To get an overview of the current state of endoparasite prevalences in stray and not well-cared dogs and cats, faecal samples of 445 stray and foster dogs and 837 stray and foster cats were collected ...at their arrival at animal shelters in Lower Saxony (Germany). They were investigated for infections with endoparasites by the use of sedimentation–flotation method. Additionally, 341 canine and 584 feline samples were investigated by IDEXX SNAP®
Giardia
test. Stages of endoparasites were found coproscopically in 9.4 % (
n
= 42) of the canine samples, 4.0 % were positive for
Toxocara canis
, 0.9 % for hookworms, 0.4 % for
Toxascaris leonina
and 0.2 % for
Hammondia
-like oocysts.
Giardia
-coproantigen was detected in 11.4 % of the canine samples. In cats, 33.6 % (
n
= 281) were coproscopically positive for helminths and/or protozoa.
Toxocara cati
was found in 27.1 %,
Isospora
spp. in 7.5 %,
Capillaria
spp. 5.0 %, Taeniidae in 2.0 %, hookworms in 1.1 %,
Giardia
sp. in 0.7 %,
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
in 1.0 % and
Toxoplasma
-like oocysts in 0.1 %. Coproantigen specific for
Giardia
sp. was detected in 6.8 % of the feline samples. Dogs and cats up to 1 year of age were more frequently infected with endoparasites than animals over 1 year of age (
p
< 0.001).
Toxocara
spp. and
Isospora
spp. were detected significantly more often in younger dogs and cats, respectively (
p
< 0.05 and
p
< 0.001). Stray dogs or cats older than 1 year were significantly more frequently infected with endoparasites than dropped off animals of the same age group (
p
< 0.05). Using the faecal egg count reduction test, the therapeutic efficacy of some anthelmintics was tested. All tested anthelmintics showed high efficacy and no suspected anthelmintic resistance was found. However, endoparasite-infected stray and free-roaming cats and dogs may contribute considerably to the contamination of public parks, playgrounds and sandpits with zoonotic parasites and therefore have to be considered a public health problem.
Applied salient factors from social learning theory and cognitive dissonance theory to elementary school group counseling. Examples were presented to illustrate how dissonance could be created in a ...group-counseling setting. Conditions applicable to group counseling, which would increase the probable efficacy of dissonance, are discussed in relation to probable concomitant behavioral outcomes. Group counseling, which utilizes such factors, may prove to be a powerful means for assisting and/or influencing changes in elementary school students' attitudes and behaviors. (2 p. ref.)
Three clasping systems were placed in five patients, and measurements of abutment tooth mobility were made. These data were compared to previously established baselines and statistically analyzed. ...The findings of the study are: 1. There was no difference in abutment tooth mobility during the 4-week test period with each of the three clasping systems. The important factor may have been the fit of the distal-extension denture base over the residual ridge, which provides the stability to prevent increases in abutment mobility. 2. Any mobility increases were in a buccal direction only, or toward the flexible retentive clasp arm. There was never any change in lingual mobility. 3. All five patients chose the I-bar retainer as the design of choice due to its increased resistance to dislodgment. Periodic recall of distal-extension removable partial denture patients is mandatory to ensure proper stress distribution and prevent increases in abutment tooth mobility.
We show how the declarative semantics of intelligent and cooperative information systems can be-developed in an institutional framework. The presentation of the semantics is tailored to Epsilon, a ...management system for distributed knowledge bases whose modules may employ different logical systems, and that allows deductions to be performed interoperatively. The components of an Epsilon knowledge base are theories, and relationships like inheritance between theories are established via so called links. This paper gives a semantic foundation for Epsilon links, indicating the combination of information represented in different formalisms (using mixed institutions) as well as the constraining of the possible models of a theory to those freely generated by another one (using duplex institutions). These categorial concepts are applied to the actual implementation of Epsilon.< >
This report describes an existing counseling and testing center program for treating emotionally disturbed college students which seems to be very successful. Many clients welcome questions covering ...topics other than those they thought of bringing up spontaneously, since they generally interpret the questions as indicative of concern and interest on the part of the psychologist. (Author)
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron (Pango lineage B.1.1.529), first identified in Botswana and South Africa, may compromise vaccine effectiveness and lead to re-infections
. ...Here we investigated Omicron escape from neutralization by antibodies from South African individuals vaccinated with Pfizer BNT162b2. We used blood samples taken soon after vaccination from individuals who were vaccinated and previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated with no evidence of previous infection. We isolated and sequence-confirmed live Omicron virus from an infected person and observed that Omicron requires the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to infect cells. We compared plasma neutralization of Omicron relative to an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and found that neutralization of ancestral virus was much higher in infected and vaccinated individuals compared with the vaccinated-only participants. However, both groups showed a 22-fold reduction in vaccine-elicited neutralization by the Omicron variant. Participants who were vaccinated and had previously been infected exhibited residual neutralization of Omicron similar to the level of neutralization of the ancestral virus observed in the vaccination-only group. These data support the notion that reasonable protection against Omicron may be maintained using vaccination approaches.
HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) escape, where HIV is suppressed in blood but detectable in CSF, occurs when HIV persists in the CNS despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). To determine the virus ...producing cell type and whether lowered CSF ART levels are responsible for CSF escape, we collected blood and CSF from 156 neurosymptomatic participants from Durban, South Africa. We observed that 28% of participants with an undetectable HIV blood viral load showed CSF escape. We detected host cell surface markers on the HIV envelope to determine the cellular source of HIV in participants on the first line regimen of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. We confirmed CD26 as a marker which could differentiate between T cells and macrophages and microglia, and quantified CD26 levels on the virion surface, comparing the result to virus from in vitro infected T cells or macrophages. The measured CD26 level was consistent with the presence of T cell produced virus. We found no significant differences in ART concentrations between CSF escape and fully suppressed individuals in CSF or blood, and did not observe a clear association with drug resistance mutations in CSF virus which would allow HIV to replicate. Hence, CSF HIV in the face of ART may at least partly originate in CD4+ T cell populations.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction
Cancers that originate from the upper aerodigestive tract are collectively known as head and neck cancer. The most common are squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, larynx, and oral ...cavity. Head and neck cancer patients experience significant physical and psychological changes because of the disease and treatment. There is a substantial strain on family carers who have extensive responsibilities over most aspects of the patient’s life. The aim of the study was to understand the perspectives of being an HNC carer and their perceived expectations of the role.
Methods
The study adopted a qualitative research design with a social constructionist epistemology. Interviews were conducted with 20 carers who were currently caring for someone diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Results
Three overarching themes were identified: taking responsibility for the patient’s nutrition, navigating a new and different relationship, and “my life’s not my own.” Participants felt responsible for ensuring the patient was eating and became increasingly frustrated when the patient was unable to intake food. Carers prioritised the patients’ needs at the expense of their own, and several came to resent the role.
Conclusion
Carers’ expectations of their role informed how they approached giving care. Carers need to be supported from diagnosis and encouraged to prioritise their own wellbeing.
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