by Ibikunle Olalekan OGUNDARI

Received: 08 September 2022;  Published: 03 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2302013

This study examined the techno-economic specifications for a Waste-to-Suburban Cooking Energy critical infrastructure project in Southwestern Nigeria. Technological and project economic data for the W2E project were obtained from strategic sources and energy project foresight/analysis framework used. The results showed residential upgraded biogas-for-cooking demand of approximately 10,243 m3/month, and municipal solid waste (MSW) input of approximately 80 tonnes/month. The planned biogas plant had estimated costs o [...]

by Amy Spallone  , Udit Dhal  , Laila Woc-Colburn  and Marion Hemmersbach-Miller

Received: 21 October 2019;  Published: 28 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2001103

We report two cases of histoplasmosis in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients to illustrate the variable presentations, complications encountered during treatment, the spectrum of diagnostic modalities, and case outcomes. Case 1 describes the insidious presentation of presumed gastrointestinal histoplasmosis 12 years after OLT, which was defined by months of intermittent diarrhea and focal colonic disease on colonoscopy. A diagnosis of Histoplasma capsulatum was ultimately made by broad range PCR performed [...]

by Phil Ayers  , Megan Harlow  and LeAnn Scott

Received: 30 December 2021;  Published: 15 February 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2201002

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a complex medication administered to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients. PN is recognized as a high-alert medication by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) has published several key recommendations regarding safe use of PN. This manuscript will review several of the important PN papers published in 2020-2021 by ASPEN.

by Jeffery Jonathan Joshua (ישוע) Davis  , Florian Schübeler  and Robert Kozma

Received: 26 November 2018;  Published: 04 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901015

Background: Psychophysiological coherence has been widely studied as a bodily state associated with general well-being and cognitive clarity. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been shown to be a good biomarker to assess psychophysiological coherence. This paper presents the first general set of results concerning a study that is part of a team effort between a body of researchers in 5 countries led by the HeartMath Institute under the name, International Heart Rate Variability Synchronization (IHRVS) Study. This stu [...]

by Christine Pham  , Brett J Pierce  , Simon W Yau  , Jihad Georges Youssef  , Ahmad Goodarzi  and Howard J Huang

Received: 09 July 2021;  Published: 30 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103152

Data supporting the use of belatacept in non-abdominal organs are limited to case series and small cohorts involving patients requiring conversion due to CNI intolerance or contraindication. Review articles summarizing the efficacy of belatacept salvage therapy in lung transplantation have previously been published, however, dosing regimens are highly variable and uniform guidance is lacking. In this article, indications and considerations for belatacept use in lung transplant recipients are reviewed with a specifi [...]

by Changiz Mohiyeddini  , Elizabeth Carlson  , Deena Sukhon  , Wesam Almarsi  , Marwa Saad  , Daniel Eshun  and Stephanie Baker

Received: 27 May 2024;  Published: 22 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2404062

Moral injury refers to a complex psychological condition that is assumed to emerge following exposure to distressing events that challenge the moral values or ethical beliefs of individuals by direct commission, omission, observation, or betrayal by a trusted leader. Moral injury can be found across various occupational domains, such as military, healthcare, and law enforcement. Symptoms of moral injury can include guilt, a sense of moral disorientation, struggle with spiritual or existential issues, and more. This [...]

by Alejandro Ochoa-Ramirez  , Evelyn M. Kuhn  , Jitsupa Sirinit  and Theresa A. Mikhailov

Received: 11 October 2021;  Published: 26 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2201003

Many clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric factors have been used to determine the nutritional status of critically ill children. One of the most commonly used anthropometric measurements in children is the head circumference. It is used to assess their development, and in some instances, can be an indicator of chronic malnutrition. We aim to study the association between head circumference and the nutritional status of critically ill children under 2 years old. We retrospectively obtained the head circumferenc [...]

by Roland Bardy  , Helen Akolgo-Azupogo  and Arthur Rubens

Received: 29 April 2022;  Published: 26 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203036

Regulating land use and the biodiversity of a region requires lasting accords between those who make the decisions and those who are affected by the rules and regulations. In Africa, these accords depend on the effectiveness of the collective efforts of the representatives of the legal authorities and the civil society (the traditional leaders in the tribal system). In this study, we investigated the role of tribal leaders in conserving biodiversity (which is a base for obtaining accords with statutory regulations) [...]

by Jean-Lionel BAGOT

Received: 22 April 2022;  Published: 11 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2203026

The application of targeted therapies (TT) in oncology has prolonged survivals and even enabled complete remission of cancers previously considered incurable. With small therapeutic indices, the reduction in dosage or spacing out of the doses of TT due to side effects, represents a significant loss of treatment opportunity for the patients. In the absence of drug interaction and significant side effects, homeopathy used in supportive care improves the quality of life of patients, compliance with oncological treatme [...]

by Lucy Watts  , Joanna Smith  , Wilfred McSherry  , Michael Tatterton  and Alison Rodriguez

Received: 04 November 2019;  Published: 03 March 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2001012

In palliative and end of life care settings supporting people to make sense of their lives is as important as managing disease symptoms. Dignity Therapy is a validated psychotherapeutic intervention designed to bring about a sense of meaning and purpose for individuals at the end of life. Dignity Therapy has primarily been implemented and evaluated in adult palliative care settings. Prior to designing studies that evaluate Dignity Therapy for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditi [...]

by Janusz Włodarczyk  and Alicja Włodarczyk

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 18 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2103179

Zenker’s diverticulum is a cause of benign dysphagia. The main symptoms include dysphagia and regurgitation and require diagnostics to exclude neoplastic disease. Surgical treatment is recommended for symptomatic patients. The methods of treatment include endoscopic and open transcervical techniques. Thirty-eight patients treated using the open technique between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed. Patients were qualified for the procedure after a complete diagnosis that excluded the neoplastic process. All patients were a [...]

by Shanthi Mendis

Received: 28 January 2024;  Published: 16 August 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2403011

Promoting a healthy diet is an effective strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The characteristics of a healthy diet are known. However, an unhealthy diet has become a significant contributor to the global burden of diseases, mainly due to its effect on CVD, diabetes, and cancer. A healthy diet is not accessible and affordable to most people worldwide. Marketing influences food choices and promotes unhealthy diets that contribute to obesity, CVD, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Governments are respon [...]

by Elisa Martinelli  , Angelo Di Stefano  , Pietro Gareri  , Pasqualina Sapone  , Rosaria Carlucci  , Massimo Brandino  , Ettore Maina  , Sara Piscioneri  , Giada Cagnoli  and Antonino Maria Cotroneo

Received: 05 March 2023;  Published: 19 September 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2303250

As the older population increases, there is an increase in age-related chronic diseases, especially heart failure. It affects 25% of over 75-year-old outpatients and represents the leading cause of hospitalization and death in older people. This review aimed to point out the main characteristics concerning heart failure in older people, taking into account clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. An extensive search on heart failure was made on PubMed and Google, using the keywords older people, heart failure, [...]

by Mikhail Batanov-Gaukhman

Received: 10 November 2023;  Published: 26 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2402014

The article aims to develop the stochastic interpretation of quantum mechanics by E. Nelson based on balancing the intra-systemic contradiction (i.e., antisymmetry) between “order” and “chaos”. For the set task, it is proposed to combine two mutually opposite system-forming principles: “the principle of least action” and “the principle of maximum entropy” into one, the “principle of averaged efficiency extremum”. In a detailed consideration of the averaged states of a chaotically wandering particle, the time-indepe [...]

by Catriona J Cunningham  , Marc Vives Enrich  , Molly M Pickford  , William MacIntosh-Smith  and Wenlong Huang

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 14 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004080

There is currently no effective treatment for spinal cord injury leaving around 90% of patients with permanent disabilities. Stem cell therapies are showing promise in preclinical studies of central nervous system injury and there is increasing evidence suggesting the improvements in functional recovery are mediated by paracrine actions. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the overall efficacy of stem cell secretome therapies in promoting recovery in preclinical models of spinal cord [...]

by Parisa Gazerani  and Brian E Cairns

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 05 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101082

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been introduced as an innovative treatment for several neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia and it has been proven effective in helping individuals affected by these disorders; hence, enhancing their quality of life. DBS has also been investigated for the treatment of cluster and other primary headaches. Electrodes are surgically implanted into brain structures, for example the posterior hypothalamus in case of cluster headache. Hypot [...]

by Abbas Ishaq  and Gabriele Saretzki

Received: 13 April 2022;  Published: 05 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2203016

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that senescence and the associated inflammatory phenotype (SASP) also occur in post-mitotic cells such as mature adipocytes. Visceral adipose tissue in humans is susceptible to inflammation due to nutritional imbalance and ageing. However, while adipose tissue has been well researched in the context of obesity, senescence of differentiated adipocytes has not been investigated thoroughly. Our group recently demonstrated that ageing and normal ad libitum (AL) nutrition in mice resul [...]

by Masahiro Sato  , Hansol Jin  , Eri Akasaka  and Kazuchika Miyoshi

Received: 01 September 2020;  Published: 18 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2101123

The production of genetically modified (GM) pigs is considered valuable in biomedical research for the development of model animals for various diseases and pigs with resistance against viral infection. The porcine genome may be modified using several methods, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using GM cells as the SCNT donor, direct injection of the transgene or the genome editing components (GEC) into fertilized eggs referred to as zygotes, the in vitro electroporation (EP) of the zygotes in the presen [...]

by Melita Vidakovic  , Jessica Marinello  , Maija Lahtela-Kakkonen  , Daumantas Matulis  , Vaida Linkuvienė  , Benoît Y. Michel  , Ruta Navakauskiene  , Michael S. Christodoulou  , Danielle Passarella  , Saulius Klimasauskas  , Christophe Blanquart  , Muriel Cuendet  , Judit Ovadi  , Stéphane Poulain  , Fabien Fontaine-Vive  , Alain Burger  and Nadine Martinet

Received: 30 May 2018;  Published: 16 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803029

Background: With their varied pharmacophores, natural products are interesting tools to open the drug discovery pipeline. Several plant secondary metabolites are components of the human diet and have reported epigenetic activities. In this study, we screened a small natural compound library for epigenetic activities. Methods: Seventy-one different natural products plus 17 controls collected from all collaborating laboratories were screened. Localized DNA methylation (DNAm) was studied on a stretch of the retinoic a [...]

by Koji Naruishi

Received: 06 September 2018;  Published: 26 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804016

In Japan, the amount of aged hospitalized patients has been steadily increasing. Elderly people are susceptible to poor health, and the rise of elderly patients increases medical care expenses, which can cause economic strain. Therefore, it is clinically and socially important to reduce the occurrence of geriatric diseases, such as aspiration pneumonia and cognitive impairment. The daily care by family members is considered to be effective for the prevention of geriatric diseases, however, early detection of the di [...]

by Ladislav Volicer

Received: 04 November 2018;  Published: 08 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804019

Behavioral symptoms of dementia

by Kianoush Hatami Dehnou  and Mohammad Jafar Hadianfard

Received: 14 December 2023;  Published: 03 May 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2402011

The use of silicone rubber as an implant is limited due to its weak properties. In this study, the impact of various reinforcements, such as TiO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles, carbon, or polypropylene fiber micro reinforcements, on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of silicone rubber composites with RTV-4125 matrix was investigated. The composites were evaluated through several tests, including tensile, compression, FTIR, TGA, DMTA, and water adsorption tests. It was found that the composites' tensi [...]

by Hayden Cartmill  , Paul Dargusch  and Genia Hill

Received: 10 January 2022;  Published: 06 May 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202019

One of the biggest challenges currently presented to organisations worldwide is their ability to identify and sustainably manage greenhouse gas emissions. ‘Carbon management’, as it is referred to, is the process of understanding how and where an organisation’s activities generate emissions, and extends beyond meeting regulation requirements to being strategically utilised within businesses for social licensing, financial planning and corporate decision-making. The aim of this research is to analy [...]

by Lindy A. Kilik

Received: 30 July 2019;  Published: 29 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903076

The current paper introduces the “Priming/Timing/Miming” Model of Behavioural Care Planning for persons with Dementia. This simple heuristic provides a quick, easy and systematic way to select from the vast number of behavioural strategies offered in the BPSD literature and to organize these in a way that can be incorporated into an individualized Behaviour Care Plan to deliver personal care to persons with dementia and also to develop a larger plan of care. An entire care plan is captured on one double-sided sheet [...]

by Tyrone Pretorius  and Anita Padmanabhanunni

Received: 01 May 2022;  Published: 17 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2203132

An important mental health concern arising from the COVID-19 pandemic was the loneliness resulting from the lockdown measures taken by many countries due to the outbreak. Thus, loneliness needs to be studied in detail for intervention purposes. The UCLA Loneliness Scale is the most widely used measure of loneliness. However, the 20-item measure has some drawbacks, including questionnaire fatigue, especially when used with other measures, and a lack of accurate responses to all items. In this study, we evaluated two [...]