Asthma and Allergy Mobile Apps in 2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper offers a comprehensive review of interactive mobile allergy and asthma smartphone applications available within the USA in 2018, with an emphasis on interactive asthma apps.

Recent Findings

Primary care and specialty clinicians interested in introducing digital health apps into their practices will soon have more choices, for Apple® and major electronic medical record software companies are investing heavily in the mobile medical marketplace, guaranteeing personal health information and access to care will always be immediately available in one's digital hand.

Summary

Interactive mobile asthma applications are valuable assets for patients and caregivers alike, for they offer immediate communications between patients and those responsible for providing for their needs.

http://bit.ly/2GmD8r8

Primary Prevention of Food Allergy

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review is to present an updated summary of the various approaches to prevent childhood food allergies and report recent advances in potential prevention trials for food allergy.

Recent Findings

Several approaches related to maternal dietary supplementation as well as infant GI-based supplementation have been tried and are the subject of ongoing clinical investigation.

Summary

The prevalence of food allergy appears to be increasing but several, varied approaches to prevention are being actively pursued such that an effective strategy may not be too far in the future.

http://bit.ly/2Ts4Jv0

Optimization of the Surgical Field in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: an Evidence-Based Approach

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The advent of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has enabled the development of minimally invasive surgical procedures in Rhinology. However, proficiency with ESS techniques can still be hampered by poorly controlled bleeding limiting visibility of the surgical field (VSF). This can lead to increased operating time and, more importantly, increased risk of major and minor complications. To optimize the VSF and mitigate the risk of complications, many strategies have been explored.

Recent Findings

This is a narrative review of the relative risks and benefits of pre- and intra-operative interventions aimed at optimizing intraoperative conditions during ESS. The value of these interventions is determined based on their impact on intraoperative blood loss, time of surgery, and the VSF, and weighed against their adverse event profile.

Summary

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence relating to the safety and efficacy of interventions used to improve intraoperative conditions during ESS.

http://bit.ly/2BipHFx

Chemical Composition, Antifungal, and Cytotoxicity Activities of Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd Leaves

The species Inga laurina is native to the Brazilian Cerrado. There are no studies about the chemical composition and biological activities of extracts of this endangered species. The ethanolic extract and its successive fractions are rich in phenolic compounds and presented good antifungal activities. HPLC/MS-MS/MS and H1/C13 analysis led to the identification of seventeen compounds, most of which are gallic acid derivatives, myricetin and quercetin glycosides. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) contained high levels of total phenolics, expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per gram of extract (475.3 ± 1.9 mg GAE ) and flavonoids expressed in milligrams of quercetin equivalents per gram of extract (359.3 ± 10.6 mg QE ). This fraction was active against fungi of the Candida genus. The EAF showed MIC value 11.7 μg mL−1 against C. glabrata and a selectivity index of 1.6 against Vero cells. The flavonol glycoside myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside was isolated for the first time from the Inga laurina. These results make I. laurina a promising plant as a source of pharmaceutical and biological active antifungal compounds.

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Hepatitis B and C Viral Infection: Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Occupational Exposure among Healthcare Workers of Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia

Background. Blood-borne infections have been recognized as an occupational hazard for nearly 50 years. Current treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is very expensive for individuals in developing countries and cannot clear infection after it progresses to the chronic stage. Thus, early screenings of people who are at higher risk like healthcare workers and vaccination and awareness creation on standard precautions (SP) to prevent transmission are mandatory. This study determined seroprevalence of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among healthcare workers of Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Methods. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from Nov 2015 to Jan 2016. The lottery method was used to select 240 healthcare workers. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Five to ten milliliters of whole venous blood was collected from each participant. The blood samples were analyzed (tested) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody using automated Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS 23. Results. The positivity of HBsAg was 2.5% (6/240; 95% CI: 0.52-4.48%) and that of anti-HCV antibody was 0.42% (1/240; 95% CI: 0.0-1.23%). Most participants had good knowledge of HBV (73.9%), HCV (60.9%), and SP (82.2%) and positive attitude towards SP (88.7%), but only 42.6% had a good practice of SP. More than half (60%) and nearly half (43%) had a history of ever exposure and exposure in the last one year before the survey, respectively. Females were at lower risk of both having ever exposure (95% CI: (0.241, 0.777)) and exposure in the last one year before the survey (95% CI: (0.297, 0.933)) compared to males. Conclusion. The prevalence of HBV was intermediate according to the endemicity classification by WHO. The practice of SP was poor in most participants and, thus, occupational exposure was high. Therefore, regular screening and vaccination of healthcare workers, regular provision of basic or refresher training and availing logistics, and regular motivation of healthcare workers on the practice of standard precautions are recommended.

http://bit.ly/2GhN9Gg

Adsorption Study for the Removal of Nitrate from Water Using Local Clay

Our research aimed at the removal of nitrate ions through adsorption by local clay. A series of batch experiments were conducted to examine the effects of contact time, adsorbent characteristics, initial concentration of nitrate, pH of the solution, concentration, and granulometry of adsorbent. Adsorption isotherms studies indicated that local clay satisfies Freundlich's model. The rate of reaction follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. Local clay successfully adsorbs nitrates at pH acid. The adsorption capacity under optimal conditions was found to be 5.1 mg/g. The adsorption yield increases with adsorbent dose and decrease with initial concentration of nitrate. The local clay was characterized by the X-ray fluorescence method (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electronics microscopy (SEM), and measurement of specific surface area (BET). The results of the study indicated that local clay is useful materials for the removal of nitrates from aqueous solutions which can be used in water treatment without any chemical modification.

http://bit.ly/2GhYw10

Epidemiological Profile of the Pathologies of the Oral Cavity in a Peruvian Population: A 9-Year Retrospective Study of 18,639 Patients

Aim. To determine the epidemiological profile of oral diseases in a marginal urban Peruvian population. Methods. A 9-year retrospective study was conducted, analysing 18,639 clinical records from the María Auxiliadora Hospital between 2006 and 2015 with diagnoses of oral lesions using ICD-10 criteria. Clinical records were analysed for sex, tumour, periapical abscess and sinus, cysts of the oral region, other lesions of the oral mucosa and cavity, gingivitis and periodontal disease, dentofacial anomalies, diseases of pulp, etc. Results. Of 18,639 cases, the prevalence was higher in women for the following pathologies: unspecified dental caries (30.6%); impacted tooth in the category of disorders of tooth development and eruption (2.0%); pulpitis (6.8%) in the category of diseases of pulp and periapical tissues; temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (1.5%) in the category of dentofacial anomalies; acute gingivitis (7.5%); radicular cyst (0.3%) in the category of cysts of the oral region; and periapical abscess without sinus (2.0%). Conclusions. We found a significant association between sex and different types of dental caries, disturbances in tooth eruption, diseases of pulp and periapical tissues, and dentofacial anomalies. The study also shows a statistically significant association between sex and gingivitis, periodontal disease, and periodontal abscess and sinus.

http://bit.ly/2SmtZFr