The purpose of this study is to investigate theoretically radiation absorption properties and fast neutron removal cross section of the six soil samples with various depths. The linear attenuation ...coefficient and mass attenuation coefficient of the soil samples decrease but half value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path and transmission factor enhance with increment of photon energy. S1 has the maximum radiation protection efficiencies (RPEs) between 0.08 and 15 MeV in the present soil samples while S2 has the minimum RPEs between 0.015 and 0.1 MeV later S6 has the minimum RPEs between 0.15 and 15 MeV. Both effective atomic number (
Z
eff
) and effective electron density (
N
eff
) values decrease gradually up to 1.5 MeV afterwards the
Z
eff
and
N
eff
values gradually enhance up to 15 MeV. Except for 0.05 and 0.06 MeV, the effective conductivity (
C
eff
) values of S6 are the smallest and S2 has the maximum
C
eff
values in soil samples. The exposure buildup factors (EBFs) and energy absorption buildup factors (EABFs) descend from 20 to 1 mfp. The fast neutron removal cross sections (FNRCs) of the soil samples decrease as soil depth increases. Consequently, radiation absorption properties and FNRCs vary with chemical content and densities of the soil samples.
Background
Depression is a prevalent condition in pregnancy affecting about 10% of women. Maternal depression has been associated with an increase in preterm births (PTB), low birthweight and fetal ...growth restriction, and postnatal complications. Available treatments for depressive disorders are psychotherapeutic interventions and antidepressant medications including selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRI use during pregnancy has been associated with several fetal and neonatal complications; so far, however, the risk of PTB in women using SSRIs during pregnancy is still a subject of debate.
Objective
To evaluate the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in cases of exposure to SSRIs during pregnancy.
Search strategy
Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from their inception until May 2015 with the use of a combination of the following text words ‘depression’, ‘pregnancy’, ‘exposure’, ‘antidepressant’, ‘SSRI’, ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor’, ‘preterm birth’, ‘small for gestational age’ and ‘prematurity’.
Selection criteria
We included studies evaluating the effect of SSRIs exposure in utero and pregnancy outcomes. All cohort and case‐control studies were eligible to be included if they reported the incidence of PTB after any exposure to SSRIs and had a comparison group of unexposed pregnant women. Studies without a control group were excluded.
Data collection and analysis
The primary outcome was the incidence of PTB <37 weeks. Subgroup analysis of studies in which controls were defined as women with depression but without SSRI exposure during pregnancy were planned.
Main results
Eight studies (1 237 669 women) were included: 93 982 in the exposure group and 1 143 687 in the control group. After adjusting for confounders, the incidence of PTB was significantly higher in the group of women treated with SSRIs compared with controls (i.e. both women with depression but without SSRI exposure and women without depression) (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.24, 95% CI 1.09–1.41). In the subgroup analysis of studies in which controls were defined as women with depression but without SSRI exposure during pregnancy, an increased risk of PTB (6.8 versus 5.8%; OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.10–1.25) in the SSRI group was found compared with controls (i.e. depressed women treated with psychotherapy alone).
Conclusions
Women who received SSRIs during pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of developing PTB compared with controls. This higher risk remained significant even when comparing depressed women on SSRI with women not on SSRI.
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be associated with preterm birth.
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be associated with preterm birth.
This article includes Author Insights, a video available at https://vimeo.com/rcog/authorinsights14144
Pregnancy is a unique physiological state that results in many changes in bodily function, including cellular, metabolic, and hormonal changes. These changes can have a significant impact on the way ...small‐molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies (biologics) function and are metabolized, including efficacy, safety, potency, and adverse effects. In this article, we review the various physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy and their effects on drug and biologic metabolism, including changes in the coagulation, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, hepatic, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, we discuss how these changes can affect the processes of drug and biologic absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (pharmacokinetics), and how drugs and biologics interact with biological systems, including mechanisms of drug action and effect (pharmacodynamics) during pregnancy, as well as the potential for drug‐induced toxicity and adverse effects in the mother and developing fetus. The article also examines the implications of these changes for the use of drugs and biologics during pregnancy, including consequences of suboptimal plasma drug concentrations, effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biologics, and the need for careful monitoring and individualized drug dosing. Overall, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the physiologic changes during pregnancy and their effects on drug and biologic metabolism to improve the safe and effective use of drugs.
Background: Globally, a dramatic increase in the use of television and digital media has been observed among children and adolescents in recent times. The possible health-related effects of frequent ...and prolonged screen media viewing on these children and adolescents have triggered many concerns among researchers. Aim: The study is aimed to determine the screen media viewing practices and caregivers' level of knowledge about the health-related effects of prolonged screen viewing time on their children. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among caregiver/child and adolescent dyads on outpatient clinic visits. Subjects and Methods: Respondents (caregivers/children's pairs) were consecutively recruited, and data was obtained using an unambiguous pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire comprising four domains: socio demographic characteristics; screen media viewing characteristics, perception of the health related effects of prolonged viewing time, and measures to limit prolonged screen viewing time in children. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 at a level of statistical significance P < 0.05. Results: Of the 205 respondents studied, the majority (67.8%, fathers and 76.1%, mothers) had tertiary education. The daily mean time spent by children watching television/screen media was 2 (± 1.58) hours. Up to 89.3% of the caregivers established good standards for healthy screen-viewing in their homes. However, 52.7% of them had poor knowledge of the health-related problems of increased viewing time. Socio-economic class (P = 0.002) and knowledge level of the parents (P = 0.000) were significant predictors limiting children's screen-viewing time. Conclusion: Increasing screen media viewing is common among the children studied. The majority of the caregivers had poor knowledge of health-related effects of prolonged viewing time despite high educational attainment. There is a need to enlighten caregivers on the possible health effects of excess screen media viewing so as to enable them to institute stringent measures to limit the attendant health consequences on the children.
Abstract
Background
Preeclampsia is a well-known cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia. The exact pathophysiology has not been fully understood. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies ...have been given emphasis to play roles in the pathophysiology. Although evidence is abundant, they are equivocal. The study aimed to see the association of dietary calcium intake, serum total calcium level and ionized calcium level with preeclampsia. It also evaluated the association between dietary calcium intake and serum calcium levels.
Materials and methods
An unmatched case–control study was conducted in Gandhi Memorial, Tikur Anbessa, and Zewditu Memorial Hospitals, all in Addis Ababa, between October to December, 2019. Cases were 42 women with preeclampsia and controls were 42 normotensive women. The medical and obstetric history was gathered using a structured questionnaire and the dietary calcium intake information using a 24-h dietary recall. The serum levels of total serum calcium and ionized (free) calcium were measured using an inductively coupled mass spectrophotometer. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and Pearson correlation test were utilized during data analysis.
Results
In comparison with controls, women with preeclampsia had lower mean (± 1SD) levels of ionized calcium level (1.1 mmol/l ± 0.11), total serum calcium level (1.99 mmol/l ± 0.35) and lower median (IQR) dietary calcium intake (704 mg/24 h,458–1183). The odds of having preeclampsia was almost eight times greater in those participants with low serum ionized calcium level (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.388–23.608) and three times higher in those with low total serum calcium level (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.024–9.370). Low dietary calcium intake also showed statistically significant association with preeclampsia (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.092 -10.723). Serum ionized calcium level and total serum calcium level showed positive correlation of moderate strength (
p
= 0.004,
r
= 0.307), but no correlation was found between dietary calcium intake with both forms of serum calcium levels.
Conclusion
This study showed significant association between low dietary calcium intake and low serum calcium levels with preeclampsia, hence this can be used as a supportive local evidence for the current context-specific recommendation of calcium supplementation in societies with low-dietary calcium consumption in an attempt to prevent preeclampsia, therefore implementation study should be considered in Ethiopia to look for the feasibility of routine supplementation.
Background
Observational studies have reported varying results about the association of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Objectives
To evaluate the risk of preterm ...delivery among singleton pregnancies complicated by VCI.
Search strategy
Various databases were searched for English‐language articles published up to February, 28, 2017, using keywords including VCI; abnormal placentation; abnormal cord insertions; adverse perinatal outcomes; and preterm birth. Outcome measures included preterm delivery; pre‐eclampsia; cesarean delivery; fetal demise in utero (FDIU); and small for gestational age (SGA).
Selection criteria
Only studies involving VCI were included in the meta‐analysis.
Data collection and analysis
Analyses were performed using RevMan version 5.3.5 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark).
Main results
There were six studies included in the analysis. The VCI and control groups comprised 16 295 and 1 366 485 women, respectively. An increased incidence of preterm delivery was found for the VCI group compared with the control group (11.8% vs 7.0%; adjusted odds ratio aOR 1.95, 95% confidence interval CI 1.85–2.04). A diagnosis of VCI was also associated with cesarean delivery (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12–1.23), SGA (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.83–2.04), and FDIU (aOR 3.96, 95% CI 3.21–4.89).
Conclusion
The presence of VCI was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Velamentous cord insertion could be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm delivery, small for gestational age neonates, cesarean delivery, and fetal demise in utero.
Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative ubiquitous bacterium affecting over half of the world's population. Most infections are acquired in early childhood with highest ...prevalence in Africa and Asia. Infected individuals develop antibodies against H. pylori which persist up to 6 months after eradication. Low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and absence of potable household water supply are prevalent in our environment and also linked with increased frequency of the disease with attendant health consequences. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and potential sociodemographic factors among children in Owerri. Methods: One hundred and twenty children aged 6 months to 15 years were studied from March to June 2016. Sociodemographic data was documented in a pretested structured questionnaire while rapid test kit that detects antibody to H. pylori by chromatographic flow was used to identify subjects with infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with level of statistical significance at P < 0.05. Results: H. pylori infection prevalence was 20.0%, increased with age and highest in the 10-15 years age group (P = 0.001). Increasing age and low socioeconomic class (SEC) were found to be significant risk factors of H. pylori seropositivity among study subjects. Conclusion: Prevalence of H. pylori infection was high, increased with age and lower SEC as well as highest among children aged 10 years and older. Efforts should be made to exclude H. pylori infection in children with suspected symptoms considering the high burden of the disease in our setting.
This research implements a recently proposed framework for meander migration, in order to explore the coevolution of planform and channel width in a freely meandering river. In the model described ...here, width evolution is coupled to channel migration through two submodels, one describing bank erosion and the other describing bank deposition. Bank erosion is modelled as erosion of purely non-cohesive bank material damped by natural armouring due to basal slump blocks, and bank deposition is modelled in terms of a flow-dependent rate of vegetal encroachment. While these two submodels are specified independently, the two banks interact through the medium of the intervening channel; the morphodynamics of which is described by a fully nonlinear depth-averaged morphodynamics model. Since both banks are allowed to migrate independently, channel width is free to vary locally as a result of differential bank migration. Through a series of numerical runs, we demonstrate coevolution of local curvature, width and streamwise slope as the channel migrates over time. The correlation between the local curvature, width and bed elevation is characterized, and the nature of this relationship is explored by varying the governing parameters. The results show that, by varying a parameter representing the ratio between a reference bank erosion rate and a reference bank deposition rate, the model is able to reproduce the broad range of river width–curvature correlations observed in nature. This research represents a step towards providing general metrics for predicting width variation patterns in river systems.
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