Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Motivators of Influenza Vaccination Uptake among Primary Healthcare Workers in Singapore

Introduction: Healthcare workers, especially primary healthcare workers, are at risk of contracting influenza from patients at their workplace. The uptake of influenza immunisation among healthcare workers has been inadequate in spite of this risk and the recommendation to receive annual influenza vaccination. This study aims to assess the barriers as well as the motivators of influenza immunisation among staff from an organisation of primary healthcare polyclinics in Singapore. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted on healthcare workers from different occupation categories within the organisation and results were analysed. Results: Factors identified as barriers to influenza immunisation were: misconceptions regarding influenza immunisation, fear of experiencing pain or reaction from the vaccination, influence from other staff, uncertainty over the efficacy of influenza vaccination and perceived immunity against influenza virus. Motivators to immunisation were: the influence of other staff, direction from senior management, incentives for vaccination, accessibility and convenience in receiving the immunisation, reduction in risk of transmitting influenza to others and awareness and knowledge of influenza vaccination. Conclusion: Interventions to promote influenza immunisation based on these identified factors may help increase the immunisation uptake among healthcare workers.
Midwives' intentions regarding use of electronic medical records in health centres in Lebak district, Banten province, Indonesia

Aditya Mahendra, Sillabutra J, Keiwkarnka B. Midwives’ intentions regarding use of electronic medical records in health centres in Lebak district, Banten province, Indonesia. J Pub. Health Dev. 2011; 9(3): 257-71. The objectives of this article are to describe a cross-sectional descriptive study of midwives’ intentions to use electronic medical records (EMR), and to identify their association with various independent variables (i.e. socio-demographic factors, availability and accessibility of EMR, social support, attitude, knowledge of EMR, and subjective norms). The study group compromised 249 midwives who worked in health centres in Lebak district, Banten province, Indonesia. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. The midwives’ ages ranged from 21 to 50 years, with a median age of 32 years. Almost all of them (94.0%) had graduated from an institute higher than basic midwifery school; 59.4% were full-time employees working in health centres without in-patient care; and 62.6% had had computer experience. Most of the midwives had positive attitudes, moderate knowledge, and 51% had high subjective norms scores regarding use of EMR software; 59.8% felt that they had received high technical support; and 68.3% high emotional support, from colleagues, health centre heads and government. This study found that that 67.9% of the midwives intended to use EMR software, and that knowledge of EMR (p-value=0.004, Adj. OR=2.98) and subjective norms (p-value<0.001, Adj. OR=11.58) were significantly associated with intention to use EMR. This suggests that midwives’ colleagues, government and health centre heads who are involved in the daily practices of midwives need to accept and appraise the EMR software positively in order to successfully implement it in Indonesia. The Indonesian Government should provide on the job training and workshops about EMR to increase midwives’ capacity, knowledge and positive attitudes regarding EMR.
Identification of key kinases associated with bone marrow toxicity

OF THE THESIS Identification of Key Kinases Associated with Bone Marrow Toxicity by Lisa Diane Marroquin Master of Science in Public Health San Diego State University, 2011 Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. This disease also challenges oncology pharmaceutical development programs determined to reduce undesirable side effects associated with many cancer treatments. Bone marrow toxicity is a common dose limiting adverse effect of many cancer therapies, resulting in immunosuppression or anemia that may require expensive growth factor treatment and/or dosing holidays, and may also limit treatment combinations. Many kinase inhibitor drugs used for cancer treatment can cause bone marrow toxicity. The main objective of this study was to establish and validate a new model system to identify key kinases associated with bone marrow toxicity. This was accomplished by using siRNA-mediated gene knockdown in human bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34+ progenitor cells of tyrosine protein kinases that are known to play a role in hematopoiesis. After kinase gene knockdown, cell proliferation effects were assessed to see if the kinase played a key role in the cell proliferation process. Among the target kinases studied was Janus kinase (Jak) 2 which is a well characterized for its role in hematopoietic signaling and non-redundant function in mediating cytokine receptor signaling. Electroporation was used to introduce siRNA, and results were compared to negative controls (siRNAs with sequences that do not target any gene product) under the same electroporation conditions. At 48 hours post electroporation more than 75% knock down of Jak2 was confirmed at the mRNA level using real-time quantitative PCR in MNCs and CD34+ progenitor cells. Jak2 knockdown resulted in a 50% reduction in cell count in MNCs and a 40% reduction in CD34 + progenitor cells that were induced to granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte, and macrophage cell lineages. An even further decrease (60% reduction in cell number) was seen in CD34 + progenitor cells that were induced to undergo differentiation into a specific erythroid cell lineage. Suppression of other tyrosine protein kinases that play a role in hematopoiesis, including c-Kit, Axl, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) and Lyn, were also evaluated in this model. C-Kit knockdown lead to a decrease in cell proliferation in MNCs and CD34 + progenitor cells whereas Axl, Lyn, and CSF-1R knockdown did not decrease in cell proliferation. These observations may be explained by the fact that many kinases have redundant roles in the hematopoietic process. Overall, this model system could be used to identify key kinases associated with bone marrow toxicity in the early stages of drug development where novel kinase can be evaluated for potential bone marrow risks.
Tolerancias y resistencias: el aborto desde la perspectiva de las parteras tradicionales de un área rural de México

OBJETIVO: Conocer la percepcion, recursos y practicas que sobre el aborto tienen las parteras de un area rural mexicana, el Municipio de Yecapixtla, Morelos, situado en la parte central de Mexico. METODOS: Se utilizo metodo cualitativo, realizandose entrevistas en profundidad, grupos focales y observacion participativa. Los topicos indagados fueron aspectos socioculturales, sexualidad, reproduccion y aspectos de salud en relacion al aborto. Se entrevisto en profundidad a 9 parteras y se realizo un grupo focal en el que participaron 16 parteras. RESULTADOS: Estos dan cuenta de una profunda actitud de rechazo ante el aborto, inducido o espontaneo. El primero se conceptua como un pecado grave y el segundo como un fracaso en la principal funcion de la mujer en estas comunidades, la reproduccion. Las mujeres que abortan son llamadas "puercas", "cochinas" o "perras" y las parteras se muestran reacias a atenderlas. Sin embargo, es comun entre las mujeres de la comunidad la practica de la "regulacion de la regla", es decir, la utilizacion de sustancias que hacen que aparezca la menstruacion si esta se ha retrasado. Dicha practica no se considera abortiva. CONCLUSIONES: El conocimiento del mundo de significaciones populares en torno al aborto es imprescindible para construir modelos y estrategias efectivas que, desde los servicios institucionales de salud, refuercen los vinculos entre estos y las parteras tradicionales, de manera que se mejore el acceso a servicios y la calidad de la atencion a las mujeres.
Topical silver for preventing wound infection (Review)

Six trials compared SSD cream with silver-containing dressings. One showed significantly fewer infections with the silver-containing dressing (Hydron AgSD) compared with SSD, the remaining five found no evidence of a difference. One trial compared two silver-containing dressings, and showed a significantly lower infection rate with silver-coated gauze (Acticoat®) than with silver nitrate gauze. Other wounds Six trials compared SSD/silver-containing dressings with non-silver dressings (nine dressings in total). Most comparisons (seven) found no significant differences in infection rates; one trial in a variety of wounds exhibited significantly fewer infections with SSD/ hydrocolloid, but another, in acute wounds, found significantly more infections with SSD. Only one comparison showed a significant reduction in healing time associated with a silver-containing hydrofibre dressing in diabetic foot ulcers. Authors’ conclusions There is insufficient evidence to establish whether silver-containing dressings or topical agents promote wound healing or prevent wound infection; some poor quality evidence for SSD suggests the opposite. P L A I N L A N G U A G E S U M M A R Y Probable that silver-containing dressings and creams do not prevent wound infection or promote healing Wound dressings and creams containing silver are widely used. It is thought that silver may help wounds to heal faster and prevent infection, but we did not know if this was true. This review identified 26 trials (involving 2066 participants) comparing silver-containing dressings or creams against dressings or creams that did not contain silver. Twenty of the trials were on burn wounds, while the other trials were on a mixture of wound types. Most studies were small and of poor quality. After examining them all, the authors concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the use of silver-containing dressings or creams, as generally these treatments did not promote wound healing or prevent wound infections. Some evidence from a number of small, poor-quality studies suggested that one silver-containing compound (silver sulphadiazine) has no effect on infection, and actually slows down healing in patients with partialthickness burns.
The study of hot-carrier stress on poly-Si TFT employing C-V measurement

The degradation of n-type and p-type low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) due to hot-carrier stress was investigated by capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurement. In C-V measurements, the fixed charges in the gate oxide of TFTs are not affected by a small-applied signal, whereas the trap states in the bandgap respond to the applied frequency, so that the dominant degradation mechanism of poly-Si TFTs can be evaluated. The capacitance (C/sub GS/) between the source and the gate, as well as the capacitance (C/sub GD/) between the drain and the gate, were measured. The difference between the C/sub GD/ and the C/sub GS/ indicates the location of degradation in the TFT. Our experimental results showed that the degradation of n-type TFTs was caused by additional trap states in the grain boundary, whereas the degradation of p-type TFTs was caused by electron trapping into the gate oxide.
Enzymatische Bestimmung des Gesamt-Cholesterins im Serum

Eine einfache enzymatische Methode zur Bestimmung des Gesamt-Cholesterins im Serum wird beschrieben. Die im Serum vorhandenen Cholcsterinester werden mittels Cholcstcrinesterase quantitativ in freies Cholestcrin und Fettsauren gespalten. Das freie Cholesterin wird in Gegenwart von Sauerstoff und Cholesterinoxydase in A-Cholestenon umgewandelt. Das bei dieser Reaktion entstehende Wasserstoffperoxyd oxydiert bei Anwesenheit von Katalase Methanol zu Formaldchyd. Dieses reagiert mit Ammoniumionen und Acetylaceton unter Bildung von 3,5-Diacctyl-l,4-dihydrolutidin, dessen Farbintcnsitat bei 405 nm gemessen wird. Richtigkeit und Prazision der Methode sind sehr gut. Die Proportionalitat ist bis 25,85 mmol Cholcsterin/1 Serum gegeben. Serumprotcine, Bilirubin, Creatinin, Hamoglobin und Pharmaka storen nicht.
1603Increased Risk of Hip Fracture Associated with Dually-Treated HIV/Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection

HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are each associated with reduced bone mineral density, but it is unclear whether HIV/HBV coinfection is associated with an increased risk of fracture. We determined whether dually treated HIV/HBV patients had a higher incidence of hip fracture compared to treated HBV‐monoinfected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)‐treated HIV‐monoinfected and HIV/HBV‐uninfected patients. We conducted a cohort study among 4156 dually treated HIV/HBV‐coinfected, 2053 treated HBV‐monoinfected, 96 253 ART‐treated HIV‐monoinfected, and 746 794 randomly sampled uninfected persons within the US Medicaid populations of California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania (1999–2007). Coinfected patients were matched on propensity score to persons in each comparator cohort. Weighted survival models accounting for competing risks were used to estimate cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident hip fracture for dually treated coinfected patients compared to (i) HBV‐monoinfected receiving nucleos(t)ide analogue or interferon alfa therapy, (ii) HIV‐monoinfected on ART and (iii) uninfected persons. Dually treated coinfected patients had a higher cumulative incidence of hip fracture compared to ART‐treated HIV‐monoinfected (at 5 years: 1.70% vs 1.24%; adjusted HR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.03–1.83]) and uninfected (at 5 years: 1.64% vs 1.22%; adjusted HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.03–1.84]) persons. The cumulative incidence of hip fracture was higher among coinfected than treated HBV‐monoinfected patients (at 5 years: 0.70% vs 0.27%), but this difference was not statistically significant in competing risk analysis (adjusted HR, 2.62 [95% CI, 0.92–7.51]). Among Medicaid enrollees, the risk of hip fracture was higher among dually treated HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients than ART‐treated HIV‐monoinfected and uninfected persons.
The Possible Role of Helicobacter pylori in the Development of Sjogren's Syndrome and Chronic Sialadenitis

Background: Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, which can be triggered by environmental factors such as viral infection. Chronic obstructive sialadenitis is the most common type of chronic sialadenitis and many different bacterial infections develop as a result of ductal obstruction. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the association of these lesions with the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Patients and Methods: A total of 56 biopsies diagnosed as Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and chronic sialadenitis (CS) due to sialolithiasis in submandibular glands, sublingual and minor salivary glands were selected (56 samples as examined group and 20 samples as control group). All the paraffin blocks were cut for hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining to confirm the diagnoses and then the samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to detect H. pylori. Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Chi-squared test showed a significant difference between H. pylori positivity in the groups examined (P = 0.046) and between SS group and normal tissue samples (P = 0.013). There was no significant difference between gender and H. pylori positivity in examined groups examined (P = 0.574, P = 0.543, respectively). In addition, there was no significant difference between gender and H. pylori positivity in SS group (P = 0.119, P = 0.331, respectively) also in CS group (P = 0.981, P = 0.571). Conclusions: Bacterial infection has been suggested in the pathogenesis of both SS and CS. In addition, H. pylori is a resident of the oral cavity, thus may be involved in the development and progression of these lesions. Hence, search for H. pylori antibody in blood of patients with SS is suggested.
Depth profiling in amorphous and microcrystalline silicon by transient photoconductivity techniques

We probe near-surface regions in hydrogenated amorphous and microcrystalline silicon by recording the transient photocurrent after application of a green laser pulse with short absorption depth through the glass-substrate/silicon interface. Depending on the spatial defect inhomogeneity close to the illuminated surface the transient photocurrent shows a different decay behaviour under strongly absorbed green light as compared with more uniformly absorbed red illumination. We apply a Fourier transform technique to the photocurrent decay, which reveals spatial inhomogeneities in the deep-defect density in amorphous silicon. For a highly crystalline sample of microcrystalline silicon we find depth homogeneity in the electronic properties, in agreement with information from structural investigations.
Spread spectrum clock Generator with delay cell array to reduce electromagnetic interference

In high-speed digital systems, most of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the system is caused by high-speed digital clock drivers and synchronized circuits. To reduce the EMI from the system clocks, spread spectrum clock (SSC) techniques that modulate the system clock frequency have been proposed. A conventional SSC generator (SSCG) has been implemented with a phase locked loop (PLL) by controlling a period jitter. However, the conventional SSCG with PLL becomes more difficult to implement at higher clock frequencies, in the gigahertz range, because of the random period jitter of the PLL. Furthermore, the attenuation of EMI is decreased due to the random period jitter of the PLL. To overcome the problems associated with the random period jitter, we propose an SSCG with a delay cell array (DCA), which controls the position of clock transitions with a triangular modulation profile. Measurement and simulation have demonstrated that the proposed SSCG with DCA is easier to implement and more effective in attenuating the EMI compared with the conventional SSCG with PLL. The proposed SSCG with DCA was implemented on a chip using a 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS process and achieved a 9-dB attenuation of the EMI at 390 MHz.
Prevalence of mastitis in goat herds in some northwestern villages in Nigeria

In this study 10 different herds were randomly sampled and milk samples obtained from 263 lactating does with normal sized udder and enlarged (unilateral/bilateral) pendulous udders . The obtained milk samples were analyzed for mastitis using a rapid field catalase test (RFCT). From 194 samples obtained from NSU (Normal Size Udder), 164 samples were negative to the test while 30 samples were positive. These represent 84.5% negatives and 15.5% positives of the total sample analyzed. Similarly, 69 samples were obtained from both U/BEU (Unilateral/Bilateral Enlarged Udder), 42 samples were negative to RFCT while 27 samples positive, representing 60.7% negatives and 39.3% positives of the total analyzed samples. The information obtained from this research work is to sensitize farmers on the need for routine examination/screening of their herd for mastitis; since mastitis occurring as the most common and costly disease which could take a heavier toll in animal industry than any single disease through considerable economic loss.
Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Pregnancy

Atrial natriuretic factor is a potent vasoactive peptide which has significant effects on vascular smooth muscle and on kidney function. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentration is regulated in part by volume status, which is known to be altered in pregnancy. In a cross-sectional study we have measured plasma atrial natriuretic factor by radioimmunoassay in normal non-pregnant and pregnant women. Plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic factor was 8.3 ± 0.9 pg/ml and 10.6 ± 1.9 pg/ml before and after menstruation in six non-pregnant women. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor progressively increased during normal pregnancy being 12.7 ± 1.4pg/ml (n=13), 19.0 ± 2.3 (n=11), and 22.3 ± 1.4 (n=43) in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.Atrial natriuretic factor may participate in the physiological regulation of vasomotor tone and changes in renal function that occur during pregnancy.
Comparative study of circadian variation in oral, tympanic, forehead, axillary and elbow pit temperatures measured in a cohort of young university students living their normal routines

The primary objective of the present research work is to study and compare the circadian variability in body temperature recorded from different locations of the body during subjects’ normal routines. Temperatures of oral cavity (sublingually), tympanum, forehead, axilla and the elbow pit were measured simultaneously at approximate 1-h intervals for five consecutive days during subjects’ waking span in their routine living condition. The observations were made in eight young, apparently healthy, university students. Data were analysed using cosinor rhythmometry for evaluation of circadian rhythms and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures to assess the effect of time of day and measuring site on body temperatures and their interaction. Significant circadian rhythms in body temperature, irrespective of site, were found. Based on autocorrelation analysis, it was observed that the day-to-day variability in body temperature was consistent. The acrophases of all the studied temperature rhythms were located in the afternoon, except axillary temperature, which occurred in the early evening. The mean daytime temperature was found to be the highest when recorded sublingually and it was the lowest on the forehead or elbow pit. On the basis of the results of this study, we recommend that the methods used could be introduced into laboratory courses in a curriculum of chronobiology courses for both UG and PG classes for the demonstration/study of circadian rhythms in body temperature under normal routines. The methods used are valuable as they are non-invasive, easily accepted and assessable in a student setting.
LEISURE TIME, OCCUPATIONAL, DOMESTIC, AND COMMUTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF INHABITANTS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AGED 55-69: INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

BACKGROUND: The assessment of multiple domains of physical activity is considered to be necessary for global physical activity surveillance and might be useful for the recognition of the effects of physical activity on health. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were twofold: firstly to analyze moderate physical activity and walking within the leisure time, domestic, occupational and transport related domains of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic aged 55–69, and secondly, to investigate the socio-demographic and environmental factors which can influence meeting physical activity recommendations in leisure time, domestic, occupational and transport related domains. METHODS: The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity in 320 randomly selected inhabitants of the Czech Republic aged 55–69. They also answered additional questions on socio-demographic and environmental factors. RESULTS: Meeting moderate physical activity recommendations was significantly associated with elementary education, the age group 55–59 (compared to the age group 65–69), living in a house and non smoking whereas the likelihood of meeting the walking recommendation was connected only with having an occupation. Different socio-demographic and environmental factors were associated with moderate physical activity and walking within different domains. CONCLUSIONS: These factors should be taken into consideration, particularly when creating a successful PA promotion strategy tailored to Czech national specifics.