No Evidence of Persisting Unrepaired Nuclear DNA Single Strand Breaks in Distinct Types of Cells in the Brain, Kidney, and Liver of Adult Mice after Continuous Eight-Week 50 Hz Magnetic Field Exposure with Flux Density of 0.1 mT or 1.0 mT

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized in the literature that exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 or 60 Hz) may lead to human health effects such as childhood leukemia or brain tumors. In a previous study investigating multiple types of cells from brain and kidney of the mouse (Acta Neuropathologica 2004; 107: 257-264), we found increased unrepaired nuclear DNA single strand breaks (nDNA SSB) only in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus in the brain using autoradiographic methods after a continuous eight-week 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) exposure of adult mice with flux density of 1.5 mT. METHODS: In the present study we tested the hypothesis that MF exposure with lower flux densities (0.1 mT, i.e., the actual exposure limit for the population in most European countries, and 1.0 mT) shows similar results to those in the previous study. Experiments and data analysis were carried out in a similar way as in our previous study. RESULTS: Continuous eight-week 50 Hz MF exposure with 0.1 mT or 1.0 mT did not result in increased persisting unrepaired nDNA SSB in distinct types of cells in the brain, kidney, and liver of adult mice. MF exposure with 1.0 mT led to reduced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in epithelial cells in the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle in the brain (EC-CP) and epithelial cells of the cortical collecting duct in the kidney, as well as to reduced mtDNA synthesis in neurons of the caudate nucleus in the brain and in EC-CP. CONCLUSION: No evidence was found for increased persisting unrepaired nDNA SSB in distinct types of cells in the brain, kidney, and liver of adult mice after continuous eight-week 50 Hz magnetic field exposure with flux density of 0.1 mT or 1.0 mT

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Autoradiographische Modelluntersuchungen an der Maus zum Einfluss einer achtwöchigen 50-Hz-Magnetfeld-Exposition auf DNA-Reparatur und mitochondriale DNA-Synthese von Tubulusepithelzellen der Niere

1.) The aim of this study was to use autoradiographic analyses after the injection of 3H-thymidine (TdR) to investigate the nuclear DNA repair synthesis rate ("unscheduled DNA synthesis" = UDS) and the mitochondrial DNA synthesis rate of proximal and distal tubular epithelium cells in the kidney of the 9-month-old mouse after an eight-week exposure to a magnetic field (MF) of varying intensity.2.) Out of a total of 80 test animals, 29 animals were exposed to a magnetic field at 50 Hz with a mean magnetic flux density of 1 mT or 0.1 mT respectively, while 15 animals were subjected to a control exposure (0 mT). The remaining seven inactive animals, which had neither been exposed to a magnetic field nor injected with 3H-thymidine, were used for control of background labelling. The animals exposed to a magnetic field were injected 5 minutes (in Group A) or 24 hours (Group B) or 7 days (Group C) with 555 kBq 3H-thymidine per gram of body weight after the end of the MF-exposure. Two hours later, they were sacrificed, some organs (e. g. kidney) removed and preserved with a fixative for several weeks. Subsequently, 3 µm thick paraffin sections were prepared, Feulgen stained, and finally, after an exposure of 250 days, autoradiograms were produced, which were examined under the microscope at a 1250x primary magnification. 100 consecutive cells per cell type were analyzed with regard to the number of nuclear grain number or cytoplasmic grain number inclusive the corresponding profile areas of the cells. By correcting for the background labelling, normalization the mean nuclear grain numbers concerning the diploid DNA content of the section volume, standardizing the nucleus marker to a uniform DNA quantity per segment volume or calculating cytoplasmic silver grain densities, respectively, a direct comparison of the labelling of different cell types was possible.3.) The possible autoradiographic artifacts as well as animal specific effects were detected by studying cumulative frequency distributions of the grain counts. The data of the different groups were compared by univariance analysis and post-hoc t-tests with consideration of a Bonferroni correction. All probabilities with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Finally, linear regression analyses were used to determine whether dose-dependent effects exist.4.) In relation to the UDS, the univariance analyses did not show any significant results either in the proximal nor distal tubulus. However, when the data from the earlier investigations performed by Keller (2003) and Freuding (2004) with the same methodology for a magnetic field exposure of 1.5 mT were included, the linear regression analysis resulted in a UDS which increased significantly with the dose, but only for the tubular epithelial cells of the proximal tubulus. This is fully consistent with earlier findings of Keller (2003), but not with those of Freuding (2004). However, the univariance analyses for nuclear profile areas and also for cytoplasmic silver grain densities showed no statistical significances. 5.) Regarding the influence of the time of the 3H-thymidine injection on the UDS, no statistical significances were found in the univariance analyses. However, with regard to the cytoplasmic silver grain density, a significant result was found for both the proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells, although this result could not be confirmed in the subsequent post-hoc t-tests.6.) With regard to the relative range of the measured values achieved here, a clear increase occurred in comparison to Keller (2003) and Freuding (2004); however, no correlations with the magnetic field intensity could be detected. These large ranges were possibly responsible for the fact that no significant results were achieved.7.)Summarizing the findings of previous studies concerning MF-induced DNA damage in the kidney, it is apparent that damage to the nuclear DNA is to be expected after magnetic field exposure at 50 Hz. However, such damage should be repaired, directly after it occurs

Autoradiographische Modelluntersuchungen an der Maus zum Einfluss einer achtwöchigen 50-Hz-Magnetfeld-Exposition auf DNA-Reparatur und mitochondriale DNA-Synthese von Tubulusepithelzellen der Niere

1.) The aim of this study was to use autoradiographic analyses after the injection of 3H-thymidine (TdR) to investigate the nuclear DNA repair synthesis rate ("unscheduled DNA synthesis" = UDS) and the mitochondrial DNA synthesis rate of proximal and distal tubular epithelium cells in the kidney of the 9-month-old mouse after an eight-week exposure to a magnetic field (MF) of varying intensity.2.) Out of a total of 80 test animals, 29 animals were exposed to a magnetic field at 50 Hz with a mean magnetic flux density of 1 mT or 0.1 mT respectively, while 15 animals were subjected to a control exposure (0 mT). The remaining seven inactive animals, which had neither been exposed to a magnetic field nor injected with 3H-thymidine, were used for control of background labelling. The animals exposed to a magnetic field were injected 5 minutes (in Group A) or 24 hours (Group B) or 7 days (Group C) with 555 kBq 3H-thymidine per gram of body weight after the end of the MF-exposure. Two hours later, they were sacrificed, some organs (e. g. kidney) removed and preserved with a fixative for several weeks. Subsequently, 3 µm thick paraffin sections were prepared, Feulgen stained, and finally, after an exposure of 250 days, autoradiograms were produced, which were examined under the microscope at a 1250x primary magnification. 100 consecutive cells per cell type were analyzed with regard to the number of nuclear grain number or cytoplasmic grain number inclusive the corresponding profile areas of the cells. By correcting for the background labelling, normalization the mean nuclear grain numbers concerning the diploid DNA content of the section volume, standardizing the nucleus marker to a uniform DNA quantity per segment volume or calculating cytoplasmic silver grain densities, respectively, a direct comparison of the labelling of different cell types was possible.3.) The possible autoradiographic artifacts as well as animal specific effects were detected by studying cumulative frequency distributions of the grain counts. The data of the different groups were compared by univariance analysis and post-hoc t-tests with consideration of a Bonferroni correction. All probabilities with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Finally, linear regression analyses were used to determine whether dose-dependent effects exist.4.) In relation to the UDS, the univariance analyses did not show any significant results either in the proximal nor distal tubulus. However, when the data from the earlier investigations performed by Keller (2003) and Freuding (2004) with the same methodology for a magnetic field exposure of 1.5 mT were included, the linear regression analysis resulted in a UDS which increased significantly with the dose, but only for the tubular epithelial cells of the proximal tubulus. This is fully consistent with earlier findings of Keller (2003), but not with those of Freuding (2004). However, the univariance analyses for nuclear profile areas and also for cytoplasmic silver grain densities showed no statistical significances. 5.) Regarding the influence of the time of the 3H-thymidine injection on the UDS, no statistical significances were found in the univariance analyses. However, with regard to the cytoplasmic silver grain density, a significant result was found for both the proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells, although this result could not be confirmed in the subsequent post-hoc t-tests.6.) With regard to the relative range of the measured values achieved here, a clear increase occurred in comparison to Keller (2003) and Freuding (2004); however, no correlations with the magnetic field intensity could be detected. These large ranges were possibly responsible for the fact that no significant results were achieved.7.)Summarizing the findings of previous studies concerning MF-induced DNA damage in the kidney, it is apparent that damage to the nuclear DNA is to be expected after magnetic field exposure at 50 Hz. However, such damage should be repaired, directly after it occurs

Sjuksköterskors Upplevelser Av Att Vårda Patienter I Livets Slutskede : En Litteraturstudie

Bakgrund: Patienter som vårdas i livets slutskede önskar en god vård av sjuksköterskor samt en god sista tid. De upplever en förlust av autonomi och självbestämmande och de önskar ett respektfullt bemötande. Patienter anser att otillräckligt stöd från sjuksköterskorna bidrar till orolighet och ångest under sista tiden i livet. Anhöriga till patienter anser att de har ett stort behov av stöd, en god kommunikation och tillräcklig information. De anhöriga upplever inte alltid att detta behov tillfredsställs. Syftet: Beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelse av att vårda patienter i livets slutskede. Metod: En litteraturstudie med beskrivande syntes baserad på 11 kvalitativa artiklar. Resultat: I resultatet framkom två teman med fyra subteman. Det första huvudtemat Göra gott för den unika människan uppmärksammar sjuksköterskors upplevelser av vikten att tillfredsställa patienters behov och att skapa goda relationer. I det andra huvudtemat, Hinder i vårdandet, beskrevs två hinder som sjuksköteskor upplevde, svårighet i kommunikation och brist på kunskap och erfarenhet. Slutsats: Sjusköterskorna upplevde att vården var berikande när de kinde skapa goda relationer med patienter och anhöriga och tillgodose deras behov. Dock upplevde sjuksköterskorna att vården innebar utmaningar som var relaterade till bristande kunskap och erfarenhet vilket kunde utgöra ett hinder till tillfredställa patienternas behov. Background: Patients who are cared for at the end of life want good care by nurses and good last days of life. They experience a loss of autonomy and self-determination and they want a respectful treatment. Patients believe that insufficient support from the nurses contributes to anxiety and anxiety in palliative care. Relatives of patients believe that they have a great need for support, good communication and sufficient information. The relatives do not always feel that this need is met. Aim: The aim of the examination work is to describe nurses experience of caring for patients at the final stages of life. Method: A literature study with descriptive synthesis based on 11 qualitative articles. Results: The results revealed two themes with four subthemes. The first main theme Do good for the unique person draws attention to nurses' experiences of the importance of satisfying patients' needs and creating good relationships. The second main theme, Obstacles in care, described two obstacles that nurses experienced, difficulties in communication and lack of knowledge and experience. Conclusion: The nurses felt that the care was enriching when they could create good relationships with patients and relatives and meet their needs. However, the nurses experienced the care involved challenges that were related to lack of knowledge and experience, which could constitute an obstacle to satisfying the patients' needs.

Prediction of psychological strain based on perceived work difficulty, occupational hardiness and spirituality among nurses working in hospitals of Malayer

Introduction: Nurses as the major group of health service providers need to have the satisfactory mental health in order to give desirably care for the patients. Therefore this study was done aimed to predict of psychological strain based on perceived work difficulty, occupational hardiness and spirituality among nurses working in hospitals of Malayer. Methods: The research was descriptive and from correlation type. The statistical population included all nurses working in hospitals of Malayer in 2016 year that 115 people were selected using convenience sampling method. Psychological Strain Questionnaire (PSQ), Work Difficultly Scale, Occupational Hardiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) were used for gathering data. Pearson correlation, multivariate stepwise regression and software SPSS-22 were used for analyzing the data. Results: The results showed that there was a significant correlation between perceived work difficulty, component of challenge from occupational hardiness and spirituality with psychological strain (p<0/01), but there wasn't a significant correlation between components of control and commitment from occupational hardiness with psychological strain. Also inter regression analysis results showed that perceived work difficulty, component of commitment from occupational hardiness and spirituality can explain totally %59/7 of psychological strain variance, but components of control and challenge from occupational hardiness cannot predict psychological strain. Conclusion: According to findings of this study, can suggested training and intervention on improving perceived work difficulty, component of commitment from occupational hardiness and spirituality of nurses as an effective way on decreasing their psychological strain

A robust optimization model for a decision-making problem: An application for stock market

In this paper we apply robust linear programming technique for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) method for a decision making problem. During the last two decades, many methods have been extensively used for decision making problems. However, there is no investigation among many existing studies where the uncertainty in data is possible. The robust LINMAP method with the assumption of uncertainty on parameters is implemented in the stock market in order to rank priorities of the stocks. Keywords: Decision making, Robust LINMAP, Stoc

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Toxicological Intensive Care Unit

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococus Aureus (MRSA) is a cause of nosocomial infections at intensive care unit (ICU), which imposes a high mortality and morbidity on the health care systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of MRSA in patients with clinically suspected ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in toxicological ICU admitted patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed over a period of six months from August 2009 to February 2010. A total of 84 patients with clinically suspected VAP were selected from all 381 ICU admitted patients under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. MRSA Screen Agar was used to detect resistance in Staph aureus specimens. MRSA was determined as the main outcome. Results: MRSA was the cause in 54% of Staph aureus infected VAPs. Although MRSA infection was not significantly associated with age, gender, cause of poisoning, chronic disease, paraclinical findings, length of hospital stay, and antibiotic prescription (P>0.05 for all comparisons), it was reported higher in those who expired than those who survived (66.7% vs. 31.9%, P<0.012). Conclusion: In the main referral toxicological ICU in Tehran, in more than 1 of 3 clinically suspected VAP cases, MRSA was seen which was associated with the poorer outcome, higher inpatient mortality

Numerical 3D Finite Element Assessment of Bending Moment-Resisting Frame Equipped with Semi-Disconnected Steel Plate Shear Wall and Yielding Plate Connection

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have advantages such as high elastic stiffness, stable hysteresis behavior, high energy absorption capacity, and decent ductility. However, one of the main drawbacks of SPSWs is their buckling under lateral loading. To address this issue, a simple and practical solution in the form of using a trapezoidal plate moment connection (PMC) and a narrow gap between the infill plate and columns is presented. The PMC will act as an energy absorber, similar to a yielding steel plate, and keep the other structural members in an elastic state. Extensive three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of the SPSW system were investigated under monotonic and cyclic loading. The results revealed that by separating the infill plate from the vertical boundary elements and using two vertical edge stiffeners at both edges of the wall, the same lateral bearing capacity of the conventional system can be achieved. In addition, by increasing the thickness of the PMC from 6.5 to 26 mm, the load-bearing capacity, energy dissipation, and elastic stiffness increased approximately 2, 2.5, and 3.2 times, respectively. It was also found that the flexural capacity ratio of the connection to the beam had little effect on the overall force–displacement behavior. However, it can affect the system failure mechanism. Finally, the tension field inclination angle for such SPSWs was proposed in the range of 30 to 35°