2,085 research outputs found
Factors affecting the vaccination choices of pregnant women for their children. A systematic review of the literature
In recent years, an increase in vaccine hesitancy has led to a decrease in vaccination coverage in several countries. We conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward pediatric vaccinations, and the vaccination choices and their determinants among pregnant women. A total of 6,277 records were retrieved, and 16 full texts were included in the narrative synthesis. The published literature on the topic shows that, overall, pregnant women believe that vaccines are important for the protection of their children and the community, but various concerns and misunderstandings persist around vaccine safety and efficacy, which reduce the trust of expectant mothers in immunization. Nevertheless, such attitudes and choices vary depending on the vaccine being considered and the corresponding determinants should therefore be studied in the context of each specific vaccination. Further research on this topic is needed, particularly in non-western countries
Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin after intracoelomic administration in Tortoises (Testudo hermanni)
Enrofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. It is commonly used in a variety of reptile species due to its wide spectrum of efficacy, partly due to its formation of an active metabolite ciprofloxacin. Enrofloxacin shows wide disposition variability among all species resulting in large differences in the plasma concentrations of both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin after a single intracoelomic injection of 10 mg/kg of enrofloxacin in 9 tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 2, 4, 10, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240 and 264 h and analyzed using a validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) florescence method. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin were quantifiable in all subjects for up to 240 h, while ciprofloxacin was detected in all subjects up to 120 h. The C (s) of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 8614 ± 1116 ηg/mL obtained at 2.19 h and 605 ± 43 ηg/mL obtained at 4.23 h, respectively. The values of C/MIC ratio and AUC/MIC ratio of enrofloxacin with a MIC value of 0.5 ÎŒg/mL were 17.23 and 132.78, respectively. In conclusion, an administration of 10 mg/kg of enrofloxacin via the intracoelomic route in Hermannâs tortoises produced optimal pharmacodynamic parameters
Measles among healthcare workers in Italy. Is it time to act?
Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against measles is strongly recommended in Europe. In this study, we examined the impact of measles on Italian HCWs by systematically and quantitatively analyzing measles cases involving HCWs over time and by identifying the epidemiological characteristics of the respective measles outbreaks. We retrieved data on measles cases from the Italian national integrated measles and rubella surveillance system from January 2013 to May 2019. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of the literature and an analysis of the measles and rubella aggregate outbreaks reporting forms from 2014 to 2018. Our review suggests that preventing measles infection among HCWs in disease outbreaks may be crucial for the elimination of measles in Italy. National policies aiming to increase HCW immunization rates are fundamental to the protection of HCWs and patients, will limit the economic impact of outbreaks on the institutions affected and will help achieve the elimination goal
Thymomas: a review.
Thymomas are neoplasma of thymic epithelial cells. They may be benign or malignant and may
associate with locai ĂŹnvasiveness and paraneoplastic diseases. Myasthenia gravis is often
associated with thymomas, bui this is not thĂš rule. Several classifications have been proposed:
some of them follow thĂš histopathological findings (Rosai and Levine, Snover, Marino and Muller-
Hermelink classification), other emphasizes thĂš clinic-pathological stage (Masaoka, Verley and
Hollmann stadiation). One third of thymomas is asymptomatic. Diagnosis is made often by plain
X-ray and confirmed by Computed Tomography or fine needle biopsy. Surgery is effective in 100%
of noninvasive cases and in 58% of invasive ones. Radio and chemotherapy are recommended
only in advanced or inoperable stages
Recommended from our members
Dynamic neural network architectures for on field stochastic calibration of indicative low cost air quality sensing systems
In the last few years, the interest in the development of new pervasive or mobile implementations of air quality multisensor devices has significantly grown. New application opportunities appeared together with new challenges due to limitations in dealing with rapid pollutants concentrations transients both for static and mobile deployments. In this work, we propose a Dynamic Neural Network (DNN) approach to the stochastic prediction of air pollutants concentrations by means of chemical multisensor devices. DNN architectures have been devised and tested in order to tackle the cross sensitivities issues and sensors inherent dynamic limitations. Testing have been performed using an on-field recorded dataset from a pervasive deployment in Cambridge (UK), encompassing several weeks. The results obtained with the dynamic model are compared with the response of the static neural network and the performance analysis indicates the capability of the on-field dynamic multivariate calibration to ameliorate the static calibration approach performance in this real world air quality monitoring scenario. Interestingly, results analysis also suggests that the improvements are more significant when pollutants concentration changes more rapidly.This work has been supported by an STSM (Short Term Scientific Mission) grant from COST Action TD1105 EuNetAir
Genomics knowledge and attitudes among European public health professionals. Results of a cross-sectional survey
Background The international public health (PH) community is debating the opportunity to incorporate genomic technologies into PH practice. A survey was conducted to assess attitudes of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) members towards their role in the implementation of public health genomics (PHG), and their knowledge and attitudes towards genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services. Methods EUPHA members were invited via monthly newsletter and e-mail to take part in an online survey from February 2017 to January 2018. A descriptive analysis of knowledge and attitudes was conducted, along with a univariate and multivariate analysis of their determinants. Results Five hundred and two people completed the questionnaire, 17.9% were involved in PHG activities. Only 28.9% correctly identified all medical conditions for which there is (or not) evidence for implementing genetic testing; over 60% thought that investing in genomics may divert economic resources from social and environmental determinants of health. The majority agreed that PH professionals may play different roles in incorporating genomics into their activities. Better knowledge was associated with positive attitudes towards the use of genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services in PH (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.01â2.18). Conclusions Our study revealed quite positive attitudes, but also a need to increase awareness on genomics among European PH professionals. Those directly involved in PHG activities tend to have a more positive attitude and better knowledge; however, gaps are also evident in this group, suggesting the need to harmonize practice and encourage greater exchange of knowledge among professionals
Pharmacokinetic profiles of the analgesic drug flupirtine in cats
Flupirtine (FLU) is a non-opioid analgesic drug with no antipyretic or antiphlogistic effects, used in the treatment of a wide range of pain states in human beings. There is a substantial body of evidence on the efficacy of FLU in humans but this is inadequate to recommend its off-label use in veterinary clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of FLU after IV and PO administration in healthy cats. Six mixed breed adult cats were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, paired, cross-over design (2 Ă 2 Latin-square). Group 1 (n = 3) received a single dose of 5 mg/kg of FLU injected IV into the jugular vein. Group 2 (n = 3) received the same dose via PO route. The wash out period was 1 week. Blood samples (1 mL) were collected at assigned times and plasma was then analysed by a validated HPLC method.No adverse effects at the point of injection and no behavioural changes or alterations in health parameters were observed in the animals during or after the study (up to 7 days after the full study). After IV administration, FLU was detectable in plasma up to 36 h. After PO administration, FLU plasma concentrations were lower than those following IV administration, but they were detectable over the same time range. The terminal part of both mean pharmacokinetic curves showed a similar trend of elimination. The oral bioavailability was approximately 40%. This is the first study of FLU in an animal species of veterinary interest and it could pave the way for the use of this active ingredient in the veterinary field
Voltage-dependent anion-selective channels VDAC2 and VDAC3 are abundant proteins in bovine outer dense fibers, a cytoskeletal component of the sperm flagellum
Outer dense fibers (ODF) are specific subcellular components of the sperm flagellum. The functions of ODF have not yet been clearly elucidated. We have investigated the protein composition of purified ODF from bovine spermatozoa and found that one of the most abundant proteins is a 30-32-kDa polypeptide. This protein was analyzed by sequencing peptides derived following limited proteolysis. Peptide sequences were found to match VDAC2 and VDAC3. VDACs (voltage-dependent, anion-selective channels) or eukaryotic porins are a group of proteins first identified in the mitochondrial outer membrane that are able to form hydrophilic pore structures in membranes. In mammals, three VDAC isoforms (VDAC1, -2, -3) have been identified by cDNA cloning and sequencing. Antibodies against synthetic peptides specific for the three mammal VDAC isoforms were generated in rabbits. Their specificity was demonstrated by immunoblotting using recombinant VDAC1, -2, and -3. In protein extracts of bovine spermatozoa, VDAC1, -2, and -3 were detected by specific antibodies, while only VDAC2 and -3 were found as solubilized proteins derived from purified bovine ODFs. Immunofluorescence microscopy of spermatozoa revealed that anti-VDAC2 and anti-VDAC3 antibodies clearly bound to the sperm flagellum, in particular to the ODF. Transmission electron immunomicroscopy supported the finding that VDAC2 protein is abundant in the ODF. Since the ODF does not have any known membranous structure, it is tempting to speculate that VDAC2 and VDAC3 might have an alternative structural organization and different functions in ODF than in mitochondria
How public health professionals view mandatory vaccination in italy-a cross-sectional survey
In response to the decline in child vaccination coverage and the subsequent occurrence of large vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, in 2017 Italy introduced a new law that made ten vaccines mandatory for children aged 0â16 years. The policy change initiated an ongoing debate among the general public, as well as in the political arena and the scientific community, over this major public health concern. Hence, we conducted a survey aimed at assessing Italian public health professionalsâ attitudes towards and opinions on mandatory vaccination. A validated online questionnaire was administered to 1350 members of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Among the 1044 responders (response rate 77%), a large majority were in favour of the Italian mandatory vaccination law (91%) and against its repeal (74%). Nevertheless, according to our sample, maintaining a high level of vaccination coverage without the need to mandate would be preferable, and thus efforts to promote vaccine confidence and proactive vaccine uptake are still needed
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