Factors affecting the vaccination choices of pregnant women for their children. A systematic review of the literature

In recent years, an increase in vaccine hesitancy has led to a decrease in vaccination coverage in several countries. We conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward pediatric vaccinations, and the vaccination choices and their determinants among pregnant women. A total of 6,277 records were retrieved, and 16 full texts were included in the narrative synthesis. The published literature on the topic shows that, overall, pregnant women believe that vaccines are important for the protection of their children and the community, but various concerns and misunderstandings persist around vaccine safety and efficacy, which reduce the trust of expectant mothers in immunization. Nevertheless, such attitudes and choices vary depending on the vaccine being considered and the corresponding determinants should therefore be studied in the context of each specific vaccination. Further research on this topic is needed, particularly in non-western countries

Pre-freezing of multifractal exponents in Random Energy Models with logarithmically correlated potential

Boltzmann-Gibbs measures generated by logarithmically correlated random potentials are multifractal. We investigate the abrupt change ("pre-freezing") of multifractality exponents extracted from the averaged moments of the measure - the so-called inverse participation ratios. The pre-freezing can be identified with termination of the disorder-averaged multifractality spectrum. Naive replica limit employed to study a one-dimensional variant of the model is shown to break down at the pre-freezing point. Further insights are possible when employing zero-dimensional and infinite-dimensional versions of the problem. In particular, the latter version allows one to identify the pattern of the replica symmetry breaking responsible for the pre-freezing phenomenon.Comment: This is published version, 11 pages, 1 figur

Representations of U_q(sl(N)) at Roots of Unity

The Gelfand--Zetlin basis for representations of $U_q(sl(N))$ is improved to fit better the case when $q$ is a root of unity. The usual $q$-deformed representations, as well as the nilpotent, periodic (cyclic), semi-periodic (semi-cyclic) and also some atypical representations are now described with the same formalism.Comment: 18 pages, Plain TeX, Macros harvmac.tex and epsf needed 3 figures in a uuencoded tar separate file. Some references are added. Also available at http://lapphp0.in2p3.fr/preplapp/psth/uqsln.ps.g

Measles among healthcare workers in Italy. Is it time to act?

Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against measles is strongly recommended in Europe. In this study, we examined the impact of measles on Italian HCWs by systematically and quantitatively analyzing measles cases involving HCWs over time and by identifying the epidemiological characteristics of the respective measles outbreaks. We retrieved data on measles cases from the Italian national integrated measles and rubella surveillance system from January 2013 to May 2019. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of the literature and an analysis of the measles and rubella aggregate outbreaks reporting forms from 2014 to 2018. Our review suggests that preventing measles infection among HCWs in disease outbreaks may be crucial for the elimination of measles in Italy. National policies aiming to increase HCW immunization rates are fundamental to the protection of HCWs and patients, will limit the economic impact of outbreaks on the institutions affected and will help achieve the elimination goal

Finite dimensional representations of Uq(C(n+1))U_q(C(n+1)) at arbitrary qq

A method is developed to construct irreducible representations(irreps) of the quantum supergroup $U_q(C(n+1))$ in a systematic fashion. It is shown that every finite dimensional irrep of this quantum supergroup at generic $q$ is a deformation of a finite dimensional irrep of its underlying Lie superalgebra $C(n+1)$, and is essentially uniquely characterized by a highest weight. The character of the irrep is given. When $q$ is a root of unity, all irreps of $U_q(C(n+1))$ are finite dimensional; multiply atypical highest weight irreps and (semi)cyclic irreps also exist. As examples, all the highest weight and (semi)cyclic irreps of $U_q(C(2))$ are thoroughly studied.Comment: 21 page

Genomics knowledge and attitudes among European public health professionals. Results of a cross-sectional survey

Background The international public health (PH) community is debating the opportunity to incorporate genomic technologies into PH practice. A survey was conducted to assess attitudes of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) members towards their role in the implementation of public health genomics (PHG), and their knowledge and attitudes towards genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services. Methods EUPHA members were invited via monthly newsletter and e-mail to take part in an online survey from February 2017 to January 2018. A descriptive analysis of knowledge and attitudes was conducted, along with a univariate and multivariate analysis of their determinants. Results Five hundred and two people completed the questionnaire, 17.9% were involved in PHG activities. Only 28.9% correctly identified all medical conditions for which there is (or not) evidence for implementing genetic testing; over 60% thought that investing in genomics may divert economic resources from social and environmental determinants of health. The majority agreed that PH professionals may play different roles in incorporating genomics into their activities. Better knowledge was associated with positive attitudes towards the use of genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services in PH (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.01–2.18). Conclusions Our study revealed quite positive attitudes, but also a need to increase awareness on genomics among European PH professionals. Those directly involved in PHG activities tend to have a more positive attitude and better knowledge; however, gaps are also evident in this group, suggesting the need to harmonize practice and encourage greater exchange of knowledge among professionals

How public health professionals view mandatory vaccination in italy-a cross-sectional survey

In response to the decline in child vaccination coverage and the subsequent occurrence of large vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, in 2017 Italy introduced a new law that made ten vaccines mandatory for children aged 0–16 years. The policy change initiated an ongoing debate among the general public, as well as in the political arena and the scientific community, over this major public health concern. Hence, we conducted a survey aimed at assessing Italian public health professionals’ attitudes towards and opinions on mandatory vaccination. A validated online questionnaire was administered to 1350 members of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Among the 1044 responders (response rate 77%), a large majority were in favour of the Italian mandatory vaccination law (91%) and against its repeal (74%). Nevertheless, according to our sample, maintaining a high level of vaccination coverage without the need to mandate would be preferable, and thus efforts to promote vaccine confidence and proactive vaccine uptake are still needed

Composition of Kinetic Momenta: The U_q(sl(2)) case

The tensor products of (restricted and unrestricted) finite dimensional irreducible representations of \uq are considered for $q$ a root of unity. They are decomposed into direct sums of irreducible and/or indecomposable representations.Comment: 27 pages, harvmac and tables macros needed, minor TeXnical revision to allow automatic TeXin

Flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds of autumn royal and egnatia grape skin extracts affect membrane PUFA's profile and cell morphology in human colon cancer cell lines

Grapes contain many flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds with anticancer effects. In this work we fully characterized the polyphenolic profile of two grape skin extracts (GSEs), Autumn Royal and Egnatia, and assessed their effects on Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) membrane levels of Caco2 and SW480 human colon cancer cell lines. Gene expression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), as well as cell morphology, were evaluated. The polyphenolic composition was analyzed by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole-Time of Flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF) analysis. PUFA levels were evaluated by gas chromatography, and gene expression levels of 15-LOX-1 and PPAR-γ were analyzed by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Morphological cell changes caused by GSEs were identified by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and photomicrograph examination. We detected a different profile of flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds in Autumn Royal and Egnatia GSEs. Cultured cells showed an increase of total PUFA levels mainly after treatment with Autumn Royal grape, and were richer in flavonoids when compared with the Egnatia variety. Both GSEs were able to affect 15-LOX-1 and PPAR-γ gene expression and cell morphology. Our results highlighted a new antitumor mechanism of GSEs that involves membrane PUFAs and their downstream pathways

A reestruturação do complexo laboratorial da Embrapa Meio Ambiente.

Com um sistema de gestão certificado há dez anos nos requisitos da NBR ISO 9001 e como meta da Agenda Institucional, melhorar o atendimento e a satisfação dos clientes dos laboratório sera uma ação importante para 2015. Teve foco no aumento da capacidade de atendimento às demandas dos projetos, no oferecimento de resultados com menor uso de recursos (humanos, equipamentos, insumos) e na garantia da rastreabilidade dos dados. Esta reestruturação física e funcional recebe usugestões de grupos de trabalho com propostas para gestão de pessoal,na adequação do espaço físico e equipamentos e na capacidade analítica dos laboratórios. Principais ações: reformas espaços físicos; gestão financeira dos laboratórios como centro de custos; e a identificação de três níveis de estruturas gerenciais ? Grupo Gestor, composto por pesquisadores e analistas, responsável pela parte estratégica no funcionamento do complexo laboratorial; Gestor Tático, analista, responsável pela implementação das orientações estratégicas vindas do Grupo Gestor; e, Gestores Operacionais (GO), analistas e técnicos, para o funcionamento operacional dos trabalhos de prestação de serviço aos projetos. Para atuação dosGOs, a estrutura organizacional assume três níveis ? Centrais Analíticas, Laboratórios de Apoio e Serviços Especiais. Foram instituídas três centrais analíticas que agrupam processos, ensaios e equipamentos da mesma natureza que tratam de análises da parte Orgânica, Resíduos e Contaminantes e de Gases. A outra estrutura são os Laboratórios de Apoio, identificados para atenderem a pesquisa em análises que não são, necessariamente, de rotina. A estrutura dos Serviços Especiais tem este caráter devido a peculiaridade das atividades que exercem ? Coleção de Microrganismos de Importância Agrícola, Quarentenário ´Costa Lima´ e Oficina de Instrumentação.Esta reestruturação desonerou o pesquisador do processo de gestão operacional, aumentando sua dedicação à atividade fim, aumentou a participação de analistas e técnicos na gestão dos processos laboratoriais e melhorou o fluxo de trabalho entre as equipes. A informatização de processos foram intensificados registro de demandas, escala trabalho finais de semana, gestão recursos financeiros, controle de estoque, entre outros