Conjugated linoleic acids as functional food: an insight into their health benefits

This review evaluates the health benefits of the functional food, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) - a heterogeneous group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid predominantly found in milk, milk products, meat and meat products of ruminants. During the past couple of decades, hundreds of reports - principally based on in vitro, microbial, animal, and of late clinical trials on humans - have been accumulating with varying biological activities of CLA isomers. These studies highlight that CLA, apart form the classical nuclear transcription factors-mediated mechanism of action, appear to exhibit a number of inter-dependent molecular signalling pathways accounting for their reported health benefits. Such benefits relate to anti-obesitic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetagenic, immunomodulatory, apoptotic and osteosynthetic effects. On the other hand, negative effects of CLA have been reported such as fatty liver and spleen, induction of colon carcinogenesis and hyperproinsulinaemia. As far as human consumption is concerned, a definite conclusion for CLA safety has not been reached yet. Parameters such as administration of the type of CLA isomer and/or their combination with other polyunsaturated fatty acids, mode of administration (eg., as free fatty acid or its triglyceride form, liquid or solid), daily dose and duration of consumption, gender, age, or ethnic and geographical backgrounds remain to be determined. Yet, it appears from trials so far conducted that CLA are functional food having prevailing beneficial health effects for humans

Awareness, attitudes and knowledge of evidence-based medicine: A cross-sectional baseline survey among academic healthcare practitioners in Namibia

This cross-sectional study examined the awareness, attitudes and knowledge of  evidence-based medicine (EBM) among academics in higher education institutions in Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Botswana. Data were collected using a convenient sampling technique and analyzed by SPSS. Thirty-eight academics completed an  anonymous questionnaire. Most (76%) of the respondents were aware of the Cochrane Collaboration and 97% have heard about EBM, of whom 89% perceived its benefits.  Yet, 74% lacked high level of EBM knowledge, 76% had no formal EBM training and  92% were unfamiliar with the Cochrane library. Motivation to attend EBM training was  high among the respondents. Our results highlight the inadequacy of EBM knowledge and training among academics. There is a need to train academics in EBM in order to improve the practice of EBM in teaching.Keywords: Academic, evidence-based medicine, knowledge, attitude, Cochrane Library, Namibia

Psychiatric staff on the wards does not share attitudes on aggression

Peer reviewe

Use of community radio to communicate agricultural information to Zimbabwe's peasant farmers

PURPOSE – This paper aims to report an investigation into the benefits and limitations of radio to communicate agricultural information to peasant farmers, and how it can be successfully incorporated into agricultural extension service programs in Zimbabwe. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – Quantitative and qualitative research techniques were applied to gather, analyse and interpret data. A total of 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with peasant farmers in Ward 16 of the Buhera South Constituency, and four in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants in agricultural extension and radio services. FINDINGS – Extension service programs do not satisfy the agricultural information needs of peasant farmers because: there are not enough extension workers; they do not have the means of transport to reach all households; they lack the communication skills to interact effectively with the peasant farmers; and they lack the motivation to carry out their work. A community radio service was the most preferred medium of communication for rural peasant farmers. The farming radio programs are relevant to their agricultural activities, their language and accents are used, and they can contribute to the program content. ORIGINALITY/VALUE – The study proposes a suitable model for communicating agricultural information effectively to the peasant farmers. The model elaborates how the community radio service should be set up, what the important components are, and how the community radio service can be incorporated into extension service programs.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0001-253X.ht

Dosimetric Comparison and Evaluation of 4 Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Techniques for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Purpose:The aim of this study was to compare dosimetric characteristics, monitor unit, and delivery efficiency of 4 different stereotactic body radiotherapy techniques for the treatment of prostate cancer.Methods:This study included 8 patients with localized prostate cancer. Dosimetric assets of 4 delivery techniques for stereotactic body radiotherapy were evaluated: robotic CyberKnife, noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and 2 intensity-modulated arc therapy techniques (RapidArc and Elekta volumetric-modulated arc therapy). All the plans had equal treatment margins and a prescription dose of 35 Gy in 5 fractions.Results:Statistically significant differences were observed in homogeneity index and mean doses of bladder wall and penile bulb, all of which were highest with CyberKnife. No significant differences were observed in the mean doses of rectum, with values of 15.2 2.6, 13.3 +/- 2.6, 13.1 +/- 2.8, and 13.8 +/- 1.6 Gy with CyberKnife, RapidArc, volumetric-modulated arc therapy, and noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiotherapy, respectively. The highest dose conformity was realized with RapidArc. The dose coverage of the planning target volume was lowest with noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Treatment times and number of monitor units were largest with CyberKnife (on average 34.0 +/- 5.0 minutes and 8704 +/- 1449 monitor units) and least with intensity-modulated arc therapy techniques (on average 5.1 +/- 1.1 minutes and 2270 +/- 497 monitor units).Conclusion:Compared to CyberKnife, the RapidArc, volumetric-modulated arc therapy, and noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiotherapy produced treatment plans with similar dosimetric quality, with RapidArc achieving the highest dose conformity. Overall, the dosimetric differences between the studied techniques were marginal, and thus, the choice of the technique should rather focus on the delivery accuracies and dose delivery times.Peer reviewe

Schizophrenia and induced abortions : A national register-based follow-up study among Finnish women born between 1965-1980 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate, in women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, the number and incidence of induced abortions (= pregnancy terminations performed by a physician), their demographic characteristics, use of contraceptives, plus indications of and complications related to pregnancy termination. Methods: Using the Care Register for Health Care, we identified Finnish women born between the years 19651980 who were diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder during the follow-up period ending 31.122013. For each case, five age- and place-of-birth- matched controls were obtained from the Population Register of Finland. Information about births and induced abortions were obtained from the Medical Birth Register and the Induced Abortion Register. Results: The number and incidence of induced abortions per 1000 follow-up years did not differ between cases and their controls. However, due to fewer pregnancies, cases exhibited an over 2-fold increased risk of pregnancy termination (RR 228; 95% CI 2.20-2.36). Cases were younger, were more often without a partner at the time of induced abortion, and their pregnancies resulted more often from a lack of contraception. Among cases, the indication for pregnancy termination was more often mother-to-be's medical condition. Induced abortions after 12 weeks gestation were more common among cases. However, cases had no more complications related to termination. Conclusions: The incidence of induced abortions among Finnish women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder is similar to the general population, but their risk per pregnancy over two-fold. They need effective, affordable family planning services and long-term premeditated contraception. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Rikoksesta epäillyn tutkimus

Teema : oikeuspsykiatria. Vertaisarvioitu. Näin tutkin.Rikoksesta epäillyn kliininen tutkimus tehdään yleensä poliisin virka-apupyynnön perusteella päivystyksellisesti. Lääketieteellinen asiantuntemus on välttämätöntä henkeen ja terveyteen kohdistuneen rikoksen vakavuuden arvioinnissa. Joskus joudutaan arvioimaan myös hoidon tarvetta. Rikoksesta epäillyn tutkimus sisältää tutkimuksen, näytteenoton, tietojen kirjauksen ja lausunnon. Erityisesti väkivaltarikoksen kohteen tutkimiseen suunniteltu pahoinpitely- ja kehokarttalomake (PAKE-lomake) tukee tutkimuksen suorittamisessa ja kirjaamisessa. Valokuvien ottaminen oikeuslääketieteellisesti tutkittavasta henkilöstä on erittäin suositeltavaa. Psykiatrisen statuksen arviointi, sen kirjaaminen ja päihdenäytteet ovat tarpeellisia mahdollisen tulevan mielentilatutkimuksen kannalta. Psykiatrisen hoidon tarve arvioidaan normaalin kliinisen käytännön mukaan

Women’s Experiences with Epilepsy Treatment in Southern India: A Focused Ethnography

Women with epilepsy in rural southern India often do not receive anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) or take these drugs regularly, but little is known about how they experience the epilepsy treatment they do receive. The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth description of the treatment experiences of women in this region who had been diagnosed with epilepsy but who do not consistently take AEDs. Focused ethnography was conducted using participant observation and in-depth interviews with six women with epilepsy, eight of their family members, and two traditional healers. The women's treatment experiences are best described as living at the intersection of Western allopathic ("English") medicine and traditional healing practices-approaches that could be complementary or conflicting. The women revealed a variety of perceived barriers to the use of "English" medicine. Health care professionals should appreciate the dynamic interplay of the two treatment approaches and consider all cultural, social, and economic factors that influence the women's treatment experiences

Living in the epilepsy treatment gap in rural South India: A focused ethnography of women and problems associated with stigma

In India, women with epilepsy face unique challenges. A focused ethnography of six women within the epilepsy treatment gap was conducted in rural South India. Women were asked to describe their day-to-day lives. Data were collected through open-ended, semistructured interview questions, participant observation, and field notes. Thematic analysis was done. The disease-related stigma contributed to the women's physical, psychological, and emotional struggles; the women and their family members made every effort to conceal the disease. Educational interventions to create awareness could help women seek effective treatments for their seizures, thereby reducing the stigma and improving the quality of their lives