Interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (including cradle cap) (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis in children from birth to 24 months of age

Intravital imaging of real-time endogenous actin dysregulation in proximal and distal tubules at the onset of severe ischemia-reperfusion injury

Severe renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can lead to acute and chronic kidney dysfunction. Cytoskeletal modifications are among the main effects of this condition. The majority of studies that have contributed to the current understanding of IRI have relied on histological analyses using exogenous probes after the fact. Here we report the successful real-time visualization of actin cytoskeletal alterations in live proximal and distal tubules that arise at the onset of severe IRI. To achieve this, we induced fluorescent actin expression in these segments in rats with hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD). Using intravital two-photon microscopy we then tracked and quantified endogenous actin dysregulation that occurred by subjecting these animals to 60 min of bilateral renal ischemia. Rapid (by 1-h post-reperfusion) and significant (up to 50%) declines in actin content were observed. The decline in fluorescence within proximal tubules was significantly greater than that observed in distal tubules. Actin-based fluorescence was not recovered during the measurement period extending 24 h post-reperfusion. Such injury decimated the renal architecture, in particular, actin brush borders, and hampered the reabsorptive and filtrative capacities of these tubular compartments. Thus, for the first time, we show that the combination of HGD and intravital microscopy can serve as an experimental tool to better understand how IRI modifies the cytoskeleton in vivo and provide an extension to current histopathological techniques

Dismantling Barriers to Hepatitis B and Delta Screening, Prevention, and Linkage to Care among the PWUD Community in Philadelphia

The prevalence of hepatitis B and delta viruses (HBV/HDV) among people who use drugs (PWUD) remains largely unknown. In the context of one Philadelphia-based harm reduction organization (HRO), this study aimed to assess HBV/HDV prevalence and facilitate linkage to care. Participants completed a demographic HBV/HDV risk factor survey and were screened for HBV and reflexively for HDV if positive for HBV surface antigen or isolated core antibody. Fisher\u27s exact tests and regression were used to understand relationships between risks and HBV blood markers. Of the 498 participants, 126 (25.3%) did not have hepatitis B immunity, 52.6% had been vaccinated against HBV, and 17.9% had recovered from a past infection. Eleven (2.2%) participants tested positive for isolated HBV core antibody, 10 (2.0%) for HBV surface antigen, and one (0.2%) for HDV antibody. History of incarceration was associated with current HBV infection, while transactional sex and experience of homelessness were predictive of previous exposure. This study found high rates of current and past HBV infection, and a 10% HBV/HDV co-infection rate. Despite availability of vaccine, one quarter of participants remained vulnerable to infection. Findings demonstrate the need to improve low-threshold HBV/HDV screening, vaccination, and linkage to care among PWUD. The study also identified gaps in the HBV/HDV care cascade, including lack of point-of-care diagnostics and lack of support for HROs to provide HBV services

Analysis of catchments response to severe drought event for improved water resources

Drought is a natural hazard that is a normal part of climate in all regions of the world. It can result in serious   economic, social and environmental impacts, if not properly managed. Consequently, there is a need to take  precautionary measures to prevent problems associated with mismanagement of drought events. In this study, two catchments namely the Grand River South East and River Cascade of Grand River North West, have been  analysed so as to better understand their response to dry spells. Three methods were initially selected namely;  Flow Duration Curve, Low Flow Frequency Curves and the Base Flow Index. The second step in this study was to  perform more in depth drought. The Run Sum analysis method and the Low Flow Frequency Analysis using Weibull  distribution were used to characterise the drought event. The analyses firstly noted that the two  catchments under study responded differently to rainfall events. The Low flow frequency analysis was used to  identify a threshold value, below which dry conditions were considered. The run sum analysis method was a sound  method which indicates in advance the coming of dry spells, and this can help in better management of  water resources, especially for an island.Keywords: Drought, Low Flow analysis, Run Sum Analysis, Island, DroughtIndexin

Belief in conspiracy theories relationship to intuitive and analytical thinking

The purpose of the study was to examine if intuitive thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, pseudoscientific beliefs, rejection of science regarding climate, rejection of science regarding vaccines and education correlates with belief in conspiracy theories. The data was collected through a non-randomized convenience and volunteer sampling by a questionnaire that was answered by the participants and measured all variables. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design with 125 participants, of whom 48 were men, 75 women and 2 other/wish not to say, aged 18–82 (M=46.28, SD=13.48). The result showed that the model was significant and that people with a more negative attitude towards vaccines, a higher degree of belief in pseudoscience and higher preference for and trust in intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories; other variables were not significantly related to belief in conspiracy theories. The result can be used as a basis for future research on belief in conspiracy theories and its relationship to other factors than in current study.Syftet med studien var att undersöka ifall intuitivt tänkande, analytiskt tänkande, kritiskttänkande, tro på pseudovetenskap, inställning till klimatforskning, inställning tillvaccinforskning samt utbildningsnivå, korrelerar med tro på konspirationsteorier. Insamlingen av data skedde genom ett icke slumpmässigt tillgänglighetsurval samt frivillighetsurval via ett frågeformulär som mätte samtliga variabler och besvarades av deltagarna. Studien var av kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign med 125 deltagare, varav 48 män, 75 kvinnor samt 2 annan/vill ej uppge, i åldrarna 18–82 år (M=46.28, SD=13.48). Resultatet visade att modellen var signifikant och indikerar att personer med en mer negativ inställning till vaccin, högre grad av tro på pseudovetenskap, samt högre preferens för och tilltro till intuitivt tänkande uppvisar en högre tro på konspirationsteorier. Övriga variabler var inte signifikant relaterade till tro på konspirationsteorier. Resultatet kan användas som underlag för framtida forskning om tro på konspirationsteoriers och dess samband med andra variabler än de i aktuella studien

Persian in Use : an elementary textbook of language and culture

Persian in Use is an elementary Persian language and culture textbook designed for first-year Persian language students at college level. It offers a thematically organized and integrative approach to help students achieve proficiency in Persian language and culture. Features: ◾Colorful and lively design with over 200 illustrations and images and over 1200 words and phrases including high-frequency idioms, slang, and proverbs ◾New vocabulary is summarized thematically/lexically to help students engage in the accompanying communicative activities ◾Interactive dialogues from everyday life in both spoken and written forms introduce students to contemporary usage ◾Straightforward explanations of the grammatical features ◾Includes samples of literary texts, poems, plays, film scripts, and pop songs ◾Engaging classroom activities and homework exercises with the integration of all four skills ◾Companion website with audio files and authentic video clips from Iran ◾Corresponds to two semesters/three quarters of elementary college-level study as recommended by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages9789400601932 (epdf); 9789400601949 (epub)Wetensch. publicati