Using simulation gaming to validate a mathematical modeling platform for resource allocation in disasters

The extraordinary conditions of a disaster require the mobilisation of all available resources, inducing the rush of humanitarian partners into the affected area This phenomenon called the proliferation of actors, causes serious problems during the disaster response phase including the oversupply, duplicated efforts, lack of planning In an attempt to reduce the partner proliferation problem a framework called PREDIS (PREdictive model for DISaster response partner selection) is put forward to configure the humanitarian network within early hours after disaster strike when the information is scarce To verify this model a simulation game is designed using two sets of real decision makers (experts and non-experts) in the disaster Haiyan scenario The result shows that using the PREDIS framework 100% of the experts could make the same decisions less than six hours comparing to 72 hours Also between 71% and 86% of the times experts and non-experts decide similarly using the PREDIS framewor

Evaluation of the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nasal swabs to natural honey

Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is a very serious threat to public health. Where some antibacterial agents prove ineffective, the antibacterial properties of honey have been shown to be highly efficacious against several human bacterial pathogens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the nursing staff of a hospital to natural honey.Methods: In this study, 35 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus samples were selected from hospital staff’s nasal swabs. Two strains were vancomycin-resistant. The serial dilution tube test methodwas used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The susceptibility of each strain of staph bacteria to natural honey without wax was determined and compared with that of a glucose solution with the same density.Results: In all strains, except for the two strains resistant to vancomycin, MIC level was <8.3% (v/v). The MIC of glucose as dense as honey was four times higher. The two vancomycin-resistant strains were completely resistant to natural honey.Conclusions: This study has therefore demonstrated that inhibiting bacterial growth is not merely done by purely natural honey not because of osmolality, but vancomycin-resistant bacteria are not sensitive to natural honey. Key words: Sensitivity, Staphylococcus aureus, natural honey, minimum inhibitory concentratio

The effect of 12 weeks Anethum graveolens (dill) on metabolic markers in patients with metabolic syndrome; A randomized double blind controlled trial

Background: The clustering of metabolic abnormalities defined as metabolic syndrome is now both a public health and a clinical problem .While interest in herbal medicine has greatly increased, lack of human evidence to support efficacies shown in animals does exist. This clinical trial study designed to investigate whether herbal medicine, Anethum graveolens (dill) extract, could improve metabolic components in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel design was conducted. 24 subjects who had metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria (update of ATP III) were randomly assigned to either dill extract (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) for 3 months. Results: Across lipid component of metabolic syndrome, no significant differences in triglyceride (TG) concentration and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were seen between the two groups. However TG improved significantly from baseline (257.0 vs. 201.5p = 0.01) with dill treatment but such a significant effect was not observed in placebo group. Moreover, no significant differences in waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were seen between two groups after 3 months follow up period. Conclusion: In this small clinical trial in patients with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of dill extract treatment had a beneficial effect in terms of reducing TG from baseline. However dill treatment was not associated with a significant improvement in metabolic syndrome related markers compared to control group. Larger studies might be required to prove the efficacy and safety of long-Term administration of dill to resolve metabolic syndrome components. © 2012 Mansouri et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Staphylococcus aurous Isolated from Nasal Swabs to Natural Honey

Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is a very serious threat to public health. Where some antibacterial agents prove ineffective, the antibacterial properties of honey have been shown to be highly efficacious against several human bacterial pathogens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the nursing staff of a hospital to natural honey. Methods: In this study, 35 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aurous samples were selected from hospital staff's nasal swabs. Two strains were vancomycin-resistant. The serial dilution tube test methodwas used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) .The susceptibility of each strain of staph bacteria to natural honey without wax was determined and compared with that of a glucose solution with the same density. Results: In all strains, except for the two strains resistant to vancomycin, MIC level was < 8.3% (v/v). The MIC of glucose as dense as honey was four times higher. The two vancomycin-resistant strains were completely resistant to natural honey. Conclusions: This study has therefore demonstrated that inhibiting bacterial growth is not merely done by purely natural honey not because of osmolality, but vancomycin-resistant bacteria are not sensitive to natural honey. Keywords: sensitivity, Staphylococcus aurous, natural honey, minimum inhibitory concentratio

The management of postoperative pain in children with caudal blocks

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre-emptive analgesic effect and duration of postoperative analgesia after caudal blocks in children. Method: Forty-five children undergoing distal hypospadias surgery were assigned to group 1 (n = 23), and received caudal 0.25% bupivacaine 0.5 mg/kg and midazolam 0.05 mg/kg before the surgical incision. Group 2 (n = 22) received caudal 0.25% bupivacaine 0.5 mg/kg and midazolam 0.05 mg/kg at the end of surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl and maintained with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. Postoperative pain was rated on an objective paediatric pain scale. Results: The analgesic requirement was greater in the second group. Conclusion: Pre-emptive analgesia with caudal blocks may prevent the intensity and frequency of postoperative wound pain.South Afr J Anaesth Analg, 2011;17(6):376-37

Gastric Plication Can Reduce Slippage Rate After Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric plication appears to add security to gastric band application and reduce the incidence of slippage after this procedure

Electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms of protection by iron sucrose against phosphine-induced cardiotoxicity: A time course study

The present study was designed for determining the exact mechanism of cytotoxic action of aluminum phosphide (AlP) in the presence of iron sucrose as the proposed antidote. Rats received AlP (12 mg/kg) and iron sucrose (5-30 mg/kg) in various sets and were connected to cardiovascular monitoring device. After identification of optimum doses of AlP and iron sucrose, rats taken in 18 groups received AlP (6 mg/kg) and iron sucrose (10 mg/kg), treated at six different time points, and then their hearts were surgically removed and used for evaluating a series of mitochondrial parameters, including cell lipid peroxidation, antioxidant power, mitochondrial complex activity, ADP/ATP ratio and process of apoptosis. ECG changes of AlP poisoning, including QRS, QT, P-R, ST, BP and HR were ameliorated by iron sucrose (10 mg/kg) treatment. AlP initiated its toxicity in the heart mitochondria through reducing mitochondrial complexes (II, IV and V), which was followed by increasing lipid peroxidation and the ADP/ATP ratio and declining mitochondrial membrane integrity that ultimately resulted in cell death. AlP in acute exposure (6 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in hydroxyl radicals and lipid peroxidation in a time-dependent fashion, suggesting an interaction of delivering electrons of phosphine with mitochondrial respiratory chain and oxidative stress. Iron sucrose, as an electron receiver, can compete with mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and divert electrons to another pathway. The present findings supported the idea that iron sucrose could normalize the activity of mitochondrial electron transfer chain and cellular ATP level as vital factors for cell escaping from AlP poisoning. © 2015 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved