| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(författare)
-
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Colbourne, JK, et al.
(författare)
-
The Precision Toxicology initiative
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Toxicology letters. - 1879-3169. ; 383, s. 33-42
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
|
|
| 6. |
- Kalyanasundaram, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of improved information and volunteer support on segregation of solid waste at the household level in urban settings in Madhya Pradesh, India (I-MISS) : protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial
- 2021
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1471-2458. ; 21:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Segregation of household waste at the source is an effective and sustainable strategy for management of municipal waste. However, household segregation levels remain insufficient as waste management approaches are mostly top down and lack local support. The realisation and recognition of effective, improved and adequate waste management may be one of the vital drivers for attaining environmental protection and improved health and well-being. The presence of a local level motivator may promote household waste segregation and ultimately pro-environmental behaviour. The present cluster randomized control trial aims to understand if volunteer based information on waste segregation (I-MISS) can effectively promote increased waste segregation practices at the household level when compared with existing routine waste segregation information in an urban Indian setting.Methods: This paper describes the protocol of an 18 month two-group parallel,cluster randomised controlled trialin the urban setting of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. Randomization will be conducted at ward level, which is the last administrative unit of the municipality. The study will recruit 425 households in intervention and control groups. Assessments will be performed at baseline (0 months), midline (6 months), end line (12 months) and post intervention (18 months). The primary outcome will be the comparison of change in proportion of households practicing waste segregation and change in proportion of mis-sorted waste across the study period between the intervention and control groups as assessed by pick analysis. Intention to treat analysis will be conducted. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.Discussion: The present study is designed to study whether an external motivator, a volunteer selected from the participating community and empowered with adequate training, could disseminate waste segregation information to their community, thus promoting household waste segregation and ultimately pro-environmental behaviour. The study envisages that the volunteers could link waste management service providers and the community, give a local perspective to waste management, and help to change community habits through information, constant communication and feedback.Trial registration: The study is registered prospectively with Indian Council of Medical Research- Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2020/03/024278).
|
|
| 7. |
- Tamhankar, AJ, et al.
(författare)
-
Characteristics of a Nationwide Voluntary Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Campaign in India; Future Paths and Pointers for Resource Limited Settings/Low and Middle Income Countries
- 2019
-
Ingår i: International journal of environmental research and public health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 16:24
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Antibiotic resistance has reached alarming proportions globally, prompting the World Health Organization to advise nations to take up antibiotic awareness campaigns. Several campaigns have been taken up worldwide, mostly by governments. The government of India asked manufacturers to append a ‘redline’ to packages of antibiotics as identification marks and conducted a campaign to inform the general public about it and appropriate antibiotic use. We investigated whether an antibiotic resistance awareness campaign could be organized voluntarily in India and determined the characteristics of the voluntarily organized campaign by administering a questionnaire to the coordinators, who participated in organizing the voluntary campaign India. The campaign characteristics were: multiple electro–physical pedagogical and participatory techniques were used, 49 physical events were organized in various parts of India that included lectures, posters, booklet/pamphlet distribution, audio and video messages, competitions, and mass contact rallies along with broadcast of messages in 11 local languages using community radio stations (CRS) spread all over India. The median values for campaign events were: expenditure—3000 Indian Rupees/day (US$~47), time for planning—1 day, program spread—4 days, program time—4 h, direct and indirect reach of the message—respectively 250 and 500 persons/event. A 2 min play entitled ‘Take antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor’ was broadcast 10 times/day for 5 days on CRS with listener reach of ~5 million persons. More than 85%ofcoordinators thought that the campaign created adequate awareness about appropriate antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. The voluntary campaign has implications for resource limited settings/low and middle income countries.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Singhal, R., et al.
(författare)
-
Reynolds Stress Gradient and Vorticity Fluxes in Axisymmetric Turbulent Jet and Plume
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Lect. Notes Mech. Eng.. - Singapore : Springer Nature. ; , s. 403-411
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The relation between the Reynolds stress gradient and the vorticity fluxes in a turbulent shear flow has been known since the time of G. I. Taylor. With recent advances in scientific computing, this question has received a renewed attention. In this work, we present results from a well-resolved direct numerical simulation of an axisymmetric turbulent jet and plume. The simulation reproduces the self-preserving features of the two flows reported in the literature and satisfies the identity relating the Reynolds stress derivative to the vorticity fluxes, to a reasonably good degree, establishing the veracity of the simulation. The axial derivative term in the identity is shown to be negligibly small, particularly when the jet/plume is in a self-preserving state. The radial profiles of the two vorticity fluxes for the jet and plume are nearly identical, suggesting a similarity of the underlying structure. The significant result is that the vorticity flux term involving the radial vorticity and azimuthal velocity is non-zero in the core of the jet as well as plume, while it is zero in the outer region of these flows. Furthermore, this term, in the core of the flow, is equal in magnitude (but opposite in sign) to the second flux term relating azimuthal vorticity and radial velocity. Coherent vorticity in the outer region of the jet/plume is in the form of hairpin vortices whereas in the core of these flows it shows a more complex shape.
|
|
| 10. |
- Singhal, R., et al.
(författare)
-
Virus transmission by aerosol transport during short conversations
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Flow. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 2633-4259. ; 2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted not only through coughing, but also through breathing, speaking or singing. We perform direct numerical simulations of the turbulent transport of potentially infectious aerosols in short conversations, involving repetitive phrases separated by quiescent intervals. We estimate that buoyancy effects due to droplet evaporation are small, and neglect them. A two-way conversation is shown to significantly reduce the aerosol exposure compared with a relative monologue by one person and relative silence of the other. This is because of the 'cancelling' effect produced by the two interacting speech jets. Unequal conversation is shown to significantly increase the infection risk to the person who talks less. Interestingly, a small height difference is worse for infection spread, due to reduced interference between the speech jets, than two faces at the same level. For small axial separation, speech jets show large oscillations and reach the other person intermittently. We suggest a range of lateral separations between two people to minimize transmission risk. A realistic estimate of the infection probability is provided by including exposure through the eyes and mouth, in addition to the more common method of using inhaled virions alone. We expect that our results will provide useful inputs to epidemiological models and to disease management.
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
|
|
| 13. |
|
|
| 14. |
|
|
| 15. |
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
|
|
| 18. |
- Pathak, A, et al.
(författare)
-
Perceptions and Experiences of Caregivers on Child Injuries: A Qualitative Study from Central India
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Journal of prevention (2022). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2731-5541 .- 2731-5533. ; 43:4, s. 549-565
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To explore caregivers’ perceptions of childhood injuries in the rural and urban areas of India, with a focus on causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment. We conducted eight focus group discussions with fifty female caregivers in rural and urban areas of Ujjain in Central India and used thematic content analysis. The caregivers identified how children injured themselves through falls, road traffic injuries, metallic nails and tool injuries, ingestions of foreign objects and poisons, burns, drowning, and suffocation. The reported consequences of injuries ranged from pain, infections, scar formation, phobia, stigma, and emotional stress to complications like physical disability, loss of eyesight, head injury, paralysis, and even death. Many caregivers blamed children and their mischievousness for the injuries and failed to realise/acknowledge the role of better supervision and environmental modifications in injury prevention. Caregivers used several first aid methods to respond to injuries. These included applying pressure to stop bleeding during fall and road traffic injuries, inducing vomiting by giving the poison victims saltwater to drink, and tobacco leaves to chew. In addition, some caregivers resorted to using coconut oil and toothpaste on burnt skin and giving back blows for choking. Caregivers in communities had experiences of different types of child injuries. Further education on need for better supervision, relevant environmental modification and appropriate first aid treatment of various injuries is required.
|
|
| 19. |
- Anchordoqui, Luis A., et al.
(författare)
-
The Forward Physics Facility : Sites, experiments, and physics potential
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Physics reports. - : Elsevier. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 968, s. 1-50
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Forward Physics Facility (FPF) is a proposal to create a cavern with the space and infrastructure to support a suite of far-forward experiments at the Large Hadron Collider during the High Luminosity era. Located along the beam collision axis and shielded from the interaction point by at least 100 m of concrete and rock, the FPF will house experiments that will detect particles outside the acceptance of the existing large LHC experiments and will observe rare and exotic processes in an extremely low-background environment. In this work, we summarize the current status of plans for the FPF, including recent progress in civil engineering in identifying promising sites for the FPF and the experiments currently envisioned to realize the FPF's physics potential. We then review the many Standard Model and new physics topics that will be advanced by the FPF, including searches for long-lived particles, probes of dark matter and dark sectors, high-statistics studies of TeV neutrinos of all three flavors, aspects of perturbative and non-perturbative QCD, and high-energy astroparticle physics.
|
|
| 20. |
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
- Bogg, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
-
Impact of Alternative Maternal Demand-Side Financial Support Programs in India on the Caesarean Section Rates : Indications of Supplier-Induced Demand
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Maternal and Child Health Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1092-7875 .- 1573-6628. ; 20:1, s. 11-15
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This paper examines two state-led public–private demand-side financial support programs aiming to raise hospital delivery rates in two neighbouring Indian states—Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The national Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was complemented with a public–private partnership program Janani Sahayogi Yojana (JSaY) in Madhya Pradesh in which private obstetricians were paid to deliver poor women. A higher amount was paid for caesarean sections (CS) than for vaginal deliveries (VD). In Gujarat state, the state program Chiranjeevi Yojana (CY) paid private obstetricians a fixed amount for a block 100 deliveries irrespective of delivery mode. The two systems thus offered an opportunity to observe the influence of supplier-induced demand (SID) from opposite incentives related to delivery mode. Methods: The data from the two programs was sourced from the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, Governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, India. Results: In JSaY program the CS rate increased from 26.6 % (2007–2008) to 40.7 % (2010–2011), against the background rate for CS in Madhya Pradesh, of only 4.9 % (2004–2006). Meanwhile in CY program in Gujarat, the CS rate decreased to 4.3 % (2010–2011) against a background CS rate of 8.1 % (2004–2006). Conclusions: The findings from India are unique in that they not only point to a significant impact from the introduction of the financial incentives but also how disincentives have an inverse impact on the choice of delivery method.
|
|
| 23. |
- Brisby, Helena, 1965, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of running exercise on intervertebral disc extracellular matrix production in a rat model
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Spine. - 1528-1159. ; 35:15, s. 1429-1436
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- STUDY DESIGN: Using a running rat model, the effects of physical exercise on cellular function and intervertebral disc (IVD) extracellular matrix were studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3-weeks treadmill running exercise can stimulate matrix production and cellular proliferation of the IVD. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Appropriate physical exercise plays an important role in the treatment of patients with low back pain-associated IVD disorder. However, it is unknown how regular exercise affects the disc at the cellular level. METHODS: Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a daily treadmill exercise regime for a total of 3 weeks. Twelve nonexercised rats served as controls. The spinal lumbar IVD were collected and paraffin embedded for histologic analysis. Cell counts were determined on hematoxylin-eosin- and Masson-Trichrome-stained paraffin sections. Protein expression of collagen-I, collagen-II, aggrecan, Sox-9, and Sox-6 was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining. mRNA expression of Sox-9 and collagen-2 were studied by in situ hybridization. Proteoglycans were visualized with Alcian blue. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: The cell numbers in the anulus fibrosus (AF) increased by 25% (P < 0.05) after 3 weeks of exercise. Collagen-2 and Sox-9 mRNA were strongly expressed in the nucleus pulposus (NP) samples of the running group, but weakly expressed in the controls. An increase in collagen-II, aggrecan, and Sox-9 protein expression in NP and AF regions of the disc was detected in the exercised rats compared with controls. Quantification of Alcian blue staining demonstrated increased proteoglycan in both NP (8-fold) and AF (7-fold) in the exercised group compared with controls (P < 0.05). In addition, no significant differences were observed between the experimental groups in cellular apoptosis, collagen-I, or Sox-6 expression. CONCLUSION: In this study, increased extracellular matrix production and cell proliferation with no induction of disc cell apoptosis was observed in the lumbar IVD after a 3-week running regimen in rats, suggesting that regular exercise may have an augmentative effect on cells and matrix production.
|
|
| 24. |
|
|
| 25. |
|
|
| 26. |
|
|
| 27. |
|
|
| 28. |
|
|
| 29. |
|
|
| 30. |
|
|
| 31. |
- Jiang, Y, et al.
(författare)
-
Falls and Fall-Related Consequences among Older People Living in Long-Term Care Facilities in a Megacity of China
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Gerontology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0003 .- 0304-324X. ; 66:6, s. 523-531
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Falls are currently the top safety problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in China. Due to the increasing number of residents living in LTCFs, more evidence is needed to give a foundation for fall prevention. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of falls in LTCFs in central Shanghai. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study was conducted in 21 LTCFs in a central district in Shanghai, with a capacity of 3,065 residents. A two-stage sampling method was applied in participant recruitment. Falls were recorded by LTCF staff over a 12-month period. Details of falls were obtained by face-to-face interviews. The χ<sup>2</sup> test was used in data analyses. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The incidence of falls was 13.5%; 64.0% falls resulted in injuries, with 32.0% involving fractures. Women had a significantly higher incidence of injurious falls than men (χ<sup>2</sup> = 4.066, <i>p</i> = 0.044). Residents aged 80–89 years or in level 1 care had the highest incidence of falls with severe consequences. The incidence of falls was significantly higher at small- or medium-sized LTCFs, public LTCFs, and LTCFs with higher environmental risk levels compared to their counterparts. Most falls occurred when walking on a flat floor (28.9%) and rising up or sitting down (24.0%); 40.9% occurred during the night. Of those injured, 54.8% were treated in hospitals, and only 53.7% completely recovered. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Though the average incidence of falls in LTCFs in Shanghai was relatively low, great variation was observed between LTCFs, and severe consequences occurred frequently. Fall prevention programmes should be evidence-based with applicable devices and individualized care services and supports. The roles of personal and institutional factors on falls warrant further study.
|
|
| 32. |
- Jiang, Y, et al.
(författare)
-
Insomnia, Benzodiazepine Use, and Falls among Residents in Long-term Care Facilities
- 2019
-
Ingår i: International journal of environmental research and public health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 16:23
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Falls are leading cause of injury among older people, especially for those living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Very few studies have assessed the effect of sleep quality and hypnotics use on falls, especially in Chinese LTCFs. The study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality, hypnotics use, and falls in institutionalized older people. Methods: We recruited 605 residents from 25 LTCFs in central Shanghai and conducted a baseline survey for sleep quality and hypnotics use, as well as a one-year follow-up survey for falls and injurious falls. Logistic regression models were applied in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 605 participants (70.41% women, mean age 84.33 ± 6.90 years), the one-year incidence of falls and injurious falls was 21.82% and 15.21%, respectively. Insomnia (19.83%) and hypnotics use (14.21%) were prevalent. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that insomnia was significantly associated with an increased risk of falls (adjusted risk ratio (RR): 1.787, 95% CI, 1.106–2.877) and the use of benzodiazepines significantly increased the risk of injurious falls (RR: 3.128, 95% CI, 1.541–6.350). Conclusion: In elderly LTCF residents, both insomnia and benzodiazepine use are associated with an increased risk of falls and injuries. Adopting non-pharmacological approaches to improve sleep quality, taking safer hypnotics, or strengthening supervision on benzodiazepine users may be useful in fall prevention.
|
|
| 33. |
|
|
| 34. |
|
|
| 35. |
|
|
| 36. |
|
|
| 37. |
|
|
| 38. |
|
|
| 39. |
|
|
| 40. |
|
|
| 41. |
|
|
| 42. |
|
|
| 43. |
|
|
| 44. |
- Singhal, Rohit, et al.
(författare)
-
Direct Numerical Simulation of a Moist Cough Flow using Eulerian Approximation for Liquid Droplets
- 2021
-
Ingår i: International journal of computational fluid dynamics (Print). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1061-8562 .- 1029-0257. ; 35:9, s. 778-797
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired several studies on the fluid dynamics of respiratory events. Here, we propose a computational approach in which respiratory droplets are coarse-grained into an Eulerian liquid field advected by the fluid streamlines. A direct numerical simulation is carried out for a moist cough using a closure model for space-time dependence of the evaporation time scale. Stokes-number estimates are provided, for the initial droplet size of 10 mu m, which are found to be ≪1, thereby justifying the neglect of droplet inertia, over the duration of the simulation. Several important features of the moist-cough flow reported in the literature using Lagrangian tracking methods have been accurately captured using our scheme. Some new results are presented, including the evaporation time for a 'mild' cough, a saturation-temperature diagram and a favourable correlation between the vorticity and liquid fields. The present approach can be extended for studying the long-range transmission of virus-laden droplets.
|
|
| 45. |
- Singhal, Rohit, et al.
(författare)
-
Turbulent Diffusion of Scalar and Heat in an Off-Source Heated Steady Round Jet
- 2022
-
Ingår i: 12th International Symposium on Turbulence and Shear Flow Phenomena, TSFP 2022. - : International Symposium on Turbulence and Shear Flow Phenomena, TSFP.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We study, using direct numerical simulation (DNS), the properties of a steady jet heated externally in a heat-injection zone, the rate of heat addition being proportional to the local concentration of a scalar. We examine the turbulent diffusivities of the scalar concentration, the temperature and the axial momentum, and compare their values with those for unheated jets and plumes. We also include results from the available literature and compare them with our results where possible. We find that external heat addition decreases the turbulent scalar diffusivity, leading to a decrease in the ratio of scalar to velocity flow widths relative to the unheated jet to a value that is largely insensitive to the precise details of heat addition, expect for one study. We also find that while the turbulent thermal diffusivity also decreases, the ratio of temperature to velocity flow widths is similar to those for unheated plumes. Our results suggest that further studies of off-source heated jets are warranted.
|
|
| 46. |
|
|
| 47. |
- Thomsen, S., et al.
(författare)
-
Bringing evidence to policy to achieve health-related MDGs for all: justification and design of the EPI-4 project in China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1654-9880 .- 1654-9716. ; 6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- have shown substantial improvements in many countries. These statistics may be misleading, however, and may divert resources from disadvantaged populations within the same countries that are showing progress. The purpose of this article is to set out the relevance and design of the ‘‘Evidence for Policy and Implementation project (EPI-4)’’. EPI-4 aims to contribute to the reduction of inequities in the achievement of health-related MDGs in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam through the promotion of researchinformed policymaking. Methods: Using a framework provided by the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), we compare national-level MDG targets and results, as well as their social and structural determinants, in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Results: To understand country-level MDG achievements it is useful to analyze their social and structural determinants. This analysis is not sufficient, however, to understand within-country inequities. Specialized analyses are required for this purpose, as is discussion and debate of the results with policymakers, which is the aim of the EPI-4 project. Conclusion: Reducing health inequities requires sophisticated analyses to identify disadvantaged populations within and between countries, and to determine evidence-based solutions that will make a difference. The EPI-4 project hopes to contribute to this goal.
|
|
| 48. |
- Thomsen, S. C., et al.
(författare)
-
Voice-Message-Based mHealth Intervention to Reduce Postoperative Penetrative Sex in Recipients of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in the Western Cape, South Africa: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Jmir Research Protocols. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1929-0748. ; 5:3, s. 75-82
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is an increased risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, in the postoperative period after receiving voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). In South Africa, over 4 million men are being targeted with VMMC services but the health system is not able to offer quality counseling. More innovative strategies for communicating with and altering behavior in men and their partners in the postoperative period after VMMC are needed. Objective: This paper presents a study protocol to test the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention designed to task-shift behavior change communication from health care personnel to an automated phone message system, encouraging self-care. Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial will be used. A total of 1188 participants will be recruited by nurses or clinicians at clinics in the study districts that have a high turnover of VMMC clients. The population will consist of men aged 18 years and older who indicate at the precounseling session that they possess a mobile phone and consent to participating in the study. Consenting participants will be randomized into either the control or intervention arm before undergoing VMMC. The control arm will receive the standard of care (pre- and postcounseling). The intervention arm will received standard of care and will be sent 38 messages over the 6-week recovery period. Patients will be followed up after 42 days. The primary outcome is self-reported sexual intercourse during the recovery period. Secondary outcomes include nonpenetrative sexual activity, STI symptoms, and perceived risk of acquiring HIV. Analysis will be by intention-to-treat. Results: Enrollment is completed. Follow-up is ongoing. Loss to follow-up is under 10%. No interim analyses have been conducted. Conclusions: The intervention has the potential of reducing risky sexual behavior after VMMC. The platform itself can be used for many other areas of health that require task shifting to patients for better efficiency and access.
|
|
| 49. |
|
|
| 50. |
- Wei, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Bone morphogenetic protein-7 protects human intervertebral disc cells in vitro from apoptosis
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Spine Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1529-9430. ; 8:3, s. 466-74
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Disc degeneration includes dysfunction and loss of disc cells leading to a decrease in extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Apoptosis has been identified in degenerated discs. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has been reported to stimulate ECM synthesis in the intervertebral disc (IVD), but its effect on disc cell viability is unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate whether BMP-7 can protect disc cells from programmed cell death while enhancing ECM production. STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro study to examine the effect of BMP-7 on apoptosis of IVD cells. METHODS: Human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were cultured in monolayer, and human recombinant pure BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) was added to the medium when the cells were in the second passage. Thereafter, apoptosis was induced by either tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Cellular apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and caspase-3 activity. ECM synthesis was assessed by immunofluorescence for collagen-2 and aggrecan. To study the possibility of bone induction by rhBMP-7 in disc cells, alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin red-S staining were evaluated. RESULTS: Apoptosis was induced by both TNF-alpha and H(2)O(2). Addition of rhBMP-7 resulted in inhibition of the apoptotic effects caused by both inducers. Further, BMP-7 decreased caspase-3 activity. In the presence of BMP-7, ECM production was maintained by the cells despite being in an apoptotic environment. No osteoblastic induction of the disc cells was seen. CONCLUSIONS: BMP-7 was demonstrated to prevent apoptosis of human disc cells in vitro. One of the antiapoptotic effects of BMP-7 on NP cells might be a result of its inactivation of caspase-3. Collagen production was maintained by addition of rhBMP-7 in an apoptotic environment.
|
|
