The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Healthcare Workers with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Conditions

Psychiatric Quarterly - Both healthcare workers (HCWs) and psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have elevated prevalence of psychiatric symptoms, but little is known about...     

Fabrication and performance evaluation of new nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) for PEM fuel cells

The purpose of this work is to enhance the proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (SPPEK) as a proton exchange membrane through the application of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles. Nanocomposite membranes based on SPPEK and SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles were prepared via a casting method. The highest proton conductivity of nanocomposite membranes obtained was 120 mS cm⁻¹ at 90 °C and 95% RH. These enhancements could be related to the hygroscopic structure of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles and the formation of hydrogen bonds between nanoparticles and water molecules. The satisfactory power density, 0.41 W cm⁻² at 0.5 V and 85 °C, of the nanocomposite membrane (5 wt% content of nanoparticles) confirms their potential for application in the PEM fuel cells.

The purpose of this work is to enhance the proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (SPPEK) as a proton exchange membrane through the application of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles.     

The effect of l‐carnitine supplementation on serum levels of omentin‐1, visfatin and SFRP5 and glycemic indices in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially fatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of l ‐carnitine (LC) on secreted frizzled‐related protein‐5 (SFRP5), omentin, visfatin, and glycemic indices in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g of LC or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of SFRP5, omentin, visfatin, and also glycemic indices were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study. LC supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of visfatin (95% CI [?14.718, ?0.877], p = .05) and increased the serum levels of SFRP5 (95%CI [1.637, 11.380], p < .006) and omentin (95% CI [9.014, 65.286], p < .01). However, LC supplementation had no significant effects on the serum levels of glycemic factors such as insulin (95% CI [?1.125, 3.056], p = .426), fasting blood sugar (95% CI [?4.743, 3.642], p = .894), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (95% CI [?0.305, 0.528], p = .729), and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (95% CI [?0.016, ?0.010], p = .81). LC supplementation decreased visfatin serum level and increased omentin‐1 and SFRP5 serum levels in patients with PV. However, it has no significant effect on the serum levels of insulin and glycemic indices.     

Sexually transmitted disease testing protocols, sexually transmitted disease testing, and discussion of sexual behaviors in HIV clinics in Los Angeles County

OBJECTIVE/GOAL: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of written protocols for sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening, the frequency and types of STD tests performed, and the occurrence and frequency of obtaining sexual risk assessments among HIV clinics. STUDY: A survey was administered to 36 medical directors, clinic directors, and HIV providers representing 48 HIV healthcare clinics in Los Angeles. RESULTS: The use of a written or electronic protocol for STD testing was reported by 50% of clinics. Clinics with written or electronic STD protocols were significantly more likely to report questioning patients at each visit regarding their sexual practices (prevalence ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-3.4). Clinics with written or electronic protocols were not more likely to report more frequent STD testing. CONCLUSIONS: Written or electronic protocols for STD testing may promote sexual risk assessment questioning among HIV healthcare providers and may help to ensure STD testing per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/IDSA guidelines for HIV-positive persons at sexual risk.     

Association between diabetic retinopathy and polymorphisms of cytokine genes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Ophthalmology - Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a medical condition caused by damage to the blood vessels of retina tissue due to diabetes mellitus. DR leads to injury in neural and...     

Neuroendocrine abnormalities associated with HIV infection.

Functional derangement of every endocrine organ system has been reported in association with HIV infection. The changes in endocrine function may be related to the viral infection of the gland, to systemic effects of HIV or an opportunistic infection, to infiltration by a neoplasm such as Kaposi's sarcoma, to a complication of treatment, or generation of cytokines. A wide spectrum of endocrine abnormalities is observed in HIV-infected patients. Some of these abnormalities are similar to those seen in other systemic illness, whereas others are unique to HIV infection. The clinical significance of many of these endocrine abnormalities is not well understood.     

A study of outbreak and histopathology of Mycoplasma pneumonia in sheep, in Shahrekord, Iran

An outbreak of mycoplasmal pneumonia occurred in a flock of 180 head of sheep. The prominent clinical signs included pyrexia, coughing, respiratory distress, nasal discharge, ocular opacity in some cases, hot and swollen joints, lameness, and depression. Routine post-mortem examinations were performed on 11 dead sheep. The gross lesions included reddening, consolidation, and localized necrosis in different areas of the lung, the presence of a fibrinopurulent membrane on the pleural surface, and serofibrinous fluid in the thoracic cavity. Culture of the pneumonic lungs, liver, thoracic lymph nodes and nasal swabs in liquid and solid media yielded mycoplasma which was microscopically visible on solid media after 24?h at 37°C. Microscopically, pulmonary lesions consisted of proliferation of collagen connective tissue, in the midst of hyperemia, vasculitis with thrombus formation, and necrotizing fibrinopurulent pneumonia.     

High prevalence of personality abnormalities in patients seeking rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the patient's personality on his/her satisfaction with rhinoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Personalities of 66 rhinoplasty candidates and 50 persons who served as control were evaluated using questionnaires. The results were validated using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. Six months after the surgery, the rate of satisfaction was evaluated using another questionnaire based on a visual scale. The results were statistically analyzed to assess the relationship between personality traits and rate of satisfaction. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 25.3 +/- 5.12 years; 79% were females. Obsessiveness was the most frequently noted personality trait; being antisocial was the least mentioned. Personality type and level of satisfaction were statistically related (P < 0.001). The satisfaction rate of rhinoplasty was 55.1%. Candidates with "good faking" trait followed by those who were"depressed" had the highest satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Identification of patient's personality can be a major factor influencing satisfaction results after rhinoplasty.