Poultry husbandry,water, sanitation,and hygiene practices,and child anthropometry in rural Burkina Faso

Poultry production in low income countries provides households with nutrient‐rich meat and egg products, as well as cash income. However, traditional production systems present potential health and nutrition risks because poultry scavenging around household compounds may increase children's exposure to livestock‐related pathogens. Data from a cross‐sectional survey were analysed to examine associations between poultry, water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, and anthropometric indicators in children (6–59 months; n = 3,230) in Burkina Faso. Multilevel regression was used to account for the hierarchical nature of the data. The prevalence of stunting and wasting in children 6–24 months was 19% and 17%, respectively, compared with a prevalence of 26% and 6%, respectively, in children 25–60 months. Over 90% of households owned poultry, and chicken faeces were visible in 70% of compounds. Caregivers reported that 3% of children consumed eggs during a 24‐hr recall. The presence of poultry faeces was associated with poultry flock size, poultry‐husbandry and household hygiene practices. Having an improved water source and a child visibly clean was associated with higher height‐for‐age z scores (HAZ). The presence of chicken faeces was associated with lower weight‐for‐height z scores, and no associations were found with HAZ. Low levels of poultry flock size and poultry consumption in Burkina Faso suggest there is scope to expand production and improve diets in children, including increasing chicken and egg consumption. However, to minimize potential child health risks associated with expanding informal poultry production, research is required to understand the mechanisms through which cohabitation with poultry adversely affects child health and design interventions to minimize these risks.     

Kinetics of conversion of two dual-cured adhesive systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of conversion of Scotchbond Multi-purpose Plus (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN) and Prime&Bond NT (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany) used in light-cured, self-cured, or dual-cured versions. The adhesive systems were used in the light-cured version (without the use of chemical initiator) or mixed with its respective chemical initiator either with light activation (dual-cured) or not (self-cured). The degree of conversion (DC) was monitored as a function of time during 5 minutes with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance device. Light-cured and dual-cured modes of Scotchbond Multi-purpose Plus presented the highest DC at 5 minutes. The addition of the self-cure activator (dual-cured mode) to Prime&Bond NT reduced the DC. For the self-cured versions, only the Scotchbond Multi-purpose Plus presented any polymerization reaction at 5 minutes. For the two bonding systems tested, it appears that light curing of the adhesive is important in order to reach a high DC in the first moments after the bonding procedure.     

Specificities of rabbit anti-human insulin receptor antibodies.

Human insulin receptors obtained from normal human placentae were highly purified by affinity chromatography and used to immunize rabbits. The immunological response was evaluated in order to reveal the presence of antibodies blocking the binding of insulin to monocytes of normal subjects. Since no blocking activity was found IgG from rabbits were coupled to agarose in order to evaluate the presence of antibodies directed to determinant(s) other than the insulin binding site. One rabbit was found to produce antibodies binding the insulin receptor on a site different from the insulin binding site.     

Radiofrequency ablation vs surgical resection in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Milan criteria

BACKGROUNDSurgical resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) represent two possible strategy in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Milan criteria.AIMTo evaluate short- and long-term outcome in elderly patients (> 70 years) with HCC in Milan criteria, which underwent liver resection (LR) or RFA.METHODSThe study included 594 patients with HCC in Milan criteria (429 in LR group and 165 in RFA group) managed in 10 European centers. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method before and after propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression.RESULTSAfter PSM, we compared 136 patients in the LR group with 136 patients in the RFA group. Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 91%, 80%, and 76% in the LR group and 97%, 67%, and 41% in the RFA group respectively (P = 0.001). Disease-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 84%, 60% and 44% for the LR group, and 63%, 36%, and 25% for the RFA group (P = 0.001).Postoperative Clavien-Dindo III-IV complications were lower in the RFA group (1% vs 11%, P = 0.001) in association with a shorter length of stay (2 d vs 7 d, P = 0.001).In multivariate analysis, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (> 10) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.89], increased value of international normalized ratio (> 1.3) (OR = 1.60), treatment with radiofrequency (OR = 1.46) ,and multiple nodules (OR = 1.19) were independent predictors of a poor overall survival while a high MELD score (> 10) (OR = 1.51) and radiofrequency (OR = 1.37) were independent factors associated with a higher recurrence rate.CONCLUSIONDespite a longer length of stay and a higher rate of severe postoperative complications, surgery provided better results in long-term oncological outcomes as compared to ablation in elderly patients (> 70 years) with HCC in Milan criteria.     

Microleakage of seven adhesive systems in enamel and dentin

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of seven adhesive systems on two substrates (enamel and dentin). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Class V cavities were performed in buccal and lingual surfaces of 56 bovine incisors. The cervical margin was located in dentin and the incisal margin in enamel. The specimens were randomly divided into seven groups (n=16), according to the adhesive system employed: Single Bond; Excite; One Step Plus; Gluma One Bond; Magic Bond; One Up Bond F; and One Coat Bond. The cavities were incrementally filled with a hybrid composite Filtek Z250 and polymerized with a XL 3000 light curing unit. After polishing, the specimens were submitted to thermal cycling followed by dye immersion. Leakage was evaluated under magnification (40X) based on a standard ranking. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis). RESULTS: Enamel margins exhibited lower leakage than dentin margins (p<0.01). The majority of the specimens were leakage-free and materials performed similarly. Conversely, in dentin most of the specimens exhibited the highest leakage degree and significant differences among materials (p<0.05) were found, with Excite exhibiting the lowest leakage degree. It was concluded enamel provided better sealing and the adhesive system was a significant factor only in dentin.