30 research outputs found
Positive Psychology:to what extent does contemporary research support the effectiveness of happiness hacks
No full textEvery self-help author, positive psychologist and meditation guru wants people to believe they have the secret to happiness. In recent decades, large volumes of research have been conducted on happiness, particularly regarding the interventions and activities that can supposedly improve people’s happiness. This paper provides a review of this literature, critically evaluating the effectiveness of different happiness interventions. In addition, the paper delineates reasons for being cautious regarding interventions that claim to lead to lasting changes in happiness, delving into some of the psychological barriers to happiness, and the reasons many people struggle to experience and maintain a positive mood. The focus here will be on social comparison, competition, psychological pain and hedonic adaptation. With regard to happiness interventions, the effectiveness of meditation and mindfulness, nature exposure, social interaction and gratitude will be critically evaluated. The paper aims to use scientific evidence to determine which interventions are more useful (in terms of impact and practicality) for improving feelings of happiness. It also aims to identify happiness hacks that may be in need of further research prior to drawing conclusions regarding their effectiveness. Research found a potential for happiness hacks to overcome evolutionary barriers to happiness. However, many of these lack objective measures thus must be approached with caution; and so with further research, greater insight can be gained into positive psychology methodologies. Therefore, individuals can make more informed decisions of which hacks to invest their time and money into
Positive Psychology:to what extent does contemporary research support the effectiveness of happiness hacks
No full textEvery self-help author, positive psychologist and meditation guru wants people to believe they have the secret to happiness. In recent decades, large volumes of research have been conducted on happiness, particularly regarding the interventions and activities that can supposedly improve people’s happiness. This paper provides a review of this literature, critically evaluating the effectiveness of different happiness interventions. In addition, the paper delineates reasons for being cautious regarding interventions that claim to lead to lasting changes in happiness, delving into some of the psychological barriers to happiness, and the reasons many people struggle to experience and maintain a positive mood. The focus here will be on social comparison, competition, psychological pain and hedonic adaptation. With regard to happiness interventions, the effectiveness of meditation and mindfulness, nature exposure, social interaction and gratitude will be critically evaluated. The paper aims to use scientific evidence to determine which interventions are more useful (in terms of impact and practicality) for improving feelings of happiness. It also aims to identify happiness hacks that may be in need of further research prior to drawing conclusions regarding their effectiveness. Research found a potential for happiness hacks to overcome evolutionary barriers to happiness. However, many of these lack objective measures thus must be approached with caution; and so with further research, greater insight can be gained into positive psychology methodologies. Therefore, individuals can make more informed decisions of which hacks to invest their time and money into
Barriers to the delivery of diabetes care in the Middle East and South Africa: A survey of 1,082 practising physicians in five countries
No full textAims Developing countries face a high and growing burden of type 2 diabetes. We surveyed physicians in a diverse range of countries in the Middle East and Africa (Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Lebanon) with regard to their perceptions of barriers to type 2 diabetes care identified as potentially important in the literature and by the authors. Methods One thousand and eighty-two physicians completed a questionnaire developed by the authors. Results Most physicians enroled in the study employed guideline-driven care; 80-100percent of physicians prescribed metformin (with lifestyle intervention, where there are no contraindications) for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, with lifestyle intervention alone used where metformin was not prescribed. Sulfonylureas were prescribed widely, consistent with the poor economic status of many patients. About one quarter of physicians were not undertaking any form of continuing medical education, and relatively low proportions of practices had their own diabetes educators, dieticians or diabetic foot specialists. Physicians identified the deficiencies of their patients (unhealthy lifestyles, lack of education and poor diet) as the most important barriers to optimal diabetes care. Low-treatment compliance was not ranked highly. Access to physicians did not appear to be a problem, as most patients were seen multiple times per year. Conclusions Physicians in the Middle East and South Africa identified limitations relating to their patients as the main barrier to delivering care for diabetes, without giving high priority to issues relating to processes of care delivery. Further study would be needed to ascertain whether these findings reflect an unduly physician-centred view of their practice. More effective provision of services relating to the prevention of complications and improved lifestyles may be needed. Linked Comment: Flinders et al. Int J Clin Pract 2013; 67: 1074-5. © 2013 John Wiley and Sons Ltd.Abdoli S, 2011, INT J NURS PRACT, V17, P289, DOI 10.1111-j.1440-172X.2011.01937.x; Al-Maatouq M, 2010, INT J CLIN PRACT, V64, P149, DOI 10.1111-j.1742-1241.2009.02235.x; Al-Saeedi M, 2002, SAUDI MED J, V23, P1243; American Diabetes Association, 2013, DIABETES CARE S1, V36, pS11, DOI DOI 10.2337-DC13-S011; [Anonymous], 2006, HLTH SYST PROF; Asche C, 2011, CLIN THER, V33, P74, DOI 10.1016-j.clinthera.2011.01.019; Clinical Guidelines Task Force, 2005, GLOB GUID TYP 2 DIAB; Delamater AM, 2006, CLIN DIABETES, V24, P71, DOI DOI 10.2337-DIACLIN.24.2.71; Farsaei S, 2011, J RES MED SCI, V16, P43; Hammer JS, 2547 WORLD BANK DEV; International Diabetes Federation, E ATL DIAB; International Diabetes Federation, 2012, GLOB GUID TYP 2 DIAB; Inzucchi SE, 2012, DIABETES CARE, V35, P1364, DOI [10.2337-dc12-0413, 10.2337-dc12-041.3]; Lamchahab F. Z., 2011, Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, V54, P359, DOI 10.1016-j.rehab.2011.07.004; Nam S, 2011, DIABETES RES CLIN PR, V93, P1, DOI 10.1016-j.diabres.2011.02.002; Nathan DM, 2009, DIABETES CARE, V32, P193, DOI 10.2337-dc08-9025; Reed R L, 2001, Arch Physiol Biochem, V109, P272, DOI 10.1076-apab.109.3.272.11591; Sharaf Fawzy, 2010, Int J Health Sci (Qassim), V4, P139; Society for Endocrinology, TYP 2 GUID; Soliman AR, 2012, RENAL FAILURE, V34, P425, DOI 10.3109-0886022X.2011.649671; Zgibor JC, 2001, DIABETES SPECTRUM, V14, P23, DOI 10.2337-diaspect.14.1.23; Zolfaghari M, 2012, J CLIN NURS, V21, P1922, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2702.2011.03951.x0
Data on clinical significance of second trimester inflammatory biomarkers in the amniotic fluid in predicting preterm delivery
No full textAbstractIn this article second trimester amniotic fluid biomarkers are measured for correlation with preterm delivery. One additional milliliter of amniotic fluid is collected during amniocentesis for dosages of IL-6, MMP-9, CRP and glucose levels, along with maternal serum CRP and glucose. MMP-9 and Il-6 levels were measured with the corresponding Human QuantikineR ELISA Kit (R&D systems) according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Cut-off values for AF MMP-9 and IL-6 were fixed by the kit sensitivity thresholds.Data includes ROC curves for glucose (Fig. 1), IL-6 (Fig. 2) and MMP-9 (Fig. 3), aiming to search for sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of premature delivery. Statistical analyses are performed with SPSS v20.0 software. Statistical significance is determined using the Mann–Whitney and one way ANOVA test. The association with preterm delivery is performed using a two proportions test. Correlations are measured using the Pearson׳’s coefficient. A p value<0.05 is considered statistically significant. The data is presented in the figures provided. Data relied on a previous publication “Prediction of preterm delivery by second trimester inflammatory biomarkers in the amniotic fluid” (A. Kesrouani, E. Chalhoub, E. El Rassy, M. Germanos, A. Khazzaka, J. Rizkallah, E. Attieh, N. Aouad, 2016) [1]
Barriers to the delivery of optimal antidiabetic therapy in the Middle East and Africa
No full textBackground The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide, but developing nations will bear a disproportionate share of this burden. Countries in the Middle East and Africa are in a state of transition, where marked disparities of income and access to education and healthcare exist, and where the relatively young populations are being exposed increasingly to processes of urbanisation and adverse changes in diet that are fuelling the diabetes epidemic. Optimising diabetes care in these nations is crucial, to minimise the future burden of complications of diabetes. Methods We have reviewed the barriers to effective diabetes care with special relevance to countries in this region. Results The effects of antidiabetic treatments themselves are unlikely to differ importantly in the region compared with elsewhere, but economic inequalities within countries restrict access to newer treatments, in particular. Values relating to family life and religion are important modifiers of the physician-patient interaction. Also, a lack of understanding of diabetes and its treatments by both physicians and patients requires more and better diabetes education, delivered by suitably qualified health educators. Finally, sub-optimal processes for delivery of care have contributed to a lack of proper provision of testing and follow-up of patients in many countries. Conclusion Important barriers to the delivery of optimal diabetes care exist in the Middle East and Africa. © 2014 John Wiley and Sons Ltd.Abdelmoneim I, 2002, East Mediterr Health J, V8, P18; Abdoli S, 2011, INT J NURS PRACT, V17, P289, DOI 10.1111-j.1440-172X.2011.01937.x; Abou El-Enein N. Y., 2008, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, V14, P636; Abueleinen Khaled Gamal Ibraheem, 2011, Clin Ophthalmol, V5, P1593, DOI 10.2147-OPTH.S21765; Afandi B, 2006, ANN NY ACAD SCI, V1084, P319, DOI 10.1196-annals.1372.017; Aflakseir A, 2012, J DIABETES, V4, P243, DOI 10.1111-j.1753-0407.2012.00183.x; Ageely HM, 2009, HARM REDUCT J, V6, DOI 10.1186-1477-7517-6-11; Ahmedani MY, 2012, DIABETIC MED, V29, P709, DOI 10.1111-j.1464-5491.2011.03563.x; Akel M, 1999, INT J QUAL HEALTH C, V11, P517, DOI 10.1093-intqhc-11.6.517; Alavi NM, 2011, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, V11, DOI 10.1186-1471-2458-11-761; Alberti Hugh, 2007, BMC Fam Pract, V8, P63, DOI 10.1186-1471-2296-8-63; Alberti H, 2009, PAN AFR MED J, V22, P2; Al-Daghri NM, 2010, ADV MED SCI-POLAND, V55, P179, DOI 10.2478-v10039-010-0052-1; Al-Dubai SAR, 2010, J OCCUP HEALTH, V52, P58; Al-Elq AH, 2009, SAUDI MED J, V30, P1551; Al-Hazzaa HM, 2011, INT J BEHAV NUTR PHY, V8, DOI 10.1186-1479-5868-8-140; Ali HI, 2010, HEALTH SOC CARE COMM, V18, P219, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2524.2009.00896.x; Ali WM, 2011, CIRCULATION, V124, P2681, DOI 10.1161-CIRCULATIONAHA.111.039768; Aljasem LI, 2001, DIABETES EDUCATOR, V27, P393, DOI 10.1177-014572170102700309; Al-Khaldi YM, 2000, SAUDI MED J, V21, P838; Al-Maatouq M, 2010, INT J CLIN PRACT, V64, P149, DOI 10.1111-j.1742-1241.2009.02235.x; Almaatouq Mohamed A, 2012, Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes, V5, P109, DOI 10.2147-DMSO.S23261; Almahmeed W, 2012, THER CLIN RISK MANAG, V8, P65, DOI 10.2147-TCRM.S26414; Al-Saeedi M, 2003, East Mediterr Health J, V9, P99; Al-Saeedi M, 2002, SAUDI MED J, V23, P1243; Asche C, 2011, CLIN THER, V33, P74, DOI 10.1016-j.clinthera.2011.01.019; Baghianimoghadam M H, 2009, Acta Med Indones, V41, P175; Bawadi HA, 2012, CLIN NUTR, V31, P250, DOI 10.1016-j.clnu.2011.09.014; Bradshaw D, 2002, SAMJ S AFR MED J, V92, P618; Bruno G, 2011, TRANSPL P, V43, P327, DOI 10.1016-j.transproceed.2010.09.098; Bulatova NR, 2007, THROMB RES, V121, P43, DOI 10.1016-j.thromres.2007.03.006; Cramer JA, 2008, INT J CLIN PRACT, V62, P76, DOI 10.1111-j.1742-1241.2007.01630.x; Daniels A, 2000, S AFR MED J, V90, P1206; El Din M, 2009, J EGYPT PUBLIC HLTH, V84, P1; El-Shazly M, 2002, PUBLIC HEALTH, V116, P289, DOI 10.1038-sj.ph.1900855; Farsaei S, 2011, J RES MED SCI, V16, P43; Haque M, 2005, SAMJ S AFR MED J, V95, P798; Herman WH, 1998, DIABETIC MED, V15, P1045, DOI 10.1002-(SICI)1096-9136(1998120)15:121045::AID-DIA6963.3.CO;2-C; Hong JS, 2011, MED CARE, V49, P378, DOI 10.1097-MLR.0b013e31820292d1; Ibrahim Nahla Khamis R, 2010, J Family Community Med, V17, P121, DOI 10.4103-1319-1683.74325; International Diabetes Federation, GLOB GUID MAN TYP 2; International Diabetes Federation, INT DIAB FED E ATL D; Kagee A, 2007, J HEALTH PSYCHOL, V12, P444, DOI 10.1177-1359105307076232; Khalaf AJ, 2010, BMC COMPLEM ALTERN M, V10, DOI 10.1186-1472-6882-10-35; Khattab M S, 1999, East Mediterr Health J, V5, P755; Khoza S R, 1995, Curationis, V18, P10; Lamchahab F. Z., 2011, Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, V54, P359, DOI 10.1016-j.rehab.2011.07.004; Mahfouz EM, 2011, CENT EUR J PUBL HEAL, V19, P35; Mansour Abbas Ali, 2008, Confl Health, V2, P7, DOI 10.1186-1752-1505-2-7; Mayosi BM, 2009, LANCET, V374, P934, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(09)61087-4; Midhet FM, 2010, SAUDI MED J, V31, P768; Moharram MM, 2008, SAUDI MED J, V29, P98; Morowatisharifabad MA, 2010, INT J DIABETES DEV C, V30, P27, DOI 10.4103-0973-3930.60009; Nasir LS, 2006, PATIENT EDUC COUNS, V60, P142, DOI 10.1016-j.pec.2004.12.006; Nathan DM, 2009, DIABETES CARE, V32, P193, DOI 10.2337-dc08-9025; Pladevall M, 2004, DIABETES CARE, V27, P2800, DOI 10.2337-diacare.27.12.2800; Puoane T, 2010, ETHNIC DIS, V20, P29; Reed R L, 2001, Arch Physiol Biochem, V109, P272, DOI 10.1076-apab.109.3.272.11591; Rotchford AP, 2002, SAMJ S AFR MED J, V92, P536; Saadi H, 2007, DIABETES RES CLIN PR, V78, P369, DOI 10.1016-j.diabres.2007.04.008; Serour M, 2007, BRIT J GEN PRACT, V57, P291; Sharaf Fawzy, 2010, Int J Health Sci (Qassim), V4, P139; Sherman BW, 2011, AM J MANAG CARE, V17, P729; Soliman AR, 2012, RENAL FAILURE, V34, P425, DOI 10.3109-0886022X.2011.649671; Vorster HH, 2005, PUBLIC HEALTH NUTR, V8, P480, DOI 10.1079-PHN2005784; Wens Johan, 2005, BMC Fam Pract, V6, P20, DOI 10.1186-1471-2296-6-20; World Health Organisation (WHO), WORLD HLTH STAT 2009; Yekta Zahra, 2011, Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes, V4, P393, DOI 10.2147-DMSO.S27050; Yu AP, 2010, VALUE HEALTH, V13, P1038, DOI 10.1111-j.1524-4733.2010.00787.x; Zolfaghari M, 2012, J CLIN NURS, V21, P1922, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2702.2011.03951.x11
Physical activity in adults with and without diabetes: From the 'high-risk' approach to the 'population-based' approach of prevention
No full textBackground: The prevalence rates of physical inactivity and diabetes in the MENA region are among the highest in the world. However, studies that focus on factors that influence the pattern of physical activity in the region remain very scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity in the general population and among subjects with and without diabetes in Lebanon, a small middle-income country in the MENA region. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional nation-wide study of 2,195 randomly selected adults aged 25 years and older. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire based on the WHO-STEPwise guidelines. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Type 2 diabetes risk factors examined were age ≥ 45 years, BMI ≥ 25 kg-m§ssup§2§esup§, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease and family history of diabetes. Results: Close to 10percent of adults with diabetes were physically active versus 23·4percent without diabetes. Prevalence rates of physical activity declined consistently as the number of diabetes risk factors increased. Odds ratios for physical activity were lower among the educated (0.75, 95percent CI= 0.57-0.98), those who owned at least one car (0.71, 95percent CI= 0.57-0.88) and those who resided in the capital city (0.62, 95percent CI 0.47-0.83). Health professionals gave 'advice to exercise' most to patients with or at highest risk for diabetes, and these were more likely to engage in physical activity than those without diabetes receiving the same advice, net of the effect of other covariates (OR=3.68 and 1.17, respectively). Conclusions: The inverse associations between physical activity and SES indicators suggest a negative influence of urbanization on activity levels of Lebanese adults. The missed opportunity for clinical primary preventive services for the majority non-diabetic population calls for population-based public health approaches that promote physical activity as a routine lifestyle in the general population. © 2013 Sibai et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Sibai Abla-Mehio, 2008, CVD Prevention and Control, V3, DOI 10.1016-j.precon.2007.06.002; Ainsworth BE, 2006, MED SCI SPORT EXER, V38, P1584, DOI 10.1249-01.mss.0000229457.73333.9a; Al Ali R, 2011, INT J PUBLIC HEALTH, V56, P653, DOI 10.1007-s00038-011-0278-0; Al-Hazzaa HM, 2007, PUBLIC HEALTH NUTR, V10, P59, DOI 10.1017-S1368980007184299; Al-Tannir M, 2009, J PHYS ACT HEALTH, V6, P315; American Diabetes Association, 2003, DIABETES CARE S1, V26, pS21, DOI DOI 10.2337-DIACARE.26.2007.S21; Sherwin RS, 2002, DIABETES CARE, V25, P742; [Anonymous], 2005, GUIDELINES DATA PROC; Assah FK, 2011, DIABETES CARE, V34, P491, DOI 10.2337-dc10-0990; Badran M, 2012, INT J ENDOCRINOL, DOI 10.1155-2012-902873; Bauman A, 2011, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V65, P35, DOI 10.1136-jech.2008.086710; Bauman A, 2009, INT J BEHAV NUTR PHY, V9, P21, DOI DOI 10.1186-1479-5868-6-21; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996, SURG GEN REP PHYS AC; Dumith SC, 2011, PREV MED, V53, P24, DOI 10.1016-j.ypmed.2011.02.017; Gidlow C., 2006, HLTH ED J, V65, P338, DOI 10.1177-0017896906069378; Hagstromer M, 2006, PUBLIC HEALTH NUTR, V9, P755, DOI 10.1079-PHN2005898; HALABI S, 1992, INT J EPIDEMIOL, V21, P607, DOI 10.1093-ije-21.3.607; Hallal PC, 2012, LANCET, V380, P247, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(12)60646-1; International Diabetes Foundation, 2011, RAT DIAB MIDDL E DOU; Kohl HW, 2012, LANCET, V380, P294, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(12)60898-8; Lee IM, 2012, LANCET, V380, P219, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(12)61031-9; Luke A, 2011, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, V11, DOI 10.1186-1471-2458-11-387; Mabry RM, 2010, OBES REV, V11, P457, DOI 10.1111-j.1467-789X.2009.00655.x; Sibai AM, 2011, ANN NUTR METAB, V57, P193, DOI 10.1159-000321527; Merom D, 2012, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, V12, DOI 10.1186-1471-2458-12-90; Morrato EH, 2007, DIABETES CARE, V30, P203, DOI 10.2337-dc06-1128; MORRIS JN, 1953, LANCET, V265, P1053; Nasreddine L., 2012, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, V12; Okura Y, 2004, J CLIN EPIDEMIOL, V57, P1096, DOI 10.1016-j.jclinepi.2004.04.005; Papathanasiou George, 2009, Hellenic J Cardiol, V50, P283; Resnick HE, 2006, DIABETES CARE, V29, P531, DOI 10.2337-diacare.29.03.06.dc05-1254; Sibai AM, 2001, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V55, P271, DOI 10.1136-jech.55.4.271; Sibai AM, 2003, OBES RES, V11, P1353, DOI 10.1038-oby.2003.183; Thomas N, 2004, POSTGRAD MED J, V80, P287, DOI 10.1136-pgmj.2003.010553; Tisnado DM, 2006, MED CARE, V44, P132, DOI 10.1097-01.mlr.0000196952.15921.bf; Tohme RA, 2005, J HUM HYPERTENS, V19, P861, DOI 10.1038-sj.jhh.1001909; Trost SG, 2002, MED SCI SPORT EXER, V34, P1996, DOI 10.1249-01.MSS.0000038974.76900.9222
Low-quality protein modulates inflammatory markers and the response to lipopolysaccharide insult: the case of lysine
No full textThe relationship between non-communicable diseases and eating behaviour has long been attributed to a surplus of food and energy. However, the increase in the prevalence of non-communicable disease and their underlying low-grade inflammatory milieu among people of low socio-economic status has highlighted the existence of a confounding factor. In this work, we aim to study the effect of lysine deficiency on some inflammatory markers in the absence or presence of an inflammatory insult (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). For this purpose, thirty-two 5-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly distributed into four groups: (1) control diet, (2) control diet+LPS, (3) lysine-deficient diet and (4) lysine-deficient diet + LPS. Groups were only allowed their experimental diets for 4 weeks, during which LPS (50 g/kg) or saline injections were administered intraperitoneally three times per week. The study showed that lysine deficiency blunted growth and body compartments development, decreased albumin production and elevated liver C-reactive protein (CRP) expression, independently of IL-6 and IL-1β, the main precursors of CRP. Also, the insufficient levels of lysine in the diet increased hyperactivity and triggered an anxiety-like behaviour, exacerbated with LPS. This work presents evidence that various physiological changes are associated with the absence of a sufficient amount of lysine in the diet and can potentially increase the risk factor for diseases. Thus, the increment in non-communicable disease among the low socio-economic status populations, who heavily rely on cereals as a main source of protein, can be, at least partially, blamed on low lysine availability in diets. © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society
Value of sagittal fat-suppressed proton-density fast-spin-echo of the knee joint as a limited protocol in evaluating internal knee derangements
No full textPurpose: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy and observer agreement in the assessment of internal knee derangement using sagittal fat-suppressed proton-density fast-spin-echo (FS PD-FSE) compared with combined sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo, dual-proton-density, and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences and with arthroscopy. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients undergoing routine knee magnetic resonance (MR) imaging had additional imaging with sagittal FS PD-FSE sequences. Menisci, cruciate ligaments, extensor tendons (ETs), bone marrow, osteoarthritic changes, soft tissue edema, joint effusion, and incidental tumors were analyzed. Magnetic resonance images were independently reviewed by 2 radiologists. Fifty patients underwent knee arthroscopy. Statistical analysis compared both imaging protocols with each other and with arthroscopy. Intrareader and interreader agreements were evaluated using κ analysis. Both protocols were compared with arthroscopy. Results: Intrareader agreement was very high except for readings of the posterior cruciate ligament, ETs, and cartilage. Intrareader agreement did not differ significantly between the 2 readers except for ETs, bone marrow, and cartilage. Interreader percent agreements were high using both protocols and were not significantly different between the 2 readers except for posterior cruciate ligament. Compared with arthroscopy, both methods showed almost identical results regarding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, except for cartilage where FS PD-FSE had increased sensitivity, whereas the combined protocol had increased specificity. Conclusions: Sagittal FS PD-FSE is comparable to our regular MR protocol in assessing internal knee derangement with an overall agreement of at least 93percent on all sites except cartilage. It was also comparable to arthroscopy in assessing the cruciate ligaments and menisci, but had a low specificity for cartilaginous derangements. It can replace our 3 sagittal series comprising T1- and T2-weighted and proton-density-spin-echo sequences, hence saving time and cost. Copyright © 2011 by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.Arndt WF, 1996, AM J ROENTGENOL, V166, P119; Bredella MA, 1999, AM J ROENTGENOL, V172, P1073; Cheung LP, 1997, RADIOLOGY, V203, P508; DESMET AA, 1993, AM J ROENTGENOL, V161, P101; Disler DG, 1997, AM J ROENTGENOL, V169, P1117; Duc SR, 2008, RADIOLOGY, V246, P526, DOI [10.1148-radiol.2462062092, 10.1148-radio1.2462062092]; Duc SR, 2007, RADIOLOGY, V245, P216, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2451060990; Duc SR, 2007, RADIOLOGY, V243, P475, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2432060274; ELKHOURY GY, 1992, RADIOLOGY, V184, P849; Fayad LM, 2003, SKELETAL RADIOL, V32, P639, DOI 10.1007-s00256-003-0694-1; Gold GE, 2006, RADIOLOGY, V240, P546, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2402050288; Ha TPT, 1998, AM J ROENTGENOL, V170, P1215; KAPELOV SR, 1993, RADIOLOGY, V189, P901; Khanna AJ, 2000, RADIOLOGY, V217, P188; Khoury NJ, 2003, SKELETAL RADIOL, V32, P567, DOI 10.1007-s00256-003-0671-8; Kijowski R, 2009, RADIOLOGY, V252, P486, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2523090028; Kijowski R, 2006, RADIOLOGY, V238, P943, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2382050122; Kijowski R, 2009, RADIOLOGY, V250, P839, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2503080822; Kijowski R, 2009, RADIOLOGY, V251, P185, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2511081133; Lal NR, 2000, CAN ASSOC RADIOL J, V51, P182; Magee T, 2002, SKELETAL RADIOL, V31, P686, DOI 10.1007-s00256-002-0579-8; McCauley TR, 1998, RADIOLOGY, V209, P629; McNally EG, 2001, SKELETAL RADIOL, V30, P484; MIROWITZ SA, 1994, AM J ROENTGENOL, V162, P215; Mohr A, 2003, SKELETAL RADIOL, V32, P396, DOI 10.1007-s00256-003-0635-z; Pui MH, 1996, SKELETAL RADIOL, V25, P149; QUINN SF, 1991, RADIOLOGY, V181, P843; Recht MP, 2005, AM J ROENTGENOL, V185, P899, DOI 10.2214-AJR.05.0099; RECHT MP, 1993, RADIOLOGY, V187, P473; Rodriguez William Jr, 2008, AJR Am J Roentgenol, V191, P1031, DOI 10.2214-AJR.07.2921; Roemer FW, 2005, EUR RADIOL, V15, P978, DOI 10.1007-s00330-004-2608-6; Rubin D A, 2000, Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am, V8, P243; Schaefer FKW, 2006, EUR J RADIOL, V58, P411, DOI 10.1016-j.ejrad.2005.12.034; Schafer FKW, 2006, ACTA RADIOL, V47, P385, DOI 10.1080-02841850600570482; SONIN AH, 1995, RADIOGRAPHICS, V15, P367; Stabler A, 2000, EUR RADIOL, V10, P230, DOI 10.1007-s003300050039; Vasanawala SS, 2005, AM J ROENTGENOL, V184, P1450; Wolff AB, 2009, SKELETAL RADIOL, V38, P21, DOI 10.1007-s00256-008-0561-1; Yoshioka H, 2004, RADIOLOGY, V231, P31, DOI 10.1148-radiol.2311020453; Zanetti M, 2000, RADIOLOGY, V215, P835; Zanetti M, 2003, AM J ROENTGENOL, V181, P6350
Road versus roadside particle size distribution in a hot Mediterranean summer-Estimation of fleet emission factors
No full textParticle size distribution at major on-road, roadside, and university-ground sites in Lebanon were studied in summer 2011. In a predominant old traffic fleet, it is shown that calculated PM2.5 mass emission factors (EFs) conform to those of heavy duty vehicles. When compared to roads in California, higher PM2.5 mass but similar particle number EFs are obtained for the average fleet of the on-road sites. This confirms the observed particle size distribution pattern, rich in particles in the accumulation range mainly between 0.425 and 0.675 μm with a prevalent peak at 0.475 μm. Corresponding total particle counts (TC) measured on the roadside are as high as 14,050 particles-cm3 and are up to 67percent higher than particle counts measured at the university-ground site. In a hot, dry and humid summer weather with consistent temperature oscillations, particle dispersion is shown to be a function of meteorological factors, mainly the effect of the boundary-layer thickness, with particle counts measured during the morning being around 40percent higher than particle counts measured during the afternoon.In a hot and humid Mediterranean summer, high emission factors are associated with an old car fleet. The observed diurnal variation in the particle count is attributed to the change in the thickness boundary layer in summer. In comparison to road sites, the particle size distribution shows the prevalence of larger size particles. Particle counts measured at the roadside sites are at least 20percent higher than those of the road sites. The findings call for the reinforcement of local regulations on car age. 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Novel Bioinformatics-Based Approach for Proteomic Biomarkers Prediction of Calpain-2 &caspase-3 Protease Fragmentation: Application to βII-Spectrin Protein
No full textThe crucial biological role of proteases has been visible with the development of degradomics discipline involved in the determination of the proteases/substrates resulting in breakdown-products (BDPs) that can be utilized as putative biomarkers associated with different biological-clinical significance. In the field of cancer biology, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have shown to result in MMPs-generated protein BDPs that are indicative of malignant growth in cancer, while in the field of neural injury, calpain-2 and caspase-3 proteases generate BDPs fragments that are indicative of different neural cell death mechanisms in different injury scenarios. Advanced proteomic techniques have shown a remarkable progress in identifying these BDPs experimentally. In this work, we present a bioinformatics-based prediction method that identifies protease-associated BDPs with high precision and efficiency. The method utilizes state-of-the-art sequence matching and alignment algorithms. It starts by locating consensus sequence occurrences and their variants in any set of protein substrates, generating all fragments resulting from cleavage. The complexity exists in space O(mn) as well as in O(Nmn) time, where N, m, and n are the number of protein sequences, length of the consensus sequence, and length per protein sequence, respectively. Finally, the proposed methodology is validated against βII-spectrin protein, a brain injury validated biomarker. © 2017 The Author(s)
