Non-invasive technology to determine the haemoglobin level of blood donors at the SANBS

Background: Predonation haemoglobin (Hb) check has been done traditionally by the copper sulphate (CuSO4), or the haemocue haemoglobinometer methods. Both of these require a fingerprick of the donor to obtain capillary blood samples. It is thought that a non-invasive, but accurate method of Hb check will reduce stress to the donor and improve the donation experience.Aim: This study aims to establish the suitability of a non-invasive method, the HaemospectR transcutaneous Hb measurement system for screening prospective donors at the cut-off Hb value of 12.5g/dl.Materials and methods: All donors who presented for platelet and/or plasma donation at the multi-disciplinary donor centre of SANBS in Port Elizabeth were considered for enrolment. Hb was measured by both the standard automated method on venous EDTA samples, and by the HaemospectR transcutaneous Hb measuring device.Results: A total of 161 subjects were studied, including white, black, and coloured, male and female donors. The calculated sensitivity of the HaemospectR was 94.6%. The average percentage variance in Hb measurement between the two methods was 1.2%, while 70.8% of subjects had a percentage variance within10% of the venous Hb result.Discussion and conclusion: The result shows that the accuracy of the HaemospectR measurement was within the 1.5g/dl ascribed to the CuSO4 method. This suggests that the non-invasive method was at least as sensitive as the traditional screening methods. Further large-scale study is recommended to validate the findings in this pilot study.Keywords: Donor screening, haemoglobin, non-invasive, capillary sample; copper sulphat

Greening a Geriatric Ward Reduces Functional Decline in Elderly Patients and is Positively Evaluated by Hospital Staff

This research examined whether greening of a geriatric ward may reduce the hospital-induced decline in the independent functioning of elderly patients as measured by changes from admission to discharge in the KATZ-ADL6 and physician assessments at discharge. Using a quasi-experimental design with 4 months of pre- and post-tests, the functional decline in a sample of 54 hospitalized geriatric patients was found to be lower after greening than before greening for both measures. Moreover, an evaluative survey among 15 staff members showed that they appreciated the greening, and believed it to support patient well-being

Green Walls for a Restorative Classroom Environment:A Controlled Evaluation Study

In the present research, we evaluated the restorative impacts of green walls with living plants in classrooms of two elementary schools using a controlled, prospective design with baseline measurements and follow-ups at 2 and 4 months. At each time of measurement, children's (n = 170, age = 7-10) cognitive performance, well-being, and classroom evaluations were measured with attentional tests and self-report questionnaires. Results show that children in the four classrooms where a green wall was placed, as compared with children in control groups, scored better on a test for selective attention; processing speed was not affected by the green wall. The green wall also positively influenced children's classroom evaluations. There were no measurable effects of the green wall on children's self-reported well-being. The green walls were generally evaluated positively during the two follow-ups. These results provide some of the first empirical support for green walls as a means for restorative classroom design.</p

Повышение эффективности контекстной рекламы в Интернете

Рассмотрены пути повышения эффективности рекламной кампании на площадках поисковых систем. Предложен подход к формированию рабочей группы ключевых слов, используемых в рекламных предложениях, разработан механизм изменения состава группы. Выработаны рекомендации по формированию и коррекции цены предложения на рекламном аукционе Google. Выполнена проверка предложенных решений на основе практических данных коммерческой фирмы, занимающейся контекстной рекламой на площадке поисковой системы.Розглянуто шляхи підвищення ефективності рекламної кампанії на площадках пошукових систем. Запропоновано підхід до формування робочої групи ключових слів, використовуваних у рекламних пропозиціях, розроблений механізм зміни складу групи. Вироблено рекомендації з формування й корекції ціни пропозиції на рекламному аукціоні Google. Виконано перевірку запропонованих рішень на основі практичних даних комерційної фірми, що займається контекстною рекламою на площадці пошукової системи.During article were examined new ways of Internet search system advertising efficiency increasing. Have been suggested method of creation optimal keywords workgroup(which are used in advertising sentences) approach. Have been worked out recommendations for bid fixing and correction. on Google advertising auction. Suggested conceptions were tested and implemented on real busyness information of internet-advertising company, which is mostly concentrated on context advertisin

Can Use of Digital Technologies by People with Dementia Improve Self-Management and Social Participation? A Systematic Review of Effect Studies

There is increasing interest in the use of technology to support social health in dementia. The primary objective of this systematic review was to synthesize evidence of effectiveness of digital technologies used by people with dementia to improve self-management and social participation. Records published from 1 January 2007 to 9 April 2020 were identified from Pubmed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Controlled interventional studies evaluating interventions based on any digital technology were included if: primary users of the technology had dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI); and the study reported outcomes relevant to self-management or social participation. Studies were clustered by population, intervention, and outcomes, and narrative synthesis was undertaken. Of 1394 records identified, nine met the inclusion criteria: two were deemed to be of poor methodological quality, six of fair quality, and one of good quality. Three clusters of technologies were identified: virtual reality, wearables, and software applications. We identified weak evidence that digital technologies may provide less benefit to people with dementia than people with MCI. Future research should address the methodological limitations and narrow scope of existing work. In the absence of strong evidence, clinicians and caregivers must use their judgement to appraise available technologies on a case-by-case basis

Local IL-13 gene transfer prior to immune-complex arthritis inhibits chondrocyte death and matrix-metalloproteinase-mediated cartilage matrix degradation despite enhanced joint inflammation

During immune-complex-mediated arthritis (ICA), severe cartilage destruction is mediated by Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) (mainly FcγRI), cytokines (e.g. IL-1), and enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)). IL-13, a T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine abundantly found in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to reduce joint inflammation and bone destruction during experimental arthritis. However, the effect on severe cartilage destruction has not been studied in detail. We have now investigated the role of IL-13 in chondrocyte death and MMP-mediated cartilage damage during ICA. IL-13 was locally overexpressed in knee joints after injection of an adenovirus encoding IL-13 (AxCAhIL-13), 1 day before the onset of arthritis; injection of AxCANI (an empty adenoviral construct) was used as a control. IL-13 significantly increased the amount of inflammatory cells in the synovial lining and the joint cavity, by 30% to 60% at day 3 after the onset of ICA. Despite the enhanced inflammatory response, chondrocyte death was diminished by two-thirds at days 3 and 7. The mRNA level of FcγRI, a receptor shown to be crucial in the induction of chondrocyte death, was significantly down-regulated in synovium. Furthermore, MMP-mediated cartilage damage, measured as neoepitope (VDIPEN) expression using immunolocalization, was halved. In contrast, mRNA levels of MMP-3, -9, -12, and -13 were significantly higher and IL-1 protein, which induces production of latent MMPs, was increased fivefold by IL-13. This study demonstrates that IL-13 overexpression during ICA diminished both chondrocyte death and MMP-mediated VDIPEN expression, even though joint inflammation was enhanced