1,089 research outputs found
Examination of the Role of Religious and Psychosocial Factors in HIV Medication Adherence Rates
Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with favorable HIV outcomes, including higher CD4 cell counts, HIV virus suppression and a lower risk of HIV transmission. However, only 25% of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in the USA are virally suppressed. Sub-optimal adherence (p\u3c 0.05). Social support satisfaction was also significantly associated with ART adherence (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.11–2.08], p \u3c 0.05) and energy/fatigue/vitality (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.00–1.05], p \u3c 0.05)
Use of the Spiritual Development Framework in Conducting Spirituality and Health Research with Adolescents
Spirituality is considered a universal phenomenon, but research addressing the spiritual needs of adolescents in the context of health and illness is limited. The aim of this article is to provide a description of how the spiritual development framework (SDF) was used in conducting research with adolescents. An exemplar of a qualitative descriptive study is provided to demonstrate applicability of the SDF. The SDF was used as a guiding theoretical framework in conducting research with adolescents living with sickle cell disease. The SDF is culturally applicable and methodologically appropriate. Additional research applying the SDF is warranted
High-throughput transcriptome profiling of contrasting pathotypes of the coffee rust Hemileia vastatrix
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Study on thermosonication and ultraviolet radiation processes as an alternative to blanching for some fruits and vegetables
The impacts of ultraviolet-C radiation, blanching
by heat, and combination of heat/ultrasounds (thermosonication)
were studied for Listeria innocua (inoculated) in red bell
peppers, total mesophiles in strawberries and total coliforms
in watercress, in the temperature range 50–65 °C. Quality
attributes such as colour and firmness were studied for all
products, and total anthocyanins content was additionally
determined for strawberries. Results showed that ultraviolet-
C radiation was the least effective treatment in terms of
microbial load reduction and was equivalent to a simple
water washing. Log reductions were 1.05±0.52 for L.
innocua, 0.53±0.25 for total coliforms and 0.26±0.18 for
total mesophiles. This treatment had the lowest impact on the
quality parameters analysed. Thermosonication treatment
was similar to heat blanching for all microorganism/product
tested, excepted for total coliforms in watercress at 65 °C, in
which thermosonication had a higher effect (p<0.05). Heat
blanching at 65 °C allowed 7.43±0.12 log-cycles reduction,
while loads were diminished by 8.24±0.13 log-cycles if
thermosonication at the same temperature was applied.
Thermosonication also allowed better quality retention, when
compared to heat blanching at the same temperatures. The
impact of thermosonication on microbial load reductions was
statistically significant and thermosonicated samples retained
quality attributes better than heat blanched ones at the same
temperatures (p<0.05). Hence, it can be concluded that
thermosonication is a promising process and may be a
favourable alternative to the conventional thermal treatments
Curcumin-loaded polymeric and lipid nanocapsules: preparation, characterization and chemical stability evaluation
Polymeric and lipid nanocapsules suspensions of the natural compound curcumin were prepared in order to overcome limitations associated with its clinical applications, such as poor aqueous solubility and susceptibility to hydrolytic and photochemical degradation. Nanocapsule suspensions were prepared by nanoprecipitation and phase inversion methods, respectively. The curcumin formulations were investigated for physicochemical characteristics and in vitro drug release. The hydrolytic and photochemical degradation of the drug associated with the nanocarriers was also determined. For all formulations, the entrapment efficiency values were higher than 99 %. The aqueous colloidal suspensions of curcumin resulted in an increase in drug concentration by a factor of up to 46.103 times. Moreover, stability studies indicated that nanoencapsulation slows down the hydrolytic and photochemical degradations of curcumin. The strategy of nanoencapsulation into polymeric and lipid nanocapsules produced a formulation of curcumin with high drug loading and improved stability, representing a good strategy for the delivery of this drug.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire
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