Cancer incidence in a rural population of South Africa, 1998–2002

Cancer incidence rates and patterns are reported for a rural population, living in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the period 1998–2002. The population‐based cancer registry has operated for 20 years, using both active and passive methods for case finding, through collaborations with 19 health facilities: 11 district hospitals, 7 referral hospitals and 1 regional laboratory. The age standardized incidence rates for all cancers were 73.1 per 100,000 in males and 64.1 per 100,000 in females. The leading top 5 cancers for males were oesophagus (32.7 per 100,000), lung (5.8 per 100,000), prostate (4.4 per 100,000), liver (4.4 per 100,000) and larynx (2.5 per 100,000) whereas for females they were cervix (21.7 per 100,000), oesophagus (20.2 per 100,000), breast (7.5 per 100,000), ovary (0.9 per 100,000) and liver (0.9 per 100,000). The incidence of Kaposi sarcoma was low, and higher for males (1.6 per 100,000) than females (0.3 per 100,000). Lung cancer in both males and females was relatively low compared to the high incidence of oesophagus cancer.     

Results of the influenza virus surveillance in wild birds in Western part of Mongolia

ObjectiveTo present results of virological study of wild birds inhabiting Western Mongolia.MethodsOver a period of 2003–2008, we isolated 13 influenza A viruses: H1N1, H3N6, H13N8 and H4N6 subtypes. We did not isolate any H5N1 subtype, that still cause epizooty in wild birds and poultry.ResultsWe revealed taxonomic and ecological heterogeneity of the birds involved in maintenance of circulation of influenza viruses in the given territory. Influenza viruses were isolated from birds of 6 orders; among them there are species preferring water and semi-aquatic biotopes, one species preferring dry plain region, and also one species which can inhabit both dry and water biotopes.ConclusionsRepresentatives of all main orders of Western Mongolia avifauna are involved in support of influenza A virus circulation, highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses were registered in Mongolia thus it's necessary to continue permanent influenza virus surveillance in wild birds' populations.     

Pattern and antibiogram of urinary tract infection at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence, pathogenicity, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of urinary tract infections at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.MethodsSamples from 400 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of urinary tract infection including 250 non pregnant females and 150 males were used for this study. They were distributed into two groups: children aged 2 to 17 (Group A) and adults aged 18 to 75 (Group B). The standard wire loop and agar diffusion technique were employed for culture and susceptibility testing, respectively. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS, version 14.Results30.0% of Group A and 41.0% of Group B had significant bacteriuria with 66.7% and 79.3% as females, respectively. The commonest isolates cultured were Escherichia coli (32.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.2%), and Klebsiella spp. (16.4%). About 76.6% of isolates were sensitive to the fluorinated quinolones, 31.2% to the aminoglycosides, and 22.7% to the urinary antiseptic, nitrofurantoin. The isolates were non-sensitive to tetracycline (93.8%), cotrimoxazole (92.2%), and nalidixic acid (86.7%). Most isolates showed non-uniform sensitivity patterns to the cephaloporins (cefuroxime and ceftazidime). Pseudomonas spp. isolates were generally resistant to the fluorinated quinolones.ConclusionThough the fluorinated quinolones are still largely effective for empirical therapy in urinary tract infections, the importance of prior sensitivity testing in checking the emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance can not be overemphasized.     

基于雌激素浅谈逆针灸预防围绝经期女性高血压病的可行性

女性进入围绝经期后,随着雌激素分泌水平的下降,高血压病的患病率逐年升高。鉴于其不可治愈性,对"高血压前期"给予早期有效的干预,控制高血压病的发生发展,是当前预防围绝经期女性高血压病的有效措施。然而指南指出激素替代疗法和雌激素受体调节剂均不应用于围绝经期女性心血管疾病的预防,针灸作为一种既能同时调节血压和雌激素,又没有明显副作用的治疗方式,给围绝经期女性高血压病的预防带来了新的希望。文章通过探讨针灸、雌激素和高血压病三者的关系,阐释逆针灸预防围绝经期女性高血压病的可行性,为临床诊治提供参考。     

Effects of Numerical Versus Foreground-Only Icon Displays on Understanding of Risk Magnitudes

The aim of this work is to advance knowledge of how to measure gist and verbatim understanding of risk magnitude information and to apply this knowledge to address whether graphics that focus on the number of people affected (the numerator of the risk ratio, i.e., the foreground) are effective displays for increasing (a) understanding of absolute and relative risk magnitudes and (b) risk avoidance. In 2 experiments, the authors examined the effects of a graphical display that used icons to represent the foreground information on measures of understanding (Experiments 1 and 2) and on perceived risk, affect, and risk aversion (Experiment 2). Consistent with prior findings, this foreground-only graphical display increased perceived risk and risk aversion; however, it also led to decreased understanding of absolute (although not relative) risk magnitudes. Methodologically, this work shows the importance of distinguishing understanding of absolute risk from understanding of relative risk magnitudes, and the need to assess gist knowledge of both types of risk. Substantively, this work shows that although using foreground-only graphical displays is an appealing risk communication strategy to increase risk aversion, doing so comes at the cost of decreased understanding of absolute risk magnitudes.