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Prevalence, risk factors, and treatment methods of thirst in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) experience various symptoms and discomfort. Although thirst is a typical distressing symptom and should be assessed daily, it is crucial to understand its prevalence and risk factors in the ICU setting. Nevertheless, currently, systematic reviews of prevalence and risk factors are lacking. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of thirst in critically ill patients. We conducted a comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases. The study design included cohort, cross-sectional, and intervention studies, including randomized and non-randomized controlled trials with control groups. The point estimates from each study were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis model. We aggregated the prevalence of thirst in ICU patients and calculated the point estimates and 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Fifteen studies were eligible for inclusion, of which seven reported the prevalence of thirst. A total of 2,204 patients were combined, with a prevalence estimate of 0.70. The risk factors for thirst were categorized as patient and treatment factors: four patient factors (e.g., serum sodium concentration and severity of illness) and six treatment factors (e.g., nil per os and use of diuretics) were identified. However, the results showed high heterogeneity in the prevalence of thirst among critically ill patients. It was established that 70% of critically ill patients experienced thirst. Additional investigations are required to obtain a more comprehensive overview of thirst among these patients. Systematic review registration number The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023428619) on June 6, 2023. (URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk)
Differences in muscle morphology assessed by ultrasound at various muscle regions and their impact on voluntary and involuntary force production
Abstract The primary aim of this study was to investigate how measurements from different regions along the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) influence muscle morphology, including muscle thickness (MT), muscle stiffness, and muscle quality. An exploratory aim was to examine whether an association exists between voluntary and involuntary force and muscle morphology across the same regions. In one session, participants (n = 13) underwent ultrasound imaging (US), followed by knee extension maximal isometric voluntary contractions and evoked contractions. US recordings (at rest) and testing were conducted while participants were seated at 90º knee flexion (dominant leg) on an isokinetic dynamometer. Muscle morphology was recorded at proximal, medial, and distal regions of RF and VL. During maximum contractions, participants were instructed to exert maximal effort as fast and as forcefully as possible for 5 s, while evoked contractions were performed via femoral nerve stimulation. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for the main aim, while Spearman bivariate correlations were used for the exploratory aim. The primary findings showed that the RF and VL muscles were significantly larger in the medial region (P ≤ 0.023), with no significant differences in muscle quality or stiffness within the same muscle. Additionally, a significant overall relationship was observed between muscle quality and the rate of force development in both muscles (P ≤ 0.037). In conclusion, muscle size varies across the length of the VL and RF muscles, with no changes in muscle quality or stiffness. Furthermore, muscle quality demonstrates a significant association with rate of force development.
Retraction: Measuring convergence in the sugarcane industry in China’s Guangxi province
Impact of various drying technologies for evaluation of drying kinetics, energy consumption, physical and bioactive properties of Rose flower
Abstract The process after harvesting medicinal plants, such as drying, is very important in the production cycle of these plants. The study’s objective is to evaluate the effect of different drying methods on some thermodynamic properties, qualitative and bioactive attributes, and yield of rose essential oil in form of a completely randomized design. The treatments of this study included drying in refractance window (RW), infrared (IR), and convective (CV) at three drying temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C, as well as fresh plants. The results showed that different drying methods and temperatures significantly affected the essential oil, thermodynamic, qualitative, bioactive, and yield characteristics. The lowest drying time, energy consumption, and the highest energy efficiency and rehydration ratio in the dried rose samples were related to the drying temperature of 70 °C in the RW method. The reduction of drying time by RW method compared to IR and CV methods was between 11.1–21.40 and 45.9–50%, respectively. The highest amount of antioxidant activity, total phenol, flavonoid and essential oil yield was observed in the RW drying method and at the drying temperature of 60 °C. This study showed that compared to other drying methods, the RW method showed a high quality in drying Rose flowers.
Retraction: A study on interannual change features of soil salinity of cotton field with drip irrigation under mulch in Southern Xinjiang
International expert consensus on the current status and future prospects of artificial intelligence in metabolic and bariatric surgery
Removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater by chelating resin supported Fe/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles: Characterization, performance and mechanisms
In this work, Bimetallic Fe/Cu nanoparticles were successfully stabilized by chelating resin, which was specifically employed for the remediation of hexavalent chromium contaminated wastewater. Based on the characterization results, it was observed that the Fe/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were uniformly and well distributed on the surface of the resin DOW M4195. The results demonstrated that the supported bimetallic Fe/Cu nanoparticles exhibited an excellent performance for Cr(VI) removal efficiency, reaching up to 99.4%. A series of factors, including initial pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI), co-exciting ions and humic acid were systematically evaluated to ascertain their respective impacts on Cr(VI) removal. The kinetics study followed intra-particle diffusion model demonstrated that both the adsorption and diffusion processes of Cr(VI) by the DOW M4195 resin played an important role in the overall removal of Cr(VI). The analytical results derived from XPS spectra at specific reaction times revealed the underlying removal mechanism of Cr(VI): Cr(VI) was adsorbed onto M-Fe/Cu due to the rich porous structure of the chelating resin DOW M4195. Additionally, the presence of the second metal, Cu, was found to significantly enhance the reduction performance of Fe0 and Fe(II) during the Cr(VI) removal process. The Cr(VI) removal mechanism was determined to involve a combination of physical adsorption, redox reactions and co-precipitation.
Author Correction: Clinical spectrum of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia in individuals of Korean ancestry
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptability in Ghana: An urban-based population study
Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy is a complex health challenge characterized by a delay in the acceptance or refusal of the vaccination with context-specific determinants. Our study, therefore, assessed the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among urban dwellers in the Central Region, of Ghana. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between September and November, 2022 using a multi-stage cluster sampling procedure among 377 participants. A modified World Health Organization pretested paper-based questionnaire was administered to study participants. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out and results were summarized into frequencies, percentages, tables, and charts for clarity. A conventional p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study revealed that COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 20.0% (76/377) and vaccine hesitancy was 80.0% (301/377). Out of the 377 participants, their socio-demographic characteristics showed that the majority were below 25 years 53.8% (203/377), [vaccine acceptance; 36.84% (28/76) vs vaccine hesitancy; 58.14% (175/301)], and females 50.1% (189/377), [vaccine acceptance; 56.58% (43/76) vs vaccine hesitancy; 48.50% (146/301)]. Common reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy included mistrust of the source of the vaccine, personal belief and experience, mistrust of the drug development process, mistrust in the health system, and mistrust of the pharmaceutical company. Age above 25 years, female, educational levels, senior high school and above, being employed, and hearing of new vaccine had a significance influence on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was low with high vaccine hesitancy among participants. The study’s findings highlights the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy through building trust in the vaccine development processes, including the provision of accurate information about the vaccine safety and efficacy. Resolving concerns related to the source of the vaccine and the overall healthcare system are important to address vaccine hesitancy. Policy makers could adopt tailored interventions targeting specific demographic groups, such as the younger population and females to increase vaccine acceptance. Ghana’s public health authorities could adopt the findings to re-strategize its urban COVID-19 vaccine campaigns to address misconceptions and misinformation to increase vaccine acceptance.
Advanced sperm preservation techniques in yellow spotted mountain newts Neurergus derjugini enhance genetic management and conservation efforts
Applying an E-Learning framework to explore learner nurses’ and nurse educators’ perceptions about technology platforms in nursing
Background Technological platforms provide online support systems for teaching and learning colleges and universities. However, some colleges seem to be not benefiting from these online support systems. The current paper explores the use of technological platforms in nursing education colleges by incorporating the e-learning Context Design Delivery and Outcomes (el-CDDO) framework to demonstrate the benefit of applying the technological platforms. The e-learning Context Design Delivery and Outcomes (el-CDDO) framework has been applied and is beneficial in non-nursing disciplines; however, there has been little scholarly attention paid to the use of this framework to support the delivery of information and communication technology (ICT) platforms in nursing education. Aim To adopt the el-CDDO framework in exploring the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about information and communication technology platforms at the Limpopo College of Nursing. Method The exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design was adopted to explore the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators regarding ICT platforms that support teaching, learning, and assessment in the colleges of nursing within Limpopo Province. Focus group discussions were held with purposively selected learner nurses and nurse educators to collect qualitative data. Thematic qualitative data analysis was used to make sense of collected data according to the five dimensions of the el-CDDO framework. Results Six dimensions of the framework highlighted the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about the use of ICT platforms. The perceptions are summarised as the learning context, benefits, enabling and barriers as influencing factors. Benefits include enhanced skills, knowledge, and quick thinking necessary for academic progress and patient care. Enabling factors include the willingness of learner nurses and nurse educators to use ICT platforms. Barriers include insufficient training on ICT platforms, lack of a structured ICT-integrated curriculum, and inadequate ICT skills among lecturers. Conclusion The el-CDDO framework proved effective in exploring the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about the use of ICT platforms in nursing education institutions. We recommend using the framework to assess the state of ICT platforms in nursing education institutions.
Microglial depletion increases aggrecan and hyaluronan levels in the diffuse and aggregated extracellular matrix of the mouse brain
Correction: Comparing methods to classify admitted patients with SARS-CoV-2 as admitted for COVID-19 versus with incidental SARS-CoV-2: A cohort study
Effect of multimedia education on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a Solomon four-group randomized controlled trial
Microsoft quantum-computing claim still lacks evidence: physicists are dubious
Diaphragm excursion and thickness in patients with chronic low back pain with and without lumbar instability
Development and validation of risk prediction models for permanent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
An approach to the improvement of dissolution rate of inclusion complex of vat red 13 with β-cyclodextrin
Abstract The dissolution rate of hydrophobic dyes like Vat Red 13 poses a significant challenge in Vat dyeing processes due to their poor solubility in aqueous media. This study explores the formation and characterization of an inclusion complex between Vat Red 13 (VR13) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to enhance its dissolution rate. The solid inclusion complex is prepared using two distinct techniques: physical mixture, and encapsulation by adopting a molar ratio 1:1. The enhancement of inclusion complex solubility in the liquid state was examined using the UV-Vis absorption spectrum values. The solid inclusion complex was characterized using transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and contact angle analysis. Results demonstrated a significant increase of absorption as well as obvious solubility of β-CD/VR13 compared to conventional VR13. The enhanced dissolution rate can be attributed to the encapsulation of VR13 into the hydrophobic cavity of β-cyclodextrin, which facilitates better interaction with the solvent. Moreover, the disruption of its crystalline structure, which led to the generation of more amorphous regions. The β-CD/VR13 inclusion complex minimized the amount of reducing agent needed by approximately 75% and sped up the vat dyeing process on viscose fabric. This approach offers a promising solution for improving the dyeing efficiency of Vat dyes in textile applications.