Recently Published Articles
Addressing Malnutrition Across the Continuum of Care: Which Patients Are Likely to Receive Oral Nutritional Supplements
Abstract:
Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) have been shown to improve patient outcomes in the hospital setting, but limited results from long-term care or community settings exist. Using electronic health records (EHRs) from 2009 to 2014 for both adult inpatients and outpatients, we compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who received ONS (n = 1,251) with a non-ONS control group (n =25,513). Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to describe and compare differences in baseline characteristics between the groups including age, sex, race, tobacco use, and comorbidities. We found that patients receiving ONS were older and sicker than control patients. Hospitalized ONS patients were more likely to be admitted from the emergency department and have a hospitalization within the last month prior to the index date. Our results suggest that there is a need for nutrition screening and incorporating nutrition status into the EHR as an important ...
Rate Pressure Product Responses during an Acute Session of Isometric Resistance Training: A Randomized Trial
Abstract:
Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, responsible for approximately 31% of global mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the hypertensive responses and determine the peak rate pressure product, calculated by multiplying systolic blood pressure and heart rate, during isometric handgrip exercise. Rate pressure product is a surrogate measure of myocardial oxygen consumption. Hypertensive responses utilising rate pressure product during isometric handgrip exercise have not previously been reported. A randomized trial was conducted with 60 normotensive and 60 pre-hypertensive participants who attended once for an acute session of isometric handgrip exercise. Participants were randomized into groups exercising at 5%, 10% or 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Training was conducted using 4x2min isometric handgrip exercises each separated by a 3min rest period. There were ...
Sub-Types and Treatment Outcomes of adolescent and Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas in a Resource Poor Setting
Abstract:
The diagnosis and treatment outcomes of Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma’s (NHL) in resource poor countries in the absence of routine molecular studies and immunohistochemistry is challenging. A retrospective review of case folders of NHL patients aged13 years and above. Information obtained from the case folders included age, sex, histological subtype, subtypes using the Working Formulation and WHO classifications. Treatment given and follow up information were also evaluated. A total of 279 cases of NHL were identified within the study period. The mean age of the patients was 48.8 ± 17.0 years. The male to female ratio was approximately 1.5:1. The majority of cases seen (53%) were diffuse large B- ce...
The Relationship Between Postpartum Depression and Beliefs About Motherhood and Perfectionism During Pregnancy
Abstract:
Postpartum depression is a common mood disorder following childbirth. Depression occurring at this crucial stage in a child’s life is known to have far reaching and potentially damaging consequences for the mother, the baby and her family. Whilst a number of risk factors have been identified in the literature as contributing to the development of postpartum depression, including a past psychiatric history and lack of social support, some of these are not easily modifiable through psychological interventions. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the contribution of specific psychological factors, including maternal beliefs about motherhood and perfectionism and perceived social support, in the development of postpartum depression. Seventy-three pregnant women consented to take part and returned questionnaires during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Of those women, 61 also completed questionnaires 4-6 weeks following the birth ...
Emerging Paradigms in Regenerative Medicine: Stem cell Therapies
Abstract:
Stem cell research is now emerging as most exciting and promising area of modern biomedical research which has enormous potential for easing suffering for many diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes,Cancer and many more. This is now recognized most promising alternate therapeutic choice for some of the diseases which currently have no other option of an effective therapy. The Stem cell therapy is now strengthened by cutting- edge technologies and rigorous standards of clinical research thus rapidly progressed from bench to the clinic.
Blood Donation and Misconceptions- A Nationwide Survey in Dental Hospitals of Pakistan
Abstract:
Blood donation is a common practice in many countries of the world and it benefits many of the people suffering from conditions which require blood transfusions. The blood donated should be appropriately screened for certain infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and Gonorrhea through serological tests. This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2014 to August 2014, Data was collected from eight dental hospitals in four provinces of Pakistan. Attendants of the patients admitted in the surgical ward with age more than 16 years were included. Knowledge and practices of the participants were evaluated through a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical consent was obtained from the ethical committee or concerned authority of all eight hospitals.
Performance Assessment of Some Operational Aspects of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Tuberculosis Unit, Nagpur, India
Abstract:
DOTS is the current international strategy for tuberculosis control endorsed by the World Health Organization and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. Maharashtra achieved full coverage under RNTCP in October 2003. The programme was launched in Nagpur in the last quarter of 2002. Three years after its launch, it is the ideal time to assess the performance of programme to identify the operational challenges. This is a cross sectional study carried out in 'Sadar Tuberculosis Unit' of Nagpur Municipal Corporation with the objective to study performance of some aspects of RNTCP. Programme performance was explored through laboratory records review and non participant observations of all four designated microscopy centres. DOT centres were observed for accessibility, identi...
Evaluation of a Stroke Protocol Using Computed Tomography Angiography for the Evaluation of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Abstract:
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) provides early assessment of cerebral vasculature in ED patients presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). Prior studies using 4 row detector CT scanners have suggested that results may be used to determine who receives thrombolytics (tPA). We sought to evaluate the rate of normal CTA and the use of tPA in AIS patients with and without blockages using modern CT technology. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all code stroke patients presenting to our ED over a 3 year period. Inclusion criteria included an ED and neurology diagnosis of AIS with a CTA performed at presentation. All patients had a NIHSS score recorded at presentation and underwent imaging using a 64 row detector scanner with 50cc of non-ionic contrast. Demographic, ...
Functional, Structural and Contextual Analysis of a Variant of Uncertain Clinical Significance in BRCA1: c.5434C->G (p. Pro1812Ala)
Abstract:
Interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) for their effect on protein function, and therefore for the risk of developing cancer, has become a challenge in clinical practice for genetic counselling services. The present work combines structural bioinformatics and systems biology based mathematical modelling approaches with the aim of determining the pathogenicity of the mutation c.5434C->G (p.Pro1812Ala) in the BRCA1 gene (detected in a patient from a high risk family) and also to mechanistically understand the effect of this mutation in DNA damage response, a key process in cancer development. The results obtained showed that this mutation prevents the interaction of BRCA1 with key proteins of the cell cycle, subsequently impairing BRCA1-dependent induction of cell cycle arrest. The comparison of the molecular mechanisms associated with the native BRCA1 protein and the mutated variant function in DNA damage response showed that the latter undergoes ...
Effects of Soy-Milk on Blood Lipids and Total Homocysteine Level in Postmenopausal Women of Bangladesh
Abstract:
Isoflavones are phytoestrogens present in natural sources, and they resemble estradiol in structure and manner of action. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of soy-milk on serum tHcy levels and to assess the glycemic and lipidemic status of Bangladeshi postmenopausal women. Thirty-six women (aged 50 ±5.16 years, M ±SD) participated in a randomized, un-blinded, open-ended, crossover study design for 52 days. The soy-milk group consumed 350 mL of milk twice a day for 21- day; the milk contained ~30 mg of isoflavones. FBG, PPG, HbA1c, TC, TG, HDL-C, NEFA, and tHcy were measured on day 0, day 21, day 31, and day 52 with a 10- day washout period. After the consumption of soy-milk, the l...