Setting priorities in global child health research investments: assessment of principles and practice

This article reviews theoretical and practical approaches for setting priorities in global child health research investments. It also provides an overview of previous attempts to develop appropriate tools and methodologies to define priorities in health research investments. A brief review of the most important theoretical concepts that should govern priority setting processes is undertaken, showing how different perspectives, such as medical, economical, legal, ethical, social, political, rational, philosophical, stakeholder driven, and others will necessarily conflict each other in determining priorities. We specially address present research agenda in global child health today and how it relates to United Nation's (UN) Millennium Development Goal 4, which is to reduce child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. The outcomes of these former approaches are evaluated and their benefits and shortcomings presented. The case for a new methodology for setting priorities in health research investments is presented, as proposed by Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative, and a need for its implementation in global child health is outlined. A transdisciplinary approach is needed to address all the perspectives from which investments into health research can be seen as priorities. This prioritization requires a process that is transparent, systematic, and that would take into account many perspectives and build on advantages of previous approaches.     

Cyclin D1 and t(11;14)-positive B-cell neoplasms resembling marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a morphological variant of mantle cell lymphoma

We describe 3 unusual B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in which the entire tumors histologically mimicked marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. All patients were male (mean age, 65 years). Excisional biopsy from lymph node (2 of 3) and parotid gland (1 of 3) showed proliferation of monocytoid B-cells with plasmacytoid features (2 of 3) and conspicuous absence of large lymphoma cells (3 of 3). By immunohistochemistry, cyclin D1 was positive (3 of 3), CD23 was negative (3 of 3), and aberrant expression of CD5/CD43 was present in 1 case. Ki67 labeling was greater than 50% in 1 case and 10% to 25% in the other 2 cases. Evidence of the t(11;14) was detectable in all by molecular techniques. One patient died within 15 months, and the other 2 patients had widely disseminated diseases at the last follow-up (8 months). Based on these features, we believed that the best classification for these lesions is the marginal zone B-cell lymphoma-like mantle cell lymphoma.     

Distinguishability for magnetic resonance-electrical impedance tomography (MR-EIT)

A distinguishability measure is defined for magnetic resonance-electrical impedance tomography (MR-EIT) based on magnetic flux density measurements. This general definition is valid for 2D and 3D structures of any shape. As a specific case, a 2D cylindrical body with concentric inhomogeneity is considered and a bound of the distinguishability is analytically formulated. Distinguishabilities obtained with potential and magnetic flux density measurements are compared.     

Work related injuries in Qatar: a framework for prevention and control

Work related injuries (WRIs) are a growing public health concern that remains under-recognized, inadequately addressed and largely unmeasured in low and middle-income countries (LMIC’s). However, even in high-income countries, such as those in Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) like Qatar, there are challenges in assuring the health and safety of its labor population. Countries in the GCC have been rapidly developing as a result of the economic boom from the petrochemical industry during the early seventies. Economic prosperity has propelled the migration of workers from less developed countries to make up for the human resource deficiency to develop its infrastructure, service and hospitality industries. Although these countries have gradually made huge gains in health, economy and human development index, including improvements in life expectancy, education, and standard of living, there remains a high incidence of work-related injuries especially in jobs in the construction and petrochemical sector. Currently, there is scarcity of literature on work-related injuries, especially empirical studies documenting the burden, characteristics and risk factors of work injuries and the work injured population, which includes large numbers of migrant workers in many GCC countries. This paper will focus on the current understanding of WRIs in those countries and identify the gaps in current approaches to workplace injury prevention, outlining current status of WRI prevention efforts in Qatar, and propose a framework of concerted action by multi-sectoral engagement.     

Long-term effect of hand-arm vibration on thermotactile perception thresholds

Background

Occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) is known to cause neurological symptoms such as numbness, reduced manual dexterity, grip strength and sensory perception. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to compare thermotactile perception thresholds for cold (TPT_C) and warmth (TPT_W) among vibration exposed manual workers and unexposed white collar workers during a follow-up period of 16 years to elucidate if long-term vibration exposure is related to a change in TPT over time.

Methods

The study group consisted of male workers at a production workshop at which some of them were exposed to HTV. They were investigated in 1992 and followed-up in 2008. All participants were physically examined and performed TPT bilaterally at the middle and distal phalanges of the second finger. Two different vibration exposure dosages were calculated for each individual, i.e. the individual cumulative lifetime dose (mh/s²) or a lifetime 8-h equivalent daily exposure (m/s²).

Results

A significant mean threshold difference was found for all subjects of about 4–5 °C and 1–2 °C in TPT_W and TPT_C, respectively, between follow-up and baseline. No significant mean difference in TPT_C between vibration exposed and non-exposed workers at each occasion could be stated to exist. For TPT_W a small but significant difference was found for the right index finger only. Age was strongly related to thermotactile perception threshold. The 8-h equivalent exposure level (A (8)) dropped from about 1.3 m/s² in 1992 to about 0.7 m/s² in 2008.

Conclusions

A lifetime 8-h equivalent daily exposure to hand-transmitted vibration less than 1.3 m/s² does not have a significant effect on thermotactile perception. Age, however, has a significant impact on the change of temperature perception thresholds why this covariate has to be considered when using TPT as a tool for health screening.

     

Development and validation of UPLC-PDA method for concurrent analysis of bergenin and menisdaurin in aerial parts of Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.)

Bergenin and menisdaurin are biologically active components which are found in plant Flueggea virosa (Phyllanthaceae). Bergenin has pharmacological actions such as chemopreventive and antihepatotoxic while menisdaurin has an anti-viral activity which needs its evaluation by an analytical method (UPLC-PDA method) that can be applied to the quality control of pharmaceutical preparations. The developed UPLC-PDA method was applied for identification and quantification of standards bergenin and menisdaurin in the methanol extract of F. virosa (FVME). The analysis was carried out using Eclipse C18 (4.6?×?100?mm, 3.5?µm) UPLC column. The optimized chromatographic condition was achieved at 0.16?mL/min flow rate using gradient system with acetonitrile and water as mobile phase. Both biomarkers were measured at λ_max 235?nm in PDA detector at ambient temperature. The developed method furnished sharp and intense peaks of menisdaurin and bergenin at Rt?=?2.723 and 3.068?min, respectively along with r2?>?0.99 for both. The recoveries of bergenin and menisdaurin were found in the range of 99.37–101.49% and 98.20–100.08%, respectively. With other validation data, including precision, specificity, accuracy, and robustness, this method demonstrated excellent reliability and sensitivity. The separation parameters i.e. retention, separation, and resolution factors for resolved standards (bergenin and menisdaurin) were >1, which showed good separation. The quantity of bergenin and menisdaurin in the FVME sample was found as 15.16 and 3.28% w/w, respectively. The developed UPLC-PDA method could be conveniently adopted for the routine quality control analysis.