Factors associated with caregivers' perception of children's health and oral health status: a study of 6- to 36-month-olds in Uganda

Background.  The impact of oral diseases on quality of life of children and their families has not been thoroughly investigated.
Aim.   Focusing on Ugandan infants aged 6–36 months and their caregivers, this study examined the degree to which clinical and psychosocial factors were associated with caregivers' overall evaluation of their children's oral health and health status.
Design.  Eight hundred and sixteen children were examined for dental caries and anthropometric status in 2007. A questionnaire was completed by the caregivers.
Results.  Poor child oral health was reported by 40.2% and 17.5% of caregivers who reported their children's health as, respectively, poor and good. Having the least family wealth [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9] and reporting distressed family activities (OR = 2.3) were associated with higher odds of reporting poor child oral health, whereas being a rural resident (OR = 0.4) and reporting no symptoms during tooth eruption (OR = 0.3) were associated with lower odds. Perception of poor child oral health (OR = 2.8) and having the least family wealth (OR = 1.7) were associated with higher odds of reporting poor child health status, whereas no stunting was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.5).
Conclusion.  The results support the growing recognition of oral health as a predictor of health and well-being in early childhood.     

Immunological properties of recombinant proteins of the transmission blocking vaccine candidate, Pfs48/45, of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum produced in Escherichia coli

A precondition for the development of a transmission blocking vaccine based on the sexual stage-specific surface antigen Pfs48/45 of Plasmodium falciparum is its heterologous synthesis in a native state. Here we describe the production of recombinant Pfs48/45 in Escherichia coli . Two recombinant proteins, of which one is a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein, were produced. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that at least a subfraction of the recombinant proteins had a conformation capable of binding transmission blocking monoclonal antibodies. However, despite the fact that both proteins were very immunogenic, they did not induce transmission blocking immunity in mice or rabbits. Immunological studies with congenic mouse strains demonstrated that immune responses could be boosted with gametocyte extracts and were not restricted to a particular class II major histocompatibility complex haplotype .     

Expression of acquired immunity to the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum in hamsters

Four experiments are described in which hamsters, initially exposed to primary infection with Ancylostoma ceylanicum , were given a homologous challenge and components of the secondary response were quantified and compared to relevant control groups. The initial establishment of the L3 larvae was not prevented in immunized hamsters but their growth was slowed and virtually all larvae were lost within a week of challenge, when the majority were still at the L4 stage of development. The loss of worms was associated with an accelerated mucosal mastocytosis and increased systemic antibody. Thus acquired immunity to hookworm larvae in this system acted on L3 and L4 stages, thereby preventing larvae from maturing in immunized animals. In contrast to primary infections, immunized hamsters responding to a challenge infection did not lose weight nor did they experience significant anaemia, because of the lack of adult worms. The secondary immune responses therefore prevented manifestation of hookworm disease among immunized-challenged animals .     

THE INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS WITH THEIR INTELLECTUALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN INSTITUTIONS — RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Taken from a report submitted to Cumberland College of Health Sciences, Sydney, as part of the requirements of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy     

Trophoblast sampling by blind transcervical aspiration

Summary. Blind transcervical aspiration for trophoblast was carried out on 137 patients undergoing elective termination of early pregnancies. Trophoblast was obtained from 45 patients (33%) usually at the first attempt. Collection was not necessarily more successful between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation. In only 13 patients (9%) was trophoblast collected without contamination by maternal tissue, or blood. Perforation of the amniotic sac in one patient (1%), bleeding either observed, or detected histologically (34%) and introduction of infection (4%) constitutes a real threat to fetal survival. Maternal serum a-fetoprotein estimation appears useful and may forewarn likelihood of fetal damage. Although transcervical aspiration should encounter ready acceptability as an outpatient procedure, modifications in the technique are essential before clinical application for detection of gene, or chromosome anomalies can be considered.     

Workforce utilization of visible and linguistic minorities in Canadian nursing

Aim This study seeks to develop a diversity profile of the nursing workforce in Canada and its major cities. Background There is ample evidence of ethnic and linguistic segregation in the Canadian labour market. However, it is unknown if there is equitable representation of visible and linguistic minorities in nursing professions. Methods We cross-tabulated aggregate data from Statistics Canada’s 2006 Census. Analyses examined the distribution of visible and linguistic minorities, including visible minority sub-groups, among health managers, head nurses, registered nurses, licensed nurses and nurse aides for Canada and major cities as well as by gender. Results In Canada and its major cities, a pyramidal structure was found whereby visible and linguistic minorities, women in particular, were under-represented in managerial positions and over-represented in lower ranking positions. Blacks and Filipinos were generally well represented across nursing professions; however, other visible minority sub-groups lacked representation. Conclusions Diversity initiatives at all levels can play a role in promoting better access to and quality of care for minority populations through the increased cultural and linguistic competence of care providers and organizations. Implications for Nursing Management Efforts to increase diversity in nursing need to be accompanied by commitment and resources to effectively manage diversity within organizations.     

Melatonin and adjustment to phase shift

SUMMARY  The pineal hormone melatonin has clear circadian phase-shifting effects in humans which have recently been formalized as a phase response curve. Its potential use in circadian rhythm disorders has been investigated in field studies of jet lag and shift work and in simulated phase shift. A substantial amount of information indicates that in the majority of subjects it hastens adaptation of both subjective and objective measures to forced shifts in time cues with few reported side-effects. Field studies of its use in adaptation to shift work are sparse and preliminary but the first indications are positive. In some blind subjects with sleep disturbance it can stabilize sleep onset time without necessarily entraining all circadian rhythms and it can advance sleep timing in delayed sleep-phase insomnia. Acute suppression of core body tempera-ture may be an integral part of the phase-shifting mechanism.