| 1. |
- Ademuyiwa, Adesoji O., et al.
(author)
-
Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
- 2016
-
In: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2059-7908. ; 1:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.Methods: Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.Results: This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.Conclusions: Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.
|
|
| 2. |
- Thomas, HS, et al.
(author)
-
- 2019
-
swepub:Mat__t
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Bentham, James, et al.
(author)
-
A century of trends in adult human height
- 2016
-
In: eLIFE. - 2050-084X. ; 5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.522.7) and 16.5 cm (13.319.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
|
|
| 5. |
- Bentham, James, et al.
(author)
-
A century of trends in adult human height
- 2016
-
In: eLIFE. - : eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. - 2050-084X. ; 5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.5–22.7) and 16.5 cm (13.3– 19.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8– 144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Asmoay, Ahmed, et al.
(author)
-
Water quality assessment in dry regions using statistical methods
- 2023
-
In: Journal of King Saud University - Science. - : Elsevier. - 1018-3647. ; 35:5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Water demands have increased even more in recent decades because of the high population density. Surface and groundwater resources are insufficient to meet these demands. As a result, governments have turned to the treatment of sewage water. Sewage water contains multiple types of contamination, creating a major health risk. In the research region, 48 water samples were obtained, including 18 samples of surface water and 30 samples of groundwater. The Canadian Council Water Quality Index (CCWQI) program calculates the water quality index to evaluate the water quality for drinking and human use. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Egyptian Ministry of Health (EMH) determined regulatory limits for drinking water and each value of the investigated parameter connected with them. According to the findings, 79% of the tested water samples are safe to drink and are excellent for human and wildlife use. Due to infiltration or recharging of groundwater with drainage water, as well as the involvement of dissolution, leaching processes, and anthropogenic activities that damage human health, animals, and some plants, these samples are unfit for drinking and domestic consumption. The heavy metal level of Cd and Pb in the examined water samples was found to be above WHO and EMH acceptable limits. Furthermore, due to oral exposures, the examined water samples may cause complex health concerns such as non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic influences for children over adults due to a reduction in children's immunity. As a result, water treatment should be carried out in the examined region to protect the health of the residents.
|
|
| 9. |
- Barakat, Muna, et al.
(author)
-
Assessment of Knowledge, Perception, Experience and Phobia toward Corticosteroids Use among the General Public in the Era of COVID-19 : A Multinational Study
- 2023
-
In: Healthcare (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2227-9032. ; 11:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Corticosteroids play a significant role in managing the vast majority of inflammatory and immunologic conditions. To date, population-based studies on knowledge and attitudes concerning corticosteroids are scarce. This study aims to comprehensively assess knowledge, perception, experience and phobia toward corticosteroid use among the general population in the era of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data from 6 countries. Knowledge and corticophobia scores, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed. Results: A total of 2354 participants were enrolled in this study; the majority were females (61.6%) with an average age of 30. Around 61.9% had been infected previously with COVID-19, and about one-third of the participants had experience with corticosteroid use. The mean knowledge score was relatively satisfactory (8.7 ± 4.5 out of 14), and Corticophobia ranked a high score in all countries. Age, female gender, and history of COVID-19 were positively correlated with developing corticophobia. Conclusion: Our study highlights that the general knowledge about steroids was satisfactory. However, the phobia toward its use upon indication is high. Therefore, enhancing awareness and providing essential counseling regarding the rational use of corticosteroids may reduce corticophobia.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
| 11. |
- Girgis, Emad, et al.
(author)
-
Synthesis, magnetic and optical properties of core/shell Co(1-x)Zn(x)Fe(2)O(4)/SiO(2) nanoparticles
- 2011
-
In: Nanoscale Research Letters. - 1931-7573 .- 1556-276X. ; 6, s. 460-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The optical properties of multi-functionalized cobalt ferrite (CoFe(2)O(4)), cobalt zinc ferrite (Co(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4)), and zinc ferrite (ZnFe(2)O(4)) nanoparticles have been enhanced by coating them with silica shell using a modified Stober method. The ferrites nanoparticles were prepared by a modified citrate gel technique. These core/shell ferrites nanoparticles have been fired at temperatures: 400 degrees C, 600 degrees C and 800 degrees C, respectively, for 2 h. The composition, phase, and morphology of the prepared core/shell ferrites nanoparticles were determined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The diffuse reflectance and magnetic properties of the core/shell ferrites nanoparticles at room temperature were investigated using UV/VIS double-beam spectrophotometer and vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. It was found that, by increasing the firing temperature from 400 degrees C to 800 degrees C, the average crystallite size of the core/shell ferrites nanoparticles increases. The cobalt ferrite nanoparticles fired at temperature 800 degrees C; show the highest saturation magnetization while the zinc ferrite nanoparticles coated with silica shell shows the highest diffuse reflectance. On the other hand, core/shell zinc ferrite/silica nanoparticles fired at 400 degrees C show a ferromagnetic behavior and high diffuse reflectance when compared with all the uncoated or coated ferrites nanoparticles. These characteristics of core/shell zinc ferrite/silica nanostructures make them promising candidates for magneto-optical nanodevice applications.
|
|
| 12. |
|
|
| 13. |
- Musher, Benjamin L., et al.
(author)
-
LOAd703, an oncolytic virus-based immunostimulatory gene therapy, combined with chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer (LOKON001) results from arm 1 of a non-randomised, single-centre, phase 1/2 study
- 2024
-
In: The Lancet Oncology. - : Elsevier. - 1470-2045 .- 1474-5488. ; 25:4, s. 488-500
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterised by low immunogenicity and an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. LOAd703, an oncolytic adenovirus with transgenes encoding TMZ-CD40L and 4-1BBL, lyses cancer cells selectively, activates cytotoxic T cells, and induces tumour regression in preclinical models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of combining LOAd703 with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods LOKON001 was a non-randomised, phase 1/2 study conducted at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA, and consisted of two arms conducted sequentially; the results of arm 1 are presented here. In arm 1, patients 18 years or older with previously treated or treatment-naive unresectable or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were treated with standard 28-day cycles of intravenous nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m 2 plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 (up to 12 cycles) and intratumoural injections of LOAd703 every 2 weeks. Patients were assigned using Bayesian optimal interval design to receive 500 mu L of LOAd703 at 5 x 10 10 (dose 1), 1 x 10 11 (dose 2), or 5 x 10 11 (dose 3) viral particles per injection, injected endoscopically or percutaneously into the pancreatic tumour or a metastasis for six injections. The primary endpoints were safety and treatment-emergent immune response in patients who received at least one dose of LOAd703, and antitumour activity was a secondary endpoint. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02705196, arm 2 is ongoing and open to new participants. Findings Between Dec 2, 2016, and Oct 17, 2019, 23 patients were assessed for eligibility, leading to 22 patients being enrolled. One patient withdrew consent, resulting in 21 patients (13 [62%] men and eight [38%] women) assigned to a dose group (three to dose 1, four to dose 2, and 14 to dose 3). 21 patients were evaluable for safety. Median follow-up time was 6 months (IQR 4-10), and data cutoff was Jan 5, 2023. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events overall were anaemia (96 [8%] of 1237 events), lymphopenia (86 [7%] events), hyperglycaemia (70 [6%] events), leukopenia (63 [5%] events), hypertension (62 [5%] events), and hypoalbuminaemia (61 [5%] events). The most common adverse events attributed to LOAd703 were fever (14 [67%] of 21 patients), fatigue (eight [38%]), chills (seven [33%]), and elevated liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase in five [24%], alkaline phosphatase in four [19%], and aspartate aminotransferase in four [19%]), all of which were grade 1-2, except for a transient grade 3 aminotransferase elevation occurring at dose 3. A maximum tolerated dose was not reached, thereby establishing dose 3 as the highest-evaluated safe dose when combined with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. Proportions of CD8 + effector memory cells and adenovirus-specific T cells increased after LOAd703 injections in 15 (94%) of 16 patients for whom T-cell assays could be performed. Eight (44%, 95% CI 25-66) of 18 patients evaluable for activity had an objective response. Interpretation Combining LOAd703 with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was feasible and safe. To build upon this novel chemoimmunotherapeutic approach, arm 2 of LOKON001, which combines LOAd703, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, and atezolizumab, is ongoing.
|
|
| 14. |
- Othman, Nor Zalina, et al.
(author)
-
Aeration rate effect on the growth kinetics, phytase production and plasmid stability of recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)
- 2014
-
In: Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology. - 0973-7510. ; 8:4, s. 2721-2728
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phytase production using Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), a recombinant strain harboring a plasmid encoding thermostable Bacillus phytase, in semi-industrial scale was studied in this work. Among the factors needed to be considered in order to achieve high enzyme yield, aeration rate plays an important role. Suitable aeration is required to supply cells with sufficient amount of air for cell and phytase production. The effect of different aeration rates, (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 vv-1min-1), on the kinetics of cell growth and phytase production by the recombinant E. coli BL21 (DE3) in 16-L pilot scale stirred tank bioreactor was investigated. The highest cell concentration of 3.81 gL-1 concomitant with the maximal total phytase production of 15.63 UmL-1 were obtained in a bioreactor of aeration rate 3.0vv-1min-1. At this high aeration rate, a maximal specific growth rate (μmax) and the maximal specific phytase production of 0.33 h-1 and 4102Ug-1, respectively, were achieved.
|
|
| 15. |
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
- Zhou, Bin, et al.
(author)
-
Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: A pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4.4 million participants
- 2016
-
In: The Lancet. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 387:10027, s. 1513-1530
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to halt, by 2025, the rise in the age standardised adult prevalence of diabetes at its 2010 levels. We aimed to estimate worldwide trends in diabetes, how likely it is for countries to achieve the global target, and how changes in prevalence, together with population growth and ageing, are aff ecting the number of adults with diabetes.Methods: We pooled data from population-based studies that had collected data on diabetes through measurement of its biomarkers. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence-defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs-in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014. We also calculated the posterior probability of meeting the global diabetes target if post-2000 trends continue.Findings: We used data from 751 studies including 4372000 adults from 146 of the 200 countries we make estimates for. Global age-standardised diabetes prevalence increased from 4.3% (95% credible interval 2.4-17.0) in 1980 to 9.0% (7.2-11.1) in 2014 in men, and from 5.0% (2.9-7.9) to 7.9% (6.4-9.7) in women. The number of adults with diabetes in the world increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (28.5% due to the rise in prevalence, 39.7% due to population growth and ageing, and 31.8% due to interaction of these two factors). Age-standardised adult diabetes prevalence in 2014 was lowest in northwestern Europe, and highest in Polynesia and Micronesia, at nearly 25%, followed by Melanesia and the Middle East and north Africa. Between 1980 and 2014 there was little change in age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adult women in continental western Europe, although crude prevalence rose because of ageing of the population. By contrast, age-standardised adult prevalence rose by 15 percentage points in men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia. In 2014, American Samoa had the highest national prevalence of diabetes (>30% in both sexes), with age-standardised adult prevalence also higher than 25% in some other islands in Polynesia and Micronesia. If post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2010 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and is 1% for women. Only nine countries for men and 29 countries for women, mostly in western Europe, have a 50% or higher probability of meeting the global target.Interpretation: Since 1980, age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adults has increased, or at best remained unchanged, in every country. Together with population growth and ageing, this rise has led to a near quadrupling of the number of adults with diabetes worldwide. The burden of diabetes, both in terms of prevalence and number of adults aff ected, has increased faster in low-income and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
|
|
