Foremanpuckett2637
Microplastics (MPs) contamination is ubiquitous in environmental matrices worldwide. Moreover these pollutants can be ingested by organisms and transported to organs via the circulatory system. check details Although efficient methods for the analysis of MPs derived from environment matrices and organisms' tissue samples have been developed after special sample pre-treatment, there remains a need for an optimised approach allowing direct identification and visualisation these MPs in real environmental matrices and organismal samples. Herein, we firstly used a multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) analysis of Raman hyperspectral imaging data to direct identification and visualisation of MPs in a complex serum background. link2 Four common MPs types including polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were identified and visualised either individually or in mixtures within spiked samples at an 8-μm spatial resolution. Moreover, Raman imaging based on MCR-ALS was successfully applied in fish faeces biological samples and environmental sand samples for in situ MPs identification directly without washing or removal of organic matter. The current results demonstrate Raman imaging based on MCR-ALS as a novel imaging approach for direct identification and visualisation of MPs, through extraction of MPs' chemical spectra within a complicated biological or environmental background whilst eliminating overlapping Raman bands and fluorescence interference.
Castleman's disease is not so commonly diagnosed worldwide due to non-specific symptoms Clinical findings are variable. No definite blood investigation or any biomarkers are established to diagnose this disease. Radiological investigations do not play much role in diagnosing. It can be unicentric or multicentric. Etiological factors are not well understood except predilection of this disease towards immune-compromised persons. Surgery is considered as a prime modality to treat, if resectable.
Patient had recurrent abdominal pain in left lumbar region which was intermittent for last 6months, dull aching with no aggravating and relieving factors. There was no history of abnormal bowel habits, urinary complaints, fever, night sweats, weight loss, rashes in body, joint pains and loss of appetite. On examination, there was a single, firm, non-tender, intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal mass of approximately size 10∗7cm in left lumbar region encroaching inferiorly towards left inguinal region. Digital rectal examination (DRE) and external genitalia were normal.
All routine blood investigations along with relevant tumour markers were normal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abdomen showed a well-defined mass suggestive of stromal tumour or retroperitoneal sarcoma. Patient underwent surgery in which complete excision of the mass was done. Postoperative event was uneventful and currently doing well.
Take away lesson in this case report is that we should not presume all retroperitoneal mass as cancer or sarcoma, we have to think about other rare causes like Castleman's disease, if clinical picture, blood and radiological investigation are discordant.
Take away lesson in this case report is that we should not presume all retroperitoneal mass as cancer or sarcoma, we have to think about other rare causes like Castleman's disease, if clinical picture, blood and radiological investigation are discordant.
Glomus tumors are rare and few cases are reported in the literature. They typically occur in females on the digits of the hands.
We report a case of a 30year-old woman who presented with a mass that developed on the distal tip of her right thumb after traumatic injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted and mass resection was performed. Histopathology confirmed that the mass was a glomus tumor.
Clinical presentations of glomus tumors are typically non-specific, mainly consisting of a small mass with chronic pain, with a lengthy time to diagnosis and potentially improper management. MRI is the preferred diagnostic step, followed by curative surgical excision and pathological confirmation.
Glomus tumors can cause significant discomfort for patients, and clinicians should be aware of the rare diagnosis when treating painful masses on the extremities, as surgical excision is often curative.
Glomus tumors can cause significant discomfort for patients, and clinicians should be aware of the rare diagnosis when treating painful masses on the extremities, as surgical excision is often curative.
Gallstone Ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, associated with multiple episodes of cholecystitis, with the formation of adhesions and fistulas between the gallbladder and adjacent organs. Its diagnosis is difficult, requiring complementary imaging tests such as computed tomography or radiography.
Female patient, with intestinal obstruction for 7days, associated with abdominal pain and previous episodes of pain in the right hypochondrium for 3months. Abdominal CT scan identified aerobilia, gallstone impacted in the ileocecal valve and small loop dilatation, in addition to a probable cholecystogastric fistula. Opted for exploratory laparotomy, enterolithotomy and fistula correction in one surgical time.
Gallstone ileus is rare among the complications of cholelithiasis, in addition to the fact that cholecystogastric fistula is associated with gastric pylorus obstruction and not impaction on the ileocecal valve. Imaging tests are useful to complement the diagnosis, and if Rigler's triad is present, the suspicion of gallstone ileus is increased. The presence of fistula between the gallbladder and stomach presents a frequency between 0 and 13.3%. There is no gold standard treatment for gallstone ileus, but surgery options for each type of patient and severity level.
There is no definitive protocol for optimal surgical treatment for biliary ileus, but the possibility of enterolithotomy associated with cholecystectomy and fistula correction can be evaluated in selected patients.
There is no definitive protocol for optimal surgical treatment for biliary ileus, but the possibility of enterolithotomy associated with cholecystectomy and fistula correction can be evaluated in selected patients.The aim of this study was to examine the effects of olfactory stimulation on both cognitive and behavioral symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases. The criteria for selection of participants in the study included neurodegenerative disease, interventions using olfactory stimulation, and measured cognitive or psychological symptoms. 5301 articles were identified, excluding duplicate papers. Seven original articles were selected according to the full article review and eligibility criteria. The final selected studies were all quasi-experimental studies and were published between 2002 and 2015. To assess the risk of bias, we used Cochrane Collaboration's tool, Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Although olfactory stimulation reported various effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms, it is still in its infancy. We propose standardization of olfactory stimulation and olfactory training. In patients with neurodegenerative diseases, it is necessary to consider the symptoms and severity of olfactory stimulation.This study explored if a self-management training program was feasible for a predominantly older rural Latino adults with chronic pain who had limited access to non-pharmacologically based pain treatment. Physical therapy doctoral students delivered the six-week low-literacy low-cost patient-centered program. The intervention was feasible to the participants (n=38) who showed improvement in a majority of the eight outcome measures at 6-week posttest and three measures at 18-week followup. The changes in pain severity, pain interference and pain-related physical functions reached minimally clinically important difference at follow-up. A randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up is needed to test the program effectiveness in partnership with community health centers to increase access to pain management in rural communities.
The present study aimed to verify the feasibility and preliminary effects of nurse-led square dancing designed to improve older adults' cognitive function and depressive symptoms who with MCI.
A quasi-experimental pilot study design was adopted for the present study. Screening for cognitive function was conducted among older adults (≥ 60 years old) living in two communities in Beijing who complained of memory loss. A total of 107 older patients with MCI and depressive symptoms were diagnosed after obtaining informed consent. Thirty-five patients selected from each community were included in the study as control and intervention groups, respectively. The two groups of patients received health education while the intervention group participated in a square dance intervention program led by nurses three times per week for 60min per session over a period of three months. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Peking version (MoCA-P) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) were used to assess the cognitive functiontive function and depressive symptoms among older patients suffering from MCI and depressive symptoms. The results of this study support the feasibility and preliminary effects of square dancing on relieving cognitive decline and depressive symptoms. Square dancing is a recommended type of intervention that can be applied to the local Chinese population because of its simplicity, convenience, and suitability for the older adults.
This study has revealed that square dance intervention exerts a positive impact on cognitive function and depressive symptoms among older patients suffering from MCI and depressive symptoms. The results of this study support the feasibility and preliminary effects of square dancing on relieving cognitive decline and depressive symptoms. Square dancing is a recommended type of intervention that can be applied to the local Chinese population because of its simplicity, convenience, and suitability for the older adults.Diabetic foot problems are widespread globally, resulting in substantial medical, economic, and social challenges for patients and their families. Among diabetic complications, foot ulceration is the most frequent outcome and is more probable to be of neuropathic origin. To date, a plethora of studies has focused on diabetic foot and ulcer prevention. However, limited studies have investigated the biomechanics of diabetic foot post ulceration. In this work, extensive biomechanical modelling of diabetic foot ulcers was attempted. A full-scale foot model was developed using measurements from a human subject, and ulcers of differing sizes and depths were modelled at different plantar sites numerically. Also, the foot model was computationally modified to study the effect of flat foot conditions on the same diabetic ulcers. Standing condition was simulated, and the induced stresses were investigated at the plantar region. The maximum stresses were observed to be similar for all ulcer sizes and depths at the lateral midfoot region of the normal foot. However, the maximum stresses were reported in the lateral heel region for the flat foot, which varied significantly with size and depth. link3 Such results present important information on the foot condition post ulceration and may help identify possibilities of further ulceration in the diabetic foot. These novel findings are anticipated to be indispensable for the development of suitable interventions (e.g., custom orthotics) for diabetic foot ulcer management.
