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1.
J Surg Case Rep ; 2024(5): rjae369, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38826863

ABSTRACT

A previous surgical incision can lead to an abdominal wall defect known as an incisional hernia. The protrusion of abdominal viscera, particularly bowel loops, through this defect can result in various complications and affect organ function. Bowel loops are frequently involved and can lead to incarceration, obstruction or even strangulation. A 38-year-old male with a history of open reduction internal fixation for the left iliac wing presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and obstipation. Abdominal examination revealed a tender, distended abdominal area with swelling on the left hip. Radiological examination revealed bowel obstruction at the previous surgery site. During surgery, an incisional hernia was confirmed, and the bowel was found viable. Incisional hernias can occur even many years after primary surgery and may remain asymptomatic until complications arise. Elective hernial repair is recommended in some cases, such as the one presented here, as complications can be fatal.

2.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0298286, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38743674

ABSTRACT

Precision medicine endeavors to personalize treatments, considering individual variations in patient responses based on factors like genetic mutations, age, and diet. Integrating this approach dynamically, bioelectronics equipped with real-time sensing and intelligent actuation present a promising avenue. Devices such as ion pumps hold potential for precise therapeutic drug delivery, a pivotal aspect of effective precision medicine. However, implementing bioelectronic devices in precision medicine encounters formidable challenges. Variability in device performance due to fabrication inconsistencies and operational limitations, including voltage saturation, presents significant hurdles. To address this, closed-loop control with adaptive capabilities and explicit handling of saturation becomes imperative. Our research introduces an enhanced sliding mode controller capable of managing saturation, adept at satisfactory control actions amidst model uncertainties. To evaluate the controller's effectiveness, we conducted in silico experiments using an extended mathematical model of the proton pump. Subsequently, we compared the performance of our developed controller with classical Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) and machine learning (ML)-based controllers. Furthermore, in vitro experiments assessed the controller's efficacy using various reference signals for controlled Fluoxetine delivery. These experiments showcased consistent performance across diverse input signals, maintaining the current value near the reference with a relative error of less than 7% in all trials. Our findings underscore the potential of the developed controller to address challenges in bioelectronic device implementation, offering reliable precision in drug delivery strategies within the realm of precision medicine.


Subject(s)
Precision Medicine , Humans , Precision Medicine/methods , Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation , Feedback , Machine Learning , Computer Simulation
3.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 16(22): 28938-28948, 2024 Jun 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38780164

ABSTRACT

In the domain of organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs), simultaneous transport and coupling of ionic and electronic charges are crucial for the function of electrochemical devices in organic electronics. Understanding conduction mechanisms and chemical reactions in operational devices is pivotal for performance enhancement and is necessary for the informed and systematic development of more promising materials. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a potent tool for monitoring electrochemical evolution and dynamic doping in operational devices, offering enhanced sensitivity to subtle spectral changes. We demonstrate the utility of SERS for in situ tracking of doping in OMIECs in an organic light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) containing a conjugated polymer (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]; MEH-PPV), a molecular anion (lithium triflate), and an electrolyte network (poly(ethylene oxide); PEO). SERS enhancement is achieved via an interleaved layer of gold particles formed by spontaneous breakup of a deposited thin gold film. The results successfully highlight the ability of SERS to unveil time-resolved MEH-PPV doping and polaron formation, elucidating the effects of triflate ion transfer in the operating device and validating the electrochemical doping model in LECs.

4.
Neurosurg Rev ; 47(1): 162, 2024 Apr 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38627254

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the primary treatment for chronic subdural hematoma, and anesthesia significantly impacts the surgery's outcomes. A previous systematic review compared general anesthesia to local anesthesia in 319 patients. Our study builds upon this research, analyzing 4,367 cases to provide updated and rigorous evidence. METHODS: We systematically searched five electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid Medline, and Web of Science, to identify eligible comparative studies. All studies published until September 2023 were included in our analysis. We compared six primary outcomes between the two groups using Review Manager Software. RESULTS: Eighteen studies involving a total of 4,367 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis revealed no significant difference between the two techniques in terms of 'recurrence rate' (OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.78 to 1.15], P = 0.59), 'mortality rate' (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.55 to 1.88], P = 0.96), and 'reoperation rate' (OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.5 to 1.79], P = 0.87). Local anesthesia demonstrated superiority with a lower 'complications rate' than general anesthesia, as the latter had almost 2.4 times higher odds of experiencing complications (OR = 2.4, 95% CI [1.81 to 3.17], P < 0.00001). Additionally, local anesthesia was associated with a shorter 'length of hospital stay' (SMD = 1.19, 95% CI [1.06 to 1.32], P < 0.00001) and a reduced 'duration of surgery' (SMD = 0.94, 95% CI [0.67 to 1.2], P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Surgery for chronic subdural hematoma under local anesthesia results in fewer complications, a shorter length of hospital stay, and a shorter duration of the operation.


Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Local , Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic , Humans , Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic/surgery , Anesthesia, General , Reoperation , Treatment Outcome
5.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(17): e2315018121, 2024 Apr 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38625940

ABSTRACT

Heterotrimeric G proteins can be regulated by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitylation. KCTD5, a pentameric substrate receptor protein consisting of an N-terminal BTB domain and a C-terminal domain, engages CUL3 to form the central scaffold of a cullin-RING E3 ligase complex (CRL3KCTD5) that ubiquitylates Gßγ and reduces Gßγ protein levels in cells. The cryo-EM structure of a 5:5:5 KCTD5/CUL3NTD/Gß1γ2 assembly reveals a highly dynamic complex with rotations of over 60° between the KCTD5BTB/CUL3NTD and KCTD5CTD/Gßγ moieties of the structure. CRL3KCTD5 engages the E3 ligase ARIH1 to ubiquitylate Gßγ in an E3-E3 superassembly, and extension of the structure to include full-length CUL3 with RBX1 and an ARIH1~ubiquitin conjugate reveals that some conformational states position the ARIH1~ubiquitin thioester bond to within 10 Å of lysine-23 of Gß and likely represent priming complexes. Most previously described CRL/substrate structures have consisted of monovalent complexes and have involved flexible peptide substrates. The structure of the KCTD5/CUL3NTD/Gßγ complex shows that the oligomerization of a substrate receptor can generate a polyvalent E3 ligase complex and that the internal dynamics of the substrate receptor can position a structured target for ubiquitylation in a CRL3 complex.


Subject(s)
Carrier Proteins , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases , Protein Binding , Ubiquitination , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Ubiquitin/metabolism , Cullin Proteins/genetics , Cullin Proteins/metabolism
6.
Chemosphere ; 357: 142046, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38636913

ABSTRACT

Human and environmental ecosystem beings are exposed to multicomponent compound mixtures but the toxicity nature of compound mixtures is not alike to the individual chemicals. This work introduces four models for the prediction of the negative logarithm of median effective concentration (pEC50) of individual chemicals to marine bacteria Photobacterium Phosphoreum (P. Phosphoreum) and algal test species Selenastrum Capricornutum (S. Capricornutum) as well as their mixtures to P. Phosphoreum, and S. Capricornutum. These models provide the simplest approaches for the forecast of pEC50 of some classes of organic compounds from their interpretable structural parameters. Due to the lack of adequate toxicity data for chemical mixtures, the largest available experimental data of individual chemicals (55 data) and their mixtures (99 data) are used to derive the new correlations. The models of individual chemicals are based on two simple structural parameters but chemical mixture models require further interaction terms. The new model's results are compared with the outputs of the best accessible quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) models. Various statistical parameters are done on the new and comparative complex QSAR models, which confirm the higher reliability and simplicity of the new correlations.


Subject(s)
Organic Chemicals , Photobacterium , Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship , Photobacterium/drug effects , Organic Chemicals/toxicity , Organic Chemicals/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry , Diatoms/drug effects , Toxicity Tests
7.
Helicobacter ; 29(2): e13074, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38615332

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is considered a true human pathogen for which rising drug resistance constitutes a drastic concern globally. The present study aimed to reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) to decipher the metabolic capability of H. pylori strains in response to clarithromycin and rifampicin along with identification of novel drug targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The iIT341 model of H. pylori was updated based on genome annotation data, and biochemical knowledge from literature and databases. Context-specific models were generated by integrating the transcriptomic data of clarithromycin and rifampicin resistance into the model. Flux balance analysis was employed for identifying essential genes in each strain, which were further prioritized upon being nonhomologs to humans, virulence factor analysis, druggability, and broad-spectrum analysis. Additionally, metabolic differences between sensitive and resistant strains were also investigated based on flux variability analysis and pathway enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data. RESULTS: The reconstructed GSMM was named as HpM485 model. Pathway enrichment and flux variability analyses demonstrated reduced activity in the ribosomal pathway in both clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains. Also, a significant decrease was detected in the activity of metabolic pathways of clarithromycin-resistant strain. Moreover, 23 and 16 essential genes were exclusively detected in clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains, respectively. Based on prioritization analysis, cyclopropane fatty acid synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate synthase were identified as putative drug targets in clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We present a robust and reliable metabolic model of H. pylori. This model can predict novel drug targets to combat drug resistance and explore the metabolic capability of H. pylori in various conditions.


Subject(s)
Helicobacter Infections , Helicobacter pylori , Humans , Helicobacter pylori/genetics , Clarithromycin/pharmacology , Rifampin/pharmacology , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Databases, Factual
8.
Cureus ; 16(2): e54764, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38523943

ABSTRACT

Introduction Clinical audits have become essential instruments for evaluating and improving the standard of patient care in healthcare services. While individual clinical audits focus on particular aspects of care, multiple clinical audits across various domains, specialties, or departments provide a more comprehensive understanding of clinical practice and encourage systemic improvements. Methodology This study employed a mixed-methods approach to review and assess various clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives conducted at Al-Karak Governmental Hospital in southern Jordan. The study aimed to identify obstacles and possibilities of conducting clinical audits and provide suggestions for enhancing audit procedures and results. Data were collected from both retrospective and prospective sources and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The study comprised 11 audits conducted in three medical departments, namely surgery, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), and pediatrics, with a total of 618 participants. The improvements in adherence to guidelines after the second loop of all the audits were significant and showed significant improvements in adherence to guidelines, demonstrating the efficacy of clinical audits in improving clinical practice and outcomes. Conclusions Clinical audits are essential for maintaining and improving quality and safety in healthcare services, particularly in developing nations where emergency obstetric care is lacking. Multiple clinical audits provide a comprehensive understanding of clinical practice and encourage systemic improvements. The findings of our study suggest that clinical audits can lead to significant improvements in adherence to guidelines and better clinical outcomes. Future research should focus on identifying best practices for conducting clinical audits and evaluating their long-term viability and expandability.

9.
Adv Biomed Res ; 13: 13, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38525393

ABSTRACT

Background: The present study aimed at comparing the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and initiation of intubation with either direct or video-assisted laryngoscopy. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 90 pregnant women candidates for cesarean section under general anesthesia. The participants were divided into two groups. In the first group, intubation was performed using direct Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL group). The second group underwent intubation using the GlideScope video laryngoscope (GSL group). Then, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), the percentage of the saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), the time-to-intubation (TTI), and the number of intubation attempts were recorded. Results: SBP, DBP, and MAP in the MCL group were significantly higher than GSL group 1, 3, and 5 min after laryngoscopy (P < 0.05). HR in the MCL group with the mean of 118.44 ± 15.53 bpm was significantly higher than that the GSL group with the mean of 110.11 ± 16.68 bpm only 3 min after laryngoscopy (P = 0.016). The TTI in the MCL group was significantly longer than that of the GSL group (12.80 ± 1.86 vs. 10.15 ± 2.61; P = 0.001). The frequency of the first intubation attempt in the GSL group with 91.1% was significantly higher than that the MCL group with 84.4% (P = 0.003). Conclusion: It seems that the GSL technique is a better choice to conduct laryngoscopy with more success in intubation and a higher stability of the patients' hemodynamic status.

10.
Echo Res Pract ; 11(1): 9, 2024 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38539236

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Machine learning (ML) algorithms can accurately estimate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from echocardiography, but their performance on cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: We evaluate the performance of an ML model for estimation of LVEF on cardiac POCUS compared with Level III echocardiographers' interpretation and formal echo reported LVEF. METHODS: Clinicians at a tertiary care heart failure clinic prospectively scanned 138 participants using hand-carried devices. Video data were analyzed offline by an ML model for LVEF. We compared the ML model's performance with Level III echocardiographers' interpretation and echo reported LVEF. RESULTS: There were 138 participants scanned, yielding 1257 videos. The ML model generated LVEF predictions on 341 videos. We observed a good intraclass correlation (ICC) between the ML model's predictions and the reference standards (ICC = 0.77-0.84). When comparing LVEF estimates for randomized single POCUS videos, the ICC between the ML model and Level III echocardiographers' estimates was 0.772, and it was 0.778 for videos where quantitative LVEF was feasible. When the Level III echocardiographer reviewed all POCUS videos for a participant, the ICC improved to 0.794 and 0.843 when only accounting for studies that could be segmented. The ML model's LVEF estimates also correlated well with LVEF derived from formal echocardiogram reports (ICC = 0.798). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that clinician-driven cardiac POCUS produces ML model LVEF estimates that correlate well with expert interpretation and echo reported LVEF.

11.
Structure ; 2024 Mar 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38531363

ABSTRACT

GCN2 is a stress response kinase that phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eIF2α to inhibit general protein synthesis when activated by uncharged tRNA and stalled ribosomes. The presence of a HisRS-like domain in GCN2, normally associated with tRNA aminoacylation, led to the hypothesis that eIF2α kinase activity is regulated by the direct binding of this domain to uncharged tRNA. Here we solved the structure of the HisRS-like domain in the context of full-length GCN2 by cryoEM. Structure and function analysis shows the HisRS-like domain of GCN2 has lost histidine and ATP binding but retains tRNA binding abilities. Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, site-directed mutagenesis and computational docking experiments support a tRNA binding model that is partially shifted from that employed by bona fide HisRS enzymes. These results demonstrate that the HisRS-like domain of GCN2 is a pseudoenzyme and advance our understanding of GCN2 regulation and function.

12.
J Cosmet Dermatol ; 23(6): 2220-2230, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38470079

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder caused by the selective degradation of melanocytes. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of microneedling with and without N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in patients with persistent and limited vitiligo. METHOD: This research employed a clinical trial design with double-blind randomization. Individuals affected by vitiligo and seeking treatment at Rasool Akram Medical Complex were divided into two separate treatment groups. In the intervention group, 24 affected areas underwent meso-microneedling using 5% NAC ampoules over six sessions, in addition to the application of 4.7% NAC cream once daily on the specified area. Conversely, the control group, consisting of 22 lesions, underwent microneedling using distilled water during six sessions. The severity of lesions and the extent of repigmentation were gauged using the Modified VETI Score. Assessment of treatment efficacy was determined through both physician evaluations and patient feedback. RESULTS: Twenty patients with a mean age of 36.4 years were recruited. The mean percentage of lesions and their intensity were significantly improved 2 weeks after the third session and 1 month after the end of the treatment (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups. Gender, age, family history, duration of disease, duration of disease stability, and history of hypothyroidism had no statistically significant relationship with patients' treatment outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Microneedling with or without the application of NAC appears to be an effective treatment option for persistent vitiligo lesions. However, despite the higher improvement rate with the application of NAC, the difference was not significant.


Subject(s)
Acetylcysteine , Vitiligo , Humans , Vitiligo/therapy , Vitiligo/drug therapy , Acetylcysteine/administration & dosage , Acetylcysteine/adverse effects , Acetylcysteine/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method , Female , Adult , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome , Combined Modality Therapy/adverse effects , Combined Modality Therapy/methods , Young Adult , Severity of Illness Index , Dry Needling/adverse effects , Dry Needling/methods , Needles/adverse effects , Adolescent , Skin Pigmentation/drug effects
13.
Appl Clin Inform ; 15(2): 342-356, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38508581

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Standardizing and formalizing consent processes and forms can prevent ambiguities, convey a more precise meaning, and support machine interpretation of consent terms. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to introduce a systematic approach to standardizing and digitizing pediatric consent forms, which are complex due to legal requirements for child and legal guardian involvement. METHODS: First, we reviewed the consent requirements from the Arizona regulation, and we used 21 pediatric treatment consents from five Arizona health care organizations to propose and evaluate an implementation-agnostic Consent for Treatment Framework. Second, we assessed the adequacy of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to support the proposed framework. RESULTS: The resulting Consent for Treatment Framework supports compliance with the state consent requirements and has been validated with pediatric consent forms. We also demonstrated that the FHIR standard has the required expressiveness to compute the framework's specifications and express the 21 consent forms. CONCLUSION: Health care organizations can apply the shared open-source code and FHIR implementation guidelines to standardize the design of machine-interpretable pediatric treatment consent forms. The resulting FHIR-based executable models may support compliance with the law and support interoperability and data sharing.


Subject(s)
Informed Consent , Humans , Child , Health Information Interoperability , Pediatrics , Consent Forms , Arizona
14.
BMC Pediatr ; 24(1): 179, 2024 Mar 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38481221

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In April 2020, an association between multisystem inflammatory syndromes (MIS-C) was observed in children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2). Most patients had heart involvement alone, and most patients had pericardial effusion. This study aimed to express and emphasize cardiac involvement in pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms who were diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: This study was conducted in July 2021 in Kerman province, Southeastern Iran, during a notable surge in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. The study included 904 pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Data collection involved a comprehensive assessment of clinical symptoms and manifestations. Patients with fever lasting more than five days were admitted to the hospital. Echocardiography was utilized for cardiac involvement diagnosis, with 47 patients undergoing this diagnostic procedure. RESULTS: Of the 904 patients, most of them had high fevers (74%). Fifty-five patients had a fever for more than five days and were hospitalized. Of the 47 patients who underwent echocardiography, 45 (81%) had heart involvement. In 75% of patients, pericardial effusion was the only cardiac involvement. Patients with pericardial effusion were treated with dexamethasone up to 3 mg every 8 h for 72 h. CONCLUSIONS: MIS-C has a wide range of clinical symptoms. In cases where the fever is prolonged and there are gastrointestinal symptoms, physicians have clinical suspicion to diagnose this syndrome. Most cases of pericardial effusion are alone and improve with treatment with glucocorticosteroids.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , Pericardial Effusion , Child , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Iran/epidemiology , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/diagnosis , Fever/etiology
15.
Clin Med Insights Case Rep ; 17: 11795476241237350, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38463136

ABSTRACT

Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Erosive LP is a chronic and difficult-to-treat subtype of lichen planus, characterized by lesions on mucosal surfaces, particularly in the oral and genital areas. The prevalence of erosive LP has not been determined. To date, treatment has consisted of surgical intervention, photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and systemic or topical drugs, including steroids and immunomodulatory agents. LP usually need longer periods of treatment and are known as precancerous lesions with a 0.4% to 12% conversion rate. In addition, nearly 25% of patients who develop erosive LP of the vulva are resistant to topical corticosteroids, which are the first choice of treatment. This study reports 6 cases with a mean age of 3.33 years, who were diagnosed with erosive LP lesions and previously failed in treatment with local, intralesional, and systemic steroids, and hydroxychloroquine. These patients were then treated with 10 mg of tofacitinib per day. Interestingly, with the new treatment, the patients' mean overall satisfaction score was 9.16 out of 10 (range: 8-10), the mean pain relief score was 9.16 out of 10 (range: 9-10) and patients' symptom improvement also began an average of 1.33 months after starting treatment (range: 1-2.5 months).

16.
Heliyon ; 10(4): e26412, 2024 Feb 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38404877

ABSTRACT

The world is confronting a severe water crisis. To clean up water from heavy metals, microorganisms, chemicals, and other types of pollutants, nanocomposites have been receiving great attention specifically due to the high surface area affording to work effectually even at low concentrations. In this research, we synthesized a new amino acid-modified MoS2 nanocomposite by chemically immobilizing Mn (II). The synthesized absorbent MoS2-COOH/gly/Mn was identified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), analysis of energy dispersive X-ray mapping (EDAX and MAP), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The nanocomposite was employed as an adsorbent through the solid phase microextraction (SPME) method while trifluralin herbicide was chosen as a model compound. For the monitoring of trifluralin molecules, we employed an ion mobility spectrometry apparatus featuring a corona discharge ionization source. The SPME method's effectiveness was examined by investigating the stirring rate and extraction time as two crucial parameters, aiming to achieve trace analysis of trifluralin. Under the optimized condition of the trifluralin extraction, the coefficient (R2) and linear dynamic range (LDR) correlation were obtained at 0.9961 and 0.5-10 µg L-1, respectively. Relative recovery values the described approach were obtained in the span of 96-97% for agricultural wastewater samples. The quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) were calculated at 0.5 and 0.15 µg L-1, respectively. The proposed nanocomposite absorbent has the capability to be applied as an efficient material for the extraction of trifluralin herbicide from different solutions.

17.
Braz J Infect Dis ; 28(1): 103724, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38365183

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a devastating impact on the global population, with an estimated 650 million people infected and more than 6.6 million lives lost. Asymptomatic individuals have been shown to play a significant role in the transmission of the virus. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and compare the prevalence of asymptomatic individuals across three waves associated with the Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants of the virus. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between December 2020 and March 2022. The study population consisted of passengers on international flights who were referred to the Gerash Clinical and Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory. Real-time PCR was employed for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Out of a total of 8592 foreign travelers referred to our laboratory, 139 (1.16 %) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and were asymptomatic. During the Beta surge, 35 (1.49 %) out of 2335 passengers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the Delta surge, 31 (0.6 %) out of 5127 passengers tested positive. However, during the Omicron surge, a significantly higher number of passengers, specifically 73 (6.46 %) out of 1130, had a positive result for the SARS-CoV-2 test. CONCLUSION: Considering the significant role of asymptomatic transmission in the spread of COVID-19, it is imperative to reconsider health policies when dealing with future surges of the Omicron subvariants. Additionally, we strongly recommend that the World Health Organization prioritize the development and distribution of second-generation vaccines that target not only disease but also infection prevention.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Asymptomatic Infections/epidemiology , Pandemics , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies
18.
BMC Nurs ; 23(1): 67, 2024 Jan 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38267940

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance in healthcare services. Sleep disorders not only have detrimental effects on the health of healthcare students but also significantly impair their performance, leading to an increased risk of medication errors. These errors can pose a grave threat to the safety and well-being of patients. It is crucial to address and mitigate sleep disorders among internship healthcare students to safeguard the quality of care and minimize potential patient harm. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the predictors of Patient Safety Competency (PSC) based on the sleep quality of internship healthcare students. METHODS: A study was conducted on 331 students from the Ardabil School of Nursing and Midwifery at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in northwest Iran from August to December 2022. The participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0. Person correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between PSC level, its dimensions, and sleep quality, while multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the predictors of PSC. RESULTS: The competency of nurses in patient safety was average in both classroom and clinical settings. However, their ability to work as a team with other healthcare professionals scored the lowest. In addition, the quality of sleep was found to be a predictor of patient safety competency among healthcare students during their internships. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to note that healthcare students tend to have moderate patient safety competence (PSC), which is positively correlated with their sleep quality. Therefore, it is vital to identify the key factors that directly affect PSC. This would enable nursing and midwifery faculty administrators to take preventive measures to enhance patient safety competence in both classroom and clinical settings. Additionally, organizing educational workshops that engage students and improve their sleep quality could improve patient care. Practical courses are recommended for health professionals and students in clinical settings to enhance patient safety competencies. Additionally, student internships should receive hands-on training to improve teamwork and rest conditions.

19.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 18, 2024 01 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38166862

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Eating behavior is an essential aspect of life that can have long-term effects on health outcomes. Nutrition literacy is crucial for better health and well-being. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their nutrition and take control of their eating habits. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship between nutritional literacy and eating behavior among nursing students at the nursing faculties of Ardabil University of medical sciences. METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Ardabil province, northwest Iran. The study collected data through simple random sampling at nursing schools in Ardabil province, with 224 nursing students participating. The study collected data from a demographic information form, the nutritional literacy self-assessment questionnaire for students (NL-SF12), and the adult eating behavior questionnaire (AEBQ). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 14.0 software. RESULTS: Based on the results, nutritional literacy explains 44% of the variance in eating behavior and shows significant explanatory power in two sub-scales of eating behavior. The adjusted R2 values for food approach and food avoidance scales were 0.33 and 0.27, respectively. CONCLUSION: Given the significant relationship between nutritional literacy and eating behaviors among nursing students, nursing faculty managers and health policymakers should develop new public health strategies to increase nutritional literacy among nursing students.


Subject(s)
Health Literacy , Students, Nursing , Adult , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Nutritional Status , Feeding Behavior , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Literacy/methods
20.
Behav Brain Res ; 461: 114856, 2024 Mar 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38199318

ABSTRACT

AIM: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy is a frequently observed consequence of sepsis, often resulting in chronic brain inflammation and injury, ultimately leading to a range of behavioral abnormalities. This study explores the potential preventive effects of minocycline on the long-lasting outcome of sepsis in a mice model of sepsis. METHODS: Adult male C57 mice were subjected to experimental sepsis through a single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Minocycline administration via oral gavage (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) commenced three days before sepsis induction and continued on the day of induction. Mice underwent behavioral assessments one month post-sepsis, with subsequent brain tissue analysis to investigate oxidative stress markers and cholinergic function. KEY FINDINGS: One month following sepsis induction, mice exhibited significant anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors as determined by assessments in the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field, and tail suspension test (TST). Additionally, they displayed impaired recognition memory in the novel object recognition (NOR) test. Brain tissue analysis revealed a notable increase in oxidative stress markers and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in septic mice. Notably, minocycline treatment effectively mitigated the long-term behavioral abnormalities resulting from sepsis, attenuated oxidative stress markers, and reduced AChE activity. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings underscore the potential of minocycline as a therapeutic intervention during sepsis induction to prevent the enduring behavioral and neurological consequences of experimental sepsis.


Subject(s)
Minocycline , Sepsis , Mice , Male , Animals , Minocycline/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase , Brain , Sepsis/complications , Sepsis/drug therapy , Anxiety/drug therapy , Inflammation/drug therapy
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