ABSTRACT
Population ageing is an emerging challenge in Ethiopia whose demographic features indicate slow but steady changes. As of 2010, about 5.1 percent of the Ethiopian population were 60 years old or over whereas 53.1 percent are younger than 15. If current demographic projections for Ethiopia hold, population ageing would accelerate and 10.3 percent of its population, or about 19.4 million people, will join the club of the elderly by 2050.<BR><b>Objective</b><BR>To analyze the trend and possible consequences of population aging in Ethiopia and explore policy options.<BR><b>Method</b><BR>Use date from Demographic and Health Survey and United Nations population estimates and projections to assess the current as well as likely future demographic dynamics in the country.<BR><b>Results</b><BR>Ethiopia is facing daunting demographic growth and population aging challenges without the commensurate financial and infrastructural resources. It is time to pursue policies that jointly address the problems of unsustainable population growth and rapid population aging.
ABSTRACT
We examined changes in the apparent whole-blood viscosity (aWBV) of healthy subjects using non-anticoagulated specimens during Japanese style bathing. We have developed a falling needle rhemeter (FNR) that is able to measure several terminal velocities with resin needles in various densities within 210 s. When a needle falls into whole blood in the columnar container, the parameters of aWBV, shear stress and shear rate can be calculated using the blood density, needle density and terminal velocity of the needle as measured by the FNR. Multiple measurements can be made in one whole-blood fluidity analysis, using only a small amount of specimen without any anticoagulant. In this study, several non-eldery healthy adults remained immersed up to the armpits in a sitting posture in the bathtub. In order to maintain a constant bath temperature, heated tap water kept being added. Whole-blood fluidity was analyzed with several aWBVs at various shear rates measured using the FNR. Referring to a previous study reporting on conditions of hemodynamic change, our preliminary examination found that observation of a change in blood fluidity required 10 min of bathing in water at 42 degrees Celsius. Eight healthy men and one healthy woman therefore took a single-bath for 10 min at 42 degrees Celsius for the single-bathing examination. Six of these nine subjects, including the female subject, showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region with a single bath. And one subject showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region, 10 min after bathing. These subjects showed altered whole-blood fluidity in the low-shear-rate region at the time of changing aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region. Six healthy men were enrolled in a double-bathing examination, first bathing for 10 min, then taking a break for 5 min and taking a second bath for 5 min. All subjects showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region: two of the six enrolled subjects showed increases after the first bath; three subjects showed increases after the second bath; and the remaining subject showed an increase at 10 min after the second bath. All subjects showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region, and a simultaneous change in whole-blood fluidity in the low-shear-rate region. Notably, the time needed for a change in whole-blood fluidity was very short. To implement the present study, non-elderly adult volunteers were enrolled to reduce the risk of accidents and some limitations were placed on bathing conditions. As changes in blood fluidity were observed under bathing conditions with water temperature over 42 degrees Celsius and immersion up to the armpits in a sitting posture, we concluded that prolonged Japanese-style bathing in water exceeding 42 degrees Celsius is dangerous.
ABSTRACT
We examined changes in the apparent whole-blood viscosity (aWBV) of healthy subjects using non-anticoagulated specimens during Japanese style bathing. We have developed a falling needle rhemeter (FNR) that is able to measure several terminal velocities with resin needles in various densities within 210 s. When a needle falls into whole blood in the columnar container, the parameters of aWBV, shear stress and shear rate can be calculated using the blood density, needle density and terminal velocity of the needle as measured by the FNR. Multiple measurements can be made in one whole-blood fluidity analysis, using only a small amount of specimen without any anticoagulant. In this study, several non-eldery healthy adults remained immersed up to the armpits in a sitting posture in the bathtub. In order to maintain a constant bath temperature, heated tap water kept being added. Whole-blood fluidity was analyzed with several aWBVs at various shear rates measured using the FNR. Referring to a previous study reporting on conditions of hemodynamic change, our preliminary examination found that observation of a change in blood fluidity required 10 min of bathing in water at 42 degrees Celsius. Eight healthy men and one healthy woman therefore took a single-bath for 10 min at 42 degrees Celsius for the single-bathing examination. Six of these nine subjects, including the female subject, showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region with a single bath. And one subject showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region, 10 min after bathing. These subjects showed altered whole-blood fluidity in the low-shear-rate region at the time of changing aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region. Six healthy men were enrolled in a double-bathing examination, first bathing for 10 min, then taking a break for 5 min and taking a second bath for 5 min. All subjects showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region: two of the six enrolled subjects showed increases after the first bath; three subjects showed increases after the second bath; and the remaining subject showed an increase at 10 min after the second bath. All subjects showed increased aWBVs in the high-shear-rate region, and a simultaneous change in whole-blood fluidity in the low-shear-rate region. Notably, the time needed for a change in whole-blood fluidity was very short. To implement the present study, non-elderly adult volunteers were enrolled to reduce the risk of accidents and some limitations were placed on bathing conditions. As changes in blood fluidity were observed under bathing conditions with water temperature over 42 degrees Celsius and immersion up to the armpits in a sitting posture, we concluded that prolonged Japanese-style bathing in water exceeding 42 degrees Celsius is dangerous.
ABSTRACT
<b>Preface and Objectives</b><br> Cholera has recently become more serious in African countries. In southern Africa, a serious cholera outbreak was reported in 2008. Here we investigate <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> in aquatic environments, rivers, tube well waters, fish tissues, and aquatic plants in Zambia.<br><b>Methods</b><br> The sampling was conducted on Kafue and Zambezi rivers as well as at public wells. The samples included river water, mud, fish, floating grass, and well water. All samples were enriched in alkaline peptone water (APW) and streaked on thiosulfate citrate bilesalts saccharos (TCBS) Vibrio agar. Some types of colonies were isolated using polymyxin mannose tellurite (PMT) agar. All water samples were analyzed for enterobacteria as well as vibrio contamination. River and shallow tube well water samples were analyzed for <i>E. coli</i>.<br><b>Results</b><br> Samples, including fish tissues, river, and tube well waters, except for the fish intestines, were found to be contaminated with vibrios when cultured on TCBS Vibrio agar.<br> Deep tube well water was not contaminated with vibrios or <i>E. coli. V. cholerae</i> El Tor was not detected through sampling and culturing on PMT agar. <i>E. coli</i> was detected in river and shallow tube well water samples.<br><b>Discussion</b><br> Vibrios were detected in Zambia’s aquatic environments. Cholera outbreak may occur. Vibrio contaminations in fish have been reported from Bangladesh, Laos, Kenya, and India. Fish is a good source of protein to improve person’s nutritional status. However, it must be treated properly so that any contamination of residential areas is avoided. Therefore, people must pay attention to fish.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> Here several types of <i>V. cholerae</i> were isolated from different aquatic environments. Fish is a nutritious diet, but contaminated Vibrios fish must be treated so that it will not contaminate residential areas. We must investigate the gateway of cholera outbreaks in Zambia.
ABSTRACT
Although it is very important in view of public health to understand the mosquito breeding sites and key reservoirs existing around residential areas, such information is lacking in temporary housing sites constructed after the serious tsunami strikes on 26 December 2004 in Sri Lanka. This study clarified the situation regarding mosquito breeding 14 months after the tsunami in Sri Lanka by surveying temporary housing and non-damaged village areas, and also by examining people‘s knowledge related to mosquito breeding sites and mosquito-borne diseases. The relative frequency of mosquito larvae in wastewater pools was significantly higher in temporary housing than in village areas. The prevalence of storage containers at temporary housing and village areas was not significantly different. It was found that wastewater pools in temporary housing sites were the main breeding site of <I>Culex quinquefasciatus</I> Say, <I>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</I> Giles, and <I>Aedes albopictus</I> Skuse whereas storage containers in village areas were the main breeding site of <I>Cx. quinquefasciatus</I> and <I>Ae. albopictus.</I> No mosquitoes bred in storage containers in the temporary housing but some <I>Ae. albopictus</I> did so in village areas. The questionnaires indicated a significant difference between residents of temporary housing and villages in response to the question: Do you know where mosquitoes breed? The proportion of the “wastewater pools” response was higher among temporary housing residents than among village residents. This knowledge among temporary housing residents may relate to the fact that wastewater pools are latent breeding sites for mosquitoes in temporary housing sites. Although residents in the temporary housing sites put salt and abluent into storage containers to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, wastewater pools receiving a constant supply of wastewater provided the best breeding site for mosquitoes.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective</b><br> To examine the effects of the educational status of mothers and outreach services on childhood mortality in a Zambian village<br><b>Methods</b><br> The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A survey was carried out in a village of Zambia in 2007. Five Japanese medical and nursing students interviewed mothers who had children under five years old. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on social and educational factors and their experience of child deaths. In total, 73 mothers were interviewed, but three subjects were excluded because their records were inadequate. Information on the remaining 70 subjects was analyzed. The relationship between the dependent variable (child death rate per household) and independent variables (mother's characteristics, community circumstances) was examined. In this study, we used “the numbers of babies or young children who had died without defining age by care takers in a household” (child death rate per household) as a measure of child mortality.<br><b>Results</b><br> Of the 70 mothers, 30 were literate (42.9%). 33 mothers received health information from an outreach program and 22 from community health workers (CHWs).<br> The mother's education and the availability of health information from the outreach program were significantly related to lower child death rate per household (p=0.015 and p=0.019 respectively). The relationship between the mother's literacy and child death rate per household also showed an inverse tendency. Mothers with some education who received health information from the outreach program had reduced child death rate per household.<br> After stratification by maternal age (younger or older than 30 years), greater education, literacy and outreach program of the younger mothers were more strongly associated with decreased child death rate per household.<br><b>Conclusions</b><br> Education and community learning are important for the health of children. Maternal educational level and a community-based approach have strong impacts on child survival.
ABSTRACT
<B>Introduction</B><br> Currently Cambodia depends on imported foods from Viet Nam and Thailand. To address this situation, the Asian Sustainable Village Network OKAYAMA that the author belongs to, has been cooperating with Cambodian Federal Farmers Organization, a local NGO to undertake a farming project. The importance of agricultural promotion mainly in vegetable farming sector was examined and it is hoped that this project will reduce malnutrition in Cambodia, particularly among the rural poor who suffer with malnutrition, disease and disorder related conditions and will make Cambodia a sustainable society.<br><B>Method</B><br> In order to determine agricultural conditions, we investigated market places in Phnom Penh and examined utilizing farmland in Kampong Cham. In addition, we visited market places in rural districts and farmers' homes to gain more information about eating habits of the population. To find out farming production we referred to statistical data from Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture. A PubMed review was undertaken to determine aspects of malnutrition.<br><B>Results</B><br> Phnom Penh is a very busy place for the daily sale of perishable vegetables which are predominantly transported from Viet Nam. Cambodia, despite of its little irrigation system, and another technical problems is sufficient in its production due to its large farming area. Recently, cassava cultivation has increased in Cambodia in order to meet increasing demands in bio-fuel. We came to know that Cambodians do not have a favorable opinion about vegetables imported from Viet Nam. One of the dissatisfaction voted by the people in Cambodia is that the vegetables from Viet Nam have excessive chemical contamination and they lack in freshness. Restaurants and supermarkets in Phnom Penh preferred local products if they were available. In farming areas the production and consumption of vegetables are limited. For many, vegetables are a luxury. Meals predominantly consist of rice, small dried salted fish and some herbs. This situation is considered a leading factor of malnutrition. <br><B>Conclusion</B><br> As a result of the limited production and supply of vegetables in Cambodia, vegetable consumption is limited and viewed as a luxury. This situation has led to a mal-balanced diet and requires considerable effort to uplift vegetable production in Cambodia to reverse the imbalance of nutritional intake. Thus it can be very well said that agricultural promotion in Cambodia, particularly in vegetable sector is deemed extremely important for the future development of Cambodia.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objectives</b><br> Many ethnic groups live in northern hilly area in Lao people’s Democratic Republic. We can find some delays of development by the geographical and cultural reasons. This research clarified what kind of awareness about children’s health among the minority people living with their specificlifestyles and circumstances.<br><b>Methods</b><br> The participatory research for health problems was conducted to Khamu people at C-village in northern Laos. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Mothers who have children aged less than 10 years, were interviewed about illness of children and its treatment. The author interviewed about health problems with some key persons who were important position in the village.<br><b>Results</b><br> At C-village, they produced sticky rice which was their staple food. They depended on other food from forests. Mothers are aware that their children were always healthy when children were vigorous. Mothers brought their children to the hospital in spite of its long way when children got illness. Children had some experiences of malaria, diarrhea and other illnesses. Villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children getting serious by specific illness. The key persons were also aware of health problems, for example malaria or parasite diseases.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> At C-village, in recent years they didn’t suffer serious starving. Houses were comfortable because of its well-ventilated against hotness but structure of their houses can’t prevent children’s health by the aggression of mosquito, and smoke from kitchen. Their lives were exposed to some harmful influence; by malaria and pastured animals. About children’s health, mothers were aware of some specific illness and brought children to hospital. Mothers thought that their children had not any problems of health when they were vigorous and active. Many children had suffered some illness and villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children got serious situation by specific illness.<br>The key-persons and villagers expected infrastructural developments such as the high-way which was under construction at that time.
ABSTRACT
The Wnt signaling pathway is conserved in various species from worms to mammals, and plays important roles in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Wnt stabilizes cytoplasmic beta-catenin and then the accumulated beta-catenin is translocated into the nucleus, where it activates the transcriptional factor T-cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer factor (Lef), and thereby stimulates the expression of genes including c-myc, c-jun, fra-1, and cyclin D1. Tight regulation of this response involves post-translational modifications of the components of the Wnt signaling pathway. Phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation have been shown to affect the half-life of beta-catenin and the transcriptional activity of Tcf/Lef. The precise spatio-temporal patterns of these multiple modifications determine the driving force of various cellular responses.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Binding Sites , Gene Expression Regulation , Models, Biological , Protein Binding , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Signal Transduction , TCF Transcription Factors , Trans-Activators , Wnt Proteins/classification , beta CateninABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of fascioliasis in slaughtered cattle in order to provide breeders with feedback which may prevent cattle fascioliasis, as well as human fascioliasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The results of meat inspection and the information extracted from the Discriminative Data Base on Individual Livestock in Japan were analyzed statistically in 6,224 cattle slaughtered at the Tsuyama Abattoir during the fiscal year 2002.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle were 2.0% and 7.2%, respectively. When analyzed by cattle breed, both rates were significantly higher in Japanese native cattle than in Holstein or Jersey (Chi-square test, p<0.01). The cattle raised in Okayama Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture were significantly different from cattle raised in other prefectures in the age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle can be considered as nationwide rates for slaughtered cattle. The results of the comparisons suggest that cattle fascioliasis is related to feeding with rice straw and that the measures to prevent cattle fascioliasis might differ a mong prefectural governments.</p>
ABSTRACT
Medical doctors in the United Kingdom who wish to work overseas have severe problems such as job security on return, childcare, and uncertain career due to lack of institutionalised career path in the field of international medical cooperation. The same applies in Japan. It is, however, different from Japan that media for job opportunities and career related information have been far developed.<br>Recently, Department of Health, the UK has started to encourage human resource development in the field, which hold out the hope to extricate from severe situation of human resources in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of fascioliasis in slaughtered cattle in order to provide breeders with feedback which may prevent cattle fascioliasis, as well as human fascioliasis. Methods: The results of meat inspection and the information extracted from the Discriminative Data Base on Individual Livestock in Japan were analyzed statistically in 6,224 cattle slaughtered at the Tsuyama Abattoir during the fiscal year 2002. Results: The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle were 2.0% and 7.2%, respectively. When analyzed by cattle breed, both rates were significantly higher in Japanese native cattle than in Holstein or Jersey (Chi-square test, p<0.01). The cattle raised in Okayama Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture were significantly different from cattle raised in other prefectures in the age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates. Conclusion: The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle can be considered as nationwide rates for slaughtered cattle. The results of the comparisons suggest that cattle fascioliasis is related to feeding with rice straw and that the measures to prevent cattle fascioliasis might differ among prefectural governments.