MicroRNA from tuberculosis RNA: A bioinformatics study

The role of microRNA in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis is the interesting topic in chest medicine at present. Recently, it was proposed that the microRNA can be a useful biomarker for monitoring of pulmonary tuberculosis and might be the important part in pathogenesis of disease. Here, the authors perform a bioinformatics study to assess the microRNA within known tuberculosis RNA. The microRNA part can be detected and this can be important key information in further study of the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis.     

Innovation and participation for healthy public policy: the first National Health Assembly in Thailand

Aim This paper aims to describe and disseminate the process and initial outcomes of the first National Health Assembly (NHA) in Thailand, as an innovative example of health policy making. Setting The first NHA, held in December 2008 in Bangkok, brought together over 1500 people from government agencies, academia, civil society, health professionals and the private sector to discuss key health issues and produce resolutions to guide policy making. It adapted the approach used at the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization. Method Findings are derived from a literature review, document analysis, and the views and experiences of the authors, two of whom contributed to the organization of the NHA and two of whom were invited external observers. Results Fourteen agenda items were discussed and resolutions passed. Potential early impacts on policy making have included an increase in the 2010 public budget for Thailand’s universal health coverage scheme as total public expenditure has decreased; cabinet endorsement of proposed Strategies for Universal Access to Medicines for Thai People; and establishment of National Commissions on Health Impact Assessment and Trade and Health. Discussion The NHA was successful in bringing together various actors and sectors involved in the social production of health, including groups often marginalized in policy making. It provides an innovative model of how governments may be able to increase public participation and intersectoral collaboration that could be adapted in other contexts. Significant challenges remain in ensuring full participation of interested groups and in implementing, and monitoring the impact of, the resolutions passed.     

中、低收入国家卫生智囊团的实践经验影响政策改变

近年来,中、低收入国家独立卫生政策研究机构的数量与日俱增,原因在于政府研究能力有限和民主化进程中的压力。本研究的目标是：（1）调查中﹑低收入国家中卫生政策研究机构对卫生政策的议程设置﹑制定﹑执行、监管和评估所作的贡献;（2）评估包括组织形式和结构在内的哪些因素支持中﹑低收入国家的卫生政策研究机构对卫生政策发挥积极作用。本研究在孟加拉﹑加纳﹑印度﹑南非﹑乌干达和越南选取了6家卫生政策研究机构开展案例研究,研究对象包括两个非政府组织、两所大学和两个政府办政策研究机构。案例研究通过文献查阅、财务信息分析、对工作人员和其他利益相关人员进行半结构式访谈,以及对结论草案进行多次反馈等方式开展。其中有些机构对他们各自国家的政策发展作出了巨大贡献。这些机构都积极建言献策,多数从事与政策相关的研究,而开展政治对话﹑系统评价或委托性研究的机构则相对较少。这些机构所开展的工作大多以政府或出资人的需求为导向,多数机构的主要成果一般为研究报告,经常与面向政府官员的口头汇报相结合。在支持对政策的有效参与方面,有几个关键因素,其中包括支持性的政策环境﹑管理和财务的相对独立性,以及与决策者建立可增进信任和影响的密切关系。当研究机构与政府之间的正式关系未处在重要位置时,政府内部单位则面临相当大的困难。