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Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) cause a progressive loss of neurons. Since NDDs are multifactorial, the precise etiology varies on the basis of the type of disease and patient history. Cohort studies and case studies have demonstrated a potential link between viral infections and the onset or progression of NDDs. Recent findings concerning the mechanisms by which neuropathic infections occur have provided more insights into the importance of such connections. In this review, we aim to elaborate on the occurrence of the neuropathic effects of viruses from epidemiological, clinical, and biological perspectives while highlighting potential treatments and challenges. One of the key players in viral neuropathogenesis is neuroinflammation caused by the immune response to the virus; this can occur due to both neurotropic and nonneurotropic viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about whether vaccines are essential for preventing viruses or whether vaccines may play a part in exacerbating or accelerating NDDs. By classifying viruses and the common NDDs associated with them and further delving into their cellular pathways, this review provides insights to advance the development of potential treatments and diagnostic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Extended duration extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), using dual-lumen cannulas, is being used with increased frequency to support patients, including those with COVID-19; both as a bridge to transplant and lung recovery. During such an extended duration of support, there are several factors that might lead to the attrition of the physical structure of the ECMO cannulas, predisposing them to the risk of fracture. Although rare, fracture of the ECMO cannula can be a potentially lethal event. Here, we present a case where fracture of a dual lumen cannula during veno-venous (VV) ECMO support resulted in a cerebrovascular accident. We discuss the potential contributing factors and suggest steps to mitigate the risks for such a complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Defects of concrete piles can occur at any point during the construction of piles. Most common types of pile integrity issues are; presence of voids, inconsistency in concrete mix, entrapped groundwater or slurry, and geometric dislocation. These defects can be categorized based on the place in the construction sequence at which the defect occurs. This research introduces several numerical models of defected piles with various scenarios in order to identify, locate, and quantify the necking occurring in these piles. The finite element software (ADINA) is used to simulate the studied models. The soil domain is modeled as an axisymmetric space around the concrete pile. Five diameters of piles (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 cm) are studied. Necking is modeled at three different locations along the pile namely; upper, middle, and bottom third. Four ratios between the necking diameter and pile diameter are also studied. The dynamic force used in this research is that simulating the pile integrity test (PIT) case, with 2.5 N impact load applied at the pile head, half wave of sinusoidal pattern, and 0.5 kilo hertz frequency. The time domain of the dynamic force analysis is equal to 0.0175 sec, and applied in 450 steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Cosmetic products support microbial growth due to the presence of variable amounts of nutrients. Pathogens can be reached to cosmetic products by many sources, but antibiotics-resistant bacteria are the most dangerous. Moreover, there is an urgency to look for a natural antimicrobial agent that is safer and has fewer side effects. This research was investigated antibacterial activity of S. platensis extracts against antibiotics-resistant pathogenic bacteria isolated from some cosmetic products. From microbiological analysis of collected cosmetic sample 18 pathogenic bacterial isolates possess different virulence factors (protease, rhamnolipid and hemolysin production) were obtained. Four of them high resistant to tested antibiotic and these isolates were genetically identified as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Results showed that methanol and hexane extracts of S. platensis (S2) at 0.5 mg/mL were highly active against four pathogenic isolates with inhibition zone ranged between 2 ±0.5 mm to 23±0.4 mm. This result indicated that the methanol and hexane of the cyanobacteria S. platensis have the potential as a natural antibacterial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In this paper, open top steel oil storage tanks resting on stiff clay soil are studied using both API650-2014 procedures and numerical FEM simulation using ADINA-2017 software. Aboveground unanchored tanks with different aspect ratios are numerically studied and analyzed, and the results are compared with API-650 procedures. The main result of this research is that the soil under the tank has an enormous effect on the behavior of the tanks in both static and dynamic stages especially on hydrostatic pressure of fluid and hoop stresses. It is also indicated that API-650 has some shortcomings especially in representing the soil under the tanks and in estimating sloshing height magnitude. For these reasons, code guidelines need more investigations in some specific cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Resistance to last resort drugs such as carbapenem and colistin is a serious global health threat. This study investigated carbapenem and colistin resistance in 583 non-duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates utilizing phenotypic methods and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Of the 583 isolates recovered from humans, animals and the environment in Nigeria, 18.9% (110/583) were resistant to at least one carbapenem (meropenem, ertapenem, and imipenem) and 9.1% (53/583) exhibited concurrent carbapenem-colistin resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of carbapenem and colistin were 2–32 μg/mL and 8 to >64 μg/mL, respectively. No carbapenem resistant isolates produced carbapenemase nor harbored any known carbapenemase producing genes. WGS supported that concurrent carbapenem-colistin resistance was mediated by novel and previously described alterations in chromosomal efflux regulatory genes, particularly mgrB (M1V) ompC (M1_V24del) ompK37 (I70M, I128M) ramR (M1V), and marR (M1V). In addition, alterations/mutations were detected in the etpA, arnT, ccrB, pmrB in colistin resistant bacteria and ompK36 in carbapenem resistant bacteria. The bacterial isolates were distributed into 37 sequence types and characterized by the presence of internationally recognized high-risk clones. The results indicate that humans and animals in Nigeria may serve as reservoirs and vehicles for the global spread of the isolates. Further studies on antimicrobial resistance in African countries are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Copyright of Annals of Agricultural Science Moshtohor is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are popular target for drugs, but their resolved structures have been overlooked when compared with cytosolic proteins. The main reason is that IMPs usually need intensive post-translational modifications and they are bound to membranes, which increase the complexity of purifying or crystalizing them. Although different expression systems are used to express IMPs, baculovirus is considered one of the most successful expression systems for those proteins. Despite that, there are always unknown discrepancies in the level of IMPs expression in the baculovirus expression system. Retrospective studies have shown that expression of an immunoglobulin (anti-Chymase mouse monoclonal IgG1) driven by vp39 promoter was more efficient compared to its expression under polyhedrin (polh) promoter; however, this conclusion was not tested on different IMPs to generalize such a conclusion. In this study, the expression of eight different IMPs has been compared under vp39 and polh promoters of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus. Although different IMPs have shown different patterns of expression, the expression driven by vp39 promoter was found to be generally more efficient than the polh promoter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Summary: Fulminant hepatic failure is a life‐threatening disease. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause fulminant hepatic failure and death in about 0.2% of cases. Extensive destruction of infected hepatocytes by immune‐mediated lysis is thought to be the cause. We aimed to evaluate the use of steroid therapy in children with fulminant HAV. This study included 33 children with fulminant HAV in two groups. Steroid group: comprised of 18 children who received prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) or its equivalent dose of methylprednisolone, and the nonsteroid group: comprised another 15 children who did not receive steroid therapy. Age and sex were matched for both groups (P > .05), and they were comparable regarding baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics. Of the steroid group, 15 patients survived and 3 died, while in the nonsteroid group, 4 patients survived and 11 died (P = .001). Of the living patients, 15 of 19 (78.9%) received steroids while only 3 of 14 (21.4%) of the dead patients received steroids (P = .001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that steroid therapy was the only independent variable associated with recovery (P = .001). Steroid therapy in children with fulminant HAV associated significantly with improved outcome and survival. Future studies on a larger population size are strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Although several studies have explored factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) from HIV care, there remains a gap in understanding how these factors vary by setting, volume of patient and patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics. We determined rates and factors associated with LTFU in HIV care Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected individuals aged 15 years or older at the time of registration for HIV care in 12 ART facilities, between April 2012 and March 2013. HIV-positive individuals who had not started ART (pre-ART patients) were clinically assessed to determine ART eligibility at registration and during clinic follow-up visits. ART-eligible patients were initiated on triple antiretroviral combination. Study data were abstracted from patients’ cards, facility ART registers or electronic medical record system from the date of registration for HIV care to a maximum follow-up period of 24 months. Descriptive statistics were undertaken to summarize characteristics of the study patients. Separate univariable and multivariable poisson regression models were used to explore factors associated with LTFU in pre-ART and ART care. Results: A total of 10,812 HIV-infected individuals registered for HIV care. Of these patients, 1,907 (18%) and 8,905 (82%) enrolled in pre-ART and ART care, respectively. Of the 1,907 pre-ART patients, 490 (26%) subsequently initiated ART and were included in both the pre-ART and ART analyses. The LTFU rates among patients in pre-ART and ART care were 48 and 26 per 100 person-years, respectively. Of the 9,105 ART patients with reasons for starting ART, 2,451 (27%) were initiated on ART because of pregnancy or breastfeeding (Option B+) status. Multivariable analysis showed that being ≥35 years and female were associated with decreased risk of LTFU in the pre-ART and ART phases of HIV care. However, being in WHO clinical stage 3 (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.51) and stage 4 (aRR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.62–2.18), body mass index ≤ 18.4 (aRR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.11–1.39) at ART initiation, poor adherence to clinic appointments (aRR 4.55, 95% CI: 4.16–4.97) and receiving HIV care in rural facilities (aRR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.94–2.87) were associated with increased risk of LTFU among ART patients. Being re-initiated on ART once (aRR 0.20, 95% CI: 0.17–0.22), more than once (aRR 0.06, 95% CI: 0.05–0.07), and being enrolled at a low-volume facility (aRR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.20–0.30) were associated with decreased risk of LTFU from ART care. Conclusion: A sizeable proportion of ART LTFU occurred among women enrolled during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Non- compliance to clinic and receiving ART in a rural facility or high-volume facility were associated with increased risk of LTFU from ART care. Developing effective interventions that target high-risk subgroups and contexts may help reduce LTFU from HIV care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) cannot infect the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis larvae per os. However, successful infection can be observed via larvae haemocoel injection using AcMNPV BVs. Baculovirus enhancins, known also as viral enhancing factors (VEFs), have shown to enhance infectivity of some baculoviruses toward non-natural hosts. In the present study, a recombinant AcMNPV (vAcMNPV-enAg1) that expresses the Viral Enhancing Factor 1 (vef1) originated from an enhancin-rich Polish isolate of Agrotis segetum nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgseNPV-A) was constructed. The vef1 gene was expressed under the control of the p10 promoter in the presence of the polyhedrin gene. The recombinant vAcMNPV-enAg1 was generated to examine the possible enhancement of AcMNPV lethality against S. littoralis larvae per os. Using RT-PCR, successful transcription of vef-1 mRNA was detected in a time course intervals, and occlusion bodies production was determined in Sf9 cells infected with vAcMNPV-enAg1. However, no transcripts were detected in mRNA isolated from mid-guts of larvae infected using vAcMNPV-enAg1. In addition, the production of the recombinant virus OBs was 5-fold lower than that of the wild type AcMNPV. Biological analysis of the progeny OBs isolated from injected S. littoralis larvae using the recombinant virus did not show significant improvement of virus lethality against S. littoralis neonates per os compared to the wild type AcMNPV. Hence, the results suggested that the failure of S. littoralis infection using AcMNPV per os is more likely unrelated to enhancin activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A chain of new vanadium(IV) complexes of Schiff bases, derived from acetohydrazide (HL) or 4-aminoantipyrine (HL) have been prepared and physicochemically distinguished using different tools including analytical, spectral, and magnetic techniques. The spectral and analytical data showed that ligands HL acted as neutral bidentate ligands, chelated through hydrazono carbonyl and azomethine groups, whereas HL acted as neutral tetradentate ligand coordinated via pyrazolone carbonyl, NH group, hydrazono carbonyl, and azo (N=N) groups forming binuclear complexes. The HL and HL behave as neutral bidentate ligands coordinating through pyrazolone carbonyl and NH groups; in case of ligand HL, in addition to the mentioned mode, C=N and CN groups participated to bind a second VO(II) ion form binuclear complexes. HL behaves as a monobasic bidentate ligand bonded via deprotonated OH and azomethine groups. All complexes adopt square pyramidal geometry around vanadium ion. Results revealed that the oral management of vanadium complexes significantly reduced the blood glucose level in rats suffered from diabetes. The correction of altered biochemical parameters via treatment with vanadium complexes points the improved glucose balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The objective of this study was to measure the change in colonic transit time after resection rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse. Methods: We prospectively carried out isotope colonic transit studies before resection rectopexy in 38 patients with full-thickness complete rectal prolapse and invited them to attend for a postoperative transit study at least 1 year after resection rectopexy. Results: Preoperatively, 27 (70 %) patients had abnormally prolonged colonic transit times, while 11 had normal colonic transit. Twenty-two (61 %) patients agreed to attend for a three-day colonic transit study. Resection rectopexy failed to correct delayed colonic transit in all patients with abnormal preoperative tests, while 4 patients developed new delayed transit and 2 with normal transit were unchanged. Conclusions: The study suggests that most prolapse patients have a pan-colonic motility disorder that is not corrected by rectopexy and resection of most of the left colon. If resection rectopexy fails to correct abnormal transit, this study questions the rationale for continuing to offer resection and supports less invasive surgical procedures such as ventral rectopexy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: In Ethiopia, there is a growing concern about the increasing rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU) in HIV programs among people waiting to start HIV treatment. Unlike other African countries, there is little information about the factors associated with LTFU among pre-antiretroviral treatment (pre-ART) patients in Ethiopia. We conducted a case-control study to investigate factors associated with pre-ART LTFU in Ethiopia. Methods: Charts of HIV patients newly enrolled in HIV care at Gondar University Hospital (GUH) between September 11, 2008 and May 8, 2011 were reviewed. Patients who were "loss to follow-up" during the pre-ART period were considered to be cases and patients who were "in care" during the pre-ART period were controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with pre-ART LTFU. Results: In multivariable analyses, the following factors were found to be independently associated with pre-ART LTFU: male gender [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.00 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.46)], higher baseline CD4 cell count (251-300 cells/μl [AOR = 2.64 (95% CI: 1.05, 6.65)], 301-350 cells/μl [AOR = 5.21 (95% CI: 1.94, 13.99)], and >350 cells/μl [AOR = 12.10 (95% CI: 6.33, 23.12)] compared to CD4 cell count of ⩽200 cells/μl) and less advanced disease stage (WHO stage I [AOR = 2.81 (95% CI: 1.15, 6.91)] compared to WHO stage IV). Married patients [AOR = 0.39 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.79)] had reduced odds of being LTFU. In addition, patients whose next visit date was not documented on their medical chart [AOR = 241.39 (95% CI: 119.90, 485.97)] were more likely to be LTFU. Conclusion: Our study identified various factors associated with pre-ART LTFU. The findings highlight the importance of giving considerable attention to pre-ART patients' care from the time that they learn of their positive HIV serostatus. The completeness of the medical records, the standard of record keeping and obstacles to retrieving charts also indicate a serious problem that needs due attention from clinicians and data personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper describes an experimental tool elaborated at the building sciences laboratory (LASH/DGCB). The objective of this tool is to develop control strategies for heating, cooling and ventilation, and test them on heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. The tests are conducted in a large room of the laboratory equipped with a double-flow ventilation system and a global control/data acquisition system. The tool is used for research and some experiments are led by engineering students. It enables the identification of optimal parameters for each developed control strategy, in order to reach good thermal comfort, acceptable indoor air quality and good stability of actuators at the least energy cost. In this paper we present an example of global control strategy for heating and cooling periods based on interior temperature control (fuzzy regulator). This strategy includes an indoor air quality controller (proportional integral or fuzzy regulator) based on indoor CO2 level control. A measurements campaign during an occupied period is shown with an overview of the actuators' behaviour. This tool also highlights the key role of advanced control techniques to manage heating, cooling and ventilation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The major capsid protein ( mcp) gene of Spodoptera exigua ascovirus 5a (SeAV-5a) was confirmed by aphidicolin viral DNA replication inhibition analysis to be a late gene. The 5′ and 3′ ends of mcp gene transcripts have been mapped. Primer extension analyses indicated that transcription of the mcp gene initiates from a cytosine 25 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the translation start codon. Two independent approaches by 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3′ RACE) and oligo (dT) cellulose binding assay suggested that SeAV-5a mcp mRNA is polyadenylated. Analyses by 3′ RACE also revealed that mcp transcripts terminate at a U, either at 26 or 38 nt downstream of the translation stop codon. The putative 5′ transcription control region of the SeAV-5a mcp gene shares similarities with other ascoviruses and Chilo iridescent virus (CIV), containing a conserved TATA-box-like motif (TAATTAAA) and an ATTTGATCTT motif upstream of it. The 3′ downstream regions of the mcp gene of all the ascoviruses examined and CIV can form a stem-loop structure, and the ends of the mcp gene transcripts of SeAV-5a are within the predicted stem-loop region. This suggests that the stem-loop structure of the mcp gene might be involved in transcription termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Hydrogen-bond molecular capsules have attracted much interest in the last decade. In the present paper, we wish to describe new insights obtained from diffusion NMR when studying the self-assembly of resorcin[4]arenes (2), pyrogallol[4]arenes (3) and octahydroxypyridine[4]arenes (4) in solution. These diffusion NMR studies demonstrate that compounds 2 and 3 self-assemble spontaneously into hexameric capsules in organic solvents. For compound 4, both hexameric capsules and dimeric aggregates were identified. Diffusion NMR was found to be very useful in evaluating the relative stability of these capsules as well as in determining the role played by water molecules in the self-assembly of such systems. Moreover, diffusion NMR enabled us to establish whether the self-assembly of these capsules proceeds with self-sorting. We could demonstrate that the hexamers of 3 are more stable than the hexameric capsules of 2 and that the formation of such hexamers proceeds with self-sorting and no hetero-hexamers are formed when macrocycles of different classes are mixed. The hexameric capsules of 2 were found to self-assemble with eight water molecules, whereas water molecules are not required for the formation of the hexameric capsules of 3. Diffusion NMR helped in demonstrating that many of the previously evoked 1:1 and 1:2 host-guest complexes of 2 are in fact hexamers encapsulating a multiplicity of guests. This supports the notion that hexameric capsules of these systems are much more abundant species in organic solvents than previously thought. These studies also demonstrate that diffusion NMR is an extremely useful tool for studying and characterising supramolecular systems and molecular capsules in solution. [image omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction Diverticular disease is a common condition with high morbidity and mortality related to its complications. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of acute diverticulitis in the development of further complications from diverticular disease. Patients and methods Prospective assessment of all patients with complicated diverticular disease over a 1-year period in a large teaching hospital was undertaken. All patients had documented evidence of their diagnosis by radiological, endoscopic or histopathological techniques when feasible. Results Seventy-seven patients with complicated diverticular disease were identified. There were 53 females and 24 males with a median age of 74 years (range 30–97 years). Complications included: acute diverticulitis (37), fistula (12), perforation (8), bleeding (7), abscess (7) and stricture (6). Only 8 had two or more previous documented episodes of diverticulitis. Twenty-five underwent surgery, 3 died (peritonitis 2, abscess1) and 5 had a complication (anastomotic dehiscence 1, adhesive obstruction 1, incisional hernia 2 and pneumonia 1). Three (5%) of 37 patients with acute diverticulitis had two or more admissions but none underwent surgery or developed further complications. CT was performed during acute admission in 14/37 patients with acute diverticulitis. The majority of patients with fistula (9/12), perforation 7/8, bleeding 6/7 and abscess 5/7 had no previous episode of diverticulitis while most patients with stricture (4/6) had previous documented episodes. Conclusion In our patient population acute diverticulitis is not a good predictor of the development of further complications from diverticular disease as only a minority of patients with perforation, fistula, abscess and bleeding had previous documented episodes of diverticulitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Recent reports indicate that early CT scan (within 24 h) increases diagnostic accuracy, reduces hospital stay and mortality in patients with an acute abdomen. The aim of this study was to assess the surgeons' use of CT in patients with an acute abdomen and the impact of this on diagnostic accuracy and mortality. Patients older than 25 years admitted as an emergency with acute abdominal pain were prospectively evaluated. Two hundred and eleven patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria including 129 women and 82 men with a mean age of 62.4 years (range 27–92 years). The correct diagnosis on admission was made in 99 (47%) patients. CT was performed in 81 (38%), including 24 who had the scan performed within 24 h of admission. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 86%, 79% and 84%. CT was considered to have changed clinical management in 40 patients. Fifteen patients died, and one death may have been prevented by an early CT. Five had a delay in diagnosis of a serious condition; all could have been prevented by early CT. Selective use of CT increases diagnostic accuracy and improves the management of patients with an acute abdomen. Clinical trials are necessary to assess outcome following selective vs routine use of CT in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The reactions of the bidentate dinitrosoresorcinol ( DNR) with copper, cobalt, nickel, iron and zinc salts were investigated. This ligand was found to react with these metal salts in aqueous media where hydrogen ion was confirmed to be liberated except in case of iron. The solid complexes were prepared in alcoholic media. Chemical analyses, magnetic and spectral data were compatible to determine the structure of these complexes and their mode of chelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: A high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported in medically refractory epilepsy patients, and there is increasing evidence that treatment of OSA in refractory epilepsy patients would reduce seizure frequency. Objective: Studying the frequency of occurrence of OSA in a group of refractory epilepsy patients, compared to a matched group with medically controlled epilepsy. Methods: Sixty patients with epilepsy, 30 patients with controlled epilepsy (group I), and 30 patients with refractory epilepsy (group II) were included. All patients underwent overnight polysomnogram and sleep EEG and completed Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SASDQ). All patients had normal general and neurological examination. Results: The frequency of OSA was found to be 10% in patients with controlled epilepsy, while its frequency in patients with refractory epilepsy was found to be 16.7%, yet this was statistically insignificant. In addition, O2 desaturation nadir was higher in group II, compared to group I with no statistical significance. In the controlled epilepsy group, we found that older patients tend to have higher Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI). Moreover, it was found that older subjects, with early onset of epilepsy, and longer duration of the illness tend to have higher AHI in group II. Conclusion: There is an association between refractory epilepsy and OSA, especially regarding O2 desaturation during sleep. In addition, older age, early onset of epilepsy, and longer duration of illness are independent risk factors for the OSA in patients with refractory epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The health sector has quickly become a target for cyberattacks. Hospitals are especially sensitive to these sorts of attacks as any disruption in operations or even disclosure of patient personal information can have far-reaching consequences. The objective of this study was to map the available literature on cyberattacks on hospitals and to identify the different domains of research, while extracting the recommendations and guidelines put forth in the literature.Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Scopus) were searched using standardized and adapted search syntax in order to identify relevant manuscripts published between 1997 and 2017. These were screened by two reviewers and included or excluded based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data from articles were then extracted and analyzed.Results: The search identified 818 records of which 97 were included. Of the 97, 32% were published in 2017 while around 40% of the articles were published prior to the last three years. Six domains of research emerged through the analysis, which are included here: context and trends in cybersecurity (27.8%), connected medical devices and equipment (29.9%), hospital information systems (14.4%), raising awareness and lessons learned (6.2%), information security methodology (15.4%), and specific types of attacks (6.2%).Conclusion: There is a generally growing interest in the research field, but the available literature remains limited in number. There are important aspects of cybersecurity (e.g. cloud storage and access management) as well as specific medical fields that rely on various medical devices that have been neglected. Recommendations are available, but comprehensive guidelines and standardized best practice measures are still necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Presents a study on the role of C-reactive protein in patients with acute abdomen. Differentiation between inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions; Identification of patients requiring surgery; Sensitivity of the method. more...