The relationship between the acid and alkaline phosphatase activity and the adherence of Candida parapsilosis to human buccal epithelial cells

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Chromosome length polymorphism in clinical isolates of Candida Parapsilosis

Chromosome length polymorphism among 24 clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis obtained from several human sources was analysed using pulsed- field gel electrophoresis. The isolates, from both superficial and deep infections, comprised a miscellaneous collection from the oral cavity, blood cultures, ear infections, wound secrete, a venous catheter and peritoneal dialysis fluid. Contour-clamped homogenous field electrophoresis using a hexagonal electrode was used for pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The chromosome numbers varied from seven to nine and their sizes ranged from 0.75 to 2.6 Mb. According to the electrophoretic karyotype patterns the 24 isolates could be divided into 9 profiles. However, the majority (18 isolates) fell into 3 groups comprising 7, 8 and 9 chromosomes, containing 5, 11, and 2 isolates, respectively. The remaining six isolates, all of which were from either an oral or another superficial Site of isolation, could be categorized into a further six groups. These data confirm previous observations on the genomic heterogeneity of clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis, and illustrate the possible commonality in strains from related clinical habitats.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Design guidelines for effective occupation-based personal health records

Personal Health Record (PHR) systems in occupational health are an emerging technology for employee health and well-being promotions in organizations. Since PHRs increasingly experience low rates of adoption, practitioners and developers are searching for effective design guidelines to match current occupational health and well-being trends and user needs. We examined existing literature and conducted focus group discussions with a group of employees (n=26) to identify typically expected PHR features. We evaluated those PHR features through a questionnaire survey with employees (n=360) to identify features that make PHRs more user-friendly and motivate their use in an occupational environment. We found that the ability of easy data entry to PHR systems is the most important feature to motivate the use of PHRs in a work environment. Additionally, clear guidance to overcome health risks, displaying the current status of overall health and well-being information, and displaying the most current information in the main interface were identified as relatively important features to make PHRs more usable in occupational environments. Based on those features prioritization, we designed and implemented an occupation-based PHR prototype. Finally the PHR prototype was evaluated for usability through practical trials with real-world employees (n=42) to identify design guidelines for occupation-based PHRs in the light of standard heuristics. As findings, we discovered that designers of occupation-based PHRs should pay more attention to pleasurable and respectful interaction between users and the system, enhancing user skills and knowledge, user control and freedom, visibility of system status, and privacy.</p