Thursday, November 8, 2018

How do Catalan #Nurses See the Continuity of #Care? by Reig Garcia G in BJSTR

Abstract

The Health System of the autonomous region of Catalonia (Spain) involves four main actors: the Catalan Department of Health (DoH); the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut); #health providers; and citizens. The DoH is in charge of establishing health policies and maintaining levels of quality in provision of health services by setting out a health plan, distributing the healthcare budget, and accrediting #healthcare providers. The CatSalut is the public insurer that is responsible for planning, purchasing, and assessing health services according to the population’s needs. The CatSalut establishes service policies in line with the health policies defined by the DoH. The Catalan territory is divided into seven health regions. Each region is structured in health sectors which bring together the so-called Basic Health Areas formed by districts in #urbanareas, or one or more #municipalities in rural areas. The health providers are the organisations with which the CatSalut enters into multiannual contracts the provision of care services.




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The Relationship between Quality of Life and #Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and #Pain, Sleep Quality, Mood and Fatigue by Gönül Vural in BJSTR

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the quality of life in multiple #sclerosis (MS) patients and investigate the relationship between pain, sleep quality, fatigue and mood #disorders with disability and quality of life.
Material and metods: 50 MS patients and 50 healthy volunteers participated in this study. The Expanded #Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), SF-36 quality of life scale, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) were used.
Results: The SF-36 scores were significantly lower, andthe BDI, FIS and PSQI score swere significantly higher in the MS #patients when compared to the healthy volunteers. The results showed that fatigue, #depressivemoods, impaired sleep quality and severity of pain had a significant effect on quality of life. The increments in the EDSS scores were correlated with fatigue and depressive moods, while no such correlation was shown with sleep disorder orseverity of pain.




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The Deletion #Polymorphism in Exon 8 of Uncoupling Protein 2 is Associated with Severe #Obesity in a Saudi Arabian Case-Control Study by Yahia A Kaabi in BJSTR

Abstract

Objective: To establish whether 45-bp insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms in Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) are associated with moderate and/or severe obesity in a Saudi Arabian population.
Methods: The study enrolled 151 (male and female) subjects originating from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, and assigned each to either a ‘non-obese’, ‘moderately obese,’ or ‘severely obese’ group. Genomic #DNA was extracted from all subjects, and screened for UCP2 insertion/deletion #polymorphisms using a standard PCR protocol.
Results: The overall frequencies of the UCP2 45-bp insertion/deletion #genotypes D/D, I/D, and I/I within the analyzed population were 58.3%, 36.4%, and 5.3% respectively. The D/D genotype was highly prevalent within the severely obese group (82.9 %) compared to the non-obese (46.2%) and moderately obese (53.3%) groups. Using a dominance model, the conducted logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between the insertion allele and moderate obesity (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.35–1.59, P = 0.585); however, in contrast, a strong association was found between the deletion allele and severe obesity (OR= 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07–0.44, P = 0.0004).
Conclusion: The present study reported the frequency of the UCP2 45-bp insertion/deletion polymorphisms in a population originating from eastern Saudi Arabia, and furthermore, identified a strong association between the D/D genotype and severe #obesity in this population.




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#FootPain, Function and Plantar Pressure Distribution in #Rheumatoid Patients Wearing Insoles an Observational Study by Eduardo de Paiva Magalhaes in BJSTR

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of insoles in rheumatoid foot reducing pain, improving function and mean peak pressure.
Methods: This was an observational study. 27 patients with foot pain, referred to #Orthoses and Prostheses Unit of Unicamp were assessed regarding #foot pain, #footdeformity, disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire – HAQ-DI) and disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index – CDAI). Foot orthoses were prescribed according to each patient’s needs aiming to reduce pain, improve function and reduce the mean peak plantar pressures. The Foot Function Index (FFI) and the #pedobarography (FSCAN system) were assessed at base line and after two weeks of intervention.
Results: FFI values decreased in all subscales (pain, disability and activity limitation) with orthoses. No significant difference was noted in the plantar pressure. CDAI and HAQ-DI were associated with FFI but not with plantar pressure. Orthoses were worn on average for was 7.08 hours-day. Minor adverse effects were noted in 7 patients, none of them resulting in treatment interruption.




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Effect of Pulse Beetle, #Callosobruchus Chinensis L on Oviposition and Damage in Some Important #Genotypes of Pulse Crops in Bangladesh by Hyat Mahmud in BJSTR

Abstract

Reaction of pulse beetle, #Callosobruchuschinensis L. to 20 genotypes of pulses belonging to lentil (#Lens culinaris Medik.), mungbean (Vigna radiata (L) R. Wilczek), chickpea (#Cicer arietinum L.) and blackgram (#Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) was evaluated in no choice test in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, #Mymensingh for observing the number of eggs deposition on seeds and percentage of damage of seed. Highest (73.1) number of eggs was laid on chickpea, while the lowest (19.5) was in blackgram. The results revealed that all the genotypes of chickpea were found to have highly susceptible to pulse beetle and blackgram #genotypes were least susceptible. The susceptibility of lentil and mungbean were observed intermediate. Maximum (24.4%) of seed damage was observed on chickpea and the minimum (6-9%) was recorded in blackgram. Except blackgram, all the tested genotypes of chickpea, lentil and mungbean differed significantly for their susceptibility to the pulse beetle. The genotypes ML-22 of lentil, MC-21 of mungbean, Hyprosola of chickpea and MAK–1-79 of blackgram were marked least susceptible in comparison with the tested genotypes of respective pulse species. Seed surface smoothness, seed coat thickness and chemical stimuli influenced on the oviposition and damage of pulses by the pulse beetle.




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Promoting Precision #Addiction Management (PAM) to Combat the Global #Opioid Crisis by Kenneth Blum in BJSTR

Abstract

It is universally agreed that dopamine is a major #neurotransmitter in terms of reward dependence, however, there remains controversy regarding how to modulate its role clinically to treat and prevent relapse for both substance and non-substance-related #addictivebehaviors. It is also agreed by most that there is a need to provide early genetic identification possibly through a novel researched technology referred to Genetic Addiction Risk Score(GARS).™ The existing #FDA-approved medications promote blocking dopamine, however, we argue that a more prudent paradigm shift should be biphasic-short-term blockade and long-term upregulation, enhancing functional connectivity of brain reward. It is critical to understand that the real phenotype is not any specific drug or non –drug addictive behavior, but instead is Reward Deficiency #Syndrome (RDS). Thus the true phenotype of all addictive behaviors is indeed RDS. Finally, we are suggesting that one way to combat the current out of control Opioid /Alcohol crisis worldwide is to seriously reconsider treating RDS by simply supplying powerful narcotic agents (e.g. #Buprenorphine). This type of treatment will only keep people addicted. A more reasonable solution involving genetic testing, urine drug screens using Comprehensive Analysis of Reported Drugs (CARD) and dopamine homeostasis we call “ Precision Addiction Management” ™ seems parsonomiuos.




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Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The Eternal Battle between Microbes and Humans by Mostafa FN Abushahba in BJSTR

Abstract

In 1950s, practitioners believed that the age-old battle of mankind with microbes was finally stopped. Shortly thereafter that concept has been completely changed following the occurrence of major outbreaks caused either by new pathogens or traditional resurging agents with a potential global spread [1]. Depending on their evolutionary dynamics, the ability of #microorganisms to cause diseases is rapidly changing and increasing over time [2]. One potential example is the pathogens of animal origin (i.e. zoonotic diseases) that have accounted for more than two thirds among of emerging human infections, and therefore constitute a serious human health hazard [3,4]. Disease emergence involves the appearance of new pathogens as well as re-emergence of already known ones [5]. The transfer of diseases to humans from #foodanimals is a particular problem and the situation is aggravated by the spread of pathogens carrying resistomes (i.e. antimicrobial resistant genes) such as #Salmonella, E. coli and #Staphylococcusaureus in food-producing animals owing to the overuse of antimicrobials which present a public health risk by the transfer of such resistant #pathogens eventually to humans [6,7].




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Perinatal Outcome in Term Pregnancies with #Meconium Stained #AmnioticFluid in Two Referral Hospitals of Yaoundé- Cameroon by Edmond Nzene Mesumbe in BJSTR

Abstract

Background: #Meconiumstainedamnioticfluid (MSAF) is frequent in obstetric and neonatal practice. It is responsible for maternal, foetal and neonatal complications. The objective of this study was to determine the association of MSAF with perinatal outcome.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study targeting pregnant women admitted in the labour wards of the maternity services of the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH) and the #Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital of Yaoundé (GOPHY). It was conducted during a 5 month period, from 1st December 2014 to 30thApril 2015. A total of 426 Women with singleton deliveries at term with cephalic presentation were included in the study. They were classified in exposed, for those with MSAF and non-exposed, for those with clear amniotic fluid (CAF). The two groups were followed up during labour and 72 hours following delivery. Mode of delivery, #foetal heart rate, Apgar score at the 1st and 5th minute, the unset of meconium aspiration syndrome and neonatal death were recorded.




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#Inhibition of CK1 affects Viability and Survival of #GlioblastomaCells by Joachim Bischof in BJSTR

Abstract

#Glioblastomamultiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary brain tumor with an inevitable fatal outcome. However, the complex network of #dysregulatedpathways in #glioblastoma development and progression remains to be poorly understood. Consequently, novel approaches for the treatment of glioblastoma are seriously needed and the search for new target molecules for #pharmacologicinterventionis in the focus of research. Since it is known that CK1 isoforms are involved in Wnt/β-catenin and sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathways, which are often dysregulated in glioblastoma cells, inhibition of CK1 isoforms might hold therapeutic potential. Therefore, two previously characterized CK1 isoform-selective #difluoro-dioxolo-benzoimidazole derivatives were investigated on their effects on the viability of glioblastoma cell lines. Compound 2 showed major effects on the tested cells with EC50 values below 100 nM in most of the analyzed #glioblastomacell lines. Cell cycle analyses underlined the observation that compound 2 is most effective since treatment with compound 2 induced cell death in up to 57% of the analyzed cells. In conclusion, our data point to a high therapeutic potential of CK1 isoform-selective inhibitors for the treatment of glioblastoma.




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How to Approach the Patient with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Cha2ds2-Vasc Score of 1 by Tiago Luiz Luz Leiria in BJSTR

Abstract

#Atrialfibrillation (AF) is a public health problem. It is estimated that one in four individuals will be affected by this arrhythmia throughout their lives. AF increases the risk of stroke five times, and this event is mainly responsible for the morbidity and mortality of this #arrhythmia [1]. Oral #anticoagulation with vitamin K #antagonists (AVK), such as #warfarin and phenprocoumon, have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolic events. More recently, the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have also proved effective for this same goal. In this paper we will review the most recent evidence on the real benefit of using oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation associated with an additional risk factor for stroke.




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Monday, November 5, 2018

#Fetal Abdominal #Cystic Lesions: Diagnosis is not so Crucial by Qiong Luo in BJSTR

Abstract

#Fetalabdominalechogeniclesions are relatively common findings during routine screening of fetal morphology, especially with the sophisticated equipment now a day’s such as highresolution ultrasound (US) and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [1]. However most of them present as round, #anechoiccystic structure with different shape, size and origins. Thus diagnosis is often imprecise, prediction of postnatal intervention is poor and consultation cannot give relief to anxious parents. Fortunately, many of these lesions may not increase additional rick to fetus or #neonate. They may resolve spontaneously in the uterus or after birth. Therefore, in most cases, expectant management is sufficient, but some still need early intervention. This article discusses some of the most common prenatally diagnosed fetal #intra-abdominalmasses, giving a brief description of the etiology, #diagnosis, management and prognosis.




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Intractable Hiccups and #Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Attributable to Brain #Tumor: A Case Report by Voranush Chongsrisawat in BJSTR

Abstract

We report a 6-year-old girl who presented with intractable hiccups and #epigastricpain. #Gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD) was confirmed by esophageal pH monitoring and EGD revealed an esophageal ulcer and erosion at distal esophagus. Treatment with high dose PPI failed to reduce hiccups. MRI of brain demonstrated enhancing infiltrative lesion involved floor of forth ventricle, posterior aspect of lower pons, entire #medulla, #cervicomedullaryjunction and extended down to dorsal portion of C7 cord. This report emphasizes brain tumor as the etiology of intractable hiccups leading to severe GERD. When encountering a patient with intractable hiccups, appropriate CNS imaging studies should be included in the evaluation protocol.




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Updated Palliative #Chemotherapy for Biliary Tract #Cancer by Jung-Hun Kang in BJSTR

Abstract

#Biliarytractcancer (BTC) is rare and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Thus, palliative treatment is usually the only option for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Many #chemotherapeuticagents have been tested. However, few #therapeuticmedications have been proven to be useful. With the recent increase in the understanding of drug resistance mechanisms and molecular features of #cancercells, possible new drugs are emerging. Herein, we discuss issues including the choice of chemotherapy and optimal chemotherapy and categorizing treatment types into #cytotoxicchemotherapy, targeted therapy, and #immunotherapy.




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Friday, November 2, 2018

Mother Cells Advances in #RegenerativeMedicine by Mirta D'Ambra in BJSTR

Abstract

Advances in #regenerativemedicine have been evident in the last years and this has been obtained due to the new knowledge related to stem cells, which use in the #replacementtherapy has given rise to a new age in medicine. To such effects, a literature review was carried out aimed at spreading its generalities and #implementations, as well as everything related to the basic investigations carried out in this field and the main achievements obtained. The possibility of expansion and differentiation of such cells, allow obtaining enough quantity of them, which helps the development of #celltherapy.




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#Leucocyte-Rich and Platelet-Rich Fibrin(L-PRF) for the Treatment of Medication-Related #Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) with Long Term Follow-up by Onur Sahin in BJSTR

Abstract

#Bisphosphonates (BPs), #antiresorptive and #antiangiogenicdrugs are used to prevent metastatic bone cancers and to treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease. Besides BPs, due to the growing number of #osteonecrosis cases associated with other antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapies, American Association of Oral and #MaxillofacialSurgeons (AAOMS) recommends changing the terminology of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) and favors the term medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in 2014. The aim of this article was to report to case of a 79-year-old male with using oral ibandronate with osteonecrosis in the left retromolar area of the mandible. The therapeutic approach consisted of debridement of te osteonecrotic area and using leucocyte-rich and #platelet-richfibrin (L-PRF) for the treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).




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#Development of a Novel Suture-less Nerve Coaptation Device by Wesley P Thayer in BJSTR

Abstract

Background: Creating a barbed sutureless #coaptationdevice will provide a simple and standardized alternative to nerve repair decreasing donor’s #morbidity.
Methods: Autodesk Fusion 360 program was used to design the prototype and was produced on a Monoprice Maker Ultimate 3D Printer. A total of 89cm of #caprine and #canine vagus nerve were harvested, trimmed at 4cm segments and divided in four groups depending on the device used or intervention: Hollow, Ridged, Sutured and Barbed. An Instron 5542 machine was used to calculate the energy at break (gf/mm).
Results: The energy at break of the Hollow group was 41.23 (±5.00) gf/mm, more than double for the Ridged: 107.024 (±29.06) gf/mm, and even higher for the Sutured: 392.69 (±66.24) gf/mm. But the Barbed group outperformed all groups with 1227.36 (250.88) gf/mm, with no #statisticalsignificance when compared the #suture group (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The Barbed device was more resistant than the other groups in maintaining the nerve in position. Our prototype has the potential to become a viable alternative to peripheral nerve repair due to its ease of application and lack of a need for #microsurgery for coaptation.
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#Scabies Prevalence and #RiskFactors in Pakistan: A Hospital Based Survey by Farhana Riaz Chaudhry in BJSTR

Abstract

In Pakistan, scabies is considered as common skin infestation but no comprehensive study is available on its #epidemiology and risk factors associated with scabies. Tendency of emergence/reemergence attributes of scabies prompted to design one year study to evaluate the epidemiological profile of #scabies infestation. Data was collected through questionnaires from patients visiting the #DermatologyClinic of the Military Hospital- Rawalpindi-Pakistan. The risk factors were analyzed through Chi square and later on processed through GLMs to see their impact on the scabies. Hospital based data revealed that scabies contribution is 38.15% among #dermatologicaldisorders. The infestation was higher in males than females (53.81 vs 24.22%; p<0.05) and early school going children were the most susceptible group for this disease (46.88%; p<0.05). The scabies was more common in urban population than rural one (46.46 vs 27.2%; p<0.05).A clear trend of seasonal pattern came on record with a highest infestation in winter (63.75%) and lowest in summer (16.89%).Analysis of risk factors explained 89% of variations in disease prevalence.The current study brought strong and influential features on record which is alarming for health professionals enforcing them to design effective control strategies and awareness campaigns to reduce scabietic infestation in human community.




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Littre #Hernia - An Occasional Cause Of Acute #Abdomen by Jurij Janež in BJSTR

Abstract

Littre hernia is the protrusion of a Meckel diverticulum through a potential #abdominalopening. It is named after a French physician and anatomist Alexis de Littre (July 17, 1654 – February 3, 1726), who reported an #ilealdiverticula and attributed them to traction [1]. Littre hernias are rare and develop more often in inguinal hernias than other types of abdominal wall #hernias. Embryologically, Meckel diverticulum is the persistent intestinal part of the #omphaloentericduct through which the midgut communicates with the umbilical vesicle until the fifth week [2]. It occurs because the remnant of the omphalomesenteric canal, which should be closed by the 7th, 8th week of gestation, does not close properly. The diverticulum can contain ectopic gastric, #duodenal or #pancreatictissue and is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract with estimates of prevalence ranging from 0.3% to 3%. Generally, it remains asymptomatic and it is manifested by its complications, the most common of which are #gastrointestinalbleeding, inflammation and obstruction [3].




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Thursday, November 1, 2018

An In-Vitro Study to Find the #Antibiotic Susceptibility of Aggregatibacter #Actinomycetocomitans to Various Antibiotics by B Manovijay in BJSTR

Abstract

Aim: Aggregatibacter #actinomycetocomitans,a gram negative facultative #anaerobiccoccobacilli is the main etiologic agent in the #pathogenesis of localized aggressive periodontitis. So considering this, the aim of the present study was to study the sensititivity of the organism to various drugs in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Microbial plaque samples from 40 patients who were diagnosed to have localized aggressive #periodontitis were cultured anaerobically to confirm Aggregatibacter actinomycetocomitans. Doycycline, amoxicillin, #kanamycin, norfloxacin, #ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, netilmycin co-trimoxazole, metronidazole, and ampicillin and cephazolin antibiotic sensitivity discs were placed in the culture plate. The plates were incubated anaerobically at 37 degree Celsius for 48 hours. At the end of the duration the plates were opened and the sensitivity of the organism to various drugs was examined.
Results: The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that the organism was found to be highly sensitive to tetracycline, #amoxicillin, metronidazole, kanamycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, #gentamycin and netilmycin. It was moderately sensitive to Co-Trimoxazole and resistant to #ampicillin and Cephazolin.




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Effects of Specific Type of #Exercises on QOL in the Elder with MCI by Seung youn Hong in BJSTR

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to identify the relationship between major exercises (aerobic, resistance, and walking) participation and the perception of problems in each dimension of the #health-related quality of life assessed by the EuroQOL (EQ-5D) in community-dwelling older adults with mild #cognitiveimpairment (MCI)
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 755 elders (mean age: 76.03+6.26, range: 65-93) with MCI (Mean MMSE 23.68+4.16) who were recruited from local senior centers. #Demographicfactors, exercise questionnaire, five EuroQOL subsets (#mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) were investigated. The independent association between each exercise and five QOL subsets were determined using odds ratios (OR) adjusted for three demographics (age, sex), using multivariate logistic analysis.
Results: Subjects with problems in mobility dimension performed less exercise of resistance exercise and walking than those with normal mobility (resistance: OR, 0.633; 95% CI: 0.457-0.877; walking: OR, 0.538; 95% CI: 0.396-0.732). Subjects with problems in self-care performed less walking than those with normal self-care (Or, 0.551; 95% CI: 0.367-0.827). Subjects with difficulties in a usual activity performed less walking than those with normal self-care (OR, 0.715; 95% CI: 0.521-0.980). Subjects with problems in anxiety/depression performed less walking than those with normal anxiety/depression (OR, 0.641; 95% CI: 0.473-0.868)




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Liver Fatty Acids Profile of Rats Fed Ketogenic Diet

  Liver Fatty Acids Profile of Rats Fed Ketogenic Diet Introduction The ketogenic diet (KD) ‒ characterized by a low carbohydrate content an...