LGBT Client Satisfaction at a University-Associated Primary Care Center

Sexual minority individuals are a vulnerable population. Historically this has led to worse access to care and worse health outcomes compared to heterosexual individuals; this can be addressed through changes to practice. Patient satisfaction has also been a health care focus in recent years for all patients. This project examined patient satisfaction in a small university-associated primary care center and compared patient satisfaction scores for sexual minorities to heterosexual respondents. This was conducted after a series of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) educational initiatives with center staff. A total of 73 individuals chose to participate. Most individuals were highly satisfied with all forms of care. Sexual minority participants reported they were more likely to “Probably” use the center again instead of “Definitely,” as compared to heterosexual individuals; it is possible this finding was an artifact. Sexual minorities were also more likely to report a history of smoking. No other differences between the two groups were noted; sexual minorities were just as satisfied as heterosexual respondents

Reduction of Coxiella burnetii prevalence by vaccination of goats and sheep, the Netherlands

Recently, the number of human Q fever cases in the Netherlands increased dramatically. In response to this increase, dairy goats and dairy sheep were vaccinated against Coxiella burnetii. All pregnant dairy goats and dairy sheep in herds positive for Q fever were culled. We identified the effect of vaccination on bacterial shedding by small ruminants. On the day of culling, samples of uterine fluid, vaginal mucus, and milk were obtained from 957 pregnant animals in 13 herds. Prevalence and bacterial load were reduced in vaccinated animals compared with unvaccinated animals. These effects were most pronounced in animals during their first pregnancy. Results indicate that vaccination may reduce bacterial load in the environment and human exposure to C. burnetii

Biological properties of adriamycin bound to biodegradable polymeric carriers

Three different conjugates having adriamycin (ADR) bound to the side chain carboxyl groups of high-molecular weight poly (¿--glutamic acid) (PGA) either directly or by interpolation of GlyGly and GlyGlyGlyLeu spacers, respectively, were compared with respect to immunogenicity and cytotoxicity in mice as well as release of drug by lysosomal enzymes. The cytotoxic efficacy of a single i.p. dose of each conjugate (5 mg ADR-equiv./kg) against L1210 leukemia cells implanted i.p. in DBA2 mice was studied by monitoring the survival time, the body weight and the number of long-term survivors (LTS). PGA-GlyGlyGlyLeu-ADR and PGA-GlyGly-ADR significantly enhanced the mean survival time (MST) of treated animals compared with the untreated control group (T/C 148¿149%) as did free ADR (T/C 147%). The tetrapeptide-spacer containing conjugate effected the presence of LTS at day 50 (2/5) as did free ADR (1/5).\ud \ud The secondary antibody response of the drug conjugates elicited in A/J mice after repeated dosage (125 ¿g/mouse) at day 0, 14 and 28 was evaluated at day 35 using the ELISA technique. IgG titers varied from a very low value (PGA-GlyGlyGlyLeu-ADR) to moderately high levels (PGA-ADR, PGA-GlyGly-ADR) which are 2¿3 orders of magnitude below that obtained for the strong immunogen bovine IgG. The data suggest that certain parts on the surface of the conjugates are immunogenic.\ud \ud The release of extractable low-molecular weight products from the conjugates mediated by lysosomal enzymes was analyzed using reversed-phase HPLC. The release profile of ADR as well as Gly-ADR, Leu-ADR or GlyLeu-ADR was determined. The total amount of ADR released after 77 h was 3.6% for PGA-GlyGlyGly-Leu-ADR, 1.0% for PGA-GlyGly-ADR and 0.5% for PGA-ADR. With all conjugates unidentified products were produced.\ud \ud It is proposed that the mechanism of action of the polymeric conjugates under in vivo conditions may be due to pinocytic capture followed by lysosomal degradation with release of ADR

Social-Cognitive Processes Before Dog Acquisition Associated with Future Relationship Satisfaction of Dog Owners and Canine Behavior Problems

Making the right decision before acquiring a dog may help prevent the development of canine behavior problems and increase the likelihood of a satisfactory relationship. In this study, social-cognitive factors in decision-making were assessed in the phasebeforethe acquisition of a dog (the motivational phase) to see whether they were associated with later canine behavior problems and satisfaction with the dog after formation of a relationship (the experience phase). Respondents (n= 193) filled in an online questionnaire several months before acquiring a dog and six and 18 months thereafter. Results indicate that the confidence of dog owners in their ability to train and care for a dog-assessed before acquisition-was associated with fewer canine behavior problems, more satisfaction with the dog, and lower perceived costs in the experience phase. Self-efficacy had no effect on consistency between planned and actual acquisition. People scoring high on social norms were more likely to adhere to their plans, while those who expected many advantages were less likely to do so. Moreover, several preparation activities were associated with consistency, with more frequent doubt in the motivational phase being related to greater inconsistency. People who frequently read books about owning dogs and who often talked about this with others were more likely to adhere to their initial plans. In contrast, those who often visited websites offering/selling dogs were less consistent, possibly due to impulse buying. In conclusion, the quality of the relationship with a dog seems partly related to human decision-making factors occurring before the dog has been acquired. Longitudinal studies of human-animal relationships could enhance knowledge concerning the social-cognitive processes underlying our relationships with animals, possibly providing starting points for interventions aimed at improving the welfare of both animals and humans

Pro-poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia: poverty in irrigated agriculture: issues and options: India

Irrigated farming / Poverty / Institutions / Irrigation programs / Performance evaluation / Irrigation management / Water distribution / Water rates / Cost recovery / India

Expectations versus Reality:Long-Term Research on the Dog-Owner Relationship

In the framework of the early prevention of problems in the owner-dog relationship, it is important to have a broad perspective on the development of this relationship over time, starting before people actually acquire a dog. People who currently (or previously) own(ed) a dog can rely on their experiences when considering a new dog, while this knowledge is unavailable to first time dog-owners. In this study, we explore how self-efficacy, social comparison, perceptions about the (dis)advantages of ownership and commitment to the dog (so-called social cognitive factors), problematic canine behaviors, perceived costs, and satisfaction with the dog change over time. We examine changes from the motivational phase of relationship development (before acquisition of the dog) into the experience phase (six and twelve months after acquisition of the dog). We explore if patterns are different in experienced (previous (n = 73) and current (n = 80)) versus unexperienced (first time (n = 30) dog owners. The respondents filled in three online questionnaires-once before and twice after acquisition of their dog. From T0 (before acquisition of the dog) to T1 (having the dog for six months) participants (especially those with no ownership experience) had to adjust their perceptions about dogs and dog ownership. Experiencing the relationship for an additional year (from T1 to T2) barely changed the social cognitive factors, satisfaction, and perceived costs. A small decline in problematic canine behaviors was present among the experienced dog owners between T1 and T2. To conclude, perceptions about dogs and dog ownership change over time, but after testing these perceptions with reality, they become stable after about six months

Family Member, Best Friend, Child or 'Just' a Pet, Owners' Relationship Perceptions and Consequences for Their Cats

Describing the relationship with one’s cat in human terms might reflect an underlying anthropomorphic view of the relationship which might be associated with an owner’s behavior towards their cat and the cat’s living environment. Owners self-categorized the relationship with their cat as either a ‘member of the family’, ‘as a child’, ‘best friend’, or ‘a pet animal’. The extent to which owner- and cat-related factors influence these four relationship descriptions are examined in survey data of approximately 1800 cat owners. Differences in outdoor access, care during absence of the owner, and access to the bedroom are examined between the four relationship perceptions. The owner’s age and household composition, ideas about their cat’s equality, support, and dependency, and whether their cat is a pedigree were significantly associated with relationship description and explained 46% of the variance. Owners who perceive their cat as a child or best friend see their cat as loyal, empathetic, equal to family, and dependent on them for love and care. Their cats are less often left in the care of others, are allowed more often in the bedroom and have less often (unrestricted) outdoor access. Moreover, cats perceived as children are more likely to live in a multi-cat household. Our results provide insight in the factors that are related to different (anthropomorphic) perceptions of the human–cat relationship and how perceptions relate to the living environment of cats

ICU at home, with the use of mobile IC unit services:intensive care goes that extra mile

In this report we describe a patient with a long ICU stay because of severe Guillain Barré syndrome. Treatment was patient-centred and Mobile ICU facilities were used to facilitate an ICU at home for one day. Early focus on individual needs and wishes and close communication with and within ICU treatment teams can help to improve the long-term consequences of ICU admission. Research on which interventions are effective and most cost-effective need to be performed