The potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in mountain search and rescue operations

Objective

This study explores the potential use of drones in searching for and locating victims and of motorized transportation of search and rescue providers in a mountain environment using a simulation model.

Syrian refugee children face more peer victimization in schools what leads to poor mental health: a brief report

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry -     

Rapid diagnostic tests relying on antigen detection from stool as an efficient point of care testing strategy for giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis? Evaluation of a new immunochromatographic duplex assay

Microscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites but is time-consuming and dependent on operator skills. Rapid diagnostic tests represent alternative methods but most evaluations have been conducted on a limited number of samples preventing their implementation in the clinical setting. We evaluated a new CE-IVD marked immunochromatographic assay (Crypto/Giardia K-SeT®, Coris Bioconcept) for the detection of G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in 2 phases (retrospective and prospective) on a set of 482 stool samples including rare Cryptosporidium species. Besides G. intestinalis, this test could represent a rapid and reliable alternative to the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis (sensitivity/specificity were 89.2%/99.3% and 86.7%/100% for G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium resp.), reducing diagnostic delays. Such strategy would also be time-saving by avoiding wet mount microscopy and concentrations steps, being particularly appropriate for laboratories having little expertise in microscopy or not able to implement molecular diagnostic methods.     

Effects on urinary outcome of patients and caregivers’ burden of pelvic floor muscle exercises based on the health belief model done at home by post-stroke patients

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) done by stroke patients at home in line with the health belief model (HBM) on patient care outcomes and caregivers’ burdens.

Method: In the study, a quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-test control group was used. The study was conducted with 20 patients in the experimental group and 18 patients in the control group. The patients and caregivers were evaluated at baseline and after the 12-week PFME intervention performed at home. The data were analyzed with the chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed rank test and multiple regression analysis.

Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the ICIQ-SF and I-QOL, the number of urinary incontinence episodes, pad test after interventions and quality of life scores (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the mean scores for the Burden Interview (p > 0.05). An increase was determined in the self-efficacy of the patients in the experimental group after the PFMEs (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Given the results of the present study, it is recommended that in the management of post-stroke urinary incontinence, post-stroke patients should be encouraged to do PFME at home in line with the HBM, and they should be monitored periodically.     

Evaluation of Toluidine Blue O Staining for the Diagnosis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis jiroveci</Emphasis> in Expectorated Sputum Sample and Bronchoalveolar Lavage from HIV-infected Patients in a Tertiary Care Referral Center in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is becoming increasingly recognized in sub-Saharan Africa. The currently recommended diagnostic methods using induced sputum (IS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are neither technically feasible nor affordable for a wider clinical use in developing countries. Therefore, there is a need for a simple and affordable diagnostic test. METHODS: The yield of Toluidine Blue O (TBO) stain, immunofluorescence (IF), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci were compared in 78 expectorated sputum and 118 BAL samples of 131 HIV-infected patients presenting with atypical chest X-ray and sputum smear-negative for acid-fast bacilli. RESULTS: A total of 56 (42.7%) patients tested positive for P. jiroveci by PCR, 39 (29.4%) by IF, and 28 (21.4%) by TBO stain. The sensitivity of TBO as compared to IF and PCR was 71.4% and 34.5% in expectorated sputum and 68% and 41.5% in BAL samples, respectively, with a specificity approaching 100% in both. The sputum PCR showed high concordance rate with BAL PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of sputum PCR as compared to BALPCR was 78.9% and 89%, respectively. In both TBO and IF positive BAL samples, majority were from patients who could not produce sputum (p < 0.001). The density of P. jiroveci clusters in BAL samples did not correlate with prior co-trimoxazole use, immunologic status of the patient or overall mortality. CONCLUSION: Compared to IF, TBO staining has an acceptable sensitivity and very high specificity both in expectorated sputum and BAL samples. Expectorated sputum is, therefore, the most practical specimen and TBO staining an inexpensive diagnostic method to be recommended for high-HIV, resource-constrained settings. Bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of PCP is often not required for patients who can produce sputum. For patients who cannot produce sputum, however, the cost and efficacy of TBO in IS sample needs to be investigated in resource-poor countries.     

Female urinary incontinence in the west of Turkey: prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), and to assess its impact on quality of life (QOL) in Turkish women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1012 women aged over 18 years were interviewed through a questionnaire including 'International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form'. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of UI was 23.9% (n=242). Among these women, 62 (25.6%) had urge, 80 (33.1%) stress and 100 (41.3%) mixed type UI. The prevalence rate increased with advancing age. Eighty-nine women (36.8%) stated to have urinary leakage at least once a day or more, while 153 (63.2%) women were experiencing less than twice a week. UI was significantly associated with fecal incontinence, hypertension, history of nocturnal enuresis, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Overall, 211 (87.2%) women stated that UI have negative impact on the QOL. This effect remained mostly at the mild or moderate level. Although many (87.2%) had intention for medical assistance, only a few (14.9%) had realized it. Women with urge UI and aged 40 to 50 years looked for more assistance than others. CONCLUSIONS: UI affect approximately one of four Turkish women. The results emphasize the need for taking preventive measures and policy development for UI.     

A population-based study on awareness of stroke in Turkey

Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality and a major cause of long-term disability of adults in most countries. This study was performed to determine the level of knowledge and awareness regarding risk factors and warning signs of stroke in a selected sample. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Aydin between November and December 2005, utilizing a study sample of 920 people registered at urban health centers. The questionnaire, prepared by the investigators, was administered by 20 trained students utilizing face-to-face interviews at participants' homes. Two-thirds of the participants knew the organ effected by stroke. The participants reported that stroke was a consequence of occlusion (28.0%) or bleeding (18.0%) in brain arteries. Paralysis/weakness of one side of the body (37.1%), speech impairment (26.8%) and numbness of one side of the body (14.2%) were reported as three major stroke warning signs. Sixty-four percent of the participants knew at least one of these risk factors. Their primary sources of information were family and friends. Our study showed the great need for increasing awareness of risk factors and warning signs for stroke, perhaps utilizing community based education programs and the mass media.