It is known that raw-mixed vegetable salads are essential part of people＇s diet all around the world. These vegetables salads are consumed raw and often without heat treatment or thorough washing. Raw-mixed vegetable...It is known that raw-mixed vegetable salads are essential part of people＇s diet all around the world. These vegetables salads are consumed raw and often without heat treatment or thorough washing. Raw-mixed vegetable salads therefore can serve as vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms associated with human diseases. The aim of this study was to isolate and analyze the common bacterial pathogens associated with raw-mixed vegetable salads prepared and sold by street food vendors in Korle-Gonno, Accra, Metropolis, Ghana. A total of 75 different raw-mixed vegetable salads were sampled from the open places and were subjected to bacteriological analysis using standard Food and Agriculture Organization （FAO） of the United Nations （UN） total aerobic plate count method. A total mean colony count of bacteria ranged 0.87-5.6 log10 CFU/g was isolated. Escherichia coli （35%）, Staphylococcus aureus （33%）, Klebsiella sp. （17%）, and Bacillus sp. （15%） were the bacteria isolated from the various raw-mixed vegetables salads investigated. This study has shown that all the raw-mixed vegetable salads sampled from Korle-Gonno, Accra Metropolis, Ghana had a high bacterial contamination and their persistence and proliferation is a reflection of poor hygienic practices by the street food vendors. The use of unsafe or contaminated water to irrigate the vegetables when growing on the farm or garden could also be a contributing factor.展开更多
The aim of this case series was to retrospectively examine the symptom response of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation(IBS-C) patients administered an herbal extract in a real-world setting. Twenty-four IBS-C p...The aim of this case series was to retrospectively examine the symptom response of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation(IBS-C) patients administered an herbal extract in a real-world setting. Twenty-four IBS-C patients in a community office practice were provided a combination over-the-counter dietary supplement composed of quebracho(150 mg), conker tree(470 mg) and M. balsamea Willd(0.2 mL) extracts(Atrantil?) and chose to take the formulation for a minimum of 2 wk in an attempt to manage their symptoms. Patient responses to the supplement were assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS) for abdominal pain, constipation and bloating at baseline and at 2 wk as part of standard-of-care. Patient scores from VAS assessments recorded in medical chart data were retrospectively compiled and assessed for the effects of the combined extract on symptoms. Sign tests were used to compare changes from baseline to 2 wk of taking the extract. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. Twenty-one of 24 patients(88%) responded to the dietary supplement as measured by individual improvements in VAS scores for abdominal pain, bloating and constipation symptoms comparing scores prior to administration of the extract against those reported after 2 wk. There were also significant improvements in individual as well as mean VAS scores after 2 wk of administration of the combinedextract compared to baseline for abdominal pain [8.0(6.5, 9.0) vs 2.0(1.0, 3.0), P < 0.001], bloating [8.0(7.0, 9.0) vs 1.0(1.0, 2.0), P < 0.001] and constipation [6.0(3.0, 8.0) vs 2.0(1.0, 3.0), P < 0.001], respectively. In addition, 21 of 24 patients expressed improved quality of life while taking the formulation. There were no reported side effects to administration of the dietary supplement in this practice population suggesting excellent tolerance of the formulation. This pilot retrospective analysis of symptom scores from patients before and after consuming a quebracho/conker tree/M. balsamea Wil d extract may support the formulation's use in IBS-C.展开更多
Built upon an iterative process of resampling without replacement and out-of-sample prediction, the delete-d cross validation statistic CV(d) provides a robust estimate of forecast error variance. To compute CV(d), a ...Built upon an iterative process of resampling without replacement and out-of-sample prediction, the delete-d cross validation statistic CV(d) provides a robust estimate of forecast error variance. To compute CV(d), a dataset consisting of n observations of predictor and response values is systematically and repeatedly partitioned (split) into subsets of size n – d (used for model training) and d (used for model testing). Two aspects of CV(d) are explored in this paper. First, estimates for the unknown expected value E[CV(d)] are simulated in an OLS linear regression setting. Results suggest general formulas for E[CV(d)] dependent on σ2 (“true” model error variance), n – d (training set size), and p (number of predictors in the model). The conjectured E[CV(d)] formulas are connected back to theory and generalized. The formulas break down at the two largest allowable d values (d = n – p – 1 and d = n – p, the 1 and 0 degrees of freedom cases), and numerical instabilities are observed at these points. An explanation for this distinct behavior remains an open question. For the second analysis, simulation is used to demonstrate how the previously established asymptotic conditions {d/n → 1 and n – d → ∞ as n → ∞} required for optimal linear model selection using CV(d) for model ranking are manifested in the smallest sample setting, using either independent or correlated candidate predictors.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the effect of the modified systemic inflammation score(mSIS)on prognosis in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods:In this retrospective cross-sectional study,181 patients were selected and div...Objective:To evaluate the effect of the modified systemic inflammation score(mSIS)on prognosis in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods:In this retrospective cross-sectional study,181 patients were selected and divided into two groups:patients with and without admission to the intensive care unit(ICU).An albumin level of≥4.0 g/dL and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR)of≥3.4 was scored 0,an albumin level of<4.0 g/dL or LMR of<3.4 was scored 1,and an albumin level of<4.0 g/dL and LMR of<3.4 was scored 2.Results:A total of 242 COVID-19 positive patients were initially included in this study.Of these patients,61 were excluded and 181 patients remained.Among the 181 participants,94(51.9%)were female,and the median age was 61(51,75)years.The mSIS scale ranged from 0 to 2.After analysis,the median score was 0(0,0)in the non-ICU group and 2(0,2)in the ICU group(P<0.001).The median white blood cell,lymphocyte counts,and albumin levels were lower in the ICU group(P<0.001,P<0.001,and P<0.001,respectively).In logistic regression analysis lymphocytopenia(OR=5.158,95%CI=1.249-21.304,P=0.023),hypoalbuminemia(OR=49.921,95%CI=1.843-1352.114,P=0.020),AST elevation(OR=3.939,95%CI=1.017-15.261,P=0.047),and mSIS=2(OR=5.853,95%CI=1.338-25.604,P=0.019)were identified as independent predictors of ICU admission.Conclusion:The mSIS can be used as an independent parameter for establishing the intensive care needs of patients with COVID-19.展开更多
文摘It is known that raw-mixed vegetable salads are essential part of people＇s diet all around the world. These vegetables salads are consumed raw and often without heat treatment or thorough washing. Raw-mixed vegetable salads therefore can serve as vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms associated with human diseases. The aim of this study was to isolate and analyze the common bacterial pathogens associated with raw-mixed vegetable salads prepared and sold by street food vendors in Korle-Gonno, Accra, Metropolis, Ghana. A total of 75 different raw-mixed vegetable salads were sampled from the open places and were subjected to bacteriological analysis using standard Food and Agriculture Organization （FAO） of the United Nations （UN） total aerobic plate count method. A total mean colony count of bacteria ranged 0.87-5.6 log10 CFU/g was isolated. Escherichia coli （35%）, Staphylococcus aureus （33%）, Klebsiella sp. （17%）, and Bacillus sp. （15%） were the bacteria isolated from the various raw-mixed vegetables salads investigated. This study has shown that all the raw-mixed vegetable salads sampled from Korle-Gonno, Accra Metropolis, Ghana had a high bacterial contamination and their persistence and proliferation is a reflection of poor hygienic practices by the street food vendors. The use of unsafe or contaminated water to irrigate the vegetables when growing on the farm or garden could also be a contributing factor.
文摘The aim of this case series was to retrospectively examine the symptom response of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation(IBS-C) patients administered an herbal extract in a real-world setting. Twenty-four IBS-C patients in a community office practice were provided a combination over-the-counter dietary supplement composed of quebracho(150 mg), conker tree(470 mg) and M. balsamea Willd(0.2 mL) extracts(Atrantil?) and chose to take the formulation for a minimum of 2 wk in an attempt to manage their symptoms. Patient responses to the supplement were assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS) for abdominal pain, constipation and bloating at baseline and at 2 wk as part of standard-of-care. Patient scores from VAS assessments recorded in medical chart data were retrospectively compiled and assessed for the effects of the combined extract on symptoms. Sign tests were used to compare changes from baseline to 2 wk of taking the extract. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. Twenty-one of 24 patients(88%) responded to the dietary supplement as measured by individual improvements in VAS scores for abdominal pain, bloating and constipation symptoms comparing scores prior to administration of the extract against those reported after 2 wk. There were also significant improvements in individual as well as mean VAS scores after 2 wk of administration of the combinedextract compared to baseline for abdominal pain [8.0(6.5, 9.0) vs 2.0(1.0, 3.0), P < 0.001], bloating [8.0(7.0, 9.0) vs 1.0(1.0, 2.0), P < 0.001] and constipation [6.0(3.0, 8.0) vs 2.0(1.0, 3.0), P < 0.001], respectively. In addition, 21 of 24 patients expressed improved quality of life while taking the formulation. There were no reported side effects to administration of the dietary supplement in this practice population suggesting excellent tolerance of the formulation. This pilot retrospective analysis of symptom scores from patients before and after consuming a quebracho/conker tree/M. balsamea Wil d extract may support the formulation's use in IBS-C.
文摘Built upon an iterative process of resampling without replacement and out-of-sample prediction, the delete-d cross validation statistic CV(d) provides a robust estimate of forecast error variance. To compute CV(d), a dataset consisting of n observations of predictor and response values is systematically and repeatedly partitioned (split) into subsets of size n – d (used for model training) and d (used for model testing). Two aspects of CV(d) are explored in this paper. First, estimates for the unknown expected value E[CV(d)] are simulated in an OLS linear regression setting. Results suggest general formulas for E[CV(d)] dependent on σ2 (“true” model error variance), n – d (training set size), and p (number of predictors in the model). The conjectured E[CV(d)] formulas are connected back to theory and generalized. The formulas break down at the two largest allowable d values (d = n – p – 1 and d = n – p, the 1 and 0 degrees of freedom cases), and numerical instabilities are observed at these points. An explanation for this distinct behavior remains an open question. For the second analysis, simulation is used to demonstrate how the previously established asymptotic conditions {d/n → 1 and n – d → ∞ as n → ∞} required for optimal linear model selection using CV(d) for model ranking are manifested in the smallest sample setting, using either independent or correlated candidate predictors.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the effect of the modified systemic inflammation score(mSIS)on prognosis in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods:In this retrospective cross-sectional study,181 patients were selected and divided into two groups:patients with and without admission to the intensive care unit(ICU).An albumin level of≥4.0 g/dL and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR)of≥3.4 was scored 0,an albumin level of<4.0 g/dL or LMR of<3.4 was scored 1,and an albumin level of<4.0 g/dL and LMR of<3.4 was scored 2.Results:A total of 242 COVID-19 positive patients were initially included in this study.Of these patients,61 were excluded and 181 patients remained.Among the 181 participants,94(51.9%)were female,and the median age was 61(51,75)years.The mSIS scale ranged from 0 to 2.After analysis,the median score was 0(0,0)in the non-ICU group and 2(0,2)in the ICU group(P<0.001).The median white blood cell,lymphocyte counts,and albumin levels were lower in the ICU group(P<0.001,P<0.001,and P<0.001,respectively).In logistic regression analysis lymphocytopenia(OR=5.158,95%CI=1.249-21.304,P=0.023),hypoalbuminemia(OR=49.921,95%CI=1.843-1352.114,P=0.020),AST elevation(OR=3.939,95%CI=1.017-15.261,P=0.047),and mSIS=2(OR=5.853,95%CI=1.338-25.604,P=0.019)were identified as independent predictors of ICU admission.Conclusion:The mSIS can be used as an independent parameter for establishing the intensive care needs of patients with COVID-19.
