14 research outputs found

    Opportunities and challenges in food entrepreneurship: In-depth qualitative investigation of millet entrepreneurs

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    Consumer food preferences are undergoing a rapid transformation, and there has been a heightening of interest in eating healthy, sustainable foods. Food entrepreneurs are cashing in on the trend and are diversifying their existing offerings to include healthier options using alternate ingredients such as millets. However, these entrepreneurs face several challenges, and the actual growth of the market is lower than expected. The present study examines the opportunities and challenges faced by millet entrepreneurs. A total of 25 millet entrepreneurs were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative design. Key opportunities include increased awareness of millets, people going back to their traditions, and informative food labels were the key opportunities, while a lack of awareness, lack of familiarity, preparation difficulty, sensory attributes, lack of affordability, inferior image, customer distrust, and millets’ longer gestational cycle were major challenges.publishedVersio

    Genotype-phenotype correlation in children with hereditary spherocytosis.

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    Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a common inherited haemolytic anaemia attributed to disturbances in five different red cell membrane proteins. We performed a retrospective study of 166 children with HS and describe the clinical phenotype according to the genotype. In 160/166 (97%) children with HS a disease-causing mutation was identified. Pathogenic variants in ANK1, SPTB, SLC4A1 and SPTA1 were found in 49%, 33%, 13% and 5% of patients. Children with SLC4A1-HS had the mildest phenotype, showing the highest haemoglobin (P \u3c 0·001), lowest reticulocyte counts (P \u3c 0·001) and lowest unconjugated bilirubin levels (P = 0·006), and none required splenectomy in childhood (P \u3c 0·001). Conversely, children with autosomal recessive SPTA1-HS had the most severe clinical phenotype, with almost all patients undergoing splenectomy in early childhood. Patients with ANK1 and SPTB variants showed a similar clinical phenotype. Within each gene, variant type or location did not predict disease severity or likelihood of splenectomy. Among patients with a genetic diagnosis, 47 (29%) underwent splenectomy (23 partial; 24 total) while 57 (36%) underwent cholecystectomy. Total splenectomy led to greater improvements in haemoglobin (P = 0·02). Select use of genetic testing (especially in patients without a family history) may help predict clinical phenotype in childhood and guide family counselling

    The association between adverse childhood experiences and adult traumatic brain injury/concussion: a scoping review

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    <p><b>Background:</b> Adverse childhood experiences are significant risk factors for physical and mental illnesses in adulthood. Traumatic brain injury/concussion is a challenging condition where pre-injury factors may affect recovery. The association between childhood adversity and traumatic brain injury/concussion has not been previously reviewed. The research question addressed is: What is known from the existing literature about the association between adverse childhood experiences and traumatic brain injury/concussion in adults?</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> All original studies of any type published in English since 2007 on adverse childhood experiences and traumatic brain injury/concussion outcomes were included. The literature search was conducted in multiple electronic databases. Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al.’s scoping review frameworks were used. Two reviewers independently completed screening and data abstraction.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The review yielded six observational studies. Included studies were limited to incarcerated or homeless samples, and individuals at high-risk of or with mental illnesses. Across studies, methods for childhood adversity and traumatic brain injury/concussion assessment were heterogeneous.</p> <p><b>Discussion:</b> A positive association between adverse childhood experiences and traumatic brain injury occurrence was identified. The review highlights the importance of screening and treatment of adverse childhood experiences. Future research should extend to the general population and implications on injury recovery. Implications for rehabilitation</p><p>Exposure to adverse childhood experiences is associated with increased risk of traumatic brain injury.</p><p>Specific types of adverse childhood experiences associated with risk of traumatic brain injury include childhood physical abuse, psychological abuse, household member incarceration, and household member drug abuse.</p><p>Clinicians and researchers should inquire about adverse childhood experiences in all people with traumatic brain injury as pre-injury health conditions can affect recovery.</p><p></p> <p>Exposure to adverse childhood experiences is associated with increased risk of traumatic brain injury.</p> <p>Specific types of adverse childhood experiences associated with risk of traumatic brain injury include childhood physical abuse, psychological abuse, household member incarceration, and household member drug abuse.</p> <p>Clinicians and researchers should inquire about adverse childhood experiences in all people with traumatic brain injury as pre-injury health conditions can affect recovery.</p

    GeneTerpret: a customizable multilayer approach to genomic variant prioritization and interpretation

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    Abstract Background Variant interpretation is the main bottleneck in medical genomic sequencing efforts. This usually involves genome analysts manually searching through a multitude of independent databases, often with the aid of several, mostly independent, computational tools. To streamline variant interpretation, we developed the GeneTerpret platform which collates data from current interpretation tools and databases, and applies a phenotype-driven query to categorize the variants identified in the genome(s). The platform assigns quantitative validity scores to genes by query and assembly of the genotype–phenotype data, sequence homology, molecular interactions, expression data, and animal models. It also uses the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria to categorize variants into five tiers of pathogenicity. The final output is a prioritized list of potentially causal variants/genes. Results We tested GeneTerpret by comparing its performance to expert-curated genes (ClinGen’s gene-validity database) and variant pathogenicity reports (DECIPHER database). Output from GeneTerpret was 97.2% and 83.5% concordant with the expert-curated sources, respectively. Additionally, similar concordance was observed when GeneTerpret’s performance was compared with our internal expert-interpreted clinical datasets. Conclusions GeneTerpret is a flexible platform designed to streamline the genome interpretation process, through a unique interface, with improved ease, speed and accuracy. This modular and customizable system allows the user to tailor the component-programs in the analysis process to their preference. GeneTerpret is available online at https://geneterpret.com

    Adverse Events Associated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of 20 821 Cases at 23 Centers

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    Importance Detailed information regarding perioperative risk and adverse events associated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) can guide clinical management. Much of the data regarding complications of MMS are anecdotal or report findings from single centers or single events. Objectives To quantify adverse events associated with MMS and detect differences relevant to safety. Design, Setting, and Participants Multicenter prospective inception cohort study of 21 private and 2 institutional US ambulatory referral centers for MMS. Participants were a consecutive sample of patients presenting with MMS for 35 weeks at each center, with staggered start times. Exposure Mohs micrographic surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures Intraoperative and postoperative minor and serious adverse events. Results Among 20 821 MMS procedures, 149 adverse events (0.72%), including 4 serious events (0.02%), and no deaths were reported. Common adverse events reported were infections (61.1%), dehiscence and partial or full necrosis (20.1%), and bleeding and hematoma (15.4%). Most bleeding and wound-healing complications occurred in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. Use of some antiseptics and antibiotics and sterile gloves during MMS were associated with modest reduction of risk for adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance Mohs micrographic surgery is safe, with a very low rate of adverse events, an exceedingly low rate of serious adverse events, and an undetectable mortality rate. Common complications include infections, followed by impaired wound healing and bleeding. Bleeding and wound-healing issues are often associated with preexisting anticoagulation therapy, which is nonetheless managed safely during MMS. We are not certain whether the small effects seen with the use of sterile gloves and antiseptics and antibiotics are clinically significant and whether wide-scale practice changes would be cost-effective given the small risk reductions
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