Outcomes of Pediatric Fistulising Perianal Crohn’s Disease

Background: Perianal disease is reported more widely in pediatric Crohn patients than in the past, and has been stated as an independent modifier of the disease behavior. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of fistulising perianal Crohn’s disease (fpCD) in the pediatric age group.Methods: A total number of 149 children with an established diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease who have been diagnosed before 18 years of age and followed in our tertiary center were revised. Clinical, endoscopic, laboratory, and radiologic data of 50 patients with CD, who had at least 18 months follow-up data, were compiled.Results: Of 50 patients, 26 (52%) were diagnosed as fpCD (38% at onset). More than half of the patients without any notable external orifices around the perianal area were diagnosed as fpCD by an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pediatric fpCD patients had a higher disease activity score and platelet count, lower serum albumin level, and a higher rate of granuloma in the biopsy samples, compared with non-fistulising patients. A considerably high rate of surgical interventions (i.e., seton placement 46% and abscess drainage 15%) was performed in combination with infliximab.Conclusion: Fistulising perianal Crohn’s disease seems to be more common than previously reported in the pediatric age group. A severe course of the disease might serve as a warning for the development of fpCD. A careful physical examination and use of perianal MRI with a high index of suspicion may increase the likelihood of fistula detection, hence may change the treatment strategy.     

Association between sex hormones and migraine in young Saudi females

Objectives:To assess the sex hormone levels in young Saudi female migraineurs during a migraine attack and during pain-free periods and compare them with control subjects.Methods:A case-control study involving 14 Saudi female migraineurs and 21 control subjects was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. Demographic and disease history data were collected through participant interviews. Blood samples were drawn during the migraine attack and pain-free periods.Results:Follicular (30.00±19.60; p<0.001) and luteal (39.79±11.45; p=0.037) estrogen levels were significantly higher in patients with non-menstrual related migraine (NMM), while luteal testosterone levels (1.10±0.31; p=0.023) were significantly higher in patients with menstrually related migraine (MM). Body mass index (BMI) was higher in patients with NMM (25.77±6.53; p=0.013), and it was found to be associated with follicular estrogen (p=0.016), progesterone (p=0.018), and pain intensity (p=0.042). Luteal estrogen level was significantly lower (13.96±7.88; p=0.036) in patients with luteal onset of attack.Conclusion:High estrogen levels were found to mediate NMM, their effect being more pronounced with increase in BMI; whereas low luteal estrogen levels mediated MM. Young females with MM might have high luteal testosterone levels, and a compensatory protective role could be surmised accordingly.     

Objective screening for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A prospective study in healthcare workers using self‐administered testing

BackgroundSmell and taste loss are highly prevalent symptoms in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), although few studies have employed objective measures to quantify these symptoms, especially dysgeusia. Reports of unrecognized anosmia in COVID‐19 patients suggests that self‐reported measures are insufficient for capturing patients with chemosensory dysfunction.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of recent COVID‐19 infection on chemosensory function and demonstrate the use of at‐home objective smell and taste testing in an at‐risk population of healthcare workers.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty healthcare workers were screened for possible loss of smell and taste using online surveys. Self‐administered smell and taste tests were mailed to respondents meeting criteria for elevated risk of infection, and one‐month follow‐up surveys were completed.ResultsAmong subjects with prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, 73% reported symptoms of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction. Self‐reported smell and taste loss were both strong predictors of COVID‐19 positivity. Subjects with evidence of recent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (<45 days) had significantly lower olfactory scores but equivalent gustatory scores compared to other subjects. There was a time‐dependent increase in smell scores but not in taste scores among subjects with prior infection and chemosensory symptoms. The overall infection rate was 4.4%, with 2.5% reported by PCR swab.ConclusionHealthcare workers with recent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection had reduced olfaction and normal gustation on self‐administered objective testing compared to those without infection. Rates of infection and chemosensory symptoms in our cohort of healthcare workers reflect those of the general public.     

Tribological Behavior of Aluminum Hybrid Nanocomposites Reinforced with Alumina and Graphene Oxide

Due to rapid technological advancements, the demand for lightweight materials with improved tribo-mechanical properties is continuously growing. The development of composite materials is one of the routes taken by researchers to meet these target properties. Aluminum (Al) is one of the most suitable materials used for developing composites for a wide range of applications because of its light weight, high conductivity, and high specific strength. In this study, aluminum hybrid nanocomposites with alumina (10 Vol% Al₂O₃) and varying loadings of graphene oxide (0.25, 0.5 and 1 wt% GO) were fabricated using the spark plasma sintering technique. The tribological properties of the developed hybrid composites were evaluated by conducting ball-on-disk wear tests at a normal load of 3N, with a sliding speed of 0.1 m/s, and for a sliding distance of 100 m. A 440C hardened stainless steel ball with a diameter of 6.3 mm and a hardness of 62 RC was used as a counterface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental X-ray dispersive analysis (EDS), and optical profilometry were used to ascertain the involved wear mechanisms. The results revealed that Al-10 Vol%Vol% Al₂O₃-0.25 wt% GO hybrid nanocomposite showed an increase of 48% in the hardness, a reduction of 55% in the specific wear rate, and a reduction of 5% in COF compared with pure aluminum.     

What do we Know about Bullying in Syrian Adolescent Refugees? A Cross Sectional Study from Turkey

Psychiatric Quarterly - The aim of this study was to assess the bullying status of Syrian adolescent refugees in Turkey and identify factors that contribute to bullying. The adolescents aged...     

Synthesis of Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solution nanoparticles for photoreduction and antimicrobial applications

ZnO is one of the most promising and efficient semiconductor materials for various light-harvesting applications. Herein, we reported the tuning of optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by co-incorporation of Ni and Ag ions in the ZnO lattice. A sonochemical approach was used to synthesize pure ZnO NPs, Ni–ZnO, Ag–ZnO and Ag/Ni–ZnO with different concentrations of Ni and Ag (0.5%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 15%) and Ni doped Ag–ZnO solid solutions with 0.25%, 0.5%, and 5% Ni ions. The as-synthesized Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solution NPs were characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction (pXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV-vis (UV) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Ni–Ag co-incorporation into a ZnO lattice reduces charge recombination by inducing charge trap states between the valence and conduction bands of ZnO and interfacial transfer of electrons. The Ni doped Ag–ZnO solid solution NPs have shown superior 4-nitrophenol reduction compared to pure ZnO NPs which do not show this reaction. Furthermore, a methylene blue (MB) clock reaction was also performed. Antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus has inhibited the growth pattern of both strains depending on the concentration of catalysts.

The synergic effect of Ni and Ag in Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solutions has tuned the optoelectronic properties of ZnO for photoreduction reactions.