Stigma, social relationship and HIV testing in the workplace : evidence from South Africa

This paper explores whether a worker\u27s unwillingness to make his/her HIV-positive status or test-taking experience known by colleagues impedes his/her decision to test for HIV. After analyzing the new survey data provided by employees working for a large multinational enterprise in South Africa (2009-2010), this study finds that this unwillingness is negatively associated with test-taking (at the enterprise\u27s on-site clinic) of workers who are extensively networked with close colleagues (i.e., know their phone numbers). It appears that the expected disutility associated with HIV/AIDS-related stigma prohibits test uptake. When introducing HIV counseling and testing programs into a corporate sector, providing all workers with an excuse to test in the workplace and/or inducing them to privately test outside the workplace may be effective in encouraging the uptake

Impacts of an HIV counseling and testing initiative -- results from an experimental intervention in a large firm in South Africa

We have run experimental interventions to promote HIV tests in a large firm in South Africa. We combined HIV tests with existing medical check programs to increase the uptake. In the foregoing survey we undertook previously, it was suggested that fears and stigma of HIV/AIDS were the primary reasons given by the employees for not taking the test. To counter these, we implemented randomized interventions. We find substantial heterogeneity in responses by ethnicity. Africans and Colored rejected the tests most often. Supportive information increased the uptake by 6 to 16% points. A tradeoff in targeting resulting in stigmatizing the targeted and a reduction of exclusion error is discussed

Comparison of the diagnostic value of 3 T MRI after intratympanic injection of GBCA, electrocochleography, and the glycerol test in patients with Meniere's disease

Conclusion. 3 T MRI after intratympanic injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) is more useful for the diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops compared with the glycerol test and electrocochleography (ECoG). Objective: To investigate the relationship between 3 T MRI after intratympanic injection of GBCA, the glycerol test, and ECoG in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). Methods: A total of 20 patients with MD were evaluated. Diluted gadodiamide (a gadolinium-based contrast agent) was administered to the bilateral tympanic cavity by injection through the tympanic membrane. After 24 h, the endolymphatic hydrops was evaluated by a 3.0 T MR scanner. To investigate cochlear hydrops, the glycerol test and ECoG were carried out in all patients. Results: A positive result was observed in 11 patients (55%) in the glycerol test and in 12 patients (60%) by ECoG. The incidence of positive findings when evaluating the same patients with both the glycerol test and ECoG increased to 75%. Nineteen of 20 (95%) patients showed positive results for 3 T MRI.ArticleACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA. 132(2):141-145 (2012)journal articl

Perforation of intramural gastric metastasis during preoperative chemotherapy in a patient with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AbstractIntroductionPerforation of intramural metastasis to the stomach (IMS) from esophageal cancer during chemotherapy has not been reported.Presentation of caseA 68-year-old male consulted our hospital due to appetite loss. He was diagnosed with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the lower thoracic esophagus along with a large IMS in the upper stomach. The patient received preoperative chemotherapy of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF). During the second cycle of DCF, he had upper abdominal pain and was diagnosed with gastric perforation. Omental implantation repair for the perforation, peritoneal drainage, tube-gastrostomy, and tube-jejunostomy were performed.At 24 days after emergency surgery, he underwent thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy with total gastrectomy and reconstruction with colonic interposition. Pathological findings in the esophagus demonstrated complete replacement of the tumor by fibrosis. The gastric tumor was replaced by scar tissue with multinucleated giant cells along with a small amount of viable cancer cells. The patient was alive and healthy at 14 months after the radical operation, without tumor recurrence.DiscussionThe gastric perforation occurred due to rapid regression of the IMS which had involved the whole gastric wall before chemotherapy. Close monitoring to detect rapid tumor shrinkage during chemotherapy in patients with IMS may be warranted. A two-step operation was proposed to achieve safe curative treatment in patients with perforation of IMS during preoperative chemotherapy.ConclusionWe describe the first reported case of a patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who showed perforation of IMS during preoperative chemotherapy

Suppression of Interferon-induced Oligo-2\u27, 5\u27-adenylate Synthetase Induction in Human Hepatoma Cell Line, Li-7

Induction of oligo-2\u27, 5\u27-adenylate synthetase (2-5AS) activity by interferon (IFN) was investigated in a human hepatoma cell line, Li-7 cells. Little induction of 2-5AS activity by IFN was demonstrated in Li-7 cells in comparison with other types of cell lines including Ramos, NC-37, FL, Co-3. Furthermore, failure to induce 2-5AS was much clearer in old-cultured cells. Cell growth inhibition by IFN was demonstrated in only high titers of IFN (>10? IU/ml), in which the enzyme had one hundred fold higher activity than that of untreated cells. Poor induction of 2-5AS was in part the result of some inhibitor presented in cellular extracts of Li-7 cells and the decreased level of 2-5AS mRNA transcription

Gene Expression Profiles of the Cochlea and Vestibular Endorgans: Localization and Function of Genes Causing Deafness

Objectives: We sought to elucidate the gene expression profiles of the causative genes as well as the localization of the encoded proteins involved in hereditary hearing loss. Methods: Relevant articles (as of September 2014) were searched in PubMed databases, and the gene symbols of the genes reported to be associated with deafness were located on the Hereditary Hearing Loss Honnepage using localization, expression, and distribution as keywords. Results: Our review of the literature allowed us to systematize the gene expression profiles for genetic deafness in the inner ear, clarifying the unique functions and specific expression patterns of these genes in the cochlea and vestibular endorgans. Conclusions: The coordinated actions of various encoded molecules are essential for the normal development and maintenance of auditory and vestibular function.ArticleANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY. 124:6S-48S (2015)journal articl

Governance of fertilizer quality in Vietnam: government and market initiatives

Governance of fertilizer quality is an important topic of food policy because prevalence of low-quality fertilizers hinders the farmers’ use of fertilizers and stagnate agricultural productivity growth. This paper investigates the prevalence of low-quality fertilizers and describes the initiatives and measures that have been taken against the problem. We tested 141 randomly sampled fertilizers in the Mekong Delta region to examine the quality of fertilizers in the market and find that the average deviation rate from the nutrient levels indicated on the label is small. However, the quality varies substantially, and half of the samples have at least one nutrient less than the legal threshold. We conduct in-depth field observations and interviews with stakeholders and identify three initiatives to control fertilizer quality in the markets: 1) government regulation and control through licensing, mandatory quality labeling, and random inspections; 2) producer’s effort in maintaining quality and brand through warranty and dealer certifications; and 3) retailers’ updating of product assortments based on farmers’ feedback. We highlight the importance of public regulations by discussing how government and market initiatives interact and complement each other