慢性丙型肝炎患者α干扰素和α干扰素受体1的检测

目的建立检测外周血单个核细胞α干扰素受体1(IFNAR1)及检测诱导表达α干扰素(IFN-α)的方法,评价慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)细胞免疫功能与α干扰素治疗的关系。方法Poly IC体外刺激正常对照组和慢性丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染组患者PBMC,利用病毒保护试验研究干扰素治疗前后患者PBMC表达的干扰素抗病毒生物学活性差异;IFN-α治疗前后,RT-PCR检测慢性丙型肝炎患者不同干扰素应答组患者PBMC IFNAR1表达的变化。结果对照组PBMC分泌的干扰素活性显著高于慢性丙型肝炎患者应答组患者(P<0.001);干扰素应答组患者PBMC分泌的干扰素活性随治疗时间延长而增加,治疗1个月后显著高于无应答组患者PBMC分泌的干扰素活性(P<0.01),后者始终处于低下水平;IFN-α治疗期间干扰素应答组患者PBMC IFNAR1水平从治疗前的高表达而逐渐减少,正常对照和干扰素无应答组患者PBMC IFNAR1的表达始终较低。结论慢性HCV感染患者的细胞免疫功能受损,不能正常表达IFN-α,但应答组患者经干扰素治疗后IFN-α表达能力逐渐恢复;干扰素无应答组患者PBMC IFNAR1表达受到严重抑制;慢性丙型肝炎患者PBMCIFN-α活性检测及IFNAR1检测结果也许可以作为干扰素治疗预后的判断指标。     

Sleep and recovery in physicians on night call: a longitudinal field study

Background  

It is well known that physicians' night-call duty may cause impaired performance and adverse effects on subjective health, but there is limited knowledge about effects on sleep duration and recovery time. In recent years occupational stress and impaired well-being among anaesthesiologists have been frequently reported for in the scientific literature. Given their main focus on handling patients with life-threatening conditions, when on call, one might expect sleep and recovery to be negatively affected by work, especially in this specialist group. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a 16-hour night-call schedule allowed for sufficient recovery in anaesthesiologists compared with other physician specialists handling less life-threatening conditions, when on call.     

Associations between street connectivity and active transportation

Background  

Past studies of associations between measures of the built environment, particularly street connectivity, and active transportation (AT) or leisure walking/bicycling have largely failed to account for spatial autocorrelation of connectivity variables and have seldom examined both the propensity for AT and its duration in a coherent fashion. Such efforts could improve our understanding of the spatial and behavioral aspects of AT. We analyzed spatially identified data from Los Angeles and San Diego Counties collected as part of the 2001 California Health Interview Survey.     

Does chair type influence outcome in the timed “up and go” test in older persons?

Objective  

To test the effects of the use of a collapsible, portable chair (chair B), as opposed to a ‘standard’ chair (chair A), on the outcome of the timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test.     

Exercise and global well-being in community-dwelling adults with fibromyalgia: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background  

Exercise has been recommended for improving global-well being in adults with fibromyalgia. However, no meta-analysis has determined the effects of exercise on global well-being using a single instrument and when analyzed separately according to intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The purpose of this study was to fill that gap.     

Surviving crack: a qualitative study of the strategies and tactics developed by Brazilian users to deal with the risks associated with the drug

Background  

Due to marginalization, trafficking violence, conflicts with the police and organic and social psychological problems associated with the drug, crack is one of the most devastating drugs currently in use. However, there is evidence that some users manage to stay alive and active while using crack cocaine for many years, despite the numerous adversities and risks involved with this behavior. In this context, the aim of the present study was to identify the strategies and tactics developed by crack users to deal with the risks associated with the culture of use by examining the survival strategies employed by long-term users.     

Identifying malaria vector breeding habitats with remote sensing data and terrain-based landscape indices in Zambia

Background  

Malaria, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in southern Zambia. In the Mapanza Chiefdom, where transmission is seasonal, Anopheles arabiensis is the dominant malaria vector. The ability to predict larval habitats can help focus control measures.     

Reframing climate change as a public health issue: an exploratory study of public reactions

Background  

Climate change is taking a toll on human health, and some leaders in the public health community have urged their colleagues to give voice to its health implications. Previous research has shown that Americans are only dimly aware of the health implications of climate change, yet the literature on issue framing suggests that providing a novel frame - such as human health - may be potentially useful in enhancing public engagement. We conducted an exploratory study in the United States of people's reactions to a public health-framed short essay on climate change.