Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco usage in adult cancer survivors: Evidence from a population-based study

Background: the risk of developing new cancers persists for 15 million cancer survivors in the United States, yet many continue to engage in high-risk behaviours. This analysis aims to compare tobacco use in cancer-free respondents and cancer survivors, in order to elucidate trends and behavioural patterns associated with increased tobacco use in individuals that have survived cancer.  Methods: the Health Information National Trends Survey data of 2014 and 2017 was analysed for this study. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the likelihood of tobacco use was predicted using weighted logistic regression. Included in the study population were 941 cancer survivors, predominantly white (80%), 60-70 years of age, married (52%), with some level of education past high school (65%).  Results: the current smoking rate for cancer survivors was 12.1% versus 14.3% for those without cancer. Sub-high school education (OR 3.02, 95% CI [1.11-8.19]), separation/divorce (OR 2.71, 95% CI [1.52-4.83]), female gender, and lower household income were associated with an increased likelihood of cigarette use amongst cancer survivors. Cervical cancer (19.2%) and lymphoma (20%) survivors were most likely to smoke cigarettes compared to other cancer survivors.  Conclusions: this study demonstrated certain sociodemographic characteristics increase the likelihood of cigarette smoking in cancer survivors. These outcomes suggest cancer survivors with only high school education or lower, and those with household incomes of less than $35,000 are at greater risk and should be targeted for personalised tobacco cessation interventions in the future. High prevalence of smoking in cervical cancer survivors and an increased risk of tobacco-linked cancers suggests focus must be directed to interventions targeting female cancer survivors. Allocating further resources toward the at-risk populations identified in this study may reduce further morbidities in cancer survivors.&nbsp

Global vaccine safety blueprint: the landscape analysis (survey of regulators)

The perspectives of regulatory licensing authorities were assessed in countries that produce, procure, and both produce and procure vaccines. A web-based survey was developed to explore regulators’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning their national vaccine safety system. Additionally, their opinions about what would be needed to ensure future capacity and capabilities for a global vaccine safety system were probed, along with models of collaboration for regulatory authorities and the private sector that address public safety issues

Phytophthora pathogens threaten rare habitats and conservation plantings

Phytophthora pathogens are damaging native wildland vegetation including plants in restoration areas and botanic gardens. The infestations threaten some plants already designated as endangered and degrade high-value habitats. Pathogens are being introduced primarily via container plant nursery stock and, once established, they can spread to adjacent areas where plant species not previously exposed to pathogens may become infected. We review epidemics in California – caused by the sudden oak death pathogen Phytophthoraramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in ‘t Veld and the first USA detections of P. tentaculata Kröber & Marwitz, which occurred in native plant nurseries and restoration areas – as examples to illustrate these threats to conservation plantings

The α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, clonidine, reduces alcohol drinking in alcohol-preferring (P) rats

Evidence suggests that noradrenergic signaling may play a role in mediating alcohol-drinking behavior in both rodents and humans. We have investigated this possibility by administering clonidine to alcohol-drinking rats selectively bred for alcohol preference (P line). Clonidine is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist which, at low doses, inhibits noradrenergic signaling by decreasing norepinephrine release from presynaptic noradrenergic neurons. Adult male P rats were given 24-h access to food and water and scheduled access to a 15% (v/v) alcohol solution for 2 h daily. Rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injections with clonidine (0, 10, 20, 40, or 80 µg/kg body weight [BW], 10–11 rats/treatment group) once/day at 30 min prior to onset of the daily 2-h alcohol access period for 2 consecutive days. Clonidine, in doses of 40 or 80 µg/kg BW, significantly reduced alcohol intake on both days of treatment (p < 0.001). Two weeks later, rats were treated with clonidine for 5 consecutive days and clonidine, in doses of 40 or 80 µg/kg BW, reduced alcohol intake on all 5 treatment days (p < 0.001). Clonidine did not alter water consumption during the daily 2-h free-choice between alcohol and water. In a separate group of male P rats, clonidine (40 µg/kg BW) suppressed intake of a saccharin solution (0.04 g/L). These results are consistent with and complement our previous findings that the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin, decreases voluntary alcohol drinking in alcohol-preferring rats, but suggests that effects of clonidine may not be specific for alcohol. The results suggest that although activation of the noradrenergic system plays an important role in mediating voluntary alcohol drinking, care is needed in selecting which drugs to use to suppress central noradrenergic signaling in order to maximize the selectivity of the drugs for treating alcohol-use disorders

Efektivitas sabun antiseptik dalam menghambat pertumbuhan Escherichia coli dan Salmonella typhi

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji daya hambat sabun antiseptik dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri Escherichia coli dan Salmonella typhi. Sampel yang dipakai adalah sebanyak 4 sabun antiseptik (sabun A, B, C dan D) dengan masing-masing konsentrasi sebesar 10%, 20%, 30% dan 40%. Proses pengenceran sesuai dengan konsentrasinya dapat mengubah kemampuan sabun dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri yang diuji dengan metode difusi. Hasil penelitian didapatkan bahwa keempat sampel sabun antiseptik memiliki efektivitas antibakteri terhadap Escherichia coli dan Salmonella typhi. Namun pada Escherichia coli, rata-rata diameter zona hambat yang paling besar adalah pada sabun antiseptik A dengan konsentrasi 40% yaitu 26 mm dan rata-rata diameter zona hambat paling kecil adalah pada sabun antiseptik D dengan konsenstrasi 10% yaitu 7 mm. Sedangkan pada Salmonella typhi rata-rata diameter zona hambat paling besar adalah pada sabun antiseptik A dengan konsentrasi 40% yaitu 20 mm dan rata-rata diameter zona hambat paling kecil adalah pada sabun antiseptik B dengan konsentrasi 10% yaitu 10 mm. Hal tersebut dapat terjadi karena dinding penyusun dari kedua bakteri tersebut berbeda dan kandungan dari masing-masing sabun juga berbeda