Gender differences in HIV testing service visits and its related factors among adults: a cross-sectional study in Homa Bay, Kenya

Introduction: at least 90% of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were expected to know their HIV status by 2020. However, only 84% are aware of their status. This study determined the frequency of HIV testing services visits (HTS) and its related factors to HTS visits among adults in Homa Bay County, Kenya. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted for quantitative data by gender. Qualitative data were thematically categorised into factors of HTS visits by gender. Results: a total of 645 adults participated in quantitative survey and 17 in qualitative survey. There were no gender differences in the frequency of HTS visits (males=56.3%; females= 58.7%, P=0.785). The frequency of visits was however significantly different between the rural-based (Rachuonyo North=87.5%; Ndhiwa=58.7%) and urban-based (Homa Bay Town=36.8%) facilities at P<0.001. In males, HTS visits were positively associated with ´being in Protestant church´, ´partner´s attitude´, and ´being accompanied by a friend to HTS´. ´Distance to HTS´ was negatively associated with HTS visits in males. For females, 'sexual intercourse in the past 2-5 months´ was positively associated with HTS visits. ´Being in a polygamous marriage´, ´not married´, ´community HIV testing´, and ´affordability of transport cost to HTS centre´ were negatively associated with HTS visits. Conclusion: there were no gender differences in the frequency of HTS visits. Social position for males and position in the family for females are suggested as the factors influencing HTS visits in Homa Bay County

Discrete and surface solitons in photonic graphene nanoribbons

We analyze localization of light in honeycomb photonic lattices restricted in one dimension which can be regarded as an optical analog of (``armchair'' and ``zigzag'') graphene nanoribbons. We find the conditions for the existence of spatially localized states and discuss the effect of lattice topology on the properties of discrete solitons excited inside the lattice and at its edges. In particular, we discover a novel type of soliton bistability, the so-called geometry-induced bistability, in the lattices of a finite extent.Comment: three double-column pages, 5 figures, submitted for publicatio

Stability of oral mucosal cell RNA stored in liquid–based cytology medium

We evaluated the stability of RNA stored in liquid–based cytology (LBC) medium for long periods. Specimens were taken from the five volunteers using LBC preparation methods. Experimental samples were preserved at one day, three days, seven days, one month, two months and three months in the medium at room temperature. The RNA was routinely extracted from each specimen, and amplified using human β–actin after reverse transcription method. In all cases, 186 bp β–actin bands were successfully detected until seventh days. However, the detection of RNA was impossible in some cases of one–month, two–month and three–month groups. These results suggest that the LBC method is superior in the preservation of RNA

講義室利用時の二酸化炭素濃度と空気環境改善対策

大学における健全な室内環境の確保を目的として、講義室利用時の空気中の二酸化炭素濃度を測定し、対策を検討した。在室人数が80人の講義中に、空調換気扇を作動させた状態で測定した結果、45分後に二酸化炭素濃度は1、100ppmとなり基準値（1、000ppm）を超え、換気不十分であった。対策として、非空調時の講義中は、必ず換気扇を作動させ、空気の取り入れ口として、少しだけ窓やドアを開けておく。冷暖房時には換気扇を空調換気方式に切替え、休憩時間や昼休みには、積極的に窓とドアを開け自然換気を行う。恒久的には、機械換気の能力を高める対策や講義室内の空気を対流させるなど、総合的な空気環境設計が必要である

住民による高齢者サロン運営の課題と対策

一般高齢者の介護予防推進事業である高齢者サロン運営の課題と対策を検討する目的で島根県出雲市C地区の高齢者サロンに参加して実態把握をするとともに、サロンの世話役・福祉委員・参加者等に実施したインタビュー結果をサロン活動の継続の困難さに視点を当て分析した。課題は①独居高齢者等の不参加②参加意欲維持の困難さ③働き盛り男性福祉委員の活動の困難性④世話役の高齢化と人材不足による活動の困難性⑤企画内容の工夫の困難性⑥活動記録等の保存と活用の不徹底⑦社会資源等の情報伝達と周知不足⑧予算確保の困難性・助成金の使途制限による使用の困難性⑨実施場所と回数の不足⑩実施場所の環境整備不足であった。対策として社会福祉協議会、自治協会・保健師などがサロン運営の課題を共有する機会を持ち、サロンを運営する世話役や福祉委員への情報提供や必要な支援することが重要である。また、高齢者が主体的に参加できるよう協力を求めながら実施していく必要がある

Mesoporous smectites incorporated with alkali metal cations as solid base catalysts

A series of magnesium containing mesoporous smectites incorporated with alkali hydroxide (NaOH, KOH or LiOH) has been prepared and employed for such base-catalyzed model reactions as transesterification of ethyl acetate with methanol, Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate and one-pot synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from propylene oxide, carbon dioxide and methanol. The effects of the quantity and kind of the incorporated alkali atoms on the catalytic properties of the smectites were investigated. Characterization of the smectites has shown that the incorporation of alkali atoms reduces their surface area and total pore volume but enhances the amount and strength of their basic sites. The product yield of the transesterification was increased with the content of alkali atoms incorporated. It has been suggested that the moderately basic sites are responsible for this reaction. The yield of the Knoevenagel reaction depends little on the alkali atom content. Increasing the content of alkali atoms causes the increase in the DMC yield of the one-pot synthesis and the decrease in the yield of methanolysis of propylene oxide, which is the side reaction of the one-pot synthesis. The incorporation of Li was less effective than Na and K for the one-pot reaction. The structures of basic sites over the alkali-incorporated smectites have been discussed

ROK study-C (Rainbow of KIBOU study-colorectum): a colorectal cancer survivor cohort study on food, nutrition, physical activity, psychosocial factors and its influences on colorectal cancer recurrence, survival and quality of life in Japan

Abstract Background Many studies have shown that lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity are related to the incidence of cancer. However, there are few studies on the association between lifestyle factors and cancer prognosis. To investigate the influence of lifestyle factors and psychosocial factors on prognosis, we started a prospective study of women with breast cancer, the Rainbow of KIBOU study-Breast (ROK Study-B) in 2007. As of February 2018, more than 6300 women have been enrolled, thus making this one of the world’s largest cancer patient cohort studies. Based on the know-how obtained from this study, we started another new cohort study for colorectal cancer patient (ROK Study-C). Methods The ROK Study-C is a prospective observational study for colorectal cancer survivors at the National Cancer Center Hospital. Participants fill in several self-administrated questionnaires about lifestyle, psychosocial factors (including posttraumatic growth and benefit finding, support), and quality of life (QOL) 5 times in total: at diagnosis, 3 and 6 months, 1 and 5 years after surgery. CT-scans will be collected to assess body composition and obesity. We also use blood and cancer tissue from the Biobank. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints are overall survival and health-related QOL. The planned sample size is 2000 and the follow-up period is 5 years after the last enrollment. Discussion Recruitment began in December 2015 and the study is still ongoing. The ROK Study-C will contribute to improvements in patient prognosis and yield important evidence for colorectal cancer survivorship