| 1. |
- Barber, R. M., et al.
(author)
-
Healthcare access and quality index based on mortality from causes amenable to personal health care in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2015 : A novel analysis from the global burden of disease study 2015
- 2017
-
In: The Lancet. - : Lancet Publishing Group. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 390:10091, s. 231-266
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background National levels of personal health-care access and quality can be approximated by measuring mortality rates from causes that should not be fatal in the presence of effective medical care (ie, amenable mortality). Previous analyses of mortality amenable to health care only focused on high-income countries and faced several methodological challenges. In the present analysis, we use the highly standardised cause of death and risk factor estimates generated through the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to improve and expand the quantification of personal health-care access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015. Methods We mapped the most widely used list of causes amenable to personal health care developed by Nolte and McKee to 32 GBD causes. We accounted for variations in cause of death certification and misclassifications through the extensive data standardisation processes and redistribution algorithms developed for GBD. To isolate the effects of personal health-care access and quality, we risk-standardised cause-specific mortality rates for each geography-year by removing the joint effects of local environmental and behavioural risks, and adding back the global levels of risk exposure as estimated for GBD 2015. We employed principal component analysis to create a single, interpretable summary measure-the Healthcare Quality and Access (HAQ) Index-on a scale of 0 to 100. The HAQ Index showed strong convergence validity as compared with other health-system indicators, including health expenditure per capita (r=0·88), an index of 11 universal health coverage interventions (r=0·83), and human resources for health per 1000 (r=0·77). We used free disposal hull analysis with bootstrapping to produce a frontier based on the relationship between the HAQ Index and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a measure of overall development consisting of income per capita, average years of education, and total fertility rates. This frontier allowed us to better quantify the maximum levels of personal health-care access and quality achieved across the development spectrum, and pinpoint geographies where gaps between observed and potential levels have narrowed or widened over time. Findings Between 1990 and 2015, nearly all countries and territories saw their HAQ Index values improve; nonetheless, the difference between the highest and lowest observed HAQ Index was larger in 2015 than in 1990, ranging from 28·6 to 94·6. Of 195 geographies, 167 had statistically significant increases in HAQ Index levels since 1990, with South Korea, Turkey, Peru, China, and the Maldives recording among the largest gains by 2015. Performance on the HAQ Index and individual causes showed distinct patterns by region and level of development, yet substantial heterogeneities emerged for several causes, including cancers in highest-SDI countries; chronic kidney disease, diabetes, diarrhoeal diseases, and lower respiratory infections among middle-SDI countries; and measles and tetanus among lowest-SDI countries. While the global HAQ Index average rose from 40·7 (95% uncertainty interval, 39·0-42·8) in 1990 to 53·7 (52·2-55·4) in 2015, far less progress occurred in narrowing the gap between observed HAQ Index values and maximum levels achieved; at the global level, the difference between the observed and frontier HAQ Index only decreased from 21·2 in 1990 to 20·1 in 2015. If every country and territory had achieved the highest observed HAQ Index by their corresponding level of SDI, the global average would have been 73·8 in 2015. Several countries, particularly in eastern and western sub-Saharan Africa, reached HAQ Index values similar to or beyond their development levels, whereas others, namely in southern sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia, lagged behind what geographies of similar development attained between 1990 and 2015. Interpretation This novel extension of the GBD Study shows the untapped potential for personal health-care access and quality improvement across the development spectrum. Amid substantive advances in personal health care at the national level, heterogeneous patterns for individual causes in given countries or territories suggest that few places have consistently achieved optimal health-care access and quality across health-system functions and therapeutic areas. This is especially evident in middle-SDI countries, many of which have recently undergone or are currently experiencing epidemiological transitions. The HAQ Index, if paired with other measures of health-system characteristics such as intervention coverage, could provide a robust avenue for tracking progress on universal health coverage and identifying local priorities for strengthening personal health-care quality and access throughout the world. Copyright © The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Liu, Kun, et al.
(author)
-
A study of intrinsic amorphous silicon thin film deposited on flexible polymer substrates by magnetron sputtering
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3093 .- 1873-4812. ; 449, s. 125-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amorphous silicon (a-Si) has gained its popularity in thin film Solar cell fabrication for its high absorption coefficient, high applicability on flexible substrates and practical feasibility for low-cost roll-to-roll mass fabrication. Working as the intrinsic layer, the optical-electrical characteristics of amorphous silicon film is crucial to the cell performance. In this work, the amorphous silicon film has been fabricated on PET substrate by magnetron sputtering method. The main optical-electrical characteristics have been systematically investigated under different fabrication conditions (sputtering power, working pressure, working temperature). The results indicate that the deposition rate increases remarkably from 1.88 to 834 nm/min with the sputtering power increasing from 60 W to 120 W, while the light transmission rate decreases from 86% to 46% in the visible spectrum range (390 nm to 780 nm). Theoretical calculations have been carried out, showing a decreasing deposition rate under an increasing working pressure. A rising temperature provides a higher deposition rate and lower trans-mittance in the certain range. The optimized processing parameters in the fabrication of amorphous silicon thin film are obtained for high photoelectric property on flexible substrates.
|
|
| 8. |
- Liu, Kun, et al.
(author)
-
B-Doped Amorphous Silicon Thin Films Deposited on Flexible PET Substrate by Magnetron Sputtering
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience. - : American Scientific Publishers. - 1546-1955 .- 1546-1963. ; 12:9, s. 2931-2936
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Depositing amorphous silicon doped with different elements on flexible substrates offers a large potential for the roll-to-roll processes lowering the manufacturing cost of solar cells. Unique magnetron sputtering method was adopted to deposit B-doped amorphous silicon thin film on flexible PET substrate instead of solid substrate materials like glass, metal and silicon. Effects of different substrates were investigated, as well as the processing parameters including sputtering power and working pressure. The structure and performance of the samples were characterized with SEM, XRD, surface profile meter and UV-spectrophotometer. The comparison between PET and glass shows that the alternative of PET substrate significantly improved the deposition rate. Optimal results were obtained as pressure of 0.2 Pa and RF power of 120 W, which showed the lowest transmittance as well as a minimum optical band gap, both are of great significance to photovoltaic conversion. Theoretical justification and experimental data including the feasible magnetron sputtering way, PET flexible substrate and optimized process parameters to the mass production of cheap and high performance heterojunction thin film solar cells were achieved.
|
|
| 9. |
- Menden, MP, et al.
(author)
-
Community assessment to advance computational prediction of cancer drug combinations in a pharmacogenomic screen
- 2019
-
In: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 10:1, s. 2674-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effectiveness of most cancer targeted therapies is short-lived. Tumors often develop resistance that might be overcome with drug combinations. However, the number of possible combinations is vast, necessitating data-driven approaches to find optimal patient-specific treatments. Here we report AstraZeneca’s large drug combination dataset, consisting of 11,576 experiments from 910 combinations across 85 molecularly characterized cancer cell lines, and results of a DREAM Challenge to evaluate computational strategies for predicting synergistic drug pairs and biomarkers. 160 teams participated to provide a comprehensive methodological development and benchmarking. Winning methods incorporate prior knowledge of drug-target interactions. Synergy is predicted with an accuracy matching biological replicates for >60% of combinations. However, 20% of drug combinations are poorly predicted by all methods. Genomic rationale for synergy predictions are identified, including ADAM17 inhibitor antagonism when combined with PIK3CB/D inhibition contrasting to synergy when combined with other PI3K-pathway inhibitors in PIK3CA mutant cells.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
|
|
| 13. |
|
|
| 14. |
|
|
| 15. |
|
|
| 16. |
- Acevedo, N, et al.
(author)
-
Histone Acetylation of Immune Regulatory Genes in Human Placenta in Association with Maternal Intake of Olive Oil and Fish Consumption
- 2019
-
In: International journal of molecular sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1422-0067. ; 20:5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Maternal diet modifies epigenetic programming in offspring, a potentially critical factor in the immune dysregulation of modern societies. We previously found that prenatal fish oil supplementation affects neonatal T-cell histone acetylation of genes implicated in adaptive immunity including PRKCZ, IL13, and TBX21. In this study, we measured H3 and H4 histone acetylation levels by chromatin immunoprecipitation in 173 term placentas collected in the prospective birth cohort, ALADDIN, in which information on lifestyle and diet is thoroughly recorded. In anthroposophic families, regular olive oil usage during pregnancy was associated with increased H3 acetylation at FOXP3 (p = 0.004), IL10RA (p = 0.008), and IL7R (p = 0.007) promoters, which remained significant after adjustment by offspring gender. Furthermore, maternal fish consumption was associated with increased H4 acetylation at the CD14 gene in placentas of female offspring (p = 0.009). In conclusion, prenatal olive oil intake can affect placental histone acetylation in immune regulatory genes, confirming previously observed pro-acetylation effects of olive oil polyphenols. The association with fish consumption may implicate ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present in fish oil. Altered histone acetylation in placentas from mothers who regularly include fish or olive oil in their diets could influence immune priming in the newborn.
|
|
| 17. |
- Acosta-Herrera, M, et al.
(author)
-
Genome-wide meta-analysis reveals shared new loci in systemic seropositive rheumatic diseases
- 2019
-
In: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 78:3, s. 311-319
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are heterogeneous and complex conditions with overlapping clinical symptoms and elevated familial aggregation, which suggests the existence of a shared genetic component. In order to identify this genetic background in a systematic fashion, we performed the first cross-disease genome-wide meta-analysis in systemic seropositive rheumatic diseases, namely, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.MethodsWe meta-analysed ~6.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms in 11 678 cases and 19 704 non-affected controls of European descent populations. The functional roles of the associated variants were interrogated using publicly available databases.ResultsOur analysis revealed five shared genome-wide significant independent loci that had not been previously associated with these diseases: NAB1, KPNA4-ARL14, DGQK, LIMK1 and PRR12. All of these loci are related with immune processes such as interferon and epidermal growth factor signalling, response to methotrexate, cytoskeleton dynamics and coagulation cascade. Remarkably, several of the associated loci are known key players in autoimmunity, which supports the validity of our results. All the associated variants showed significant functional enrichment in DNase hypersensitivity sites, chromatin states and histone marks in relevant immune cells, including shared expression quantitative trait loci. Additionally, our results were significantly enriched in drugs that are being tested for the treatment of the diseases under study.ConclusionsWe have identified shared new risk loci with functional value across diseases and pinpoint new potential candidate loci that could be further investigated. Our results highlight the potential of drug repositioning among related systemic seropositive rheumatic IMIDs.
|
|
| 18. |
- Acosta, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
Mesenteric Vascular Disease: Venous Thrombosis
- 2018. - 9
-
In: Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy : 2-volume set - 2-volume set. - 9780323427913 ; , s. 1787-1794
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)
|
|
| 19. |
|
|
| 20. |
- Adams, M, et al.
(author)
-
Preventive strategies and factors associated with surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants: an international unit survey linked with retrospective cohort data analysis
- 2019
-
In: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:10, s. e031086-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To compare necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) prevention practices and NEC associated factors between units from eight countries of the International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes of Neonates, and to assess their association with surgical NEC rates.DesignProspective unit-level survey combined with retrospective cohort study.SettingNeonatal intensive care units in Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Tuscany (Italy).PatientsExtremely preterm infants born between 240to 286weeks’ gestation, with birth weights<1500 g, and admitted between 2014–2015.ExposuresNEC prevention practices (probiotics, feeding, donor milk) using responses of an on-line pre-piloted questionnaire containing 10 questions and factors associated with NEC in literature (antenatal steroids, c-section, indomethacin treated patent ductus arteriosus and sepsis) using cohort data.Outcome measuresSurgical NEC rates and death following NEC using cohort data.ResultsThe survey response rate was 91% (153 units). Both probiotic provision and donor milk availability varied between 0%–100% among networks whereas feeding initiation and advancement rates were similar in most networks. The 9792 infants included in the cohort study to link survey results and cohort outcomes, revealed similar baseline characteristics but considerable differences in factors associated with NEC between networks. 397 (4.1%) neonates underwent NEC surgery, ranging from 2.4%–8.4% between networks. Standardised ratios for surgical NEC were lower for Australia/New Zealand, higher for Spain, and comparable for the remaining six networks.ConclusionsThe variation in implementation of NEC prevention practices and in factors associated with NEC in literature could not be associated with the variation in surgical NEC incidence. This corroborates the current lack of consensus surrounding the use of preventive strategies for NEC and emphasises the need for research.
|
|
| 21. |
- Adjuik, Martin A., et al.
(author)
-
The effect of dosing strategies on the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine for uncomplicated malaria : a meta-analysis of individual patient data
- 2015
-
In: BMC Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1741-7015. ; 13
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) is one of the most widely used artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa. We investigated the impact of different dosing strategies on the efficacy of this combination for the treatment of falciparum malaria. Methods: Individual patient data from AS-AQ clinical trials were pooled using the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) standardised methodology. Risk factors for treatment failure were identified using a Cox regression model with shared frailty across study sites. Results: Forty-three studies representing 9,106 treatments from 1999-2012 were included in the analysis; 4,138 (45.4%) treatments were with a fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (FDC), 1,293 (14.2%) with a non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 25 mg/kg (loose NFDC-25), 2,418 (26.6%) with a non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (loose NFDC-30), and the remaining 1,257 (13.8%) with a co-blistered non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (co-blistered NFDC). The median dose of AQ administered was 32.1 mg/kg [IQR: 25.9-38.2], the highest dose being administered to patients treated with co-blistered NFDC (median = 35.3 mg/kg [IQR: 30.6-43.7]) and the lowest to those treated with loose NFDC-25 (median = 25.0 mg/kg [IQR: 22.7-25.0]). Patients treated with FDC received a median dose of 32.4 mg/kg [IQR: 27-39.0]. After adjusting for reinfections, the corrected antimalarial efficacy on day 28 after treatment was similar for co-blistered NFDC (97.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 97.0-98.8%]) and FDC (98.1% [95% CI: 97.6%-98.5%]; P = 0.799), but significantly lower for the loose NFDC-25 (93.4% [95% CI: 91.9%-94.9%]), and loose NFDC-30 (95.0% [95% CI: 94.1%-95.9%]) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). After controlling for age, AQ dose, baseline parasitemia and region; treatment with loose NFDC-25 was associated with a 3.5-fold greater risk of recrudescence by day 28 (adjusted hazard ratio, AHR = 3.51 [95% CI: 2.02-6.12], P < 0.001) compared to FDC, and treatment with loose NFDC-30 was associated with a higher risk of recrudescence at only three sites. Conclusions: There was substantial variation in the total dose of amodiaquine administered in different AS-AQ combination regimens. Fixed dose AS-AQ combinations ensure optimal dosing and provide higher antimalarial treatment efficacy than the loose individual tablets in all age categories.
|
|
| 22. |
|
|
| 23. |
|
|
| 24. |
|
|
| 25. |
- Allum, W., et al.
(author)
-
ECCO essential requirements for quality cancer care: Oesophageal and gastric cancer
- 2018
-
In: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1040-8428. ; 122, s. 179-193
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: ECCO essential requirements for quality cancer care (ERQCC) are checklists and explanations of organisation and actions that are necessary to give high-quality care to patients who have a specific type of cancer. They are written by European experts representing all disciplines involved in cancer care. ERQCC papers give oncology teams, patients, policymakers and managers an overview of the elements needed in any healthcare system to provide high quality of care throughout the patient journey. References are made to clinical guidelines and other resources where appropriate, and the focus is on care in Europe. Oesophageal and gastric: essential requirements for quality care: • Oesophageal and gastric (OG) cancers are a challenging tumour group with a poor prognosis and wide variation in outcomes among European countries. Increasing numbers of older people are contracting the diseases, and treatments and care pathways are becoming more complex in both curative and palliative settings.• High-quality care can only be a carried out in specialised OG cancer units or centres which have both a core multidisciplinary team and an extended team of allied professionals, and which are subject to quality and audit procedures. Such units or centres are far from universal in all European countries.• It is essential that, to meet European aspirations for comprehensive cancer control, healthcare organisations implement the essential requirements in this paper, paying particular attention to multidisciplinarity and patient-centred pathways from diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship. Conclusion: Taken together, the information presented in this paper provides a comprehensive description of the essential requirements for establishing a high-quality OG cancer service. The ERQCC expert group is aware that it is not possible to propose a ‘one size fits all’ system for all countries, but urges that access to multidisciplinary units or centres must be guaranteed for all those with OG cancer.
|
|
| 26. |
|
|
| 27. |
|
|
| 28. |
- Angelucci, F, et al.
(author)
-
CGRP in a gene-environment interaction model for depression: effects of antidepressant treatment
- 2019
-
In: Acta neuropsychiatrica. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1601-5215 .- 0924-2708. ; 31:2, s. 93-99
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveGenetic and environmental factors interact in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). While neurobiological correlates have only partially been elucidated, altered levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) in animal models and in the cerebrospinal fluid of depressed patients were reported, suggesting that CGRP may be involved in the pathophysiology and/or be a trait marker of MDD. However, changes in CGRP brain levels resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental risk factors and the response to antidepressant treatment have not been explored.MethodsWe therefore superimposed maternal separation (MS) onto a genetic rat model (Flinders-sensitive and -resistant lines, FSL/FRL) of depression, treated these rats with antidepressants (escitalopram and nortriptyline) and measured CGRP-LI in selected brain regions.ResultsCGRP was elevated in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala (but not in the hypothalamus) of FSL rats. However, MS did not significantly alter levels of this peptide. Likewise, there were no significant interactions between the genetic and environmental factors. Most importantly, neither escitalopram nor nortriptyline significantly altered brain CGRP levels.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that increased brain levels of CGRP are present in a well-established rat model of depression. Given that antidepressants have virtually no effect on the brain level of this peptide, our study indicates that further research is needed to evaluate the functional role of CGRP in the FSL model for depression.
|
|
| 29. |
|
|
| 30. |
|
|
| 31. |
|
|
| 32. |
|
|
| 33. |
|
|
| 34. |
- Ba, Alexandre, et al.
(author)
-
Inter-laboratory comparison of channelized hotelling observer computation
- 2018
-
In: Medical Physics. - : Wiley. - 0094-2405 .- 2473-4209. ; 45:7, s. 3019-3030
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The task-based assessment of image quality using model observers is increasingly used for the assessment of different imaging modalities. However, the performance computation of model observers needs standardization as well as a well-established trust in its implementation methodology and uncertainty estimation. The purpose of this work was to determine the degree of equivalence of the channelized Hotelling observer performance and uncertainty estimation using an intercomparison exercise. Materials and Methods: Image samples to estimate model observer performance for detection tasks were generated from two-dimensional CT image slices of a uniform water phantom. A common set of images was sent to participating laboratories to perform and document the following tasks: (a) estimate the detectability index of a well-defined CHO and its uncertainty in three conditions involving different sized targets all at the same dose, and (b) apply this CHO to an image set where ground truth was unknown to participants (lower image dose). In addition, and on an optional basis, we asked the participating laboratories to (c) estimate the performance of real human observers from a psychophysical experiment of their choice. Each of the 13 participating laboratories was confidentially assigned a participant number and image sets could be downloaded through a secure server. Results were distributed with each participant recognizable by its number and then each laboratory was able to modify their results with justification as model observer calculation are not yet a routine and potentially error prone. Results: Detectability index increased with signal size for all participants and was very consistent for 6 mm sized target while showing higher variability for 8 and 10 mm sized target. There was one order of magnitude between the lowest and the largest uncertainty estimation. Conclusions: This intercomparison helped define the state of the art of model observer performance computation and with thirteen participants, reflects openness and trust within the medical imaging community. The performance of a CHO with explicitly defined channels and a relatively large number of test images was consistently estimated by all participants. In contrast, the paper demonstrates that there is no agreement on estimating the variance of detectability in the training and testing setting.
|
|
| 35. |
- Ba, Bocar A., et al.
(author)
-
Estimating (Easily Interpreted) Dynamic Training Effects from Experimental Data
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Labor Economics. - : University of Chicago Press. - 0734-306X .- 1537-5307. ; 35, s. S149-S200
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We estimate the effect of endogenous training participation on transitions in and out of employment for disadvantaged women in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) study. Decomposing the effect of training on employment into its effects on transitions in and out of employment has the potential to develop more effective programs. We also consider a potentially serious identification problem that arises when individuals do not undertake training immediately, and we propose a test to shed light on this problem. We find that this problem is not important in our context. JTPA classroom training substantially reduced unemployment durations, and thus it complements programs that increase employment durations.
|
|
| 36. |
- Ba, Qin, et al.
(author)
-
Distributed optimal equilibrium selection for traffic flow over networks
- 2016
-
In: Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Decision and Control. - 9781479978861 ; 2016, s. 6942-6947
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we present two distributed algorithms to compute an equilibrium, that is optimal with respect to strictly convex and separable cost functions, for controlled traffic flow dynamics over networks under constant exogenous inflows. The dynamics is modeled in continuous time by the Cell Transmission Model and a non-FIFO Dynamic Network Loading Model, with traffic control. The two algorithms are adaptations of the alternating direct method of multipliers (ADMM) and the accelerated dual descent (ADD) method from network flow optimization literature. When the demand and supply inequality constraints in the uncontrolled dynamics are relaxed to be independent over links, the resulting feasible set is convex if the demand and supply functions are concave, thereby imparting convexity to the optimal equilibrium selection problem. Each point in the feasible set is an equilibrium for the original dynamics under appropriately designed control. For the ADMM method, explicit expressions for the primal update show that no auxiliary variables are necessary. Convergence analysis for the primal variables is also provided. The standard ADD method is extended to also incorporate non-negativity constraints on the density and flow variables, and demand and supply inequality constraints. Illustrative simulation results are also presented.
|
|
| 37. |
- Bashir, Fatima, et al.
(author)
-
The realities of HIV prevention. A closer look at facilitators and challenges faced by HIV prevention programmes in Sudan and Yemen
- 2019
-
In: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 12:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: HIV/AIDS prevention has historically encountered many obstacles. Understanding the factors affecting HIV/AIDS prevention is central to designing and implementing suitable context-specific interventions. Research relating to HIV prevention in the Middle East and North African region is required to address the gradually increasing HIV epidemic.Objective: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of employees/health care professionals who are working or have worked within HIV prevention in Sudan and Yemen on the challenges and facilitating factors facing HIV prevention.Methods: A qualitative approach was employed using an open-ended questionnaire. Sixteen stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental agencies participated in the study. The questionnaire focused on the various challenges and facilitating factors facing HIV prevention as well as proposed possible solutions from the perspectives of the participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The study illustrated the similarities in context and HIV prevention systems between Sudan and Yemen. Thematic analysis resulted in three main themes: I) much is achieved despite difficulties; II) a programme left to be paralysed; this theme addressed the main obstacles facing HIV prevention in Sudan and Yemen generating a total of six sub-themes; III) comprehensive change is needed. The participants drew focus and attention to vital changes required to improve the delivery of HIV prevention services. Conclusion: Increased financial support for HIV prevention in Sudan and Yemen is urgently needed. De-stigmatisation and increased political support, advocacy and improved legislation for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are required for the sustainability and effectiveness of HIV prevention programmes in Sudan and Yemen. Civil society organisations must be aided and supported in their role in engaging key populations.
|
|
| 38. |
- Berglundh, Tord, 1954, et al.
(author)
-
Peri-implant diseases and conditions: Consensus report of workgroup 4 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Periodontology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3492. ; 89
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A classification for peri-implant diseases and conditions was presented. Focused questions on the characteristics of peri-implant health, peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, and soft- and hard-tissue deficiencies were addressed. Peri-implant health is characterized by the absence of erythema, bleeding on probing, swelling, and suppuration. It is not possible to define a range of probing depths compatible with health; Peri-implant health can exist around implants with reduced bone support. The main clinical characteristic of peri-implant mucositis is bleeding on gentle probing. Erythema, swelling, and/or suppuration may also be present. An increase in probing depth is often observed in the presence of peri-implant mucositis due to swelling or decrease in probing resistance. There is strong evidence from animal and human experimental studies that plaque is the etiological factor for peri-implant mucositis. Peri-implantitis is a plaque-associated pathological condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the peri-implant mucosa and subsequent progressive loss of supporting bone. Peri-implantitis sites exhibit clinical signs of inflammation, bleeding on probing, and/or suppuration, increased probing depths and/or recession of the mucosal margin in addition to radiographic bone loss. The evidence is equivocal regarding the effect of keratinized mucosa on the long-term health of the peri-implant tissue. It appears, however, that keratinized mucosa may have advantages regarding patient comfort and ease of plaque removal. Case definitions in day-to-day clinical practice and in epidemiological or disease-surveillance studies for peri-implant health, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis were introduced. The proposed case definitions should be viewed within the context that there is no generic implant and that there are numerous implant designs with different surface characteristics, surgical and loading protocols. It is recommended that the clinician obtain baseline radiographic and probing measurements following the completion of the implant-supported prosthesis.
|
|
| 39. |
|
|
| 40. |
|
|
| 41. |
|
|
| 42. |
- Blond, S, et al.
(author)
-
Jean Siegfried (1931-2014)
- 2015
-
In: Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0372 .- 1011-6125. ; 93:2, s. 73-74
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)
|
|
| 43. |
|
|
| 44. |
- Bouchatta, Otmane, et al.
(author)
-
Acute and chronic glue sniffing effects and consequences of withdrawal on aggressive behavior
- 2016
-
In: Life Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0024-3205 .- 1879-0631. ; 152, s. 14-20
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Drug abuse act on brain mechanisms that cause a high-risk individual to engage in aggressive and violent behavior. While a drug-violence relationship exists, the nature of this relationship is often complex, with intoxication, neurotoxic, and withdrawal effects often being confused and/or confounded. Glue sniffing is often a springboard to the abuse of more addictive drugs. Despite its high prevalence and serious consequences, we know relatively little about the aggressive behavioral effects of volatile inhalants abuse, especially glue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the link between the duration of glue exposure, a common substance abuse problem in Morocco, and the level of aggressive behavior during withdrawal. For this we used the isolation-induced aggression model "residents" in three groups of mice. The first group served as control resident animals (n=10, without exposure); the second group as experimental resident mice (n=10) tested before and after acute (first day) and chronic exposure to the glue, and at 1 and 2weeks of withdrawal; and the third group of 10 intruder animals. The results showed that the number of attacks decreased (halved) and the latency of the first attack increased (doubled) following acute glue sniffing. However, the effects of chronic exposure and of 1week of withdrawal led to an increase in the intensity of agonistic encounters. After 2weeks of withdrawal, the intensity of aggressive behavior decreased again. These results indicated that chronic glue exposure and the first week of withdrawal are associated with increased aggression in mice.
|
|
| 45. |
- Bouchatta, Otmane, et al.
(author)
-
Neonatal 6-OHDA lesion model in mouse induces Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-like behaviour
- 2018
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. The "neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine" (6-OHDA) lesion is a commonly used model of ADHD in rat. However, a comprehensive assessment of ADHD-like symptoms is still missing, and data in mouse remain largely unavailable. Our aim was to analyse symptoms of ADHD in the mouse neonatal 6-OHDA model. 6-OHDA mice exhibited the major ADHD-like symptoms, i.e. hyperactivity (open field), attention deficit and impulsivity (five-choice serial reaction time task). Further, the model revealed discrete co-existing symptoms, i.e. anxiety-like (elevated plus maze test) and antisocial (social interaction) behaviours and decreased cognitive functioning (novel object recognition). The efficacy of methylphenidate, a classical psychostimulant used in the treatment of ADHD, was also evaluated. A histological analysis further supports the model validity by indicating dopamine depletion, changes in cortical thickness and abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex neurons. A principal component analysis of the behaviour profile confirms that the 6-OHDA mouse model displayed good face and predictive validity. We conclude that neonatal dopamine depletion results in behavioural and morphological changes similar to those seen in patients and therefore could be used as a model for studying ADHD pathophysiological mechanisms and identifying therapeutic targets.
|
|
| 46. |
|
|
| 47. |
|
|
| 48. |
|
|
| 49. |
|
|
| 50. |
|
|
