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BACKGROUND: Informing humanitarian action directly from community members is recognized as critical. However, collecting community insights is also a challenge in practice. This paper reports data collected among community members and Red Crescent volunteers in the occupied Palestinian territory. The aim was to test a data collection tool, situational judgment tests (SJTs), to collect insights in the community around three themes. METHODS: The SJTs covered violence prevention, road safety, and environmental pollution (waste), and were constituted of hypothetical scenarios to which respondents indicated how they would react. For each theme, the answers' pattern provides insights for humanitarian action regarding which beliefs to address. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in January and February 2023 with 656 community members, and 239 Red Crescent volunteers. RESULTS: Data showed that violence is the theme for which the need is the highest among community members. Some responses varied according to the public (age, governorate, or disability level), suggesting actions could be tailored accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Despite many difficulties during data collection, this study show that the tool allowed to collect community insights, a crucial task to ensure adequate response to the challenges faced by community members and Red Crescent volunteers in occupied Palestine.
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BACKGROUND: The reported prevalence of infraocclusion varies widely, reflecting differences in definitions and measurement/scoring approaches. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence and extent of infraocclusion in singletons and twins during the late mixed dentition stage of dental development using a new diagnostic imaging method and objective criteria. The study also aimed to determine any associations between infraocclusion and gender, arch type, arch side and tooth type. METHODS: Two samples were analysed, 1454 panoramic radiographs of singletons and 270 dental models of twins. Both samples ranged in age from 8 to 11 years. Adobe Photoshop CS5 was used to measure the extent of infraocclusion. Repeatability tests showed systematic and random errors were small. RESULTS: The prevalence in the maxilla was low (<1%), whereas the prevalence in the mandible was 22% in the singleton sample and 32% in the twin sample. The primary mandibular first molar was affected more often than the second molar. There was no significant difference in the expression between genders or sides. CONCLUSIONS: A new technique for measuring infraocclusion has been developed with high intra- and interoperator reproducibility. This method should enhance early diagnosis of tooth developmental abnormalities and treatment planning during the late mixed dentition stage of development.
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Maloclusión/epidemiología , Diente Molar/anomalías , Anomalías Dentarias/epidemiología , Diente Primario/anomalías , Factores de Edad , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Maloclusión/diagnóstico por imagen , Mandíbula/diagnóstico por imagen , Maxilar/diagnóstico por imagen , Prevalencia , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factores de Riesgo , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
Mutations of numerous genes encoding proteins that affect multiple pathways responsible for regulation of cell proliferation can cause growth disturbances in humans. Genes such as HESX1, PROP1, PIT1/POU1F1 and GLI2 have been shown to cause pituitary hormone deficiency. In addition, heterozygous mutations or gene deletions in the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis such as the GH, GH-releasing hormone receptor, GH receptor, STAT5b, IGF-I, IGF-I receptor and the acid labile subunit have also been observed in children with growth failure and short stature. More recently, mutations of genes encoding regulators of cell proliferation and division, i.e., the pericentrin gene, have also resulted in severe growth disturbances.
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Estatura/genética , Trastornos del Crecimiento/genética , Hormona de Crecimiento Humana/genética , Animales , Antígenos/genética , Niño , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , Hormona de Crecimiento Humana/deficiencia , Humanos , Hipopituitarismo/genética , Factor I del Crecimiento Similar a la Insulina/genética , Proteínas con Homeodominio LIM/genética , Proteínas Asociadas a Microtúbulos/genética , Hormonas Hipofisarias/deficiencia , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/genética , Factor de Transcripción STAT5/genética , Proteína de la Caja Homeótica de Baja Estatura , Factor de Transcripción Pit-1/genética , Factores de Transcripción/genéticaRESUMEN
GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), collectively known as GBV-C, is widely spread and was discovered while searching for a causative agent for non-A-E hepatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of infection and genotypic characteristics of GBV-C in Arabian camels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 22 blood and 8 milk samples from healthy camels were screened using RT-PCR/nested PCR of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by sequencing the UTR region of randomly picked clones. The results obtained showed that the rate of GBV-C infection in camels was 18.2% (4 out of 22). All camels milk samples tested negative. Sequence analysis of the 5'-UTR using isolates from the 4 camels revealed the prevalence of the European/North American genotype 2 when compared to the 6 reference genotypes in GenBank.
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Camelus , Virus GB-C/genética , Hepatitis Viral Animal/virología , Animales , Virus GB-C/clasificación , Virus GB-C/aislamiento & purificación , Genotipo , Hepatitis Viral Animal/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Emiratos Árabes Unidos/epidemiología , Regiones no Traducidas/genéticaRESUMEN
Escherichia coli that produce plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases are rare in the United States. The clinical features associated with infection with these organisms have not been well described. We identified 2 clinical isolates of E. coli that produced the plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme beta-lactamase CMY-2. These organisms were recovered from urine specimens and were resistant to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and cefepime. One isolate was resistant to ertapenem but susceptible to imipenem and meropenem; the other was susceptible to imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem. One of the 2 infected patients did not require specific therapy; the other required imipenem for cure. The presence of the CMY-2 beta-lactamase was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Hybridization studies confirmed that the bla(CMY-2) gene was on a plasmid in both isolates; in one of them, the probe also hybridized with chromosomal DNA. Infection with plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases in E. coli in the United States may be associated with treatment failure, and these strains may become a serious nosocomial threat.
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Proteínas Bacterianas , Escherichia coli/enzimología , Escherichia coli/genética , Plásmidos/genética , Resistencia betalactámica/genética , beta-Lactamasas/genética , beta-Lactamasas/metabolismo , Adulto , Western Blotting , Resistencia a las Cefalosporinas/genética , Conjugación Genética/genética , Electroforesis en Gel de Campo Pulsado , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/análisis , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/inmunología , Femenino , Amplificación de Genes , Humanos , Imipenem/metabolismo , Imipenem/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Hibridación de Ácido Nucleico , Plásmidos/metabolismo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , beta-Lactamasas/análisis , beta-Lactamasas/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common and highly lethal agent of nosocomial pneumonia, especially among patients receiving mechanical ventilation. It is widespread in the environment and commonly recovered from water in nature and in hospital settings. P. aeruginosa is endowed with a formidable array of virulence factors that facilitate attachment to host cells, tissue invasion, and systemic disease. It is intrinsically resistant to many commonly used antibiotics due to a complex variety of mechanisms that we will briefly review. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of this organism have shed considerable light on its ability to form biofilms, which facilitate adherence especially in cystic fibrosis patients, and confer resistance to clearance by host immune mechanisms and antimicrobial killing. Treatment studies have demonstrated a significant risk of emergence of resistance during therapy with a variety of agents. Several studies suggest that two drugs are better than one for therapy of serious infections, although dual therapy does not always prevent emergence of resistant strains.
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This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin during hemodialysis with cellulose triacetate (CT) high-flux dialyzers and to assess the influence of membrane surface area on intradialytic clearance. In a randomized crossover fashion, the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were evaluated during dialysis with the CT 110 and CT 190 membranes. Six hemodialysis patients received 1 g of vancomycin immediately after the completion of a dialysis session, and subsequently, blood samples were obtained over a 5-day study period. On Day 3 subjects were dialyzed with CT 110 or CT 190 membranes. The mean intradialytic clearance of vancomycin was 56.7 +/- 7.5 and 100.70 +/- 10.7 mL/min with the CT 110 and CT 190 membranes, respectively (P < 0.05). Significant rebound in vancomycin serum concentrations occurred after dialysis; this rebound appeared to be complete 3 h postdialysis. On the basis of postrebound concentrations, the apparent percent removal of vancomycin was 23.6 +/- 1.2 and 25.2 +/- 8.6% for CT 110 and CT 190 membranes, respectively (not significant). Vancomycin is significantly cleared during dialysis with cellulose triacetate membranes, and its clearance is dependent on membrane surface area. Although a small supplemental dose of vancomycin could be administered after dialysis to replace drug lost during dialysis, it may be more efficient to give a larger dose of vancomycin after several dialysis periods. The determination of vancomycin removal can be used to estimate vancomycin serum concentrations as well as dosage requirements. This in conjunction with serum concentration monitoring can be used to optimize vancomycin dosing.
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Celulosa/análogos & derivados , Membranas Artificiales , Diálisis Renal/instrumentación , Vancomicina/farmacocinética , Adulto , Anciano , Antibacterianos/farmacocinética , Estudios Cruzados , Femenino , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/metabolismo , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Concentración Osmolar , Factores de Tiempo , Vancomicina/sangreRESUMEN
Hypercholesterolemia, cigarette smoking, hypertension, and obesity are known contributing risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). However, they account for only half of all cases of CAD, and the complete pathologic process underlying atherosclerosis remains unknown. Growing evidence suggests that oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may be of particular importance in the pathogenesis. Oxidized LDL exhibits proatherogenic effects. Therefore, current research has focused on inhibiting the oxidation of LDL as a means of inhibiting the atherosclerotic process. One such approach is to enhance the endogenous antioxidant defense systems within the LDL particle with lipophilic antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, or by supplementing the aqueous-phase antioxidant capacity with ascorbic acid. Observational data suggest a protective effect of antioxidant supplementation on the incidence of CAD; however, specific doses cannot be recommended since the data are inconclusive.
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Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Arteriosclerosis/prevención & control , Ácido Ascórbico/uso terapéutico , Carotenoides/uso terapéutico , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/prevención & control , Femenino , Humanos , Lipoproteínas LDL/metabolismo , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Selenio/uso terapéutico , Vitamina E/uso terapéutico , beta CarotenoRESUMEN
Previous studies had shown that MyoD promoted nicotinic acetylcholine subunit gene expression; the present experiments were done to determine whether this subsequently led to the development of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Transfection of C3H 10T1/2 cells with MyoD cDNA resulted in the appearance of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites; radiolabelled alpha-toxin binding was not observed in cells transfected with a plasmid that lacked MyoD cDNA. Receptor development plateaued over a time course of several days with maximal binding seven and 11 days after exposure to fusion medium. [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding was of high affinity (Kd = 1 nM), saturable and was inhibited by nicotinic but not muscarinic receptor ligands, with IC50s of 1-3 nM for alpha-bungarotoxin, 1-3 microM for d-tubocurarine and 3-10 microM for nicotine. Not only did the cells exhibit a cell surface nicotinic receptor but they also expressed a nicotinic receptor mediated functional response. Carbachol resulted in uptake of 22Na into the cells at concentrations similar to those required for receptor activation at a muscle type nicotinic receptor; furthermore, the functional response was effectively blocked by nicotinic receptor ligands, including alpha-bungarotoxin (IC50 = 2 to 6 nM) and d-tubocurarine (IC50 = 0.1 to 0.4 microM); muscarinic receptor ligands had no effect. A time course study showed that alpha-bungarotoxin binding and carbachol stimulated 22Na uptake developed in parallel, suggesting that the observed functional response was mediated through an interaction at the alpha-bungarotoxin recognition site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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ADN Complementario , Mesodermo/metabolismo , Proteína MioD/genética , Receptores Nicotínicos/metabolismo , Transfección , Animales , Bungarotoxinas/metabolismo , Carbacol/farmacología , Línea Celular , Mesodermo/citología , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C3H , Receptores Nicotínicos/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores Nicotínicos/fisiología , Sodio/farmacocinéticaRESUMEN
In a double-blind comparison with placebo the time-course of the effects of temazepam 40 mg and 20 mg on breathing, arterial pressure, oral temperature, cognitive function, psychomotor performance and subjective observations have been examined in 12 healthy volunteers. Temazepam 40 mg caused significant displacement of the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide 1 h after administration and a decrease in oral temperature 2 h after administration. Deficits in cognitive function were still apparent 1.5 and 2.5 h after administration and psychomotor performance did not equal control at 3.5 h. However, most subjects felt normal 2.5-3 h afterwards. Temazepam 20 mg had significant effects on cognitive function and psychomotor performance only during the 1st hour after administration.