Housing, inner city type older areas

vii, 103 p. : maps

Interactions spatiales et temporelles entre les chiens libres et les carnivores sauvages à proximité des villages nordiques du Nunavik dans un contexte de transmission d’une maladie zoonotique : la rage

Dans l'Arctique, le risque de transmission de maladies zoonotiques comme la rage est encore une préoccupation pour la santé publique, avec plusieurs cas rapportés chaque année chez différentes espèces animales. L’interface entre la faune sauvage, les animaux domestiques et les humains pour la transmission de maladies sera en augmentation en raison des pressions grandissantes du développement anthropique et du réchauffement climatique. Les interactions directes entre les chiens domestiques des villages nordiques et les renards sauvages, les principales sources d’exposition à la rage, sont des évènements critiques pour l’exposition des humains au virus, mais très peu d’études se sont attardées à ce sujet. Les objectifs de ce projet sont 1- de décrire et de quantifier l’activité spatiale et temporelle des renards et des chiens libres et d’identifier les facteurs anthropiques et environnementaux qui influencent leur présence à proximité et dans les villages nordiques, 2- de quantifier les contacts directs et le potentiel d’interactions entre les renards et les chiens libres afin de mieux identifier les périodes et les zones avec un risque de transmission de la rage, 3- de comparer et discuter des résultats de l’activité des renards et des chiens libres et leur potentiel d’interactions entre les deux villages nordiques à l’étude et 4- d’identifier des méthodes de gestion pour diminuer les opportunités d’interactions entre les renards et les chiens libres. Afin de détecter la présence des deux carnivores, un réseau de caméras automatiques a été installé sur une grille spatiale autour et à l’intérieur de deux villages typiques du Nord, Kuujjuaq (près de la limite des arbres) et Inukjuak (à > 100 km de la limite des arbres). Pour chaque station caméra, différents facteurs anthropiques et environnementaux ont été évalués (distance au dépotoir, distance à l’aéroport, densité d’habitations, densité de chiens de traîneau, distance aux rues, distance à l’eau, indice de végétation). Les contacts directs et les indices d’interaction ont été calculés pour évaluer le potentiel d’interactions entre les renards et les chiens libres. Les opportunités d’interactions entre les renards et les chiens sont plus élevées à l’aube et au crépuscule pendant les mois d'octobre et de novembre en périphérie des deux villages, particulièrement près des chiens de traîneau et légèrement près du dépotoir municipal (KU) et de l’aéroport (IN). Les renards roux et les renards arctiques ont été observés à proximité et dans les deux villages, mais les renards roux sont plus souvent observés à Kuujjuaq (87% des observations) qu’à Inukjuak (renards arctiques : 74% des observations), ce qui reflète également des particularités biotiques et abiotiques uniques à chaque village. Les résultats suggèrent que les opportunités d’interactions entre les renards et les chiens représentent un risque d’exposition à la rage pour les chiens et les humains, et possiblement pour d’autres pathogènes nordiques transmissibles entre les chiens et la faune. Cependant, les évènements de contacts directs interspécifiques renard-chien sont rares et les opportunités d’interactions sont concentrées dans le temps et dans des zones restreintes, ce qui peut aider à cibler des mesures préventives visant à limiter les évènements de transmission. Cette étude fournit la première documentation sur l'activité des renards et leurs interactions avec les chiens libres dans les villages de l'Arctique. L’application d’une approche « Une seule Santé » devrait être utilisée pour prévenir ou diminuer le risque de transmission de la rage entre les renards et les chiens.In the Arctic, the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases like rabies is still a public health concern, with several cases reported each year in different animal species. The interface between wildlife, domestic animals and humans for disease transmission will be increasing due to pressures from anthropogenic development and global warming. Direct interactions between domestic dogs in northern communities and wild foxes, the main source of rabies exposure, are critical of human exposure to the virus, but very few studies have focused on this. The objectives of this project are 1- to describe and quantify the spatial and temporal activity of free-ranging dogs and foxes, and identify the anthropogenic and environmental factors that influence their presence near and within northern villages, 2- to quantify direct contacts and the potential for interactions between free-ranging dogs and foxes in order to better identify periods and areas of higher risk of rabies transmission, 3- to compare and contrast dog-fox activity and interactions between the two northern villages under study, and 4- to identify management methods to reduce opportunities for fox-dog interactions. To detect the presence of the two carnivores, we set up a network of automatic cameras near and within two typical northern villages, i.e., Kuujjuaq (near the tree line) and Inukjuak (> 100 km from the tree line). For each camera, different anthropogenic and environmental factors were evaluated (distance to the landfill, distance to the airport, density of dwellings, density of sled dogs, distance to streets, distance to water, vegetation index). Direct contacts and interaction index were calculated to assess the potential for interactions between foxes and free-roaming dogs. Interaction opportunities between foxes and dogs are more likely to occur at dawn and dusk during the months of October and November, and on the outskirts of both villages, particularly near sled dogs and slightly nearer to the landfill (KU) and the airport (IN). Red and Arctic foxes were observed in and around both villages, but red foxes were more frequently observed in Kuujjuaq (87% of observations) while Arctic foxes were more frequent in Inukjuak (74% of observations), which also reflects the biotic and abiotic particularities specific to each village. These results suggest that fox-dog contacts around and within the village are likely, posing a real risk of peri-domestic rabies transmission to dogs and humans, and possibly for other northern pathogens transmissible between wildlife and dogs. Nevertheless, interspecific direct contact events are rare and interaction opportunities are concentrated in time and space, which may help target preventive measures aimed at limiting transmission events. This study provides the first documentation on the activity of foxes and their interactions with dogs and humans in Arctic communities. Considering the potential risk-by-proximity described in our study, a “One Health” approach could be applied to prevent or lower fox-dog rabies transmission

Programmes d’insertion professionnelle dans les commissions scolaires de Québec et persévérance des enseignants du primaire et du secondaire en début de carrière

L’insertion professionnelle des enseignants débutants présente plusieurs dé s pouvant les amener à quitter l’enseignement. Des programmes d’insertion professionnelle (PIP) sont envisagés, mais ils sont évalués de façon informelle par les milieux. On ne sait donc pas si les enseignants débutants qui y participent se distinguent quant à leur motivation au travail, leur résilience et leur sentiment d’e cacité personnelle. Cette étude vise à mesurer ces trois variables chez des enseignants, participant ou non à un PIP, à l’aide d’un question- naire. Leurs résultats sont comparés dans une MANCOVA conduite avec trois covariables. Aucun résultat signi catif n’est obtenu en fonction de la participation à un PIP.L’insertion professionnelle des enseignants débutants présente plusieurs défis pouvant les amener à quitter l’enseignement. Des programmes d’insertion professionnelle (PIP) sont envisagés, mais ils sont évalués de façon informelle par les milieux. On ne sait donc pas si les enseignants débutants qui y participent se distinguent quant à leur motivation au travail, leur résilience et leur sentiment d’efficacité personnelle. Cette étude vise à mesurer ces trois variables chez des enseignants, participant ou non à un PIP, à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Leurs résultats sont comparés dans une MANCOVA conduite avec trois covariables. Aucun résultat significatif n’est obtenu en fonction de la participation à un PIP

Literacy development of English language learners: The outcomes of an intervention programme in grade R

CITATION: Olivier, A., Anthonissen, C. & Southwood, F. 2010. Literacy development of English language learners: The outcomes of an intervention programme in grade R. South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 57(1):58-65, doi:10.4102/sajcd.v57i1.50.The original publication is available at http://www.sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/50This study aims to contribute to the knowledge base on the status and development of emergent literacy skills of learners receiving formal education in their second or additional language. The focus is on young English language learners (ELLs), i.e. learners whose home language is not English but who have English as their language of teaching and learning. This article reports on a study that investigated ELLs’ emergent literacy skills prior to entering grade 1 and then evaluated the effectiveness of an evidence-based stimulation programme on early literacy skills in the South African context. Using a quasi-experimental design, ELLs’ emergent literacy skills were assessed with an adapted version of 8 of the subtests of the Emergent Literacy Assessment battery (Willenberg, 2004) and were compared to those of English first language (L1) and of ELL control groups, both before and after the 8-week purpose-designed programme. While learners showed significant improvement on 6 of the 8 subtests, the programme did not significantly improve ELLs’ skills in comparison to those of the control groups. Possible independent variables contributing to the dearth of intervention effect include socio-economic status, learners’ L1, and teacher- and classroom-specific characteristics, all of which were considered in this study. Clinical implications for speech-language therapists with regard to assessment, intervention, service delivery and outcome measures are highlighted.Publishers Versio

Inner city housing study : interim report

Report : vii, 78, [42] leaves : ill., maps. "August 18, 1978". Study team: Lloyd Axworthy, Project Director; Christine McKee, Project Manager; Jackie DeRoo, Sybil Frenette, Barbara Hanks. "In association with Frank W. Fedoruk"

Double Red Blood Cell Donation Eligibility and Interest

Introduction: The process of double RBC donation by apheresis (DRBC), which facilitates the donation of two units of red blood cells (RBC) in a single donation session, was estimated to account for approximately 4% of blood donations in 2005, and is believed to be growing at a rate of 40% per year. Blood shortages in this country could be corrected by converting as few as 10% of current single unit whole blood donors to DRBC donors. Advantages of DRBC donation may include reduction in donor-related exposures in recipients, improved cost-effectiveness of the donation process, and improved convenience for donors. The safety profile of DRBC has been found to be equal to, and in some cases better than that of single unit whole blood donation, especially in young donors (/o). DRBC donors have been shown to restore 92% of RBC volume in 4 weeks without iron supplementation, and to have no significant differences in hemoglobin, serum iron, or ferritin when compared with single unit whole blood donors six months after donation. Our study seeks to quantify the number of current single unit whole blood donors who are both eligible for and interested in DRBC donation.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1031/thumbnail.jp

Factors Identified by Lapsed Donors that Might Influence Donor Return

Introduction: The Burlington Chapter of the American Red Cross estimates that 8,000 donors a year become lapsed, or fail to return for further donation. To better target this population and retain current donors, it is essential to identify reasons for lapsed donation. Several studies have been conducted on the barriers to retaining blood donors, revealing these common factors: past physical reactions, convenience, previous deferrals, lack of awareness, medical reasons, time, satisfaction with the experience, too impersonal, and personal benefit. While many studies have identified reasons for lapsed donation, the majority have not used free text as their data source, have been conducted in a wide range of geographic locations not specific to Vermont residents, and have focused on reasons for discontinuing donations, rather than positive factors. Using free text limits the question bias and eliminates constraints that predefined answers enforce. In 2007, Balderama et alconducted a study identifying common motivations for donating blood, which included an unanalyzed free text portion. We used this free text to answer the question, “What factors identified by lapsed donors might influence donor return?”https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1047/thumbnail.jp

Glutationski konjugati okratoksina A kao biomarkeri izloženosti

In the present study the photoreactivity of the fungal carcinogen ochratoxin A (OTA) has been utilised to generate authentic samples of reduced glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) conjugates of the parent toxin. These conjugates, along with the nontoxic OTα, which is generated through hydrolysis of the amide bond of OTA by carboxypeptidase A, were utilised as biomarkers to study the metabolism of OTA in the liver and kidney of male and female Dark Agouti rats. Male rats are more susceptible than female rats to OTA carcinogenesis with the kidney being the target organ. Our studies show that the distribution of OTA in male and female rat kidney is not significantly different. However, the extent of OTA metabolism was greater in male than female rats. Much higher levels of OTα were detected in the liver compared to the kidney, and formation of OTα is a detoxification pathway for OTA. These findings suggest that differences in metabolism between male and female rats could provide an explanation for the higher sensitivity of male rats to OTA toxicity.U ovom je ispitivanju korištena fotoreaktivnost kancerogenog mikotoksina okratoksina A (OTA) kako bi se stvorili izvorni uzorci reduciranih glutationskih (GSH) i N-acetilcisteinskih (NAC) konjugata osnovnog toksina. Ovi konjugati, uz netoksični OTα, koji se stvara hidrolizom amidne veze OTA putem karboksipeptidaze A, upotrijebljeni su kao biomarkeri za ispitivanje metabolizma OTA u jetri i bubregu ženki i mužjaka štakora soja Dark Agouti. Mužjaci su se pokazali podložnijima stvaranju bubrežnih tumora uzrokovanih OTA toksinom od ženki. Utvrdili smo da se raspodjela OTA u bubrezima ženki i mužjaka značajno ne razlikuje. Međutim mužjaci su imali intenzivniji metabolizam OTA nego ženke. U jetri su utvrđene mnogo više razine OTα u usporedbi s bubregom, a rezultati upućuju na to da je stvaranje OTα detoksifi kacijski put za OTA. Zaključujemo da bi se veća osjetljivost mužjaka štakora na toksičnost OTA mogla pripisati spolno uvjetovanim razlikama u njegovu metabolizmu

Galectin-3 and N-acetylglucosamine promote myogenesis and improve skeletal muscle function in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The muscle membrane, sarcolemma, must be firmly attached to the basal lamina. The failure of proper attachment results in muscle injury, which is the underlying cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), where mutations in the dystrophin gene disrupts the firm adhesion. In DMD patients, even moderate contraction causes damage, leading to progressive muscle degeneration. The damaged muscles are repaired through myogenesis. Consequently, myogenesis is highly active in DMD patients, and the repeated activation of myogenesis leads to the exhaustion of the myogenic stem cells. Therefore, approaches to reducing the risk of the exhaustion are to develop a treatment that strengthens the interaction between the sarcolemma and the basal lamina, and increases the efficiency of myogenesis. Galectin-3 is an oligosaccharide-binding protein and known to be involved in cell–cell interactions and cell–matrix interactions. Galectin-3 is expressed in myoblasts and skeletal muscle while its function in muscle remains elusive. In this study, we found evidence that galectin-3 and the monosaccharide N-acetylglucosamine, which increases the ligands (oligosaccharides) of galectin-3, promotes myogenesis in vitro. Moreover, in the mdx mouse model of DMD, treatment with N-acetylglucosamine increased the muscle force production. Our results demonstrate that treatment with N-acetylglucosamine can mitigate the burden of DMD

Interferon-free therapy for genotype 1 hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients: Real-world experience from the hepatitis C therapeutic registry and research network.

Recurrent infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with decreased graft and patient survival. Achieving sustained virological response (SVR) with antiviral therapy improves survival. Because interferon (IFN)-based therapy has limited efficacy and is poorly tolerated, there has been rapid transition to IFN-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens. This article describes the experience with DAAs in the treatment of posttransplant genotype (GT) 1 HCV from a consortium of community and academic centers (Hepatitis C Therapeutic Registry and Research Network [HCV-TARGET]). Twenty-one of the 54 centers contributing to the HCV-TARGET consortium participated in this study. Enrollment criteria included positive posttransplant HCV RNA before treatment, HCV GT 1, and documentation of use of a simeprevir (SMV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) containing DAA regimen. Safety and efficacy were assessed. SVR was defined as undetectable HCV RNA 64 days or later after cessation of treatment. A total of 162 patients enrolled in HCV-TARGET started treatment with SMV+SOF with or without ribavirin (RBV) following LT. The study population included 151 patients treated with these regimens for whom outcomes and safety data were available. The majority of the 151 patients were treated with SOF and SMV alone (n = 119; 79%) or with RBV (n = 32; 21%), The duration of therapy was 12 weeks for most patients, although 15 patients received 24 weeks of treatment. Of all patients receiving SOF/SMV with or without RBV, 133/151 (88%) achieved sustained virological response at 12 weeks after therapy and 11 relapsed (7%). One patient had virological breakthrough (n = 1), and 6 patients were lost to posttreatment follow-up. Serious adverse events occurred in 11.9%; 3 patients (all cirrhotic) died due to aspiration pneumonia, suicide, and multiorgan failure. One experienced LT rejection. IFN-free DAA treatment represents a major improvement over prior IFN-based therapy. Broader application of these and other emerging DAA regimens in the treatment of posttransplant hepatitis C is warranted