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1.
Nicotine Tob Res ; 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38955669

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Screening for smoking when people interact with healthcare services and referral of those who smoke to stop smoking services (SSSs) is a key component of efforts to tackle tobacco use. However, little is known about what happens after someone is referred or signposted to SSSs. METHODS: As part of the Cessation of Smoking Trial in the Emergency Department (NCT04854616), those randomised to intervention (n= 505) were referred to local SSSs (along with receiving brief advice and an e-cigarette starter kit) and those randomised to control (n= 502) were given contact details for the same services (signposted). SSS engagement data was collected: 1) directly from participants and 2) from SSS, additional qualitative data came from 33 participant interviews. RESULTS: Engagement with SSSs was very low. 3.2% (n=16) of those in the intervention group and 2.4% (n=12) in the control group reported attending a one-to-one support session. From SSS data, engagement was also low with 8.9% (n=43) of those referred engaging and 3.1% (n=15) going on to quit with SSS support. The majority of the 24 intervention participants interviewed did not recall being contacted by an SSS. CONCLUSION: Referral or signposting to stop smoking services within an Emergency Department based trial resulted in very low levels of engagement. Barriers to engagement identified included participants not being contacted by SSSs and the support offered not meeting their needs. IMPLICATIONS: Referral or signposting of those who smoke to Stop smoking services from the Emergency Department resulted in low rates of engagement in this large multi-centre randomised controlled trial. In order to better support those who smoke it may be more effective for smoking cessation advice to be offered 'in the moment' within clinical settings, and follow-up to be proactively offered rather than relying on people being motivated to contact the services themselves or engaging when contacted.

2.
J Environ Manage ; 352: 120056, 2024 Feb 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38219670

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the waste management of livestock manure and wetland plant residues and their increasing effect on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The benefits of nutrient-rich plants and manures are often overlooked. By conducting a soil column experiment with a fully factorial design, this work found that adding the vermicompost amendments of wetland plants [combination of Canna indica (CiV), Cyperus alternifollius (CaV), Acorus calamus (AcV), and Hydrocotyle vulgaris (HvV) vermicompost] to agricultural wastes affected maize growth throughout its growing season. The results demonstrated that the use of combined AcV and HvV wetland plant-based vermicompost as an organic fertilizer increased the plant total nitrogen (TN: 92% increase) and soil organic matter (SOM: 192% increase) compared with those in control CK. Meanwhile, the combination of CaV with HvV increased the shoot biomass by 3.4 and 4.6 folds compared with that in NPK and CK, respectively. Overall, a new approach for transforming ecological wastes into organic fertilizers was proposed.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Ecosystem , Agriculture/methods , Soil/chemistry , Plants , Technology , Fertilizers , Manure , Nitrogen
3.
Physiol Plant ; 175(6): e14057, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38148196

ABSTRACT

Climate change-induced concurrent drought and salinity stresses significantly threaten global crop yields, yet the physio-biochemical responses to combined stress in quinoa remain elusive. This study evaluated quinoa responses under four growth conditions: well-watered, drought stress, salt stress, and drought + salt stress with (15 mM) or without (0 mM) exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) application. All examined stresses (alone or in combination) reduce quinoa growth and net photosynthesis, although salt stress was found to be less destructive than drought and combined stress. Strikingly, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), stomatal conductance (gs ), photosynthetic rate (PN ), K+ uptake, shoot height, shoot fresh, and dry weight were increased by 46.1%, 22.2%, 101.6%, 12.9%, 12.1%, 22.4%, 7.1%, 14%, and 16.4%, respectively, under combined stress compared to drought alone. In addition, exogenous H2 O2 effectively improved gaseous exchange, osmolytes' accumulation, and antioxidant activity, resulting in reduced lipid peroxidation, which eventually led to higher plant growth under all coercive conditions. The principle component analysis (PCA) indicated a strong positive correlation between antioxidant enzymes and inorganic ions, which contributed efficiently to osmotic adjustment, particularly under conditions of salinity followed by combined stress. In short, in combination, salt stress has the potential to mitigate drought-induced injuries by promoting the absorption of inorganic solutes for osmoregulation in quinoa plants. Furthermore, exogenous application of H2 O2 could be opted to enhance quinoa performance to increase its tolerance mechanism against drought and salinity, even under combined stress.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Chenopodium quinoa , Antioxidants/metabolism , Osmoregulation , Salinity , Droughts , Gases
4.
Physiol Plant ; 165(2): 219-231, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30133704

ABSTRACT

Salinity extent and severity is rising because of poor management practices on agricultural lands, possibility lies to grow salt-tolerant crops with better management techniques. Therefore, a highly nutritive salt-tolerant crop quinoa with immense potential to contribute for future food security was selected for this investigation. Soil drenching of paclobutrazol (PBZ; 20 mg l-1 ) was used to understand the ionic relations, gaseous exchange characteristics, oxidative defense system and yield under saline conditions (400 mM NaCl) including normal (0 mM NaCl) and no PBZ (0 mg l-1 ) as controls. The results revealed that salinity stress reduced the growth and yield of quinoa through perturbing ionic homeostasis with the consequences of overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damages and reduced photosynthesis. PBZ improved the quinoa performance through regulation of ionic homeostasis by decreasing Na+ , Cl- , while improving K+ , Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentration. It also enhanced the antioxidative system including ascorbic acid, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase and glutathione peroxidase, which scavenged the ROS (H2 O2 and O2 •- ) and lowered the oxidative damages (malondialdehyde level) under salinity in roots and more specifically in leaf tissues. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance consequently improved (16 and 21%, respectively) in salt-stressed quinoa PBZ-treated compared to the non-treated ones and contributed to the improvement of panicle length (33%), 100-grain weight (8%) and grain yield (38%). Therefore, PBZ can be opted as a shotgun approach to improve quinoa performance and other crops under high saline conditions.


Subject(s)
Chenopodium quinoa/physiology , Salinity , Soil/chemistry , Triazoles/pharmacology , Antioxidants/metabolism , Ascorbic Acid/metabolism , Chenopodium quinoa/drug effects , Gases/metabolism , Ions , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Oxidation-Reduction , Photosynthesis/drug effects , Plant Transpiration/drug effects , Principal Component Analysis , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Sodium Chloride/pharmacology , Stress, Physiological/drug effects
5.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf ; 164: 344-354, 2018 Nov 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30130733

ABSTRACT

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a highly nutritious grain crop, is resistant to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, and cold) and offers an alternate crop to endure harsh environmental conditions under the face of climate change. Naturally, quinoa genome displays a wide degree of variabilities in drought tolerance strategies. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate drought tolerance variations and stress tolerance enhancement in four quinoa genotypes (Pichaman, Colorado-407D, IESP and 2-Want) thorough foliage-applied H2O2 with the purpose of identifying suitable genotype for water limited environments. The plants were exposed to two watering regimes (75% and 30% pot WHC) and foliage-applied H2O2 treatments (15 mM). The drought stress significantly reduced plant growth, relative water contents, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents and increased ROS production (H2O2 and O2•-) resulting in higher oxidative damage in all quinoa genotypes. Besides, drought stress significantly enhanced the antioxidants (SOD, PPO, and PAL) activity, total soluble sugars, proline, AsA contents and increased the total accumulation of measured inorganic ions in all quinoa genotypes. The PCA analysis indicated that parameters related to osmotic adjustment and antioxidant capacity were more pronounced in 2-Want and IESP genotypes, while parameters depicting oxidative damage were higher in Colorado-407D and more specifically in Pichaman. However, foliage-applied H2O2 effectively improved the osmolytes accumulation, antioxidants activity and K+/Na+ ratio which increased water relations, reduced lipid peroxidation and ultimately resulted in higher plant growth. Overall, 2-Want and IESP genotypes were found relatively more drought resistant, while exogenous application of H2O2 can be opted for more improvement in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant system, which may further enhance drought tolerance, even in sensitive genotypes of quinoa, such as Pichaman.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/analysis , Chenopodium quinoa/drug effects , Droughts , Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Ascorbic Acid/metabolism , Carotenoids/analysis , Catalase/metabolism , Catechol Oxidase/metabolism , Chenopodium quinoa/genetics , Chlorophyll/analysis , Climate Change , Genotyping Techniques , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Peroxidase/metabolism , Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase/metabolism , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Salinity , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Water/analysis
6.
J Pak Med Assoc ; 66(2): 187-93, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26819166

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome in patients with early squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue, and the impact of various prognostic factors on survival. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised records of patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of early stage tongue between March 2003 and October 2009. Various factors, including demographics, risk factors, stage, and grade of the tumour were determined. Kaplan Meier curves were plotted to determine the 5-year overall survival, relapse-free survival, local control, regional control, and loco-regional control. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with early oral tongue tumours were treated. With a median follow-up of 46 months, the overall survival of T1, T2 early tongue tumour was 73% and 64%. The incidence of occult metastasis was 30%. The overall survival for Stage I/II and III/IV was 78% and 50% (p=0.002). Patterns of failures included; local 19 (13%), regional 22 (16%), loco-regional 4 (3%) and distant 5 (4%) respectively. The 5-year local control, regional control, loco-regional control was 86%, 82% and 72%. The only significant predictor of overall survival was clinical and pathological N stage in T1 patients, and surgical procedure, grade, pathological N stage in T2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of early squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue effectively achieved local control and disease-free survival. Nodal stage was the most important prognostic factor in terms of survival and recurrence.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Glossectomy/statistics & numerical data , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Tongue Neoplasms , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Disease Management , Disease-Free Survival , Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glossectomy/methods , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology , Neoplasm Staging , Pakistan/epidemiology , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Tongue Neoplasms/epidemiology , Tongue Neoplasms/pathology , Tongue Neoplasms/therapy
7.
Front Plant Sci ; 15: 1253677, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38638353

ABSTRACT

The exogenous use of the redox compound (H2O2) plays a significant role in abiotic stress tolerance. The present study investigated various H2O2 application methods (seed priming, foliar spray, and surface irrigation) with varying concentration levels (0 mM, 5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, 40 mM, 80 mM, and 160 mM) to evaluate the efficiency of supplying exogenous H2O2 to quinoa under water-deficit conditions. Drought stress reduced quinoa growth and yield by perturbing morphological traits, leading to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and increased electrolyte leakage. Although all studied modes of H2O2 application improved quinoa performance, surface irrigation was found to be sensitive, causing oxidative damage in the present study. Seed priming showed a prominent increase in plant height due to profound emergence indexes compared to other modes under drought conditions. Strikingly, seed priming followed by foliar spray improved drought tolerance in quinoa and showed higher grain yield compared to surface irrigations. This increase in the yield performance of quinoa was attributed to improvements in total chlorophyll (37%), leaf relative water content (RWC; 20%), superoxide dismutase (SOD; 35%), peroxidase (97%), polyphenol oxidase (60%), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (58%) activities, and the accumulation of glycine betaine (96%), total soluble protein (TSP; 17%), proline contents (35%), and the highest reduction in leaf malondialdehyde contents (MDA; 36%) under drought stress. PCA analysis indicated that physio-biochemical traits (proline, SOD, TSP, total chlorophyll, MSI, and RWC) were strongly positively correlated with grain yield, and their contribution was much higher in redox priming than other application methods. In conclusion, exogenous H2O2 application, preferably redox priming, could be chosen to decrease drought-induced performance and yield losses in quinoa.

8.
Anat Sci Educ ; 16(3): 531-546, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36637969

ABSTRACT

The role of anatomical variability in safe clinical practice is underappreciated. A lack of familiarity of anatomical variations is at the center of a multitude of medical and surgical errors. The recent rise in litigation due to such errors suggests that patient care may be compromised. This makes the knowledge of anatomical variation essential to medical education. Empirical studies were identified by searching several databases and repositories, and the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument (MERSQI) was used to assess study quality. Eight studies were eligible for this systematic review; three of which were conference abstracts. Thematic summary of these studies yielded six themes namely: (1) importance of anatomical variation in medical education; (2) the ideal time to introduce anatomical variation in medical education; (3) important anatomical variations to include in medical education; (4) approaches to teaching anatomical variation; (5) assessing knowledge on anatomical variation; (6) barriers to including anatomical variation in medical education. Including anatomical variations in medical education would improve clinical reasoning and surgical outcomes. Following the completion of this review, three recommendations were made: (1) increasing the emphasis of anatomical variation in medical education; (2) developing more resources for anatomical variation education; (3) investigating the implications of lack of knowledge of anatomical variation in medical education through further research.


Subject(s)
Anatomy , Education, Medical , Humans , Anatomy/education , Databases, Factual , Educational Status , Knowledge
9.
Clin J Sport Med ; 22(4): 356-70, 2012 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22627653

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although all intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurement, magnetic resonance imaging, and near-infrared spectroscopy seem to be useful in confirming the diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), no standard diagnostic procedure is currently universally accepted. We reviewed systematically the relevant published evidence on diagnostic criteria commonly in use for CECS to address 3 main questions: (1) Is there a standard diagnostic method available? (2) What ICP threshold criteria should be used for diagnosing CECS? (3) What are the criteria and options for surgical management? Finally, we made statements on the strength of each diagnostic criterion of ICP based on a rigorous standardized process. DATA SOURCES: We searched for studies that investigated ICP measurements in diagnosing CECS in the leg of human subjects, using PubMed, Score, PEDRO, Cochrane, Scopus, SportDiscus, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar. Initial searches were performed using the phrase, "chronic exertional compartment syndrome." The phrase "compartment syndrome" was then combined, using Boolean connectors ("OR" and "AND") with the words "diagnosis," "parameters," "levels," "localisation," or "measurement." Data extracted from each study included study design, number of subjects, number of controls, ICP instrument used, compartments measured, limb position during measurements, catheter position, exercise protocol, timing of measurements, mean resting compartment pressures, mean maximal compartment pressures, mean postexercise compartment pressures, diagnostic criteria used, and whether a reference diagnostic standard was used. The quality of studies was assessed based on the approach used by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in judging the quality of diagnostic studies, and recommendations were made regarding each ICP diagnostic criteria in the literature by taking into account the quality and quantity of the available studies proposing each criterion. MAIN RESULTS: In the review, 32 studies were included. The studies varied in the ICP measurement techniques used; the most commonly measured compartment was the anterior muscle compartment, and the exercise protocol varied between running, walking, and ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion exercises. Preexercise, mean values ranged from 7.4 to 50.8 mm Hg for CECS patients, and 5.7 to 12 mm Hg in controls; measurements during exercise showed mean pressure readings ranging from 42 to 150 mm Hg in patients and 28 to 141 mm Hg in controls. No overlap between subjects and controls in mean ICP measurements was found at the 1-minute postexercise timing interval only showing values ranging from 34 to 55.4 mm Hg and 9 to 19 mm Hg in CECS patients and controls, respectively. The quality of the studies was generally not high, and we found the evidence for commonly used ICP criteria in diagnosing CECS to be weak. CONCLUSIONS: Studies in which an independent, blinded comparison is made with a valid reference standard among consecutive patients are yet to be undertaken. There should also be an agreed ICP test protocol for diagnosing CECS because the variability here contributes to the large differences in ICP measurements and hence diagnostic thresholds between studies. Current ICP pressure criteria for CECS diagnosis are therefore unreliable, and emphasis should remain on good history. However, clinicians may consider measurements taken at 1 minute after exercise because mean levels at this timing interval only did not overlap between subjects and controls in the studies we analyzed. Levels above the highest reported value for controls here (27.5 mm Hg) along with a good history, should be regarded as highly suggestive of CECS. It is evident that to achieve an objective recommendation for ICP threshold there is a need to set up a multi-center study group to reach an agreed testing protocol and modify the preliminary recommendations we have made.


Subject(s)
Anterior Compartment Syndrome/diagnosis , Compartment Syndromes/diagnosis , Leg/physiopathology , Exercise , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Pressure , Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
10.
PLoS One ; 17(8): e0272490, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35921309

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malignancies that spread to the lymph nodes may be identified through surgical biopsy, and treatment of metastatic disease may be through lymph node dissection. These surgeries, however, may be associated with significant adverse outcomes, particularly wound complications, the true incidence of which remains unknown. Multiple studies have reported their individual rates of complications in isolation. The aim of this study will be to systematically evaluate data that presents the incidence of wound complications in patients undergoing these surgeries. METHODS: We have designed and registered a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies presenting incidence data. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for relevant articles. Meta-analysis will be undertaken to synthesise an overall incidence of surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, haematoma and seroma. Subgroup analyses will investigate the effects of anatomical location, primary malignancy and study design on pooled incidence. Risk of bias will be evaluated for each included study using bespoke tools matched to the study design. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide the incidence of wound complications and secondary complications following lymph node surgery. This will directly impact upon the consent process, and may influence the nature of future research studies aimed at reducing post-operative complications.


Subject(s)
Seroma , Surgical Wound Dehiscence , Humans , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/epidemiology , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology , Surgical Wound Infection/complications , Surgical Wound Infection/etiology , Systematic Reviews as Topic
11.
J Neurosci ; 30(1): 56-63, 2010 Jan 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20053887

ABSTRACT

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaM-kinases) are central to various forms of long-term memory (LTM) in a number of evolutionarily diverse organisms. However, it is still largely unknown what contributions specific CaM-kinases make to different phases of the same specific type of memory, such as acquisition, or early, intermediate, and late consolidation of associative LTM after classical conditioning. Here, we investigated the involvement of CaM-kinase II (CaMKII) in different phases of associative LTM induced by single-trial reward classical conditioning in Lymnaea, a well established invertebrate experimental system for studying molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. First, by using a general CaM-kinase inhibitor, KN-62, we found that CaM-kinase activation was necessary for acquisition and late consolidation, but not early or intermediate consolidation or retrieval of LTM. Then, we used Western blot-based phosphorylation assays and treatment with CaMKIINtide to identify CaMKII as the main CaM-kinase, the intrinsic activation of which, in a critical time window ( approximately 24 h after learning), is central to late consolidation of LTM. Additionally, using MK-801 and CaMKIINtide we found that acquisition was dependent on both NMDA receptor and CaMKII activation. However, unlike acquisition, CaMKII-dependent late memory consolidation does not require the activation of NMDA receptors. Our new findings support the notion that even apparently stable memory traces may undergo further molecular changes and identify NMDA-independent intrinsic activation of CaMKII as a mechanism underlying this "lingering consolidation." This process may facilitate the preservation of LTM in the face of protein turnover or active molecular processes that underlie forgetting.


Subject(s)
Association Learning/physiology , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/metabolism , Critical Period, Psychological , Memory/physiology , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/physiology , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/analogs & derivatives , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/pharmacology , Animals , Association Learning/drug effects , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/antagonists & inhibitors , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/physiology , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Enzyme Activation/physiology , Lymnaea , Memory/drug effects , Time Factors
12.
Plant Physiol Biochem ; 159: 17-27, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33310530

ABSTRACT

Quinoa emerged as an ideal food security crop due to its exceptional nutritive profile and stress enduring potential and also deemed as model plant to study the salt-tolerance mechanisms. However to fill the research gaps of this imperative crop, the present work aimed to study the effect of potassium (K) deficiency either separately or in combination with salinity. First, we investigated the stomatal and physiological based variations in quinoa growth under salinity and K, then series of analytical tools were used with model approach to interpret the stomatal aperture (SA) and photosynthesis (Pn) changes. Results revealed that quinoa efficiently deployed antioxidants to scavenge the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), had high uptake and retention of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ with Cl⁻ as charge balancing ion, increased stomata density (SD) and declined the SA to maintain the Pn which resulted the improved growth under salinity. Whereas, K-deficiency caused the stunted growth more severally under salinity due to disruption in ionic homeostasis, excessive ROS production elicited the oxidative damages, SD and SA reduced and ultimately declined in Pn. Our best fitted regression model explored that dependent variables like Pn and SA changed according to theirs signified explanatory variables with quantification per unit based as stomatal conductance (Gs, 51), SD (0.05), ROS (-0.79) and K+ (0.08), Cl⁻ (0.34) and Na+ (- 0.52) respectively. Overall, moderate salinity promoted the quinoa growth, while K-deficiency particularly with salinity reduced the quinoa performance by affecting stomatal and non-stomatal factors.


Subject(s)
Chenopodium quinoa , Oxygen , Plant Stomata , Potassium , Salt Tolerance , Sodium Chloride , Chenopodium quinoa/chemistry , Chenopodium quinoa/drug effects , Chenopodium quinoa/growth & development , Humans , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Oxygen/metabolism , Plant Stomata/drug effects , Potassium/pharmacology , Salinity , Salt Tolerance/drug effects , Salt Tolerance/physiology , Sodium Chloride/pharmacology
13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33383747

ABSTRACT

There is a huge potential for nutrient recovery from organic waste materials for soil fertility restoration as well as negative environmental emission mitigation. Previous research has found vermicomposting the optimal choice for converting organic waste into beneficial organic fertilizer while reducing reactive N loss. However, a great deal of the processes of greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia volatilization during vermicomposting are not well-documented. A field vermicomposting experiment was conducted by deploying earthworms (Eisenia fetida) with three types of agricultural by-products-namely, cow manure (VCM), pig manure (VPM), and biochar (VBC)-and crop (maize) residues compared with traditional composting (COM) without earthworms in the Sichuan Basin, China. Results showed that vermicomposting caused a decrease in electrical conductivity (EC) and total organic carbon (TOC) while increasing total nitrogen (TN). The greatest TN increase was found with VCM. The cumulative NH3 volatilization in COM, VCM, VPM, and VBC during experimental duration was 9.00, 8.02, 15.16, and 8.91 kg N ha-1, respectively. The cumulative CO2 emissions in COM, VCM, VPM, and VBC were 2369, 2814, 3435, and 2984 (g·C·m-2), while for CH4, they were 0.36, 0.28, 4.07, and 0.19 (g·C·m-2) and, for N2O, they were 0.12, 0.06, 0.76, and 0.04 (g·N m-2), respectively. Lower emissions of N2O, CH4, and NH3 were observed in VBC. We concluded that earthworms, as ecological engineers, enhanced reactive nutrients and reduced ammonia volatilization during vermicomposting in our test system. Overall, vermicomposting is proposed as an eco-friendly, sustainable technique that helps to reduce environmental impacts and associated health risks.


Subject(s)
Ammonia/analysis , Charcoal , Composting/methods , Greenhouse Gases/analysis , Manure , Volatilization , Animals , Cattle , China , Nitrogen/analysis , Oligochaeta , Soil , Swine
14.
PLoS One ; 15(12): e0242441, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33264314

ABSTRACT

Camelina sativa L. is an oilseed crop with wide nutritional and industrial applications. Because of favorable agronomic characteristics of C. sativa in a water-limiting environment interest in its production has increased worldwide. In this study the effect of different irrigation regimes (I0 = three irrigations, I1 = two irrigations, I2 = one irrigation and I3 = one irrigation) on physio-biochemical responses and seed yield attributes of two C. sativa genotypes was explored under semi-arid conditions. Results indicated that maximum physio-biochemical activity, seed yield and oil contents appeared in genotype 7126 with three irrigations (I0). In contrast water deficit stress created by withholding irrigation (I1, I2 and I3) at different growth stages significantly reduced the physio-biochemical activity as well as yield responses in both C. sativa genotypes. Nonetheless the highest reduction in physio-biochemical and yield attributes were observed in genotype 8046 when irrigation was skipped at vegetative and flowering stages of crop (I3). In genotypic comparison, C. sativa genotype 7126 performed better than 8046 under all I1, I2 and I3 irrigation treatments. Because 7126 exhibited better maintenance of tissue water content, leaf gas exchange traits and chlorophyll pigment production, resulting in better seed yield and oil production. Findings of this study suggest that to achieve maximum yield potential in camelina three irrigations are needed under semi-arid conditions, however application of two irrigations one at flowering and second at silique development stage can ensure an economic seed yield and oil contents. Furthermore, genotype 7126 should be adopted for cultivation under water limited arid and semi-arid regions due to its better adaptability.


Subject(s)
Agricultural Irrigation , Brassicaceae/physiology , Desert Climate , Water , Analysis of Variance , Brassicaceae/genetics , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Gases/metabolism , Humidity , Osmosis , Plant Leaves/physiology , Plant Oils/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Rain , Seeds/metabolism , Temperature
15.
J Intensive Care Soc ; 20(3): 274-276, 2019 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31447924

ABSTRACT

A 64-year-old female presented with fluctuating level of consciousness of unclear cause. She had radiological features of right middle lobe consolidation and raised inflammatory markers, but normal computed tomography scan of head and normal cerebrospinal fluid results. She was intubated and ventilated with nasogastric feeding for four days and had fully recovered after six days. Upon recovery, the patient disclosed that she had maintained an ice cream-only diet for three years prior to this presentation. She was therefore diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy secondary to dietary insufficiency of thiamine, which was acutely precipitated by pneumonia and recovered following establishment of appropriate nutrition.

16.
J Safety Res ; 68: 59-69, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30876521

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The safety of oil and gas pipelines is an increasing concern for the public, government regulators, and the industry. A safety management system cannot be efficient without having an effective integrity management program (IMP) and a strong safety culture. IMP is a formal document (policies, planning, scheduling, and technical processes) while safety culture is a measure of views, beliefs, and traditions about safety. For regulatory authorities and O&G companies, assessing the effectiveness of both the IMP and safety culture through regulatory audits is a daunting task with indistinct findings. METHOD: An integrated framework based on regulatory audits is developed to assess the maturity of safety culture based on IMP efficacy through risk-based approach by using failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). The framework focuses on three distinct aspects, the probability of failure occurrence in case of the non-compliance of regulatory and program requirements, severity of non-compliance, and effectiveness of the corrective actions. RESULTS: Program requirements and performance indicators are translated into assessment questions which are grouped into 18 IMP components. Subsequently, these components are linked with four safety culture attributes. Sensitivity analysis revealed that four IMP components, i.e., organizational roles and responsibilities, policy and commitment, risk assessment, and training and competency, significantly affect the safety culture maturity level. CONCLUSIONS: Individual assessment of IMP and safety culture in O&G sector consumes extensive time and efforts in the auditing process. The framework facilitates the process by pursuing common criteria between IMP and safety culture. The O&G companies and regulator can prioritize the improvement plans and guidelines using the framework's findings. Practicalapplications: The integrated framework developed in this research will improve the existing assessment mechanism in O&G companies. The framework has been effectively implemented on a case of 17 upstream O&G pipeline-operating companies in the province of British Columbia, Canada.


Subject(s)
Government Regulation , Risk Assessment/methods , Safety Management , British Columbia , Humans , Monte Carlo Method , Natural Gas , Organizational Culture , Petroleum , Program Evaluation
17.
Curr Med Chem ; 26(14): 2502-2513, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30259805

ABSTRACT

The development of innovative drug delivery systems, versatile to different drug characteristics with better effectiveness and safety, has always been in high demand. Chitosan, an aminopolysaccharide, derived from natural chitin biomass, has received much attention as one of the emerging pharmaceutical excipients and drug delivery entities. Chitosan and its derivatives can be used for direct compression tablets, as disintegrant for controlled release or for improving dissolution. Chitosan has been reported for use in drug delivery system to produce drugs with enhanced muco-adhesiveness, permeation, absorption and bioavailability. Due to filmogenic and ionic properties of chitosan and its derivative(s), drug release mechanism using microsphere technology in hydrogel formulation is particularly relevant to pharmaceutical product development. This review highlights the suitability and future of chitosan in drug delivery with special attention to drug loading and release from chitosan based hydrogels. Extensive studies on the favorable non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, solubility and molecular weight variation have made this polymer an attractive candidate for developing novel drug delivery systems including various advanced therapeutic applications such as gene delivery, DNA based drugs, organ specific drug carrier, cancer drug carrier, etc.


Subject(s)
Chitosan/chemistry , Drug Delivery Systems , Excipients/chemistry , Polymers/chemistry
18.
Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol ; 3(1): 22-34, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29492465

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract that occurs in both children and adults. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular low-risk HPV6 and HPV11, and aggressiveness varies among patients. RRP remains a chronic disease that is difficult to manage. This review provides perspectives on current and future management of RRP. Results: The current standard of care is surgical excision, with adjuvant therapies as needed. Surgical management of RRP has evolved with the introduction of microdebriders and photoangiolytic lasers; the latter can now be used in the office setting. Numerous adjuvant pharmacologic therapies have been utilized with some success. Also, exciting preliminary data show that HPV vaccines may prolong the time to recurrence in the RRP population. There is also optimism that wide-spread HPV vaccination could reduce RRP incidence indirectly by preventing vertical HPV transmission to newborns. Conclusion: To date, the biology of RRP is not well understood, although it has been noted to become more aggressive in the setting of immune suppression. Additional research is needed to better understand immune system dysfunction in RRP such that immunomodulatory approaches may be developed for RRP management. Level of Evidence: 4.

19.
South Asian J Cancer ; 6(2): 81-83, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28702415

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Overview of clinical impact of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans in patients with head and neck carcinomas at our center. METHODS: Retrospective review of posttreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET-CT scans in patients with head and neck carcinomas with risk of residual disease. Clinical outcome served as the reference standard. RESULTS: This study included 93 patients (65.6% males, mean age: 48.8 years ± 17.2 standard deviation) with squamous cell carcinoma as most frequent histopathology (91.4%). PET-CT scans were performed on average 6 months posttreatment. Diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET-CT for disease were found to be 88%, 88%, and 92%, respectively. A median follow-up of 24 months was available for 91 patients. Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly higher disease-free survival with negative PET-CT as compared to positive PET-CT (P = 0.01) and maximum standardized uptake values of <5.0 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: FDG PET-CT has diagnostic and prognostic implications in treated patient of head and neck cancers.

20.
J Am Osteopath Assoc ; 117(12): 773-781, 2017 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29181520

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The advent of health information technology (HIT) tools can affect the practice of modern medicine in many ways, ideally by improving quality of care and efficiency and reducing medical errors. Future physicians will play a key role in the successful implementation of HIT. However, osteopathic medical students' willingness to learn, adopt, and use technology in a health care setting is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To understand osteopathic medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HIT and to identify factors that may be related to their readiness to use HIT. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional approach, quantitative surveys were collected from students attending a large osteopathic medical school. Multivariate regression modeling was used to determine whether knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and personal characteristics were associated with students' readiness to use HIT in future clinical practice. RESULTS: Six hundred four students responded to at least 70% of the survey and were included in the analysis. Multivariate modeling successfully explained the 26% of variance in predicting students' readiness to use HIT (F8,506=22.6, P<.001, R2=0.263). Greater self-efficacy, openness to change (in academic/work settings), favorable attitudes toward HIT use, mobile technology use, younger age, being male, and prior exposure to technology were associated with readiness to use HIT. CONCLUSION: Understanding students' level of HIT readiness may help guide medical education intervention efforts to better prepare future osteopathic physicians for HIT engagement and use. Innovative approaches to HIT education in medical school curricula that include biomedical informatics may be necessary.


Subject(s)
Computer Literacy/statistics & numerical data , Medical Informatics , Osteopathic Medicine/education , Students, Medical , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cross-Sectional Studies , Electronic Health Records , Female , Florida , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Medical Informatics/education , Schools, Medical , Surveys and Questionnaires
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