What is the burden of illness in patients with reflux disease in South Africa?

Objectives: To describe the impact of heartburn on patients’ Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in South Africa.Design: Survey of patient-reported outcomes and physician-assessed symptoms. Setting: South African, major referral gastroenterology clinic. Subjects: Consecutive patients with predominant symptoms of heartburn.Outcome measures:Patients completed the Afrikaans versions of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) and the Short Form Health-36 (SF-36). Physician-assessed frequency and severity of heartburn during the previous 7 days were also recorded.Results: 125 patients with symptoms of heartburn (age: M=46.0 [±12 years]; females= 74%, 87% mixed race) completed the Afrikaans translation of GSRS, the QOLRAD and the Short-Form-36 (SF-36). Patients were bothered most by symptoms of reflux (mean GSRS score of 4.9, on a scale of 1 [not bothered] to 7 [very bothered]), indigestion (4.0) and abdominal pain (4.0). As a result of their symptoms, importantreflux related aspects of life, such as problems with food and drink (3.5), emotional distress (3.6), impaired vitality (3.7), sleep disturbance (3.8) and impaired physical/social functioning (4.3) were experienced (QOLRAD scores where 1 represents the most severe impact on daily functioning and 7 no impact). Overall HRQL measured by the SF-36 was poor across all domains and was significantly lower compared to the UK general population. Conclusions: There is consistentevidence that GERD symptoms substantially impair all aspects of HRQL in this mixed race South African population referred to this central clinic

PERSPECTIVE OF EXPLOITATION OF ALGINIT IN PLANT NUTRITION

Alginit je organicko-minerálna hornina, ktorá má v bohatom nálezisku pri Lučenci reálnu perspektívu širokého využitia. Alginit je fosílna riasa (algae), ktorá v Panónskej jazernej sústave pri vulkanických zmenách pred 3-4 miliónami rokmi spolu s erodovanými horninami vytvorila súvislý sediment. V práci sú zvýraznené jeho pedologicko-agrochemické parametre s významným zastúpením biogénnych N, P, K, Ca, Mg, stopových Cu, Mo, Mn, Se, ale i rizikových As, Cd, Pb, Hg prvkov. Doplnené sú hodnoty pH, obsah organického materiálu, ale i vysokovýznamnej sorpènej kapacity závislej od jeho polyminerálneho charakteru. Vlastnosti sú porovnané s prírodným materiálom podobného druhu, ktorý sa ťaží v Maďarsku a v širokom spektre sa využíva aj ako stabilizátor pôdnej úrodnosti s potvrdenými vlastnosťami pri viacerých poľnohospodárskych plodinách.Ore and non-ore potential of the Slovak Republic is restricted by the size of its area. Each successful result of geological research uncovering modest raw material supplies is considered to be worthy. Since 1990 the alginite bed situated in Lučenec Valley, locality of Picniná village, has been considered in the above mentioned sense. Alginite represents a rock with relatively high organic matter content which was sedimenting together with the clays in post - volcanic outbursts during geological periods appropriate for algae occurrence. An interest for this material is also stimulated by the experiences obtained during alginite mining from the deposit not far off Slovak - Hungarian boundary in Gercei and Pula in Hungary. Gercei alginite has a wide variety of utilization as an ecological raw material. By underlining pedological and agrochemical alginite value we intend to contribute to the realization of its utilization, especially in agriculture. First of all, the fact that specific and volume weight as well as the consistent constants and particularly specific surface value of alginite exclusively positively influence physical and chemical soil properties should be emphasized here. Content of biogenic and trace elements, portion of colloidal fraction, humus content and sorption capacity have a determinative significance for prospective alginite involving into an assortment of progressive preparations for soil properties improving. Natural character, absence of phytotoxicity, effective economy of mining technology and ecologization of farming systems, those are the arguments for alginite to be included among such materials like zeolites and bentonites which have already achieved a possition for useful agricultural utilization

MOBILITY OF CADMIUM IN VARIOUS SOIL TYPES / SUBTYPES

V príspevku sa hodnotil hygienický stav pôd vo vzťahu k plošnému prehľadu kontaminácie poľnohospodárskych pôd ťažkými kovmi. Celkový obsah Cd a obsahy v extraktoch 2M HNO3, 0,05M EDTA a 0,01M CaCl2 boli stanovené v pôdnych vzorkách odobratých z troch rôznych horizontov. Získané údaje boli porovnané s prípustnými limitnými hodnotami. Na sledovanie sorpcie Cd v modelových kinetických podmienkach boli použité PVC kolóny. Obsah Cd bol stanovený v extrakčných roztokoch (2M HNO3, 0,05M EDTA, 0,01M CaCl2) metódou atómovej absorpčnej spektrofotometrie. Cd sa v zlúčeninách vo väčšine testovaných pôd nachádza v ľahkouvoľniteľných formách. Tento fakt predstavuje zvýšené riziko pre ekosystémy.In the paper the soil hygiene status was evaluated considering the Cd content in selected soil types according to the areal survey of agricultural soil contamination by heavy metals. The total Cd content and its content in eluates 2M HNO3, 0,05M EDTA and 0,01M CaCl2 were determined from soil samples taken from three depth levels. Achieved data were compared to alloved limit values.The cnock – down colums in model kinetic conditions were used for observation of Cd sorption. The Cd content were determined in extraction solutions 2M HNO3, 0,05M EDTA and 0,01M CaCl2 by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The Cd compounds in majority of tested soils are bounded in light released forms. This fact presents enhanced risk for ecosystems

Development of Short-Form Versions of the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R):A Proof-of-Principle Study

BACKGROUND: The Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R) is a 24-item questionnaire designed to assess risk of aberrant medication-related behaviors in chronic pain patients. The introduction of short forms of the SOAPP-R may save time and increase utilization by practitioners. OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate candidate SOAPP-R short forms. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Pain centers. SUBJECTS: Four hundred and twenty-eight patients with chronic noncancer pain. METHODS: Subjects had previously been administered the full-length version of the SOAPP-R and been categorized as positive or negative for aberrant medication-related behaviors via the Aberrant Drug Behavior Index (ADBI). Short forms of the SOAPP-R were developed using lasso logistic regression. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of all forms were calculated with respect to the ADBI using the complete data set, training-test analysis, and 10-fold cross-validation. The coefficient alpha of each form was also calculated. An external set of 12 pain practitioners reviewed the forms for content. RESULTS: In the complete data set analysis, a form of 12 items exhibited sensitivity, specificity, and AUC greater than or equal to those of the full-length SOAPP-R (which were 0.74, 0.67, and 0.76, respectively). The short form had a coefficient alpha of 0.76. In the training-test analysis and 10-fold cross-validation, it exhibited an AUC value within 0.01 of that of the full-length SOAPP-R. The majority of external practitioners reported a preference for this short form. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-item version of the SOAPP-R has potential as a short risk screener and should be tested prospectively

The assessment and validation of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) among frontline doctors in Pakistan during fifth wave of COVID-19

ObjectiveThe study aims to document sociodemographic features, address the symptoms and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among frontline doctors in Pakistan, and validate the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21) on the context of Pakistan.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout the regions of Pakistan on frontline doctors to document their sociodemographic patterns and the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress while dealing with the fifth wave (Omicron-variant) of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Pakistan (December 2021–April 2022). Respondents (N = 319) were recruited through a snowball sampling process.ResultsThough previous literature reported declines in psychological symptoms after earlier waves of COVID-19, these DASS-21 findings show that as the pandemic has worn on, frontline doctors in Pakistan are having considerable personal symptoms of depression (72.7%), anxiety (70.2%), and stress (58.3%). Though specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, they rated only moderate levels of depression and stress, however they reported severe levels of anxiety. The results also revealed a positive correlation between depression and anxiety (r = 0.696, p < 0.001), depression and stress (r = 0.761, p < 0.001), and anxiety and stress (r = 0.720, p < 0.001).ConclusionThrough the application of all required statistical procedures, DASS-21 is validated in the cultural context of Pakistan among this group of frontline doctors. The findings of this study can provide new directions for the policy makers (government and hospitals' administration) of Pakistan to focus on the mental wellbeing of the doctors under similar enduring public health crises and to protect them from short- or long-term disorders

Viral discovery and diversity in trypanosomatid protozoa with a focus on relatives of the human parasite <i>Leishmania</i>.

Knowledge of viral diversity is expanding greatly, but many lineages remain underexplored. We surveyed RNA viruses in 52 cultured monoxenous relatives of the human parasite &lt;i&gt;Leishmania&lt;/i&gt; ( &lt;i&gt;Crithidia&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Leptomonas&lt;/i&gt; ), as well as plant-infecting &lt;i&gt;Phytomonas&lt;/i&gt; &lt;i&gt;Leptomonas pyrrhocoris&lt;/i&gt; was a hotbed for viral discovery, carrying a virus (Leptomonas pyrrhocoris ostravirus 1) with a highly divergent RNA-dependent RNA polymerase missed by conventional BLAST searches, an emergent clade of tombus-like viruses, and an example of viral endogenization. A deep-branching clade of trypanosomatid narnaviruses was found, notable as &lt;i&gt;Leptomonas seymouri&lt;/i&gt; bearing Narna-like virus 1 (LepseyNLV1) have been reported in cultures recovered from patients with visceral leishmaniasis. A deep-branching trypanosomatid viral lineage showing strong affinities to bunyaviruses was termed " &lt;i&gt;Leishbunyavirus&lt;/i&gt; " (LBV) and judged sufficiently distinct to warrant assignment within a proposed family termed " &lt;i&gt;Leishbunyaviridae&lt;/i&gt; " Numerous relatives of trypanosomatid viruses were found in insect metatranscriptomic surveys, which likely arise from trypanosomatid microbiota. Despite extensive sampling we found no relatives of the totivirus &lt;i&gt;Leishmaniavirus&lt;/i&gt; (LRV1/2), implying that it was acquired at about the same time the &lt;i&gt;Leishmania&lt;/i&gt; became able to parasitize vertebrates. As viruses were found in over a quarter of isolates tested, many more are likely to be found in the &gt;600 unsurveyed trypanosomatid species. Viral loss was occasionally observed in culture, providing potentially isogenic virus-free lines enabling studies probing the biological role of trypanosomatid viruses. These data shed important insights on the emergence of viruses within an important trypanosomatid clade relevant to human disease

Reliability and validity of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire in dyspepsia: A six-country study

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Age-related differences in socio-demographic and behavioral determinants of HIV testing and counseling in HPTN 043/NIMH Project Accept

Youth represent a large proportion of new HIV infections worldwide, yet their utilization of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) remains low. Using the post-intervention, cross-sectional, population-based household survey done in 2011 as part of HPTN 043/NIMH Project Accept, a cluster-randomized trial of community mobilization and mobile HTC in South Africa (Soweto and KwaZulu Natal), Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Thailand, we evaluated age-related differences among socio-demographic and behavioral determinants of HTC in study participants by study arm, site, and gender. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed using complete individual data from 13,755 participants with recent HIV testing (prior 12 months) as the outcome. Youth (18–24 years) was not predictive of recent HTC, except for high-risk youth with multiple concurrent partners, who were less likely (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61–0.92) to have recently been tested than youth reporting a single partner. Importantly, the intervention was successful in reaching men with site specific success ranging from aOR 1.27 (95% CI 1.05–1.53) in South Africa to aOR 2.30 in Thailand (95% CI 1.85–2.84). Finally, across a diverse range of settings, higher education (aOR 1.67; 95% CI 1.42, 1.96), higher socio-economic status (aOR 1.21; 95% CI 1.08–1.36), and marriage (aOR 1.55; 95% CI 1.37–1.75) were all predictive of recent HTC, which did not significantly vary across study arm, site, gender or age category (18–24 vs. 25–32 years)