FORMULATION AND ASSESSMENT OF A HERBAL HAIR CREAM AGAINST CERTAIN DERMATOPHYTES

Objective: Developing an herbal antifungal formulation containing eruca and garlic oils against highly resistant dermatophytes (Malassezia fufur AUMC No. 5173, Microsporum canis bodin AUMC No. 5490 and Trichophyton mentagrophytes AUMC No. 5501. 5501) and assessment of garlic oil thiosulfonates during the ex vivo percutaneous permeation through albino rat skin.Methods: Assay of antifungal activity was performed by filter paper disc method and agar well diffusion method. The components of volatile constituents and fixed oil of eruca seeds were studied using GC/MS. Thiosulfinates in garlic oil were analyzed by HPLC/UV. Both oils were incorporated into hair cream using span 60 and brij 58 at three different concentrations (2, 4 and 6% w/w) and alliin, was ex vivo evaluated using albino rat skin mounted on Franz diffusion cells.Results: The two oils have a synergistic effect on the first and additive effect on the second and the third fungi. The main constituents in eruca are 4-(methyl thio) butyl isothiocyanate (82%) for volatile constituents and erucic acid (40%) for the fixed one. The highest flux for alliin (0.337±0.0015 mg/cm2/hr) was obtained at a 4% surfactant concentration.Conclusion: Combination of oils has a high activity on the selected dermatophytes. Formulation of an herbal hair cream using span 60 and Brij 58 with a concentration 4% gives the highest permeation rate for alliin in garlic oil.Keywords: Eruca, Garlic, Dermatophytes, Quantitative determination and Ex-vivo permeatio

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Low-PAPR condition for 5G-candidate waveforms

International audienceTo meet 5G networks challenges in terms of high data ratesand spectral efficiency, one solution might be using multicarriermodulations (MCM)s. However, using MCMs issynonymous with low energy efficiency due to their highpeak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Indeed, high PAPRsignals drive power amplifiers to operate most of the timein the linear zone. This latter corresponds to low power efficiency.This leads to a trade-off between spectral and energyefficiency. For this reason, PAPR reduction techniqueshave been highly addressed in literature. In this work, thistrade-off is addressed differently: a necessary conditionto achieve better PAPR performance than orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) is established. Thistheoretical condition is verified by simulation results carriedon Fourier-based and wavelet-based MCMs. The establishedcondition classifies the MCMs into three categoriesregarding the PAPR: same as, higher than and lowerthan the OFDM PAPR level

A Precoding-based PAPR Reduction Technique for UF-OFDM and Filtered-OFDM Modulations in 5G Systems

International audienceThe universal filtered-orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (UF-OFDM) (also called universal filtered multicar-rier (UFMC)) and the filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM) are candidatesto be alternative to the OFDM modulation in the upcoming5G systems thanks to their improved spectral occupation andresistance to the carrier frequency offset. However, like themajority of the multicarrier modulations, UF-OFDM and F-OFDM have a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Thisinfluences the operation mode of radio frequency componentssuch as the power amplifier and the digital-to-analog converter.In this paper, a precoding-based PAPR reduction technique isproposed for both the UF-OFDM and the F-OFDM cases. Asimilar technique has been proposed in the literature for OFDM.The principle of this method is to transform the UF-OFDM signalto a lower order summation of single carrier signals and theF-OFDM signal to single carrier signal. The relevance of theproposed PAPR reduction technique is confirmed by simulationresults. The latter show a PAPR reduction of at least 2.5 dB.Moreover, the proposed technique does not impact the bit errorrate performance and lowers down the power spectral densitytails at the power amplifier output

Identification of Physical Parameters of a Porous Material Located in a Duct by Inverse Methods

Lined ducts with porous materials are found in many industrial applications. To understand and simulate the acoustic behaviour of these kinds of materials, their intrinsic physical parameters must be identified. Recent studies have shown the reliability of the inverse approach for the determination of these parameters. Therefore, in the present paper, two inverse techniques are proposed: the first is the multilevel identification method based on the simplex optimisation algorithm and the second one is based on the genetic algorithm. These methods are used of the physical parameters of a simulated case of a porous material located in a duct by the computation of its acoustic transfer, scattering, and power attenuation. The results obtained by these methods are compared and discussed to choose the more efficient one

Clinicopathological Studies on the Effect of Nano Selenium Particles in Broilers

The reason for this research was to analyze the potential immune-stimulating and antioxidant properties of nano-selenium (nano-Se) in broiler chickens. The study utilized 150 one-day-old Cobb broiler chickens, which were arbitrarily allocated to six groups of 25 chickens every: G1 (control), G2 (0.3 ml nano-selenium/L water), G3 (0.5 ml nano-selenium/L water), G4 (E. coli 2 x 107 cfu), G5 (0.3 ml nano-selenium/L water and E. coli), and G6 (0.5 ml nano-selenium/L water and E. coli). Various immune response, antioxidant, and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. The results revealed that infected chickens had significantly lower levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) compared to the control group. Conversely, the infected chickens revealed a marked higher in interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IF-γ), and malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, infected and nano-se treated chickens exhibited a rise in IgG, IgM, IgA, GSH, GPX, SOD, and IL-4 with a notable decline in IF-γ, IL-2, and MDA relative to the infected group. These findings suggest that nano-se may play a significant role in immune response, antioxidant activity, and control and prevention of E. coli infections in broiler chickens. These results imply that nano-se may have a substantial role in strengthening the immune response, antioxidant activity, and management and prevention of E. coli infections in broiler chickens.Bottom of Form &nbsp

Evaluation of the Effect of Uncertainties on the Acoustic Behavior of a Porous Material Located in a Duct Element Using the Monte Carlo Method

When studying porous materials, most acoustical and geometrical parameters can be affected by the presence of uncertainties, which can reduce the robustness of models and techniques using these parameters. Hence, there is a need to evaluate the effect of these uncertainties in the case of modeling acoustic problems. Among these evaluation methods, the Monte Carlo simulation is considered a benchmark for studying the propagation of uncertainties in theoretical models. In the present study, this method is applied to a theoretical model predicting the acoustic behavior of a porous material located in a duct element to evaluate the impact of each input error on the computation of the acoustic proprieties such as the reflection and transmission coefficients as well as the acoustic power attenuation and the transmission loss of the studied element. Two analyses are conducted; the first one leads to the evaluation of the impacts of error propagation of each acoustic parameter (resistivity, porosity, tortuosity, and viscous and thermal length) through the model using a Monte Carlo simulation. The second analysis presents the effect of propagating the uncertainties of all parameters together. After the simulation of the uncertainties, the 95% confidence intervals and the maximum and minimum errors of each parameter are computed. The obtained results showed that the resistivity and length of the porous material have a great influence on the acoustic outputs of the studied model (transmission and reflection coefficients, transmission loss, and acoustic power attenuation). At the same time, the other physical parameters have a small impact. In addition, the acoustic power attenuation is the acoustic quantity least impacted by the input uncertainties