Filetype
IntroductionNon-beta-haemolytic streptococci are among the most common causative agents of infective endocarditis (IE). Patients with a heart valve prosthesis (HVP) have a high risk of IE. We aimed to determine the risk for IE in patients with HVP and non-beta-haemolytic streptococcal bacteraemia (NBHSB), and to study NBHSB relapse depending on treatment duration.MethodAdults with HVP and NBHSB 20
BackgroundEarly initiation of breastfeeding, defined as breastfeeding within one hour of birth, halves the risk of neonatal mortality, establishing it as a crucial outcome component in various interventions implemented across South Asian countries. However, the overall effect of these interventions remain unexamined. Therefore, this study seeks to address this knowledge gap by evaluating the overa
Upon hearing the phrase Some cats meow, a listener might pragmatically infer that 'Some but not all cats meow'. This is known as a scalar implicature and it often arises when a speaker produces a weak linguistic expression instead of a stronger one. Several L2 studies claim that pragmatic inferences are generated by default and their comprehension presents no challenges to L2 learners. However, th
Background People living with serious respiratory illness experience a high burden of distressing symptoms. Although opioids are prescribed for symptom management, they generate adverse events, and their benefits are unclear. Methods We examined the efficacy and safety of opioids for symptom management in people with serious respiratory illness. Embase, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of
Background: High breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and decreases the sensitivity of mammography. This systematic review synthesizes the international clinical guidelines and the evidence base for screening and supplemental screening recommendations in women with dense breasts. Methods: A systematic search of CINHAL, Embase, and Medline databases was performed in August
Household salt, Sodium Chloride (NaCl), has been suggested as an appropriate material for retrospective and prospective optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) radiation dosimetry. The current paper investigates the potential application of NaCl pellets during a radiological and/or nuclear emergency, together with an existing portable reader, for application as a novel tool for in situ screening o
The only way to combat the depletion of resources and climate crisis is to reduceour dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy,are increasingly used to meet our ever-growing energy demands; however, they areintermittent. One promising solution to the power crisis in the world is fuel cells,which, unlike the combustion engine, can operate on renewable fuels such a
Objective: The objectives were to determine the prevalence of meeting criteria for symptoms suggestive of early osteoarthritis (OA) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to characterize the longitudinal changes in these symptoms during the first two years post-ACLR. Methods: We analyzed data from 10,231 patients aged 14 to 40 years in the New Zealand ACL Registry who completed
Introduction: Health-promotion approaches to address stress-related exhaustion disorders, reduce personal suffering, improve coping and participation in everyday life are needed in primary care. The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported health and well-being before and after an intervention focusing on well-being with photo-supported conversations (BeWellTM). Material and methods: Eig
To decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus, public health officials in British Columbia, Canada ordered large-scale physical distancing requirements, leading to school and business closures, banning of large gatherings, and travel restrictions. These requirements shifted people’s occupational repertoires, with vulnerable populations (e.g., those with chronic health conditions) possibly being dif
Background A dreaded complication of strabismus surgery is anterior segment ischaemia (ASI), caused by damage to the anterior ciliary arteries. To avoid ASI, a maximum of two rectus muscles are operated on at a time. However, these surgical protocols are based on empirical observations of clinical outcome, rather than objective perfusion measurements. There is no method available for perioperative
Background: This international study aimed to characterise the impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with cystic fibrosis and investigate factors associated with severe outcomes. Methods Data from 22 countries prior to 13th December 2020 and the introduction of vaccines were included. It was de-identified and included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, outcomes an
Background and purposeDiagnostic information about cell density variations and microscopic tissue anisotropy can be gained from tensor-valued diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These properties of tissue microstructure have the potential to become novel imaging biomarkers for radiotherapy response. However, tensor-valued diffusion encoding is more demanding than conventional encoding, and
East Africa experiences chronic food insecurity, with levels varying from year-to-year across the region. Given that much can be done to prevent this level of suffering before it happens, humanitarian agencies monitor early indicators of food insecurity to trigger early action. Forecasts of total seasonal rainfall are one tool used to monitor and anticipate food security outcomes. Factors beyond r
Introduction: Debilitating clinical complications in von Willebrand disease (VWD) can affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL), increase healthcare costs and cause long-lasting consequences. However, the magnitude of these burdens needs to be more fully explored. Aim: To estimate the prevalence and burden of clinical complications, the impact on HRQoL and the economic burden associated with V
The pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties were evaluated in a series of antiuterotonic oxytocin analogs, modified at positions 1, 2, 4, 8 and, in one case, position 9 of the oxytocin (OT) molecule. [Mpa1,D-Tyr2(Et),Val4,Orn8,desGly9]-OT, [Mpa1,Tyr2(Et),Val4,Orn8]-OT and [Mpa1,D-Tyr2,Val4,Orn8]-OT displayed similar plasma clearance rates (Clps) using the constant infusion method in rats. Two
The current study investigates attitudes toward one form of sex for resources: the so-called sugar relationships, which often involve exchanges of resources for sex and/or companionship. The present study examined associations among attitudes toward sugar relationships and relevant variables (e.g., sex, sociosexuality, gender inequality, parasitic exposure) in 69,924 participants across 87 countri
One of the most challenging and warning issues that have globally been introduced is the climate change and its effects on water resources. Climate change due to global warming has increased temperature and evaporation potential and has changed the precipitation pattern as well as precipitation amount in different seasons. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of climate change on the hydr
Shedder status is defined as the propensity of an individual to leave DNA behind on touched items or surfaces and has been suggested as one of the major factors influencing DNA transfer. However, little is known about whether shedder status is a constant property of an individual across multiple measurements or when the environmental conditions are changed. We have assessed DNA depositions of six
