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Background/Aim: Aortic aneurysm is the bulging of a weakened portion of the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel that feeds blood (carrying oxygen, nutrients and water) to the tissues of the body. When a portion of the wall of the aorta becomes weak, blood pushing against the vessel wall can cause it to bulge like a balloon (aneurysm) leading to aortic dissection (a tear in the wall of the aorta that can cause life-threatening bleeding or sudden death). Blood pressure is the force arterial blood exerts on the wall of the artery. When this pressure is consistently high above 140/100 mmHg it is referred to as hypertension. As an individual gets older over time, physiological functions of the body depreciate leading to some abnormalities. Smoking is the consumption of tobacco mostly by inhalation of the smoke that is produced from burning the tobacco. This review article examines the close interactions between age, smoking, hypertension and aortic aneurysm, with a view to understanding mechanisms by which these factors predispose a patient to an aortic aneurism. It is also to observe if these factors interfere with treatment and recovery from aneurysms. Conclusion: After careful review, it is observed that age and smoking are risk factors for hypertension, and together with hypertension, the three factors predispose an individual to high risk for aortic aneurysm.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Titanium dioxide and Gold nanoparticles surface treatment on the flexural strength of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Heat cure denture base resins.Materials and methods: A total of thirty PMMA Heat cure denture base resin test samples were fabricated of size 65 x 10 x 2.5 mm (rectangular shaped) according to ADA specification no.2. The samples were divided into three groups as Conventional PMMA heat cure denture base resin samples (GROUP I, n = 10 CONTROL), PMMA Heat cure denture base resin samples coated with Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (GROUP II, n = 10) and PMMA Heat cure denture base resin samples coated with Gold nanoparticles (GROUP III, n = 10). GROUP II and GROUP III PMMA Heat cure denture base resin test samples were coated by Magnetron sputtering. Flexural strength of GROUP I, GROUP II and Group III was evaluated by a three-point bend test using a Universal testing machine and the mean values were obtained.Results: The Mean flexural strength of GROUP I, GROUP II and GROUP III samples were 114.79 MPa, 142.48 MPa and 154.70 MPa respectively. On comparative evaluation of the flexural strength among the three groups GROUP III PMMA Heat cure denture base resin samples exhibited the highest flexural strength followed by GROUP II and least by GROUP I. The statistical analysis by ANOVA had shown that there is significance in flexural strength among the groups tested (p - value = 0.000*).Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, PMMA heat cure denture base resin coated with Gold nanoparticles showed the highest flexural strength followed by PMMA Heat cure denture base resin coated with Titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Conventional PMMA Heat cure denture base resin without any surface treatment showed the least flexural strength.

The objective of this study was to obtain a fast, accurate and reliable method of species identification of unknown biological samples for forensic applications, especially in illegal trade of animals as well as meat fraud. Meat fraud and adulteration not only affects the market but also increases the risk of religious and ethnic conflicts around the world [1]. In this study, species-specific and gender differentiating Real time PCR technique was employed to analyse 15 meat samples collected from a suspected site. Out of 15 samples collected from suspected site, 54% and 13% samples were of Cow and buffalo origin respectively. All 54% cow samples were of male while one each of buffalo were of male and female origin. Two samples were inconclusive. These findings indicated that species and gender-specific PCR is very sensitive and can be used for forensic species identification and the detection of meat fraud and adulteration.

The Emergency Department (ED) is a place that regularly deals with acute scenarios and people that are generally sensitive in nature. In a fast-paced environment such as this, people can be emotionally charged and react in different ways. Unfortunately, nurses in the ED tend to be most affected. Literature shows that workplace violence incidents that occur tend to involve ED nurses. Furthermore, ED nurses are more inclined to have an attitude that makes them think that any acts of transgression are “part of the job” and incidents usually go underreported. Moreover, reporting tools are usually difficult to use and tend to be a barrier to reporting workplace violence. In this evidence-based project, ED nurses will participate in an educational prevention program that will help equip them with the knowledge and awareness that is needed to decrease the incidence of workplace violence. Furthermore, a new, easy-to-use reporting tool will be implemented for ED staff. An implementation of an easier reporting tool and an education prevention program on the incidence of workplace violence will help reduce the number of future incidents of workplace violence. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to create a “zero tolerance” workplace culture for ED nurses that ultimately decreases the incidence of workplace violence. Based on research, an educational program and new reporting tool will be implemented at an urban community hospital in Westchester. Included is a purpose statement, and operational and conceptual definition, PICO questions, and an evidence-based practice protocol for workplace violence.

Malignant pericardial effusion is a usual and crucial exacerbation in malignancies. In some cases, pericardial effusion may be the first manifestation of the disease. Neoplastic pericarditis is extremely rare in thyroid cancer. Hereby, we describe the case of a 54-year-old man submitted to the hospital for chest pain and dyspnea. Clinical and radiological examinations were suggestive of pericardial effusion and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent pericardial drainage and surgical biopsy of a paratracheal lymph node. Pericardial biopsies were also taken. Histology study was compatible with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma with “signet-ring” cell morphology. Extended study of thyroid gland and function was performed and he was referred to oncologists for further treatment. Clinical presentation and histology are discussed emphasizing the rare correlation between pericardial pathology and metastatic thyroid carcinomas as the first diagnosis. Histopathologic findings of “signet-ring” cell morphology are very challenging for a differential diagnosis between thyroid carcinoma and other metastatic adenocarcinomas.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a non-invasive treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). PTNS involves peripheral neuromodulation that uses electrical stimulation to target the spinal cord roots, mainly S3, which controls bladder function. Neuromodulation is postulated to be the effect of cross-signaling between sympathetic and parasympathetic post ganglionic nerve terminals and synapses, causing alteration of nerve signals involved in the voiding reflex. de Groat, et al. described this neurophysiological process and the neural circuits involved in controlling the lower urinary tract [1]. Stimulation of peripheral nerves and subsequent “cross-talk” at the level of the postganglionic neuroeffector junctions can modulate transmission and facilitate detrusor inhibition [2].

Air pollution exposure is among the most prevalent reasons for environmentally-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are implicated in the central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The CNS has emerged as an important target for adverse health effects of exposure to air pollutants, where it can cause neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Air pollution includes various components of gases, particulate matter (PM), ultrafine particulate (UFPs), metals, and organic compounds. An important source of PM and UFPM in the ambient air is associated with air pollution-related trafficking, and primarily diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). Controlled animal studies and epidemiological studies show that exposure to air pollution, and in particular urban air pollution or DEPs, may lead to neurotoxicity. In specific, exposure to air pollutants as an important factor may be in neurodevelopmental disorders (eg Autism) and neurological disorders (eg.., Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)). The most noticeable effects of exposure to air pollutants in animals and humans are oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Studies in rats exposed to DEPs showed microglial activity, increased lipid peroxidation, and neuronal accumulation in various areas of the brain, especially the olfactory bulb (OB) and the hippocampus (HI). Disorders of adult neurogenesis were also found. In most cases, the effects of DEP are more pronounced in male mice, probably due to lower antioxidant capacity due to less expression of paraoxonase 2.

Introduction: Oxidative stress is a phenomenon induced by an imbalance between production and the biological system's ability to readily detoxify oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells. It has been shown that grape juice can reduce oxidative stress due to the presence of polyphenols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fresh red grape juice and grape fermentative product on oxidative stress in human erythrocytes.Methods: 5 ml of blood from 125 healthy individuals as control group collected in EDTA containing tubes. To perform biochemical assays, erythrocytes were incubated at 37 ºC for different times including 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours in the presence or absence of grape juice and grape red wine in amounts of 5 ml. Results: Grape juice and grape red wine reduced lipid peroxidation and increase of thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity after 24 hours of treatment (p < 0.05). Also, the activity of catalase enzyme was increased 4 and 24 hours after treatment with red wine and grape juice, respectively. Conclusion: Grape juice and grape fermentative product may improve the antioxidant power of erythrocytes. This may lead to reducing the risk of free-radical damage and chronic diseases. However, more research with a higher number of samples is necessary to confirm the antioxidant effect of grape juice and red wine on human erythrocytes.

Background: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia have remained a major global public health threat in contributing significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Based on the inverse relationship between serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels and plasma renin activity found previously, it is speculated that 1,25(OH)2D3 might be a negative endocrine regulator of renin production in vivo. During pregnancy, vitamin D may play a role in implantation and placental function potentially due to angiogenic, immunomodulatory, and antiinflammatory effects. Vitamin Ddeficiency can affect the health of both mother and fetus by increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines and stimulating the activity of T-regulating cells. Vitamin D is emerging as a promising agent for pre-eclampsia prevention. Aims and objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the vitamin D levels in pre-eclamptic and healthy non-pre-eclamptic pregnant women in labor and find out the relationship between vitamin D levels and pre-eclampsia. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on pregnant women with pre-eclampsia in labor. For each case with pre-eclampsia, one uncomplicated, normotensive pregnant woman in labor was taken as control. On admission to the labor room detailed history, physical examination followed by thorough obstetrics and systemic examination was done. Required investigations were done including vitamin D and calcium levels. Maternal and fetal condition was monitored during labor/cesarean section, mode of delivery, maternal and fetal outcomes were recorded. After delivery, 2cc of cord blood was collected in a serum tube and sent for vitamin D levels. Data was collected and analyzed statistically using Epi-info version 7.1.Results: It was observed that the patients in both groups were comparable with respect to demographic and obstetrics characteristics except for significantly high BP in group I. Vitamin Ddeficiency (i.e. < 20 ng/ml) was significantly more in group I as compared to group II and the difference was highly significant (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the mean maternal calcium levels were significantly lower in group I in comparison to group II (p < 0.0001) i.e. the mean maternal calcium level in group I and group II were 8.03 ± 0.94 and 9.19 ± 0.67 respectively. It was also observed that the level of 25-OH-D in neonates of preeclamptic women was significantly lower than for those of the normal pregnant women (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in all parts of the world. Pregnant women and neonates are highly vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency. Preeclampsia is indeed associated with lower vitamin D levels and the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia involves vitamin D and calcium metabolism through their role in immunomodulation, angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects. From the present study, it was observed that vitamin D and calcium levels were significantly lowered in women with pre-eclampsia as compared to those of the normotensive pregnant women. So early detection of vitamin D and calcium deficiencies may be helpful in preventing occurrence of PET and its complications.

The lip print pattern is the characteristic pattern of the wrinkles and grooves present on the labial mucosa. This study evaluated the determination of sex among indigenes of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using lip print patterns. 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females), aged 18-25 years participated in the study. With written consent, lip prints were collected from the subjects. Samples were analyzed using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification of lip prints. The lip samples were analyzed as a whole and then divided into six portions Right Upper Portions, Middle Upper Portion, Left Upper Portion, Right Lower Portion, Middle Lower Portion and Left Lower Portion and analyzed differently. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and T - test analysis. The result shows that the most prevalent lip print in males considering the lip as a whole is Type I (29%) while that of the females is Type I’ (32%). In six portions, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the lip print patterns in male and female subjects in the Right Upper Portion (25.960), Left Upper Portion (15.455) and Middle Left Portion (19.948) suggesting that these portions can be effectively used for sex determination among these indigenes. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the thickness of lip in males and in females but, the lower lip was significantly thicker (p < 0.01) than the upper lip in both gender. Results also showed that the length of lips in males was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than that of females. This study, therefore, concludes that determination of sex among indigenes of Akwa Ibom State using lip length and lip print patterns in specific portions of Right Upper Portion, Left Upper Portion and Middle Left Portion can be effectively done.

Background: Globally 1.13 billion people were living with hypertension, Out of this two-thirds of them were living in low and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, Non-Communicable Disease deaths are estimated at around 42%. However, it remains widely undetected and poorly controlled. To resolve these, lifestyle modification approaches that are often overlooked are the cornerstone of the prevention and management of hypertension. Objective: To assess lifestyle modification practice and associated factors among hypertensive patients in selected hospitals in West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional, Ethiopia December 7 to 21, 2019. Method: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the selected public hospital among 299 hypertensive patients. Systemic random sampling methods were used to select the study participants. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire by trained data collectors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression method to identify predictors of the outcome (p < 0.05). Results: Of the total participants, only 25.2% (95% CI: 18.8-32.9) of the patients were practiced recommended lifestyle modifications. Patients Age older than 65 years (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.17 - 7.0), the patients with 2-5 years’ time since diagnosed hypertension (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.9), multiple co-morbidity (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.25 - 5.8,) and their knowledge on hypertension management (AOR = 14.6, 95% CI: 4.6 - 45.9) have an independently associated with recommended lifestyle modification. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification practices among hypertensive patients were low in this study. Age, comorbidity, time since diagnoses of hypertension, and knowledge of lifestyle were identified as predictors of the outcome.

Due to extensive COVID-19 prevention measures, millions of tons of chemicals penetrated the natural environment. Alterations of viruses in the environment, the neglected perceiver of environmental fluctuations, remain obscure. Chemicals especially trihalomethane restrained the virus community diversity. Segments of SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been detected near hospitals that suggesting the environment as a missing link in the transmission route. Human viruses lurking in the environment were potentially activated by pandemic prevention chemicals, warning an overlooked burden to human health. This letter warns of the risk of activation of human viruses in the environment following the overuse of COVID-19 prevention devices and emphasizes the long-term monitoring of environmental viruses in the post-pandemic period.

Introduction: Preparing a report and passing certification for a qualification category is one of the forms of improving the professional level of each medical worker.Material and methods: The analysis of 5 qualification works of a psychiatrist (1997, 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018) was carried out for the mandatory requirements for the preparation of documents when they were submitted to the Attestation Commission on the assignment of a qualifying medical category in psychiatry and formation methodological approaches to their implementation. The depth of research was 27 years.Results: Methodological approaches to the design of 11 mandatory sections provided for in the certification work of a psychiatrist presented for the award of a qualification category were considered.Discussion: The attitude to the Administrative Regulations for the provision of state services for the assignment of a qualification category to specialists engaged in medical and pharmaceutical activities should be revised in terms of its synchronization with the official duties of a doctor.Conclusion: The dynamic development of the regulatory, organizational, methodological, and scientific aspects of medicine and psychiatry, in particular, in the period of active digitalization of healthcare, requires periodic corporate discussion and correction of the Administrative Regulations for the provision of public services for assigning a qualification category to specialists engaged in medical and pharmaceutical activities.Attention should be paid to the insufficient statistical processing of the submitted materials by applicants for the assignment of the 1st and highest categories, the lack of calculations, references, and comparisons of confidence intervals, and the reliability of the study.Preparing a report and passing certification for a qualification category can be the first step in introducing a practitioner to scientific work through the generalization of personal work experience, worthy of speaking at a scientific and practical conference at the level of LU and the region and publishing abstracts in collections and scientific and practical journals.The proposed methodological approaches are purely advisory in nature and can be used by psychiatrists when working on a qualification category at their discretion.

Moringa oleifera which is also known as horseradish or drumstick tree is a rapidly growing, drought-tolerant tree that can tolerate poor soil conditions. It is presently broadly cultivated and has turned out to be naturalized in numerous geographical areas of the tropics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and survivability of Moringa seed origins in the North Florida region of the United States of America. Seedlings were prepared in the George Conoly Greenhouse at the Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL. The seed origins were Ghana, Texas PKM1, Haiti PKM1, Colombia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Nigeria Local, Impex PKM1, Peela Medu, India EOA PKM1, and Belton. A randomized completely block design (RCBD) was used in this study to compare the performance of eleven seed origins of M. oleifera Height and Stem diameter. Nigeria Local had the best performance in terms of height for 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, 191.98 ± 7.42 cm and 123.19 ± 26.67 cm, respectively. Colombia had the best performance in terms of stem diameter for the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, 2.6 ± 0 cm and 2.08 ± 0 cm, respectively. However, DMRT revealed that the height and stem diameter of the seed origins were not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, the results revealed that the alternative hypotheses (Ha) that the Moringa oleifera seed origins were significantly different in heights and stem diameter were rejected.

ems. Preliminary field tests may be used for screening the debris on the explosion site. They include commercially available explosive vapor detectors and chemical color tests. Like post-explosion residues, personal items suspected to contain traces of explosives and hand-swabs, are often heavily contaminated. It is therefore of major importance that the analytical procedures have to include good screening, clean-up, and extraction methods. The main explosives dealt with in this chapter include nitroaromatic explosives, such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4,6, N-tetranitro-N-methyl aniline (tetryl), nitrate esters, such as ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), glycerol trinitrate (nitroglycerin, NG), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and nitramine explosives, such as 1,3,5- trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX), as well as mixtures containing one or more of these explosives. Additional explosives include triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and ammonium nitrate (AN), NH4NO3.

Stems of Santalum album (Sandalwood), Mangiferra indica (Mango wood), and Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) are widely used in the preparation of herbal medicines and formulations in the traditional Indian health care system called Ayurveda. These were analyzed for 4 minor (K, Ca, Cl, Mg) and 13 traces (As, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Na, Se, V, and Zn) including toxic elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Samples in powder form along with reference materials (NIST SRM 1547 and INCT MPH-2) as comparators were irradiated for 1 min/6 h in Dhruva/CIRUS reactors at BARC, Mumbai. Gamma activity was measured by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. In general, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn contents are very high in all the samples but Santalum album, widely used as a perfume, is more enriched in K, Ca, Cr, Zn, and Se. The concentration of Ca is always high as a major constituent (> 10 mg/g) in all the stem/bark of plant species. A strong inverse correlation (R2 = 0.9999) was observed between Fe and Zn in all three samples and that may be useful in drug manufacturing.

Central Diabetes Insipidus (CDI) results from the inability to secrete ADH secreted by the neurohypophysis system to control water-electrolyte metabolism. In the etiology of CDI in childhood, many congenital and acquired central nervous system (CNS) tumors (germinoma, pinealoma, craniopharyngioma, optic glioma, acute myeloid leukemia), infiltrative diseases (Langerhans cell histiocytosis, sarcoidosis), infections (meningitis, tuberculosis, encephalitis), autoimmune events, head trauma, idiopathic) can be responsible [1]. Hibernomas, which are very rare in childhood, may also rarely involve the central nervous system.

Aim: Accumulating data imply that glaucoma may represent a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the entire visual system. We evaluated retrobulbar glaucomatous damage with favorable techniques for 1.5T diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging and we compared those techniques with clinical data in a large case series. Material and methods: This Cross-sectional study included 130 eyes of 65 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Patients with no known ocular or systemic concomitant disorders, neurological diseases, previous glaucoma surgeries, or antioxidant usage were selected. A decrease in thickness and deterioration in the optic nerve diffusion of severely glaucomatous eyes of patients with asymmetrical involvement was observed in optic nerve tractography. Optical coherence tomography and visual field results of the subjects were recorded. Glaucoma analysis with optical coherence tomography and standard automated perimetry results of the subjects were recorded. Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging analysis of optic nerves and radiations were performed, computing fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. Correlation between the diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging and clinical eye parameters of glaucomatous neurodegeneration were statistically evaluated. Results: The correlations between diffusion parameters and age were highly significant. Statistically significant correlations were found between ganglion cell complex and apparent diffusion coefficient, axial and radial diffusivities of optic nerves. Conclusion: Eye-brain connection in glaucoma can be evaluated with routine clinical instruments. Our study also revealed a limited correlation of retrobulbar glaucomatous neurodegeneration with ophthalmic damage. A better understanding of retrobulbar damage will enable us to develop more efficient strategies and a more accurate understanding of glaucoma.

Fish-borne parasitic zoonoses are primarily found in people living in developing and underdeveloped countries. The parasites that cause such zoonoses like Trichinella and Taenia are well-known in developed nations, but few people are familiar with fish-borne parasitic zoonoses, which are largely caused by helminths and protozoans. In general, parasitic zoonoses transmitted by fish are rarely life-threatening, although cases and reports of such infestations have increased over the world. The list of parasitic organisms is extensive. This article attempts to provide a complete overview of the many fish-borne parasites that can cause zoonosis among humans and animals alike.

Injuries at the elbow are fairly common. Fractures require the immediate attention of the skills of a surgeon. As the fracture heals and motion at the fracture is permissible, the physical therapist can provide important treatment to help the patient gain range of motion, strength, and function.