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Noise & HealthThis study investigated the effects of ambient noise isolation on disease severity and mental health among hospitalized children with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of ambient noise isolation on disease severity and mental health among hospitalized children with asthma.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 187 hospitalized children with asthma admitted from May 2021 to May 2023. Among them, 92 cases were categorized in the control group (conventional management) and 95 in the observation group (environmental noise isolation). Ambient noise level, disease severity, mental health, and sleep quality were observed and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Weekly time, the noise value of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Before the management, modified Tal scoring system, cough symptom score, and Spence Children's Anxiety Scale-Short Version (SCAS-S) were recorded. SCAS-S and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) had no significant difference (P > 0.05). Weekly time, no differences in the score of social fear dimension of SCAS-S, score of excessive sweating dimension of SDSC, Tal score, and cough symptom score were found between the observation and control groups (P > 0.05). The scores of other dimensions of SCAS-S and SDSC were lower in the observation group than those in the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Environmental noise isolation for hospitalized children with asthma can effectively improve their mental health and sleep status, but this strategy cannot improve their disease.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Retrospective Studies; Male; Female; Child; Severity of Illness Index; Child, Preschool; Noise; Mental Health; Sleep Quality; Child, Hospitalized; Adolescent
PubMed: 38904812
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_22_24 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Jun 2024Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum (SCACP) is a rare and aggressive malignant adnexal tumor originating from apocrine or pluripotent appendageal glands, often... (Review)
Review
Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum (SCACP) is a rare and aggressive malignant adnexal tumor originating from apocrine or pluripotent appendageal glands, often associated with a preceding syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) or nevus sebaceus (NS). This systematic review rigorously examines SCACP through an analysis of 78 cases documented between 1980 and 2024. The study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment modalities, and outcomes associated with SCACP, while also reappraising its associations, particularly with NS. SCACP predominantly affects older adults, with an average age of 66.3 years and a slight male predominance, commonly presenting as ulcerated nodules or plaques on the scalp. This review highlights the aggressive nature of SCACP, evidenced by significant rates of metastasis and recurrence. Treatment is primarily surgical, with Mohs micrographic surgery offering potential benefits in terms of margin control and cosmetic outcomes. The association of SCACP with NS is critically evaluated, suggesting a complex etiopathogenesis and underscoring the importance of recognizing this association for timely diagnosis and management. Our review also briefly discusses potential pitfalls faced by clinicians in the diagnosis of SCACP. Our findings emphasize the need for standardized treatment protocols and further research into targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes in SCACP.
Topics: Humans; Sweat Gland Neoplasms; Male; Female; Aged; Mohs Surgery; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn; Scalp; Tubular Sweat Gland Adenomas; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38904691
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-03176-w -
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny Jun 2024Zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, continue to challenge public health despite advancements in controlling infectious diseases. The intricate link... (Review)
Review
Zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, continue to challenge public health despite advancements in controlling infectious diseases. The intricate link between human, animal, and environmental health is emphasised by the fact that zoonoses contribute to 60% of emerging human infections. Wet markets, wildlife hunting, intensive wildlife farming, and interactions between domestic animals and humans are key transmission sources. Historical examples like the bubonic plague and English Sweats illustrate the longstanding impact of zoonotic diseases. With new transmission patterns emerging, it is necessary to use new techniques to predict disease spread. This article delves into the emergence of new zoonoses, such as the Nipah virus and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of understanding zoonotic aspects for outbreak prevention. Re-emerging zoonoses, like tuberculosis and vaccine-preventable diseases, present challenges, exacerbated by factors like globalized human activities and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health implications are explored, including economic losses, antibiotic resistance, and the disruption of international trade.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Zoonoses; COVID-19; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Pandemics
PubMed: 38904313
DOI: 10.32394/pe/188161 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Sweating is one of the most important processing methods of Chinese medicinal herbs. However, the high temperature and humidity environment required for sweating Chinese...
Sweating is one of the most important processing methods of Chinese medicinal herbs. However, the high temperature and humidity environment required for sweating Chinese medicinal herbs makes it very easy for fungi to breed, especially toxigenic fungi. The mycotoxins produced by these fungi will then contaminate the Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, we explored the changes in mycobiota, toxigenic fungi, and mycotoxins with and without sweating in (RD), a typical representative of traditional Chinese medicine that requires processing through sweating. We also isolated and identified the toxigenic fungi from RD, whether they were subjected to sweating treatment or not, and examined their toxigenic genes and ability. The results showed that the detection rate of mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin) in RD with sweating was 36%, which was 2.25-fold higher than that in RD without sweating. We also detected T-2 toxin in the RD with sweating, whereas it was not found in the RD without sweating. The sweating process altered the fungal composition and increased the abundance of and in RD. and were the most frequently contaminating fungi in the RD. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of key toxigenic fungal strains in RD samples, including and . These four fungi, respectively, carried , , , and , which were key genes for the biosynthesis of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin. The toxigenic ability of these four fungal strains was verified in different matrices. We also found that , , and were isolated in RD both with sweating and without sweating, but their isolation frequency was significantly higher in the RD with sweating than in the RD without sweating. was not isolated from RD without sweating, but it was isolated from RD with sweating. These findings suggest that the sweating process promotes the expansion of toxigenic fungi and increases the risk of combined mycotoxin contamination in RD.
PubMed: 38903800
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1394774 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Jun 2024Recruitment and retention of undergraduate (UG) GP educators is vital, they are essential to educating the next generation of doctors. The expected loss of GPs as they...
BACKGROUND
Recruitment and retention of undergraduate (UG) GP educators is vital, they are essential to educating the next generation of doctors. The expected loss of GPs as they retire and leave the profession means clinical delivery is under tension; adding to the strain on the number of GP educators. With GP educators numbers decreasing and student numbers increasing, the pressure on the system is growing.
AIM
To explore the experience of the GP educator, investigate the impact participation in UG medical education has, the barriers there are, and what support educators need to continue.
METHOD
This qualitative study uses individual semi-structured interviews of four active GP educators with at least 4 years of experience teaching medical students in a primary care setting; these were then transcribed and thematically analysed.
RESULTS
One of the most surprising results showed that GPs' enjoyed their work as educators as it allowed them . One participant stated; I want ''. It also allowed the GPs' to reflect on their life's work and gave them a platform to demonstrate this.
CONCLUSION
The Wass report, 2016 showed that students' exposure to GPs in UG education plays a significant role in choosing a career in general practice. This exposure needs GPs to act as positive role-models. Further research is required to examine the GP educators' need to '', and if this can be used to recruit/retain GP educators.
Topics: Humans; General Practitioners; Qualitative Research; Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Faculty, Medical; General Practice; Attitude of Health Personnel; Male; United Kingdom; Career Choice; Students, Medical; Female
PubMed: 38902056
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp24X737973 -
Talanta Jun 2024Recently, solution-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection technique has been widely recognized due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and ease of...
Recently, solution-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection technique has been widely recognized due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and ease of use. However, solution-based SERS is limited for practical applications mainly because of the weak adsorption affinity of the target biomolecules to the surface of plasmonic nanoparticles. Herein, we developed a highly sensitive solution-based SERS sensing platform based on mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped silver-coated gold nanostars (SGNS@MPA), which allows efficient enrichment on the nanostars surface for improved detection of an analyte: creatinine, a potential biomarker of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The SGNS@MPA exhibited high enrichment ability towards creatinine molecules in alkaline medium (pH-9) through multiple hydrogen bonding interaction, which causes aggregation of the nanoparticles and enhances the SERS signal of creatinine. The detection limit for creatinine was achieved at 0.1 nM, with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 14.6 pM. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we conducted the first quantitative detection of creatinine in noninvasive human fluids, such as saliva and sweat, under separation-free conditions. We achieved a detection limit of up to 1 nM for both saliva and sweat, with LOD values as low as 0.136 nM for saliva and 0.266 nM for sweat. Overall, our molecular enrichment strategy offers a new way to improve the solution-based SERS detection technique for real-world practical applications in point-of-care settings and low-resource settings.
PubMed: 38901075
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126373 -
Journal of Ultrasound Jun 2024A 62-year-old woman, with neuropathic pain and paresthesia in her right forefoot, showed a circumscribed soft tissue swelling on the sole between the second and third...
A 62-year-old woman, with neuropathic pain and paresthesia in her right forefoot, showed a circumscribed soft tissue swelling on the sole between the second and third metatarsal. Ultrasound (US) imaging showed a well-defined lesion in the second intermetatarsal space, without vascularization sign at Power Doppler (PD). In the first hypothesis, these findings led to Morton's neuroma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), demonstrated a dumbbell-shaped lesion between the II and the III metatarsal heads; it extended cranially to the subcutaneous fat of the dorsal slope. The MRI findings weren't compatible with a classic Morton's neuroma and were radiologically undetectable. The patient had a sub-total excisional biopsy. The anatomopathological features were specific to an apocrine hydroadenoma from an ectopic sweat gland. This rare pathology has not been previously described in the literature and it must be considered as a differential diagnosis due to the clinical presentation and the US appearance mimicking Morton's neuroma.
PubMed: 38900364
DOI: 10.1007/s40477-024-00911-x -
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Jun 2024Spiradenocarcinomas are rare malignant skin adnexal tumors. We describe a novel case of a patient with an aggressive CDKN2A-mutated spiradenocarcinoma who responded to a...
Spiradenocarcinomas are rare malignant skin adnexal tumors. We describe a novel case of a patient with an aggressive CDKN2A-mutated spiradenocarcinoma who responded to a CDK4/6 inhibitor. This case highlights the unique nature of spiradenocarcinomas as well as the potential benefit of targeted therapy.
Topics: Humans; Mutation; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Female; Skin Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Adenocarcinoma; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; Male; Pyridines; Sweat Gland Neoplasms; Piperazines
PubMed: 38899982
DOI: 10.46883/2024.25921022 -
Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen... Jun 2024Malignant sweat gland tumors are rare, with the most common being eccrine porocarcinoma (EP). Approximately 18% of benign eccrine poroma (EPO) transit to EP. Previous...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Malignant sweat gland tumors are rare, with the most common being eccrine porocarcinoma (EP). Approximately 18% of benign eccrine poroma (EPO) transit to EP. Previous research has provided first insights into the mutational landscape of EP. However, only few studies have performed gene expression analyses. This leaves a gap in the understanding of EP biology and potential drivers of malignant transformation from EPO to EP.
METHODS
Transcriptome profiling of 23 samples of primary EP and normal skin (NS). Findings from the EP samples were then tested in 17 samples of EPO.
RESULTS
Transcriptome profiling revealed diversity in gene expression and indicated biologically heterogeneous sub-entities as well as widespread gene downregulation in EP. Downregulated genes included CD74, NDGR1, SRRM2, CDC42, ANXA2, KFL9 and NOP53. Expression levels of CD74, NDGR1, SRRM2, ANXA2, and NOP53 showed a stepwise-reduction in expression from NS via EPO to EP, thus supporting the hypothesis that EPO represents a transitional state in EP development.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that EP is molecularly complex and that evolutionary trajectories correspond to tumor initiation and progression. Our results provide further evidence implicating the p53 axis and the EGFR pathway. Larger samples are warranted to confirm our findings.
PubMed: 38899945
DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15445 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jun 2024To measure the change in pain and disability during and after a 6-week gamified delivery of home exercise compared to a take-home packet.
PURPOSE
To measure the change in pain and disability during and after a 6-week gamified delivery of home exercise compared to a take-home packet.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A 6-week at-home exercise protocol included participants randomly allocated to a gamified delivery group or packet group. The exercise protocol included the plank, side plank, foot elevated side plank, dead bug, and bird dog completed until discontinuation. The gamified delivery group received on-demand exercise videos and weekly exercise duration leaderboards. The packet group received a take-home packet.
RESULTS
Forty participants were randomized into a packet group and leaderboard group, and 30 participants completed the study. Disability was significantly lower at 6-weeks (11.29 ± 9.81%) compared to baseline (15.93 ± 11.65%) in the packet group (χ(2) =10.89, Z= -3.163, =.002, =.708). Percent disability was significantly lower at 6-weeks (8.00 ± 5.91%) compared to baseline (13.01 ± 7.17%) in the gamified delivery group (χ(2) =13.235, Z= -3.399, = <.001, r= -0.760). Worst pain was higher at baseline (7.05 ± 1.61%) than at 6-weeks (5.75 ± 1.68%) in the packet group (χ(2) =8.067, Z = 2.760, .006, r= -0.617). Worst pain was higher at baseline (6.90 ± 1.33%) than at 6-weeks (5.24 ± 2.38%) in the gamified delivery group (χ(2) =6.250, Z= -2.810, .005, r= -0.628). No significant difference in the change of disability from baseline to 6 weeks was found between groups (.483).
CONCLUSIONS
Core exercises completed until failure may improve disability and pain at 6-weeks and positively influence perceived patient improvement.Registry: Clinicaltrials.gov; Registration number: NCT05573932.
PubMed: 38899776
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2368694