| 1. |
- Thomas, HS, et al.
(author)
-
- 2019
-
swepub:Mat__t
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Drake, TM, et al.
(author)
-
Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
- 2020
-
In: BMJ global health. - : BMJ. - 2059-7908. ; 5:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings.MethodsA multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).ResultsOf 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45·1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34·2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20·6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12·8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24·7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI.ConclusionThe odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(author)
-
The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
-
In: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
|
|
| 7. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N., et al.
(author)
-
The PREDICTS database : a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts
- 2014
-
In: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 4:24, s. 4701-4735
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project - and avert - future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups - including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems - ). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Kashif, M., et al.
(author)
-
Effect of Different Seed Solutions on the Morphology and Electrooptical Properties of ZnO Nanorods
- 2012
-
In: Journal of Nanomaterials. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 1687-4110 .- 1687-4129. ; 2012:452407
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The morphology and electrooptical properties of ZnO nanorods synthesized on monoethanolamine-based seed layer and KOH-based seed layer were compared. The seed solutions were prepared in monoethanolamine in 2-methoxyethanol and potassium hydroxide in methanol, respectively. Zinc acetate dihydrate was as a common precursor in both solutions. The nanorod-ZnOs were synthesized via the spin coating of two different seed solutions on silicon substrates followed by their hydrothermal growth. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman studies revealed that the ZnO nanorods obtained from monoethanolamine-based seed layer had fewer defects, better crystals, and better alignment than those realized via KOH-based seed layer. However, the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics demonstrated better conductivity of the ZnO nanorods obtained via KOH-based seed layer. The current measured in forward bias was 4 mA and 40 mu A for ZnO-nanorods grown on KOH-based seed layer and monoethanolamine-based with the turn on voltage of approximately 1.5 V and 2.5V, respectively, showing the feasibility of using both structures in optoelectric devices.
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
- King, J.K., et al.
(author)
-
Towards a better understanding between non-Muslim primary care clinicians and Muslim patients : A literature review intended to reduce health care inequities in Muslim patients
- 2023
-
In: Health Policy OPEN. - : Elsevier. - 2590-2296. ; 4
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although Muslims are a growing population within many non-Muslim countries, there are insufficient Muslim clinicians to care for them. Studies have shown that non-Muslim clinicians have limited knowledge and understanding of Islamic practices affecting health, which may lead to disparities in the quality of healthcare delivery and outcomes when caring for Muslim patients. Muslims come from many different cultures and ethnicities and have variations in their beliefs and practices. This literature review provides some insights which may strengthen therapeutic bonds between non-Muslim clinicians and their Muslim patients resulting in improved holistic, patient-centered care in the areas of cancer screening, mental health, nutrition, and pharmacotherapy. Additionally, this review informs clinicians about the Islamic perspective on childbirth, end of life issues, travel for Islamic pilgrimage, and fasting during the month of Ramadan. Literature was sourced by a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL along with hand screening of citations. Title and abstract screening followed by full-text screening excluded studies including less than 30% Muslim participants, protocols, or reporting results deemed irrelevant to primary care. 115 papers were selected for inclusion in the literature review. These were grouped into the themes of general spirituality, which were discussed in the Introduction, and Islam and health, Social etiquette, Cancer screening, Diet, Medications and their alternatives, Ramadan, Hajj, Mental health, Organ donation and transplants, and End of life. Summarizing the findings of the review, we conclude that health inequities affecting Muslim patients can be addressed at least in part by improved cultural competency in non-Muslim clinicians, as well as further research into this area.
|
|
| 13. |
- Tueros, F. G., et al.
(author)
-
Challenging the Hypothesis of de novo Biosynthesis of Bile Acids by Marine Bacteria
- 2022
-
In: Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters. - : Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology. - 1598-642X .- 2234-7305. ; 50:1, s. 102-109
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bile acids are essential molecules produced by vertebrates that are involved in several physiological roles, including the uptake of nutrients. Bacterial isolates capable of producing bile acids de novo have been identified and characterized. Such isolates may provide access to novel biochemical pathways suitable for the design of microbial cell factories. Here, we further characterized the ability of Maribacter dokdonensis, Dokdonia donghaensis, and Myroides pelagicus to produce bile acids. Contrary to previous reports, we did not observe de novo production of bile acids by these isolates. Instead, we found that these isolates deconjugated the amino acid moiety of bile acids present in the growth medium used in previous reports. Through genomic analysis, we identified putative bile salt hydrolases, which could be responsible for the different bile acid modifications observed. Our results challenge the hypothesis of de novo microbial bile acid production, while further demonstrating the diverse capacity of bacteria to modify bile acids.
|
|
| 14. |
- Usman Ali, Syed M., et al.
(author)
-
Functionalised zinc oxide nanotube arrays as electrochemical sensors for the selective determination of glucose
- 2011
-
In: Micro & Nano Letters. - : Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). - 1750-0443. ; 6:8, s. 609-613
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the present study, highly oriented single-crystal zinc oxide nanotube (ZnO-NT) arrays were prepared by a trimming of ZnO nanorods along the c-axis on the gold-coated glass substrate having a diameter of 100-200 nm and a length of similar to 1 mu m using a low-temperature aqueous chemical growth process. The prepared (ZnO-NT) arrays were further used as electrochemical enzyme-based glucose sensors through immobilisation of glucose oxidase by the physical adsorption method in conjunction with a Nafion coating. The electrochemical response of the sensor was found to be linear over a relatively wide logarithmic concentration range from 0.5 x 10(-6) to 12 x 10(-3) M. The proposed sensor showed a high sensitivity of 69.12 mV/decade with R = 0.9934 for sensing of glucose. A fast-response time less than 4 s with good selectivity, reproducibility and negligible response to common interferents such as ascorbic acid and uric acid prevailed.
|
|
| 15. |
- Adman, M. A., et al.
(author)
-
Associations between air pollutants and peak expiratory flow and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in students
- 2020
-
In: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. - : INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D). - 1027-3719 .- 1815-7920. ; 24:2, s. 189-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Studies on the effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of students in tropical countries such as Malaysia are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between outdoor air pollutants and peak expiratory flow (PEF) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). METHOD: PEF and FeNO levels of 487 students recruited in Melaka and Putrajaya, Malaysia, were measured in April and June 2014. Multiple linear regression with mutual adjustment was used to analyse the associations between exposure to air pollution and health. RESULTS: PEF was significantly associated with ozone for 1-day exposure (beta = -13.3 l/min, 95% CI -22.7 to -3.8), carbon monoxide for 2-day exposure (beta =-57.2 l/min, 95% CI -90.7 to -23.7) and particulate matter <= 10 mu m in diameter for 3-day exposure (beta =-6.0 l/min, 95% CI -9.2 to -2.8) and 7-day exposure (beta = -8.6 l/min, 95% CI -13.0 to -4.1). Stratified analysis showed that associations between PEF and outdoor air pollutant exposures were similar in students with and without elevated FeNO levels. CONCLUSION: Outdoor air pollution in Malaysia may cause airway obstruction unrelated to eosinophilic airway inflammation among students as measured using FeNO.
|
|
| 16. |
- Al-Rukn, S, et al.
(author)
-
Stroke in the Middle-East and North Africa: A 2-year prospective observational study of intravenous thrombolysis treatment in the region. Results from the SITS-MENA Registry
- 2020
-
In: International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society. - : SAGE Publications. - 1747-4949. ; 15:9, s. 980-987
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in the Middle-East and North African (MENA) countries is still confined to the main urban and university hospitals. This was a prospective observational study to examine outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients in the MENA region compared to the non-MENA stroke cohort in the SITS International Registry. Results Of 32,160 patients with ischemic stroke registered using the SITS intravenous thrombolysis protocol between June 2014 and May 2016, 500 (1.6%) were recruited in MENA. Compared to non-MENA (all p < 0.001), median age in MENA was 55 versus 73 years, NIH Stroke Scale score 12 versus 9, onset-to-treatment time 138 versus 155 min and door-to-needle time 54 min versus 64 min. Hypertension was the most reported risk factor, but lower in MENA (51.7 vs. 69.7%). Diabetes was more frequent in MENA (28.5 vs. 20.8%) as well as smoking (20.8 vs. 15.9%). Hyperlipidemia was less observed in MENA (17.6 vs. 29.3%). Functional independence (mRS 0–2) at seven days or discharge was similar (53% vs. 52% in non-MENA), with mortality slightly lower in MENA (2.3% vs. 4.8%). SICH rates by SITS-MOST definition were low (<1.4%) in both groups. Conclusions Intravenous thrombolysis patients in MENA were younger, had more severe strokes and more often diabetes. Although stroke severity was higher in MENA, short-term functional independency and mortality were not worse compared to non-MENA, which could partly be explained by younger age and shorter OTT in MENA. Decreasing the burden of stroke in this young population should be prioritized.
|
|
| 17. |
- Ali, Raja Hashim, et al.
(author)
-
VMCMC: a graphical and statistical analysis tool for Markov chain Monte Carlo traces
- 2017
-
In: Bmc Bioinformatics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2105. ; 18
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: MCMC-based methods are important for Bayesian inference of phylogeny and related parameters. Although being computationally expensive, MCMC yields estimates of posterior distributions that are useful for estimating parameter values and are easy to use in subsequent analysis. There are, however, sometimes practical difficulties with MCMC, relating to convergence assessment and determining burn-in, especially in large-scale analyses. Currently, multiple software are required to perform, e.g., convergence, mixing and interactive exploration of both continuous and tree parameters. Results: We have written a software called VMCMC to simplify post-processing of MCMC traces with, for example, automatic burn-in estimation. VMCMC can also be used both as a GUI-based application, supporting interactive exploration, and as a command-line tool suitable for automated pipelines. Conclusions: VMCMC is a free software available under the New BSD License. Executable jar files, tutorial manual and source code can be downloaded from https://bitbucket. org/rhali/visualmcmc/.
|
|
| 18. |
- Fusai, Giuseppe Kito, et al.
(author)
-
Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries
- 2023
-
In: British Journal of Surgery. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0007-1323 .- 1365-2168.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide. Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters. Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries. Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761).
|
|
| 19. |
- Granberg, T, et al.
(author)
-
Clinical Feasibility of Synthetic MRI in Multiple Sclerosis : A Diagnostic and Volumetric Validation Study.
- 2016
-
In: American Journal of Neuroradiology. - 0195-6108 .- 1936-959X. ; 37:6, s. 1023-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Quantitative MR imaging techniques are gaining interest as methods of reducing acquisition times while additionally providing robust measurements. This study aimed to implement a synthetic MR imaging method on a new scanner type and to compare its diagnostic accuracy and volumetry with conventional MR imaging in patients with MS and controls.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with MS and 20 healthy controls were enrolled after ethics approval and written informed consent. Synthetic MR imaging was implemented on a Siemens 3T scanner. Comparable conventional and synthetic proton-density-, T1-, and T2-weighted, and FLAIR images were acquired. Diagnostic accuracy, lesion detection, and artifacts were assessed by blinded neuroradiologic evaluation, and contrast-to-noise ratios, by manual tracing. Volumetry was performed with synthetic MR imaging, FreeSurfer, FMRIB Software Library, and Statistical Parametric Mapping. Repeatability was quantified by using the coefficient of variance.RESULTS: Synthetic proton-density-, T1-, and T2-weighted images were of sufficient or good quality and were acquired in 7% less time than with conventional MR imaging. Synthetic FLAIR images were degraded by artifacts. Lesion counts and volumes were higher in synthetic MR imaging due to differences in the contrast of dirty-appearing WM but did not affect the radiologic diagnostic classification or lesion topography (P = .50-.77). Synthetic MR imaging provided segmentations with the shortest processing time (16 seconds) and the lowest repeatability error for brain volume (0.14%), intracranial volume (0.12%), brain parenchymal fraction (0.14%), and GM fraction (0.56%).CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic MR imaging can be an alternative to conventional MR imaging for generating diagnostic proton-density-, T1-, and T2-weighted images in patients with MS and controls while additionally delivering fast and robust volumetric measurements suitable for MS studies.
|
|
| 20. |
- Hashim, Ahmed, et al.
(author)
-
Pattern of novel psychoactive substance use among patients presented to the poison control centre of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt : A cross-sectional study
- 2022
-
In: Heliyon. - : Elsevier BV. - 2405-8440. ; 8:8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are relatively new substances in the illicit drug market, notpreviously listed in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). Strox and Voodoo are consideredsome of the most popular blends of NPS in the Egyptian drug market.Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess NPS's use pattern: Voodoo and Strox among acutelyintoxicated patients presented to the poison control center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC- ASUH).Methods: A single center based cross-sectional study was carried out in the PCC-ASUH among acutely intoxicatedpatients presenting to the emergency department (ED) over four months (from January–April 2019. using apreviously adopted and validated Fahmy and El-Sherbini socioeconomic scale (SES). Data were presented asmean, median and range as appropriate. Both smoking and crowding indexes were calculated and presented aspreviously reported.Results: Fifty-one patients were presented to the ED of PCC-ASUH during the study period. A total of 96.1% (n ¼49) were males. The mean age was 25 7.5 years. The most common NPS used was Strox: 54.9% (n ¼ 28),followed by Voodoo: 27.4% (n ¼ 14). Neurological and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were the most frequentpresentations. The most common motive behind NPS use was the desire to give a trial of new psychoactivesubstances. The mean SES score was 35.1 13.17. Most patients have the preparatory as the highest education36.0% (n ¼ 18).Conclusions: NPS use is common among young males in preparatory education from different social classes,starting it most commonly as a means to experiencing a new high. Neurological and GI manifestations are themost common presenting symptoms of NPS intoxication.
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
- Kanoni, Stavroula, et al.
(author)
-
Analysis with the exome array identifies multiple new independent variants in lipid loci
- 2016
-
In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 25:18, s. 4094-4106
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It has been hypothesized that low frequency (1-5% minor allele frequency (MAF)) and rare (<1% MAF) variants with large effect sizes may contribute to the missing heritability in complex traits. Here, we report an association analysis of lipid traits (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol triglycerides) in up to 27 312 individuals with a comprehensive set of low frequency coding variants (ExomeChip), combined with conditional analysis in the known lipid loci. No new locus reached genome-wide significance. However, we found a new lead variant in 26 known lipid association regions of which 16 were >1000-fold more significant than the previous sentinel variant and not in close LD (six had MAF <5%). Furthermore, conditional analysis revealed multiple independent signals (ranging from 1 to 5) in a third of the 98 lipid loci tested, including rare variants. Addition of our novel associations resulted in between 1.5- and 2.5-fold increase in the proportion of heritability explained for the different lipid traits. Our findings suggest that rare coding variants contribute to the genetic architecture of lipid traits.
|
|
| 23. |
- Kashif, M, et al.
(author)
-
Characterisation, analysis and optical properties of nanostructure ZnO using the sol-gel method
- 2012
-
In: Micro & Nano Letters. - : Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). - 1750-0443. ; 7:2, s. 163-167
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nanostructure ZnO was grown on thin aluminium layer, deposited on silicon substrate using the sol-gel method. The surface morphologies of nanostructure ZnO at different precursor concentrations were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy suggested that nanorods started to grow along with nanoflakes at a precursor concentration of 50 mM and the density of the nanorods significantly increases when the concentration was raised to 75 mM. Raman spectra were intensified and red shifted with the increment of precursor concentration. Optical properties of refractive index and optical dielectric constant are investigated. The structural defects at lower level of precursor were probably due to the hypoxic environment, whereas the red shift of Raman spectra was due to the structural change of ZnO nanocrystals.
|
|
| 24. |
- Kashif, M., et al.
(author)
-
Morphological, optical, and Raman characteristics of ZnO nanoflakes prepared via a sol-gel method
- 2012
-
In: PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE. - : Wiley-VCH Verlag Berlin. - 1862-6300. ; 209:1, s. 143-147
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two-dimensional (2D) ZnO nanoflakes were grown on thin aluminum layer, deposited on silicon substrate, using a sol-gel method. The surface morphologies of ZnO nanoflakes at different precursor concentrations were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Combined studies of SEM, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy suggested that nanorods started to grow along with nanoflakes at a precursor concentration of 0.05 M and the density of the nanorods significantly increased when the concentration was raised to 0.075 M. Both the UV-luminescence and Raman spectra were intensified and redshifted with the increment of precursor concentration. Spectral intensification suggests improvement in crystal qualities and better optical properties of the fabricated ZnO nanostructures. The structural defects at lower levels of precursor were probably due to the hypoxic environment, whereas, the redshift of PL and Raman spectra was due to the local heating of ZnO nanocrystals.
|
|
| 25. |
|
|
