The Impact of Socio-Economic Determinants on the Vaccination Rates with Rotavirus and Human Papiloma Virus Vaccine

Background

Socio-economic inequalities may have an impact on the uptake of selfpaid vaccines. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of some socio economic determinants on vaccination rates with self-paid human papilloma virus (HPV) and rotavirus (RV) vaccines.

Methods

Vaccination coverage data, available in electronic database cepljenje.net (administered by the National Institute of Public Health), were collected at administrative unit level. The socio-economic determinants (the average gross pay in euros, the unemployment rate, the educational and households structure, the population density, the number of inhabitants, the number of children aged from 0 to 4, the number of women aged from 15 to 30) were extracted from Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia web page. The strength of the correlation between socioeconomic variables and self-paid HPV and RV vaccination rates was determined.

Results

Rotavirus vaccination rates show a slight negative correlation with the number of residents per administrative unit (ρ=−0.29, p=0.04), and no correlation with other socio-economic variables. Likewise, no correlation has been found between HPV vaccination rates and the selected socio-economic variables.

Conclusion

Ecological study did not reveal any correlations between socio economic variables and vaccination rates with RV and HPV self-paid vaccines on administrative unit level.     

Simplifying psychotropic medication regimen into a single night dosage and reducing the dose for patients with chronic schizophrenia

Rationale Taking psychotropic medications is frequently problematic from both consumers' and caregivers' perspective. Occasionally missed doses may lead to pervasive non-adherence with relapse a likely outcome. Objective To evaluate the simple medication regimen, all psychotropics were given at night for patients with chronic schizophrenia, who had been taking them at least twice a day for more than 12 weeks before the entry. Methods Switching of agents took place in two ways: converting only antipsychotic medications followed by other psychotropics, and changing all psychotropics simultaneously. Any psychotropics of little clinical significance were then cautiously minimized. Final evaluation was made 12 weeks after the competed dose consolidation. Patients finally rated their subjective impression on this intervention. Results Twenty-five patients were recruited in each treatment arm (50 in total). After switching, 11 got better, 29 remained stable whereas seven got worse, according to the Global Improvement. Three were not assessable. Overall, there were no relevant changes in clinical ratings including adverse effects. However, the chlorpromazine equivalent dose of antipsychotics and the number of total psychotropics were significantly reduced from 957 to 722 mg/day (p<0.0001) and from 4.0 to 3.2 (p<0.0001), respectively. Dose deflation of psychotropics was feasible in 35 subjects (74.5%). Twenty-six (of 40 successful) patients indicated that they favored the night-time regimen mainly because it was less complicated. Sedation in the morning was identified as an important adverse event, which should be addressed by reducing the dose. Conclusions The procedure may be of value to counteract a recent trend of psychotropic polypharmacy in schizophrenia.     

二烯丙基二硫化物诱导胃癌BGC823 细胞周期G2/M期阻滞的机制*

目的:以细胞周期作为抗癌药物新靶点的研究,可能是很有前途的。笔者的前期工作发现,二烯丙基二硫化物（diallyl disulfide,DADS）可抑制人胃癌BGC 823 细胞增殖,其增殖抑制与细胞周期G2/M期阻滞有关;DADS可能是通过抑制细胞分裂周期蛋白25C（Cell division cycle protein 25C,Cdc25C）、cyclinB 1 表达使部分BGC 823 细胞停滞在G2/M期,但G2/M期阻滞的机制还未完全阐明。本研究进一步探讨DADS诱导人胃癌BGC 823 细胞周期G2/M期阻滞的可能机制。方法:RT-PCR 检测Chk1 和Chk2 在mRNA 水平的改变;Western blot检测DADS处理BGC 823 细胞前后细胞周期相关蛋白ATM-RAD3 相关基因（ATM-RAD3-related gene,ATR ）、细胞周期检查点蛋白激酶1（checkpoint kinase1,Chk1）、细胞周期检查点蛋白激酶2（checkpoint kinase2,Chk2）表达和ATR 、Chk1、Chk2 的磷酸化程度;免疫共沉淀检测Chk1、Chk2 与Cdc25C 结合情况。结果:RT-PCR 检测显示,Chk1 和Chk2 的mRNA 水平在处理组与未处理组之间无显著性差异（P>0.05）。 Western blot检测显示,总Chk1 和Chk2 蛋白表达在细胞处理前后均无明显改变,但15mg/LDADS刺激BGC 823 细胞2h 后,处理组细胞Chk1 磷酸化程度明显增加,并呈时间依赖性（P<0.05）,而Chk2 磷酸化程度在处理组与未处理组之间无显著性差异（P>0.05）。 15mg/L DADS 作用15～120min,ATR 磷酸化程度明显增加,呈时间依赖性（P<0.05）,而ATR 表达无改变。免疫共沉淀分析表明,DADS 能促进BGC 823 细胞Chk1 与Cdc25C 结合,而对Chk2 与Cdc25C 结合无影响。结论:DAD诱导人胃癌BGC 823 细胞G2/M期阻滞与Chk1 的活化有关,DADS可能是通过激活ATR 、Chk1,调节Cdc25C 的表达引起人胃癌BGC 823 细胞G2/M期阻滞。      

Cancer Prevention through Legislation-Hong Kong Experience

Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide and in the local community. Due to the aging population and changes in lifestyle of the citizens, it is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, about 30% of cancer death can be prevented. The fight against cancer relies on support from the government, together with collaborations with the policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. Legislation can act as a tool for cancer prevention. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the global cancer burden and to describe how cancer legislation acts as a tool for cancer prevention in the Hong Kong region.     

米非司酮对子宫肌瘤培养细胞雌、孕激素受体和表皮生长因子受体表达的影响

目的 :探讨米非司酮对子宫肌瘤培养细胞的雌、孕激素受体 (ER、PR)和表皮生长因子受体 (EGFR)水平的影响。方法 :测定并比较不同浓度米非司酮干预的子宫肌瘤细胞上的ER、PR、EGFR水平。结果 :(1)米非司酮干预后ER表达量无明显改变。 (2 )PR和EGFR在分泌期高于增生期 ,PR和EGFR在 1.0 μmol·L- 1 和 10 μmol·L- 1 组表达量明显下降 ,与 0 μmol·L- 1 和 0 .1μmol·L- 1 组之间差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。而 1.0 μmol·L- 1 和 10 μmol·L- 1 组之间无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :(1)米非司酮通过下调PR、EGFR而不是ER来抑制肌瘤的生长。 (2 )米非司酮下调子宫肌瘤PR、EGFR的作用存在剂量阈值。 1.0 μmol·L- 1 的米非司酮是抑制子宫肌瘤细胞PR和EGFR表达的阈值剂量。     

SULPHASALAZINE INDUCED AUTOIMMUNE SYNDROME

A case of an unusual and severe reaction to sulphasalazine isreported. KEY WORDS: Second line agent, Systemic steroids, Sulphasalazine