The Health Belief Model in predicting healthcare workers' intention for influenza vaccine uptake in Jordan

BackgroundTheories of health behavior change are being inadequately adopted to understand the reasons behind low influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers (HCWs). The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is being used to predict intention-behavior relationship while the Health Belief Model (HBM) is being employed to predict actual behavior. The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model based on the HBM’s constructs to predict Jordanian HCWs’ intentions for influenza vaccine uptake as an alternative to the TPB.MethodA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2016 in a tertiary teaching hospital in Amman-Jordan including a convenience sample of 477 HCWs with direct patient contact. The study instrument was tested for validity and reliability. A conceptual regression model was proposed incorporating the constructs of the primary HBM with some modifications in the threat construct as well as an additional variable about explicit past vaccination behavior (in the past year and/or any previous history of influenza vaccine uptake).ResultsAlmost all the constructs of the HBM demonstrated significant differences between participants intending and those who did not intend to vaccinate against influenza. After adjusting for the confounding variables in the final conceptual regression model, past vaccination behavior (OR= 4.50, 95%Confidence Interval 3.38–6.00, P< 0.0005) and the perceived benefit scale (OR= 1.19, 95% Confidence Interval 1.11–1.28, P< 0.0005) were the only significant predictors of intentions to vaccinate against influenza in the next season.ConclusionTaking into consideration the altruistic beliefs of HCWs and their explicit past vaccination history augments the utility of the original HBM tool in predicting HCWs’ intentions to vaccinate against influenza in a way that is consistent with the predictive ability of the Theory of Planned Behavior.     

Youth motor competence promotion model: a quantitative investigation into modifiable factors

ObjectivesThis study aimed to quantify the relationships between enabling, predisposing and reinforcing ecological factors on motor competence and investigate potential sex, weight status, and school level differences.MethodsData were collected from 429 children (52% boys; aged 11.1 ± 0.6 years; 87% white British). Cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m Multistage Shuttle Run), muscular strength (Handgrip Strength) and online questionnaire (Child Health and Activity Tool; CHAT) data on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sport participation and available surrounding physical activity facilities were included as enabling variables. Three predisposing variables were determined from self-report data on benefits/barriers to exercise, adequacy, and predilection. Parental/guardian physical activity levels and persons whom participate in physical activity and sport with the participant (CHAT) were selected as reinforcing variables. Motor competence was determined from cumulative scores for Dragon Challenge tasks (Balance Bench, Core Agility, Wobble Spot, Overarm Throw, Basketball Dribble, Catch, Jumping Patterns, T-Agility, Sprint). Confirmatory Factor Analysis assessed the fit of measured variables into latent factors. Structural equation modelling evaluated relationships between these latent factors.ResultsMotor competence was directly affected by the enabling factor (β = 0.50,p < 0.001) but indirectly affected by reinforcing and predisposing factors, mediated by the enabling factor (β=0.13, p = 0.014; β=0.25, p = 0.002). Multi-group comparisons showed that each of these effects did not differ by sex, weight status or school level (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that enabling factors are crucial for the development of motor competence. This is the first study to quantify an ecological model with motor competence as the endogenous variable and is key to future interventions.     

面神经保留程度对神经再生及重建眼轮匝肌功能影响的实验研究

目的探讨保留不同程度的再生面神经对面神经-舌下神经侧-侧吻合术后大鼠眼轮匝肌功能重建的作用。方法采用随机抽样分组的方法,将40只大鼠分为4组(每组10只),4组大鼠均行面神经钳夹线拴损伤及面神经-舌下神经侧-侧吻合术(简称吻合术)。术后3个月,A组(对照组):模型建立后不做任何处理;B组:横截断结扎线近头端面神经1/3部分;C组:横截断结扎线近头端面神经2/3部分;D组:于面神经结扎线近头端全部离断面神经。分别于吻合术后1、2、3个月和横截断面神经1周后采用瞬目反应评分评估大鼠患侧眼睑的闭合程度;行运动诱发电位(MAPs)检测大鼠患侧眼轮匝肌的动作电位幅度及波幅下面积;神经元逆行示踪检测面神经核及舌下神经核内阳性神经元的数量;面神经及移植神经半薄切片计数髓鞘数目。结果4组大鼠吻合术后1、2、3个月的瞬目反应评分比较差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为12.47、11.00、10.61、19.13,均P<0.05);横截断面神经1周后4组瞬目反应评分的差异有统计学意义(F=29.06,P<0.05),其中D组分别低于A组和B组(均P<0.01);横截断面神经1周后,刺激面神经吻合口近头端及移植神经中点,4组的MAPs波幅及波幅下面积的差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为27.56、11.86、6.33、4.65,均P<0.05),其中D组的MAPs波幅及波幅下面积均低于A组(均P<0.05)。神经元逆行示踪显示,4组的面神经核内阳性神经元计数的差异有统计学意义(F=6.52,P<0.05),其中D组的阳性神经元数量分别低于A组和B组(均P<0.05)。4组的面神经干及移植神经中段髓鞘计数差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为8.33、6.35,均P<0.05),其中A组分别高于C组和D组(均P<0.05)。结论面-舌吻合术中保留面神经结构完整性具有积极意义,至少保留2/3再生面神经对眼轮匝肌恢复有利。     

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯对宫内生长受限大鼠肝脏脂代谢的影响和机制

目的 探讨表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯（EGCG）对宫内生长受限（IUGR）大鼠肝脏脂代谢的影响和机制。方法 采用母鼠孕期全程限食法建立IUGR大鼠模型，随机分为IUGR组和EGCG组，EGCG组大鼠在离乳后用含EGCG的饮用水喂养至10周，同时设立正常对照组，每组8只。13周龄时，测量各组大鼠体重后，采集大鼠血液及肝脏组织标本，检测各组大鼠血清空腹总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）、血糖（FPG）、胰岛素（FINS）和肝脏脂质水平，计算稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗（HOMA-IR）和脂肪组织胰岛素抵抗（adipo-IR），观察肝脏组织病理切片，并采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测肝脏相关基因的相对表达水平。结果 13周龄时，各组大鼠体重比较差异无统计学意义（P=0.067）。各组间的FPG、FFA、FINS、HOMA-IR和adipo-IR水平比较差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。各组间的血清TC和TG水平比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05），但在肝脏中IUGR组TC和TG水平均明显高于EGCG组（P < 0.05）。油红染色结果提示，IUGR大鼠的肝脏脂肪储积明显增加，而EGCG能够改善该现象。PCR结果显示，与对照组相比，IUGR组的Ampk mRNA及Adipor1 mRNA表达水平降低，Srebf1 mRNA表达水平增加（P < 0.05），EGCG能逆转IUGR大鼠Ampk mRNA及Srebf1 mRNA的表达水平，且与对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论 早期EGCG干预可能通过Ampk/Srebf1通路下调脂肪酸的从头合成，并通过改善肝细胞的胰岛素抵抗，从而降低IUGR大鼠的肝脏脂肪积累。     

泛素特异性蛋白酶25在颞叶癫痫大鼠颞叶皮质中表达变化的实验研究

目的探讨海人酸点燃杏仁核大鼠颞叶癫痫模型颞叶皮质中泛素特异性蛋白酶25(USP25)的表达情况。方法将52只SD雄性大鼠按随机数字表法分为癫痫模型组(共39只)和假手术对照组(简称对照组,13只)。癫痫模型组建立海人酸点燃杏仁核大鼠颞叶癫痫模型,再按构建成功的时间分为3组(构建成功1 d为急性期组、构建成功7 d为潜伏期组、构建成功30 d为慢性期组,每组各13只),在观察结束时取材。对照组在杏仁核注入生理盐水,与癫痫模型组伴随取材。免疫组织化学染色及免疫荧光双标法检测USP25在颞叶皮质中的表达及与神经元(NeuN)和星形胶质细胞(GFAP)的共定位情况;实时荧光定量PCR法和蛋白免疫印迹法检测USP25在颞叶皮质中的表达变化。结果在注药侧颞叶皮质中,癫痫模型组USP25与NeuN的共定位阳性细胞在癫痫后期增加,USP25 mRNA及蛋白水平在癫痫发作不同时期的表达差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为25.48、7.68,均P<0.05)。与对照组(mRNA:1.00±0.36;蛋白:1.00±0.46)比较,潜伏期组(mRNA:10.80±4.82;蛋白:1.88±0.32)和慢性期组(mRNA:12.97±4.48;蛋白:1.92±0.26)的表达水平显著增加,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。在未注药侧皮质中,USP25 mRNA及蛋白水平在癫痫发作不同时期的表达差异也均有统计学意义(F值分别为86.86、6.65,均P<0.05)。结论颞叶皮质中USP25的表达在癫痫大鼠潜伏期后增加,提示去泛素化通路参与颞叶癫痫的慢性病理过程。     

Coconut oil protects against light-induced retina degeneration in male Wistar rats

The retinoprotective effect of Cocos nucifera oil (CNO) was investigated. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 140?g and 180?g were randomly divided into four groups comprising of five animals each. The control group received distilled water. Retinal degeneration was induced in the remaining three groups by exposing the animals to 5,000?lux of bright white light for two hours. Prior to the light exposure, the light model group (LMG) received distilled water for 14 days, low Cocos nucifera oil (LCNO) group received 5?ml/kg of CNO for 14 days, and the high Cocos nucifera oil (HCNO) group received 10?ml/kg of CNO for 14 days. The treatments continued for 7 days after exposure to light. On the eight day, the animals were euthanised and their retinas isolated. The right retinas and occipital cortices of the animals were prepared for histological evaluation while the homogenates of the left retinas were used for biochemical assay. The results show that CNO significantly (p?<?0.05) reduced caspase-3 activity from 1.15?±?0.054?ng/ml to 0.434?±?0.095?ng/ml (LMG versus LCNO) and malondialdehyde concentration. There was no significant difference in the total antioxidant capacity in the retinas of the rats. However, LMG showed a significant increase in catalase activity. CNO was able to preserve the retinal morphology while LMG showed a distorted retinal layer and significant reduction (p?<?0.05) in retina thickness. CNO was unable to prevent perineural vacuolations in the occipital cortices of the rats. In conclusion, Cocos nucifera oil produced retino-protective effect via anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.     

Oral administration of BDNF and/or GDNF normalizes serum BDNF level in the olfactory bulbectomized rats: A proof of concept study

BackgroundNeurotrophins, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have gained significant therapeutic interest particularly in neurologic and psychiatric disorders and they have been found in human breast milk of mothers who suffered from adverse outcomes in pregnancy. This study tested the hypothesis that oral administration of BDNF/GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) can exert a biological effect in a rat model of severe neuropathology induced by olfactory bulbectomy (OBX), which exhibits dysregulation of BDNF signaling and impaired blood-brain barrier.MethodsAdult male albino Sprague-Dawley rats underwent the OBX surgery and separate groups of OBX and sham-operated controls received one oral dose of vehicle, BDNF (0.005 mg/kg), GDNF (0.03 mg/kg) or their combination. One week after neurotrophin dosing the rats were sacrificed and BDNF level was assessed by ELISA in the blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid.ResultsA significant decrease of serum BDNF level was found in the OBX model. This alteration was normalized by all types of treatment BDNF, GDNF, or their combination. No influence of sham surgery or treatment was observed in the control rats. BDNF levels in cerebrospinal fluid were below detection limit.ConclusionThis study indicates that oral administration of neurotrophins is able to exert a biological effect in the OBX model. There is a number of potential mechanisms, which remain to be elucidated.     

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ激动剂对脊髓损伤后大鼠自噬相关蛋白表达的抑制作用

目的探讨过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）激动剂对脊髓损伤后大鼠自噬相关蛋白表达的抑制作用。 方法将60只大鼠分为假手术组、模型组、激动剂组及抑制剂组，每组各15只。通过椎板切除术暴露脊髓，用无菌动脉夹在T6-T7节段硬膜外压迫脊髓造成脊髓损伤模型。假手术组大鼠只接受椎板切除术，激动剂组及抑制剂组大鼠分别在脊髓损伤后腹腔注射PPARγ激动剂罗格列酮和PPARγ抑制剂GW9662（2 mg/kg，每2小时1次）。假手术组和模型组大鼠给予腹腔注射等剂量的等渗NaCl溶液。使用Tarlov’s评分法评估各组大鼠脊髓损伤后3、5、7、14、21、28 d后肢运动功能。采用Western-blotting检测脊髓损伤区组织LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值、beclin-1及组织蛋白酶D蛋白的表达水平。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测脊髓损伤区PPARγ mRNA的表达水平。 结果4组大鼠在各时间点运动功能评分比较，差异具有统计学意义（F = 25.674，P < 0.001）。与假手术组相比，其余各组大鼠脊髓损伤后3、5、7、14、21、28 d运动功能评分均显著降低（P均< 0.05）。激动剂组大鼠在脊髓损伤后3、5、7、14、21、28 d运动功能评分均高于模型组及抑制剂组大鼠（P均< 0.05）。4组大鼠脊髓损伤后3 d自噬相关蛋白LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值、beclin-1、组织蛋白酶D的蛋白及PPARγ mRNA表达水平比较，差异均有统计学意义（F = 238.213、28.268、172.563、32.492，P均< 0.001）。与假手术组比较，模型组、激动剂组及抑制剂组大鼠自噬相关蛋白LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值、beclin-1、组织蛋白酶D的蛋白及PPARγ mRNA表达水平均显著升高（P均< 0.05）。且与激动剂组比较，模型组及抑制剂组大鼠LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值及PPARγ mRNA均显著降低，而beclin-1及组织蛋白酶D的蛋白表达均显著升高（P均< 0.05）。 结论大鼠脊髓损伤后，PPARγ激动剂可以通过下调自噬相关蛋白的表达，促进神经功能的恢复。     

Evaluation and prediction of powder flowability in pharmaceutical tableting

The focus of this study is to establish a characterization method determining the powder flowability in context of tableting. At first, flowability of different materials is measured using the ring shear tester, and its prediction from particle size is established. Next, the model die-filling system is presented which is a modified version of previous studies. Using this system, flowability of different materials is measured at varying die speeds. A new curve fit to assess die fill ratio vs die speed is suggested improving predictability, and a novel flowability metric, “Die Fill Index” (DFI), is derived. The DFI is appropriate to describe flowability for most of the tested materials, and sensitivity of a material with respect to tableting speed. A correlation is generated predicting DFI from particle size. Additionally, it is shown that model die filling is the preferable method to assess flowability for tableting compared to ring shear tester.