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Int Health 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

CISA - Health Research Centre of Angola, Caxito, Bengo, Angola.

Background: Healthcare professionals represent a vulnerable group in terms of responding to COVID-19. Knowledge can influence healthcare professionals through adoption of the correct attitudes and practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by a questionnaire, the perceptions of physicians about their level of knowledge as well as conditions in their workplaces for dealing with COVID-19. Read More

Respiration 2021 Apr 12:1-9. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: The diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) using radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) remains challenging without navigation systems. Cone-beam computed tomography-derived augmented fluoroscopy (CBCT-AF) represents a recently developed technique, and its clinical utility remains to be investigated.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using a combination of CBCT-AF and radial EBUS. Read More

Value Health Reg Issues 2021 Apr 9;24:193-198. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address:

Objectives: Day case tonsillectomy compared with inpatient tonsillectomy has increasingly become a trend for many patients undergoing elective surgeries. Unjustified stays of tonsillectomy can be avoided by day case surgery, which consequently reduces treatment costs. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the cost and effectiveness of day case tonsillectomy compared with inpatient tonsillectomy. Read More

Chemosphere 2021 Apr 5;278:130444. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, 710055, Shaanxi, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resources, Environment and Ecology, MOE, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, China.

This study aim to investigate the biodegradation of all alkanes in soil by adding stimulater and indigenous bacteria. The experiments were carried out by adding native bacteria and the stimulater to the soil S1 (total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) = 22,745 mg/kg) and soil S2 (TPH = 13,833 mg/kg) to explored the effect and mechanism of the stimulated biodegradation of all alkanes in soil. The results showed that most alkanes were used as the main carbon source of TPH in the late stimulation stage, so that all alkanes could be biodegraded by stimulating. Read More

Phys Med 2021 Apr 9;84:50-55. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Radiological Sciences Department, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Purpose: Fricke dosimetry has shown great potential in the direct measurement of the absolute absorbed dose for Ir sources used in HDR brachytherapy. This work describes the determination of the correction factors necessary to convert the absorbed dose in the Fricke solution to the absorbed dose to water.

Methods: The experimental setup for Fricke irradiation using a Ir source was simulated. Read More

J Surg Res 2021 Apr 9;264:296-308. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Burn Centre, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Rode Kruis Ziekenhuis Beverwijk, The Netherlands; Pediatric Surgical Centre, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: Skin-sparing debridement (SSd) was introduced as an alternative to en bloc debridement (EBd) to decrease morbidity caused by scars in patients surviving Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI). An overview of potential advantages and disadvantages is needed. The aim of this review was to assess (1) whether SSd is noninferior to EBd regarding general outcomes, that is, mortality, length of stay (LOS), complications, and (2) if SSd does indeed result in decreased skin defects. Read More

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Apr 5;76:101646. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco. Electronic address:

West Nile virus (WNV) was recently detected in Culex pipiens mosquitoes in Morocco. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of WNV in humans and in domestic birds in two regions of Morocco by the detection of IgG antibodies. Blood samples were obtained from 91 human patients and 92 domestic birds from September to December 2019. Read More

J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021 Feb 16;199:113979. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 24, Harbin, 150040, China. Electronic address:

In recent decades, more and more attention to the withanolides extracted from Datura metel.L has been paid due to their anti-psoriatic effects. Withanolides have also been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2021 Apr 9;139:111579. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia worldwide, characterized by the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Additionally, increasing evidence demonstrates that a neuroinflammatory state and oxidative stress, iron-dependent, play a crucial role in the onset and disease progression. Besides conventional therapies, the use of natural-based products represents a future medical option for AD treatment and/or prevention. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021 Apr 9;216:112220. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Pharmacology, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Electronic address:

The extensive recorded environmental and occupational dispersal of hexavalent chromium (CrVI) dust contributes to an increased interest in its toxicological consequences. A previous study of our team described a brain injury induced by acute intranasal instillation of Cr(VI) in rats, which was characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation. This proposed a high risk of brain damage among Cr(VI) exposed individuals either environmentally or occupationally especially through the nasal cavity. Read More

Res Dev Disabil 2021 Apr 9;113:103956. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Lynch School of Education, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Autistic undergraduate students are experiencing considerable difficulties on their college campuses. Yet, disability support offices (DSOs), which assume the responsibility of providing support to students with disabilities, often lack the resources to cater to the varied needs of autistic students.

Aim: To understand autistic students' perspectives and experiences with DSOs and the range of support services available from DSOs of higher education institutions in the United States. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Mar 28;51:102928. Epub 2021 Mar 28.

ILFOMER, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France; HAVAE, EA 6310, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France. Electronic address:

Background: The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic makes it difficult to obtain physical therapy in rehabilitation centres, particularly for persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), who are a population at high risk, since viral infections may contribute to MS exacerbations and relapses. Active video games could be a way to maintain physical therapy at home as part of the rehabilitation. The aim of this review is to summarise the current best evidence for the effectiveness of home-based active video games on gait and balance, user compliance, feasibility and safety for pwMS. Read More

J Affect Disord 2021 Mar 26;288:83-91. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience Research Institute, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of chronic physical diseases in Older-Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) as well as in individuals from the general aging population over a 3-year period.

Methods: This prospective longitudinal study compared 101 patients with OABD receiving outpatient care (DOBi cohort) with 2545 individuals from the general aging population (LASA cohort). The presence of eight major chronic diseases was asked at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Read More

J Pediatr Nurs 2021 Apr 9;59:103-109. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish content validity of a developmentally based assessment tool of readiness for medical independence for specialty providers.

Design And Methods: The validation process used expert panel evaluation to assess the items believed to measure the desired content in the nine age-based scales within the RAISE (Readiness Assessment of Independence for Specialty Encounters) tool. Experts in child development and transition rated items on relevance, clarity and developmental appropriateness via electronic survey. Read More

Bioresour Technol 2021 Apr 6;332:125137. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Engineering and Energy, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, WA 6150, Australia.

A novel microbial-electrochemical filter was designed and operated based on a combined microbial electrolysis cell and bio-trickling filter principles with the aim to maximize gas-liquid mass-transfer efficiency and minimize costs associated with bubbling biogas through liquid-filled reactor. CO/biogas feed to the MEF was done via a computer-feedback pH control strategy, linking CO feed directly to the OH production. As a result current efficiency was constant at around 100% throughout the period of experiments. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021 Apr 2;86:48-51. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Approximately 10% of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) present with early-onset disease (EOPD), defined as diagnosis before 50 years of age. Genetic factors are known to contribute to EOPD, with most commonly observed mutations in PRKN, PINK1, and DJ1 genes. The aim of our study was to analyze the frequency of PRKN, PINK1, and DJ1 mutations in an EOPD series from 4 neighboring European countries: Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine. Read More

Eur J Radiol 2021 Apr 8;139:109670. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Division of Neuroradiology, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Purpose: Transdural blood supply (TDBS) to pial brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) is uncommon and believed to be related to vascular endothelial growth factor - induced angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to define the BAVM characteristics in relation to presence and volume of TDBS.

Methods: BAVMs managed at our institution between January 2006 and December 2016 who subsequently underwent complete digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were included. Read More

Public Health 2021 Mar 4;194:11-13. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

St. Michael's Hospital, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the need for modified safety planning strategies in response to COVID-19-related increases in intimate partner violence (IPV) as the initial phase of adapting an IPV safety planning intervention in Toronto, Ontario.

Methods: A rapid, systematic review was conducted to elucidate existing safety planning strategies used during public health emergencies. These were supplemented with strategies from an expert panel. Read More

J Environ Manage 2021 Apr 9;289:112536. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Mosbach, Arnold-Janssen-Straße 9-13, 74821, Mosbach, Germany; University of Bayreuth, Faculty of Business Administration - Marketing & Innovation, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany; Compolytics Research, Schwanheimer Straße 69, 74867, Neunkirchen, Germany. Electronic address:

The pressure on the apparel industry to make its products more sustainable is growing. Concrete measures have hardly been taken so far, also because they aim to avoid consumption which reduces profits. Studies mostly examine impacts on the environment, but not how the market volume can remain at a maximum for producers. Read More

Forensic Sci Int 2021 Apr 6;322:110777. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France.

Introduction: In the judicial context of the age estimation of living individuals, a new method was recently proposed, based on the collection of biometric information on hand bones radiographs. The aim of this study was to apply this method to a large French sample to provide new tools for age estimation MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of metacarpals and proximal phalanges measurements of 1003 individuals aged less than 21 years. This sample was divided into two subgroups 1-12 and 13-21 years as the age of 13 is a relevant legal threshold for most European countries. Read More

Clin Immunol 2021 Apr 9:108724. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Medical Department, St. Petersburg State University, University Embankment, 7-9, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; St. Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Ligovskii Prospect, 2-4, St. Petersburg 191036, Russia.

Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis have many clinical and laboratory similarities, which allowed researchers to assume the presence of common pathogenetic mechanisms in the development of both diseases. Recently, much attention has been paid to investigate the autoimmune origins in these pathologies. The aim of this study is to find out the characteristics of the autoinflammatory immune response in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Read More

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Senior resident, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, the University Hospital of Skåne, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address:

Introduction: Arthroscopic treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has traditionally been evaluated with clinical measurements. Additional recordings of patient reported outcome measures (PROM) is expected to make the evaluation more complete. The aim of the study was to evaluate if PROM correlates with clinical follow-up measures after arthroscopic treatment of internal derangement of the TMJ. Read More

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

University of Lille, CHU Lille, INSERM, Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale et Stomatologie, U1008 - Controlled Drug Delivery Systems and Biomaterials, Lille, France.

Introduction: Maxillofacial reconstruction with bony free flap is a classical technique. However, pedicle ossification after such reconstruction is a misunderstood complication that is rarely reported in the literature. It is usually manifested as trismus, neck pain, and hard swelling, but it is predominantly asymptomatic and, thus, mainly incidentally discovered at a later stage. Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Senior Resident, Department of Neurosurgery, K.E.M Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, Parel, Mumbai.

Aim: The potential significance of relationship of atlantoaxial instability with retroodontoid pseudotumor, pannus and/or a cyst (RPC) is analyzed.

Methods: We retrieved the database of craniovertebral junction related instability cases treated by atlantoaxial fixation during the period January 2000 to March 2020. We identified 63 cases where there was a RPC in the region posterior to the odontoid process or posterior to the posterior aspect of the C2 body. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2021 Apr 9:102924. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Unité de Chirurgie Rachidienne, CHU Tripode Pellegrin, Place Amélie Raba Léon, 33076 Bordeaux, France.

Introduction: Non-union is one of the main complications of single- or multi-level cervical spine fusion, considerably impairing functional results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respective contributions of imaging examinations in the diagnostic process, the challenge being to avoid inappropriate surgery and unnecessary complementary examinations.

Material And Method: A retrospective multicenter study included all patients managed for cervical spine non-union between 2008 and 2018. Read More