48 research outputs found
Investigation of Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Solvent Fractions of 80% Methanol Leaf Extract of Achyranthes Aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) in Rats [Retraction]
No full textMengie T, Mequanente S, Nigussie D, Legesse B, Makonnen E. J Inflamm Res. 2021;14:1775—1787.
We, the Editors and Publisher of the Journal of Inflammation Research, have retracted the following article.
Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article, specifically image duplication in Figure 2. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to provide their original data or the relevant supporting documentation. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. The authors do not agree with the retraction.
We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.
The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’
Effect of play-based family-centered psychomotor/psychosocial stimulation on the development of severely acutely malnourished children under six in a low-income setting: a randomized controlled trial
No full textBackground: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends incorporating psychosocial stimulation into the
management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). However, there is little evidence about the effectiveness of these
interventions for SAM children, particularly when serious food shortages and lack of a balanced diet prevail. The
objective of this study was to examine whether family-based psychomotor/psychosocial stimulation in a lowincome setting improves the development, linear growth, and nutritional outcomes in children with SAM.
Method: Children with SAM (N = 339) admitted for treatment to the Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia,
were randomized to a control (n = 170) or intervention (n = 169) group. Both groups received routine medical care
and nutritional treatment at the hospital. The intervention group additionally received play-based psychomotor/
psychosocial stimulation during their hospital stay, and at home for 6 months after being discharged from hospital.
The fine motor (FM) and gross motor (GM) functions, language (LA) and personal-social (PS) skills of the children
were assessed using adapted Denver II, the social-emotional (SE) behavior was assessed using adapted Ages and
Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, and the linear growth and nutritional status were determined through
anthropometric assessments. All outcomes were assessed before the intervention, upon discharge from hospital,
and 6 months after discharge (as end-line). The overtime changes of these outcomes measured in both groups
were compared using Generalized Estimating Equations.
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© The Author(s). 2019 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to
the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver
(http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
* Correspondence: [email protected] †
Teklu Gemechu Abessa and Marita Granitzer contributed equally to this
work.
1
Department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education, College of Behavioral
Sciences and Education, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
2
REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty
of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Hasselt University, Hasselt,
Belgium
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Abessa et al. BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19:336
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1696-z
(Continued from previous page)
Results: The intervention group improved significantly on GM during hospital follow-up by 0.88 points (p < 0.001,
effect size = 0.26 SD), and on FM functions during the home follow-up by 1.09 points (p = 0.001, effect size = 0.22
SD). Both young and older children benefited similarly from the treatment. The intervention did not contribute
significantly to linear growth and nutritional outcomes.
Conclusion: Psychomotor/psychosocial stimulation of SAM children enhances improvement in gross motor
functions when combined with standard nutrient-rich diets, but it can enhance the fine motor functions even
when such standard dietary care is not available.
Trial registration: The trial was retrospectively registered on 30 January 2017 at the US National Institute of Health
(ClinicalTrials.gov) # NCT03036176.This study is part of the Jimma University-Interuniversity Collaboration partnership program funded by Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad - Universitaire Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (VLIR-UOS). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to prepare or publish the manuscript
Impact of skin temperature on sensory nerve conductivity in the median nerve
No full textKännedom om effekten av temperaturvariationer på det perifera nervsystemet ger en djupare förståelse för de fysiologiska mekanismerna som ligger till grund för funktionen av neuromuskulär påverka vid patologiskt och friskt tillstånd. Syftet med den här studien är att redogöra för hur den sensoriska nervledningshastigheten, distal latens och amplitud en i nervus medianus påverkas vid temperaturförändringar på handryggen från 26 till 33 °C. Studien omfattade 19 deltagare mellan 20–40 år. Mätningarna utfördes vid tre temperaturintervaller; kall (26–27° C), ljummen (28–29° C) och varm (32–33° C) för varje deltagare. I denna studie observerades sensorisk nervledningshastigheten och distal latens visade ett signifikant samband med p-värde<0.001. Temperaturökningen leder till ökad nervledningshastighet med 1,61 m/s/° C och distal latensen reduceras med 0,1 ms/° C. Däremot sågs inget samband mellan amplitud med p-värde=0.87 och temperaturökningen. Temperaturförändringen har en påverkan på perifera nerver, detta bör uppmärksammas vid elektroneurografisk undersökning. Det är viktig att uppnå den standardtemperaturen (31–34°C) vid en elektroneurografisk undersökning för att ställa rätt diagnos. Vid svårigheter med att upp nå den standardtemperaturen kan en korrektionsfaktor användas.Understanding the effect of temperature on the peripheral nervous system helps to have a better knowledge of the physiological mechanisms and functionality of the neuromuscular system. This study aimed to analyze the effect of temperature change, from 26 to 33°C at the dorsal side of the hand, on the sensory conduction velocity, distal latency, and amplitude of the median nerve. The study consists of 19 individuals between 20–40 years. The measurement was carried out at three temperature ranges: cold (26–27°C), intermediate (28–29°C), and warm (32–33°C). Sensory conduction velocity and distal latency were significantly correlated to temperature with a p-value <0.001. Sensory nerve conduction velocity and distal latency changes by 1,61 m/s and 0.1 ms with a temperature change of 1°C, respectively. In this study, the author did not observe a significant correlation (p-value of 0.82) between temperature and amplitude due to the large variability of amplitude in the temperature range used in this study. It is important to perform electroneurographic diagnosis at a temperature of over 31-34°C, otherwise, a correction factor must be used for a reliable diagnosis
The European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Survey
No full textAims: The European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Survey was a joint initiative taken by the Heart Failure (HFA) and the European Heart Rhythm (EHRA) Associations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) designed to evaluate the current implantation practice of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) in the participating countries. Methods: Patients who had a successful CRT implantation were enrolled from 141 centres in 13 countries between November 2008 and June 2009. The participating countries were Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. Baseline demographics, clinical and implantation data were collected using electronic case report form (eCRF) with a follow-up of approximately one year (9-15 months). Centres were divided into high and low volume categories and their patient selection and implantation practice was analysed. Outcomes in de novo implantations were compared to upgrades from permanent pacemakers (PPM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The follow-up data contained clinical outcomes including symptom severity, cardiovascular hospitalization and survival. Results: 2438 patients were enrolled and follow-up data acquired from 2111 patients (87 %). The population included important groups of patients poorly represented in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including very elderly patients, those with prior device implantation, atrial fibrillation and QRS duration < 120 ms. Significantly more CRT implantation in patients with mild symptoms and narrow QRS width was reported at high volume centres. Similar improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, similar reduction in QRS duration and low and similar total and cause specific mortality was observed between upgrades and de novo implantations. Investigators reported substantial improvement in NYHA functional class at follow up and patients reported improvement in self-assessed global condition. During follow-up, 207 (10 %) patients died, 346 (16 %) were hospitalized and 501 (24 %) died or were hospitalized. NYHA functional class III/IV, atrial fibrillation, ischaemic aetiology and device type (CRT-P) were associated with poor survival. Predictors of CV hospitalization and the combined end point of CV hospitalization or mortality were NYHA functional class III/IV and atrial fibrillation. Women had a better outcome as did patients who had a CRT-D device. Conclusions: The CRT Survey provided important information describing current European implantation practice at the time of inclusion. High-volume centres were more explorative in their implantation practice than low-volume centres. Patients undergoing upgrades from existing devices (PPM and ICDs) had similar outcomes and complications rates compared to de novo implantations. Outcomes including death and hospitalization during 1 year followup in this European CRT survey were consistent with results from clinical trials of CRT. At one year follow-up, 81 % of patients who received a CRT device considered their symptoms improved compared to the pre-implant assessment. This is a prospective, observational study of successful CRT implantations and the results must be interpreted with appropriate conservatism
Design and Manufacturing of Thermal Energy Based Injera Baking Glass Pan
No full textAbstractThe current practice of Injera (Spongy flat bread) baking is based on energy sources such as fire wood and fossil fuels, which are both the main causes for environmental pollution and depletion of forest resources. The aim of this research is to propose a new type of baking system where solar thermal energy is used as a power source. The possibility of baking on a glass stove is investigated using solar thermal energy transferred to the kitchen by means of a circulating heat transfer fluid heated by solar energy concentrated by a parabolic trough. The existing three stone biomass based clay baking pan results in a loss of a major portion of the supplied energy and the baking process also results in significant amounts of indoor air pollution. The proposed system is solely based on a renewable energy source such as solar energy. For experimental simplicity and investigation of the possibility of baking on glass stove, the heat transfer fluid is heated by simulating the solar energy with electricity, and the heated fluid is allowed to circulate through the closed loop of the baking pan assembly. Surface temperatures of 191 ̊C were achieved on top of the glass baking pan and Injera baking experiments were performed successfully
Criteria for assigning cause of death for stillbirths and neonatal deaths in research studies in low-middle income countries
No full textAccurate knowledge regarding cause of death (COD) for stillbirths and neonatal deaths is crucial, especially in low-income countries, in order for public health and medical officials to choose appropriate interventions likely to reduce these deaths. To date, many of the COD studies in these areas have relied only on obstetric or neonatal clinical information and the determination of COD is likely to be inaccurate. Information related to infectious COD is especially lacking. Thus, without more sophisticated testing, data as currently collected only provide a very weak approximation of the COD and may well lead to adoption of interventions of limited usefulness. In this commentary, we propose recommendations regarding the type of data needed to determine with reasonable accuracy the COD for stillbirths and neonatal deaths in low-resource settings. Using these data, and a method to determine the degree of certainty, we then propose definitions for the most common COD. Our goal is to reduce subjectivity and provide more specificity for the tests used in existing classification systems so that the methodology of COD determination is transparent and able to be replicated over time and from location to location
Spatial disparities of antenatal care utilization among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa-Bayesian geo-additive modelling approach
No full textAbstract
Background:
Antenatal care (ANC) is critical for ensuring healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. Despite its importance, significant disparities in ANC access and utilization exist across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), influenced by various socioeconomic, geographical, and systemic factors. This study aimed to analyze the spatial disparities in the proportion of recommended ANC utilization and its associated risk factors among pregnant women in 34 sub-Saharan African countries.
Method:
This study utilized the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 34 countries across the SSA region. To assess the spatial disparities and their associated risk factors of ANC utilization, a geo-additive model via the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was adopted.
Result:
The overall prevalence of recommended ANC utilization in SSA was 22.15%, with a significant difference between countries, ranging from 0.27% in Rwanda to 76.28% in Zimbabwe. Both Moran’s I and Geary’s C tests, with different neighborhood structures, evidenced the existence of spatial autocorrelation of ANC utilization among women in SSA countries. A Bayesian geo-additive model with Besag-York-Mollié (BYM) mixed effect was found to be the best model to assess the spatial dependencies and the non-linear effects of the factors on ANC utilization among women of reproductive age. The study showed that the existence of spatial disparities in ANC utilization and media exposure, as well as the mother’s work status, partner’s working status, age of mother, age at first cohabitation, and place of delivery, has a significant effect on ANC utilization.
Conclusion:
The overall coverage of recommended ANC in SSA countries falls short of the global minimum recommended ANC utilization. The lower coverage and inequality of ANC utilizations are influenced by underutilization of healthcare services, economic status, women’s education coverage, poor/absence of transportation facilities, and media exposure related to healthy reproduction. Empowering women through different media outlets, strengthening their economic power, easy access to health facilities, and decision-making power increases maternal healthcare service utilization.Abstract
Background:
Antenatal care (ANC) is critical for ensuring healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. Despite its importance, significant disparities in ANC access and utilization exist across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), influenced by various socioeconomic, geographical, and systemic factors. This study aimed to analyze the spatial disparities in the proportion of recommended ANC utilization and its associated risk factors among pregnant women in 34 sub-Saharan African countries.
Method:
This study utilized the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 34 countries across the SSA region. To assess the spatial disparities and their associated risk factors of ANC utilization, a geo-additive model via the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was adopted.
Result:
The overall prevalence of recommended ANC utilization in SSA was 22.15%, with a significant difference between countries, ranging from 0.27% in Rwanda to 76.28% in Zimbabwe. Both Moran’s I and Geary’s C tests, with different neighborhood structures, evidenced the existence of spatial autocorrelation of ANC utilization among women in SSA countries. A Bayesian geo-additive model with Besag-York-Mollié (BYM) mixed effect was found to be the best model to assess the spatial dependencies and the non-linear effects of the factors on ANC utilization among women of reproductive age. The study showed that the existence of spatial disparities in ANC utilization and media exposure, as well as the mother’s work status, partner’s working status, age of mother, age at first cohabitation, and place of delivery, has a significant effect on ANC utilization.
Conclusion:
The overall coverage of recommended ANC in SSA countries falls short of the global minimum recommended ANC utilization. The lower coverage and inequality of ANC utilizations are influenced by underutilization of healthcare services, economic status, women’s education coverage, poor/absence of transportation facilities, and media exposure related to healthy reproduction. Empowering women through different media outlets, strengthening their economic power, easy access to health facilities, and decision-making power increases maternal healthcare service utilization
Effects of continuous, interval, and combined training methods on middle- and long-distance runners' performance.
No full textIntroduction: Running performance is largely influenced by training methods, including Continuous, Interval, and combined training methods. However, which training method that best improves the performance has not been identified. Aim: This study was to investigate how training methods continuous, interval, and combined training affect distance running performance. Methods: A total of thirty (n=30) athletes from the Ethiopia Hotel Athletics Club were selected as subjects. The studies included trained runners without previous injuries. Interventions lasted at least 12 weeks, with participants allocated to Interval, Continuous or combined training groups. The athletes' performance was assessed through cooper 12 min run test, wall squat test and multiple sprint test using pre- and posttest interventions. MANOVA was performed using SPSS to determine the mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIS) between continuous, interval (CIS), and combined training, and the effect sizes were calculated. Results: All training methods significantly improved VO2max, strength endurance, and speed. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the interval and combined training during the VO2max test (MD = 0.2, P > 0.1). There was no significant difference between continuous and interval training during the posttests VO2max test. During the wall squat test, there was no significant difference between the training methods (p > 0.1). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the continuous and combined, training groups or between the interval and combined training groups at the level of the multiple sprint test (p = 1, MD = 0.53). However, there was a significant difference between the continuous and interval training groups on the multiple sprint test (P = 0.024, MD = -1.75), with an effect size was 0.356. Conclusion: Interval and combined training are better strategies than continuous training for improving athlete performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Introducción: El rendimiento en carrera se ve influido en gran medida por los métodos de entrenamiento, entre los que se incluyen el entrenamiento continuo, por intervalos y combinado. Sin embargo, no se ha identificado qué método de entrenamiento mejora mejor el rendimiento. Objetivo: Este estudio tenía como objetivo investigar cómo los métodos de entrenamiento continuo, por intervalos y combinado afectan al rendimiento en carreras de distancia. Métodos: Un total de treinta (n=30) atletas del Ethiopia Hotel Athletics Club fueron seleccionados como sujetos. Se incluyeron corredores entrenados sin lesiones previas. Las intervenciones duraron al menos 12 semanas, y los participantes fueron asignados a grupos de entrenamiento por intervalos, continuo o combinado. El rendimiento de los atletas se evaluó mediante la prueba de carrera de Cooper de 12 minutos, la prueba de sentadillas en la pared y la prueba de sprints múltiples mediante intervenciones antes y después de la prueba. Se realizó un MANOVA con SPSS para determinar la diferencia de medias con intervalos de confianza del 95% (CIS) entre el entrenamiento continuo, por intervalos (CIS) y combinado, y se calcularon los tamaños del efecto. Resultados: Todos los métodos de entrenamiento mejoraron significativamente el VO2máx, la resistencia a la fuerza y la velocidad. Además, no hubo diferencias significativas entre el entrenamiento a intervalos y el combinado durante la prueba de VO2máx (DM = 0,2, P > 0,1). No hubo diferencias significativas entre el entrenamiento continuo y el de intervalos durante la prueba de VO2máx postest. Durante la prueba de sentadilla de pared, no hubo diferencias significativas entre los métodos de entrenamiento (p > 0,1). Además, no hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos de entrenamiento continuo y combinado ni entre los grupos de entrenamiento por intervalos y combinado en la prueba de sprint múltiple (p = 1, DM = 0,53). Sin embargo, hubo una diferencia significativa entre los grupos de entrenamiento continuo y de intervalo en la prueba de sprint múltiple (p = 0,024, DM = -1,75), con un tamaño del efecto de 0,356. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento por intervalos y el entrenamiento combinado son mejores estrategias que el entrenamiento continuo para mejorar el rendimiento de los atleta
