Factors influencing protective behaviours during haze episodes in Singapore: A population-based study

INTRODUCTION@#Haze is a recurrent problem in Southeast Asia. Exposure to haze is linked to ophthalmic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. In this study, we investigated the role of demographic factors, knowledge and perceived risk in influencing protective behaviours during the 2013 haze in Singapore.@*METHODS@#We evaluated 696 adults in a cross-sectional study. Participants were sampled via a 2-stage simple random sampling without replacement from a large residential district in Singapore in 2015. The questionnaire measured the participant's knowledge, perceived risk and behaviours during the Southeast Asian haze crisis in 2013. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using comparative fit index (≥0.96) and root mean square error of approximation (≤0.05). We performed structural equation modelling to examine the relationship between the hypothesised factors and protective behaviours.@*RESULTS@#More than 95% of the individuals engaged in at least 1 form of protective behaviour. Knowledge was strongly associated with protective behaviours via direct effect (β=0.45, 95% CI 0.19-0.69, @*CONCLUSION@#Knowledge was associated with protective behaviours, suggesting the importance of public education. Efforts should target those of lower education level and smokers. The wearing of N95 masks correlates with uptake of other protective behaviours.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma : Clinical Features, Molecular Genetics, and Novel Targeted Therapeutics

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a deadly paediatric brain cancer. Transient response to radiation, ineffective chemotherapeutic agents and aggressive biology result in rapid progression of symptoms and a dismal prognosis. Increased availability of tumour tissue has enabled the identification of histone gene aberrations, genetic driver mutations and methylation changes, which have resulted in molecular and phenotypic subgrouping. However, many of the underlying mechanisms of DIPG oncogenesis remain unexplained. It is hoped that more representative in vitro and preclinical models–using both xenografted material and genetically engineered mice–will enable the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents and strategies for targeted drug delivery. This review provides a clinical overview of DIPG, the barriers to progress in developing effective treatment, updates on drug development and preclinical models, and an introduction to new technologies aimed at enhancing drug delivery.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma : Clinical Features, Molecular Genetics, and Novel Targeted Therapeutics

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a deadly paediatric brain cancer. Transient response to radiation, ineffective chemotherapeutic agents and aggressive biology result in rapid progression of symptoms and a dismal prognosis. Increased availability of tumour tissue has enabled the identification of histone gene aberrations, genetic driver mutations and methylation changes, which have resulted in molecular and phenotypic subgrouping. However, many of the underlying mechanisms of DIPG oncogenesis remain unexplained. It is hoped that more representative in vitro and preclinical models–using both xenografted material and genetically engineered mice–will enable the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents and strategies for targeted drug delivery. This review provides a clinical overview of DIPG, the barriers to progress in developing effective treatment, updates on drug development and preclinical models, and an introduction to new technologies aimed at enhancing drug delivery.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Prenatal Ironfolic Acid Supplementation among Pregnant Women and Health Staff in Rural Niger.

Objectives: We aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation among pregnant women and health staff in rural Niger. Methods: KAP were assessed in 4 randomly selected villages in the Zinder region of Niger as part of a formative research study conducted to inform the design of a program to improve antenatal care services. Data collection included home interviews of pregnant women (n=72) and a focus group of 8-10 pregnant women in each village. In 5 randomly selected health centers, we observed 33 antenatal care (ANC) consultations, and interviewed pregnant women and health staff following these observations. Results: Among 72 pregnant women interviewed in their homes, 96% had knowledge of IFA supplements and 97% of these stated at least one health benefit of IFA. However, among those who had already attended at least 1 ANC visit (n=52), only 65 % reported having taken IFA supplements on the day prior the interview. Reported side effects were rare. Among 5 health centers visited, 3 had IFA supplement in stock. Health staff did not provide IFA supplements to the pregnant women during 18 of 33 observed ANC consultations of which only 7 cases could be explained by the lack of IFA supplements in stock. Conclusions: IFA supplements are well known by pregnant women. The supply chain of the health centers should be ensured and health staff retrained for an effective IFA supplementation among pregnant women.

Clinical predictors of nocturia in the sleep apnea population

This study aims to evaluate clinical predictors of nocturia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea [OSA]. In retrospective manner, a total of 200 patients with OSA were randomly included. Group I contained 100 patients with OSA and no nocturia, and Group II included 100 patients with OSA and nocturia. Bivariate logistic analyses were used to identify variables most likely to contribute to nocturia. Multivariate logistic regression of age, waist circumference, STOP score [Snore, Tired, Obstruction and Pressure], and Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI] was performed to evaluate predictors of nocturia. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Median nocturia episodes were 2.2 in Group II. Patients were younger in Group I, with a mean age of 45 vs 50 years [P = 0.008]. Mean BMI of 30 was similar in both groups, but there were more overweight patients in Group II [28% vs 18%]. AHI approached significance between groups-18 vs 23 in group I and II, respectively [P = 0.071]. In multivariate analysis, age over 70 years and moderate AHI were statistically significant predictors of nocturia [coefficients 0.6 and -0.2 with P = 0.003 and 0.03, respectively]. This study identifies age and AHI score as predictors of nocturia in patients with OSA. This may indicate the usefulness of incorporating nocturia in the screening of patients with OSA. Future studies are needed to further evaluate mechanism of action, clinical significance, and effect of treatment for nocturia in patients with OSA

Isolation of virulence genes directing GPI synthesis by functional complementation of Leishmania

Recent advances in molecular genetics of Leishmania parasites prompted us to develop methods of functional genetic complementation in Leishmania and apply them to the isolation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of the virulence determinant LPG, an abundant GPI-anchored polysaccharide. LPG1, the gene product identified by complementation of our R2D2 LPG- mutant, may be a glycosyltransferase responsible for the addition of galactofuranose to the nascent chain. As galactofuranose is not found in mammalian cells, inhibition of the addition of this sugar could be exploited for chemotherapy. Overall, the success of the functional complementation approach opens the way to the identification of a variety of genes involved in pathogenesis and parasitism

Estudio bacteriologico de bivalvos del Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica. II.Condicion del molusco al momento de comerlo. / Bacteriological study of bivalves of the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica. II. Conditions of the mollusc at the moment to eat it

Para un estudio de la calidad sanitaria de moluscos al momento de comerlos, escogimos nueve tabernas de la Ciudad de San Jose dentro de aquellas que usualmente tenian a la venta "cocteles de chuchecas" (en realidad, de pianguas), de suerte que representaran tres niveles socio-economicossanitarios. De ellas adquirimos un total de 66 muestras de cocteles para su examen bacteriologico por coliformes totales y fecales, Staphylococcus aureus y salmonelas. Solamente un 7% de las muestras resultaron ser de calidad apta para el consumo humano. No encontramos correlacion entre la clasificacion sanitaria de las tabernas y la calidad bacteriologica del producto ofrecido en venta