bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Many Epidemiological Faces of AIDS With Special Reference to Hong Kong and Implications for Prevention and Control
Authors: Thong KL 
Published: June 2011

There are global differences in the epidemiological picture of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its virus the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In Central Africa, AIDS has occurred predominantly in the sexually active age group, with a male to female ratio of 1.1: 1. The infection has been transmitted primarily by promiscuous heterosexual activity. In contrast, in the USA, the major groups at risk are male homosexuals, intravenous drug abusers and haemophiliac patients. Most of the infections have also occurred in the sexually active age group of 20 to 39 years, but the male to female ratio of reported cases was 19: 1. Similar risk groups have been affected in most of the developed countries in America, Europe and Australasia. In Hong Kong, the three imported cases were all males with histories of sexual encounters abroad. Two were self-professed homosexuals or bisexuals, and the third admitted heterosexual contact with prostitutes. HIV infection has not been detected in intravenous drug abusers. Of the 61 HIV infections detected, 44 (72%) were in haemophiliac patients and 12 (19.8%) In homosexual or bisexual men. Only two infections were seen in women infected by transfusion of blood components in 1984 when safer products were unavailable. Early preventive measures were taken in Hong Kong, including establishing an AIDS Expert Advisory Committee that informed the public about the facts on AIDS and gave clear guidelines to health care personnel. They were effective in averting the emotive reactions and hysteria to AIDS encountered in many developed countries. In recognition of the importance and need for epidemiological data, a seroepidemiologlcal programme was initiated in April 1985 to identify the groups infected and the extent of the infection. Universal blood donor unit screening for HIV antibody and the introduction of heat-treated Factor VIII were measures implemented to reduce parenterally acquired infections. An AIDS Education and Publicity Committee has also been assembled to heighten public awareness and to disseminate knowledge on the measures available to reduce the risk of infection. An anonymous and confidential AIDS Counselling and Consultation Clinic was established to provide an alternative testing site and to of fer advice and counselling to individuals at risk of infection.
The Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A and B in the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Brown P 
Published: June 2011

Published studies of the serological markers of hepatitis A (anti-HAV) and hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) in populations of the Asia-Pacific region have been tabulated and analysed for information about the extent and pattern of virus exposure, with a view to identifying areas in need of further study, and to formulating strategies for eventual immunisation programmes. Hepatitis A infection is shifting to older age groups as it slowly disappears from developed countries such as Australia and Japan, and poses the paradox of fewer but potentially more severe illnesses. Except for some small island populations of Oceania, where it may strike periodically in epidemic fashion, hepatitis A continues to be an endemic, ubiquitous childhood infection in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. As subclinical or mild infection is the rule in children, indiscriminate immunisation of the general population does not seem advisable. Hepatitis B infection is also least common in Australia, and only moderately more frequent in New Zealand and Japan, which can probably afford to restrict immunisation to high-risk population subsets. Taiwan, southeast China, and most of the perimeter countries of the Western Pacific, show an early, high prevalence of infection, which when considered in the light of the high frequency of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in these countries, justifies nation-wide immunisation programmes carried out in early childhood. Infection is also widespread among Oceanic populations, but as there is little or no information for most of these populations about the frequency of late sequelae of hepatitis B, immunisation may not be urgent, or even appropriate.
The American Experience with Hazardous Waste Management
Authors: LaDou J 
Published: June 2011

The United States created a fund in 1980 to clean up hazardous wastes contaminating the environment and to seek out and clean up abandoned dumping sites that harbour hazardous materials. Many of these locations are not known at this time, and others are as much as one hundred years old. The amount of money actually needed to accomplish the goals of legislation is merely speculation. The Of fice of Technology Assessment estimates that dealing with the most critical 10, 000 sites will cost US$100 billion. The impact of hazardous wastes on the public health of surrounding communities is interpreted with caution. Of the 900 hazardous waste dump sites receiving priority attention by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 20 have been studied for effects on human health. No prospective study has been initiated among affected populations yet. Federal laws and most state laws do not provide a mechanism for compensating individuals who have developed illnesses from environmental exposures to hazardous waste sites.
Environmental and Occupational Lead Toxicity: Some Current Considerations
Authors: Spickett JT 
Published: June 2011

The role of trace elements in human health is not well understood. Lead is generally regarded as a toxic trace element with no beneficial effects. However, the adverse effects of lead resulting from environmental and occupational exposure have been the subject of extensive research. There is still controversy over whether lead from petrol is the main source of lead for most people. There have been a number of reports of lead contamination of food, air and water, however there is some question about the accuracy of the reported data and hence the conclusions drawn. Although certain aspects of lead toxicity are reasonably well understood there is still uncertainty about the maximum acceptable safe level and also about the wide variety of factors that affect the absorption and retention, and hence toxicity, of lead. Of particular interest is the Influence of dietary factors on lead toxicity.
Prevention of Intellectual and Other Disabilities: The Singapore Experience
Authors: Lyen Kenneth R. 
Published: June 2011

In Singapore, first level prevention, aimed at reducing the occurrence of disabilities, has included neonatal screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a programme of universal vaccination, screening for congenital hypothyroidism, and improvements in obstetric and neonatal care. Non-specific measures, such as improved housing, better nutrition and higher standards of education, have also contributed to the reduction in serious illnesses that can potentially cause disabilities. Second level prevention, designed to limit or reverse a disability, has included a developmental screening programme carried out in the primary health care sector. Centralised multi-disciplinary developmental assessment clinics have been established to define better the disabilities and to advise on rehabilitation. An early intervention programme has been started, and special schools are being upgraded. Third level prevention, aimed at preventing a disability from becoming a handicap, has included the setting up of comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, provision of aids and appliances, vocational training, and job opportunities. The integration of the handicapped back into society is currently being promoted.
Mortality Trend in a Rapidly Developing Economy in Taiwan Part II: Life Expectancy and “Potential Years of Life Lost”
Authors: Tsai Shan P , Wen CP , Guo JP , Tsai SF 
Published: June 2011

Taiwan has made remarkable economic progress in the last 30 years. The life expectancy of its population improved steadily during this period. A male child born in 1983 could look forward to 70.4 years of life and a female child to 75.3 years, gains of 17.5 years and 19.0 years, respectively, since 1950. The potential gains in life expectancy of the Taiwan population are also examined if the five leading causes of death are reduced or eliminated. In addition, this paper discusses the concept of potential productive years of life lost (PYLL), examines the leading causes of premature death and shows how this measure can be used to target prevention programs and health care planning.
Attitude Change Towards Mental Illness during Nursing Education —-A Cross-cultural Study of Student Nurses in Korea, Republic of China and Japan
Authors: Kumakura N , Ito H , Mori T , Saito T , Kurisu E , Asaka A , Sasaki Y , Rhi B , Kim Y , Ha K , Rin H , Lee Y Yang 
Published: June 2011

This is an initial report of a cooperative project by colleagues in Korea, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Japan, involving the measuring of attitudes toward mental illness. The discussion mainly revolves around the influence of mental health education in nursing on attitudes towards mental illness. The subjects' attitudes were assessed by Wig's profiles. The attitudes of freshmen who had just entered nursing schools and seniors who had already finished clinical training in psychiatry were compared to measure the attitude change during the course of nursing education, if any. Non-medical students sewed as a control group. As a result, a seemingly “negative and pessimistic” attitude was demonstrated in the senior student nurses. The findings are examined and discussed.
Impact of Motor Vehicle Injury in Taiwan Using Potential Productive Years of Life Lost
Authors: MacKinney Theodore , Baker Timothy 
Published: June 2011

Motor vehicle injuries are a major harmful side effect of industralization. We examine this relationship in a rapidly industrializing country, Taiwan, using Potential Productive Years of Life Lost (PPYLL) analysis, and suggest ways that the injury toll of industrialization might be mitigated. We also compare Taiwan to the US, Hungary, Korea, and Chile. Taiwan has a higher PPYLL per 100, 000 population due to motor vehicle injury (530/100, 000) than cardiac disease, cancer, or strokes. Twenty-five years ago, more PPYLL was due to cancer, strokes, cardiac disease, and tuberculosis than to motor vehicle injuries (106/100, 000). Taiwan's PPYLL rate is much greater than three other industrializing countries-Chile, Korea, and Hungary-and twice that of the US. Explanations for the dramatic rise in motor vehicle injury deaths in Taiwan may be high use of motorcycles, lack of motorcycle helmets, increase in alcohol use, high car density, and road and vehicle safety design problems.
Paint — Health and Environmental Risk Management: Report of an International Symposium held in Singapore: June 1–4, 1992
Authors: Harrington J. M. , Rose F. G. , Koh D. 
Published: June 2011

Over the past ten years, concern over the possible health effects of occupational exposure to solvent based paints, as well as more general concerns over the environmental impact of such products, has led to several international workshops. The most recent symposium, convened in Singapore in June 1992, brought together a group of international experts from academic, government and industrial backgrounds. The purpose was twofold: to identify consensus areas related to health and environmental risk assessment of paints, and to describe where further work was necessary to enhance convergence of view. The symposium proved particularly valuable in focusing on issues of current relevance and providing useful guidance for risk management strategies within the industry. The main areas addressed were the general principles and specific processes in risk assessment, organic solvents in the risk assessment process, risk communication, and comparative risks of water-based and solvent-based paints. Each subject area was introduced by a keynote speaker, followed by syndicate discussions and conclusions. To our knowledge this was the first workshop of its kind and we believe it provided a valuable model for the future.
Mortality Mapping in Hong Kong, 1979-83 and 1984-88: The Patterns of Major Non-Malignant Diseases
Authors: Yu TS , Wong SL , Wong TW , Lloyd Owen L 
Published: June 2011

We examined the spatial patterns of mortality from various non-malignant diseases in Hong Kong during the two quinquennia, 1979-83 and 1984-88. Population data and parameters reflecting socioeconomic factors, including ethnic backgrounds, were selected from census data. Mortality data were obtained from death registration files. The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for major diseases were calculated for 27 census districts. The rankings of the districts' SMRs were shown in map form. Correlations were calculated between the districts' SMRs for the diseases, between them and the SMRs for cancers, and between them and socioeconomic and ethnic parameters. Many spatial patterns and correlations showed consistency and were biologically plausible. These results showed that mapping for a rapidly growing city such as Hong Kong could be a valuable exercise for detecting “at risk” populations where causal factors for non-malignant diseases can be investigated and identified for possible elimination.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Family Planning in Rural Communities in Nigeria
Authors: Aja GN , Nwangwa MA , Egwu IN 
Published: June 2011

Maternal and infant mortality rates, coupled with a high population growth rate, are unacceptably high in Nigeria. More recently, the Nigerian government endorsed the promotion of reproductive health, including family planning, through maternal and child health services. The Ohaozara Local Government Area (LGA) introduced a Five-Year Action Plan (FYAP) in 1989. To appraise the Ohaozara Five-Year Action Plan, 600 persons stratified by geographical location and sex were interviewed in three randomly selected autonomous communities in the Ohaozara Local Government Area to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). The findings in this study showed a high awareness level with a moderately positive attitude and generally low level of practice. Comprehensive reproductive health education (RHE), budgetary increase, evaluation of FYAP, and program coordination arc recommended.
Health Research: A Tool for Social Justice and the Poor
Authors: Finau Sitaleki A 
Published: June 2011

Health research can, and must, contribute to the alleviation of social injustice and powerlessness and their consequences. In so doing, it needs to ensure that the poor are healthy, productive and happy (that is, they can enjoy the fruits of their productivity). Poverty, unemployment and low health status are symptoms of deprivation borne of powerlessness. Therefore, health research that empowers the researched must address their poverty, unemployment as well as vulnerability to diseases. This can be achieved through their participation in the research funding process. The appropriate participatory research design must allow the poor and deprived to participate in research design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of information. Such an approach is essential in order to avoid studying the poor to enrich the wealthy. Experiences with, and examples of, health research have demonstrated the consequences of ignoring the need to place the well-being of the researched at the centre of analysis. These have resulted in career advantages for the researchers and the manipulation of results without social justice for the researched. Research has also lead to monetary responses to deprivation without addressing the social and economic inequalities accompanying powerlessness. A shift in the centre of analysis could precipitate different results and actions. It would enable the poor to study the rich to learn how to become wealthy and achieve social justice.
Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in North-East Malaysia
Authors: Mafauzy M , Mokhtar N , Mohamad WB Wan , Musalmah M 
Published: June 2011

Two thousand five hundred and eight subjects from the state of Kelantan in North-East Peninsular Malaysia were included in this study to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance and their association with cardiovascular risk factors. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 10.5% and impaired glucose tolerance was 16.5%. There was no difference in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus between males and females but the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was higher in females (19.0%) than in males (11.5%). Subjects with diabetes mellitus were more obese (38.4%) than normal subjects (24.1%). They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension (12.9%) and hypercholesterolaemia (71.9%) than normal subjects. Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance also had a higher prevalence of obesity (35.5%), hypertension (9.0%) and hypercholesterolaemia (63.0%) than normal subjects. In conclusion, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance was high and they were associated with a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia.
The Sports Challenge International Programme for Identified ‘At Risk' Children and Adolescents: A Singapore Study
Authors: Tester GJ , Watkins GG , Rouse I 
Published: June 2011

The current world wide phenomena of youth suicide which became a major issue for countries in the early nineties, is still growing exponentially. The Sports Challenge program was initiated in 1992 in Western Australia to identify ‘at risk' children and adolescents who display: a low sense of basic trust, a sense of shame and doubt, a sense of inferiority and a sense of identity confusion with common characteristics of low self esteem. The subsequent program is based on a strong statistical paradigm encompassing current and historical information with reliable and objective evaluation measures. To this end, since 1992, Sports Challenge has been recognised as a ‘World Best Practice' in redressing the issue of ‘at risk' children and adolescents. The program now operates in over 150 schools and communities throughout Australia and 24 schools and Detention Centres in Singapore. This paper will allow a window into the development of the program and the successful transfer of the project into Singapore. The Singapore study which began in 1996 has revealed the success of the Sports Challenge program cross culturally with improvement in self esteem and self concept of ‘at risk' groups in the range of 18% to 44%.
Arthroscopic Measurement of Cartilage Lesions of the Knee Condyle
Authors: Robert Henri , Lambotte Jean Christophe , Flicoteaux Rémi 
Published: June 2011

Purpose: To present a new method of arthroscopic measurement of the surface and location of condylar lesions. Methods: We propose measuring the height of the condylar lesion by using the lesion’s arc (Δ°) obtained from the difference between the angle of flexion at the beginning of the lesion and the angle of flexion at the end of the lesion. The first goal of the study was to determine the intra and inter reliability of the lesion’s arc. Experiment 1: 20 deep lesions were evaluated using the lesional arc by two arthroscopists. Experiment 2: In a second series of 20 lesions, the flexion angles of the knees were recorded using a goniometer. All 10 knees (5 in each series) were then disarticulated and the true lesion arc was checked with a goniometer to assess the validity of the scopic measurements. The second goal was to obtain the height of the lesion from the lesion’s arc. The lesion arc Δ° of the condylar is converted into height (millimeters) on the basis of a table obtained from 5 standard profiles of the lateral X-ray of the knee. Results: Experiment 1: The intra observer reliability was good but the inter observer reliability was poor. Experiment 2: The intra and inter observers’ reliability were good. On the anatomic control after disarticulating the knee, the confidence interval was narrower when using the goniometer. Conclusions: We propose a simple, reliable method to measure the height of a condylar lesion with the lesion’s arc during arthroscopy.
Beaverite-(Zn), Pb(Fe2Zn)(SO4)2(OH), a new member of the alunite group, from Mikawa Mine, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Sato E. , Nakai I. , Terada Y. , Tsutsumi Y. , Yokoyama K. , Miyawaki R. , Matsubara S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Zn-bearing beaverite of Sato et al. (2008) has been named ‘beaverite-(Zn)’ in accordance with the alunite supergroup nomenclature of Bayliss et al. (2010), and data for the mineral have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC. Beaverite-(Zn) occurs as a dark-brown secondary mineral in the hydrothermal Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposit of the Mikawa mine, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Electron microprobe analysis gave an empirical formula of Pb0.95(Fe1.88Al0.10)(Zn0.83Cu0.03)(SO4)2[(OH)5.36O0.38] on the basis of S = 2. The Rietyeld analysis (Sato et al, 2008) indicated it to be trigonal, R3̄m, a = 7.3028(2), c = 17.0517(4) Å, V = 787.56(4) Å3.
Toxoplasma gondii peroxiredoxin promotes altered macrophage function, caspase-1-dependent IL-1β secretion enhances parasite replication
Authors: Marshall Edward S , Elshekiha Hany M , Hakimi Mohamed-Ali , Flynn Robin J 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAlternatively activated macrophages (AAM) are a key feature Th2 immunity and have been associated with a variety of roles during helminth infection. The role this cell subset plays in protzoan infection remain relatively unexplored, herein we describe the effects of a redox enzyme (rTgPrx) derived fromToxoplasma gondiion murine macrophage phenotype in vitro. RTgPrx has been previously associated with the maintainence of parasite oxidative balance. Here our experiments show that rTgPrx promotes AAM as indicated by high arginase-1 (arg-1), YM1 and FIZZ expression via both signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Additionally rTgPrx treatment reduced caspase-1 activity and IL-1β secretion, while simultaneously increasing IL-10 release. Furthermore the in vitro replication ofT. gondii(RH strain) was enhanced when macrophages were treated with rTgPrx. This is in contrast with the previously described effects of aPlasmodium bergheiANKA 2-cys-peroxiredoxin that promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results highlight the role ofT. gondiiderived redox enzymes as important immune modulators and potentially indicate a role for AAM in modulating immunopathology and promoting parasite replication duringT. gondiiinfection.