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Research in Developmental Disabilities Jun 2024The purpose of the current study was to examine whether seven children, aged 6-10 years, with intellectual disabilities who require augmentative and alternative...
Reading instruction for students with intellectual disabilities who require augmentative and alternative communication: A multiple single case study with baseline, posttest, follow-up, and maintenance.
The purpose of the current study was to examine whether seven children, aged 6-10 years, with intellectual disabilities who require augmentative and alternative communication, could acquire phonological awareness and reading skills by using a reading material that is based on research on the evidence-based reading program Accessible literacy learning. The effect of the measures has been examined using a multiple single-case design with baseline, posttest, follow-up, and maintenance. All the teachers were trained to deliver the reading intervention in the students' familiar place at school. The results indicated that students with intellectual disabilities who require augmentative and alternative communication could acquire phonological awareness and decoding by working systematically with reading material based on evidence-based strategies.
PubMed: 38935986
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104790 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024Recognising the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an advisory group consisting of experts in fungal diseases to...
Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata): A systematic review of clinical and microbiological data from 2011 to 2021 to inform the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List.
Recognising the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an advisory group consisting of experts in fungal diseases to develop a Fungal Priority Pathogen List. Pathogens were ranked based on their research and development needs and perceived public health importance using a series of global surveys and pathogen characteristics derived from systematic reviews. This systematic review evaluates the features and global impact of invasive disease caused by Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata). PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting on mortality, morbidity (hospitalization and disability), drug resistance (including isolates from sterile and non-sterile sites, since these reflect the same organisms causing invasive infections), preventability, yearly incidence, diagnostics, treatability, and distribution/emergence in the last 10 years. Candida glabrata (N. glabrata) causes difficult-to-treat invasive infections, particularly in patients with underlying conditions such as immunodeficiency, diabetes, or those who have received broad-spectrum antibiotics or chemotherapy. Beyond standard infection prevention and control measures, no specific preventative measures have been described. We found that infection is associated with high mortality rates and that there is a lack of data on complications and sequelae. Resistance to azoles is common and well described in echinocandins-in both cases, the resistance rates are increasing. Candida glabrata remains mostly susceptible to amphotericin and flucytosine. However, the incidence of the disease is increasing, both at the population level and as a proportion of all invasive yeast infections, and the increases appear related to the use of antifungal agents.
Topics: Candida glabrata; Humans; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Antifungal Agents; World Health Organization; Candidiasis; Global Health; Incidence
PubMed: 38935913
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae041 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024Candida parapsilosis is globally distributed and recognised for causing an increasing proportion of invasive Candida infections. It is associated with high crude...
Candida parapsilosis is globally distributed and recognised for causing an increasing proportion of invasive Candida infections. It is associated with high crude mortality in all age groups. It has been particularly associated with nosocomial outbreaks, particularly in association with the use of invasive medical devices such as central venous catheters. Candida parapsilosis is one of the pathogens considered in the WHO priority pathogens list, and this review was conducted to inform the ranking of the pathogen in the list. In this systematic review, we searched PubMed and Web of Science to find studies between 2011 and 2021 reporting on the following criteria for C. parapsilosis infections: mortality, morbidity (hospitalisation and disability), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, and distribution/emergence. We identified 336 potentially relevant papers, of which 51 were included in the analyses. The included studies confirmed high mortality rates, ranging from 17.5% to 46.8%. Data on disability and sequelae were sparse. Many reports highlighted concerns with azole resistance, with resistance rates of >10% described in some regions. Annual incidence rates were relatively poorly described, although there was clear evidence that the proportion of candidaemia cases caused by C. parapsilosis increased over time. While this review summarises current data on C.parapsilosis, there remains an urgent need for ongoing research and surveillance to fully understand and manage this increasingly important pathogen.
Topics: Humans; Candida parapsilosis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; World Health Organization; Antifungal Agents; Incidence; Candidiasis; Cross Infection
PubMed: 38935912
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad131 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024In response to the growing global burden of fungal infections with uncertain impact, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an Expert Group to identify priority...
In response to the growing global burden of fungal infections with uncertain impact, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an Expert Group to identify priority fungal pathogens and establish the WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List for future research. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the features and global impact of invasive candidiasis caused by Candida tropicalis. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting on criteria of mortality, morbidity (defined as hospitalization and disability), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, diagnostics, treatability, and distribution/emergence from 2011 to 2021. Thirty studies, encompassing 436 patients from 25 countries were included in the analysis. All-cause mortality due to invasive C. tropicalis infections was 55%-60%. Resistance rates to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole up to 40%-80% were observed but C. tropicalis isolates showed low resistance rates to the echinocandins (0%-1%), amphotericin B (0%), and flucytosine (0%-4%). Leukaemia (odds ratio (OR) = 4.77) and chronic lung disease (OR = 2.62) were identified as risk factors for invasive infections. Incidence rates highlight the geographic variability and provide valuable context for understanding the global burden of C. tropicalis infections. C. tropicalis candidiasis is associated with high mortality rates and high rates of resistance to triazoles. To address this emerging threat, concerted efforts are needed to develop novel antifungal agents and therapeutic approaches tailored to C. tropicalis infections. Global surveillance studies could better inform the annual incidence rates, distribution and trends and allow informed evaluation of the global impact of C. tropicalis infections.
Topics: Candida tropicalis; Humans; Antifungal Agents; World Health Organization; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Candidiasis, Invasive; Incidence; Global Health; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38935905
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae040 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024Cryptococcosis causes a high burden of disease worldwide. This systematic review summarizes the literature on Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii infections to inform...
Cryptococcosis causes a high burden of disease worldwide. This systematic review summarizes the literature on Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii infections to inform the World Health Organization's first Fungal Priority Pathogen List. PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify studies reporting on annual incidence, mortality, morbidity, antifungal resistance, preventability, and distribution/emergence in the past 10 years. Mortality rates due to C. neoformans were 41%-61%. Complications included acute renal impairment, raised intracranial pressure needing shunts, and blindness. There was moderate evidence of reduced susceptibility (MIC range 16-32 mg/l) of C. neoformans to fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B. Cryptococcus gattii infections comprised 11%-33% of all cases of invasive cryptococcosis globally. The mortality rates were 10%-23% for central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary infections, and ∼43% for bloodstream infections. Complications described included neurological sequelae (17%-27% in C. gattii infections) and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. MICs were generally low for amphotericin B (MICs: 0.25-0.5 mg/l), 5-flucytosine (MIC range: 0.5-2 mg/l), itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole (MIC range: 0.06-0.5 mg/l). There is a need for increased surveillance of disease phenotype and outcome, long-term disability, and drug susceptibility to inform robust estimates of disease burden.
Topics: Humans; Cryptococcosis; Antifungal Agents; Cryptococcus gattii; Cryptococcus neoformans; Drug Resistance, Fungal; World Health Organization; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38935902
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae043 -
Medical Mycology Jun 2024The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 developed a fungal priority pathogen list. Candida auris was ultimately ranked as a critical priority pathogen. PubMed and...
The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 developed a fungal priority pathogen list. Candida auris was ultimately ranked as a critical priority pathogen. PubMed and Web of Science were used to find studies published from 1 January 2011 to 18 February 2021, reporting on predefined criteria including: mortality, morbidity (i.e., hospitalization and disability), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, and distribution/emergence. Thirty-seven studies were included in the final analysis. The overall and 30-day mortality rates associated with C. auris candidaemia ranged from 29% to 62% and 23% to 67%, respectively. The median length of hospital stay was 46-68 days, ranging up to 140 days. Late-onset complications of C. auris candidaemia included metastatic septic complications. Resistance rates to fluconazole were as high as 87%-100%. Susceptibility to isavuconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole varied with MIC90 values of 0.06-1.0 mg/l. Resistance rates to voriconazole ranged widely from 28% to 98%. Resistance rates ranged between 8% and 35% for amphotericin B and 0%-8% for echinocandins. Over the last ten years, outbreaks due to C. auris have been reported in in all WHO regions. Given the outbreak potential of C. auris, the emergence and spread of MDR strains, and the challenges associated with its identification, and eradication of its environmental sources in healthcare settings, prevention and control measures based on the identified risk factors should be evaluated for their effectiveness and feasibility. Global surveillance studies could better inform the incidence rates and distribution patterns to evaluate the global burden of C. auris infections.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Drug Resistance, Fungal; World Health Organization; Candidiasis; Candida auris; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Candidemia; Disease Outbreaks; Candida; Incidence
PubMed: 38935900
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae042 -
PLOS Global Public Health 2024Road traffic accidents account for 1.35 million deaths and up to 50 million injuries each year globally, mostly among persons aged 5-29 years. The existing road safety...
Road traffic accidents account for 1.35 million deaths and up to 50 million injuries each year globally, mostly among persons aged 5-29 years. The existing road safety measures in Ghana are grossly inadequate, leading to occurrence of unprecedented Road Traffic Accidents (RTA). This study sought to document the epidemiological indices and determine the public health implications of Road Traffic Accidents and the socio-economic effect on lives of RTA victims in Ho and Hohoe Municipalities of the Volta Region in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 198 road traffic accident victims who reported to three health facilities in the Volta Region of Ghana. The victims were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Principal component analysis was done to categorize RTA victims into various economic status. The results show that out of the 198 road traffic accident victims who were interviewed, 50% were breadwinners of their families. Approximately 40% of the accident cases happened between 12 mid-day and 6 o'clock in the evening. Among the RTA cases recorded, 35% involved four-wheeler vehicles. Majority (88%) of those with injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents sustained a head injury; 70% of the respondents who sustained a disability from RTA were unable to perform activity of daily living (i.e. bathing, oral care, and toileting). The average cost of care on RTA victims from formal and informal health care facilities, at the time of this study, was GHC 902 (US$150) and GHC 724 (US$120) respectively. In conclusion, the increase in usage of motorcycles as a means of transport has contributed significantly to the incidence of RTAs in the Ho and Hohoe municipalities posing a public health concern. Majority of RTAs resulted in head injuries and other disabilities which affected their ability to perform activities of daily living and posed significant economic cost to victims and their families who are mostly already in lower wealth quintiles.
PubMed: 38935786
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003238 -
PloS One 2024Iodine deficiency in the diet globally continues to be a cause of many diseases and disabilities. Kale is a vegetable that has health-promoting potential because of many...
Iodine deficiency in the diet globally continues to be a cause of many diseases and disabilities. Kale is a vegetable that has health-promoting potential because of many nutrients and bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, glucosinolates and phenolic compounds). Brassica vegetables, including kale, have been strongly recommended as dietary adjuvants for improving health. The nutrient and health-promoting compounds in kale are significantly affected by thermal treatments. Changes in phytochemicals upon such activities may result from two contrary phenomena: breakdown of nutrients and bioactive compounds and a matrix softening effect, which increases the extractability of phytochemicals, which may be especially significant in the case of iodine-fortified kale. This study investigated changes of basic composition, iodine, vitamin C, total carotenoids and polyphenols contents as well as antioxidant activity caused by steaming, blanching and boiling processes in the levels of two cultivars of kale (green and red) non-biofortified and biofortified via the application to nutrient solutions in hydroponic of two iodoquinolines [8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinoline (5-Cl-7-I-8-Q)] and KIO3. Thermal processes generally significantly reduced the content of the components in question and the antioxidant activity of kale, regardless of cultivar and enrichment. It was observed that the red cultivar of kale had a greater ability to accumulate and reduce iodine losses during the culinary processes. 8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid showed a protective effect against the treatments used, compared to other enrichments, thus contributing to the preservation of high iodine content.
Topics: Brassica; Iodine; Antioxidants; Hot Temperature; Carotenoids; Ascorbic Acid; Polyphenols; Food, Fortified
PubMed: 38935598
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304005 -
Revista de Neurologia Jul 2024The presence of psychiatric comorbidity in some neurological disorders is common. A bi-directional influence between some psychiatric and neurological disorders has been...
INTRODUCTION
The presence of psychiatric comorbidity in some neurological disorders is common. A bi-directional influence between some psychiatric and neurological disorders has been discussed, but not widely studied. There is an absence of literature on the typology and rates of neurology consultations in different types of psychiatric inpatients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cross-sectional study based on real world data on patients who had a neurological consultation during hospitalization on a psychiatric ward.
RESULTS
The most frequent reasons for visits to neurologists in our study were cluster 'Epilepsy/other types of non-epileptic seizures' (n = 177, 36.44%), followed by cluster 'Movement disorders' (n = 77, 20.48%), 'Cognitive disorder' (n = 69, 18.35%), and finally cluster 'Neuropathy' (n = 21, 5.59%). The most frequent type of psychiatric patient who required neurologic consultation presented a psychotic disorder (n = 100, 26.60%), follow by problem behavior (n = 82, 21.81%), bipolar disorder (n = 78, 20.78%), depressive disorder (n = 42, 11.17%) and autism spectrum disorder (n = 20, 5.32%). We found a statistically significant relationship between (problem behavior and intellectual disability) and neurologic consultation for epilepsy/other types of non-epileptic seizures, and between (depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability) and neurologic consultation for movement disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study in the literature which analyzes the rates and typology of neurologic consultations in people hospitalized with psychiatric disorders. A deep knowledge of epilepsy, movement disorders and cognitive disorders should be required for health professionals to treat psychiatric inpatients appropriately. Patients with particular psychiatric disorders seem to require a higher number of neurologic consultations than others during their hospitalization.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Mental Disorders; Male; Spain; Nervous System Diseases; Middle Aged; Referral and Consultation; Adult; Comorbidity; Neurology; Inpatients; Aged; Epilepsy
PubMed: 38934945
DOI: 10.33588/rn.7901.2024054 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Oct 2023Depression is a common illness, it being the fourth-leading cause of disability in the world. The global lifetime prevalence falls between 8% and 12%, with female...
Depression is a common illness, it being the fourth-leading cause of disability in the world. The global lifetime prevalence falls between 8% and 12%, with female preponderance. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the burden of depression among married women in a rural setting in North Kerala and identify its sociodemographic risk factors. The sample size was calculated to be 453 (prevalence = 24.9%; error = 20%; design-effect = 1.5). Systematic random sampling was used to select the participants from the eligible couple register. They were interviewed using MINI and Montgomery-Ashberg Depression Rating Scales. Descriptive analysis showed that 24.2% was suffering from current depression, mostly mild and none severe. Two percent reported past depression and 5.4% experienced spousal violence. Poor family support, experience of domestic violence, morbidity, and older spouses were found to be significant risk factors. The provision of mental health services by trained personnel and strict vigilance against the marriage of girls below the legal age and domestic violence are need of the hour.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; India; Prevalence; Adult; Rural Population; Depression; Risk Factors; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult; Marriage; Spouses; Sociodemographic Factors; Domestic Violence
PubMed: 38934818
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1543_22