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Toxics Apr 2022This study provides baseline information on the concentrations of antibiotics in influent and effluent from two wastewater treatment plants in regular operation in the...
This study provides baseline information on the concentrations of antibiotics in influent and effluent from two wastewater treatment plants in regular operation in the State of Kuwait. Wastewater samples were collected from the influent and effluent streams of two WWTPs, over four sampling campaigns and analyzed for a broad range of antibiotics. The mean influent concentrations of sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and cefalexin were 852 ng/L, 672 ng/L, 592 ng/L), and 491 ng/L, respectively, at Umm Al Hayman WWTP. At the Kabd WWTP, the influent concentration of clarithromycin was highest with a mean of 949 ng/L, followed by ciprofloxacin (mean, 865 ng/L), cefalexin (mean, 598 ng/L), and sulfamethoxazole (mean, 520 ng/L). The dominant compounds in the effluent from Umm Al Hayman were sulfamethoxazole (mean, 212 ng/L), ciprofloxacin (mean, 153 ng/L), ofloxacin (mean, 120 ng/L), dimetridazole (mean, 96 ng/L), and metronidazole (mean, 93 ng/L). Whereas, at the Kabd WWTP, the dominant compounds were sulfamethoxazole (mean, 338 ng/L), dimetridazole (mean, 274 ng/L), cefalexin (mean, 213 ng/L), ciprofloxacin (mean, 192 ng/L), and clarithromycin (189 ng/L). The mean influent concentrations of all compounds were higher than those measured in the effluents. The concentrations of antibiotic compounds were not significantly different between the two WWTPs (p > 0.05). The removal efficiencies of the various antibiotics over the four sampling campaigns for the Kabd and Umm Hayman WWTPs ranged between 10.87 and 99.75% and also showed that they were variable and were compound dependent. The data clearly show that the concentrations of antibiotics measured in the influents of both WWTPs were highest in samples collected during the winter-summer (September samples) transition followed by the concentrations measured during the winter-summer (March samples) transition period. This is possibly linked to the increased prescription of these medications to treat infectious diseases and flu prevalent in Kuwait during these periods. This study provides the first reported concentrations of antibiotics in the dissolved aqueous influents and effluents of WWTPs in Kuwait. Additional studies are required to evaluate the environmental impact that antibiotic residues may cause since treated wastewater is used in irrigation, and often there are instances when untreated wastewater is discharged directly into the marine environment.
PubMed: 35448435
DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040174 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Sep 2023Treatment with mirtazapine, a widely prescribed antidepressant, has been linked to weight gain and dyslipidemia. Whether dyslipidemia occurs secondary to increased...
Treatment with mirtazapine, a widely prescribed antidepressant, has been linked to weight gain and dyslipidemia. Whether dyslipidemia occurs secondary to increased appetite due to antidepressant treatment, or due to direct pharmacological effects of mirtazapine is unknown. The aim of this analysis is to complement our previously published results of the effect of mirtazapine on metabolism and energy substrate partitioning from a proof-of-concept, open-label clinical study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00878540) in 12 healthy males (20-25 years). We report the effect of a seven-day administration of mirtazapine 30 mg per day on weight and lipid metabolism in healthy men under highly standardized conditions with respect to diet, physical activity and day-night-rhythm and under continuous clinical observation. After a 7-day administration of mirtazapine 30 mg, we observed a statistically significant increase in triglyceride levels (mean change + 4.4 mg/dl; 95% CI [- 11.4; 2.6]; p = 0.044) as well as TG/HDL-C ratio (mean change + 0.2; 95% CI [- 0.4; 0.1]; p = 0.019) and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol (mean change - 4.3 mg/dl; 95% CI [2.1; 6.5]; p = 0.004), LDL-cholesterol (mean change - 8.7 mg/dl; 95% CI [3.8; 13.5]; p = 0.008), total cholesterol (mean change - 12.3 mg/dl; 95% CI [5.4; 19.1]; p = 0.005), and non-HDL-C (mean change - 8.0 mg/dl; 95% CI [1.9; 14.0]; p = 0.023). Notably, weight (mean change - 0.6 kg; 95% CI [0.4; 0.8]; p = 0.002) and BMI (mean change - 0.2; 95% CI [0.1; 0.2]; p = 0.002) significantly decreased. No change in waist circumference (mean change - 0.4 cm; 95% CI [- 2.1; 2.9]; p = 0.838) or waist-to-hip-ratio (mean change 0.0; 95% CI [- 0.0; 0.0]; p = 0.814) was observed. This is the first study showing unfavorable changes in lipid metabolism under mirtazapine in healthy individuals despite highly standardized conditions including dietary restriction, and despite the observation of a decrease of weight. Our findings support the hypothesis that mirtazapine has direct pharmacological effects on lipid metabolism. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00878540.
Topics: Humans; Male; Antidepressive Agents; Cholesterol, HDL; Dyslipidemias; Fasting; Mirtazapine; Triglycerides; Weight Gain
PubMed: 36890393
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02448-y -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Dec 2022The aim was to assess the potential reduction in the doses to organs at risk (OARs) and target organ volume by doing replanning on repeat computed tomography (CT) scan...
AIM OF STUDY
The aim was to assess the potential reduction in the doses to organs at risk (OARs) and target organ volume by doing replanning on repeat computed tomography (CT) scan during the 4 week of radiation therapy (RT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-four histologically proven patients of inoperable esophagus carcinoma were studied. All patients received induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CT simulation with proper immobilization was done, and images were transferred to the treatment planning system. Delineation of target volumes and OARs was done, and two plans were generated for 60 Gy in 30 fractions and 40 Gy in 20 fractions with intensity-modulated RT keeping the doses to OARs within the tolerance limits. Replanning for 20 Gy in 10 fractions was done on repeat CT scan during the 4 week of radiotherapy treatment, and potential reduction in doses to OARs and target organ volume was assessed.
RESULTS
A total of 24 cases were analyzed for the adaptive plan with the coverage of the 95% prescription isodose for planning target volume. Statistical analysis was done by t-test. The difference in the doses received by the OARs was analyzed and was seen that due to re CT scan, the doses were reduced to the left lung V (mean 19.23 Gy vs. 17.35 Gy) and D (mean 16.03 Gy vs. 14.25 Gy), right lung V (mean 18.38 Gy vs. 16.66 Gy) and D (mean 15.70 Gy vs. 13.97 Gy), heart V (mean 38.72 Gy vs. 35.32 Gy) and D (mean 26.40 Gy vs. 22.74 Gy), and spine 1% volume (mean 36.54 Gy vs. 33.39 Gy) and D (mean 39.81 Gy vs. 34.34 Gy), gross tumor volume (GTV) (mean 67.37 cm vs. 24.58 cm ) and were all significantly smaller for the adaptive plan.
CONCLUSION
By doing adaptive radiotherapy in the 4 week of treatment using repeat CT scan, along with the response evaluation, there is a significant reduction in the volume of GTV, and replanning of treatment on repeat CT scan also helps us in reducing doses to the OARs resulting in reduced toxicity.
Topics: Humans; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Organs at Risk; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Carcinoma; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 36510979
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_162_20 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2022Patients with chronic cough are some of the most challenging to treat. This preliminary study is the first to examine the effects of a single exercise muscle strength...
OBJECTIVES
Patients with chronic cough are some of the most challenging to treat. This preliminary study is the first to examine the effects of a single exercise muscle strength training program to reduce cough severity in patients who failed other treatments.
METHODS
A total of 19 females were included in this study, ranging from age 24 to 80. The maximum phonation time (MPT), laryngeal airway resistance (LAR), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), Voice Handicap Index-10, (VHI-10) and the Cough Severity Index (CSI) values were obtained pre- and post-treatment. ANOVA two-factor without replication was used to compare values pre- and post-treatment.
RESULTS
MIP (Mean of 62.00 to a mean of 78.53) and MEP (Mean of 90.00 to a mean of 112.16) showed significant increase post-treatment. In addition, LAR (Mean of 73.30 to a mean of 60.67) and CSI (Mean of 19.37 to a mean of 15.00) significantly decreased post-treatment. General changes in pre- and post-treatment values were identified with MPT (Mean of 14.89 to a mean of 16.17) and VHI-10 (Mean of 8.00 to a mean of 6.76). A follow-up questionnaire indicated that the majority of patients felt their cough was better after 4 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
Muscle strength training provides a tool to aid in the control of cough for patients who are refractory to medical and other behavioral treatments. Improvement in cough may be associated with a reduction in subglottic pressure and increased air flow resulting in lower laryngeal airway resistance.
PubMed: 35260288
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.01.011 -
Bulletin of the National Research Centre 2023The stay-at-home conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly alter the Malaysian lifestyle, and all Malaysians faced difficulties adopting the new lifestyle. A...
BACKGROUND
The stay-at-home conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly alter the Malaysian lifestyle, and all Malaysians faced difficulties adopting the new lifestyle. A hypothetico-deductive technique has been conducted in this study, to find out what kind of changes the COVID-19 has brought about in the behavior of Malaysians and how they are coping with the changing lifestyles. According to G* Power 3.1 sample size determination in Malaysia, the entire sample of 112 was sufficient to provide the value for the medium effect size for the computation of the F-tests and the findings were reliable (The Cronbach's alpha values were all above 0.70.). To calculate the mean of the lifestyle during COVID-19, the mean scores range between 1.00 and 5.00 marks indicating much reduced to much increased.
RESULTS
It seemed that the jobs traveling (mean 1.80) and outdoor sports time (mean = 1.94) were somewhat reduced. In contrast, indoor sports activities (mean = 3.01), online games (mean = 2.76), physical exercises (mean = 2.63), and the number of staycations (mean = 2.46) during the pandemic stayed the same. However, religious activities (mean = 3.73), body mass index (mean = 3.54), online shopping (mean = 3.90), sleeping time (mean = 3.43), amount of anxiety (mean = 3.38), amount of caffeine (mean = 3.15), medical consumption (mean = 3.10), watching movies (mean = 3.26), and watching drama series (mean = 3.37) during COVID-19 were somewhat increased. In addition, respondents' time spent on social media (mean = 4.27) and online meetings (mean = 4.37) during COVID-19 were much increased. We found no significant differences in the means of the dependent variables (lifestyle of COVID-19) among all demographic characteristics except age and employment status.
CONCLUSIONS
New behavioral changes bring new challenges. Malaysians should need to adopt some precautions to minimize the negative effect of new behavioral changes in post-COVID-19 life. The results will help policymakers to make the right decisions about improving the quality of life after COVID-19.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42269-023-00979-1.
PubMed: 36624728
DOI: 10.1186/s42269-023-00979-1 -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... Nov 2014The last half-century has seen substantial changes in asthma treatment and care. We investigated whether arterial blood gas parameters in acute and non-acute asthma have... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The last half-century has seen substantial changes in asthma treatment and care. We investigated whether arterial blood gas parameters in acute and non-acute asthma have changed historically.
METHODS
We performed a systematic search of the literature for studies reporting P(aO2) , P(aCO2) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, percentage of predicted (FEV1%). For each of the blood gas parameters, meta-regression analyses examined its association with four background variables: the publication year, mean FEV1%, mean age and female fraction in the respective studies.
RESULTS
After screening, we included 43 articles comprising 61 datasets published between 1967 and 2013. In studies of habitual-state asthma, mean P(aO2) was positively associated with the publication year (p = 0.001) and negatively with mean age (p < 0.01). Mean P(aCO2) showed a positive association with publication year (p = 0.001) and a negative association with female fraction (p < 0.05). In acute asthma studies, blood gas levels were unassociated with publication year and mean age, mean P(aO2) was positively associated with FEV1% (p < 0.05) whereas mean P(aCO2) showed a negative association with FEV1% (p < 0.05) for studies with mean FEV1% <40. In neither acute nor habitual-state studies was mean arterial pH associated with any of the predictor variables.
CONCLUSIONS
In studies of habitual-state asthma, mean reported P(aO2) and P(aCO2) levels were found to have increased since 1967. In acute asthma studies, mean P(aO2) and P(aCO2) were associated with mean FEV1% but not with either publication year or patient age.
Topics: Acute Disease; Asthma; Blood Gas Analysis; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Regression Analysis
PubMed: 24945942
DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2014.936066 -
Micron (Oxford, England : 1993) Nov 2022In this work, we have explored the factors which govern mean free path values obtained from off-axis electron holography measurements. Firstly, we explore the topic from...
In this work, we have explored the factors which govern mean free path values obtained from off-axis electron holography measurements. Firstly, we explore the topic from a theoretical perspective, and show that the mean amplitude reconstructed from off-axis holograms is due to the coherent portion of the direct, central object-transmitted beam only - it is not affected by the presence or absence of other scattered beams. Secondly, we present a detailed experimental study which compares mean free path values obtained from hologram sideband, centreband, EELS, and TEM measurements as a function of optical collection angle and energy-loss-filtering. These results confirm that the coherent portion of the direct beam defines the mean amplitude, and additionally show that the coherent portion corresponds to the conventional energy-filtered signal (with threshold 5 eV in this work). Finally, we present summary measurements from a selection of different materials, and compare the results against a simple electron scattering model. This study reinforces the claim that the mean amplitude is defined by the energy-filtered direct beam, and confirms that the contributions of elastic and inelastic scattering to the total mean free path are broadly in line with theoretical expectations for these different materials. These results in aggregate indicate that neither experimental collection angles nor enhanced sensitivity to low-loss phonon scattering affect the mean amplitude signal arising from off-axis holography reconstructions, nor the associated mean free path values which are derived from this mean amplitude.
PubMed: 36155105
DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103346 -
Clinical Oral Implants Research Oct 2018The aim of this critical review was to evaluate whether commonly used biologic diagnostic parameters correspond to implant survival and peri-implantitis prevalence. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this critical review was to evaluate whether commonly used biologic diagnostic parameters correspond to implant survival and peri-implantitis prevalence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Publications from 2011 to 2017 were selected by an electronic search using the Pubmed database of the US National Library of Medicine. Prospective and retrospective studies with a mean follow-up time of at least 5 years and reporting prevalence of peri-implantitis as well as mean bone loss and standard deviation were selected. The correlation between reported prevalence of peri-implantitis and reported implant survival, mean follow-up time, mean bone loss, mean probing depth, and mean bleeding on probing was calculated. Mean bone loss and standard deviation were used for estimation of proportion of implants with bone loss exceeding 1, 2, and 3 mm.
RESULTS
Full-text analysis was performed for 255 papers from 4,173 available ones, and 41 met all the inclusion criteria. The overall mean weighted survival rate was 96.9% (89.9%-100%) and the reported prevalence of peri-implantitis ranged between 0% and 39.7%, based on 15 different case definitions. The overall weighted bone loss was 1.1 mm based on 8,182 implants and an average mean loading time ranging from 5 to 20 years. No correlation was found between mean bone loss and the reported prevalence of peri-implantitis. The estimated prevalence of implants with bone loss above 2 mm was 23%. The overall weighted mean probing depth was 3.3 mm, and mean weighted bleeding was 52.2%. Only a weak correlation was found between survival and function time (r = -0.49). There was no relation between the probing depth or bleeding and the mean bone loss, mean follow-up time, and reported prevalence of peri-implantitis.
CONCLUSION
Biologic parameters mean probing depth and mean bleeding on probing do not correlate with mean bone loss and this irrespective of follow-up. Case definition for peri-implantitis varied significantly between studies indicating that an unambiguous definition based on a specified threshold for bone loss is not agreed upon in the literature.
Topics: Alveolar Bone Loss; Dental Implantation, Endosseous; Dental Restoration Failure; Humans; Peri-Implantitis; Periodontal Index
PubMed: 30306697
DOI: 10.1111/clr.13264 -
Forensic Science International Apr 2019In the evaluation of measurements on characteristics of forensic trace evidence, Aitken and Lucy (2004) model the data as a two-level model using assumptions of... (Review)
Review
In the evaluation of measurements on characteristics of forensic trace evidence, Aitken and Lucy (2004) model the data as a two-level model using assumptions of normality where likelihood ratios are used as a measure for the strength of evidence. A two-level model assumes two sources of variation: the variation within measurements in a group (first level) and the variation between different groups (second level). Estimates of the variation within groups, the variation between groups and the overall mean are required in this approach. This paper discusses three estimators for the overall mean. In forensic science, two of these estimators are known as the weighted and unweighted mean. For an optimal choice between these estimators, the within- and between-group covariance matrices are required. In this paper a generalization to the latter two mean estimators is suggested, which is referred to as the generalized weighted mean. The weights of this estimator can be chosen such that they minimize the variance of the generalized weighted mean. These optimal weights lead to a "toy estimator", because they depend on the unknown within- and between-group covariance matrices. Using these optimal weights with estimates for the within- and between-group covariance matrices leads to the third estimator, the optimal "plug-in" generalized weighted mean estimator. The three estimators and the toy estimator are compared through a simulation study. Under conditions generally encountered in practice, we show that the unweighted mean can be preferred over the weighted mean. Moreover, in these situations the unweighted mean and the optimal generalized weighted mean behave similarly. An artificial choice of parameters is used to provide an example where the optimal generalized weighted mean outperforms both the weighted and unweighted mean. Finally, the three mean estimators are applied to real XTC data to illustrate the impact of the choice of overall mean estimator.
PubMed: 30903935
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.047 -
Acta Ortopedica Mexicana 2021The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes and complications in patients with myelomeningocele who have undergone spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes and complications in patients with myelomeningocele who have undergone spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients with myelomeningocele with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent spinal arthrodesis, treated at our center between July 1991 and July 2028.
RESULTS
Mean follow up was 10 years. There were 19 male and 21 females. The average age at operation was 13 years. The mean preoperative scoliosis curve was 90o. At last follow up, the mean scoliosis curve was 43o. Mean correction of 52%. The average of pelvic obliquity was 19o. At last follow up de obliquity was 9o. Mean correction of 53%. The mean preoperative coronal balance was 28.4 mm. At the last follow up it was 17 mm. Mean correction of 40%. The mean preoperative kyphosis was 50o. At the last follow up it was 41o. Mean correction of 18%. The mean preoperative sagittal balance was 63.3 mm. At the last follow up it was 38.3 mm. Mean correction of 40%. There were 13 complications (32.5%), with infection being the most frequently observed complication.
CONCLUSIONS
The goals of the spinal surgery in patients with MMC are to obtain a stable, balanced and painless spinal fusion. Although the surgical treatment of these patients remains difficult, it is associated with high complication rate.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Meningomyelocele; Neuromuscular Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Scoliosis; Spinal Fusion; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35451247
DOI: No ID Found