by Natasha Hui Jin Ng  , Wei Xuan Tan  , Ye Xin Koh  and Adrian Kee Keong Teo

Received: 11 March 2019;  Published: 21 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1902068

The ability to routinely and reproducibly obtain purified human islets has facilitated substantial progress in providing a safe and reliable treatment option for adult patients of type 1 diabetes. The availability of human islets for basic research has also significantly improved the understanding of the biology of human islets, and consequently the pathophysiology of diabetes. Presently, about 70 human islet isolation centers are known to exist around the world, in addition to multiple coordinated human islet dist [...]

by Alexander Henn  and Maija-Liisa Mattinen

Received: 08 March 2019;  Published: 26 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1902001

Technical lignins from the biorefinery, pulp, and paper industries are largely underutilized, even though this aromatic and randomly structured biopolymer could be an interesting raw material for advanced applications in addition to bulk daily goods. Recently, colloidal lignin particles (CLPs) have gained much of the research interests due to the attractive multi-functional properties of the biopolymer. Utilization of lignin in nanoparticulate morphology resolves most of the drawbacks when using lignin (heterogenei [...]

by Sima Farpour  , David Smithard  and Hamid reza Farpour

Received: 14 November 2019;  Published: 20 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001109

Dysphagia is a term that is used for the difficulty in moving liquid/food from mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia is very common in elders, which makes them susceptible to malnutrition, infection, institutionalization, and death. Consequently, it is categorized as a geriatric syndrome. Therefore, multidisciplinary teams need to work together to determine the correct etiology and implement an appropriate care plan. Oral care is crucial in managing dysphagia and dental hygienists and dentists serve as the key members. I [...]

by Shefali Mody  , Soham Nadkarni  , Shreyash Vats  , Akshay Kumar  , Sravanthi Nandavaram  and Suresh Keshavamurthy

Received: 09 July 2023;  Published: 23 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2304203

The shortage of donor lungs for transplantation is a major challenge, resulting in longer waitlist times for patients with a higher risk of waitlist mortality. It is crucial to continue promoting awareness about organ donation through legislation, public campaigns, and health care provider education. Only a small number of cadaveric donors meet the ideal criteria for lung donation, leaving many lungs unused. Donor lung utilization can be improved by carefully considering the extended-criteria donors, actively parti [...]

by Peng Li  , Chi-Yao Chang  and Amsini Sadiki

Received: 02 April 2021;  Published: 28 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2102026

A numerical model describing the ballistic behavior of a commercially used initiator is presented in this article. This model was built on the principle of conservation of mass and energy in the multi-phase framework incorporated with multi-loaded conditions. After obtaining the information about the grain size distribution in each composite, a fixing factor was proposed based on the surface area ratio of the composites. Thus, the solid propellant burning process based on distributed grain size was described, and t [...]

by Simonetta Bernardini  , Francesca Bechini  , Giulia Braccesi  , Franco Cracolici  , Rosaria Ferreri  , Roberto Pulcri  and Andrea Serafini

Received: 30 September 2018;  Published: 17 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902024

Since 2011, the Tuscany Regional Authority has been funding the use of Integrated Medicine (IM) in a clinical setting in Pitigliano Hospital, with the aim of testing the true efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a hospital setting. The clinical setting also comprises the Manciano rehabilitation facility whose services include post-stroke rehabilitation. This study aims to establish if IM helps to improve the rehabilitation performance of stroke patients. The study compared 212 patients divide [...]

by Darcy L. Harris

Received: 26 August 2023;  Published: 16 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304052

In the past several decades, new understandings about grief have emerged. In the same time frame, a substantial body of literature has explored the components of compassion and their potential application to various clinical contexts. Compassion evolved from caring motivation associated with the evolutionary challenges of reproduction that involved the necessary care for offspring. Grief also has an evolutionary background that is rooted in core aspects of attachment and the assumptive world construct. Compassion F [...]

by Sharon Freeman Clevenger

Received: 25 November 2018;  Published: 31 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901007

The cornerstone of health care practice is the provision of competent, compassionate care. Compassion is generally considered an important component in the provision of health care; however, self-compassion may be of equal importance for health care practitioners (HCP) to observe and develop. Self-compassion promotes well-being and overall mental health and may reduce fatigue and “burn-out” for HCPs [1]. Estimates of burn out in physicians and nurses range from 35-50% and is associated with emotional exhaustion, hi [...]

by Nobuyuki Imanishi  , Tao Zhang  , Daishuke Mori  , Sou Taminato  , Yashuo Takeda  and osamu yamamoto

Received: 21 February 2021;  Published: 08 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2102019

Because lithium metal exhibits high specific capacity and low potential, it is the best candidate for fabricating anodes for batteries. Rechargeable batteries fabricated using lithium anode exhibit high capacity and high potential cathode; these can be potentially used to fabricate high energy density batteries (>500 Wh kg-1) that can be used for the development of next-generation electric vehicles. However, the formation and growth of lithium dendrites and the low coulombic efficiency recorded during lithiu [...]

by Pei-Chen Lo  , Bo-Ting Lyu  and Wu Jue Miao Tian

Received: 30 July 2018;  Published: 01 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902021

Background: This research aims to develop new methods to investigate the cardiorespiratory interaction of Zen-meditation practitioners (Zen-meditation group) and healthy ordinary young people (control group) by quantitatively evaluating respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) behavior. Methods: Twenty-five voluntary controls and seven Zen-meditation practitioners were recruited. The experimental protocol involved five sessions of different mental-stress levels (control group) and five sessions of Zen-meditation practice [...]