Allelopathic Effects of Sweet Basil (Ocimumbasilicum L.) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of some Poaceous Crops

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments werecarried out at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan in season 2014/15 to study the allelopathic effectsof aboveground parts ofsweet basil (Ocimumbasilicum L.) on seed germination and seedling growth of some poaceous crops.Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of aboveground parts ofsweet basilon seed germination of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), millet (Pennisetumglaucum [L.]R. Br.), maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (TriticumvulgareL.).Six concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) of the aqueous extract of the aboveground parts of sweet basilwere prepared from the stock solution(50 g / l). Treatments, for each crop, were arranged in completely randomized design with four replicates. The seeds were examined for germination at three days after initial germination.Greenhouse experimentswere conducted to study the allelopathic effects of powder of aboveground parts ofsweet basil on seedling growth of the same poaceous crops. The powder of aboveground parts was incorporated into the soil at rate of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% on w/w bases in pots. Treatments, for each crop, were arranged in completely randomized design with four replicates. The experiments were terminated at 30 days after sowing and the plant height, number of leaves and root length of crop seedlings were measured as well as plant fresh and dry weight.Data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance procedure. Means were separated for significance using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test at p 0.5. The results showed that the aqueous extract of aboveground parts of sweet basil significantly reduced seed germination of the tested poaceous crops and there was direct negative relationship between concentration seed germination. Also, the results showed that incorporating powder of aboveground parts into the soil significantly decreased plant height and root length of crop seedlings as well as seedling fresh and dry weight. In addition, the reduction in seedling growth was increased as the powder increased in the soil. Based on results supported by different studies, it was concluded that sweet basil has allelopathic affects on seed germination and seedling growth of the poaceous crops

A systematic approach to the design and characterization of a smart insole for detecting vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) in gait analysis

Gait analysis is a systematic study of human locomotion, which can be utilized in various applications, such as rehabilitation, clinical diagnostics and sports activities. The various limitations such as cost, non-portability, long setup time, post-processing time etc., of the current gait analysis techniques have made them unfeasible for individual use. This led to an increase in research interest in developing smart insoles where wearable sensors can be employed to detect vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) and other gait variables. Smart insoles are flexible, portable and comfortable for gait analysis, and can monitor plantar pressure frequently through embedded sensors that convert the applied pressure to an electrical signal that can be displayed and analyzed further. Several research teams are still working to improve the insoles' features such as size, sensitivity of insoles sensors, durability, and the intelligence of insoles to monitor and control subjects' gait by detecting various complications providing recommendation to enhance walking performance. Even though systematic sensor calibration approaches have been followed by different teams to calibrate insoles' sensor, expensive calibration devices were used for calibration such as universal testing machines or infrared motion capture cameras equipped in motion analysis labs. This paper provides a systematic design and characterization procedure for three different pressure sensors: force-sensitive resistors (FSRs), ceramic piezoelectric sensors, and flexible piezoelectric sensors that can be used for detecting vGRF using a smart insole. A simple calibration method based on a load cell is presented as an alternative to the expensive calibration techniques. In addition, to evaluate the performance of the different sensors as a component for the smart insole, the acquired vGRF from different insoles were used to compare them. The results showed that the FSR is the most effective sensor among the three sensors for smart insole applications, whereas the piezoelectric sensors can be utilized in detecting the start and end of the gait cycle. This study will be useful for any research group in replicating the design of a customized smart insole for gait analysis. 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This research was partially funded by Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), grant number NPRP12S-0227-190164 and Research University Grant DIP-2018-017. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library. The authors would like to thank Engr. Ayman Ammar, Electrical Engineering, Qatar University for helping in printing the printed circuit boards (PCBs). This research was partially funded by Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), grant number NPRP12S-0227-190164 and Research University Grant DIP-2018-017. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

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

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

A Systematic Approach to the Design and Characterization of a Smart Insole for Detecting Vertical Ground Reaction Force (vGRF) in Gait Analysis

Gait analysis is a systematic study of human locomotion, which can be utilized in various applications, such as rehabilitation, clinical diagnostics and sports activities. The various limitations such as cost, non-portability, long setup time, post-processing time etc., of the current gait analysis techniques have made them unfeasible for individual use. This led to an increase in research interest in developing smart insoles where wearable sensors can be employed to detect vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) and other gait variables. Smart insoles are flexible, portable and comfortable for gait analysis, and can monitor plantar pressure frequently through embedded sensors that convert the applied pressure to an electrical signal that can be displayed and analyzed further. Several research teams are still working to improve the insoles&rsquo; features such as size, sensitivity of insoles sensors, durability, and the intelligence of insoles to monitor and control subjects&rsquo; gait by detecting various complications providing recommendation to enhance walking performance. Even though systematic sensor calibration approaches have been followed by different teams to calibrate insoles&rsquo; sensor, expensive calibration devices were used for calibration such as universal testing machines or infrared motion capture cameras equipped in motion analysis labs. This paper provides a systematic design and characterization procedure for three different pressure sensors: force-sensitive resistors (FSRs), ceramic piezoelectric sensors, and flexible piezoelectric sensors that can be used for detecting vGRF using a smart insole. A simple calibration method based on a load cell is presented as an alternative to the expensive calibration techniques. In addition, to evaluate the performance of the different sensors as a component for the smart insole, the acquired vGRF from different insoles were used to compare them. The results showed that the FSR is the most effective sensor among the three sensors for smart insole applications, whereas the piezoelectric sensors can be utilized in detecting the start and end of the gait cycle. This study will be useful for any research group in replicating the design of a customized smart insole for gait analysis

Synthesis and styrene copolymerization of novel fluoro, methoxy and methyl ring-disubstituted octyl phenylcyanoacrylates

Novel fluoro, methoxy, and methyl ring-disubstituted octyl phenylcyanoacrylates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO2CH2(CH2)6CH3 (where R is 2-fluoro-3-methoxy, 2-fluoro-4-methoxy, 2-fluoro-5-methoxy, 2-fluoro-6-methoxy, 3-fluoro-4-methoxy, 4-fluoro-3-methoxy, 2-fluoro-5-methyl, 2-fluoro-6-methyl, 3-fluoro-4-methyl, 4-fluoro-2-methyl, 4-fluoro-3-methyl) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The acrylates were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-disubstituted benzaldehydes and octyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR. All the acrylates were copolymerized with styrene in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis

Nurses and Physicians Interprofessional Collaboration during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Maternity Outpatient Department: A Mixed Method Approach

Objective The investigators aim to conduct mixed-method research to explore the Interprofessional Collaboration or IPC experience of both nurses and doctors in Women’s Wellness and Research Center or WWRC during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The IPC in OPD has made novel and dramatic changes in order to continue its operations during the pandemic; thus, new adaptive strategies were implemented which are worth exploring in this research.  Design Sequential Mixed-Method Research Design.  Method Using the Jefferson Scale of Attitude toward Interprofessional Collaboration (JeffSATIC), a cross-sectional online survey was conducted. The instrument is applicable to all health professions and allows group comparisons in different professional specialties. The tool comprises 20 items across two factors including working relationship and accountability. Seventy-five nurses and 83 doctors made up the 158 respondents who were drawn from a tertiary maternity facility in Doha, Qatar. The team also conducted series of Focused Group Discussions using open-ended questions to gain more in-depth understanding about their experience. The SPSS Version 26 was used to examine the data that were exported from SurveyMonkey, and multiple regression analysis was used to identify the predictors. Thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data. Both findings from the statistical and thematic analyst were mixed to gain provide comprehensive description and insights about IPC. Results The results show the IPC mean score for physicians (M= 103.56) was higher than nurses (M=63.00) including matters on working relationship (M= 60.86) and accountability (M= 42.71). Comparably, the reported IPC mean score (M= 84.21) during pandemic was lower than data from Australia (M=114) and USA (M= 119) without pandemic. Moreover, both Clinical Experience and Educational Attainment are the significant predictors (p-value Conclusions The attitude of both nurses and doctors toward IPC during a pandemic is predicted by knowledge gained through training and education, and duration of clinical experience. The IPC strengthen their partnership as care providers despite of the challenges and new ways of delivering patient care. Based on the findings, strategic planning about enhancing knowledge, clinical skills, and strengthening partnerships with IPC towards better maternity care outcomes during pandemic is recommended.</p

Nurses and Physicians Interprofessional Collaboration during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Maternity Outpatient Department: A Mixed Method Approach

Objective The investigators aim to conduct mixed-method research to explore the Interprofessional Collaboration or IPC experience of both nurses and doctors in Women’s Wellness and Research Center or WWRC during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The IPC in OPD has made novel and dramatic changes in order to continue its operations during the pandemic; thus, new adaptive strategies were implemented which are worth exploring in this research.  Design Sequential Mixed-Method Research Design. Method: Using the Jefferson Scale of Attitude toward Interprofessional Collaboration (JeffSATIC), a cross-sectional online survey was conducted. The instrument is applicable to all health professions and allows group comparisons in different professional specialties. The tool comprises 20 items across two factors including working relationship and accountability. Seventy-five nurses and 83 doctors made up the 158 respondents who were drawn from a tertiary maternity facility in Doha, Qatar. The team also conducted series of Focused Group Discussions using open-ended questions to gain more in-depth understanding about their experience. The SPSS Version 26 was used to examine the data that were exported from SurveyMonkey, and multiple regression analysis was used to identify the predictors. Thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data. Both findings from the statistical and thematic analyst were mixed to gain provide comprehensive description and insights about IPC. Results The results show the IPC mean score for physicians (M= 103.56) was higher than nurses (M=63.00) including matters on working relationship (M= 60.86) and accountability (M= 42.71). Comparably, the reported IPC mean score (M= 84.21) during pandemic was lower than data from Australia (M=114) and USA (M= 119) without pandemic. Moreover, both Clinical Experience and Educational Attainment are the significant predictors (p-value Conclusions The attitude of both nurses and doctors toward IPC during a pandemic is predicted by knowledge gained through training and education, and duration of clinical experience. The IPC strengthen their partnership as care providers despite of the challenges and new ways of delivering patient care. Based on the findings, strategic planning about enhancing knowledge, clinical skills, and strengthening partnerships with IPC towards better maternity care outcomes during pandemic is recommended.</p