Caregiving in multiple sclerosis and quality of life: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research

Objective: The lack of adequate conceptualisation and operationalisation of quality of life (QoL) limits the ability to have a consistent body of evidence to improve QoL research and practice in informal caregiving for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, we conducted a meta-synthesis of qualitative research to improve the conceptual understanding of the experiences of MS carers and to identify factors that affect carers' QoL. Design: Systematic searches of five electronic databases yielded 17 qualitative studies which were synthesised using the principles of meta-ethnography. Results: The synthesis resulted in nine inter-linking themes: Changes and losses; challenges revolving around MS; caregiving demands; burden of care; future concerns; external stressors; experiences of support; strategies used in managing the caregiving role; and motivating factors. Our findings suggest that MS carers can have both positive and negative experiences which may bring challenges and rewards to the carers. Conclusion: We present a proposed QoL model for MS caregiving which can be used to inform the development of interventions for MS carers to improve their QoL. However, further empirical research is needed to examine the utility of this model and to explore the concept of QoL in MS carers in more detail

Neuroaxial anesthesia in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis : case presentation and review of the literature on systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a progressive disease characterized by excessive accumulation of connective tissue components. Although most patients have long survival, some of them progress rapidly to death. Pulmonary system involvement and pulmonary hypertension are the most frequent cause of death. When the patient with SSc is to be operated, the anesthetic procedure could be a serious problem. In this article, we report a combined spinal – epidural technique in a patient with progressive SSc and the anesthetic considerations that could be recommended for these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old woman who had a history of progressive systemic sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, kyphoscoliosis and decreased oral apertura underwent total hip arthroplasty. This operation was performed successfully under combined spinal epidural anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Systemic sclerosis is a complex disease that involves multiple organ systems. Every aspects of anesthetic care may be altered or hindered by the pathogenesis of disease. Although the choice of regional or general anesthesia is unclear, to choose combined spinal epidural anesthesia may be useful

Physical Fruit Traits in Moroccan Almond Seedlings: Quality Aspects and Post-Harvest Uses

The physical traits of local almond populations from Morocco were studied to characterize their genetic resources and to evaluate the possibility of their commercial valorization. Nut weight ranged between 1.15 and 7.39 g, and kernel weight between 0.54 and 1.85 g, but most accessions were characterized by small kernels, pronounced wrinkles, and double kernels. Although the physical quality of the kernels of these populations was low, they show the possibility of some specialized uses, which could improve their marketable value. The genotypes with favorable values could be incorporated into an almond breeding program as parents to increase the kernel quality.Publishe

The comparison of classical weaving and laser technology in denim fabric's design

Denim fabrics became a preferred product by many people, because of especially being a symbol of comfort. In this study, the aesthetic and physical design of denim fabrics were carried out. It was aimed to compare the surface designs and structural parameters of denim fabrics obtained by weaving and laser technologies. Besides the design steps of weaving and laser technologies were explained and compared. Twelve denim fabrics having different surface designs were obtained with the intersection of indigo dyed warp and non-dyed weft yarns based on the theme of "contrast" by using derivatives of twill weave. Besides, these surface patterns were applied to classical denim fabrics by laser technology. The surface properties of denim fabrics produced by weaving technology were different for each surface designs because of different floatings. However, weaving is a time-consuming method and the design steps are more complicated. On the other hand, surface patterns of fabrics obtained by laser technology were found similar to woven ones and it had advantages as having greater design capacity, being a simpler, faster and eco-friendly method

The relation between tree vigor ofprunus mahaleb l types and sieve tube size in phloem tissue

In Turkey, P. mahaleb L. is the most commonly used rootstock for sweet cherry. This study was carried out on some Mahaleb types possessing different degrees of vigor (old and young trees) to determine the relation between vigor and the width and length of the phloem sieve tube elements. The range of variation for the width of sieve tubes was 8.29 ±0.17 µm for Mahaleb type Kem.4, and 13.96 ± 0.20 µm for Mahaleb seedling Af.5. Variation in length of sieve tubes in old trees of the same Mahaleb types was 128.78 ± 5.45 µm and 182.38 ± 6.29 µm, respectively. In young trees, width ranged from 11.08 ± 0.31 µm for Mahaleb line Kem.18 to 14.37 ± 0.36 µm for Kem.7 and lengths from 144.13 ± 5.41 µm for type Af.2 to 184.29 ± 6.41 µm for Af.10. We found that there was a direct relationship between vigor and the size of sieve tube elements in wood of old trees, but no correlation was found in young trees

Researches on pollen germination ability of some caprifig varieties

In this study, KI staining and agar plate methods were used to test the pollen viability and germination of some caprifig cultivars. Effects of different sucrose concentrations, boric acid, Ca(NO3)2, KNO3, MgSO4 and Ca on pollen germination were investigated. It was seen that 5% sucrose gave the best results

Properties of Turkish apricot land races

In this study, two collections were evaluated: 64 varieties in the main collection of Malatya, while 12 varieties were investigated in Adana and Pozanti. Phenotypical and agronomical performances were combined. Characterisation was performed according to the descriptors of UPOV for shape in profile view, shape in frontal view, symmetry along the suture, dept of suture, dept of pedicel cavity, shape of tip, skin pubescence, ground colour, over colour, texture of flesh, adherence of stone to flesh, bitterness of kernel characters of 64 varieties in Malatya. The other characters such as fruit size, flesh juiciness, eating quality, fruit attractiveness, stone size and stone shape were done according to IPBGR descriptors in Malatya varieties. The characterisation of varieties in Pozanti and Adana were performed according to IPBGR apricot descriptor. In addition, self pollination studies were carried out, sensitivity to monilinia were evaluated and the presence of viruses (PPV, ACLSV, PNRSV) has been tested in important Turkish apricot varieties