scholarly journals Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 921
Author(s):  
Thorsten Braun ◽  
Loreen Ehrlich ◽  
Wolfgang Henrich ◽  
Sebastian Koeppel ◽  
Ievgeniia Lomako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Placenta ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Plastic Material ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Cesarean Sections ◽  
Organ Tissue ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Set Up

Environmental pollution with microplastics (MPs) is a major and worldwide concern. Involuntary exposure to MPs by ingestion or inhalation is unavoidable. The effects on human health are still under debate, while in animals, cellular MP translocation and subsequent deleterious effects were shown. First reports indicate a potential intrauterine exposure with MPs, yet readouts are prone to contamination. Method: To establish a thorough protocol for the detection of MPs in human placenta and fetal meconium in a real-life clinical setting, a pilot study was set up to screen for MPs > 50 µm in placental tissue and meconium sampled during two cesarean sections for breech deliveries. After chemical digestion of non-plastic material, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy was used to analyze the presence of 10 common types of microplastic in placenta and stool samples. Results: Human placenta and meconium samples were screened positive for polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane, of which only the latter one was also detected as airborne fallout in the operating room—thus representing potential contamination. Conclusion: We found MPs > 50 µm in placenta and meconium acquired from cesarean delivery. Critical evaluation of potential contamination sources is pivotal and may guide future clinical studies to improve the correct detection of MPs in organ tissue. Studies investigating nano-sized plastics in human tissue are warranted.

METABOLISM OF 17α-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE-4-14C-17α-CAPROATE BY HOMOGENATES OF RAT LIVER AND HUMAN PLACENTA

1961 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Wiener ◽  
Charles I. Lupa ◽  
E. Jürgen Plotz
Keyword(s):  
Rat Liver ◽  
Human Placenta ◽  
Steric Hindrance ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Caproic Acid ◽  
Major Product ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Prolonged Action ◽  
Long Acting

ABSTRACT 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-4-14C-17α-caproate (HPC), a long-acting progestational agent, was incubated with homogenates of rat liver and human placenta. The rat liver was found to reduce Ring A of HPC under anaerobic conditions to form allopregnane-3β,17α-diol-20-one-17α-caproate and pregnane-3β,17α-diol-20-one-17α-caproate, the allopregnane isomer being the major product. The caproic acid ester was neither removed nor altered during the incubation. Placental tissue did not attack HPC under conditions where the 20-ketone of progesterone was reduced. It is postulated that this absence of attack on the side chain is due to steric hindrance from the caproate ester, and that this may account for the prolonged action of HPC.

scholarly journals Relationship between Adherence Level to Statins, Clinical Issues and Health-Care Costs in Real-Life Clinical Setting

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Dragomir ◽  
Robert Côté ◽  
Michel White ◽  
Lyne Lalonde ◽  
Lucie Blais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Adherence Level ◽  
Clinical Issues ◽  
Care Costs

W1807 Long-Term Outcome of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Initially Treated with Entecavir in a Real-Life Clinical Setting

2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (5) ◽  
pp. A-866
Author(s):  
Nghiem B. Ha ◽  
Nghi B. Ha ◽  
Ruel T. Garcia ◽  
Huy N. Trinh ◽  
Andrew A. Vu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis B ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome

scholarly journals Cohort profile : Bandim Health Project’s (BHP) rural Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS)—a nationally representative HDSS in Guinea-Bissau

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e028775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Marie Thysen ◽  
Manuel Fernandes ◽  
Christine Stabell Benn ◽  
Peter Aaby ◽  
Ane Bærent Fisker
Keyword(s):  
Rural Health ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Demographic Surveillance System ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Set Up

PurposeBandim Health Project (BHP) monitors health and survival of women and children in a nationally representative rural Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Guinea-Bissau. The HDSS was set up in 1989–1990 to collect data on health interventions and child mortality.ParticipantsThe HDSS covers 182 randomly selected clusters across the whole country. The cohort is open, and women and children enter the cohort, when they move into the selected clusters, and leave the cohort, when they move out or die, or when children reach 5 years of age. Data are collected through biannual or more frequent household visits. At all village visits, information on pregnancies, vital status, vaccination status, arm circumference, use of bed nets and other basic information is collected for women and children. Today, more than 25 000 women and 23 000 children below the age of 5 years are under surveillance.Findings to dateResearch from the BHP has given rise to the hypothesis that vaccines, in addition to their targeted effects, have important non-specific effects altering the susceptibility to other infections. Initially, it was observed that mortality among children vaccinated with the live BCG or measles vaccines was much lower than the mortality among unvaccinated children, a difference, which could not be explained by prevention of tuberculosis and measles infections. In contrast, mortality tended to be higher for children who had received the non-live Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine compared with children who had not received this vaccine. Since the effect differed for the different vaccines, no bias explained the contrasting findings.Future plansNew health interventions are introduced with little assessment of real-life effects. Through the HDSS, we can describe both the implementation of interventions (eg, the vaccination programme) and their effects. Furthermore, the intensive follow-up allows the implementation of randomised trials testing potential better vaccination programmes.

Labour-associated changes in adrenomedullin content in human placenta and fetal membranes

2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. AL-GHAFRA ◽  
N. M. GUDE ◽  
S. P. BRENNECKE ◽  
R. G. KING
Keyword(s):  
Human Placenta ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Tissue Extracts ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Labour Group

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of labour and mode of delivery on human placental and fetal membrane content of adrenomedullin (AdM). Placentas and fetal membranes were collected either at term or pre-term gestation from women either in labour or not in labour, and AdM was measured in tissue extracts by specific RIA. There were significant increases in AdM concentrations in amnion and choriodecidua for the in-labour group compared with the not-in-labour group for both pre-term and term gestations. There was no difference in AdM concentration in placental tissue between labour groups. This study provides evidence that fetal membrane AdM is increased in amniotic and choriodecidual tissues in response to labour, and suggests that it may play a role during human labour.

scholarly journals Exploring the Implementation of a Legal AI Bot for Sustainable Development in Legal Advisory Institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 5991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juin-Hao Ho ◽  
Gwo-Guang Lee ◽  
Ming-Tsang Lu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Decision Making Model

This study explores the implementation of legal artificial intelligence (AI) robot issues for sustainable development related to legal advisory institutions. While a legal advisory AI Bot using the unique arithmetic method of AI offers rules of convenient legal definitions, it has not been established whether users are ready to use one at legal advisory institutions. This study applies the MCDM (multicriteria decision-making) model DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory)-based Analytical Network Process (ANP) with a modified VIKOR, to explore user behavior on the implementation of a legal AI bot. We first apply DEMATEL-based ANP, called influence weightings of DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP), to set up the complex adoption strategies via systematics and then to employ an M-VIKOR method to determine how to reduce any performance gaps between the ideal values and the existing situation. Lastly, we conduct an empirical case to show the efficacy and usefulness of this recommended integrated MCDM model. The findings are useful for identifying the priorities to be considered in the implementation of a legal AI bot and the issues related to enhancing its implementation process. Moreover, this research offers an understanding of users’ behaviors and their actual needs regarding a legal AI bot at legal advisory institutions. This research obtains the following results: (1) It effectively assembles a decision network of technical improvements and applications of a legal AI bot at legal advisory institutions and explains the feedbacks and interdependences of aspects/factors in real-life issues. (2) It describes how to vary effective results from the current alternative performances and situations into ideal values in order to fit the existing environments at legal advisory institutions with legal AI bot implementation.

scholarly journals How Haptic Feedback in a Mixed Reality Pool Game Affects Real-Life Pool Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 2323-2327
Author(s):  
Elaine Thai ◽  
Anil R. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Transfer Of Training ◽  
Haptic Feedback ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mixed Factorial Design ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Game Practice ◽  
Pool Game

Mechanisms for training pool skills have evolved from manually setting up balls in different positions on the table and hitting them one-by-one to now using technology to precisely set up these plays and practice the game virtually. The aim of this study was to investigate how adding haptic feedback into a pool video game affects transfer of training into real-life pool skills. A 2 x 4 mixed factorial design was used to see how haptic feedback (its absence or presence) and four types of shots affect pool performance. Half of the participants experienced the pool video game without haptic feedback while the other half experienced it with haptic feedback. Performance before and after the video game practice was recorded as successful or unsuccessful, with a series of the same 40 pre- and post-video-game shots. Results from 38 participants are presented, and their implications are discussed.

Robust Localization Using Identifying Codes

2009 ◽  
pp. 321-347
Author(s):  
Moshe Laifenfeld ◽  
Ari Trachtenberg ◽  
David Starobinski
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Information Theory ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Signal Propagation ◽  
Identifying Codes ◽  
Sensor Failures ◽  
Robust Localization ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Set Up

Various real-life environments are exceptionally harsh for signal propagation, rendering well-known trilateration techniques (e.g. GPS) unsuitable for localization. Alternative proximity-based techniques, based on placing sensors near every location of interest, can be fairly complicated to set up, and are often sensitive to sensor failures or corruptions. The authors propose a different paradigm for robust localization based on identifying codes, a concept borrowed from the information theory literature. This chapter describes theoretical and practical considerations in designing and implementing such a localization infrastructure, together with experimental data supporting the potential benefits of the proposed technique.

scholarly journals Centralised Biological Therapy Registry for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis – Overview and Methodology

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-48
Author(s):  
R Sutka ◽  
J Pec ◽  
T Pecova
Keyword(s):  
Plaque Psoriasis ◽  
Biological Therapy ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Severe Plaque Psoriasis ◽  
Set Up

Abstract The introduction of new pharmacotherapy entities in the last decade accentuate the necessity to set up treatment guidelines based on real life evidence. Randomized controlled trials remain golden standard of a research. Data derived from studies aiming on daily clinical practice should bring needed, added value. Disease prevalence growth, due to increased life expectancy, better diagnostic procedures and earlier medical intervention, as well as ever growing demand for highly priced, sophistically produced drugs put stress on healthcare budgets even in developed countries. Large databases commonly called - therapy registries are implemented to collect data on therapy effectivity in terms of effectiveness, safety and patient long-term on therapy survival. Registries importance rose together with biological therapies introduction. New in class molecules entered the market conditionally being obliged to provide additional e.g. safety data. Such procedures require involvement of many different professionals, e.g. physicians, professional medical bodies, IT experts, database administrators, statisticians and government institutions. Paper based, followed by computer based forms were distributed among physicians to collect these data. eHealth technologies provide physicians with centralized, more intuitive applications. The particularities of different diagnosis caused great variations within each specific registry launched. Important information was missing since they were pointed out as optional and many were redundant causing frustration among physicians due to inadequate administrative workload. The main objective of this work was to set up the therapy registry standards and procedures. Methodology of „ideal“ moderate to severe plaque psoriasis biology therapy registry development, introduction, administration and evaluation was prepared to assist any government institution or professional body when planning registry deployment. Electronic application based on widely used MS Excel platform was developed and installed in the biological therapy centers as a standalone application for the pilot use.

Empirical investigation of wireless sensor network performance in noisy environments

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Silvanus Teneng Kiyang ◽  
Robert Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Network Performance ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Mathematical Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
Test Platform ◽  
Set Up

Purpose – The purpose of this work is to assess the influence of ambient noise on the performance of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) empirically and, based on these findings, develop a mathematical tool to assist technicians to determine the maximum inter-node separation before deploying a new WSN. Design/methodology/approach – A WSN test platform is set up in an electromagnetically shielded environment (RF chamber) to accurately control and quantify the ambient noise level. The test platform is subsequently placed in an operational laboratory to record network performance in typical unshielded spaces. Results from the RF chamber and the real-life environments are analysed. Findings – A minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at which the network still functions was found to be of the order 30 dB. In the real-life scenarios (machines, telecommunications and computer laboratories), the measured SNR exceeded this minimum value by more than 20 dB. This is due to the low ambient industrial noise levels observed in the 2.4 GHz ISM band for typical environments found at academic institutions. It, therefore, suggests that WSNs are less prone to industrial interferences than anticipated. Originality/value – A predictive mathematical tool is developed that can be used by technicians to determine the maximum inter-node separation before the WSN is deployed. The tool yields reliable results and promises to save installation time.

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