Using the well‐documented model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, a combined analysis of metal speciation in the exposure medium and body burdens of metals (Zn, Cu and Cd) was performed, and factors that are predictive of toxicological endpoints in single metal and mixed metal exposures were identified. Cu, and to a lesser extent Cd, is found to associate with Escherichia coli in the exposure medium (the food source for C. elegans) as evidenced by the observed decrease in both their dissolved and free metal ion concentrations. Together with a critical analysis of literature data, our results suggest that free metal ion concentrations and thus aqueous uptake routes are the best predictor of internal concentrations under all conditions considered, and of metal toxicity in single metal exposures. Additional factors are involved in determining the toxicity of metal mixtures. In general, the eventual adverse effects of metals on biota are expected to be a consequence of the interplay between chemical speciation in the exposure medium, timescale of exposure, exposure route as well as the nature and timescale of the biotic handling pathways. 相似文献
The majority of people infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the European Union (EU) remain undiagnosed and untreated. During recent years, immigration to EU has further increased HCV prevalence. It has been estimated that, out of the 4.2 million adults affected by HCV infection in the 31 EU/ European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as many as 580 000 are migrants. Additionally, HCV is highly prevalent and under addressed in Eastern Europe. In 2013, the introduction of highly effective treatments for HCV with direct‐acting antivirals created an unprecedented opportunity to cure almost all patients, reduce HCV transmission and eliminate the disease. However, in many settings, HCV elimination poses a serious challenge for countries’ health spending. On 6 June 2018, the Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association held the 2nd EU HCV Policy summit. It was emphasized that key stakeholders should work collaboratively since only a few countries in the EU are on track to achieve HCV elimination by 2030. In particular, more effort is needed for universal screening. The micro‐elimination approach in specific populations is less complex and less costly than country‐wide elimination programmes and is an important first step in many settings. Preliminary data suggest that implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis can be cost saving. However, innovative financing mechanisms are needed to raise funds upfront for scaling up screening, treatment and harm reduction interventions that can lead to HCV elimination by 2030, the stated goal of the WHO. 相似文献
Objectives: To determine whether caregiver coping strategies are independently associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) after accounting for patient characteristics.
Methods: Cross-sectional data analysis of 80 patients with AD and their primary caregivers. The presence of BPS was recorded using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The relationship between caregiver characteristics and BPS was assessed through one-way analysis of variance, two-tailed student t-tests or correlation coefficients. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the combined effect of all caregiver factors that were significant on bivariate analysis regarding coping and BPS controlling for patient characteristics.
Results: Caregivers were on average 62 years old, 77% female, and most were the children or the spouse of the patient. Over 50% had significant depression or anxiety. Patients were on average 77 years old and 62% were female, and most had moderate to severe dementia. After adjusting for patient characteristics, patients cared for by more depressed, more burdened, or those using more disengagement coping strategies showed higher NPI mean composite scores.
Conclusion: Coping strategies are associated with BPS regardeless of patient characteristics. Interventions to reduce BPS should focus on which psychological coping strategies caregivers use. Understanding how coping strategies influence BPS may help tailor specific interventions for caregivers. 相似文献
Objectives: This study investigated whether caregiver forgiveness of care recipient's (CR's) upsetting behaviors is associated with less burden and potentially harmful behaviors (PHB) by the caregiver.
Method: Seventy-six family caregivers of persons with dementia were recruited by means of convenience sampling through two local dementia service centers in Hong Kong. Caregivers were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire that assessed CR behavior problems and caregiver burden, PHB and forgiveness.
Results: Results showed that forgiveness partially mediated the associations between CR disruptive behaviors and caregiver burden, and between CR depression and caregiver burden. At the same time, burden partially mediated the relationship between forgiveness and PHB.
Conclusion: The associations between certain behavioral problems and burden were mediated by caregiver forgiveness. Forgiveness also predicted harmful behaviors, both directly and indirectly through burden. Future research should investigate the basis of forgiveness in dementia caregivers and whether forgiveness may constitute another dimension in caregiver interventions. 相似文献