Weight bias among health care providers for children in UAE

Background: This research looks at weight bias among healthcare providers for children in UAE.Methods: This study was done through self-administered questionnaire. Our targets were health care providers for children working in both governmental and private hospitals in UAE. 198 participants were enrolled in the study after exclusion of invalid questionnaires.Results: While 15.4% of healthcare professions in our study acknowledged practice of weight bias during care of obese children, 52.5% denied and 32.1% are not sure about it. 149 participants (76%) believed that failure of obesity management in children is attributed to their weak willpower and poor commitment. Compared with normal children, overweight/obese children are considered less complaint by 59% of our participants, less active by 78.2%, less willpower by 59.5%, less confident by 73.2% and less intelligent by 17.7%. Finally, 10% of our participants consider treatment of overweight/obesity is a waste of time.Conclusions: This study shows significant weight bias among healthcare profession which can occur unintentionally. Weight bias among health care providers affects the quality of medical care of obese children. Education, training and increasing awareness of weight bias among health care providers in UAE is an initial and essential step to decrease the risk of weight bias which is a significant barrier in management of childhood obesity

INFLUENCE OF SOME GROWTH SUBSTANCES AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION ON FLOWERING AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MATTHIOLA INCANA L. PLANT

Two field trials were conducted during two successive seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in the Floriculture Farm of Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt to study the effects of spraying with some growth substances (kinetin, salicylic acid, calcium thiosulfate and potassium silicate) and chemical fertilization (N.P.K) as well as their combinations on flowering and some chemical constituents of Matthiola incana L. plants to enhance flowering quality for gardens bed ornamentation. The obtained results showed that spraying plants with 100 ppm kinetin in addition to NPK fertilization at the highest level (100 N: 200 P: 200 K kg/fed) resulted in the highest values in both seasons in case of fresh and dry weights of inflorescence and flowering portion, length and diameter of the flowering portion, number, diameter and fresh weight of florets, flowering duration, leaf total chlorophylls and total indoles content. This treatment, on the other hand, recorded the lowest values of leaves total phenols content. Conclusively, it is recommended to spray Matthiola incana L. plants with kinetin at 100 ppm supplemented with NPK chemical fertilization at 100 N: 200 P: 200 K kg/fed to obtain the best flowering quality for expor

EFFECT OF SOME GROWTH SUBSTANCES AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MATTHIOLA INCANA L. PLANT

A field experiment was carried out during two successive seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in the Floriculture Farm of the Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt to study the effects of spraying some growth substances (kinetin, salicylic acid, calcium thiosulfate and potassium silicate as well as, N.P.K chemical fertilization) on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Matthiola incana plants to increase and improve the quality of this plant as a bed gardens ornamentation. The obtained results showed that the tallest plants and the thickest plant stems were recorded by 100 ppm kinetin combined with NPK fertilization at high level treatment in both seasons. The heaviest fresh and dry weights of leaves/plant were recorded by 100 ppm kinetin-sprayed plants enriched with NPK fertilization at the highest level in both seasons. The highest number of branches and leaves/plant were recorded by 100 ppm kinetin-sprayed plants combined with NPK fertilization at high level in both seasons. The highest leaf N and total carbohydrates % were recorded by 100 ppm kinetin- sprayed plants provided with NPK fertilization at the highest level, whereas the richest leaf P % was registered by 200 ppm salicylic-sprayed plants combined with NPK fertilization at the highest level. While, the greatest leaf K % was scored by 6 cm3 potassium silicate-sprayed plants, supplemented with NPK fertilization at the highest level in both seasons. Conclusively, spraying Matthiola incana plants with kinetin at 100 ppm in addition to chemical fertilizer at 100 N: 200 P: 200 K kg/fed produced the best vegetative growth and quality of this plan

Avian encephalomyelitis virus in backyard chickens

Background and Aim: Avian viral diseases usually cause high economic losses because of high morbidity and mortality and poor growth. The rearing of chickens in backyards could have an important role in the spread of certain diseases, particularly those of viral origin. Infected birds might be prone to many viral infections for several reasons, including a lack of vaccination programs, the mixing of different bird species in the same location, and the close interactions of these birds with wild and migratory birds carrying various pathogens. This study aimed to conduct serological surveillance of avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) in some backyard chickens in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Serum samples (n = 368) were collected from domestic chickens reared in 10 backyards in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. None of the domestic birds in these 10 backyards were vaccinated against the virus. In addition, 78 serum samples were collected from free-ranging birds belonging to Columbidae, such as pigeons and doves, in common areas near the domestic backyards. We tested these sera for specific antibodies against AEV. Results: Our results revealed seroconversion to AEV among the examined chickens (14.6%). None of the tested pigeons and doves displayed seroconversion to AEV. Conclusion: Seroconversion of these non-vaccinated birds against AEV was suggestive of a recent natural infection by this virus. Further studies with a large number of birds are required to molecularly characterize the circulating strains of this virus in this area

A longitudinal study of bovine viral diarrhea virus in a semi-closed management dairy cattle herd, 2020–2022

IntroductionBovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) brings great economic loss to the cattle industry worldwide. Developing a control/prevention strategy requires the prior assessment of certain epidemiological parameters. To determine the BVD incidence rate and associated risk factors, a dairy cattle herd in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia was monitored between 2020 and 2022.MethodsNasal swabs (n = 190), rectal swabs (n = 190), and sera (n = 190) were collected from 79 cows in this herd. Collected sera and swabs were tested using the commercially available ELISAs for the BVDV antibodies and antigens, respectively. Collected sera were also tested for the presence of BVDV nucleic acids using commercial real-time RT-PCR kits.Results and discussionOur data show BVDV seroprevalence (18.8%, 15%, and 8.2%) in the tested animals in 2020–2022, respectively. None of the collected nasal swabs, rectal swabs, or sera tested positive for the BVDV antigen, whereas 10.1%, 10%, and 18.1% of the tested sera were positive for BVDV nucleic acid in 2020–2022, respectively. The incidence rate was estimated at 0.02446 new cases/year despite the detection of BVDV in seronegative animals on single or two occasions at ≥6-month intervals. Young calves and bulls remained apparently unexposed to BVDV despite their presence with BVDV-infected females, with no significant physical separation. Both seropositivity and nucleic acid detectability showed significant positive and negative correlations, respectively, with reproductive performance. Collectively, the present study provides useful clues about the transmissibility of BVDV in the presence of possibly persistently infected animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of BVDV in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Further detailed characterization of the circulating BVDVs is encouraged

Taguchi L25 (54) approach for methylene blue removal by polyethylene terephthalate nanofiber‐multi‐walled carbon nanotube composite

A membrane composed of polyethylene terephthalate nanofiber and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (PET NF‐MWCNTs) composite is used to adsorb methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ ray diffraction techniques are employed to study the surface properties of the adsorbent. Several parameters affecting dye adsorption (pH, MB dye initial concentration, PET NF‐MWCNTs dose, and contact time) are optimized for optimal removal efficiency (R, %) by using the Taguchi L25 (54) Orthogonal Array approach. According to the ANOVA results, pH has the highest contributing percentage at 71.01%, suggesting it has the most significant impact on removal efficiency. The adsorbent dose is the second most affected (12.08%), followed by the MB dye initial concentration of 5.91%, and the least affected is the contact time (1.81%). In addition, experimental findings confirm that the Langmuir isotherm is well‐fitted, suggesting a monolayer capping of MB dye on the PET‐NF‐MWCNT surface with a maximum adsorption capacity of 7.047 mg g−1. Also, the kinetic results are well‐suited to the pseudo‐second‐order model. There is a good agreement between the calculated (qe) and experimental values for the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe