Sampling Males Who Inject Drugs in Haiphong,Vietnam: Comparison of Time-Location and Respondent-Driven Sampling Methods

Accurate measurements of HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among hidden and high-risk groups are vital for program planning and implementation. However, only two sampling methods are purported to provide representative estimates for populations without sampling frames: time-location sampling (TLS) and respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Each method is subject to potential biases and questionable reliability. In this paper, we evaluate surveys designed to estimate HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among people who inject drugs (PWID) sampled through TLS versus RDS. In 2012, males aged ≥16 years who reported injecting drugs in the previous month and living in Haiphong, Vietnam, were sampled using TLS or RDS. Data from each survey were analyzed to compare HIV prevalence, related risk factors, socio-demographic characteristics, refusal estimates, and time and expenditures for field implementation. TLS (n = 432) and RDS (n = 415) produced similarly high estimates for HIV prevalence. Significantly lower proportions of PWID sampled through RDS received methadone treatment or met an outreach worker. Refusal estimates were lower for TLS than for RDS. Total expenditures per sample collected and number of person-days of staff effort were higher for TLS than for RDS. Both survey methods were successful in recruiting a diverse sample of PWID in Haiphong. In Vietnam, surveys of PWID are conducted throughout the country; although the refusal estimate was calculated to be much higher for RDS than TLS, RDS in Haiphong appeared to sample PWID with less exposure to services and required fewer financial and staff resources compared with TLS.     

Seasonal Patterns of Buruli Ulcer Incidence,Central Africa, 2002–2012

To determine when risk for Buruli ulcer is highest, we examined seasonal patterns in a highly disease-endemic area of Cameroon during 2002–2012. Cases peaked in March, suggesting that risk is highest during the high rainy season. During and after this season, populations should increase protective behaviors, and case detection efforts should be intensified.     

Reusable magnetic PdxCoy nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbons for green Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

We report herein Pd_xCo_y nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbons (Pd_x–Co_y@MC) prepared by an eco-friendly one-pot approach consisting in the co-assembly of readily available and non-toxic carbon precursors (phloroglucinol, glyoxal) with a porogen template (pluronic F-127) and metallic salts (H₂PdCl₄ and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) followed by thermal annealing. Three Pd_xCo_y@MC materials with different alloy compositions were prepared (C1: x/y = 90/10; C2: x/y = 75/25; C3 and C4: x/y = 50/50). The nanoalloys were uniformly distributed in the carbon framework and the particle sizes depended on the alloy composition. These composites were then used for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions using either H₂O or a 1 : 1 H₂O/EtOH mixture as solvent. The Pd₅₀Co₅₀@MC catalyst C3 proved to be the most efficient catalyst (in terms of efficiency and magnetic recovery) affording the coupling products in good to excellent yields. After reaction, C3 was recovered quantitatively by simple magnetic separation and reused up to six times without loss of efficiency. The amount of palladium lost in the reaction mixture after magnetic separation was very low (ca. 0.1 % wt of the amount initially used).

(Pd_x–Co_y)@MC were prepared in one-pot via an eco-friendly route and used many times for Suzuki reactions in H₂O or H₂O/EtOH mixture.     

Impact of bulky phenylalkyl substituents on the air-stable n-channel transistors of birhodanine analogues

By introducing bulky 2-phenylethyl groups into sulfur-rich electron acceptors, 5,5′-bithiazolidinylidene-2,2′-dione-4,4′-dithione and 5,5′-bithiazolidinylidene-2,4,2′,4′-tetrathione, electron transport with the mobility of 0.27 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ with ambient and long-term stability is achieved in thin-film transistors. Bulky groups destroy the intermolecular S–S network, but the long-term transistor stability is maintained. Here, benzyl groups realize one-dimensional stacking structures, whereas 2-phenylethyl groups lead to herringbone structures.

Performance and long-term air stability of birhodanine-based n-channel transistors are improved by introducing phenylethyl moieties.     

Synthesis and antibacterial properties of a novel magnetic nanocomposite prepared from spent pickling liquors and polyguanidine

Magnetic nanoparticles have received much interest for their application in wastewater treatment because of their easy retrieval and reuse. However, the methods used to synthesise high saturation magnetization magnetic nanoparticles require expensive and pure precursors. In the current study, we explore the potential for using spent pickling liquor, a wastewater solution from steel factories, as the iron precursor for preparing iron oxide nanoparticles. Here, magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via the oxidation–precipitation of spent pickling liquors using a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide at room temperature. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then modified with antibacterial polyguanidine to form a nanocomposite. It was found that monodisperse magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a size in the range 20–30 nm and a high saturation magnetization value of 73.9 emu g⁻¹ were synthesised. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully encapsulated with polyguanidine to form an Fe₃O₄/polyguanidine nanocomposite. FT-IR and TGA analysis results indicated the presence of the polymer on the Fe₃O₄ surface and the polymer content in the nanocomposite was about 15% (w/w). The Fe₃O₄/polyguanidine nanocomposite exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), demonstrating its potential for use in disinfecting wastewater.

An Fe₃O₄/polyguanidine nanocomposite with strong antibacterial activity was prepared from Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, using spent pickling liquors as the iron source, which were then encapsulated with polyguanidine.     

基于微信公众号的医疗信息服务系统研究

本文主要介绍了基于微信公众平台开发医疗信息服务系统的意义和实现过程。该系统包括微官网和微医网,为患者提供丰富的医院静态信息、动态信息查询服务;提供预约挂号及查询服务。该系统的使用,简化了就医流程,使患者在手机上操作就可以感受到实时的医疗服务,提高了患者的就医满意度。     

Andexanet alfa and four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for reversal of apixaban and rivaroxaban in patients diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Limited data exists regarding the clinical outcomes of andexanet alfa and four factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for reversal of apixaban or...