Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at greater risk for developing antivaccine beliefs that lead to vaccine delays and/or refusals for their children. We investigated ...current parental vaccine hesitancy, parents’ beliefs about causes of children’s developmental delays, and children’s vaccination histories among parents of children with ASD or non-ASD developmental delays. Data were analyzed from 89/511 parents (17.4%) who completed the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines questionnaire and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire; 46.1% had childhood vaccination records available. Overall, 21/89 (23.6%, 95% confidence interval CI: 15.0-34.0) of parents were vaccine hesitant (ASD n = 19/21 90.5%, non-ASD n = 2/21 9.5%). Parents of children with ASD were significantly more likely to agree with “toxins in vaccines” as a cause of their child’s developmental delays (28.4% vs 5.0%, P = .034). The odds of being vaccine hesitant were 11.9 times (95% CI 2.9-48.0) greater among parents who agreed versus disagreed that toxins in vaccines caused their children’s developmental delays. Rates of prior vaccine receipt did not differ between hesitant and nonhesitant groups.
Abstract Pancreatic cancer has a very poor prognosis. While gemcitabine is the mainstay of therapy and improves quality of life, it has little impact on survival. More effective treatments are ...desperately needed for this disease. Frondoside A is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from the Atlantic sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa . Frondoside A potently inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo . The aim of the present study was to investigate whether frondoside A could enhance the anti-cancer effects of gemcitabine. Effects of frondoside A and gemcitabine alone and in combination on proliferation were investigated in two human pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1 and S2013. To investigate possible synergistic effects, combinations of low concentrations of the two drugs were used for a 72 h treatment period in vitro . Growth inhibition was significantly greater with the drug combinations than their additive effects. Combinations of frondoside A and gemcitabine were tested in vivo using the athymic mouse model. Xenografts of AsPC-1 and S2013 cells were allowed to form tumours prior to treatment with the drugs alone or in combination for 30 days. Tumours grew rapidly in placebo-treated animals. Tumour growth was significantly reduced in all treatment groups. At the lowest dose tested, gemcitabine (4 mg/kg/dose), combined with frondoside A (100 μg/kg/day) was significantly more effective than with either drug alone. To conclude: The present data suggest that combinations of frondoside A and gemcitabine may provide clinical benefit for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Fisheries stock assessments are essential for science-based fisheries management. Inland fisheries pose challenges, but also provide opportunities for biological assessments that differ from those ...encountered in large marine fisheries for which many of our assessment methods have been developed. These include the number and diversity of fisheries, high levels of ecological and environmental variation, and relative lack of institutional capacity for assessment. In addition, anthropogenic impacts on habitats, widespread presence of non-native species and the frequent use of enhancement and restoration measures such as stocking affect stock dynamics. This paper outlines various stock assessment and data collection approaches that can be adapted to a wide range of different inland fisheries and management challenges. Although this paper identifies challenges in assessment, it focuses on solutions that are practical, scalable and transferrable. A path forward is suggested in which biological assessment generates some of the critical information needed by fisheries managers to make effective decisions that benefit the resource and stakeholders.
The association between fatty acids and prostate cancer remains poorly explored in African-descent populations. Here, we analyze 24 circulating fatty acids in 2934 men, including 1431 prostate cancer ...cases and 1503 population controls from Ghana and the United States, using CLIA-certified mass spectrometry-based assays. We investigate their associations with population groups (Ghanaian, African American, European American men), lifestyle factors, the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genetic locus, and prostate cancer. Blood levels of circulating fatty acids vary significantly between the three population groups, particularly trans, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. FADS1/2 germline genetic variants and lifestyle factors explain some of the variation in fatty acid levels, with the FADS1/2 locus showing population-specific associations, suggesting differences in their control by germline genetic factors. All trans fatty acids, namely elaidic, palmitelaidic, and linoelaidic acids, associated with an increase in the odds of developing prostate cancer, independent of ancestry, geographic location, or potential confounders.
There is evidence that tumor immunobiology and immunotherapy response may differ between African American and European American prostate cancer patients. Here, we determine if men of African descent ...harbor a unique systemic immune-oncological signature and measure 82 circulating proteins in almost 3000 Ghanaian, African American, and European American men. Protein signatures for suppression of tumor immunity and chemotaxis are elevated in men of West African ancestry. Importantly, the suppression of tumor immunity protein signature associates with metastatic and lethal prostate cancer, pointing to clinical importance. Moreover, two markers, pleiotrophin and TNFRSF9, predict poor disease survival specifically among African American men. These findings indicate that immune-oncology marker profiles differ between men of African and European descent. These differences may contribute to the disproportionate burden of lethal prostate cancer in men of African ancestry. The elevated peripheral suppression of tumor immunity may have important implication for guidance of cancer therapy which could particularly benefit African American patients.
Abstract Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is an antiapoptotic and a proinflammatory lectin. We hypothesized that the proinflammatory properties of Gal-3 may influence disease induction in the multiple low doses of ...streptozotocin model of diabetes. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 Gal-3+/+ and Gal-3−/− mice and disease monitored by blood glucose level, immuno-histology, insulin content of islets and expression of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and iNOS in pancreatic lymph nodes. Gal-3+/+ mice developed delayed and sustained hyperglycemia, mononuclear cellular infiltration and reduced insulin content of islets accompanied with expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Gal-3− /− mice were relatively resistant to diabetogenesis as evaluated by glycemia, quantitative histology and insulin content. Further, we observed the weaker expression of IFN-γ and complete absence of TNF-α, and IL-17 in draining pancreatic lymph nodes. Macrophages, the first cells that infiltrate the islet in this model of diabetes, produce less TNF-α and NO in Gal-3−/− mice. Thus, Gal-3 is involved in immune mediated β cell damage and is required for diabetogenesis in this model of disease.
•Charcoal and firewood are the most used forms of cooking energy in Kaduna State, Nigeria.•Household factors such as family size, education level, income, age, and marital status influence the choice ...of cooking energy.•In addition to the aforementioned household factors, cost and availability are strong determinants of cooking energy choice in the study area.•The findings from this study conform more with the fuel stacking theory than the energy ladder theory.
Cooking is the most energy-intensive activity in the household sector. In developing countries, it accounts for about 90% of the total domestic energy use. With this, knowledge of its dynamics in terms of energy choice and use is imperative. This study explored the nexus between household dynamics and cooking energy choice in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria. Data were collected from 400 households with the aid of a structured questionnaire following a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data and a multinomial logit regression model was employed to assess the impact of household factors on the choice of primary cooking energy. The results from the descriptive analysis depict charcoal as the most used cooking energy in the surveyed area, followed by fuelwood and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG). These choices are influenced by cost, accessibility, and availability. Furthermore, the results from the multinomial logit regression analysis indicated that the choice of cooking energy is significantly influenced by household factors such as household size, household income, occupation of household head, marital status, age, and education of the main cook, and the household head. These findings can be crucial for policymakers and organizations working towards promoting clean and sustainable energy, climate change mitigation, and the reduction of household air pollution.
Aims The aim was to develop an automated screening system to analyse digital colour retinal images for important features of non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
Methods High performance ...pre‐processing of the colour images was performed. Previously described automated image analysis systems were used to detect major landmarks of the retinal image (optic disc, blood vessels and fovea). Recursive region growing segmentation algorithms combined with the use of a new technique, termed a ‘Moat Operator’, were used to automatically detect features of NPDR. These features included haemorrhages and microaneurysms (HMA), which were treated as one group, and hard exudates as another group. Sensitivity and specificity data were calculated by comparison with an experienced fundoscopist.
Results The algorithm for exudate recognition was applied to 30 retinal images of which 21 contained exudates and nine were without pathology. The sensitivity and specificity for exudate detection were 88.5% and 99.7%, respectively, when compared with the ophthalmologist. HMA were present in 14 retinal images. The algorithm achieved a sensitivity of 77.5% and specificity of 88.7% for detection of HMA.
Conclusions Fully automated computer algorithms were able to detect hard exudates and HMA. This paper presents encouraging results in automatic identification of important features of NPDR.
Diabet. Med. 19, 105–112 (2002)
Climate change is causing various impacts worldwide, including heat waves, droughts, floods, and pest infestations. Understanding how communities cope with predicted impacts and reduce vulnerability ...is crucial for designing effective policies that enhance their adaptive capacities. This study presents empirical evidence on how climate change manifests in cocoa-forest-dominated landscapes, its impacts, and the mechanisms communities in the Sefwi-Wiawso, Juaboso, and Bia West adopt to reduce their vulnerabilities. Data were collected through focus group discussions and face-to-face interview involving 97 respondents within the landscape. The results indicate that the most common climate change hazards in the area are drought, floods, wildfires, wind/rainstorms, excessive heat, and pest infestations. Women, who are primarily responsible for water fetching and fuelwood collection, were found to be particularly vulnerable. The study identifies various coping strategies and adaptation practices adopted by these communities. The integration of trees into farming practices was found to be the most prevalent coping strategy for both men and women. Other strategies include diversification into alternative livelihood activities, the establishment of early warning systems, and the cultivation of cash crops. The research highlights that adaptation strategies vary depending on the economic opportunities and priorities within different landscapes. While adaptive capacities already exist, they need to be further strengthened, and policies should support, rather than hinder, these capacities and strategies. Existing adaptation strategies also need to be recognized and reinforced through policies.
PDF
