Efficacy

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial complication in pregnancy. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and bacterial etiology of UTI during pregnancy and determine the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs in treating UTIs. METHODOLOGY: Urine specimens and clinical data were collected from pregnant women who attended primary health centers in Erbil, Iraq. All specimens were cultured on appropriate media and identified by standard microbiological methods...

INTRODUCTION: At the beginning in July 2023, there has been a significant increase in daily hospital admissions attributed to the new variant of COVID-19. Aim of this study is to explore the clinical benefits and outcomes of using linezolid in the management of pneumonic COVID-19 patients. METHODOLOGY: The study included 230 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR. Group 1: 118 patients were managed with Linazolid alongside steroids. Group 2: (control group) patients treated according to the Protocol for Egyptian COVID-19 management outlines and WHO guidelines (112 patients)...

Globally, traffic accidents on the highway network contribute significantly to a high fatality rate, drawing considerable attention from health institutions. The efficiency of transportation plays a vital role in mitigating the severe consequences of these incidents. This study delves into the issues of emergency vehicles experiencing delays despite having priority. Therefore, we construct mixed-integer linear programming with semi-soft time windows (MIPSSTW) model for optimizing emergency vehicle routing in highway incidents...

The paper presents an innovative computational framework for predictive solutions for simulating the spread of malaria. The structure incorporates sophisticated computing methods to improve the reliability of predicting malaria outbreaks. The study strives to provide a strong and effective tool for forecasting the propagation of malaria via the use of an AI-based recurrent neural network (RNN). The model is classified into two groups, consisting of humans and mosquitoes. To develop the model, the traditional Ross-Macdonald model is expanded upon, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of the intricate dynamics at play...

Cardiogenic shock (CS) occurs infrequently in pregnancy and has a high mortality rate. Medical treatment options are few, with limited evidence of efficacy. Temporary mechanical circulatory supports (tMCS) may play a key role in addressing this therapeutic lacuna. We report successfully managing second-trimester CS using an Impella 5.5 micro-axial pump. Our patient presented in the second-trimester with CS. Hemodynamic parameters indicated biventricular dysfunction (low cardiac index, low pulmonary artery pulsatility index)...

This study aims to determine, from the perspective of investors, the factors that predict Islamic unit trust (IUT) investment intentions. Additionally, this paper examines the moderating effect of fintech self-efficacy (FSE) on the relationship between attitude and investment intention. A total of 392 data were collected from IUT investors in Malaysia and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that subjective norms have the highest impact on investment intention, followed by attitude and FSE, while religiosity is not significantly associated with investment intention in Islamic unit trust funds...

There is a critical need for widespread information dissemination of agricultural best practices in Africa. Literacy, language and resource barriers often impede such information dissemination. Culturally and linguistically localized, computer-animated training videos placed on YouTube and promoted through paid advertising is a potential tool to help overcome these barriers. The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of reaching language-diverse populations in Africa using this new type of information dissemination channel...

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of forefoot defects often necessitates free tissue transfer due to the limited availability of local tissue. Microsurgical reconstruction of the forefoot remains challenging as it requires durable yet thin, soft tissue coverage for functional restoration. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of free thin perforator flaps for forefoot reconstruction, with a focus on functional outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent microsurgical forefoot reconstruction between March 2020 and September 2023 were reviewed...

Influenzavirus is among the most relevant candidates for a next pandemic. We review here the phylogeny of former influenza pandemics, and discuss candidate lineages. After briefly reviewing the other existing antiviral options, we discuss in detail the evidences supporting the efficacy of passive immunotherapies against influenzavirus, with a focus on convalescent plasma.

Positive reappraisal strategies have been found to reduce negative affect following the recall of negative personal events. This study examined the restorative effect of two mood-repair instructions (self-compassion vs benefit-focused reappraisal) and a control condition with no instructions following a negative Mood Induction Procedure by using the guided recall of a negative autobiographical event. A total of 112 university students participated in the online study (81% women, Mage: 21.0 years). Immediately following the negative memory recall, participants were randomised to each condition [(self-compassion: n  = 36, benefit-focused: n  = 39) or a control condition ( n  = 37)]...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Internet addiction (IA) has been identified as a major public health problem that is more prominent in adolescents and young adults. Some researchers have indicated certain advantages of family-based therapy over other treatments in participants with IA, but no conclusive evaluation has been reported. The present meta-analysis aims to review the efficacy of family-based therapy on Internet addiction in adolescents and young adults. METHODS: Relevant articles published from 1996 to February 15th, 2024, were searched from 14 databases, including three Chinese databases...

Despite the potential protective role of the gut microbiome against COVID-19, specific microbes conferring resistance to COVID-19 have not yet been identified. In this work, we aimed to identify and validate gut microbes at the species level that provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. To identify gut microbes conferring protection against COVID-19, we conducted a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from an individual with no history of COVID-19 infection or immunization into a lethal COVID-19 hamster model...

PURPOSE: To explore whether psychological factors are associated with ability to meet recommended physical activity thresholds after hip fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study of 216 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years after hip fracture (mean age 79 SD 7 years, 70% female). Multiple ordinal regression analysis determined factors associated with meeting physical activity thresholds related to positive health outcomes: 4,400 and 7,100 daily steps...

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, increasingly diagnosed in the United States, has a disheartening initial resection rate of 15%. Neoadjuvant therapy, particularly FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based regimens, is gaining favor for its potential to improve resectability rates and achieving microscopically negative margins (R0) in borderline resectable cases, marked by intricate arterial or venous involvement. Despite surgery being the sole curative approach, actual benefit of neoadjuvant therapy remains debatable. This study scrutinizes current literature on oncological outcomes post-resection of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer...

PURPOSE: Value-based health care (VBHC) argues that health-care needs to re-focus to maximise value creation, defining value as the quota when dividing the outcomes important for the patient, by the cost for health care to deliver such outcomes. This study aims to explore the perception of value among different stakeholders involved in the process of implementing VBHC at a Swedish hospital to support leaders to be more efficient and effective when developing health care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Participants comprised 19 clinicians and non-clinicians involved in the implementation of VBHC...

INTRODUCTION: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the existing published evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of the endovascular aortic repair with chimney technique (ch-EVAR) and physician-modified stent-grafts (PMSGs) for the treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysm repair. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic search of all relevant studies reported until October 2023 according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines was performed...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Cogmed Working Memory Training (Cogmed) in improving working memory (WM) and decision making (DM) in childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI), and any associated increases in functional outcomes such as academic achievement in mathematics, behavior, social skills, and quality of life. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial of the Cogmed (RM version) intervention for children with TBI. A total of 69 children post-TBI were screened for WM impairments, of which 31 eligible participants ( M age : 10...

This commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024) applauds their sensitive historical exploration of exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and balanced review of the strengths and weaknesses of that approach. I offer five points to expand on their contribution. (a) Stringent exposure therapy workforce requirements limit scalability, thus restricting access for the large number of patients in need of PTSD treatment. (b) There are additional non-trauma-focused approaches that show efficacy for PTSD...

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals ( hereafter people with minoritized sexual orientation and/or gender identities) have limited legal rights and access to resources because of their marginalized status in society. These limitations are associated with notable health disparities and increase experiences of minority stress. For those in a romantic relationship, being able to communicate and cope with one's partner-dyadic coping-can help buffer stress' deleterious effects on well-being. Given the promise of understanding how dyadic coping can mitigate experiences of sexual minority stress, the Dyadic Coping Inventory-Sexual Minority Stress (DCI-SMS) was recently created and validated with those living in the United States to assess how partners cope with sexual minority stress...

PURPOSE: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy for patients with shoulder joint diseases and is increasingly in demand. Traditional surgery faces challenges such as limited exposed surfaces and a narrow field of vision, leading to a shorter prosthesis lifespan and a higher risk of complications. In this study, an optical navigation system was proposed to assist surgeons in real-time tracking of the surgical scene. METHODS: Our optical navigation system was developed using the NDI Polaris Spectra device and several open-source platforms...