Bamboo is a Sustainable Healthy Eco-friendly material for Interior Design and Furniture

The contemporary interior design is trying to contribute in protecting the environment, while satisfying the need of the people with a functional and aesthetic interior design and furniture, that can improve health, and the standards of living. Bamboo is a rapidly growing grass that has sustainable, renewable, and recyclable properties, also has multiple physical properties as lightweight and high-strength, durability, water, fire, pests, and microbial resistance. One of its important advantages is being cost-effective for its low-cost cultivation, transportation, production, and less time consuming and energy expenditure. The research problem: cutting the natural woods to satisfy the need of interior design and furniture for everyday living, is depleting the natural resources and negatively affecting the environment. Can bamboo, being a sustainable eco-friendly material, be used in interior design and furniture and contribute in protecting the environment by minimizing cutting natural wood and cover its shortage, while keeping the earth green? The aim of the research is to illustrate the role of bamboo, as a sustainable, healthy, eco-friendly environment material, and its uses in interior design and furniture to help creating a healthy interior environment while keeping the earth green. Results: the interior designers must consider using bamboo being a sustainable renewable material to reduce depleting the natural resources and help in protecting the environment. The use of bamboo in the interior design and furniture creates an interior environment close to nature with its natural look, and comfortable ambiance being oxygen inducer and carbon dioxide reducer as well as thermal insulator. This helps in reducing everyday stress and the negative impact of the modern lifestyle on its occupiers’ and on the long term ensures a relaxed and healthy interior environment protecting against psychological and physical illnesses. The different advantages of bamboo encouraged the interior designers with the help of the new technology to integrate bamboo in the contemporary interior design and furniture to create a healthy and positive environment with diversity of modern designs using an eco-friendly material. The results of the study were applied on a bedroom of touristic resort

Fertility preferences and behaviors among younger cohorts in Egypt: Recent trends, correlates, and prospects for change

After years of steady decline, Egypt experienced an increase in the total fertility rate (TFR) from 3.0 births per woman in 2008 to 3.5 in 2014, which was coupled with an increase in desired family size among young people. To better understand this increase in fertility as well as prospects for change, the Evidence Project/Population Council conducted secondary analyses of quantitative data from the Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) and the Survey of Young People in Egypt (SYPE) and collected qualitative data from young people and key informants. This report examines the changes in fertility preferences and behaviors among young people aged 15–34, identifies key drivers of the increase in fertility, assesses prospects for change including challenges and opportunities, and proposes recommendations for targeted and sustainable interventions addressing increased fertility among young people in Egypt. Findings suggest that key drivers of increased fertility include decreased use of family planning (FP) among married women with two or more children, a shift towards use of short acting FP methods, and increased contraceptive discontinuation. These factors may be due in part to decreased exposure to FP messages, declines in quality of family planning counseling, and socioeconomic, political, and programmatic changes that Egypt went through between 2008 and 2014. These findings and additional insights will be useful to policymakers, program designers, and health care professionals in addressing increased fertility and delivering more effective voluntary FP services in Egypt

Policy brief: Fertility preferences and behaviors among younger cohorts in Egypt: Recent trends, correlates, and prospects for change [Arabic]

After years of steady decline, Egypt experienced an increase in the total fertility rate (TFR) from 3.0 births per woman in 2008 to 3.5 in 2014, which was coupled with an increase in desired family size among young people. To better understand this increase in fertility as well as prospects for change, the Evidence Project/Population Council conducted secondary analyses of quantitative data from the Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) and the Survey of Young People in Egypt (SYPE) and collected qualitative data from young people and key informants. This brief examines the changes in fertility preferences and behaviors among young people aged 15–34, identifies key drivers of the increase in fertility, assesses prospects for change including challenges and opportunities, and proposes recommendations for targeted and sustainable interventions addressing increased fertility among young people in Egypt. Findings suggest that key drivers of increased fertility include decreased use of family planning (FP) among married women with two or more children, a shift towards use of short acting FP methods, and increased contraceptive discontinuation. These factors may be due in part to decreased exposure to FP messages, declines in quality of family planning counseling, and socioeconomic, political, and programmatic changes that Egypt went through between 2008 and 2014. These findings and additional insights will be useful to policymakers, program designers, and health care professionals in addressing increased fertility and delivering more effective voluntary FP services in Egypt

Impact of Anisakis pegreffi Infection on Gonadal Health and Gonadosomatic Index of European Hake (Merluccius merluccius)

Parameters belonging to the physical status and gonadal size of certain fish provide crucial information for assessing both the productivity and fecundity of declining fish populations. These parameters are vulnerable to the negative impacts of disease agents such as internal or systemic parasites. Although parasitic diseases might influence these parameters, the literature investigating these pathophysiological alterations is scanty. Therefore, the current study represents one of the scarcest studies that document the possible link between parasitism, gonadal health, and the growth of European hake (Merluccius merluccius). Screening of imported European halves indicated a relatively high prevalence of Anisakis pegreffi Larvae 3 infestation, with an 80% prevalence rate, a mean intensity of 24.4, and a mean abundance of 19.5. However, the prevalence of Anisakid larvae infection in native fish was 36% with a mean intensity of 7.36 and mean abundance of 2.65.The current research revealed remarkable ovarian pathology that involved several forms of degenerative changes in ovarian tissues. Such gonadal pathologies were attributed to the damaging effect of the retrieved Anisakis pegreffi Larvae 3. Gonadosomatic index of both heavily infected imported / native hakes was relatively impacted by the progressive gonadal pathology resulting from Anisakis pegreffi L3 infection. Morphometric measurements of the gonads and body have revealed that, gonadosomatic index of both heavily infected imported / native hakes was relatively impacted by the progressive gonadal pathology resulting from Anisakis pegreffi L3 infection

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types