PGH. @*Objectives@#To determine (1) the indications for CA and its appropriateness based on 2012 AUC for Diagnostic Catheterization by the ACC, (2) the clinical profile of patients who underwent CA among adult service patients at UP-PGH and (3) the angiographic profile of these patients. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study included all CA studies performed on adult service patients from January to December 2019. Demographic and clinical profiles, non-invasive tests, and angiographic findings were collected. The primary outcome determined was the appropriateness of the indications for each CA performed based on AUC scores. Descriptive analysis using frequencies and mean values with standard deviations were used. @*Results@#Among the 515 patients included, majority were males, above 50 years of age, with normal eGFR, presented initially with chest pain, and with a presenting diagnosis of chronic coronary syndrome. Majority of these patients had obstructive CAD (75%), with left anterior descending artery as the most frequently involved vessel. Non-obstructive CAD was found in 11% while normal coronaries were noted in 14% of these patients. Our findings showed that 99.8% of the CA performed were appropriate, of which majority (54%) had an AUC score of A9. STEMI or a suspicion of STEMI, with an A9 score, was the most frequently encountered indication at 33% of the time. @*Conclusion@#Majority (99%) of the CA studies performed in the PGH cardiac catheterization laboratory for the year 2019 were executed based on highly appropriate indications (AUC scores A7 to A9) and followed Class I and II recommendations from guidelines. The allocation of resources is deemed to be well-utilized based on the data generated from this study.

Emphysematous gastritis due to Sarcina ventriculi infection in a diabetic liver-kidney transplant recipient

Emphysematous gastritis (EG) is a rare and potentially lethal process caused by invasive, gas-producing bacteria leading to inflammation and gas dissection of the stomach. The most common etiologic agents are Clostridium infections, but other organisms, including enterobacteria, staphylococcus, and fungi have also been identified. We report the first case of EG due to Sarcina ventriculi in a solid organ transplant recipient, who presented with epigastric pain and vomiting. The patient had a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) with recurrent episodes of ketoacidosis and systemic diabetic complications, including severe gastroparesis. CT scan studies demonstrated EG with venous air, and endoscopy showed severe gastritis and ulcerations. In the gastric biopsies, abundant Sarcina ventriculi were noted in areas of mucosal/submucosal necrosis. Antibiotic treatment was instituted at admission, and subsequent endoscopy demonstrated the disappearance of Sarcina, with some improvement of the gastric inflammation; however, the patient developed septic shock with multiorgan failure and expired. This case highlights the need to consider other infectious etiologies in transplant patients, in addition to the well-known opportunistic infections.

Safety evaluation of polysaccharides isolated from the water extract of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) in Drosophila melanogaster

Recently, the plant polysaccharides have attracted attention due to their important bioactivities. The literature hasshown several pharmacological activities of Argemone mexicana extracts and its components but very few dataon its polysaccharides. The current study aimed to evaluate the safety of polysaccharides from A. mexicana. Fivepolysaccharides [High molecular weight (polysaccharide fraction) of the water extract from Argemone mexicana 1( HMAm1), HMAm2, HMAm3, HMAmA1, and HMAmA2] were fractionated from A. mexicana aerial parts by usingaccelerated solvent extractor procedure followed by ion exchange chromatography of the water decoction extract.The safety assay was carried out using Drosophila melanogaster exposed to the polysaccharides at 12.5 and 25 µg/ml for 72 hours against a negative control (1% DMSO). After the exposure period, the survival rate and the locomotorcapacity of flies were determined. At the end of 72 hours of treatment, all polysaccharide fractions at both dosespresented a survival percent of more than 94%. In addition, these polysaccharide fractions affected very little thelocomotor performance of the flies. At both doses, HMAm2 presented the highest safety for the flies, while HMAm3was the least. These findings revealed that polysaccharides from A. mexicana are nontoxic.

Retrospective analysis of eFAST ultrasounds performed on trauma activations at an academic level-1 trauma center / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND@#Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become increasingly integrated into the practice of emergency medicine. A common application is the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) exam. The American College of Emergency Physicians has guidelines regarding the scope of ultrasound in the emergency department and the appropriate documentation. The objective of this study was to conduct a review of performed, documented and billed eFAST ultrasounds on trauma activation patients.@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective review of all trauma activation patients during a 10-month period at an academic level-one trauma center. A list comparing all trauma activations was crossreferenced with a list of all billed eFAST scans. Medical records were reviewed to determine whether an eFAST was indicated, performed, and appropriately documented.@*RESULTS@#We found that 1,507 of 1,597 trauma patients had indications for eFAST, but 396 (27%) of these patients did not have a billed eFAST. Of these 396 patients, 87 (22%) had documentation in the provider note that an eFAST was performed but there was no separate procedure note. The remaining 309 (78%) did not have any documentation of the eFAST in the patient’s chart although an eFAST was recorded and reviewed during ultrasound quality assurance.@*CONCLUSION@#A significant proportion of trauma patients had eFAST exams performed but were not documented or billed. Lack of documentation was multifactorial. Emergency ultrasound programs require appropriate reimbursement to support training, credentialing, equipment, quality assurance, and device maintenance. Our study demonstrates a significant absence of adequate documentation leading to potential revenue loss for an emergency ultrasound program.

Factores asociados a fractura por estrés: estudio de casos y controles en un centro médico de la marina de guerra de Perú / Factors associated with stress fracture: a case-control study in a Peruvian navy medical center

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las fracturas por estrés son lesiones producidas por el sobreuso de ciertas extremidades, generando fatigas repetitivas en el hueso con insuficientes periodos de descanso, trastornos hormonales, entre otras. Se produce una elevada actividad osteoclástica y una menor actividad de los osteoblastos a nivel cortical. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados a fractura por estrés en un centro médico de la Marina de Guerra de Perú. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una investigación de tipo observacional analítica de casos y controles. La variable dependiente fue la fractura por estrés, confirmada por resonancia magnética de los pacientes. Las variables independientes fueron edad, sexo y nivel de calcemia tomadas a partir de la historia clínica; el nivel socioeconómico y tiempo de actividad física diaria fueron datos recogidos mediante encuesta. Se obtuvieron los Odds ratio crudos y ajustados con un intervalo de confianza de 95%. RESULTADOS: Se trabajó con un total de 238 pacientes (119 casos y 119 controles), de los cuales 79,8% fueron varones y 20,2% fueron mujeres; la media de edad fue de 20,25 años. En el análisis bivariado se encontró asociación de fracturas por estrés con el sexo masculino (Odds ratio: 3,00; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,51 a 5,95), hipocalcemia (Odds ratio: 2,83; intervalo de confianza 95%: 2,32 a 3,44), más de dos horas de actividad física diaria (Odds ratio: 24,74; intervalo de confianza 95%: 12,51 a 48,95) y un nivel socioeconómico C (Odds ratio: 6,66; intervalo de confianza 95%: 2,82 a 15,74). Mantuvieron su asociación en el análisis multivariado el tiempo de actividad física (Odds ratio: 44,46; intervalo de confianza 95%: 17,93 a 110,22) y el nivel socioeconómico C (Odds ratio: 22,57; intervalo de confianza 95%: 7,03 a 72,74). CONCLUSIÓN: Las fracturas por estrés estuvieron asociadas al tiempo de actividad física y a un nivel socioeconómico menor. Son necesarios más estudios para evaluar la relación con otros factores en la población militar de Perú.

INTRODUCTION: Stress fractures are injuries produced by the overuse of certain extremities, generating repetitive fatigue in the bone with insufficient rest periods and hormonal disorders, among others. High osteoclastic activity and lower activity of the osteoblasts at the cortical level occurs. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with a stress fracture in a single medical center of the Peruvian navy. METHODS: We conducted an observational, analytical case-control study. The dependent variable was stress fracture confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the patients; the independent variables were age, sex, calcemia, socioeconomic status, and time of daily physical activity. All data were extracted from the medical records. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The sample was comprised of 238 patients (119 cases and 119 controls), of which 79.8% were male, and 20.2% were female; the average age was 20.25. In the bivariate analysis, stress fractures were associated with male sex (odds ratio 3.00; 95% confidence interval 1.51 to 5.95), hypocalcemia (2.83; 2.32 to 3.44), more than two hours of daily physical activity (24.7; 12.51 to 48.95) and socioeconomic level C (6.66; 2.82 to 15.74). Time dedicated to physical activity (adjusted odds ratio 44.46; 95% confidence interval 17.93 to 110.22) and socioeconomic level C (adjusted odds ratio 22.57; 95% confidence interval 7.03 to 72.74) were associated in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We found that stress fractures were associated with physical activity time and a lower socioeconomic level. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship with other factors in the military population of Peru.

The Singapore Heart Failure Risk Score: Prediction of Survival in Southeast Asian Patients

INTRODUCTION@#Numerous heart failure risk scores have been developed but there is none for Asians. We aimed to develop a risk calculator, the Singapore Heart Failure Risk Score, to predict 1- and 2-year survival in Southeast Asian patients hospitalised for heart failure.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Consecutive patients admitted for heart failure were identified from the Singapore Cardiac Databank Heart Failure registry. The follow-up was 2 to 4 years and mortality was obtained from national registries.@*RESULTS@#The derivation (2008-2009) and 2 validation cohorts (2008-2009, 2013) included 1392, 729 and 804 patients, respectively. Ten variables were ultimately included in the risk model: age, prior myocardial infarction, prior stroke, atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease, systolic blood pressure, QRS duration, ejection fraction and creatinine and sodium levels. In the derivation cohort, predicted 1- and 2-year survival was 79.1% and 68.1% compared to actual 1- and 2-year survival of 78.2% and 67.9%. There was good agreement between the predicted and observed mortality rates (Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic = 14.36, = 0.073). C-statistics for 2-year mortality in the derivation and validation cohorts were 0.73 (95% CI, 0.70-0.75) and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.64-0.72), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#We provided a risk score based on readily available clinical characteristics to predict 1- and 2-year survival in Southeast Asian patients hospitalised for heart failure via a simple online risk calculator, the Singapore Heart Failure Risk Score.

Can an 8th grade student learn point of care ultrasound? / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND@# Point-of-care ultrasound has gained widespread use in developing countries due to decreased cost and improved telemedicine capabilities. Ultrasound training, specifically image acquisition skills, is occurring with more frequency in non-medical personnel with varying educational levels in these underdeveloped areas. This study evaluates if students without a high school education can be trained to acquire useful FAST images, and to determine if an 8th grade student can teach peers these skills.@*METHODS@# The 8th grade students at a small middle school were divided into two groups. One group received training by a certified medical sonographer, while the other group received training by a peer 8th grade student trainer who had previously received training by the sonographer. After training, each student was independently tested by scanning the four FAST locations. A blinded ultrasound expert evaluated these images and deemed each image adequate or inadequate for clinical use.@*RESULTS@# Eighty video image clips were obtained. The overall image adequacy rate was 74%. The splenorenal window had the highest rate at 95%, followed by retrovesical at 90%, hepatorenal at 75%, and subxiphoid cardiac at 35%. The adequacy rate of the sonographer-trained group was 78%, while the adequacy rate of the student-trained group was 70%. The difference in image adequacy rate between the two groups was not significant (P-value 0.459).@*CONCLUSION@# The majority of 8th graders obtained clinically adequate FAST images after minimal training. Additionally, the student-trained group performed as well as the sonographer-trained group.

A comparison of simulation versus didactics for teaching ultrasound to Swiss medical students / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND@# Point-of-care ultrasound is an increasingly common imaging modality that is used in a variety of clinical settings. Understanding how to most effectively teach ultrasound is important to ensure that medical students learn pre-clinical content in a manner that promotes retention and clinical competence. We aim to assess the effectiveness of simulation-based ultrasound education in improving medical student competence in physiology in comparison to a traditional didactic ultrasound curriculum.@*METHODS@# Subjects were given a pre and post-test of physiology questions. Subjects were taught various ultrasound techniques via 7 hours of lectures over two days. The control group received 2 additional hours of practice time while the experimental group received 2 hours of case-based simulations. A physiology post-test was administered to all students to complete the two-day course.@*RESULTS@# Totally 115 Swiss medical students were enrolled in our study. The mean pre-course ultrasound exam score was 39.5% for the simulation group and 41.6% for the didactic group (P>0.05). The mean pre-course physiology exam score was 54.1% for the simulation group and 59.3% for the didactic group (P>0.05). The simulation group showed statistically significant improvement on the physiology exam, improving from 54.1% to 75.3% (P<0.01). The didactic group also showed statistically significant improvement on the physiology exam, improving from 59.3% to 70.0% (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Our data indicates that both simulation curriculum and standard didactic curriculum can be used to teach ultrasound. Simulation based training showed statistically significant improvement in physiology learning when compared to standard didactic curriculum.

The Interaction of Cognitive Interference, Standing Surface, and Fatigue on Lower Extremity Muscle Activity

BACKGROUND: Performing cognitive tasks and muscular fatigue have been shown to increase muscle activity of the lower extremity during quiet standing. A common intervention to reduce muscular fatigue is to provide a softer shoe-surface interface. However, little is known regarding how muscle activity is affected by softer shoe-surface interfaces during static standing. The purpose of this study was to assess lower extremity muscular activity during erect standing on three different standing surfaces, before and after an acute workload and during cognitive tasks. METHODS: Surface electromyography was collected on ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, and knee flexors and extensors of fifteen male participants. Dependent electromyography variables of mean, peak, root mean square, and cocontraction index were calculated and analyzed with a 2 × 2 × 3 within-subject repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Pre-workload muscle activity did not differ between surfaces and cognitive task conditions. However, greater muscle activity during post-workload balance assessment was found, specifically during the cognitive task. Cognitive task errors did not differ between surface and workload. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive task after workload increased lower extremity muscular activity compared to quite standing, irrespective of the surface condition, suggesting an increased demand was placed on the postural control system as the result of both fatigue and cognitive task.

Trend and Structure of Populations of Balanites aegyptiaca in Parkland Agroforestsin Western Niger

Current and future trends of the parklands and the population of Balanites aegyptiaca in western Niger were investigated through the analysis of the diversity, the regeneration status and the size class distributions of the woody plants. A total of 21 plots, measuring 2500 m2 (50 m x 50 m) each were randomly selected to represent the parklands of B. aegyptiaca in the study area. Across all plots 1180 individual plants were recorded, representing 13 species, 10 genera and 7 families. The most diverse family is Fabaceae and the most dominant family is Balanitaceae represented by only one species B. aegyptiaca. The density of the regeneration was 71.16 and 33.31 plants ha-1 for the entire parkland and the population of Balanites aegyptiaca, respectively, while the diversity and the evenness indices of B. aegyptiaca were 2.52 and 0.24, respectively. B. aegyptica, Faidherbia albida, Hyphaene thebeica and Acacia nilotica populations had the highest values for the importance value index (IVI). Results from the analysis of the size class distribution indicate that the parklands and the population of B. aegyptiaca appear to be healthy and stable with high regeneration rates. However, low recruitment of juveniles to adults was observed due to seedling and sapling mortality, and high disturbance regimes, which in the long term can affect the population turnover.Acacia tortilis, A. senegal, Azadirachta indica and Prosopis juliflora populations had the lowest IVI values and may be the most sensitive to the disturbance regimes in the study area. Therefore, we suggest designing and implementing a conservation programme in the study area, which will protect and facilitate the growth of the juveniles of both overexploited and underexploited populations.

Epidemiology of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection and the need for therapeutics for the prevention

Over the past ten years there has been a marked increase in cases of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome in East Asia. This tick-borne hemorrhagic fever presents along with clinical signs including high fever and leukopenia. In addition to humans, the virus has also been detected with shared genetic homology in farm animals including goats, cattle, horses, and pigs. Furthermore, several genotypes of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) are currently co-circulating between humans and animals. In China, where the virus was first detected in rural areas in 2009, the SFTSV mortality rate has been reported to be as 6% and higher than 30%, especially in immuno-compromised patients. Moreover, this virus has been isolated in neighbor countries including Japan and South Korea where the fatality rates in 2015 were more than 30% in both countries. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the virology, genotypes, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of SFTSV infection in humans and animals. Currently, a collaborative global approach against SFTSV infection is being undertaken; however, the need for continuous disease surveillance and production of an effective vaccine is imperative as this virus may lead to an epidemic of irreversible status in both humans and animals.

Triaging Primary Care Patients Referred for Chest Pain to Specialist Cardiology Centres: Efficacy of an Optimised Protocol

INTRODUCTION@#Patients referred for chest pain from primary care have increased, along with demand for outpatient cardiology consultations. We evaluated 'Triage Protocol' that implements standardised diagnostic testing prior to patients' first cardiology consultation.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Under the 'Triage Protocol', patients referred for chest pain were pretriaged using a standardised algorithm and subsequently referred for relevant functional diagnostic cardiology tests before their initial cardiology consultation. At the initial cardiology consultation scheduled by the primary care provider, test results were reviewed. A total of 522 triage patients (mean age 55 ± 13, male 53%) were frequency-matched by age, gender and risk cohort to 289 control patients (mean age: 56 ± 11, male: 52%). Pretest risk of coronary artery disease was defined according to a Modified Duke Clinical Score (MDCS) as low (20). The primary outcome was time from referral to diagnosis (days). Secondary outcomes were total visits, discharge rate at first consultation, patient cost and adverse cardiac outcomes.@*RESULTS@#The 'Triage Protocol' resulted in shorter times from referral to diagnosis (46 vs 131 days; <0.0001) and fewer total visits (2.4 vs 3.0; <0.0001). However, triage patients in low-risk groups experienced higher costs due to increased testing (S$421 vs S$357, = 0.003). Adverse cardiac event rates under the 'Triage Protocol' indicated no compromise to patient safety (triage vs control: 0.57% vs 0.35%; = 1.000).@*CONCLUSION@#By implementing diagnostic cardiac testing prior to patients' first specialist consultation, the 'Triage Protocol' expedited diagnosis and reduced subsequent visits across all risk groups in ambulatory chest pain patients.

A comparison of mid upper arm circumference with other Indices for discharge from community-based management of malnutrition clinics in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Background: Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) program has saved millions of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) globally. World Health Organization recommended discharge indices include Midupper arm circumference (MUAC) =12.5cm, =15-20% weight gain and weight-for-height Z score (WHZ) =-2. We compared MUAC with WHZ and percentage weight gain as discharge criteria from CMAM. Methods: It was a community based cohort study of children aged 6-59 months with SAM discharged from CMAM clinics in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Socio-demographic data, nutrition history and anthropometry were recorded at enrolment and discharge. Results: Of a total of 405 children studied, 209(51.6%) were females and had a peak age group of 12-23months (43.7%, range 6-42 months). At discharge, 353(87.2%) had MUAC = 12.5cm while 231(57.0%) and 204(50.4%) had percentage weight-gain =15% and WHZ=-2 respectively. There was weak agreement between MUAC and WHZ (agreement 50.8%, ê=0.012) and MUAC and percent weight-gain (agreement 54.8%, ê=-0.004). Children aged between 11-23 months (OR 2.12, p=0.006) and 24-35 months (OR 2.60, p=0.002) had increased risk of discharge with inadequate percentage weight gain. WHZ <-3 at enrolment was associated with increased risk of discharge with WHZ <-3 (OR 3.21, p<0.001) and reduced risk of discharge with inadequate percentage weight gain (OR 0.45, p<0.001). Age sex, WHZ at enrollment were not associated with MUAC at discharge. Conclusion: The use of MUAC alone as discharge criterion allows a significant proportion of children still needing urgent care exiting CMAM clinic prematurely. Stratifying these criteria may lead to better recovery before discharge