EU Citizens and Homelessness

This chapter provides a description of the implementation of the European citizens’ survey, led by the French team from Aix Marseille University, as part of the HOME_EU project. The French team set out to use a telephone survey and quantitative research methods to investigate the opinions and experiences of European citizens in relation to homelessness, in addition to use a contingent valuation method to elicit the value respondents placed on the Housing First model as a potential solution to long-term homelessness. Data collection covered a 10-month period (March to December 2017). The survey produced results for European citizen’s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in relation to homelessness, willingness to pay (WTP) for the Housing First model, and the prevalence of homelessness among the ‘survey and the WP2 as a whole close the chapter.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ultrabrza vitrifikacija u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci otvara nove mogućnosti za smrzavanje konjskih zametaka.

The aim of this research was to evaluate ultra rapid OPS vitrification on the embryo viability. The OPS vitrification technique is comprised of ultra rapid freezing of a small drop in which the embryo is placed. Before the thin straw was plunged into the liquid nitrogen, the embryos were treated with highly concentrated cryoprotectant (CPA) solutions as follows: 18% ethylene glycol (EG), 18% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.4 M sucrose. Surgical transfer into the recipient mares and morphologic examination of recollected embryos were used to measure the viability of transferred embryos. The research was performed on Welsh pony mares by collecting the embryos 6.75 days after ovulation. Twenty embryos were vitrified and transferred, four in each recipient mare. At day twelve, nine embryos were recollected after fl ushing of the recipient uterus (56%, 9/ 16). In one recipient mare, endometritis was detected when the uterus was fl ushed. Among the sixteen recollected embryos, seven (44%) had normal morphology and well developed embryonic vesicles. The vitrification procedure used proved to be encouraging.Svrha istraživanju bila je ustanoviti učinkovitost ultrabrze vitrifikacije u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci na vitalnost konjskih zametaka, prijenosom vitrificiranih pa otopljenih zametaka u sinkronizirane primateljice. Istraživanje je provedeno na stadu Welsh poni kobila. Davateljicama zametaka maternice su transcervikalno bile ispirane 6,75 dana nakon ovulacije, a zametci su nakon vitrifikacije bili pohranjeni u spremnik s tekućim dušikom. Nakon odmrzavanja, zametci su bili prenijeti u sinkronizirane primateljice. Maternice primateljica bile su ispirane petoga dana nakon prijenosa odmrznutih zametaka. Ukupno je bilo preneseno dvadeset zametaka, a ispiranjem maternica primateljica dobiveno je devet zametaka što iznosi 56% s obzirom da je u jedne primateljice ispiranjem ustanovljen endometritis. Od zametaka dobivenih ispiranjem primateljica, sedam (44%) je imalo morfološki normalno razvijene zametne mjehure. Na osnovi provedenih istraživanja zaključeno je da su rezultati ostvareni vitrifikacijom u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci ohrabrujući, ali bi ih s obzirom na mali broj prenijetih zametaka trebalo potvrditi na većem uzorku, posebice sa zametcima odabranoga promjera te brojem ždrebadi

Victimization and posttraumatic stress disorder in homeless women with mental illness are associated with depression, suicide, and quality of life

International audienc

Facteurs prédictifs de l’échec du Traitement Préventif Intermittent du paludisme à la sulfadoxine – pyriméthamine (TPIp-SP) dans une population de femmes enceintes à Yaoundé

Introduction: Le traitement préventif intermittent à la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine (TPIp-SP) est recommandé pour prévenir le paludisme pendant la grossesse. Nous avons recherché les facteurs associés à l'échec de cette stratégie. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude cas - témoins dans deux formations sanitaires de Yaoundé, du 1er Mai 2014 au 30 Avril 2015. Les femmes enceintes sous TPIp-SP hospitalisées pour paludisme ayant un Test de Diagnostic Rapide (TDR) positif (cas) étaient comparées aux femmes enceintes sous TPIp-SP ayant un TDR négatif (témoins). Les logiciels Epi info 7 et SPSS 18.0 ont été utilisés avec P<0,05 comme seuil de significativité. Résultats: Nous avons recruté 234 sujets, 109 cas (46,6%) et 125 témoins (53,4%). Les facteurs associés retrouvés étaient : la primiparité (P=0,03 ; OR=1,15; IC= 0,32 - 4,10), la non utilisation de la MILDA (P=0,006 ; OR= 2,31 ; IC= 1,26 - 4,25), un antécédent d'hospitalisation pour paludisme (P=0,007 ; OR= 2,19 ; IC= 1,23 - 3,89), le début de la TPIp-SP après la 28ème semaine de grossesse (P=0,001, OR= 3,55; IC= 1,7 - 7,61). Après régression logistique, la primiparité (P=0,024 ; OR=2,01 ; IC=1,1-3,7) et un antécédent d'hospitalisation pour paludisme (P=0,001 ; OR=2,83 ; IC=1,50-5,4) restaient associés à l'échec du TPIp-SP. Conclusion: Un antécédent d'hospitalisation pour accès palustre et la primiparité sont des facteurs prédictifs indépendants de l'échec de la TPIp-SP.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Ultrabrza vitrifikacija u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci otvara nove mogućnosti za smrzavanje konjskih zametaka.

The aim of this research was to evaluate ultra rapid OPS vitrification on the embryo viability. The OPS vitrification technique is comprised of ultra rapid freezing of a small drop in which the embryo is placed. Before the thin straw was plunged into the liquid nitrogen, the embryos were treated with highly concentrated cryoprotectant (CPA) solutions as follows: 18% ethylene glycol (EG), 18% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.4 M sucrose. Surgical transfer into the recipient mares and morphologic examination of recollected embryos were used to measure the viability of transferred embryos. The research was performed on Welsh pony mares by collecting the embryos 6.75 days after ovulation. Twenty embryos were vitrified and transferred, four in each recipient mare. At day twelve, nine embryos were recollected after fl ushing of the recipient uterus (56%, 9/ 16). In one recipient mare, endometritis was detected when the uterus was fl ushed. Among the sixteen recollected embryos, seven (44%) had normal morphology and well developed embryonic vesicles. The vitrification procedure used proved to be encouraging.Svrha istraživanju bila je ustanoviti učinkovitost ultrabrze vitrifikacije u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci na vitalnost konjskih zametaka, prijenosom vitrificiranih pa otopljenih zametaka u sinkronizirane primateljice. Istraživanje je provedeno na stadu Welsh poni kobila. Davateljicama zametaka maternice su transcervikalno bile ispirane 6,75 dana nakon ovulacije, a zametci su nakon vitrifikacije bili pohranjeni u spremnik s tekućim dušikom. Nakon odmrzavanja, zametci su bili prenijeti u sinkronizirane primateljice. Maternice primateljica bile su ispirane petoga dana nakon prijenosa odmrznutih zametaka. Ukupno je bilo preneseno dvadeset zametaka, a ispiranjem maternica primateljica dobiveno je devet zametaka što iznosi 56% s obzirom da je u jedne primateljice ispiranjem ustanovljen endometritis. Od zametaka dobivenih ispiranjem primateljica, sedam (44%) je imalo morfološki normalno razvijene zametne mjehure. Na osnovi provedenih istraživanja zaključeno je da su rezultati ostvareni vitrifikacijom u otvorenoj rastegnutoj slamci ohrabrujući, ali bi ih s obzirom na mali broj prenijetih zametaka trebalo potvrditi na većem uzorku, posebice sa zametcima odabranoga promjera te brojem ždrebadi

Evaluation of the Housing First program in patients with severe mental disorders in France: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Recent studies in North American contexts have suggested that the Housing First model is a promising strategy for providing effective services to homeless people with mental illness. In the context of the highly generous French national health and social care system, which is easily accessible and does not require out-of-pocket payment, the French Health Ministry insists on rigorous techniques, including randomized protocols, to evaluate the impact of Housing First approaches in France.Method and design: A prospective randomized trial was designed to assess the impact of a Housing First intervention on health outcomes and costs over a period of 24 months on homeless people with severe mental illness, compared to Treatment-As-Usual. The study is being conducted in four cities in France: Lille, Marseille, Paris and Toulouse. The inclusion criteria are as follows: over 18 years of age, absolutely homeless or in precarious housing, and possessing a 'high' level of need: diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and moderate to severe disability according to the Multnomah Community Ability Scale (score <= 62) and at least one of the following three criteria: 1) having been hospitalized for mental illness two or more times in any one year during the preceding five years; 2) co-morbid alcohol or substance use; and 3) having been recently arrested or incarcerated. Participants will be randomized to receiving the Housing First intervention or Treatment-As-Usual. The Housing First intervention provides immediate access to independent housing and community care. The primary outcome criterion is the use of high-cost health services (that is,, number of hospital admissions and number of emergency department visits) during the 24-month follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures include health outcomes, social functioning, housing stability and contact with police services. An evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of Housing First will also be conducted. A total of 300 individuals per group will be included. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to examine the impact of a Housing First intervention compared to Treatment-As-Usual in France. It should provide key information to policymakers concerning the cost-effectiveness and health outcomes of the Housing First model in the French context.Trial registration: The current clinical trial number is NCT01570712

The in-motion-app for remote general movement assessment : a multi-site observational study

Objectives To determine whether videos taken by parents of their infants' spontaneous movements were in accordance with required standards in the In-Motion-App, and whether the videos could be remotely scored by a trained General Movement Assessment (GMA) observer. Additionally, to assess the feasibility of using home-based video recordings for automated tracking of spontaneous movements, and to examine parents' perceptions and experiences of taking videos in their homes. Design The study was a multi-centre prospective observational study. Setting Parents/families of high-risk infants in tertiary care follow-up programmes in Norway, Denmark and Belgium. Methods Parents/families were asked to video record their baby in accordance with the In-Motion standards which were based on published GMA criteria and criteria covering lighting and stability of smartphone. Videos were evaluated as GMA 'scorable' or 'non-scorable' based on predefined criteria. The accuracy of a 7-point body tracker software was compared with manually annotated body key points. Parents were surveyed about the In-Motion-App information and clarity. Participants The sample comprised 86 parents/families of high-risk infants. Results The 86 parent/families returned 130 videos, and 121 (96%) of them were in accordance with the requirements for GMA assessment. The 7-point body tracker software detected more than 80% of body key point positions correctly. Most families found the instructions for filming their baby easy to follow, and more than 90% reported that they did not become more worried about their child's development through using the instructions. Conclusions This study reveals that a short instructional video enabled parents to video record their infant's spontaneous movements in compliance with the standards required for remote GMA. Further, an accurate automated body point software detecting infant body landmarks in smartphone videos will facilitate clinical and research use soon. Home-based video recordings could be performed without worrying parents about their child's development

Altered Cortisol Metabolism Increases Nocturnal Cortisol Bioavailability in Prepubertal Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveDisturbances in the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis could lead to functional alterations in the brain of diabetes patients. In a later perspective of investigating the link between the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the developing brain in children with diabetes, we assessed here nocturnal cortisol metabolism in prepubertal children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).MethodsPrepubertal patients (aged 6–12 years) diagnosed with T1DM at least 1 year previously were recruited, along with matched controls. Nocturnal urine samples were collected, with saliva samples taken at awakening and 30 minutes after awakening. All samples were collected at home over 5 consecutive days with no detectable nocturnal hypoglycaemia. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (trait scale only) and Child Depression Inventory were also completed. Glucocorticoid metabolites in the urine, salivary cortisol (sF) and cortisone (sE) were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolic data were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, BMI and trait anxiety score.ResultsUrine glucocorticoid metabolites were significantly lower in T1DM patients compared to controls. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity was significantly higher, while 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, 5(α+β)-reductase and 5α-reductase levels were all lower, in T1DM patients compared to controls. There was a significant group difference in delta sE level but not in delta sF level between the time of awakening and 30 minutes thereafter.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that altered nocturnal cortisol metabolism and morning HPA axis hyperactivity in children with T1DM leads to greater cortisol bioavailability and lower cortisol production as a compensatory effect. This altered nocturnal glucocorticoid metabolism when cortisol production is physiologically reduced and this HPA axis hyperactivity question their impact on brain functioning

Elastin-derived peptides potentiate atherosclerosis through the immune Neu1-PI3Kγ pathway

Aims Elastin is degraded during vascular ageing and its products, elastin-derived peptides (EP), are present in the human blood circulation. EP binds to the elastin receptor complex (ERC) at the cell surface, composed of elastin-binding protein (EBP), a cathepsin A and a neuraminidase 1. Some in vitro functions have clearly been attributed to this binding, but the in vivo implications for arterial diseases have never been clearly investigated. Methods and results Here, we demonstrate that chronic doses of EP injected into mouse models of atherosclerosis increase atherosclerotic plaque size formation. Similar effects were observed following an injection of a VGVAPG peptide, suggesting that the ERC mediates these effects. The absence of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) in bone marrow-derived cells prevented EP-induced atherosclerosis development, demonstrating that PI3Kγ drive EP-induced arterial lesions. Accordingly, in vitro studies showed that PI3Kγ was required for EP-induced monocyte migration and ROS production and that this effect was dependent upon neuraminidase activity. Finally, we showed that degradation of elastic lamellae in LDLR−/− mice fed an atherogenic diet correlated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. At the same time, the absence of the cathepsin A-neuraminidase 1 complex in cells of the haematopoietic lineage abolished atheroma plaque size progression and decreased leucocytes infiltration, clearly demonstrating the role of this complex in atherogenesis and suggesting the involvement of endogenous EP. Conclusion Altogether, this work identifies EP as an enhancer of atherogenesis and defines the Neuraminidase 1/PI3Kγ signalling pathway as a key mediator of this function in vitro and in viv