Joint management of shared aquifers

Joint management of shared aquifer

Chest pain prevalence, causes, and disposition in the emergency department of a regional hospital in Pretoria

BACKGROUND : Chest pain is a common clinical syndrome. However, there is a paucity of African studies describing the causes, prevalence, aetiology, and disposition of patients with chest pain presenting in the emergency department (ED). AIM : The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to determine the prevalence, causes, demographics, and disposition of all adult patients with the main complaint of chest pain presenting at the ED of a regional hospital in South Africa. METHODS : Records of all patients 18 years and older presenting with the complaint of chest pain from 1 December 2011 through 10 April 2012 were assessed. A data collection sheet capturing patient demographics and disposition from the ED was used. The diagnosis was subdivided into groups: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, psychiatric/psychogenic, other, and unknown. RESULTS : Of the 312 patients presenting with chest pain, 210 patient files were retrieved. The prevalence of non-traumatic chest pain was 1.66%. Respiratory disease was the most common cause (36.19%), with pneumonia the most common diagnosis (24.40%). Logistic regression showed diagnoses of acute cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease, older age, and transport by ambulance as being associated with admission. CONCLUSION : The main cause of acute chest pain was found to be respiratory disease, followed by musculoskeletal disorders. In the African context, the aetiology of acute chest pain differs from that in first world countries. Health workers should therefore pay special attention to respiratory conditions during diagnosis and management in African patients with acute chest pain.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Family Medicin

Chest pain prevalence, causes, and disposition in the emergency department of a regional hospital in Pretoria

BACKGROUND : Chest pain is a common clinical syndrome. However, there is a paucity of African studies describing the causes, prevalence, aetiology, and disposition of patients with chest pain presenting in the emergency department (ED). AIM : The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to determine the prevalence, causes, demographics, and disposition of all adult patients with the main complaint of chest pain presenting at the ED of a regional hospital in South Africa. METHODS : Records of all patients 18 years and older presenting with the complaint of chest pain from 1 December 2011 through 10 April 2012 were assessed. A data collection sheet capturing patient demographics and disposition from the ED was used. The diagnosis was subdivided into groups: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, psychiatric/psychogenic, other, and unknown. RESULTS : Of the 312 patients presenting with chest pain, 210 patient files were retrieved. The prevalence of non-traumatic chest pain was 1.66%. Respiratory disease was the most common cause (36.19%), with pneumonia the most common diagnosis (24.40%). Logistic regression showed diagnoses of acute cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease, older age, and transport by ambulance as being associated with admission. CONCLUSION : The main cause of acute chest pain was found to be respiratory disease, followed by musculoskeletal disorders. In the African context, the aetiology of acute chest pain differs from that in first world countries. Health workers should therefore pay special attention to respiratory conditions during diagnosis and management in African patients with acute chest pain.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Family Medicin

What is the role of culture, diversity, and community engagement in transdisciplinary translational science?

Concepts of culture and diversity are necessary considerations in the scientific application of theory generation and developmental processes of preventive interventions; yet, culture and/or diversity are often overlooked until later stages (e.g., adaptation [T3] and dissemination [T4]) of the translational science process. Here, we present a conceptual framework focused on the seamless incorporation of culture and diversity throughout the various stages of the translational science process (T1-T5). Informed by a community-engaged research approach, this framework guides integration of cultural and diversity considerations at each phase with emphasis on the importance and value of "citizen scientists" being research partners to promote ecological validity. The integrated partnership covers the first phase of intervention development through final phases that ultimately facilitate more global, universal translation of changes in attitudes, norms, and systems. Our comprehensive model for incorporating culture and diversity into translational research provides a basis for further discussion and translational science development

The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on pulse pressure variation

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on pulse pressure variation (PPV). DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: Operating theatres of a tertiary training hospital. SUBJECTS: Ventilated patients who required intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring. OOUTCOME MEASURES: PPV during different levels of PEEP. METHOD: Patients were anaesthetised by means of a standard technique and ventilated with a tidal volume of 9 ml/kg ideal body mass. The PPV was calculated at PEEP levels of 2, 5, 8 and 10 cmH2O. PPV was compared at the various PEEP levels. RESULTS: PPV at a PEEP of 8 cmH2O and 10 cmH2O was significantly larger than that at 2 cmH2O (p-value < 0.001). PPV at a PEEP of 10 cmH2O was significantly larger than that at 8 cmH2O (p-value < 0.001). PPV at a PEEP of 8 cmH2O was larger than that at 5 cmH2O (p-value = 0.002). PPV at a PEEP of 2 and 5 cmH2O did not differ significantly (p-value = 0.194). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that, in patients with normal lungs, PEEP has a significant influence on PPV. PPV may be overestimated if PEEP ≥ 8 cmH2O is applied in patients who are ventilated with a tidal volume of 9 ml/kg. It is recommended that in patients with healthy lungs PPV should be measured at a standardised PEEP of ≤ 5 cmH2O.http://www.sajaa.co.za/index.php/sajaaam2013ay201

The psychometric properties of the grazing questionnaire in an obesity sample with and without binge eating disorder

Background: Despite being the first validated measure of grazing, the Grazing Questionnaire (GQ) has not been investigated among individuals with obesity. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the GQ in an obesity sample. Methods: Participants (N=259) were recruited from community and clinical settings in Australia. The sample comprised adults with normal weight (n=77) and obesity (n=182). A portion of individuals with obesity (n=102) had binge eating disorder (BED). Data from the obesity group was examined to establish the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the GQ. A one-way ANOVA with planned contrasts was conducted to compare scores on the GQ across groups. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 2-factor model of the GQ was the best model ft for individuals with obesity. The GQ demonstrated high internal consistency, test–retest reliability over 3 months, and convergent and divergent validity. As hypothesised, the obesity group had significantly higher scores on the GQ than the normal weight group, while the obesity with BED group had significantly higher scores than the obesity without BED group. Conclusion: This was the first study to investigate the psychometric properties of the GQ in an obesity sample. Overall, findings indicated that the GQ is a psychometrically sound measure of grazing among individuals with obesity. These findings provide further support for two distinct subtypes of grazing and highlight the importance of increased assessment and management of grazing behaviours for individuals with obesity and eating disorders. Plain English summary: Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the greatest challenges for individuals with obesity. Certain eating patterns such as grazing may contribute to difficulties in weight management. Grazing is the repetitive and unplanned eating of small amounts of food that is not related to feeling hungry. Researchers and clinicians often use self-report questionnaires to measure grazing. However, the first validated questionnaire of grazing has not been investigated among individuals with obesity. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine and validate the Grazing Questionnaire in individuals with obesity. Overall, our results showed that the Grazing Questionnaire is a valid and reliable self-report measure of grazing in individuals with obesity. Similar to previous research, we found that there are two subtypes of grazing. The first subtype involves continuous, unplanned eating. The second subtype is associated with a sense of loss of control over eating. We also found that people with obesity and binge eating disorder graze more than people with obesity that do not have binge eating disorder, while both groups graze more than individuals with normal weight. We recommend that clinicians routinely assess and treat unhelpful grazing patterns when working with individuals with obesity and eating disorders

Marking Territory

Catalog for the exhibition Marking Territory held at the Seton Hall University Walsh Gallery, November 11 - December 13, 2013. Curated by Erin Healy and Alycia Piazza. Includes an essay by Erin Healy and Alycia Piazza. Includes color illustrations

Marking Territory

Catalog for the exhibition Marking Territory held at the Seton Hall University Walsh Gallery, November 11 - December 13, 2013. Curated by Erin Healy and Alycia Piazza. Includes an essay by Erin Healy and Alycia Piazza. Includes color illustrations

A Community in Bloom: An affordable housing needs assessment of West Bloomington

Purpose of Report This report was written in response to a request from Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. The report expands upon and updates an affordable homeownership needs assessment for the Bloomington-Normal community – with an emphasis on West Bloomington – that was created in 2004. Because the housing market and economic conditions of the area have changed drastically in the last 6 years, an updated report is necessary. Data Sources and Methodology This report uses a combination of primary and, mainly, secondary data sources. Interviews were conducted with representatives of, among others, Bloomington Housing Authority, the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Bloomington-Normal Area, Mid Central Community Action, Prairie State Legal Services, and the West Bloomington Revitalization Project. A variety of data were gathered from secondary sources, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Census, the City of Bloomington, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mid Central Community Action, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)