ABSTRACT
Colleges and universities are considered as one of the "main battlefields" of epidemic prevention and control, wherein, they have difficulty in clarifying and identifying the critical points for emergency management due to the complexity and multiplicity of influencing factors. Therefore, this study aims to identify the most effective Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for COVID-19 prevention and control in China. This study uses the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. This study has finally identified five Critical Success Factors (CSFs), which are 1) the training of emergency management professionals, 2) the cultivation of coordinating abilities, 3) the establishment of an epidemic prevention and control leadership team, 4) the development of corresponding responsibility awareness, and 5) the regulation of online public opinions. By focusing on these five CSFs, it can effectively facilitate colleges and universities to optimize their entire emergency management system in the process of normalization and professionalization of campus emergency management.
ABSTRACT
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic T cell mediated autoimmune disease that results in destruction of pancreatic islet cells. Helicobacter pylori (HP) was recently thought to be a triggering factor for T1DM. This is a prospective case control study at Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital and three other diabetic clinics in Khartoum, during the period January-September 2012. Ninety newly diagnosed T1DM children and a similar number of a control group were compared. Assessment of HP specific serum immunoglobulin was performed using Eliza test. There were 40(44.4%) female and 50(55.6%) male diabetic children. Diabetic children tested positive for HP constituted 56/90 (62.2%) compared to 59/90 (65.6%) from the control group. Diabetic children aged 11-18 years represented 46 (51%), 32/46 (57%) of them were seropositive for HP. A similar number of the same age in control group 30/46 (50.8%) were seropositive. Of 41newly diagnosed diabetic children (44.4%) of newly who complained of symptoms, 30 (53.6%) were seropositive for HP compared to 34 (37.7%) among the healthy children, out of whom 24 (40.7%) tested positive for HP. Diabetic children with moderate anemia were 35 (45.5%) compared to 54 (60.0%) in the control group. Seropositive children for HP in the 2 groups were, respectively, 20(40.8%) and 38(64.4%). Those with a poor family background were 28 (56%), 20 (40.0%) tested positive for HP, compared to 38 (64.4%), of whom 20 (64.5%) were seropositive in the controls. In conclusion, HP infection does not seem to play a role in triggering T1DM in children.
ABSTRACT
Combined treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2b and ribavirin (RBV) is the only currently approved treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of combined treatment with PEG-IFN-α2b and RBV in Egyptian children and adolescents with genotype 4 (GT4) HCV infection. The study included 66 patients (3-17 years of age), of both sexes, infected with HCV GT4, treated with PEG-IFN-α2b (60 µg/m(2)), subcutaneously once weekly plus RBV (15 mg/kg/day) in 2 divided oral doses. Efficacy was assessed by achievement of sustained virological response (SVR). Safety was assessed by questionnaires directed to the patients at specific intervals, growth assessment and laboratory tests. SVR was achieved in 28 patients (42.4%). Nonresponders had significantly commoner history of treated malignancies (P = 0.03), baseline lower absolute neutrophil count (ANC; P = 0.009), higher gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT; P = 0.003), and higher viral load (P = 0.03). Fever was the most frequently reported side effect occurring in 98.5% of the patients followed by musculoskeletal symptoms. Neutropenia was observed in 36 patients (54.6%) and necessitated treatment discontinuation in 1 patient. Decline in both weight and height percentiles was observed in 70% of children who received the combined therapy for a total of 48 weeks. In conclusion, the currently available treatment for HCV GT4 in pediatric patients has modest SVR with numerous adverse events necessitating meticulous monitoring to optimize care of the patients. Side effects could be managed with dose modifications and specific treatment when necessary.
