Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder and ergonomic risk practice among medical laboratory professionals at health facilities of eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational problem due to poor ergonomic workstations among medical laboratory professionals; however, there is limited information regarding ergonomic-related musculoskeletal disorders among laboratory personnel in Ethiopia, particularly in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among 241 Medical Laboratory Professionals (MLPs) from December 20, 2023, to January 20, 2024. A standardized questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and a combination of self-administered surveys and direct observational techniques was used for data collection.

Short term outcomes of the first pediatric cardiac surgery program in Rwanda.

Background: While the number of cardiac surgery programs in sub-Saharan Africa are increasing, it is still insufficient. With only 0.08 pediatric cardiac surgeons per million people, few cardiac centers routinely perform pediatric cardiac surgery.

Positive effect of erythromycin on ineffective oesophageal motility in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients: Room for a novel treatment?

Introduction: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) management guidelines are currently derived from the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) which has been shown to be poorly effective in controlling symptoms for these patients. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that has been used extensively as a prokinetic agent for the gastrointestinal tract. The management of LPR with prokinetics is a novel therapy being investigated with regard to its effectiveness.

A Pooled Pharmacokinetic Analysis for Piperacillin/Tazobactam Across Different Patient Populations: From Premature Infants to the Elderly.

Background And Objectives: The pharmacokinetics (PK) of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) is highly variable across different patient populations and there are controversies regarding non-linear elimination as well as the fraction unbound of PIP (f). This has led to a plethora of subgroup-specific models, increasing the risk of misusing published models when optimising dosing regimens. In this study, we aimed to develop a single model to simultaneously describe the PK of PIP/TAZ in diverse patient populations and evaluate the current dosing recommendations by predicting the PK/pharmacodynamics (PD) target attainment throughout life.

A systematic review and individual bacterial species level meta-analysis of in vitro studies on the efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam combined with other antimicrobials against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) develop resistance to many antimicrobials. To effectively manage infections caused by these organisms, novel agents and/or combinations of antimicrobials are required.

Objectives: Evaluated the in vitro efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam in combination with other antimicrobials against CR-GNB.

A review of antimicrobial stability testing guidance for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy programmes: is it time for global harmonization of testing frameworks?

Antimicrobial stability is an important consideration for treatment planning and service delivery in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programmes. Regulation of stability assessment varies by region, and conflicting guidance and standards exist. This leads to disparity of equity in access and limits availability of certain antimicrobials for managing infections in the outpatient setting.

Heavy metal accumulation and food safety of lettuce ( L.) amended by bioslurry and chemical fertilizer application.

The accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plant tissue is a serious concern since it impacts both soil quality and food safety. This study evaluated the accumulation of heavy metals and the food quality of lettuce as a result of the application of chemical fertilizer (CF) and bioslurry (BS). The treatments were CF (158 kg ha NPS and 200 kg ha urea), BS (5 ton ha), and control with no fertilizer, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with carbapenems: A systematic review.

Objective: To review the literature on parenteral carbapenems in OPAT and present comprehensive evidence on their safety, efficacy, and stability.

Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted through 17 January 2024, using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library to find relevant articles.

Results: Ertapenem (1 g QD) in OPAT showed high clinical (81-97%) and microbiological (67-90.

Enhancing cell death in B-cell malignancies through targeted inhibition of Bcl-3.

The t(14;19)(q32;q13) is a rare recurring translocation found in B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancies, involving the Bcl-3 gene. This chromosomal translocation is often found in patients under the age of 50 and causes a more progressive disease. The Bcl-3 gene encodes a protein belonging to the IκB family of proteins, which tightly regulates NFκB signaling by acting as an activator or repressor of transcription.

Work readiness of student nurses voluntarily supporting NHS during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods investigation into students' experiences.

Transition from education to the workforce has been recognised as difficult and linked to 'reality shock.' Due to the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, many student nurses opted in for NHS emergency placements and prematurely transitioned to the workplace, which calls for an in-depth investigation of the work readiness and transition experiences of this cohort. The aim of this study was to investigate self-perceived work readiness, the effectiveness of support provided by the universities and the NHS as well as explore the experiences of student nurses who responded to the COVID-19 crisis to understand the impact of this early transition to the clinical workforce.

Psychosocial determinants of academic achievement in Ethiopian higher education students, 2024. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Ethiopian students' academic achievement goes beyond just cognitive ability. It is interwoven with psychological and social factors. This analysis examines how these interconnected dimensions, including behaviour, emotions, and mental well-being, influence academic attainment.

Paleolimnological evidence for variable impacts of fish farms on the water quality of Scottish freshwater lochs.

Since the 1980s, fish farming (aquaculture) has been an important contributor to Scotland's economy, but there are concerns that nutrient-rich food waste and excreta from these farms are causing eutrophication. Water quality monitoring preceding the arrival and subsequent expansion of the industry is limited. Therefore, to better understand the impacts of in-lake fish farms on the quality of freshwater ecosystems, we examined the diatom records in sediment cores from seven freshwater lochs in Scotland over a timescale of c.

Is there evidence on the optimal duration of aminoglycoside therapy in β-lactam/aminoglycoside combination regimens used for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections? A systematic review.

Background: The optimal duration of therapy of aminoglycosides in combination regimens is expected to be different from that of monotherapy regimens, and shorter durations could help minimize toxicity without compromising efficacy. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence for the optimal duration of aminoglycosides in β-lactam/aminoglycoside combinations used for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Materials And Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINHAL databases were searched.

Microbial carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZyme) genes and diversity from Menagesha Suba natural forest soils of Ethiopia as revealed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

Background: The global over-reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels has led to the emission of greenhouse gases, creating a critical global environmental challenge. There is an urgent need for alternative solutions like biofuels. Advanced biofuel is a renewable sustainable energy generated from lignocellulosic plant materials, which can significantly contribute to mitigating CO emissions.

Rape Myths and Verdict Systems: What Is Influencing Conviction Rates in Rape Trials in Scotland?

The Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: 'guilty', 'not guilty' and 'not proven'. Politicians propose that the three-verdict system is partially to blame for the low conviction rate of rape, whereas research suggests that rape myths may be having a larger impact. To test the effects of varying verdict systems (guilty, not guilty and not proven; guilty and not guilty; a series of proven and not proven verdicts) and rape myths on juror verdicts.

Determinants of meconium-stained amniotic fluid among laboring mother in Ethiopia, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) occurs during childbirth when the amniotic fluid carries traces of meconium, the initial stool passed by a newborn. Often signaling fetal distress, MSAF is linked to heightened risks for both the mother and the newborn. In Ethiopia, there is insufficient attention given to this condition.

Safety and efficacy of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) offers an alternative to inpatient (hospital bed-based) treatment of infections that require intravenous administration of antimicrobials. This meta-analysis aimed to summarise the evidence available from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy and safety of OPAT compared to inpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Sciences databases for RCTs comparing outpatient versus inpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Transglutaminase 2 knockout mice are protected from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis with preserved lung function and reduced metabolic derangements.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial scarring disease of the lung characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is believed to promote lung fibrosis by crosslinking extracellular matrix components and activating latent TGFβ. This study assessed physiologic pulmonary function and metabolic alterations in the mouse bleomycin model with TG2 genetic deletion.