Estimation of Epidemiological Effectiveness of the Program of Pharmaceutical Prevention of Influenza and ARVI «Antigripp» in Organized Children's Groups

The authors estimated epidemiological effectiveness of the program for prophylaxis of influenza and ARVI «Antigripp» for children of 7—12 years old. Children received Arbidol (capsules of 100 mg 2 times a week for 3 weeks) and Complivit activ. As a result there was a decline in absolute and relative indicators of ARVI morbidity risks. Epidemiological effectiveness of the program during the application of the drugs made up 56% and index of preventive efficacy was 2,3

THE EVALUATION OF REACTOGENICITY, SAFETY AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF THE POLYSACCHARIDE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE DURING THE IMMUNIZATION OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Abstract. The article presents results of a prospective randomized study of reactogenicity, safety and immunogenicity of the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine “Pneumo 23” in the group of medical workers. The vaccine was characterized by the high profile of safety (absence of clinical symptoms of allergy, changes in blood and urine), low reactogenicity and sufficient immunogenicity

Оценка эпидемиологической эффективности программы фармацевтической профилактики гриппа и ОРВИ «Антигрипп» в организованном детском коллективе

The authors estimated epidemiological effectiveness of the program for prophylaxis of influenza and ARVI «Antigripp» for children of 7—12 years old. Children received Arbidol (capsules of 100 mg 2 times a week for 3 weeks) and Complivit activ. As a result there was a decline in absolute and relative indicators of ARVI morbidity risks. Epidemiological effectiveness of the program during the application of the drugs made up 56% and index of preventive efficacy was 2,3.Проведена оценка эпидемиологической эффективности программы профилактики гриппа и ОРВИ «Антигрипп» у детей 7—12 лет. Дети получали Арбидол (капсулы по 100 мг 2 раза в неделю в течение 3 недель) и Компливит актив. В результате произошло снижение показателей абсолютного и относительного риска заболеваний ОРВИ. Эпидемиологическая эффективность данной программы во время применения препаратов составляет 56%, а индекс профилактической эффективности 2,3.

Bi-stable tunneling current through a molecular quantum dot

An exact solution is presented for tunneling through a negative-U d-fold degenerate molecular quantum dot weakly coupled to electrical leads. The tunnel current exhibits hysteresis if the level degeneracy of the negative-U dot is larger than two (d>2). Switching occurs in the voltage range V1 < V < V2 as a result of attractive electron correlations in the molecule, which open up a new conducting channel when the voltage is above the threshold bias voltage V2. Once this current has been established, the extra channel remains open as the voltage is reduced down to the lower threshold voltage V1. Possible realizations of the bi-stable molecular quantum dots are fullerenes, especially C60, and mixed-valence compounds.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. (v2) Figure updated to compare the current hysteresis for degeneracies d=4 and d>>1 of the level in the dot, minor corrections in the text. To appear in Phys. Rev.

ИММУНОХРОМАТОГРАФИЧЕСКИЙ МЕТОД В ДИАГНОСТИКЕ ПНЕВМОКОККОВЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ РЕСПИРАТОРНОГО ТРАКТА

Streptococcus pneumonia – one of the reasons for the appearance of complications from influenza and acute respiratory diseases, occurring with a lesion of ENT organs and respiratory system. In this regard, there is a substantial need for the use of additional methods of laboratory testing for verification of pathogen. Diagnostics of complications from respiratory diseases caused by pneumococcal flora has been carried out by immunochromatographic assay. Microbiological examination revealed the pneumococcal etiology of complications only in 14,0% of cases, but verification of diagnosis by detection of Streptococcus pneumonia antigen in the urine in 29,8%.Streptococcus pneumonia – одна из причин возникновения осложнений при гриппе и острых респираторных заболеваниях, протекающих с поражением ЛОР- органов и дыхательной системы. В связи с этим возникает существенная необходимость использования дополнительных методов лабораторного исследования для верификации возбудителя. Проведена диагностика осложнений респираторных заболеваний, вызванных пневмококковой флорой, с помощью иммунохроматографического анализа. Микробиологическое исследование позволило выявить пневмококковую этиологию осложнений только в 14,0% случаев, а верификация диагноза  утем определения антигена Streptococcus pneumonia в моче –в 29,8%

Rectal Transmission of Transmitted/Founder HIV-1 Is Efficiently Prevented by Topical 1% Tenofovir in BLT Humanized Mice

Rectal microbicides are being developed to prevent new HIV infections in both men and women. We focused our in vivo preclinical efficacy study on rectally-applied tenofovir. BLT humanized mice (n = 43) were rectally inoculated with either the primary isolate HIV-1(JRCSF) or the MSM-derived transmitted/founder (T/F) virus HIV-1(THRO) within 30 minutes following treatment with topical 1% tenofovir or vehicle. Under our experimental conditions, in the absence of drug treatment we observed 50% and 60% rectal transmission by HIV-1(JRCSF) and HIV-1(THRO), respectively. Topical tenofovir reduced rectal transmission to 8% (1/12; log rank p = 0.03) for HIV-1(JRCSF) and 0% (0/6; log rank p = 0.02) for HIV-1(THRO). This is the first demonstration that any human T/F HIV-1 rectally infects humanized mice and that transmission of the T/F virus can be efficiently blocked by rectally applied 1% tenofovir. These results obtained in BLT mice, along with recent ex vivo, Phase 1 trial and non-human primate reports, provide a critically important step forward in the development of tenofovir-based rectal microbicides

Randomized Controlled Trials of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in Africa: Results from the Cochrane HIV/AIDS Specialized Register

INTRODUCTION: To effectively address HIV/AIDS in Africa, evidence on preventing new infections and providing effective treatment is needed. Ideally, decisions on which interventions are effective should be based on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our previous research described African RCTs of HIV/AIDS reported between 1987 and 2003. This study updates that analysis with RCTs published between 2004 and 2008. OBJECTIVES: To describe RCTs of HIV/AIDS conducted in Africa and reported between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane HIV/AIDS Specialized Register in September 2009. Two researchers independently evaluated studies for inclusion and extracted data using standardized forms. Details included location of trials, interventions, methodological quality, location of principal investigators and funders. RESULTS: Our search identified 834 RCTs, with 68 conducted in Africa. Forty-three assessed prevention-interventions and 25 treatment-interventions. Fifteen of the 43 prevention RCTs focused on preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission. Thirteen of the 25 treatment trials focused on opportunistic infections. Trials were conducted in 16 countries with most in South Africa (20), Zambia (12) and Zimbabwe (9). The median sample size was 628 (range 33-9645). Methods used for the generation of the allocation sequence and allocation concealment were adequate in 38 and 32 trials, respectively, and 58 reports included a CONSORT recommended flow diagram. Twenty-nine principal investigators resided in the United States of America (USA) and 18 were from African countries. Trials were co-funded by different agencies with most of the funding obtained from USA governmental and non-governmental agencies. Nineteen pharmaceutical companies provided partial funding to 15 RCTs and African agencies co-funded 17 RCTs. Ethical approval was reported in 65 trials and informed consent in 61 trials. CONCLUSION: Prevention trials dominate the trial landscape in Africa. Of note, few principal investigators and funders are from Africa. These findings mirror our previous work and continue to indicate a need for strengthening trial research capacity in Africa

Characteristics of undernourished older medical patients and the identification of predictors for undernutrition status

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Undernutrition among older people is a continuing source of concern, particularly among acutely hospitalized patients. The purpose of the current study is to compare malnourished elderly patients with those at nutritional risk and identify factors contributing to the variability between the groups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was carried out at the Soroka University Medical Center in the south of Israel. From September 2003 through December 2004, all patients 65 years-of-age or older admitted to any of the internal medicine departments, were screened within 72 hours of admission to determine nutritional status using the short version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF). Patients at nutritional risk were entered the study and were divided into malnourished or 'at risk' based on the full version of the MNA. Data regarding medical, nutritional, functional, and emotional status were obtained by trained interviewers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two hundred fifty-nine elderly patients, 43.6% men, participated in the study; 18.5% were identified as malnourished and 81.5% were at risk for malnutrition according to the MNA. The malnourished group was less educated, had a higher depression score and lower cognitive and physical functioning. Higher prevalence of chewing problems, nausea, and vomiting was detected among malnourished patients. There was no difference between the groups in health status indicators except for subjective health evaluation which was poorer among the malnourished group. Lower dietary score indicating lower intake of vegetables fruits and fluid, poor appetite and difficulties in eating distinguished between malnourished and at-risk populations with the highest sensitivity and specificity as compare with the anthropometric, global, and self-assessment of nutritional status parts of the MNA. In a multivariate analysis, lower cognitive function, education <12 years and chewing problems were all risk factors for malnutrition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study indicates that low food consumption as well as poor appetite and chewing problems are associated with the development of malnutrition. Given the critical importance of nutritional status in the hospitalized elderly, further intervention trials are required to determine the best intervention strategies to overcome these problems.</p

Trading or coercion? Variation in male mating strategies between two communities of East African chimpanzees

Across taxa, males employ a variety of mating strategies, including sexual coercion and the provision, or trading, of resources. Biological Market theory (BMT) predicts that trading of commodities for mating opportunities should exist only when males cannot monopolise access to females and/or obtain mating by force, in situations where power differentials between males are low; both coercion and trading have been reported for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Here, we investigate whether the choice of strategy depends on the variation in male power differentials, using data from two wild communities of East African chimpanzees (P.t. schweinfurthii): the structurally despotic Sonso community (Budongo, Uganda) and the structurally egalitarian M-group (Mahale, Tanzania). We found evidence of sexual coercion by male Sonso chimpanzees, and of trading—of grooming for mating—by M-group males; females traded sex for neither meat nor protection from male aggression. Our results suggest that the despotism–egalitarian axis influences strategy choice: male chimpanzees appear to pursue sexual coercion when power differentials are large and trading when power differentials are small and coercion consequently ineffective. Our findings demonstrate that trading and coercive strategies are not restricted to particular chimpanzee subspecies; instead, their occurrence is consistent with BMT predictions. Our study raises interesting, and as yet unanswered, questions regarding female chimpanzees’ willingness to trade sex for grooming, if doing so represents a compromise to their fundamentally promiscuous mating strategy. It highlights the importance of within-species cross-group comparisons and the need for further study of the relationship between mating strategy and dominance steepness