A new Light on Lung Disease in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly of the diaphragm with an incidence of approximately 1 per 2500 births. Typically, the abdominal organs will herniate into the chest cavity, with resulting maldevelopment of the alveoli and pulmonary vessels. The defect is usually – reportedly in 84% of the cases – located on the left side of the diaphragm. Right-sided CDH and bilateral CDH, which occur in 14% and 2% of cases, are associated with a worse prognosis. CDH can present as an isolated defect or in combination with other congenital anomalies, such as congenital heart disease or chromosomal anomalies. The condition may be life threatening and key determinants of mortality are the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia and the presence of therapy resistant pulmonary hypertension. Smaller number and generations of airways, thickened alveolar septa, and abnormal architecture of the respiratory acinus characterize pulmonary hypoplasia. Pulmonary hypertension may result from medial hyperplasia and adventitial thickening associated with under- and maldevelopment of the pulmonary vessels. Although survival rates have improved over the years, mortality rates in live-born patients still range from 10-35%, depending on case selection. Moreover, surviving neonates carry a substantial risk of developing secondary morbidity, such as cardiopulmonary, gastro-intestinal and neurological problems

Abuse of sulfonylureas: Is factitious hypoglycemia a cause for concern?

Several prescription and nonprescription drugs are liable for abuse. However, oral hypoglycemic agents are among the most benign and low-risk drugs in terms of abuse liability. This commentary intends to raise awareness regarding the abuse of a particular type of oral hypoglycemic agent, namely sulfonylurea drugs, used to experience mental-altering effects for its euphoric “hypoglycemic rush.” Information is available on discussion fora online where people exchange their experiences. Moreover, several case reports have been published and described the liability for abuse of sulfonylurea drugs. This article intends to shed the light on this phenomenon in light of the available literature, attempting to explain the possible scientific basis for it. In addition, it highlights the need for health professional awareness and vigilance for this form of drug diversion. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Воздействие высокоэнергетических пучков быстрых электронов на полимерные радиационно-защитные композиты

Исследовано влияние пучков быстрых электронов на структуру и свойства радиационно-защитных композиционных материалов, капсулированных в полимерные термопластичные оболочки. Представлены результаты теоретических расчетов пробега быстрых электронов в полимерном композите, оценка защитных характеристик и экспериментальные результаты по изменению мощности дозы электронного излучения за слоями полимерного композита с объемным электрическим зарядом. Исследована аморфно-кристаллическая структура, макросвойства и деструкция полимерного композита.Досліджено вплив пучків швидких електронів на структуру і властивості радіаційно-захисних композиційних матеріалів, капсулірованих в полімерні термопластичні оболонки. Представлено результати теоретичних розрахунків пробігу швидких електронів в полімерному композиті, оцінка захисних характеристик і експериментальні результати по зміні потужності дози електронного випромінювання за шарами полімерного композиту з об'ємним електричним зарядом. Досліджена аморфно-кристалічна структура, макровластивості та деструкція полімерного композиту.In work influence of bunches of rapid electrons is explored on a structure and properties of radiation-protective materials of compositions, kapsulirovannykh in polymeric termoplastichnye shells. The results of theoretical calculations of run of rapid electrons are presented in polymeric kompozite, estimation of protective descriptions and experimental results on a change power of dose of electronic radiation after the layers of polymeric kompozita with a by volume electric charge. An amorphously-crystalline structure and destruction of polymeric kompozita, is explored

A simulation model to study maternal hyperoxygenation during labor

To investigate the effect of maternal hyperoxygenation on fetal oxygenation and fetal heart rate decelerations during labor, using a simulation model. Design Use of a mathematical model that simulates feto–maternal hemodynamics and oxygenation, designed in Matlab R2012a. Setting Clinical and engineering departments in the Netherlands. Methods We simulated variable and late fetal heart rate decelerations, caused by uterine contractions with a different contraction interval. We continuously recorded oxygen pressure in different feto–placental compartments and fetal heart rate, during maternal normoxia and during hyperoxygenation with 100% oxygen. Main outcome measures Changes in oxygen pressure in the intervillous space, umbilical vein and arteries, fetal cerebral and microcirculation as well as fetal heart rate deceleration depth and duration. Results Maternal hyperoxygenation leads to an increase in fetal oxygenation: in the presence of variable decelerations, oxygen pressure in the intervillous space increased 9–10 mmHg and in the cerebral circulation 1–2 mmHg, depending on the contraction interval. In addition, fetal heart rate deceleration depth decreased from 45 to 20 beats per minute. In the presence of late decelerations, oxygen pressure in the intervillous space increased 7–10 mmHg and in the cerebral circulation 1–2 mmHg, depending on the contraction interval. The fetus benefited more from maternal hyperoxygenation when contraction intervals were longer. Conclusions According to the simulation model, maternal hyperoxygenation leads to an increase in fetal oxygenation, especially in the presence of variable decelerations. In addition, in the presence of variable decelerations, maternal hyperoxygenation leads to amelioration of the fetal heart rate pattern

The Dynamic Landscape of Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) Use in Ireland: Results from an Expert Consultation

In Ireland, legislators encountered a new phenomenon in 2005 onwards with the advent of ‘legal highs’ sold in headshops. Use of ‘legal highs’ containing herbal and synthetic new psychoactive substances (NPS) was not confined to problematic drug users, and included social recreational users. Legislative controls were enacted in 2010, 2011 and 2015. The study aimed to investigate expert perspectives on the NPS situation with regard to changing and emergent trends in use, health and social consequences and service implications. This brief report presents descriptive findings from a national consultation using a structured guide with experts in 2016. Four themes emerged and centred on; ‘Definitions of NPS used within Professional Roles’; ‘Professional Experiences of NPS‘; ‘Types of NPS Users, Sourcing and Consequences of Use’; and ‘Service Response.’ Findings underscored the mental health and addiction related consequences of NPS use, with prevention, clinical and treatment services ill- equipped to deal with the particular characteristics of this form of drug abuse. Enhanced strategies, services and clinical responses are warranted to address the challenges encountered. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New Yor

Exploring Charity Worker Perceptions of the Social Value and Sustainability of Solar Lighting in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia: A Scoping Study

Approximately 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity and use kerosene as a source of light. Solar lighting is a safer and cost effective alternative allowing families to study, work and live without the harmful effects of kerosene. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with staff from a United Kingdom (UK) based charity to explore the social value of solar lighting (n=7). These staff were based in the UK, Malawi, Kenya and Zambia. Two overarching themes: ‘The Social Value of Solar Lighting’ and ’Improving the Sustainability and Economic Viability of Solar Lighting’ illustrated perceived multi-faceted and wide reaching benefits on the micro-level creating positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. Future studies may look to identify the impact that solar lights may have upon the macro-level, and medium to long-term outcomes; and estimated social return on investment in different developing countries

Child sex offender mindset and grooming strategies: A discourse analysis of sex offender narratives from South Africa

Violence against children, particularly sexual violence continues to threaten South African society. Whilst severely under-reported, the perpetration of child sexual abuse (CSA) against boys and girls is a significant societal concern, underpinned by adverse childhood familial instability, childhood abuse in particular sexual abuse, violence, inequality and wider structural forces. The research base is growing, despite low disclosure rates and significant barriers to access. In order to better understand unique trajectories of perpetration of CSA, particular to the South African context, we conducted an in-depth qualitative study with twelve male child sex offenders who were attending a therapeutic, rehabilitation programme. They provided open discourse on the forms of enticement, exploitation or entrapment of child victims, including threats of harm, used to elicit compliance into sexual activities. They disclosed trauma dictated fantasy, and that they felt powerful and in control, when they sexually abused their victims. Most of the offences took place in their own home. By delving into the strategies and mind set of the offender who sexually abuse children, this study provides evidence of a distinct and deliberate, 'grooming process' used by offenders; and emphasises the cyclic patterns of offending. Understanding these truths explores its potential for the prevention of the CSA. In its entirety the research deconstructs the strategies of the offender and examines their actual role in the onset of sexually offending behaviour against children; in order to draw out the implications of these complexities for policy, practice, crime prevention, particularly in terms of the prevention of CS

Accounting for self-protective responses in randomized response data from a social security survey using the zero-inflated Poisson model

In 2004 the Dutch Department of Social Affairs conducted a survey to assess the extent of noncompliance with social security regulations. The survey was conducted among 870 recipients of social security benefits and included a series of sensitive questions about regulatory noncompliance. Due to the sensitive nature of the questions the randomized response design was used. Although randomized response protects the privacy of the respondent, it is unlikely that all respondents followed the design. In this paper we introduce a model that allows for respondents displaying self-protective response behavior by consistently giving the nonincriminating response, irrespective of the outcome of the randomizing device. The dependent variable denoting the total number of incriminating responses is assumed to be generated by the application of randomized response to a latent Poisson variable denoting the true number of rule violations. Since self-protective responses result in an excess of observed zeros in relation to the Poisson randomized response distribution, these are modeled as observed zero-inflation. The model includes predictors of the Poisson parameters, as well as predictors of the probability of self-protective response behavior.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/07-AOAS135 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org