Rubella in Orkney: seroepidemiology and vaccination

Rubella haemagglutination inhibiting (HAI) antibody titres were determined in 54 seronegative women and 31 naturally immune women after vaccination and revaccination with Wistar RA27/3 strain rubella vaccine administered by the intranasal or subcutaneous routes or revaccination with the Cendehill strain administered subcutaneously. In addition, HAI antibody titres were determined in 46 seronegative schoolgirls after vaccination with the Cendehill strain and revaccination with the RA27/3 strain.     

Suicide in Asia: opportunities and challenges

Asian countries account for approximately 60% of the world's suicides, but there is a great mismatch in the region between the scale of the problem and the resources available to tackle it. Despite certain commonalities, the continent itself is culturally, economically, and socially diverse. This paper reviews current epidemiologic patterns of suicide, including suicide trends, sociodemographic factors, urban/rural living, suicide methods, sociocultural religious influences, and risk and protective factors in Asia, as well as their implications. The observed epidemiologic distributions of suicides reflect complex interplays among the traditional value/culture system, rapid economic transitions under market globalization, availability/desirability of suicide methods, and sociocultural permission/prohibitions regarding suicides. In general, compared with Western countries, Asian countries still have a higher average suicide rate, lower male-to-female suicide gender ratio, and higher elderly-to-general-population suicide ratios. The role of mental illness in suicide is not as important as that in Western countries. In contrast, aggravated by access to lethal means in Asia (e.g., pesticide poisoning and jumping), acute life stress (e.g., family conflicts, job and financial security issues) plays a more important role than it does in Western countries. Some promising suicide prevention programs in Asia are illustrated. Considering the specific socioeconomic and cultural aspects of the region, community-based suicide intervention programs integrating multiple layers of intervention targets may be the most feasible and cost-effective strategy in Asia, with its populous areas and limited resources.     

Malaria in France: Mainland and territories

Malaria, which was eliminated first from Metropolitan France (mainland and Corsica), then in the French West Indies and the Reunion Island during the 20^th century, remains endemic in two French territories: French Guiana and the Indian Ocean Mayotte island. Despite differences in the dominating plasmodial species and epidemiological patterns, these two territories have achieved marked quantitative improvements (in the reported number of cases and severe cases) thanks to efforts undertaken over the past decade. The situation, however, remains a concern from a qualitative standpoint with the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs and logistical and administrative issues which hinder access to treatment. Although malaria was eradicated in Metropolitan France half a century ago, competent vectors remain present in part or all of these territories and can give rise to limited outbreaks.     

Epilepsy in childhood: diagnosis and therapy

Epilepsy in childhood is a very frequent disease. Diagnosis is not easy due to many types of provoked seizures in children. The main diagnostic tool is the medical history. Home video of the paroxysmal event can help the pediatric neurologist, too. The most important laboratory investigation is the EEG but sometime it is not informative. The best provocation of EEG is the sleep deprivation. It is important to register the electrical activity during sleep because in a lot of epileptic syndromes in childhood the pathological abnormalities can be seen only during sleep. The prognosis improved due to the new antiepileptic drugs and the development of epileptic surgery.     

Trends in Practicum and Internship Requirements:

A national survey was conducted to ascertain whether practicum and internship requirements differed between programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and non-CACREP accredited programs. A questionnaire was designed and sent to counselor education programs. Questionnaires were returned by 309 programs representing 24 accredited programs and 285 non-accredited programs. The results show that accredited and non-accredited programs differed significantly with regard to total clock hours required In practicum, hours of individual supervision required weekly in practicum and internship, and hours of individual supervision with the on-site supervisor. The two groups did not differ significantly with regard to total clock hours requlred in internship and hours of group supervision per week for students enrolled in practicum and internship.     

Inflammation: roles in aging and sarcopenia

Aging is associated with inflammatory chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and arthritis. Sarcopenia-muscle loss with aging-is multifactorial with contributing factors that may include loss of alpha-motor neuron input, changes in anabolic hormones, decreased intake of dietary protein, and decline in physical activity. Research findings suggest that sarcopenia is a smoldering inflammatory state driven by cytokines and oxidative stress. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein are often detected. Sarcopenic obesity manifests the added inflammatory burden of adiposity and associated adipokines. Potential interventions for sarcopenia include nutritional supplements, physical activity/resistance exercise, caloric restriction, anabolic hormones, anti-inflammatory agents, and antioxidants. A key question is whether sarcopenia is truly a distinct syndrome or a milder form of a cachexia continuum.