scholarly journals Patient Generated Index in HIV Chemosensory & auditory complaints: An observational study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usama Fawzy Kamel ◽  
Ushan Andrady
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Patient Generated Index ◽  
Chemosensory Perception ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Therapy Treatment

HIV is a chronic manageable disease. The disease and/or antiretroviral therapy treatment may lead to patient complaints regarding their hearing and chemosensory perception. Patient Generated Index (PGI) has been a validated patient generated questionnaire, which is flexible to capture areas relevant to patients [i] . It has not been used before to assess the chemosensory (smell and taste) and auditory concerns of HIV positive patients. Methods: PGI questionnaire was distributed to nineteen HIV patients attending the research clinic. Patients had five areas to record their perception in relation to senses (smell, taste and hearing). They then score how do they feel about this particular area, then they spend points to improve the area when needed. Patients were recruited from a HIV clinic after giving their informed consent matching inclusion/exclusion criteria. The questionnaire had five sections where patients identify problems matter to them in relation to smell, taste and hearing. The sixth question is generated by the patient in relation to other health areas of concern to the individual. Results: PGI scores (n=19) mean was 5.39 (range 1.08 8, SD 1.93). Smell mean scores 1.1, taste was 1 and hearing was 0.97 Smell was 20.4% of the total PGI score; taste was 18.6% and hearing 18% of the PGI score. Patients scored 2.32 (43% of the total PGI score) in other areas (back pain, arthritis, stomach pains, ) Conclusions: This is an observational cohort study to document the PGI results in relation to auditory and chemosensory perception in HIV positive patients. Although auditory and chemosensory problems in five areas scores altogether 57% of the PGI score, others (one area question), patients scored 43% of the total PGI score. Other complaints preoccupied patients and were relatively more cumbersome than the three senses. [i] Ruta D, Garratt A, Leng M, Russell I, MacDonald L. A New Approach to the Measurement of Quality of Life: The Patient-Generated Index. Medical Care. 1994 Nov;32(11):1109-1126

In silico modeling of cellular probabilistic nanoparticle radiosensitization in head and neck cancers

Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (29) ◽  
pp. 2837-2850
Author(s):  
Myxuan Huynh ◽  
Ivan Kempson ◽  
Eva Bezak ◽  
Wendy Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Head And Neck Cancers ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
In Silico Modeling ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Dose Deposition ◽  
Therapy Treatment

Background: The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as radiosensitizers may offer a new approach in the treatment of head and neck cancers; minimizing treatment-associated toxicities and improving patient outcomes. AuNPs promote localized dose deposition; permitting improved local control and/or dose reduction. Aim: This work aimed to address the theoretical optimization of radiation doses, fractionation and nanoparticle injection schedules to maximize therapeutic benefits. Materials & methods: Probabilistic nanoparticle sensitization factors were incorporated into the individual cell-based HYP-RT computer model of tumor growth and radiotherapy. Results: Total dose outcomes across all radiation therapy treatment regimens were found to be significantly reduced with the presence of AuNPs, with bi-weekly injections showing the most decrease. Conclusion: Outcomes suggest the need for regular AuNP administration to permit effective radiosensitization.

Perspectives of the Genocide Issue

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 753-758
Author(s):  
Fred T. Sai
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Small States ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Real Population ◽  
Cultural Terms ◽  
Fertility Limitation ◽  
Planning Experts ◽  
The Individual

At the international level the genocide theory is used to imply a covert or overt effort by the white races to eliminate or keep down the numbers of the colored races. Within Africa, however, more important problems are related to the balkanization of the continent into small states without reference to real physical or ethnic group boundaries. This has led to national insecurity which many feel would be allayed by increasing their national numbers. Within countries too, the new approach to democracy tends to make it possible for one tribe to be dominant over the other, and this in turn creates insecurity both for the tribe in ascendancy, making it want to maintain its numerical superiority, and for the minor tribe which would like to increase its numbers rapidly. The problem is worsened by very enthusiastic advocacy of population control as the main ingredient of economic advance and unguarded recommendations for methods of fertility limitation which may be completely unacceptable in cultural terms. The lack of real population and family planning experts on the African scene is particularly to blame as is also the disproportionate allocation of funds for family planning and population activities as opposed to overall developmental goals. In spite of the genocide theory family planning and population programs are advancing in Africa. Progress will be accelerated, however, if such activities are seen as part of overall developmental activities aimed at improving the quality of life of all of the peoples. Success is much more likely if governments and technical assistant personnel make it obvious that family planning is to be undertaken within the context of human rights: respect for the dignity of the individual, and encouragement to individuals, families, and communities in the achievement of their own aspirations.

How Effective are Complementary Therapies for HIV and AIDS?—a Systematic Review

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 629-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Özsoy ◽  
Edzard Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Published Evidence

Complementary treatments are often used by HIV-infected individuals. Yet little is known about their effectiveness. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to summarize the published evidence for or against the effectiveness of complementary therapies in HIV-positive people. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to locate all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of complementary therapies. Data were extracted in a standardized fashion and evaluated critically. Fourteen studies met our pre-de® ned inclusion/exclusion criteria; 2 of herbal treatments, 5 of vitamins and other supplements, 5 of stress management, one of massage therapy, and one of acupuncture. They fall into 2 broad categories of ‘cure’ and ‘care’. While the former category yields few encouraging results, the latter group of studies is more promising. In particular, stress management may prove to be an effective way to increase the quality of life. It is concluded that few rigorous trials of complementary treatments for HIV exist. The domain of complementary medicine may lie in the care for HIV-infected individuals with a view of increasing their quality of life. This notion requires further rigorous investigation.

scholarly journals TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION AND THE IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE: A LITERATURE REVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Letícia Alves Novaes ◽  
Tamires de Sá Barreto Dantas ◽  
Viviane Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ◽  
English Studies ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Temporomandibular Dysfunction ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Temporomandibular dysfunction has been frequent in the population, so chronic pain is directly related to the state of the quality of life; so it is necessary to understand the interference in the quality of life of individuals with the dysfunction. The objective of this study was to review the literature about quality of life of patients with temporomandibular dysfunction, emphasizing the different indexes to evaluate the quality of life. The databases for searching the literature were Pubmed, Bireme, Lilacs, Scielo. The keywords used in the literature search were epidemiology, temporomandibular joint disorders, quality of life, present in Health Desc. The literature reviewed was selected based on abstracts. The inclusion criteria were epidemiological and clinical studies; systematic review and meta-analysis; literature in portuguese and english; studies evaluating the TMD and quality of life indexes; while the exclusion criteria were literature review, clinical case, letter to the editor; literature addressing TMD and quality of life in children; studies that did not address the variables under study. The temporomandibular dysfunction according to the reviewed literature has an impact on the quality of life of the individual with dysfunction, several are the questionnaires to measure how much the TMD interferes in the daily activities of the patients, nevertheless the association of instruments is favorable to evaluate different categories as to quality of life of patients with dysfunction.

scholarly journals Clinical audit of management of smear positive adult pulmonary tuberculosis in PR1 tuberculosis clinic, KK Bandar Miri

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
Rubini Cumarasamy ◽  
Fatimah Shahidah Dato’ Azmi ◽  
Norafini Salamon
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Pulmonary Tb ◽  
Medication Side ◽  
Areas Of Concern

Introduction: Malaysian tuberculosis (TB) clinical practice guideline (CPG) standardises the management of TB to improve the quality of care for TB patients. Not all primary care providers adhere to this guideline, however. This audit aims to improve the management of smear positive adult pulmonary TB by identifying areas of concern and developing action plans. Methods: Data for the audit were gathered from August 2018 to August 2019 from medical records of diagnosed smear positive pulmonary TB patients. Patients were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Forty-eight smear positive pulmonary TB patients were recruited. The majority of patients were male (54.2%) and Malay (33.2%). TB symptoms were assessed for 29.2% of patients at two weeks and then in 81.3% at one month, 97.9% at two months, 16.7% at three months, 95.8% at four months, 22.9% at five months and 95.8% at six months. Medication side effects were assessed at two weeks for only 2.1% of patients, then for 8.3% of patients at one month, 2.1% at two months and 0% at subsequent months. At diagnosis, 25% and 4.2% of patients had their visual acuity and colour vision, respectively, assessed. Only 6.3% of patients were referred to pre-pregnancy counselling. Weights were recorded for 87.5% of patients at diagnosis, then for 27.1% at two weeks, 81.3% at one month, 91.7% at two months, 77.1% at three months, 97.9% at four months, 79.2% at five months and 93.8% at six months. Baseline investigations and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and sensitivity were conducted for all patients, but only 81.3% of patients were traced. No patients were referred to pharmacy for medication counselling. Conclusion: This audit shows that there is a difference between current practice and the national guideline. There are some downfalls in management and proper documentation, so interventions should be carried out to improve those aspects.

scholarly journals Participation of Women in the United States Congress: 1917-2011

2012 ◽  
pp. 63-66
Author(s):  
Magdalena Chojnacka
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Congress ◽  
American Government ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Political Scene

The last decades have carried changes in the legal and social position of women bearing enfranchisement, a new approach to women’s education, and their increased participation in the job market. This article outlines the historical participation of women on the political scene of the United States between the years of 1917-2011 including an analysis of the situation in the individual states. Furthermore, it analyses what types of positions have been held by women in the American Government Administration including the most prestigious ones of the Speaker and the Secretary of State. It also introduces Hilary Rodham Clinton, the first woman ever to run in the presidential elections 2008. This analysis reveals that women are still underrepresented in the federal-level positions which makes it difficult for them to influence the quality of the lawmaking and results in a difficulty to promote such decisions that are important for the women themselves.

scholarly journals Morphology of abdominal pain: the inside story; investigation of abdominal pain and its correlation with endoscopy and H. pylori status

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1740
Author(s):  
M. K. Saxena ◽  
Rooman Ahmad Rana ◽  
Ashutosh Gupta ◽  
Ausaf Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Carcinogenic Effect ◽  
Background Pain ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Upper Abdomen

Background: Pain in the abdomen especially upper abdomen is a common presentation in any clinicians OPD. It has a significant effect on the quality of life of the individual. Moreover, it is essential to exclude presence of H. pylori infection since it is known to have carcinogenic effect, as well as the propensity to develop duodenal ulcer. This study was undertaken to understand the association of the above-mentioned symptoms with endoscopic findings and with H. pylori infection, and to find out if there is significant correlation between the above-mentioned symptoms and presence or absence of H. pylori infection.Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study based on the upper GI endoscopies carried out in the institution. The period covered was from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were well defined. Data on patients presenting with symptoms of Gastritis, dyspepsia, epigastric pain and upper abdomen pain was studied.Results: The study showed association between age and H. pylori infection though it was not found to be statistically significant. The association between significant endoscopic finding and H. pylori was statistically significant (p>0.05) epigastric pain as a symptom was found to have strong Statistical significance with presence of H. pylori (p<0.05).Conclusions: Patients presenting with the symptoms of Gastritis, dyspepsia, epigastric pain and upper abdomen pain be investigated and endoscopy and biopsy for H. pylori should be part of protocol for their management.

scholarly journals Seduction and Death in Muriel Spark's Fiction

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Φωτεινή Αποστόλου
Keyword(s):  
Short Stories ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Roman Catholicism ◽  
Symbolic System ◽  
Infinite Games ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Existing Structures ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual

Muriel Spark’s work has often been studied in the light of metafictionality by modern critics like Patricial Waugh, Ruth Whittaker, Malcolm Bradbury, Gerardine Meaney, and others. Her interest in the fictional process is revealed in her adoption of metafictional methods, whereby she exposes the structures that underlie the process of writing. What is of particular importance to these critics is Spark’s preoccupation with metafictionality and plotting, which imprison her characters and mark their inability to escape writing. This work shall attempt a new approach to Spark’s texts, reading them from a wider postmodern/poststructural point of view. Postmodernism, with its emphasis on the intertextual games one can play with texts, can, as I hope to show, offer new readings of her work. In Spark’s writing there are infinite games that have not yet been discussed. Her novels and short stories foreground the play with texts, images, and spectacles in which her characters and her narratives are immersed and undone. Even her religion is embroiled in this playful atmosphere, becoming yet another structure that seduces and destroys with its regulations. In The Takeover, for example, Roman Catholicism is inserted, along with primitive cults, in a game with simulated orgies and rites where the most impressive spectacle will dominate the scene. This thesis will focus on the “play” quality of Muriel Spark’s writing and the seductive and destructive games associated with the process of construction: “seductive,” because the power of existing structures is ever more present in her work, luring with its promise of dominance; and “destructive,” since the introduction into these structures is associated with an alienation of the subject. It is one of the main concepts of poststructuralism that the subject is born into an already established symbolic system, which dictates its future position. In other words, it is this system that inscribes the individual.

scholarly journals BronchUK: Protocol for an observational cohort study and biobank in bronchiectasis

2021 ◽  
pp. 00775-2020
Author(s):  
Anthony De Soyza ◽  
Philip Mawson ◽  
Adam T. Hill ◽  
Stuart Elborn ◽  
Judy M. Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Observational Cohort Study ◽  
Disease Area ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Observational Cohort

Bronchiectasis has been a largely overlooked disease area in respiratory medicine. This is reflected by a shortage of large-scale studies and lack of approved therapies, in turn leading to a variation of treatment across centres. BronchUK (Bronchiectasis observational cohort and biobank UK) is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study working collaboratively with the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) project. The inclusion criterion for patients entering the study is a clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis and computed tomography (CT) demonstrating bronchiectasis. Main exclusion criteria are 1) patients unable to provide informed consent, 2) bronchiectasis due to known cystic fibrosis or where bronchiectasis is not the main or codominant respiratory disease, 3) age <18 years, and 4) prior lung transplantation for bronchiectasis. The study is aligned to standard UK NHS practice with an aim to recruit a minimum of 1,500 patients from across at least nine secondary care centres. Patient data collected at baseline includes demographics, aetiology testing, comorbidities, lung function, radiology, treatments, microbiology, and quality of life. Patients are followed up annually for a maximum of five years and, where able, blood and/or sputa samples are collected and stored in a central biobank. BronchUK aims to collect robust longitudinal data that can be used for analysis into current NHS practice and patient outcomes, and to become an integral resource to better inform future interventional studies in bronchiectasis.

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