The Role of Ultrasonography in Patients Referring to the Emergency Department with Acute Abdominal Pain

Context: Acute abdominal pain is a common clinical problem in emergency and non-emergency cases accounting for 5 to 10% of all referrals to the emergency department. Studies have indicated that these widely differentiated diagnoses are common to these complaints. Considering the high prevalence of this complaint in the patients and the wide range of its differential diagnosis, this review study was designed and evaluated aiming at investigating the causes of acute abdominal pain with a focus on assessing the position of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in the emergency department. Evidence acquisition: This article was conducted as a narrative review of 106 articles from 2005 through 2019. By comparing them, a comprehensive review of ultrasonographic status was conducted in patients with acute abdominal pain referring to the emergency department. Results: In this review study, we attempted to use the articles of the clinical approach, the required laboratory tests, the disadvantages and advantages of each imaging technique, the differential diagnosis for acute abdominal pain according to the location of the pain, and the position of ultrasound as a diagnostic aid tool. Eventually, the proposed protrusion will be considered in dealing with a patient with acute abdominal pain. Conclusion: Regarding the wide range of causes providing multiple differential diagnosis, as well as the limited time of the health team in the emergency department for diagnostic and therapeutic measures, particularly in time-sensitive clinical conditions, ultrasound offered by emergency medicine specialists as a diagnostic aid is considered to improve the overall diagnosis and treatment of patients, thereby reducing complications

Antitrypanosomatid Pharmacomodulation at Position 3 of the 8-Nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one Scaffold Using Palladium-Catalysed Cross-Coupling Reactions

International audienceAn antikinetoplastid pharmacomodulation study at position 3 of the recently described hit molecule 3-bromo-8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one was conducted. Twenty-four derivatives were synthesised using the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and evaluated in vitro on both Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes and Trypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes. Introduction of a para-carboxyphenyl group at position 3 of the scaffold led to the selective antitrypanosomal hit molecule 3-(4-carboxyphenyl)-8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one (21) with a lower reduction potential (-0.56 V) than the initial hit (-0.45 V). Compound 21 displays micromolar antitrypanosomal activity (IC50 =1.5 μm) and low cytotoxicity on the human HepG2 cell line (CC50 =120 μm), having a higher selectivity index (SI=80) than the reference drug eflornithine. Contrary to results previously obtained in this series, hit compound 21 is inactive toward L. infantum and is not efficiently bioactivated by T. brucei brucei type I nitroreductase, which suggests the existence of an alternative mechanism of action

Drivers and barriers in farmers’ adoption of vermicomposting as keys for sustainable agricultural waste management

The conversion of agricultural waste into organic fertilizer through vermicomposting is a sustainable waste management solution and an income source for organic fertilizer producers. Most of the agricultural waste in Iran is burned, triggering an array of negative consequences. Vermicompost production at the farm level is rarely practiced in Iran, and farmers play a central role. The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of on-farm vermicomposting and its level (number of cycles), barriers to it, and to provide adapted policy recommendations. The study used a mixed-method approach, with a survey on 142 farmers and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. The study showed that attitude (β = 0.515, sig. = 0.01), subjective norms (β = 1.745, sig. = 0.01), vermicomposting training (β = 2.160, sig. = 0.01), safe spraying (β = 2.915, sig. = 0.01), and integrated pest management (β = 1.793, sig. = 0.01) influenced the participation in vermicomposting. Some of the barriers to vermicomposting revealed by the qualitative research were the initial investment cost, farmers’ short-term vision, lack of necessary infrastructure, and lack of subsidies. The study complements the scant information on farmers’ vermicomposting behavior and proves that its understanding is essential to remove barriers and engage farmers in vermicomposting. Practical recommendations based on findings support sustainable agricultural waste management

The Role of Ultrasonography in Patients Referring to the Emergency Department with Acute Abdominal Pain

Context: Acute abdominal pain is a common clinical problem in emergency and non-emergency cases accounting for 5 to 10% of all referrals to the emergency department. Studies have indicated that these widely differentiated diagnoses are common to these complaints. Considering the high prevalence of this complaint in the patients and the wide range of its differential diagnosis, this review study was designed and evaluated aiming at investigating the causes of acute abdominal pain with a focus on assessing the position of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in the emergency department. Evidence acquisition: This article was conducted as a narrative review of 106 articles from 2005 through 2019. By comparing them, a comprehensive review of ultrasonographic status was conducted in patients with acute abdominal pain referring to the emergency department. Results: In this review study, we attempted to use the articles of the clinical approach, the required laboratory tests, the disadvantages and advantages of each imaging technique, the differential diagnosis for acute abdominal pain according to the location of the pain, and the position of ultrasound as a diagnostic aid tool. Eventually, the proposed protrusion will be considered in dealing with a patient with acute abdominal pain. Conclusion: Regarding the wide range of causes providing multiple differential diagnosis, as well as the limited time of the health team in the emergency department for diagnostic and therapeutic measures, particularly in time-sensitive clinical conditions, ultrasound offered by emergency medicine specialists as a diagnostic aid is considered to improve the overall diagnosis and treatment of patients, thereby reducing complications