Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Urban and Rural Vietnam

Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases, such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, are common in Vietnam, but the prevalence of the infection is largely unknown. A validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for seroepidemiology with 971 samples from the general population, ages 0 to 88 years, with 546 samples from an urban population (Hanoi), and with 425 samples from a poor, rural province (Hatay). The overall seroprevalence of the infection was 746 per 1,000, with a prevalence of 788 per 1,000 in Hanoi and 692 per 1,000 in Hatay (P = 0.0007). The risk for infection in the rural area of Hatay was 40% lower than in the urban population of Hanoi, with the odds ratio being 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 0.81). The study shows that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in Vietnam and especially high in a large urban area, such as the city of Hanoi.     

Detection and characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from young children in Hanoi, Vietnam

Diarrhea continues to be one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among infants and children in developing countries. Escherichia coli is an emerging agent among pathogens that cause diarrhea. The development of a highly applicable technique for the detection of different categories of diarrheagenic E. coli is important. We have used multiplex PCR by combining eight primer pairs specific for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli, enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). This facilitates the identification of five different categories of diarrheagenic E. coli from stool samples in a single reaction simultaneously. The prevalences of diarrheagenic E. coli were 22.5 and 12% in the diarrhea group and the control group, respectively. Among 587 fecal samples from Vietnamese children under 5 years of age with diarrhea, this technique identified 132 diarrheagenic E. coli strains. This included 68 samples (11.6%) with EAEC, 12 samples (2.0%) with EIEC, 39 samples (6.6%) with EPEC, and 13 samples (2.2%) with ETEC. Among the 249 age-matched controls, 30 samples were positive for diarrheagenic E. coli. The distribution was 18 samples (7.2%) with EAEC, 11 samples (4.4%) with EPEC, and 1 sample (0.4%) with ETEC.     

Pseudophakia and aptitude of aviation personnel]

Because of sensorial disruptions, aphakia post-cataract surgery is a cause of unfitness for the job of aeronautics flying personnel. Its correction thanks to intraocular lenses and a correct functional check-up permit to reconsider the fitness through a derogation given by the competent authorities. EQUIPMENT AND METHODS: The authors realized a retrospective study on the 5 last years. 27 flying personnel, 24 to 76 years old, went through a cataract surgery with implantation. The check-up includes a chemical exam completed by a morphoscopic, coloured and spatial study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The files are more or less well-documented according to their origin. The flying personnel have an average of 4,010 flying hours. The average post-operative hindsight is 30 months. 3 wear intraocular lenses of rear chamber among which 1 is multifocal. 7 were examinated at the CPEMPN with satisfying morphoscopic, coloured and luminous sense compatible with the fitness. 4 are declared permanent unfit (1 professional pilot with bad results, 1 private pilot with other pathologies, 1 inexperienced stewardess getting through the admission visit with insufficient post-operative hindsight, 1 professional pilot declared unfit for its military activity in the reserve). 4 are qualified with restriction. 20 are qualified without restriction. CONCLUSION: The correction of aphakia with intraocular lenses permits in most cases to obtain good functional results compatible with the flying aptitude.     

Understanding the current sexual health service provision for mental health consumers by nurses in mental health settings: Findings from a Survey in Australia and England

Nurses in mental health settings avoid talking to consumers about sexual health concerns. It is unclear whether this avoidance prevents the provision of sexual healthcare. The present study gathered information about how mental health nurses respond to sexual health issues within their routine practice, what issues they address, and their view on their role in promoting sexual health for consumers. A cross‐sectional study using an electronic survey questionnaire, originally generated from a previous study in the united kingdom, was employed. The study occurred in four National Health Service Trusts in England and a national call for participants in Australia. Participants were nurse clinicians (n = 303) who self‐selected by completing surveys available via email and newsletters containing links to the survey. The results demonstrated that mental health nurses do not routinely include sexual health in their practice and are poorly prepared in knowing what to do with a sexual health issue, and what services to assist consumers to use. In conclusion, it has been well established in the literature that mental health consumers experience high sexual health needs that potentially impact on health and recovery. Mental health nurses are ideally placed to promote sexual health and refer consumers to sexual health and family planning services. Training to improve the confidence and responsiveness of mental health nurses to sexual health is an urgent need.     

Lack of association of antihypertensive drugs with the risk and severity of COVID-19: A meta-analysis

BackgroundThe association of antihypertensive drugs with the risk and severity of COVID-19 remains unknown.Methods and ResultsWe systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and medRxiv for publications before July 13, 2020. Cohort studies and case-control studies that contain information on the association of antihypertensive agents including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), β-blockers, and diuretics with the risk and severity of COVID-19 were selected. The random or fixed-effects models were used to pool the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the outcomes.The literature search yielded 53 studies that satisfied our inclusion criteria, which comprised 39 cohort studies and 14 case-control studies. These studies included a total of 2,100,587 participants. We observed no association between prior usage of antihypertensive medications including ACEIs/ARBs, CCBs, β-blockers, or diuretics and the risk and severity of COVID-19. Additionally, when only hypertensive patients were included, the severity and mortality were lower with prior usage of ACEIs/ARBs (overall OR of 0.81, 95% CI 0.66?0.99, p < 0.05 and overall OR of 0.77, 95% CI 0.66?0.91, p < 0.01).ConclusionsTaken together, usage of antihypertensive drugs is not associated with the risk and severity of COVID-19. Based on the current available literature, it is not recommended to abstain from the usage of these drugs in COVID-19 patients.RegistrationThe meta-analysis was registered on OSF (https://osf.io/ynd5g).