From disaster to development: a systematic review of community-driven humanitarian logistics.

A plethora of untapped resources exist within disaster-affected communities that can be used to address relief and development concerns. A systematic review of the literature relating to community participation in humanitarian logistics activities revealed that communities are able to form ad hoc networks that have the ability to meet a wide range of disaster management needs. These structures, characterised as Collaborative Aid Networks (CANs), have demonstrated efficient logistical capabilities exclusive of humanitarian organisations. This study proposes that CANs, as a result of their unique characteristics, present alternatives to established humanitarian approaches to logistics, while also mitigating the challenges commonly faced by traditional humanitarian organisations. Furthermore, CANs offer a more holistic, long-term approach to disaster management, owing to their impact on development through their involvement in humanitarian logistics. This research provides the foundation for further theoretical analysis of effective and efficient disaster management, and details opportunities for policy and practice.

Systematic investigation for underlying causes of recurrent infections in children: surveillance of primary immunodeficiency.

Summary: Recurrent infections seem to be a common complaint in children who are referred to general practitioners and pediatricians offices. Detection of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) etiology is very important for achieving appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these patients. The absence of appropriate treatment could lead to subsequent complications, in a hospital inpatient and/or outpatient settings. This study was performed in a group of children with recurrent infections to identify patients with underlying PID. A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the final clinical diagnosis obtained in 100 pediatric patients with a history of recurrent infections referred to Children s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran, during one year (2011-2012). History taking and physical examination, complementary laboratory tests including immunological investigations were done to confirm the main causes of disease according to our previously published stepwise approach to recurrent infections. Among all studied patients, 21% (11 males and 10 females) were diagnosed to have PID. Parental consanguinity (p = 0.001) and soft tissue infections (p = 0.004) were significantly higher in PID group, comparing to other causes of recurrent infections. Gender and location of infections were also linked to the type of PID including antibody deficiency, combined immunodeficiency and phagocytosis disorders. The real rate of PID as a cause of recurrent infection appears to be much higher than what is generally considered in a se-lected group of pediatric patients; so, following the suggested stepwise guideline can im-prove timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these patients.

The Effect of Spiritual Care on Mental Health in Mothers of Children With Cancer.

This study measured the effect of spiritual care on mental health in mothers of children with cancer. The present quasi-experimental study was with one group pretest posttest design. The findings show that implementation of spiritual care in mothers of children with cancer can improve their mental health.

[Multiple facial nodules revealing disseminated cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient]. / Nodules multiples du visage révélant une cryptococcose disséminée chez un patient immunocompétent.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is a potentially severe infection that usually occurs in a setting of immunosuppression. Its occurrence outside of this context is rare. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis revealed by a spectacular skin disease in an immunocompetent patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 40-year-old male patient had been presenting multiple nodules and tumors on his face for one month in a context of asthenia and intermittent fever. Histological examination of a skin biopsy revealed encapsulated yeasts strongly suggestive of Cryptococcus neoformans. Mycological examination of the skin biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid isolated Cryptococcus gattii. The blood cultures were positive. Brain MRI demonstrated cryptococcal parenchymal involvement. Screening for primary or secondary immunodeficiency was negative. The patient received amphotericin B 1mg/kg/day and fluconazole 600mg/day but died 2months after diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Cryptococcosis is a potentially severe infection caused by C. neoformans. This rare condition occurs most commonly in patients with profound deficiency in terms of cellular immunity. Although rare, the occurrence of cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients is possible, and in this event the signs are highly polymorphic, which usually makes it very difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis of cryptococcosis is based on the identification by direct examination and after staining with India ink of encapsulated yeasts of the Cryptococcus genus. Culture on Sabouraud medium is essential for identification of the species. Treatment for disseminated cryptococcosis involves amphotericin B, often associated with flucytosine IV. In the event of meningitis infection in non-HIV patients, mortality continues to be around 15%, despite adequate medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Although rare, cryptococcosis can occur in immunocompetent subjects. The prognosis is severe even after treatment.

Multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection of four seedborne spinach pathogens.

AIMS: To develop multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assays for detection of spinach seedborne pathogens that cause economically important diseases on spinach. METHODS AND RESULTS: Primers and probes were designed from conserved sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (for Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae and Stemphylium botryosum), the intergenic spacer (for Verticillium dahliae) and the elongation factor 1 alpha (for Cladosporium variabile) regions of DNA. The TaqMan assays were tested on DNA extracted from numerous isolates of the four target pathogens, as well as a wide range of nontarget, related fungi or oomycetes and numerous saprophytes commonly found on spinach seed. Multiplex real-time PCR assays were evaluated by detecting two or three target pathogens simultaneously. Singular and multiplex real-time PCR assays were also applied to DNA extracted from bulked seed and single spinach seed. CONCLUSIONS: The real-time PCR assays were species-specific and sensitive. Singular or multiplex real-time PCR assays could detect target pathogens from both bulked seed samples as well as single spinach seed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The freeze-blotter assay that is currently routinely used in the spinach seed industry to detect and quantify three fungal seedborne pathogens of spinach (C. variabile, S. botryosum and V. dahliae) is quite laborious and takes several weeks to process. The real-time PCR assays developed in this study are more sensitive and can be completed in a single day. As the assays can be applied easily for routine seed inspections, these tools could be very useful to the spinach seed industry.

Penicillium subrubescens, a new species efficiently producing inulinase.

Inulin is a reserve carbohydrate in about 15 % of the flowering plants and is accumulated in underground tubers of e.g. chicory, dahlia and Jerusalem artichoke. This carbohydrate consists of linear chains of ß-(2,1)-linked fructose attached to a sucrose molecule. Inulinases hydrolyse inulin into fructose and glucose. To find efficient inulin degrading fungi, 126 fungal strains from the Fungal Biotechnology Culture Collection (FBCC) at University of Helsinki and 74 freshly isolated strains from soil around Jerusalem artichoke tubers were screened in liquid cultures with inulin as a sole source of carbon or ground Jerusalem artichoke tubers, which contains up to 19 % (fresh weight) inulin. Inulinase and invertase activities were assayed by the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method and a freshly isolated Penicillium strain originating from agricultural soil (FBCC 1632) was the most efficient inulinase producer. When it was cultivated at pH 6 and 28 °C in 2 litre bioreactors using inulin and Jerusalem artichoke as a carbon source, inulinase and invertase activities were on day 4 7.7 and 3.1 U mL(-1), respectively. The released sugars analysed by TLC and HPLC showed that considerable amounts of fructose were released while the levels of oligofructans were low, indicating an exoinulinase type of activity. Taxonomic study of the inulinase producing strain showed that this isolate represents a new species belonging in Penicillium section Lanata-divaricata. This new species produces a unique combination of extrolites and is phenotypically and phylogenetically closely related to Penicillium pulvillorum. We propose the name Penicillium subrubescens sp. nov. (CBS 132785(T) = FBCC 1632(T)) for this new species.

Nutritional indices and midgut enzymatic activity of Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) larvae fed different potato germplasms.

The effect of 10 potato cultivars and clones on the feeding and digestion of Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) larvae was evaluated using larval nutritional indices and enzymatic activities. Studies were based on nutritional indices from larvae reared at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, 65 +/- 5% relative humidity, and in complete darkness. The results of nutritional indices showed that conversion efficiency of ingested and digested food in the larvae at the fourth instar was the highest in Savalan cultivar at rates of 22.30 +/- 0.39 and 32.87 +/- 0.69%, respectively, and the lowest were recorded on Morene at rates of 15.83 +/- 0.35 and 21.99 +/- 0.58%, respectively. Among the different potato germplasms tested in the study, the highest proteolytic and amylolytic activities of the larvae, at optimal pH were in Morene with records of 8.204 +/- 0.296 U/mg and 0.071 +/- 0.0004 mU/mg, respectively; and the lowest were recorded in larvae fed on Savalan at 2.740 +/- 0.131 U/mg and 0.028 +/- 0.0001 mU/mg, respectively. It is concluded that Morene was the most unsuitable host for P. operculella.

Is there an association between HOST grades and sperm quality?

BACKGROUND: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the primary treatment for male infertility. However for this procedure, with the exception of visual morphological selection, there is no standardization for sperm selection. Recently, the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) has been proposed to potentially select sperm with intact membranes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of this technique to select functional sperm in terms of apoptosis and morphology, as well as nuclear integrity. METHODS: A total of 20 semen samples were randomly collected from men who attended the Andrology Unit of the Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center. Semen samples were washed and exposed to hypotonic conditions, before being fixed and simultaneously assessed for membrane integrity as well as abnormal morphology, DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency by using Papanicolaou, TUNEL and CMA3 staining techniques, respectively. The remaining semen samples were washed with calcium buffer and stained by Annexin V, then exposed to hypotonic conditions before being assessed for early apoptosis along with membrane integrity. RESULTS: HOST grade 'd', followed by grade 'c', showed the highest percentages of healthy sperm, whereas sperm of HOST grade 'g' in which anomalies in terms of apoptosis, abnormal head morphology or nuclear immaturity or membrane damage, were most frequently observed in the samples assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of HOST into the sperm selection procedure may provide a valuable tool for selection of functional sperm required for ICSI. According to this study, insemination of HOST grade 'g' sperm should be avoided during ICSI.

Uniform amorphous lactose microspheres formed in simultaneous convective and dehydration antisolvent precipitation under atmospheric conditions.

A simultaneous convection-dehydration and antisolvent precipitation approach has been shown to produce uniform microsized lactose particles from aqueous droplet at atmospheric pressure. Microparticles with high uniformity having diameters of between 1.0 and 2.4 µm have been obtained. The precipitation of the microparticles is driven by a unique self-assembly mechanism that cannot be fully elucidated by supersaturation alone. Further analysis suggests that structural changes in the solvent/antisolvent mixture, due to hydrophobic hydration, could play a role in the precipitation process observed.

Nitric oxide delivery by core/shell superparamagnetic nanoparticle vehicles with enhanced biocompatibility.

We report the synthesis of Fe(3)O(4)/silica core/shell nanoparticles and their functionalization with S-nitrosothiols. These nanoparticles are of immense interest because of their nitric oxide (NO) release capabilities in human alveolar epithelial cells. Moreover, they act as large storage reservoirs of NO that can be targeted magnetically to the specific site with a sustainable release of NO for up to 50 h. Such nanoparticles provide an enhancement of the biocompatibility with released NO while allowing intracellular accumulation ascribed to their small size.

Income inequality and population health in Islamic countries.

OBJECTIVES: To undertake a fresh examination of the relationship between income inequality and population health for a group of Islamic countries using recent information derived from data resource sites from the World Bank and Islamic countries. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional data on different measures of income distribution (prosperity, health care, women's role and environment) and indicators of population health were used to illuminate this issue. METHODS: The relationship between income inequality and population health for a group of Islamic countries was tested using recent information derived from data resource sites from the World Bank and Islamic countries. After consideration of previous studies, seven dependent variables were determined and tested in six equation formats. RESULTS: According to the equations, the urban population percentage and gross domestic product are the most important significant variables that affect life expectancy and the infant mortality rate in Islamic countries. The income distribution coefficient, regardless of the type of measure, was almost insignificant in all equations. CONCLUSIONS: In selected Islamic countries, income level has a positive effect on population health, but the level of income distribution is not significant. Among the other dependent variables (e.g. different measures of income distribution, health care, role of women and environment), only environment and education had significant effects. Most of the Islamic countries studied are considered to be poorly developed.

Early phase clinical studies of AR-42, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, for neurofibromatosis type 2-associated vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas.

OBJECTIVES: Two pilot studies of AR-42, a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, in human neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), vestibular schwannomas (VS), and meningiomas are presented. Primary endpoints included safety, and intra-tumoral pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). METHODS: Pilot 1 is a subset analysis of a phase 1 study of AR-42 in solid tumors, which included NF2 or sporadic meningiomas. Tumor volumes and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) are reported (NCT01129193).Pilot 2 is a phase 0 surgical study of AR-42 assessing intra-tumoral PK and PD. AR-42 was administered for 3 weeks pre-operatively. Plasma and tumor drug concentrations and p-AKT expression were measured (NCT02282917). RESULTS: Pilot 1: Five patients with NF2 and two with sporadic meningiomas experienced a similar incidence of TRAEs to the overall phase I trial. The six evaluable patients had 15 tumors (8 VS, 7 meningiomas). On AR-42, tumor volume increased in six, remained stable in eight, and decreased in one tumor. The annual percent growth rate decreased in eight, remained stable in three, and increased in four tumors. Pilot 2: Four patients with sporadic VS and one patient with meningioma experienced no grade 3/4 toxicities. Expression of p-AKT decreased in three of four VS. All tumors had higher AR-42 concentrations than plasma. CONCLUSIONS: AR-42 is safe. Tumor volumes showed a mixed response, but most slowed growth. On a 40-mg regimen, drug concentrated in tumors and growth pathways were suppressed in most tumors, suggesting this may be a well-tolerated and effective dose. A phase 2 study of AR-42 for NF2-associated tumors appears warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b, 4.

Foley catheter entrapment resulting from the formation of a true knot in a female infant: sonographic findings.

One of the rarest complications of bladder Foley catheter insertion is knotting of the catheter. We present a case of Foley entrapment secondary to formation of a true knot at the proximal end of the catheter in a 6-month-old female infant who was referred to our center for voiding cystourethrograthy. Sonography of the bladder revealed the knotted catheter in the urinary bladder.

Time scale based analysis of in-situ crystal formation in droplet undergoing rapid dehydration.

The surface structure of crystalline particles affects the functionality of the particles in drug delivery. Prediction of the final structure of particles that crystallize easily within the spray drying process is of interests for many applications. A theoretical framework was developed for the prediction of crystal structure precipitating on the surface of the particle. This model was based on the dimensionless Damkohler number (Da), to be an indicator of final particle morphology. Timescales of evaporation and reaction were required for calculation of the Damkohler number. The modified evaporation time scale was estimated based on the time that is available for the crystal to precipitate after supersaturation. The reaction time scale was estimated based on the time scale for induction time. Mannitol was produced under different processing conditions in order to validate the theoretical model. Results showed for the high Damkohler numbers, the surface structure of the particle was rough, while smaller Damkohler numbers led to relatively smooth particle surfaces. Additionally, although the beta polymorph was dominant in all of the experiments, alpha polymorph was precipitated in the experiments with a large Damkohler number. The theoretical framework developed will be a useful predictive tool to guide the manipulation of particle crystallization in spray dryers.

Clinical and laboratory profile of patients with tuberculosis/HIV coinfection at a national referral centre: a case series.

This case series describes the clinical and laboratory profile of 15 patients with tuberculosis (TB) HIV coinfection admitted to a referral centre in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of the patients (13) were male; the mean age was 36.9 years. Intravenous drug use was the route of transmission for all males and heterosexual intercourse for the 2 females; 12 patients had a history of imprisonment. All patients had pulmonary TB; 13 were smear-positive and all except 1 had atypical radiological presentation. Drug-induced hepatitis occurred in 3 patients and 12 had hepatitis C coinfection. Five patients died. The mean CD4 count was 229.2 (SD 199.5) cells/mm3 and 78.6% had CD4 count < 350. TB may be an AIDS-defining illness in this country.

Study of crystal-field excitations and infrared active phonons in TbMnO3.

The Tb3+ (4f 8) crystal-field (CF) excitations and the infrared phonons in TbMnO3 are studied as a function of temperature and under an applied magnetic field. The phonon energy shifts reflect local displacement of the oxygen ions that contribute to the CF energy level shifts below 120 K and under magnetic field. The CF polarized transmission spectra provide interesting information about the debated nature of the excitations at 41, 65, 130 cm-1. We also evaluate the contribution of the charge transfer mechanism to the magnetoelectric process in TbMnO3 under magnetic field.

Data-entropy analysis of renal transplantation data.

INTRODUCTION: The terms entropy and robustness are currently used by biomedical investigators to predict the risk of change in a system. The former is the mathematical identification of uncertainty about a system, while the latter is the likelihood of system stability. We conducted an entropy-based analysis of our renal transplantation data set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The input variables in our model included donors and recipients, past medical history, and other clinical data. The output variables were 6- month, 1-year, and 2- year patient and graft survivals. Data-entropy analysis was performed with Ontonix s.r.l. software (www.ontonix.com). RESULTS: The total input and output entropy was 13.14 and 1.54, respectively. The mean input and output robustness was 39.14% and 29.54%. The robustness amplification index was 0.75. The minimum entropy of the input variables was reported for a history of myocardial infarction (0.07), vascular disease (0.1), bladder residual (0.13), or urologic surgery (0.15). The minimum entropy of the output variables was 0.20 for 6-month patient survival; 0.22 for 1-year patient survival; 0.25 for 6-month graft survival; 0.27 for 1-year graft survival; 0.28 for 2-year patient survival; and 0.32 for 2-year graft survival. CONCLUSION: Data-entropy analysis demonstrated a high stability of our transplantation data set. Nevertheless, long-term outcomes, especially those of graft survival, were slightly more unpredictable.

Tuberculosis of the breast: report of 4 clinical cases and literature review.

Nearly 18% of tuberculosis (TB) cases have only extrapulmonary manifestations. Breast tuberculosis is a rare type of extrapulmonary TB. This paper reports 4 cases of breast TB confirmed either pathologically or mycobacteriologically or both. These reports showed that TB should always be considered first in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis in TB-endemic areas. Therapy included at least 6 months of anti-TB medication and surgery when indicated.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted From Wi-Fi Router and Mobile Phone Simulator on the Antibacterial Susceptibility of Pathogenic Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli.

Mobile phones and Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation are among the main sources of the exposure of the general population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Previous studies have shown that exposure of microorganisms to RF-EMFs can be associated with a wide spectrum of changes ranged from the modified bacterial growth to the alterations of the pattern of antibiotic resistance. Our laboratory at the nonionizing department of the Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center has performed experiments on the health effects of exposure to animal models and humans to different sources of electromagnetic fields such as cellular phones, mobile base stations, mobile phone jammers, laptop computers, radars, dentistry cavitrons, magnetic resonance imaging, and Helmholtz coils. On the other hand, we have previously studied different aspects of the challenging issue of the ionizing or nonionizing radiation-induced alterations in the susceptibility of microorganisms to antibiotics. In this study, we assessed if the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation and 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from common Wi-Fi routers alters the susceptibility of microorganisms to different antibiotics. The pure cultures of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were exposed to RF-EMFs generated either by a GSM 900 MHz mobile phone simulator and a common 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router. It is also shown that exposure to RF-EMFs within a narrow level of irradiation (an exposure window) makes microorganisms resistant to antibiotics. This adaptive phenomenon and its potential threats to human health should be further investigated in future experiments. Altogether, the findings of this study showed that exposure to Wi-Fi and RF simulator radiation can significantly alter the inhibition zone diameters and growth rate for L monocytogenes and E coli. These findings may have implications for the management of serious infectious diseases.