Medical and Mental Health Comorbidities Among Minority Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States

Objective. To examine the prevalence of and the association between comorbid disorders and race/ethnicity in the United States. Methods. Using cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [N=45,207,844], we examined comorbidity of psychological distress with self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, angina, and with history of heart attack and stroke. Logistic regression was used to examine between group differences by race/ethnicity. Results. Unadjusted results indicate that American Indian [OR 4.01, 95%CI: 1.78, 9.04] and Hispanic [OR 1.55, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.33] participants were more likely to have psychological distress and history of heart attack in comparison to Whites. American Indians were more likely to have psychological distress with angina [OR 3.82, 95%CI: 1.92, 7.63], and with history of stroke [OR 4.25, 95%CI: 2.16-8.26] in unadjusted results when compared to White participants. Conclusions. Our results suggest that racial/ethnic minority groups are more likely to suffer from comorbid mental health and medical conditions, which may be a result of stress arising from discrimination and historical oppression of these populations

Study the effect of metal ion on wool fabric dyeing with tea as natural dye

AbstractAqueous extract of natural dye, tea was dyed on the wool fabric with dark brown for 2% and 5% shade. The tea containing tannins as the main colorant species to produce different shade with different mordant salts. The mordant salts Alum, CuSO4, FeSO4, ZnSO4, Na2SO4, and MgSO4 were used to dye fabric using three different dyeing methods: pre-mordanting, meta-mordanting and post-mordanting. The color of the fabric was investigated on Data Color matching system in terms of K/S and CIE Lab-color difference values. The post-mordanting method gave the great depth of shade of natural dye tea with 2% and 5% shade, it also give good light fastness and wash fastness properties. Copper was found as a good mordant to achieve the best results with transition metal ions effect. Deep shades (K/S=17.50) were obtained for original sample of 5% with color difference ΔE value is 0.17, as compare to 2% original sample of tea of light brown shades (K/S=10.50) with color difference ΔE value is 0.50 under maintained temperature at 85°C for 35min of dyeing

Outcome of proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap for coverage of soft tissue defects in leg

Objective: To review the use of proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap for exposed soft tissue defects in middle third leg. Methodology: The descriptive (retrospective) study was conducted in PakItalian Modern Burn Center, Multan from January 2014 to December 2018. Retrospective data was collected among patients where medial hemisoleus muscle flap was done. This series depicts the use of medial hemisoleus muscle flap in Patients having small to medium sized defects (ranged from 4-12 cm length and 2-8 cm width). The flap was done in most of the cases after 3 weeks. Patients having small to medium sized defects in middle third of tibia (Defect size ranged from 4-12 cm length and 2-8 cm width) were included in the study Variables of study were recipient-site issues, donor-site management, complications, and outcomes. Descriptive analysis was done. Results: Among 96 patients, 84 were males and 12 were females and their age ranged between 15-57 years. Out of 96 flaps 90 flaps survived completely, four had major flap loss and two flaps completely lost. Major complication was infections in flap followed by graft loss and haematoma. Conclusion: Proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap is a reliable flap easy to do and easy to follow.  &nbsp

Outcome of proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap for coverage of soft tissue defects in leg

Objective: To review the use of proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap for exposed soft tissue defects in middle third leg. Methodology: The descriptive (retrospective) study was conducted in PakItalian Modern Burn Center, Multan from January 2014 to December 2018. Retrospective data was collected among patients where medial hemisoleus muscle flap was done. This series depicts the use of medial hemisoleus muscle flap in Patients having small to medium sized defects (ranged from 4-12 cm length and 2-8 cm width). The flap was done in most of the cases after 3 weeks. Patients having small to medium sized defects in middle third of tibia (Defect size ranged from 4-12 cm length and 2-8 cm width) were included in the study Variables of study were recipient-site issues, donor-site management, complications, and outcomes. Descriptive analysis was done. Results: Among 96 patients, 84 were males and 12 were females and their age ranged between 15-57 years. Out of 96 flaps 90 flaps survived completely, four had major flap loss and two flaps completely lost. Major complication was infections in flap followed by graft loss and haematoma. Conclusion: Proximally based medial hemisoleus muscle flap is a reliable flap easy to do and easy to follow.  &nbsp

Transfusion transmitted malaria in three major blood banks of Peshawar, Pakistan

Malaria is one of the most important transfusion associated infections in many parts of the world, particularly the developing countries where it is endemic. This study estimates the risk of acquiring malaria from a single unit of blood in North of Pakistan. A prospective study was conducted to investigate transfusion transmitted malaria in three major blood banks of Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 1558 (1534 males and 24 females) healthy volunteer blood donors were screened for the presence of malarial parasites in thick and thin smears using microscopy. Nine donors (0.577%) were found positive for malarial parasite, with trophozoites and gametocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum (1) and Plasmodium vivax (8). Majority of the donors (82.09%) belonged to age group 15 - 30 years. Donors who suffered from malaria in recent years were 28 in number and 3 of them were found positive for malaria in the present study. The results of the present study indicated that transfusion transmitted malaria is a risk in malaria endemic regions like Pakistan. Further research on this aspect using more sophisticated and advanced diagnostic techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are required for proper assessment of actual situation and control of transfusion transmitted malaria in Pakistan.Keywords: Transfusion, malaria, blood-borne infections, screening, microscopy, blood banksAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5445-5449, 16 August, 201

Effect of Natural and Artificial Diets on the Life History Parameters of Melon Fruit Fly Bactrocera Cucurbitae (Coquillett)

Fruit flies are the noxious pests of fruits and vegetables throughout out the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae is a polyphagous pest of vegetables and fruits. We evaluated the effect of natural bottle gourd, (Lagenaria siceraria) and artificial diets on the life history parameters of B. cucurbitae under lab conditions. Results revealed that shortest incubation period (3.0 ± 0.54) was observed on natural diet whereas; lowest hatching % (12.4 ± 2.11) was observed on blotting papers. However, reduced larval duration (5.6 ± 0.24) was observed when maggots were provided with bottle gourd as compared with artificial diet (6.6 ± 0.24). Furthermore, significantly (p < 0.05) higher pupal recovery, pupal duration and adult emergence were recorded on natural diet. In contrast, statistically higher pupal weight (p < 0.05) was observed on artificial diet. In addition, number of deformed adults was higher in natural diet as compared to artificial diet. These findings could be helpful in defining more optimum conditions for the mass rearing of B.cucurbitae for use in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), programmes for various orchards. Key words: Natural diet, Artificial diet, Incubation period of B. cucurbitae.

Public involvement and engagement in big data research: protocol for a scoping review and a systematic review of delivery and effectiveness of strategies for involvement and engagement

INTRODUCTION: Big data research has grown considerably over the last two decades. This presents new ethical challenges around consent, data storage and anonymisation. Big data research projects require public support to succeed and it has been argued that one way to achieve this is through public involvement and engagement. To better understand the role public involvement and engagement can play in big data research, we will review the current literature. This protocol describes the planned review methods. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our review will be conducted in two stages. In the first stage, we will conduct a scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley methodology to comprehensively map current evidence on public involvement and engagement in big data research. Databases (CINAHL, Health Research Premium Collection, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) and grey literature will be searched for eligible papers. We provide a narrative description of the results based on a thematic analysis. In the second stage, out of papers found in the scoping review which discuss involvement and engagement strategies, we will conduct a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, exploring the delivery and effectiveness of these strategies. We will conduct a qualitative synthesis. Relevant results from the quantitative studies will be extracted and placed under qualitative themes. Individual studies will be appraised through Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), we will then assess the overall confidence in each finding through Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual). Results will be reported in a thematic and narrative way. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol sets out how the review will be conducted to ensure rigour and transparency. Public advisors were involved in its development. Ethics approval is not required. Review findings will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals

Confirmation of root-knot nematode resistant gene Rmi1 using SSR markers

Background: The Root Knot Nematode (RKN) is a serious economic threat to various cultivated crops worldwide. It is a devastating pest of soybean and responsible to cause severe yield loss in Pakistan. The cultivation of resistant soybean varieties against this pest is the sustainable strategy to manage the heavy loss and increase yield. There is an utmost need to identify RKN resistant varieties of soybean against cultivated in Pakistan. The presented study is an attempt to identify and confirm the presence of resistant gene Rmi1 in soybean. Method: Molecular studies have been done using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker system to identify resistant soybean varieties against Root Knot Nematode (RKN) using fifteen (15) indigenous cultivars and four (4) US cultivars. DNA was isolated, purified, quantified and then used to employ various SSR markers. The amplified product is observed using gel documentation system after electrophoresis.  Results: Diagnostic SSR markers Satt-358 and Satt-492 have shown the presence of Rmi1 gene in all resistance carrying genotypes. Satt-358 amplified the fragment of 200 bp and Satt-492 generated 232 bp bands in all resistant genotypes. This study confirmed the Rmi gene locus (G248A-1) in all internationally confirmed resistant including six (6) native varieties.Conclusion: These investigations have identified six (6) resistant cultivars revealing the effective and informative sources that can be utilized in breeding programs for the selection of RKN resistance soybean genotypes in Pakistan.

Public involvement and engagement in big data research: A scoping review

Objectives Public involvement and engagement have been suggested as a way to establish public support for big data research, yet there has been no review exploring how these activities could facilitate this. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to explore public involvement and engagement in big data research. Methods Following Arksey and O’Malley’s methodology, we systematically searched the following databases: CINAHL, Health Research Premium Collection, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for papers published between 2010-2021. Additional manual searches took place. These included the first 100 hits in Google search, journals (BMC Research Involvement and Engagement, International Journal of Population Data Science and Health Expectations) and grey literature (Patient Outcome Research Institute database, first 100 hits were screened). We extracted data using a standardised form. We then organised it in a descriptive and narrative way. A system logic model was developed to understand the complexity of this topic. Results Fifty-three papers were identified as eligible for inclusion in our review. The findings indicate that public involvement and engagement have the potential to improve public trust and accountability for data resharing for research. However, there is limited literature actually evaluating these activities. The findings suggest that the public can be meaningfully involved and engaged in big data research, both in terms of individual research projects and data governance, but there is no one standardised approach to do it. Therefore, we developed an initial system logic model to map relevant aspects of the involvement and engagement activities. These include which communities to reach, the context (e.g. ethical, legal aspects or public views), the design and delivery of activities, and outcomes. Conclusion Despite the growing literature on public involvement and engagement in big data research, more research is needed as there are few primary empirical studies exploring involvement and engagement. We suggest using the system logic model we developed when reflecting on issues that might be relevant in organising these activities

Exploring how to improve the involvement of Polish and South Asian communities around big data research. A qualitative study using COM-B model

Introduction Involving public contributors helps researchers to ensure that public views are taken into consideration when designing and planning research, so that it is person-centred and relevant to the public. This paper will consider public involvement in big data research. Inclusion of different communities is needed to ensure everyone's voice is heard. However, there remains limited evidence on how to improve the involvement of seldom-heard communities in big data research. Objectives This study aims to understand how South Asians and Polish communities in the UK can be encouraged to participate in public involvement initiatives in big data research. Methods Forty interviews were conducted with Polish (n=20) and South Asian (n=20) participants on Zoom. The participants were living in the United Kingdom and had not previously been involved as public contributors. Transcribed interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results We identified eight themes. The 'happy to reuse data' theme sets the scene by exploring our participants' views towards big data research and under what circumstances they thought that data could be used. The remaining themes were mapped under the capability-opportunity-motivation-behaviour (COM-B) model, as developed by Michie and colleagues. This allowed us to discuss multiple factors that could influence people's willingness to become public contributors. Conclusions Our study is the first to explore how to improve the involvement and engagement of seldom-heard communities in big data research using the COM-B model. The results have the potential to support researchers who want to identify what can influence members of the public to be involved. By using the COM-B model, it is possible to determine what measures could be implemented to better engage these communities