Spinal infection: state of the art and management algorithm

Spinal infection is a rare pathology although a concerning rising incidence has been observed in recent years. This increase might reflect a progressively more susceptible population but also the availability of increased diagnostic accuracy. Yet, even with improved diagnosis tools and procedures, the delay in diagnosis remains an important issue. This review aims to highlight the importance of a methodological attitude towards accurate and prompt diagnosis using an algorithm to aid on spinal infection management. METHODS: Appropriate literature on spinal infection was selected using databases from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. RESULTS: Literature reveals that histopathological analysis of infected tissues is a paramount for diagnosis and must be performed routinely. Antibiotic therapy is transversal to both conservative and surgical approaches and must be initiated after etiological diagnosis. Indications for surgical treatment include neurological deficits or sepsis, spine instability and/or deformity, presence of epidural abscess and upon failure of conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A methodological assessment could lead to diagnosis effectiveness of spinal infection. Towards this, we present a management algorithm based on literature findings

Yield gap analysis: modelling of achievable yields at farm level.

This chapter quantifies the potential yields and yield gaps between the potential and the actual yields obtained by the farmers for the major rainfed crops grown in the selected countries in South and South East Asia (India, Thailand and Vietnam), SSA and the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, where food security is increasingly threatened because of expected increase in population and degradation of natural resources. This analysis is expected to help identify the opportunities and constraints for yield improvement with the implementation of the improved crop production and natural resource management technologies for the rainfed regions

COVID-19 and the Global Impact on Colorectal Practice and Surgery

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that emerged in December 2019 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the sudden national reorganization of health care systems and changes in the delivery of health care globally. The purpose of our study was to use a survey to assess the global effects of COVID-19 on colorectal practice and surgery. Materials and Methods: A panel of International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 22 questions, which were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in the ISUCRS database and was advertised on social media sites. The questionnaire remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020. Results: A total of 287 surgeons completed the survey. Of the 287 respondents, 90% were colorectal specialists or general surgeons with an interest in colorectal disease. COVID-19 had affected the practice of 96% of the surgeons, and 52% were now using telemedicine. Also, 66% reported that elective colorectal cancer surgery could proceed but with perioperative precautions. Of the 287 respondents, 19.5% reported that the use of personal protective equipment was the most important perioperative precaution. However, personal protective equipment was only provided by 9.1% of hospitals. In addition, 64% of surgeons were offering minimally invasive surgery. However, 44% reported that enough information was not available regarding the safety of the loss of intra-abdominal carbon dioxide gas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, 61% of the surgeons were prepared to defer elective colorectal cancer surgery, with 29% willing to defer for ≤ 8 weeks. Conclusion: The results from our survey have demonstrated that, globally, COVID-19 has affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to their patients. We have also discussed suggestions for various practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery period. We have presented the results of a survey used to assess the global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the delivery of colorectal surgery. Despite accessible guidance information, our results have demonstrated that COVID-19 has significantly affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to patients. We have also discussed practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery phase

Functionalized sepiolitic clay nanofibers as a natural ingredient in medical cosmetics

Medical clay, also known as medicinal clay, was first used in Mesopotamia around 2500 BC and is still a relevant topic today. Among typical medical clays, sepiolite, a fibrous clay in the family of palygorskite is often ignored by cosmetic brands as it is not found abundantly in nature as much as other clays like bentonite. However, much of the world reserves of this clay are in Turkey. In this study, antibacterial sepiolite clay was prepared from nanosilver added dispersed sepiolite samples. These Ag-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were formed according to green synthesis under microwave heating using the additives like alginate polymer and ascorbic acid later these fibers were put through serial dilution antibacterial tests using gram +/-bacteria (ATCC 25922 and ATCC 25923) for general quality control and determining minimum inhibitory concentrations. Although the best antibacterial clay samples (Ag-NPs have theoretically 30 mg/L of silver content) were washed at least five times with distilled water, it was observed that their antibacterial stability was still maintained. Finally, the morphology of sepiolite fibers smaller than 40 nm was characterized by AFM images show that highly dispersed single fibers can be used as a natural raw material and have a great opportunity in the development of new products in the cosmetic and medical sector. © 2021, Turkish Chemical Society. All rights reserved.MAG-217M275; Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu, TÜBITAKThe authors would like to thank the Engineering Research Group of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for supporting our project: MAG-217M275 entitled Improvement of Surface Properties of Body-soluble Magnesium Implants by Coating with Biodegradable Alginate Based Sepiolite Composite Thin Films. This paper was presented at the 4th International Cosmetic Congress as an oral presentation

Data supporting article "Deformation of a star dune impacted by anthropogenic activities"

Numerical simulated and wind tunnel experiment data on the wind flow over a star dune with different scenarios: NW and NE winds, with and without a dune arm (artificially removed), a lower and higher green land (human developted)

AİLE HEKİMLİĞİNDE GEBELİK İZLEMLERİ: AĞRILI LENFADENOPATİDEN NADİR HODGKİN DIŞI LENFOMA OLGUSUNA

A 32-year-old, 17-week pregnant patient visited her family physician because of painful lymphadenopathy on the right side of her neck after an upper respiratory tract infection. On physical examination, her vital signs were stable. A few elastic, firm, fixed, and painful lymphadenopathies, the largest of which was 1 cm were detected in the right cervical region, and the pharynx of the patient was hyperemic. Empirical antibiotherapy treatment was initiated by the family physician with the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection and the patient was called for control follow-up. Due to the rapid growth of lymph nodes and their size over 1 cm, she was referred to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with a preliminary diagnosis of malignancy. She was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Pregnancy termination was recommended to the patient whose chemotherapy was scheduled, but the patient refused. At the 32nd week of pregnancy, the pregnancy was terminated due to fetal distress and a 1500-gram live baby girl was born. Since it is associated with pregnancy and rare, and that the family physician plays a role in early diagnosis of a important disease such as malignancy, it is deemed appropriate to present the case with literature. © 2020 Authors. All rights reserved