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Avicenna is one of the most eminent and influential Persian philosophers and scientists whose philosophical and medical works are of high significance all over the world. Using descriptive analysis, the present study aims to deal with philosophical, physiological, and psychological aspects of human love and lovesickness from his perspective. His anthropology stems from his philosophical contemplation and practical experience in medicine. According to the research results, Avicenna believes that the love of noble-minded and young for external beauty, as a branch of human love, leads to the perfection of moral virtues and spiritual tendencies. Virtual love for beautiful human forms, as a representation of divine names and attributes, is a means to reach absolute perfection and true love in the mystic journey. With respect to the medical and psychological aspects, Avicenna holds that lovesickness brings disease to the soul and body of a lover. Lustful and impious love has resulted from intermingling, recurrent, and obsessive perceptions of mental forms. Since it terminates proper and moderate reasoning and disturbs the mental balance of a lover, it would lead to spiritual, mental, and even physical impairment. After explaining the features and symptoms of lovesickness, Avicenna reviews its therapeutic treatments including spiritual and physical remedies. He concludes that physical condition and temperamental health are obedient to and under the control of the mind. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To identify certain risk factors associated with childhood obesity related to lifestyle; dietary patterns, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 977 schoolchildren (473 boys and 449 girls) aged 7–18 years. Children were selected randomly from three main cities in Jordan: Amman, Irbid, and Mafraq by using multistage cluster sampling method. Sedentary behaviors, physical activity and child eating behaviors were measured by using validated questionnaires. Overweight and obesity were defined by International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Results Sedentary activities increase the risk of overweight among schoolchildren by 2-fold [RR(Relative risk) = 2.0, 95% CI(Confidence interval) (1.1–3.6), p = 0.02]. Whereas, sedentary activities for less than 3 h increased the risk of overweight by 0.8-fold [RR = 0.8, 95%CI (0.6–1.3), P = 0.388], Schoolchildren who spent<30 min/day in exercising decreased the risk of overweight by 0.5-fold [RR = 0.5, 95% CI (0.2–1.0), P = 0.06)]. Both Students who ate one meal daily and daily ate snacks from schools cafeterias had a higher tendency to be obese [(RR = 1.8, 95%CI (0.5–5.9), P = 0.368], and [RR = 1.5, 95%CI (0.9–2.5), P = 0.169] respectively. Conclusions Physical activity, eating meals regularly and homemade food, all together play a significant role in decreasing obesity among Jordanian schoolchildren, thus a national policy that promoting active living and healthy eating among schoolchildren is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dislocation of the elbow joint to the posterior or postero-lateral region accompanied by fractures in the radial head or neck and coronoid process of the Ulna is known as a terrible triad injury of the elbow (TTI). This injury presents as unique challenge for orthopedic surgeons due to elbow instability and stiffness, making the surgical intervention more difficult than usual. A 47-year-old man suffered from polytrauma, including a pelvis fracture, a left humerus shaft fracture, and left ulna shaft fracture. An open reduction and internal fixation were administered as a treatment option. However, during a follow-up examination four months later, a missed fracture dislocation of the right elbow was discovered. The complex surgery required open reduction of the chronic dislocated joint, release of the triceps, resection of the radial head, replacement, bone grafting of the coronoid, reconstruction of the coronoid, and application of a spanning external fixation. The injury was complex, consisting of coronoid fractures, olecranon, a proximal third of the Ulna, and radial head malunion with heterotrophic ossification around the elbow joint. After seven years, our patient had a full range of motion in elbow flexion with 20–25 lags in extension. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was 100 and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was 0. • To monitor the long term outcome of the chronic dislocation • Improve the quality of life after chronic joint dislocation • Managed missed or late presentation of the dislocated elbow [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cool flame due to low-temperature chemistry (LTC) has received great attention recently. However, previous studies mainly focused on cool flames in homogenous systems without transport or non-premixed cool flames in droplet combustion or counterflow configuration. There are only a few studies on premixed cool flames, and the transient initiation and propagation of premixed cool flames are still not well understood. In this study, the initiation, propagation and disappearance of one-dimensional premixed cool flames in dimethyl ether (DME)/air mixture is investigated through transient simulation considering detailed chemistry and transport. The premixed cool flame governed by LTC can be initiated by a hot spot. When the hot spot temperature is not high enough to directly trigger the high-temperature chemistry (HTC), only the LTC reactions take place initially and thereby a cool flame is first initiated. During the cool flame propagation, HTC autoignition occurs at the hot spot and it induces a hot flame propagating behind the cool flame. Therefore, double-flame structure for the coexistance of premixed cool and hot flames is observed. Since the hot flame propagates much faster than the cool flame, it eventually catches up and merges with the leading cool flame. A well-defined cool flame speed is found in this study. We inverstigate different factors affecting the cool flame speed and the appearance of hot flame. It is found that at higher equivalence ratio, higher initial temperature or higher oxygen concentration, the premixed cool flame propagates faster and the hot flame appears earlier. Three chemical mechanisms for DME oxidation are considered. Though these three mechanisms have nearly the same prediction of hot flame propagation speed, there are very large discrepancy in the prediction of cool flame propagation speed. Therefore, experimental data of premixed cool flame speed are useful for developing LTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Unfortunately, long-term prospective information about quality of life and outcomes after VHR has been challenging to obtain. Decoupling follow-up from clinical visits via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) has been proposed as a means of achieving better long-term assessments after VHR. The Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC) is a national quality improvement (QI) effort in hernia repair that uses PROs to obtain long-term follow-up. However, the modality of PRO engagement to maximize participation has not been well established. A formal QI initiative was undertaken to determine if long-term PRO follow-up could be increased at a single AHSQC site by adding telephone communication to email communication for long-term postoperative VHR assessment.Methods: Between September 2015 and July 2016, the long-term (greater than 1 year) AHSQC PRO completion rates after VHR at our institution were analyzed using plan-do-study-act cycles. Two interventions were implemented: contacting patients by telephone and changing timing of telephone calls.Results: Two hundred thirty-two patients were identified, of whom 99 (42.7%) met eligibility criteria. Before this initiative, the long-term PRO completion rate was 16.3% in postoperative VHR patients. The completion rate after introducing telephone calls (intervention 1) was 35.7% and after changing the timing of telephone calls (intervention 2), was 55.1%. The mean participation rate was 45.4% (± 9.7%).Conclusions: A telephone-based approach markedly improved long-term PRO participation rates in postoperative VHR patients. Ultimately, a combination of email and telephone communication may be necessary to achieve higher levels of PRO follow-up in the VHR population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumice Breccia is a natural material which is available in a vast deposit of volume in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta area. The main characteristics of this type of rock are lightweight and having low thermal conductivity. Pumice breccia utilization is expected to support the implementation of green building concept by minimizing electrical power needs that may be required for setting the room temperature (air conditioning system). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pumice breccia utilization as fine aggregate in various compositions on the thermal conductivity and compressive strength of the mortar. This study conducted using the experimental method to determine the thermal conductivity and compressive strength of each variation of the mortar. Two (2) types of mortar were investigated in this research. The first type is normal mortar using sand as the fine aggregate with mixture compositions variations of 1 Pc (Portland Cement):4 Ns (Sand), 1 Pc:6 Ns, and 1 Pc:8 Ns, which are labeled as MN1, MN2, and MN3. The second type of mortar is pumice breccia mortar that utilizing pumice breccia material as fine aggregate with mixture compositions variations of 1 Pc (Portland Cement):4 Pb (Pumice Breccia), 1 Pc:6 Pb and 1 Pc:8 Pb, named as MP1, MP2, and MP3. All composition of mortar mixtures is prepared based on the volume ratio. Test results show by using the Pumice Breccia as fine aggregate in the mortar mixtures, the thermal conductivity of the normal mortar can be reduced nearly considerably. Even though, the reduction in compressive strength is observed in all the compositions of mortar mixtures, based on SNI 03-6882-2002, still the Pumice Breccia based mortar can be classified into the type-O mortar that can be used for partition walls, protective and decorative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of Regional Climate Model 4 (RegCM4) in simulating rainfall is evaluated through a comparison of several observations using Asian Precipitation-Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration towards Evaluation (APHRODITE) and Climate Research Unit (CRU) in 19-year simulation period of 1982-2000 in Kalimantan. The analysis includes the perormance of RegCM4 in capturing the rainfall type, the rainfall characteristics when ENSO, the error and the diversity of data, and dominant cycles in Kalimantan. The analysis is continued with a calculation of Maximum Dry Spell Length (MDSL) and Probability Distribution Function (PDF). We found that RegCM4 produces overestimated value, but it is capable in capturing rainfall type, rainfall characteristics during ENSO, and dominant cycles in Kalimantan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lombok Island is categorized as a small island with an area o f 4738.7 km 2 which makes it susceptible to climate change. Climate change is thought to have reduced the ability of forest biophysical and can cause damage to the ecosystem or a shifting of forest ecosystems. The purpose of this study is to identify the ecosystem changes in Lombok Island based on historical climate data and also to identify the vegetation domination based on ground truth result. Research study area covers the entire area of Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara. Data analysis was performed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze the spatial distribution of ecosystem zones. Spatial data processing was performed by interpolation method to estimate values at unknown locations or adjacent points. Ecosystem types in this study were determined by Holdridge Life Zones which are generated from historical climate data from 1975 to 2012 and described by the time series map of 1975, 1995, and 2012. The result indicates that ecosystem change occurred in Lombok Island which has shown in time series map of ecosystem zone. There were only five life zones in 2012 which were tropical moist forest, tropical dry forest, tropical very dry forest, subtropical wet forest and subtropical moist forest. The tropical dry forest was seen to dominate the area of Lombok Island in 2012. The ground truth result shown that the vegetation domination matches each ecosystem zone in the recent time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlocking the power of information technologies has become a core driver of business transformation and growth, particularly Internet-enabled technologies. It is a recognizable fact that the Internet shopping trend sweeping developed countries and is still in its development stage in developing countries. Covid-19 pandemic triggered a surge in online shopping, resulting in a massive acceleration in online businesses in both developed and developing cultures. This study intends to study the adoption dynamics of Internet shopping during the Covid-19 pandemic era. The current study recognizes that trust is a crucial prerequisite to effectively dampen the noise associated with the uncertainty, insecurity, and ambiguous nature of Internet shopping technology. Certainly, a perceivably trustworthy Internet shopping environment would position individuals in a less difficult mandate to start transacting online. To achieve the goals of this study, the influence of perceived risk, Internet shopping anxiety, gender on trust and intention, and the moderating impact of cultural differences on the trust-intention relationship. A questionnaire was developed utilizing validated measurement items taken from previous research. A convenience sample was used to collect data through a self-administered questionnaire. The empirical data which consists of 215 valid datasets were analyzed utilizing WarpPLS software. Perceived risk, Internet shopping anxiety, and gender were found to exert empirical influence on trust and intention with the exception of perceived risk which showed an insignificant correlation with behavioral intention. Cultural differences, with exception of the masculinity-femininity dimension, negatively moderate the trust-intention relationship as proposed in this study. Finally, theoretical contributions and practical implications are addressed. • The moderating influence of Hofstadtes' cultural values were tested on trust-intention relationship in Internet shopping. • The study has confirmed the influence perceived risk, anxiety, and gender on purchasing behavior. • The study was conducted in a developing country context. • The proposed model was empirically valid, supporting the majority of proposed hypotheses. • The study offers many interesting theoretical and practical contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) has become a promising technology in the gaming industry. However, few research studies have examined users' perspectives towards mobile AR games. To address this issue, the present study proposed a research model to better understand the factors determining and shaping users' behavioral intention to adopt mobile AR games from a developing country environment. Based on a literature review, nine factors have been expected to determine and shape individuals' intention towards the acceptance and adoption of mobile AR games. Using WarpPLS software, the model was empirically tested with a survey of 240 non-adopter respondents collected via an online survey questionnaire. The model was found statistically robust in terms of measurement quality criteria: reliability, validity, multicollinearity, and goodness of fit. The analysis revealed that perceived ease-of-use, social norms, privacy, perceived enjoyment, perceived competition, perceived inspiration, perceived image, and perceived innovativeness affect users' behavioral intention to adopt mobile AR games. However, the hypothesized moderating impact of perceived physical risk on the relationships connecting perceived ease-of-use, perceived enjoyment, perceived competition, and perceived inspiration with the intention to adopt was found to have little statistical significance. The result showed that perceived innovativeness was the strongest criterion to affect intention, and perceived ease-of-use was found to be the least important criterion in impacting users' intention. Interestingly, the model explains 76% of the variance in behavioral intention to adopt mobile AR games. This study offers theoretical and practical implications for its findings. • Augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize gaming practices and mobility. • This study is one of the first attempts to explore the adoption of mobile AR games from a developing country perspective. • This study proposed a model to understand the factors determining the intention to adopt mobile AR games. • Ease-of-use, social norms, privacy, enjoyment, competition, inspiration, image, and innovativeness affect intention. • The model explains a staggering 76% of the variance in behavioral intention to adopt mobile AR games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This communication empirically correlates flow in two systems; an instrumented rotating drum (GDR) and a set of bench scale hoppers. A flow index obtained from measurements in the GDR is directly correlated to the flow through hoppers, providing a predictive method for hopper design and a convenient experimental test for screening materials and determining their suitability for specific hopper systems. Simulations were performed to understand the dynamics of flow in hoppers by using the same flow parameters in hoppers and rotating cylinders. Simulations showed that as cohesion increased it becomes harder for the particles to flow through the hoppers, in good agreement with the experiments. The effect of hopper angle also yields similar findings to experiments for Avicel, K=60, where the powder does not flow through the 45° hopper but flows well in a 75° hopper. Simulations were also used to calculate the normal forces on the walls of the hopper and the wall pressure distributions in both hoppers. As depth increases, the wall pressure increases for all cases. Finally, the simulations also helped understand the different flow behaviors (funnel and mass flow) that take place in a hopper. The simulated dynamics of flow in the rotating drum and in the hopper correlate very closely to experiments, indicating that the model cohesion parameters are, as desirable, material-specific but independent of geometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The geothermal energy, especially low-temperature geothermal energy (LTGE), is one of renewable energy with abundant sources in Indonesia. • Several challenges exist in regard to utilize the LTGE in Indonesia, such as expensive investment to drill the source of energy and issues of silica scaling. • The two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) is a good candidate technology to harvest and accelerate the utilization of the LTGE resource, especially to improving the agricultural drying performance. • aHeat Transfer Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Indonesia, Campus UI, Depok 16,424, Indonesia. • bResearch and Development Center For Electricity, New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Technology (P3tek KEBTKE), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM), Bogor, 16,340, Indonesia. Due to the decline in the availability of fossil fuel and its destructive impact on the environment, there is a need to accelerate the use of more sustainable and safer environmental energy. The geothermal energy is one of renewable energy with abundant sources, especially in Indonesia where the source of low-temperature geothermal energy (LTGE) spreads around the country. However, several challenges exist in regard to its use, such as expensive investment to drill the source of energy and issues of silica scaling. To solve these challenges and boost the utilization of LTGE, a technology that can easily harvest is needed. A potential technology that is capable of handling this issue is the two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the thermal performance of TPCT as a heat pipe heat exchanger (HPHE) to harvest LTGE for agricultural drying. The TPCT was made from a copper tube with a 1-inch diameter and 700 mm in length. Demineralized water with a 55% filling ratio was used as the working fluid. The vacuum pressure inner TPCT was -50 cmHg and -70 cmHg. A total of 18 pcs of TPCTs were used, with 30 fins made from a copper plate. Furthermore, the LTGE source was simulated using hot water that can be adjusted and flowed by a pump. The experimental results showed that the vacuum pressure on the TPCT greatly affected the heat transfer performance of the system. Also, the highest TPCT-HPHE effectiveness was 0.31, obtained with a vacuum pressure at TPCT, hot water temperature, and air velocity of -70 cmHg, 80 °C, and 0.2 m/s, respectively. From the results, it was concluded that TPCT can be proposed as a good candidate technology to harvest and accelerate the utilization of the LTGE resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new peat-based sorbent was evaluated for the capture of heavy metals from waste streams. The media is a pelletted blend of organic humic material targeted for the capture of soluble metals from industrial waste streams and stormwater. The metals chosen for the media evaluation were Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn due to their occurrence and abundance in waste streams and runoff. Sorption tests included an evaluation of the rate and extent of metals capture by the media, single versus multicomponent metals uptake, pH, anion influence, leaching effects and the effect of media moisture content on uptake rate and capacity. Isotherms of the sorption results showed that the presence of multiple metals increased the total sorption capacity of the media compared to the single component metal capacity; a result of site selectivity within the media. However the capacity for an individual metal in a multicomponent metal matrix was reduced compared to its single component capacity, due to competition for sites. Evidence of ion exchange behavior was observed but did not account for all metals capture. The media also provided a buffering action to counter the pH drop typically associated with metals capture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This communication correlates two empirical methods; flow in a rotating drum with flow in bench scale hoppers. The flow characteristics of 13 cohesive granular materials were studied in the gravitational displacement Rheometer (GDR) and compared to flow in hoppers of varying angle and discharge diameter at fixed temperature and moisture conditions. The GDR proved to be an effective and convenient tool for examining flow properties of pharmaceutical materials, both pure and mixtures. A flow Index obtained from GDR measurements is directly correlated to the flow through hoppers, providing a predictive method for hopper design and a convenient experimental test for screening materials and determining their suitability for specific hopper systems. Analysis of industrial scale hoppers will be addressed in future communication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Augmented reality (AR) has gained increased recognition in varying fields, in particular educational contexts. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, home-based learning becomes a reality and is already in place across the globe, and learning via augmented reality technology will help learners comprehend learning content in a more creative frame of mind than ever before. Very little research has examined the adoption behavior of augmented reality in developing country perspectives. Therefore, there is a pressing necessity to understand the dynamics of augmented reality adoption for the benefit of motivating and inspiring students to adopt this highly innovative and impactful type of technology in the learning process. Against this background, the authors proposed and tested a model based on integrating Task-Technology Fit (TTF) and UTUAT2 theories. The results reveal the positive effect of task technology fit, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, and hedonic motivation on behavioral intention (BI) in the adoption process of augmented reality in educational settings, where price value is found to exert little influence on behavioral intention. This model explains 49% of the variance in intentional behavior to adopt AR technology in the educational context. The conclusions of this study will add to the literature more informative knowledge leading to increased awareness of the dynamics and behaviors of AR adoption in a developing country perspective. We present and discuss the theoretical contributions and practical implications of our findings. • Augmented Reality can be an effective tool for learning, but its adoption has received less attention. • This paper analyzed the adoption of augmented reality technology in educational settings from a developing country context. • An integration of TTF and UTAUT2 is proposed to investigate augmented reality adoption in education. • TTF, performance and effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation impact intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Alternatives to surgical tracheostomy (AST) including submental (SMENI), submandibular (SMAN) and retromolar intubation (RMI) are fairly new and innovative airway procedures intended to avoid the complications of traditional surgical tracheostomy (ST). The study aimed to document the responses of junior Otorhinolaryngologists , regarding the awareness and training of AST as well as dealing with its complications when performed by other specialty. According to our knowledge there is no similar survey in the English literature. Methods Otorhinolaryngology residents/registrars in Ryad, Jeddah and Taif were surveyed between March 2013 and June 2014, enrolled and non-enrolled in Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) training programs doctors were included, Consultants and Senior Consultants were excluded. it is a qualitative and cross sectional study. Senior consultants were excluded from this qualitative and cross-sectional survey. Results A total of 59 participants responded to the questionnaire. Fifty-six (94.9%) were not familiar with AST, 52 (88.13%) supported the concept of AST, and 57 (96.6%) agreed the inclusion of AST in the ORL training programs. Thirty (50.8%) thought that AST will have a negative effects on ORL training, 47 (79.7%) would participate in any AST procedure, while 27 (45.8%) agreed to deal with AST complication if the procedure done by other specialty. Conclusion The majority of the surveyed ORL residents and registrars were not familiar with AST, nevertheless, agreed to undergo further training and to included it in the training programs. However, reserved dealing with related complications once done by other specialty we recommend that the supervising training body training body consider including AST in the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building defects accelerates the deterioration of building condition leading to more frequent repairs with increased operating and maintenance costs up to 4% or more of total construction cost per annum. Building condition assessments are carried out in order to identify defects and evaluate health status of building. However, existing assessment models are subjective, time consuming and tedious. To address the need for more objective and expeditious condition assessment this paper proposes a novel defect-based condition assessment model for existing concrete buildings considering both building physical and environmental condition. In order to deduce weighting coefficients for building defects Analytic Network Process (ANP) was used while severity of building defects is assessed using a grading scale. To incorporate uncertainty in judgement of inspection personnel, fuzzy membership functions were used to ascertain degree of belief in assessment. Evidential reasoning algorithm was used to aggregate and integrate different types of defects and to compute the overall condition assessment of building. This model is limited to concrete buildings only. The proposed model is implemented on BIM platform for exchange of information and better documentation during inspection. Proposed model was tested on a case study building and results were promising with organized inspection data management on a common BIM platform with potential to expedite inspection process while managing large amount of inspection data on handheld tablet. • Ageing and deterioration of buildings are inevitable and challenging task. • Proposed defect-based integrated model assesses both physical and environmental condition of building. • Evidential reasoning thoery can help to incorporate uncertainty accompanied with human judgement. • BIM provides better documentation and management of building inspection data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor-quality sleep, are common among nursing students and are closely linked with academic performance. To examine the prevalence of sleep disturbances and academic performances in male and female nursing students and to determine gender-specific effects on the relationship between sleep disturbances and academic performance. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. This study was conducted in a school of nursing in Indonesia. A total of 492 undergraduate students (103 males and 389 females) were included. Data pertaining to the biosociodemographic characteristics, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory were collected from July 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018. Academic performance was measured using grade point average of the academic year 2017–2018. A multivariate logistic regression model was used for data analyses. The prevalence of poor sleep quality, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness was 66.0%, 45.6%, and 24.3%, respectively, in male nursing students and 71.5%, 52.4%, and 28.8%, respectively, in female nursing students. For circadian rhythm preferences, 66% male and 51.7% female nursing students were categorized as intermediate- and morning-type people, respectively. Insomnia was the only variable among sleep disturbances that significantly correlated with the risk of poor academic performance in female nursing students even after adjustment of covariates. Sleep disturbances were highly prevalent among female and male nursing students, and insomnia was substantially associated with poor academic performance in female nursing students. Identifying sleep disturbances among nursing students and designing effective interventions to specifically target them are required to improve academic performance of female nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This case report describes the MR findings of Wernicke encephalopathy seen in an 11-year-old boy with leukemia. The examination showed multiple hyperintense lesions on FLAIR and T2-weighted examinations involving both thalami, mammilary bodies, quadrigeminal plate, posterior aspect of medulla oblongata and the periaqueductal region, but no abnormalities could be detected on either T1 or contrast-enhanced T1 studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most important accompanying comorbidities with hemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. The prevalence of hemodialysisinduced PH is still a subject of debate. The goal of the present work was to determine the prevalence of PH in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Materials and Methods This study was carried out on 111 patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least 6 months. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was measured using echocardiography, and a value equal to or higher than 35mm Hg was considered PH. The relationship of a high PAP with demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients was assessed. Results A total of 111 patients were included in the study. The mean of age was 44 ± 14 years. The mean duration of hemodialysis was 146 ± 80 months. The most common cause of endstage renal disease was Glomerulonephritis. The mean ejection fraction and PAP were 62,5 ± 10,5% (range, 29% to 81%) and 26,6 ± 12 mmHg (range, 11 mmHg to 100 mmHg), respectively. Overall, 16% of the patients had PH. These patients were more likely to have low ejection fractions, valvular calcifications and valvulopathy. They were also older than other patients. Conclusion Our findings show that PH is associated with duration age, ejection fraction, and valvular calcifications. Due to the high prevalence of PH among hemodialysis patients, it is necessary to screen this disorder and minimize its effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Valvular abnormalities frequently occur in patients with chronic kidney failure. This study evaluated the prevalence of heart valve calcification (HVC) in hemodialysis patients and factors associated with it. Materials and Methods Medical charts of 111 hemodialysis patients were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic features and laboratory analysis of the patients were systematically recorded. Echocardiographic findings were collected, including ejection fraction, aortic valve calcification (AVC), mitral valve calcification (MVC), and pulmonary artery pressure. Results Valvular abnormalities were found in 17 patients (15,3%); 7 patients (6.3%) had mitral valve calcification, 7 (6.3%) had aortic valve calcification, and 3 (2.7%) had both mitral and aortic valve calcification. There is a significant difference between patients with and without HVC regarding serum albumin (41g /l vs 43g/l; p=0.04), CRP rate (23mg/l vs 9,3mg/l; p=0.0094), and taking calcium carbonate (15 patients vs 2; p=0.04). Regarding age, sex, the lipid profile, serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone concentrations, there were no significant differences between patients with and without HVC. Conclusion This study failed to show an association between heart valve calcification in hemodialysis patients and calcium-phosphorus product and parathyroid hormone levels; however, serum albumin level and CRP rate could be regarded as risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventral hernia repair with mesh is increasingly common, but the incidence of long-term complications that necessitate mesh explantation is unknown. We aimed to determine the epidemiology of mesh explantation after ventral hernia repair and to compare this with common bile duct injury, a dreaded complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Study Design: We evaluated a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair by linking the all-payers State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery Databases for New York, California, and Florida. We followed patients longitudinally from 2005 to 2011 for the primary end point of mesh explantation, designated by concurrent procedure codes for ventral hernia repair and foreign body removal. We determined time to mesh explantation and calculated cumulative costs for surgical care, comparing these with historical data for common bile duct injury.Results: During the study period, 619,751 patients underwent at least one ventral hernia repair (91% open, 9% laparoscopic). In a mean follow-up of 3 years, 438 patients (0.07%) had mesh removed at a median of 346 days after repair. Median cumulative cost for patients requiring mesh explantation was $21,889 vs $6,983 without (p < 0.01). Rates of mesh explantation and costs were on par with laparoscopic common bile duct injury, based on published data, but occurred later in the postoperative course.Conclusions: By this conservative estimate, complications of ventral hernia repair with implantable mesh are comparably as frequent as for common bile duct injury, but occur later in a patient's experience. Long-term follow-up is critically necessary to fully understand the ramifications of implanted devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]