scholarly journals Microplastic Contamination of Three Commonly Consumed Seafood Species from Taiwan: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Yee-Shian Chen ◽  
Yao-Chang Lee ◽  
Bruno Andreas Walther
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Ftir Spectroscopy ◽  
Crassostrea Gigas ◽  
Hard Clam ◽  
Seafood Consumption ◽  
Plastic Debris ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Seafood Products ◽  
Meretrix Lusoria ◽  
The Mean

Microplastics have already been detected in various human foods, especially seafood. This problem should be especially pertinent to the Taiwanese public because a relatively high proportion of people‘s diet comes from seafood. We therefore present a pilot study of microplastic contamination of seafood products commonly consumed by Taiwanese people. We examined six batches of three seafood species for the presence of microplastics using FTIR spectroscopy. A total of 107 seafood individuals from three species (hard clam Meretrix lusoria, oyster Crassostrea gigas, Loligo squid Loliginidae spp.) weighing a total of 994 grams yielded a total of 100 microplastic particles consisting of nine different polymer types. 91% of microplastic particles were fragments which likely originated from fragmented plastic debris which was then consumed by the seafood species. The mean number of microplastics/kg was 87.9 microplastics/kg across the three examined species. Given that Taiwanese average about 10 kg of seafood consumption per year, we estimate that a few thousand microplastic particles are annually consumed on average. The methodology of this pilot study can now be used to conduct examinations of more seafood species and samples.

scholarly journals Microplastic Contamination of Three Commonly Consumed Seafood Species from Taiwan: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9543
Author(s):  
Jennifer Yee-Shian Chen ◽  
Yao-Chang Lee ◽  
Bruno A. Walther
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Ftir Spectroscopy ◽  
Crassostrea Gigas ◽  
Hard Clam ◽  
Seafood Consumption ◽  
Plastic Debris ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Seafood Products ◽  
Meretrix Lusoria ◽  
The Mean

Microplastics have already been detected in various human foods, especially seafood. This problem should be especially pertinent to the Taiwanese public because a relatively high proportion of people’s diet comes from seafood. Therefore, a pilot study of microplastic contamination of seafood products commonly consumed by Taiwanese people is presented. Six batches of three seafood species were examined for the presence of microplastics using FTIR spectroscopy. A total of 107 seafood individuals from three species (hard clam Meretrix lusoria, oyster Crassostrea gigas, Loligo squid Loliginidae spp.) weighing a total of 994 g yielded a total of 100 microplastic particles consisting of nine different polymer types. The most common polymer types were polypropylene, poly(ethylene:propylene:diene), and polyethylene terephthalate; we also detected six additional, but less common polymer types. A total of 91% of microplastic particles were fragments that likely originated from fragmented plastic debris which was then consumed by the seafood species; the remaining particles were fibers and a pellet. The mean number of microplastics kg−1 was 87.9 microplastics kg−1 across the three examined species. Given that the Taiwanese public average about 10 kg of seafood consumption per year, a few thousand microplastic particles are estimated to be annually consumed on average. The methodology of this pilot study can now be used to conduct examinations of more seafood species and samples.

The Safety and Antimicrobial Properties of Stabilized Hypochlorous Acid in Acetic Acid Buffer for the Treatment of Acute Wounds—a Human Pilot Study and In Vitro Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 153473462110156
Author(s):  
Ewa A. Burian ◽  
Lubna Sabah ◽  
Klaus Kirketerp-Møller ◽  
Elin Ibstedt ◽  
Magnus M. Fazli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Hypochlorous Acid ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Wound Irrigation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Performance

Acute wounds may require cleansing to reduce the risk of infection. Stabilized hypochlorous acid in acetic buffer (HOCl + buffer) is a novel wound irrigation solution with antimicrobial properties. We performed a first-in-man, prospective, open-label pilot study to document preliminary safety and performance in the treatment of acute wounds. The study enrolled 12 subjects scheduled for a split-skin graft transplantation, where the donor site was used as a model of an acute wound. The treatment time was 75 s, given on 6 occasions. A total of 7 adverse events were regarded as related to the treatment; all registered as pain during the procedure for 2 subjects. One subject had a wound infection at the donor site. The mean colony-forming unit (CFU) decreased by 41% after the treatment, and the mean epithelialization was 96% on both days 14 (standard deviation [SD] 8%) and 21 (SD 10%). The study provides preliminary support for the safety, well-tolerance, and efficacy of HOCl + buffer for acute wounds. The pain was frequent although resolved quickly. Excellent wound healing and satisfying antimicrobial properties were observed. A subsequent in vitro biofilm study also indicated good antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a 96% mean reduction of CFU, when used for a treatment duration of 15 min ( P < .0001), and a 50% decrease for Staphylococcus aureus ( P = .1010). Future larger studies are needed to evaluate the safety and performance of HOCl + buffer in acute wounds, including the promising antimicrobial effect by prolonged treatment on bacterial biofilms.

scholarly journals Mucosa plication reinforced colorectal anastomosis and trans-anal vacuum drainage: a pilot study with preliminary results

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ferko ◽  
Juraj Váňa ◽  
Marek Adámik ◽  
Adam Švec ◽  
Michal Žáček ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Povidone Iodine ◽  
Anal Verge ◽  
Colorectal Anastomosis ◽  
Stapled Anastomosis ◽  
Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy ◽  
Lower Upper ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Diversion Rate

AbstractDehiscence of colorectal anastomosis is a serious complication that is associated with increased mortality, impaired functional and oncological outcomes. The hypothesis was that anastomosis reinforcement and vacuum trans-anal drainage could eliminate some risk factors, such as mechanically stapled anastomosis instability and local infection. Patients with rectal cancer within 10 cm of the anal verge and low anterior resection with double-stapled technique were included consecutively. A stapler anastomosis was supplemented by trans-anal reinforcement and vacuum drainage using a povidone-iodine-soaked sponge. Modified reinforcement using a circular mucosa plication was developed and used. Patients were followed up by postoperative endoscopy and outcomes were acute leak rate, morbidity, and diversion rate. The procedure was successfully completed in 52 from 54 patients during time period January 2019–October 2020. The mean age of patients was 61 years (lower–upper quartiles 54–69 years). There were 38/52 (73%) males and 14/52 (27%) females; the neoadjuvant radiotherapy was indicated in a group of patients in 24/52 (46%). The mean level of anastomosis was 3.8 cm (lower–upper quartiles 3.00–4.88 cm). The overall morbidity was 32.6% (17/52) and Clavien–Dindo complications ≥ 3 grade appeared in 3/52 (5.7%) patients. No loss of anastomosis was recorded and no patient died postoperatively. The symptomatic anastomotic leak was recorded in 2 (3.8%) patients and asymptomatic blind fistula was recorded in one patient 1/52 (1.9%). Diversion ileostomy was created in 1/52 patient (1.9%). Reinforcement of double-stapled anastomosis using a circular mucosa plication with combination of vacuum povidone-iodine-soaked sponge drainage led to a low acute leak and diversion rate. This pilot study requires further investigation.Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.: Trial registration number is NCT04735107, date of registration February 2, 2021, registered retrospectively.

InHouse Call: Streamlining Communication to Optimize Efficiency and Patient Care in a Hospital (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Team Member ◽  
Average Amount ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Poor Patient ◽  
Net Promoter Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Net Promoter

BACKGROUND Communication failures disrupt physician workflow, lead to poor patient outcomes, and are associated with significant economic burden. To increase efficiency with contacting a team member in a hospital, we designed an information directory app, InHouse Call. OBJECTIVE To describe the design of InHouse Call, objectively compare the usefulness of the app versus traditional methods (operator or pocket cards, etc.), and determine its subjective usefulness through user surveys and Net Promoter Score (NPS). METHODS Pilot study utilizing Before-After trials. The effectiveness of InHouse Call in connecting the user with a contact in the hospital was measured through timed trials comparing the amount of time spent in attempting to make the connection using traditional methods versus the app. Usability was measured through exit surveys and NPS. RESULTS The average time spent connecting to the correct contact using traditional methods was 59.5 seconds compared to 13.8 seconds when using InHouse Call. The degree of variance when using traditional methods was 1544.2 compared to 19.7 with InHouse Call. A call made using the traditional methods deviated from the mean by 39.3 seconds compared to 4.4 seconds when using InHouse Call. InHouse Call achieved an NPS of 95. CONCLUSIONS InHouse Call significantly reduced the average amount of time spent connecting with the correct contact as well as the variability to complete the task. The app garnered a high NPS and positive subjective feedback.

scholarly journals Transpalpebral Electrical Stimulation as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Decrease Intraocular Pressure for Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Gil-Carrasco ◽  
Daniel Ochoa-Contreras ◽  
Marco A. Torres ◽  
Jorge Santiago-Amaya ◽  
Fidel W. Pérez-Tovar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Open Angle Glaucoma ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Open Angle ◽  
Naive Group ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
The Mean

Purpose. To determine the effect on intraocular pressure of transpalpebral specific exogenous voltages in a cohort of open-angle glaucoma patients. Methods. This is a prospective, comparative, and experimental pilot study. The electrical stimuli applied consisted of 10 Hz, biphasic, nonrectangular current pulses (100 μA) delivered from an isolated constant current stimulator. At intake, baseline IOP measurements were obtained from each eye. The measurement was repeated before and after microstimulation until the end of the treatment. Results. Seventy-eight eyes of 46 patients diagnosed with POAG were studied: 58 eyes with maximum tolerated medical treatment and 20 eyes without treatment (naïve). The mean baseline IOP on the treated POAG group was 19.25 mmHg ± 4.71. Baseline IOP on the naïve group was 20.38 mmHg ± 3.28. At the four-month follow-up visit, the mean IOP value on the treatment group was 14.41 mmHg ± 2.06 (P<0.0001). The obtained mean IOP measurement on the treatment-naïve group was 15.29 mmHg ± 2.28 (P<0.0001). Conclusions. The hypotensive response obtained using transpalpebral electrical stimulation on POAG patients, both on treatment-naïve patients and on patients receiving maximum tolerable treatment, was statistically significant when comparing basal IOP measurements to those obtained at the four-month follow-up visit.

scholarly journals Analysis of the use and adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A pilot study

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Peric ◽  
Marija Toskic-Radojicic
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Stomach Pain ◽  
Antiulcer Drugs ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Number Of Males

Background/Aim. The use and adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in outpatients with rheumatic diseases has not yet been studied enough. The aim of this study was to evaluate the data about the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs obtained from the questionnaires submitted to the outpatients receiving these drugs. Methods. The patients who had been prescribed any of NSAIDs within the period from June to September, 2004 were included in the study. The answers obtained from the questionnaires were statistically analyzed by means of ?2-test. Results. At the time of the study, 150 patients had been prescribed ibuprofen or some other NSAID. Out of the total number of dispensed questionnaires (n = 150), only 45 (30%) were shown to be correctly filled-in. Their analysis showed that 64.4% of the patients had suffered from rheumatic diseases for more than five years, and had regularly used NSAIDs. The average age of these patients was about 70 years, and the number of females was double as high as that of the males. The most frequently used NSAIDs were diclofenac and ibuprofen (46.14%, and 23.24%, respectively). According to the answers given by the patients, the most often adverse reactions were gastric complaints such as nausea (11.1%), and stomach pain (8.9%). Due to this, the majority of the patients (64.4%) used some of the antiulcer drugs, most often ranitidine (31.1%). Conclusion. The results of this pilot study revealed that among the outpatients suffering from rheumatic diseases, the number of females was double as high as the number of males, that these patients were of the mean age of 70 years, and that their diseases lasted longer than five years. Gastric complains such as nausea and gastric pain of mild intensity were the most often adverse effects of NSAIDs reported by our patients. It could be the consequence of the predominant use of diclofenac and ibuprofen, NSAIDs with mild to moderate ulcerogenic potential, as well as the concomitant use of H2-receptor antagonists.

scholarly journals Differences in Demographic and Radiographic Characteristics between Patients with Visible and Invisible T1 Slopes on Lateral Cervical Radiographic Images

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Sadayuki Ito ◽  
Hiroaki Nakashima ◽  
Akiyuki Matsumoto ◽  
Kei Ando ◽  
Masaaki Machino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽  
Radiographic Images ◽  
T1 Slope ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flexion And Extension

Introduction: The T1 slope is important for cervical surgical planning, and it may be invisible on radiographic images. The prevalence of T1 invisible cases and the differences in demographic and radiographic characteristics between patients whose T1 slopes are visible or invisible remains unexplored. Methods: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the differences in these characteristics between outpatients whose T1 slopes were visible or invisible on radiographic images. Patients (n = 60) who underwent cervical radiography, whose T1 slope was confirmed clearly, were divided into the visible (V) group and invisible (I) group. The following radiographic parameters were measured: (1) C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), (2) C2-7 angle in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Results: Based on the T1 slope visibility, 46.7% of patients were included in group I. The I group had significantly larger C2-7 SVA than the V group for males (p < 0.05). The C2-7 SVA tended to be larger in the I group, without significant difference for females (p = 0.362). Discussion: The mean C2-7 angle in neutral and flexion positions was not significantly different between the V and I groups for either sex. The mean C2-7 angle in the extension position was greater in the V group. The T1 slope was invisible in males with high C2-7 SVA.

Being Privileged Overseas: Taiwanese People in Jakarta (海外優勢移民：雅加達的台灣人)

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-231
Author(s):  
Ping Lin (林平)
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
International Migration ◽  
Social Mobility ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Overseas Chinese ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Firm Relocation

During the 1980s, many Taiwanese firms moved to the prc or Southeast Asia due to rising production costs in Taiwan. This trend of firm relocation caused many Taiwanese people to move to the prc or Southeast Asia as entrepreneurs, firm managers, or accompanying family members. While many studies have explored the experiences of Taiwanese immigrants in the prc, studies on the lives of Taiwanese people in Southeast Asia are still limited. This pilot study is based on my fieldwork in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2015. Through conducting 24 interviews and participant observation of Taiwanese people affiliated with the Jakarta Taipei School (hereinafter jts), I argue that a certain number of Taiwanese people live their lives as ‘privileged migrants’ in Jakarta as most respondents lead a life that is of significantly higher quality than most locals. Those who marry rich Sino-Indonesians are accorded a status higher than what was available to them in Taiwan. Their life experiences show the intertwining relationship between international migration and social mobility. While some studies have suggested the importance of ethnic affinity in the process of integration, respondents’ complicated perception on the native Indonesians and Sino-Indonesians predicts that more studies on the issue of ethnicity in the field of privileged migration and overseas Chinese are necessary. 由於生產成本上升，台灣很多勞力密集產業自1980年代起便遷往中國大陸或東南亞地區。這樣的產業遷移吸引不少台灣人以企業經營者、高階管理人，或隨行家屬的身分前往相關國家。當不少研究關注移居中國大陸的台灣人時，關於台灣人在東南亞生活現狀的討論卻是非常有限。這份研究是以筆者2015年在雅加達針台北學校進行田野調查的資料為基礎，經過初步分析之後完成。藉由對24位受訪者進行訪談及參與觀察，筆者認為不少台灣人在當地享有相當優渥的生活。與當地華人通婚的受訪者，更擁有在台灣無法獲得的生活條件與發展機會。這些受訪者的遷移經驗顯示，社會階層的向上流動是有可能與地理邊界的跨國流動發生連結。此外，受訪者對印尼華人與印尼原住民的不同反應，更顯示族群因素依然是優勢移民及海外華人研究的重要議題。 (This article is in English.)

Abstract 15974: Non-Invasive Myocardial Work Indices in Normal Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Pradhan ◽  
Anna Mullikin ◽  
Vien T Truong ◽  
Wojciech Mazur ◽  
Michael D Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Normal Values ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Healthy Adolescent ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Work Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Global Work

Introduction: Myocardial work may provide a different perspective on LV function and energy consumption. Its non-invasive assessment by echocardiography correlates with invasive measures and there are normal values established in adult patients. We aimed to establish normal values in a healthy adolescent population. Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects (mean age = 15 ± 2 years, 42% male) with normal echocardiograms were prospectively included. Brachial cuff blood pressure was obtained immediately following apical images in the supine position. Post-processing of echocardiograms with speckle tracking echocardiography and derivation of global myocardial work indices from LV pressure-strain loops was done using EchoPAC (General Electric, v203R73.0) (Figure 1). Results: Baseline demographics, echocardiographic measures and global myocardial work indices are reported in Table 1. The mean global work index is 1833 ± 278 mmHg with mean global work efficiency of 95 ± 1.3%. No gender difference in myocardial work indices are found (p>0.05 for all). Correlation between global work indices with age, systolic blood pressure, LV ejection fraction, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are presented in Table 2. Conclusions: This is a pilot study to begin establishing normal adolescent indices of non-invasive myocardial work. Figure 1. Example

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document