Exploring the Infectious Contribution to Intussusception Causality Using the Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns in Australia: An Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Intussusception is the primary cause of acute bowel obstruction in infants. The majority of cases <2 years of age are classed as idiopathic, with viral infection implicated as one of the causes. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health measures led to significant decreases in communicable disease prevalence. During these times, reductions in intussusception frequency were greater than would be expected with our previous understanding of its infectious etiology. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multistate, ecological study over a 12-year period. Monthly case numbers of "intussusception"-coded admissions (code K56.1; International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification) were acquired from state-wide admissions data sets from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, representing 77.62% of the eligible Australian population. These counts within differing jurisdictional lockdowns were compared with non-lockdown periods in order to investigate a correlation between intussusception frequency and lockdown periods. RESULTS: We found a negative association between intussusception frequency and lockdown periods in both eligible states. The largest reductions were seen in the <2-year age groups, with Victoria experiencing a 62.7% reduction (rate ratio, 0.37; P < .001) and New South Wales a 40.1% reduction (0.599; P = .006) during lockdown times. Controls for variations in lockdown restrictions between both regional and metropolitan areas also showed expected decreases. CONCLUSIONS: Our ecological study demonstrates significant decreases in the frequency of pediatric intussusception admissions during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. The unexpected magnitude of the reductions suggests that the true proportion of infectious disease-caused idiopathic intussusception is greatly underestimated.

Synthesis of Magnetic Fe3O4-Chitosan Nanoparticles by Ionic Gelation and Their Dye Removal Ability.

The aim of this study was to synthesize magnetic Fe3O4 chitosan nanoparticles (m-Fe3O4-CNs) by ionic gelation method and use them as adsorbent for the removal of Bromothymol Blue (BB) from aqueous solutions. Also, the effect of various parameters on the preparation of m-Fe3O4-CNs was investigated in this study. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Adsorption of BB on m-Fe3O4-CNs was studied in a batch reactor at different experimental conditions such as adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, initial BB concentration and temperature. Kinetic behaviors, equilibrium isotherms and thermodynamics of the adsorption process were investigated in detail. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model well fitted the adsorption experimental results. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption was a spontaneous, favorable and exothermic process in nature.

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence Among Ethnic and Sexual Minorities: Lived Experiences of Queer Women in Norway.

Drawing upon in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study explored how queer women from ethnic minority backgrounds in Norway understand and experience intimate partner violence (IPV). Based on an intersectional approach, the study highlights and discusses how having multiple minority positions may inform and affect the way participants experience IPV. The analysis shows that participants' experiences of IPV are shaped by their multiple minority statuses in Norwegian society. A discussion is provided that revolves around how being a sexual as well as an ethnic minority generates a significant power imbalance for the participants in their relationships.

Evaluation of the Prognosis of the Teeth in the Mandibular Fracture Line.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of the teeth in the mandibular fracture line and to analyze the relationship between the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, and the relationship between the condition of the teeth at the first postoperative (post-op) year. METHODS: A total of 60 teeth from 38 patients (11 female and 27 male) who had erupted teeth in the line of mandibular fracture and were treated with open reduction were examined. The data were collected from the patients' clinical records and radiographs. Age at the time of injury, gender, cause of trauma, site of fracture, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, and the condition of the teeth in the line of the fracture at the first post-op year were evaluated. RESULTS: The degree of displacement of fracture fragments had an effect on the condition of the teeth at the first post-op year (P = .036) and the regions of the mandible had an effect on the degree of displacement of the fracture fragments (P = .000). The survival rate of the pulp of the teeth was 69.8%. CONCLUSIONS: A preventive approach should be preferred for teeth in the mandibular fracture line. Retained teeth in the fracture line should be monitored clinically and radiologically for at least 1 year, and unnecessary endodontic treatments should be avoided.