Alleviation of oxidative stress induced by spider mite invasion through application of elicitors in bean plants

Spider mite invasion induces oxidative stress on bean plants and increased soluble sugars, phenole, proline and peroxidase activity, but decreased catalase activity and ascorbic acid and carotenoid concentration. Application of elicitors significantly enhanced spider mite tolerance by decreasing hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage, and increasing peroxidase activity and antioxidant compounds reported previously, leading to increasing ion percentage in plant shoot. This finding suggests that elicitors might be activating antioxygenic enzymes and elevating antioxidants there by controlling free radical generation, hence preventing membrane peroxidation and denaturation of biomolecules resulting into improving plant growth.Keywords: Tetranychus urticae, Phaseolus vulgaris, salicylate, methyl jasmonate, antioxidants

Generalised tetanus: A rare complication of Richter’s hernia

We present a case report of generalized tetanus following umbilical Richter’s hernia in a 10 month old unimmunized boy. This case is reported because tetanus is a rare complication of Richter’s hernia and to emphasize the need for immunization of all unimmunized children with tetanus vaccine. Ahigh index of suspicion is important in the diagnosis of Richter’s herniain order to avoid complication, as diagnosis is often delayed or missed. The co-exiting tetany is also a rare co-morbidity of Richter’s hernia

Co-morbidities in children hospitalized for community acquired pneumonia in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in developing countries. These children are also at risk of other morbidities, thus, increasing the morbidity and mortality.Objective: This study was conducted to examine the prevalence and pattern of co-morbidities in children admitted for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Maiduguri.Methodology: All children admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, in 2011, with CAP were prospectively followed until discharge or death. The children were evaluated for co-morbidities clinically and by examination of appropriate specimen where necessary.Result: A total of 115 children aged one month to 14 years were admitted for CAP during the study period. While majority of the children studied were underfive; 107 (93%), 65(56.5%) were males, 101 (87.8%) had one or multiple co morbidities, with about half of them 58 (50.4%) afflicted by malaria. Pre admission medication was commoner for orthodox than traditional medication. No significant difference in mortality outcome was however noticed between children with co-morbidity and those without comorbidity, p > 0.05.Conclusion: The occurrence of comorbid conditions among children hospitalized for CAP in Maiduguri is common; however, the presence of co-morbidity did not significantly affect the mortality outcome of their management. It is recommended that the presence of comorbidity be actively looked for in children hospitalized for pneumonia, so as to effect holistic treatment, and improve the outcome of management.Keywords: Pneumonia, Children. Co-morbidity, Maiduguri, Mortality outcom

Nonlinear Modeling and Analysis of Pressure Wave inside CEUP Fuel Pipeline

Operating conditions dependent large pressure variations are one of the working characteristics of combination electronic unit pump (CEUP) fuel injection system for diesel engines. We propose a precise and accurate nonlinear numerical model of pressure inside HP fuel pipeline of CEUP using wave equation (WE) including both viscous and frequency dependent frictions. We have proved that developed hyperbolic approximation gives more realistic description of pressure wave as compared to classical viscous damped wave equation. Frictional effects of various frequencies on pressure wave have been averaged out across valid frequencies to represent the combined effect of all frequencies on pressure wave. Dynamic variations of key fuel properties including density, acoustic wave speed, and bulk modulus with varying pressures have also been incorporated. Based on developed model we present analysis on effect of fuel pipeline length on pressure wave propagation and variation of key fuel properties with both conventional diesel and alternate fuel rapeseed methyl ester (RME) for CEUP pipeline

Tinjauan Deskriptif: Karakteristik Faktor-Faktor Health Seeking Behavior pada Pasien Disorder of Sex Development

Angka kejadian DSD 1:4, 500-5.500. Walalupun angka kejadian DSD masih rendah namun menurut penelitian banyak pasien terdiagnosis DSD ketika umur >2 tahun bahkan ada yang terdiagnosis ketika dewasa. Terdapat pasien yang mengalami late diagnose disebabkan oleh kurangnya Health Seeking Behavior. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi faktor internal dan eksternal Health Seeking Behavior pasien DSD di RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang pada tahun 2013-2017. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan cross sectional menggunakan data primer dan sekunder. Sampel diambil dengan menggunakan metode total sampling dari seluruh data rekam medik yang memenuhi kriterian inklusi. Dari 120 data pasien yang diperoleh, didapatkan 61 sampel pasien DSD di RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang pada tahun 2013-2017. Pasien terdiagnosis paling banyak saat umur >6 - ≥12 tahun sebanyak 22 pasien (36,1%). Pasien dengan jenis kelamin laki-laki lebih banyak yaitu ditemukan 54 pasien (88,5%). Orang tua pasien yang mengantar anaknya paling banyak berumur 26-35 tahun untuk umur Ibu (52,5%) dan 36-45 tahun untuk umur Ayah (39,3%). Pendidikan terakhir orang tua pasien DSD merupakan tamat SMA (78,7%). Status ekonomi orang tua pasien DSD yang datang ke RSMH paling banyak ditemukan golongan kelas atas (50,8%) dan pasien terbanyak berasal dari Palembang (23%). Pasien DSD di RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang masih banyak tergolong late diagnose ditinjau dari beberapa faktor Health Seeking Behavior

Population‐based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications in a prospective population‐based cohort. Methods Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two‐level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2). Results Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications. Conclusion Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics

The impact of psychiatric comorbidity on Parkinson's disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The burden of psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease includes depression, anxiety, apathy, psychosis, and impulse control disorders. However, the relationship between psychiatric comorbidities and subsequent prognosis and neurological outcomes is not yet well understood. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, in individuals with Parkinson's disease, we aimed to characterise the association between specific psychiatric comorbidities and subsequent prognosis and neurological outcomes: cognitive impairment, death, disability, disease progression, falls or fractures and care home admission. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and AMED up to 13th November 2023 for longitudinal observational studies which measured disease outcomes in people with Parkinson's disease, with and without specific psychiatric comorbidities, and a minimum of two authors extracted summary data. Studies of individuals with other parkinsonian conditions and those with outcome measures that had high overlap with psychiatric symptoms were excluded to ensure face validity. For each exposure-outcome pair, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted based on standardised mean difference, using adjusted effect sizes–where available–in preference to unadjusted effect sizes. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. PROSPERO Study registration number: CRD42022373072. FINDINGS: There were 55 eligible studies for inclusion in meta-analysis (n = 165,828). Data on participants’ sex was available for 164,514, of whom 99,182 (60.3%) were male and 65,460 (39.7%) female. Study quality was mostly high (84%). Significant positive associations were found between psychosis and cognitive impairment (standardised mean difference [SMD] 0.44, [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.66], I2 30.9), psychosis and disease progression (SMD 0.46, [95% CI 0.12–0.80], I2 70.3%), depression and cognitive impairment (SMD 0.37 [95% CI 0.10–0.65], I2 27.1%), depression and disease progression (SMD 0.46 [95% CI 0.18–0.74], I2 52.2), depression and disability (SMD 0.42 [95% CI 0.25–0.60], I2 7.9%), and apathy and cognitive impairment (SMD 0.60 [95% CI 0.02–1.19], I2 27.9%). Between-study heterogeneity was moderately high. INTERPRETATION: Psychosis, depression, and apathy in Parkinson's disease are all associated with at least one adverse outcome, including cognitive impairment, disease progression and disability. Whether this relationship is causal is not clear, but the mechanisms underlying these associations require exploration. Clinicians should consider these psychiatric comorbidities to be markers of a poorer prognosis in people with Parkinson's disease. Future studies should investigate the underlying mechanisms and which treatments for these comorbidities may affect Parkinson's disease outcomes. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, National Brain Appeal

A Hidden Markov Model for Analysis of Frontline Veterinary Data for Emerging Zoonotic Disease Surveillance

Surveillance systems tracking health patterns in animals have potential for early warning of infectious disease in humans, yet there are many challenges that remain before this can be realized. Specifically, there remains the challenge of detecting early warning signals for diseases that are not known or are not part of routine surveillance for named diseases. This paper reports on the development of a hidden Markov model for analysis of frontline veterinary sentinel surveillance data from Sri Lanka. Field veterinarians collected data on syndromes and diagnoses using mobile phones. A model for submission patterns accounts for both sentinel-related and disease-related variability. Models for commonly reported cattle diagnoses were estimated separately. Region-specific weekly average prevalence was estimated for each diagnoses and partitioned into normal and abnormal periods. Visualization of state probabilities was used to indicate areas and times of unusual disease prevalence. The analysis suggests that hidden Markov modelling is a useful approach for surveillance datasets from novel populations and/or having little historical baselines

Impact of pericardial adhesions on diastolic function as assessed by vortex formation time, a parameter of transmitral flow efficiency

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pericardial adhesions are a pathophysiological marker of constrictive pericarditis (CP), which impairs cardiac filling by limiting the total cardiac volume compliance and diastolic filling function. We studied diastolic transmitral flow efficiency as a new parameter of filling function in a pericardial adhesion animal model. We hypothesized that vortex formation time (VFT), an index of optimal efficient diastolic transmitral flow, is altered by patchy pericardial-epicardial adhesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 8 open-chest pigs, the heart was exposed while preserving the pericardium. We experimentally simulated early pericardial constriction and patchy adhesions by instilling instant glue into the pericardial space and using pericardial-epicardial stitches. We studied left ventricular (LV) function and characterized intraventricular blood flow with conventional and Doppler echocardiography at baseline and following the experimental intervention.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant decreases in end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, stroke volume, and late diastolic filling velocity reflected the effects of the pericardial adhesions. The mean VFT value decreased from 3.61 ± 0.47 to 2.26 ± 0.45 (P = 0.0002). Hemodynamic variables indicated the inhibiting effect of pericardial adhesion on both contraction (decrease in systolic blood pressure and +dP/dt decreased) and relaxation (decrease in the magnitude of -dP/dt and prolongation of Tau) function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patchy pericardial adhesions not only negatively impact LV mechanical functioning but the decrease of VFT from normal to suboptimal value suggests impairment of transmitral flow efficiency.</p