Most Viewed Articles

A 40 year old woman presented to the emergency department with acute on chronic abdominal pain in her right iliac fossa. On history her pain had been present for over 6 months and had previously been investigated with ultrasound, CT and a diagnostic laparoscopy several months prior to presentation. Her pain had acutely worsened over the preceding two weeks. This was associated with two days of diarrhoea but nil other systemic symptoms. Her medical history was significant for immunosuppression with tacrolimus, azathioprine and prednisone post renal transplant for IgA nephropathy [1]. Her abdominal examination was unremarkable other than tenderness in her right iliac fossa and a palpable non-tender renal transplant. Her inflammatory markers, electrolytes and urine microscopy were unremarkable. She was further investigated with an ultrasound which demonstrated nil complications with her transplant and a non-contrast CT (due to contrast allergy). Her CT demonstrated a faecolith within the appendiceal lumen but no signs of acute appendicitis (Figure 1). Due to ongoing pain and CT finding of faecolith she was taken for a diagnostic laparoscopy with appendicectomy.   Figure 1: Non-contrast CT demonstrating faecolith. Intraoperatively she had a macroscopically normal appendix and no other cause for the patients symptoms could be identified. A laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed with no complications. Her pain persisted postoperatively and she was discharged post operative day two with analgesia. Histology subsequently revealed actinomyces-like organisms consistent with actinomycosis of the appendix (Figure 2). Her case was discussed with the Infectious diseases team and she was started on an extended course of oral amoxicillin [2].   Figure 2: High Powered H&E stain & gram stain of actinomyces like organisms

Obesity is a major contributor to ill health and numerous comorbidities globally. Recent studies suggest that addictive-like tendencies toward foods, especially highly processed foods, contribute to this epidemic. Therefore, interventions used to treat substance-use disorders may be effective for treating overweight/obese patients with food addiction (based on the Yale Food Addiction Scale, version 2.0). This pilot study evaluated four interventions, selected because of their effectiveness in the treatment of substance-use disorders [motivational interviewing, pharmacotherapy (naltrexone-bupropion), pharmacotherapy with motivational interviewing, information control (diet and physical activity instruction)], in overweight/obese individuals with and without food addiction. The food addiction construct identified a distinctive subset of overweight/obese individuals. Through one month, response to interventions differed between food addiction phenotypes with those who were positive for food addiction showing similar or less response to the interventions than those who were negative for the trait. This suggests that individuals with addictive-like tendencies toward food may require longer and more intensive intervention to achieve their goals. The greatest changes in biometric measures occurred between baseline and 1 month during which time participants were attending weekly intervention sessions. Across all groups, those who attended more sessions (dose) was correlated with a reduction in body mass index.

According to recent guidelines, endovascular angioplasty is the standard treatment for TASC A and B primary aorto-iliac occlusive (AIOD) disease, and the first-line approach for TASC C lesions [1,2]. Extended TASC D occlusive disease is usually treated by open surgery yielding excellent patency rates at a cost of a higher mortality (2%-4%) and a severe morbidity (up to 10%) [3]. However, several studies have reported promising results after endovascular treatment of extensive AIOD and full reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation [4,5]. In a recent meta-analysis, Jongkind et al., concluded that endovascular treatment of extensive AIOD can be performed successfully by experienced interventionists in selected patients [6]. Although primary patency rates seem to be lower than those reported for surgical revascularization, reinterventions can often be performed percutaneously yielding a secondary patency comparable to surgical repair.

We know that until today no experiment observation has shown the existence of Supersymmetric particles [1] or additional dimensions.

Five key sectors of transport have been selected as the target groups: seafarers, truck drivers, dockworkers, rail workers and airline workers. Transport workers often operate under stressful working conditions, long-work hours, lack of good sleep, healthy diet and physical exercises that contribute to fatigue, impaired well-being, mental ill-health, stress and chronic diseases. The hypothesis is that good mental health workplace culture depends on good education, staffing and management. Objectives: To create, implement and evaluate a research based mental health culture promotion program Determinate existing researches and training programs, To study the knowledge, skills and needs for specific training in diferent age-groups Create and implement effective and relevant training, Produce training materials and scientific evidence available for ship owners, students and workers and to develop proposals for new mental health policies, legislations and regulations Methods: Multidisciplinary training and research methodology with quantitative and qualitative research methods will be used. Validated mental health culture promotion methods with new programs for the specific sectors. Expected impact • Significant less sickness absence and suicides • Benefit for the workers’ health including benefit for the company economy. • Policies developed for improved mental health culture based on the research. • The training programs are ready to be continued at the end of the project.

Five experimental feeding trials were conducted to investigate the performance of Heterobranchus Bidorsalis fingerlings to graded levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of Sphenostylis Stenocarpa seed meal diets. Complete randomized design with triplicate groups of fingerlings was used for the study for ten weeks. The proximate, anti-nutritional factor and amino acid profile of the S. stenocarpa was analysed. The study showed that treatment C with 50% inclusion of Sphenostylis Stenocarpa meal was significantly different (p < 0.05) and performed best among other treatments in terms of the net weight gain, standard growth rate, and survival. The feed conversion ratio was best in treatment C but not significantly different (p > 0.05) to other treatments.

This paper investigates the effect of coating concentration (ppm), and coating thickness (µm) on the anti-microbial properties of polycarbonate sheets using a variety of anti-microbial agents (Cu-infused Mg(OH)2, Mg(OH)2, Cu(OH)2, MgO, CuCl2.2H2O, and ZnO). In addition, a complete analysis was performed for all agents to rank the best agent in terms of the highest anti-microbial performance against E. coli K-12 MG1655 in two time intervals (4 and 24 hours). The coating concentration (ppm) was found to be a significant factor in the anti-microbial characteristics for Cu-infused Mg(OH)2, Mg(OH)2, Cu(OH)2, MgO, CuCl2.2H2O, and ZnO (p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0297, p = 0.0011, and p = 0.0130 respectively). The coating thickness (µm), on the other hand, was found to be a major contributor to the anti-microbial properties of Cu-infused Mg(OH)2, Mg(OH)2, Cu(OH)2, MgO, and CuCl2.2H2O (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0004, p = 0.0011, p = 0.0310, and p < 0.0001 respectively). The analysis determined that the coating did not influence the anti-microbial properties of ZnO. The interaction between the coating concentration (ppm), and the coating thickness (µm) was found to be a significant factor for Cu-infused Mg(OH)2, Cu(OH)2, MgO, CuCl2.2H2O, and ZnO (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0004, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001 respectively), however, this was not a significant factor for Mg(OH)2.Highlights•    The anti-microbial activity of the inorganic material is dependent on the particle shape and size.•    Particles with sharp edges will provide additional physical injuries to the microorganisms.•    Smaller particle size will provide higher surface area therefore better interaction with microorganisms.•    The coating concentration and coating thickness will be crucial to the anti-microbial activity.•    The thermal embossing techniques demonstrate good adhesion to the surface.

The use of cell phones has remarkably increased in the last two decades with several pros and cons. The negative consequences of cell phones on mental health have not been studied widely. Aggression, in this regard was a completely neglected area. The present study, therefore, was carried out to investigate the relationship between cell phone use and aggression and to further identify the moderating roles of gender and marital status between cell phone use and aggression. The inquiry included 500 young adults from Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire was administered. It was hypothesized that there would be a strong positive relationship between cell phone use and aggression. It was further hypothesized that gender and marital status would be significant moderators between cell phone use and aggression. The results supported the hypotheses on significant differences and made a significant contribution in the existing scientific literature.

The main goal of hyperthermia is to elevate the tumor temperature to kill tumor cells and improve local control. The usage of hyperthermia is combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Hyperthermia is delivered in different types of cancers like breast cancer, melanoma and sarcoma. Breast cancer treatment enroll surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Hyperthermia is given once or twice a week concomitantly with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This short review will enlight the types, physics, and the results of hyperthermia especially in the management of breast cancer therapy.

Beta thalassemia major is a genetic disorder requiring recurrent blood transfusion leading to iron overload in endocrine glands and major organs like the heart. Iron overload in the heart may lead to many conduction abnormalities. This is a case report of a 20-year-old female who was on recurrent blood transfusion. She was on chelation therapy for iron overload. She developed Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia (RVOT) which could not be managed with chemical or electrical cardioversion. Her condition was successfully managed with an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) implantation and no ventricular tachycardia was observed even after four years of follow-up.