Although classified by the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) as unimproved sanitation facilities, public toilets still play a critical role in eliminating open defecation in informal settlements. We explored perspectives of toilet operators on opportunities and barriers to operation and maintenance (O&M) of public toilets in informal settlements. A cross-sectional study design was used. Up to 20 in-depth interviews were used to obtain data on the experiences of public toilet operators. Thematic content analysis was used.
Ressults show that opportunities for improving O&M include; operation of public toilets is a source of livelihood; operators are knowledgeable on occupational risks, and the community is involvedin sanitation activities. Barriers to effective O&M include; high operation costs, failure to break even and a lack of investments in occupational health Therefore, there is need to recognise the significance of public toilets as a viable alternative to open defecation in areas where ownership of private sanitation facilities is difficult. Failure to observe the health and safety of toilet operators may further compromise O&M. 相似文献
In Hirschsprung's disease, the aganglionic bowel is characterized by an absence of ganglion cells and an increased number of adrenergic and presumed cholinergic nerve fibers. In addition, a severe derangement of peptide-containing nerve fibers is encountered including a hyperinnervation of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing fibers. Using immunochemical and immunocytochemical methods, we examined the nature of the NPY-containing nerve fibers contributing to the hyperinnervation. The concentration of NPY was markedly increased in the aganglionic segment. Coexistence of NPY, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and the adrenergic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed small populations of nerve fibers containing NPY/TH, NPY/VIP, or TH alone in ganglionic intestine. Numerous nerve fibers stored VIP but lacked NPY. These fibers did not contain TH, indicating that all VIP-containing fibers are nonadrenergic. In the aganglionic intestine there was a marked increase in the number of nerve fibers storing NPY/TH and NPY/VIP, whereas the fibers storing VIP alone were reduced in number. A small number of nerve fibers storing NPY alone occurred in the hypertrophic nerve bundles. NPY/VIP-containing nerve fibers were particularly numerous in the mucosa in aganglionic intestine, which may be of interest in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease allowing the use of mucosal biopsy specimens. Thus, the proliferating NPY-containing nerve fibers in the aganglionic intestine seem to comprise three different populations, one adrenergic and two nonadrenergic, one of which contains in addition VIP. 相似文献
Thirty-one full-term newborn babies were investigated in order to establish reference values for ionized calcium. Only children fulfilling certain optimality criteria (with best possible maternal and infant conditions and uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery) were included. All infants were breast fed. Capillary blood for analysis of ionized calcium was collected by heel puncture on day 1 (6-36 h post partum, p.p.), day 3 (60-84 h p.p.) and day 5 (108-132 h p.p.). Ionized calcium was measured with a semi-automatic electrode system ICA 1 (Radiometer A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). The reference ranges (mean +/- 2 SD) for days 1, 3 and 5 were 1.05-1.37, 1.10-1.42 and 1.20-1.48 mmol/l, respectively. The mean ionized calcium concentration on day 1 was significantly lower than on days 3 and 5. Reference values are also given for total calcium, magnesium and phosphate. We emphasize that it is impossible to calculate ionized calcium from total calcium or vice versa. 相似文献
Background: Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are extensively used in the practice of anesthesia and intensive care medicine. Their primary site of action is at the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the neuromuscular junction, but their action on neuronal nAChRs have not been fully evaluated. Furthermore, observed adverse effects of nondepolarizing NMBAs might originate from an interaction with neuronal nAChRs. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of clinically used nondepolarizing NMBAs on muscle and neuronal nAChR subtypes.
Methods: Xenopus laevis oocytes were injected with messenger RNA encoding for the subunits included in the human [alpha]1[beta]1[varepsilon][delta], [alpha]3[beta]2, [alpha]3[beta]4, [alpha]4[beta]2, and [alpha]7 nAChR subtypes. The interactions between each of these nAChR subtypes and atracurium, cisatracurium, d-tubocurarine, mivacurium, pancuronium, rocuronium, and vecuronium were studied using an eight-channel two-electrode voltage clamp setup. Responses were measured as peak current and net charge.
Results: All nondepolarizing NMBAs inhibited both muscle and neuronal nAChRs. The neuronal nAChRs were reversibly and concentration-dependently inhibited in the low micromolar range. The mechanism (i.e., competitive vs. noncompetitive) of the block at the neuronal nAChRs was dependent both on subtype and the NMBA tested. The authors did not observe activation of the nAChR subtypes by any of the NMBAs tested. 相似文献
A measurement was made of the holding strength and the energy needed to extract a NoLok hip screw, a von Bahr screw, and a Hansson hookpin from cadaveric femoral heads. The specimens were obtained from female subjects aged 65 years or more, with 36 specimens each from rheumatoid (RA) and nonrheumatoid (non-RA) donors. Retraction of the implants was made by a continuous uniaxial pullout at 10 mm/min. For each type of device, the holding strength in rheumatoid femoral heads was less than in non-RA specimens. In rheumatoid specimens the maximum holding strength for the NoLok screw (1,622 N) was higher than that of the other two devices, whereas the von Bahr screw (1,177 N) had a higher maximum holding strength than the Hansson hook-pin (603 N). In non-RA, there was no difference in maximum holding power between the NoLok screw (2,549 N) and the von Bahr screw (2,282 N); however, both had a higher holding strength than the Hansson hook-pin (851 N). A rapid fall off was experienced in the force required to continue extraction of both types of screws, whereas for the Hansson hook-pin the strength decreased slowly. For each type of device, the energy needed for extraction of the implant was less in the RA group femoral heads, while there were no differences in total extraction energy between devices. 相似文献
Summary Prophylactic treatment with alkaline citrate in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone disease results in reduced CaOx supersaturation and increased urinary citrate. The effects of a single evening dose were compared with those of two and three daily doses in six recurrent CaOx stone formers with hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia or raised calcium/citrate quotients. While on a standardized hospital diet the patients were given 7.5 g (28 mmol) of sodium potassium citrate (URALYT-U) in one, two, and three doses. Fractional urine collections during 24 hours were analyzed for pH, composition, and crystallization risk (CR). All dosage regimens had favourable effects on urinary calcium, citrate, calcium/citrate quotients, and CaOx-CR. The most sustained effect was recorded with three divided doses. Single evening doses resulted in the most pronounced effects between 22.00–06.00 h, thereby counteracting the increased risk of CaOx crystallization during that period. In terms of 24 h urine composition the best effect was recorded with alkaline citrate administered three times daily, but because of the favourable response by a single evening dose between 22.00–06.00 h the assumption was made that this dosage regimen might be sufficient to reduce the risk of CaOx crystallization and stone formation. However, the validity of such an assumption can only be established by long-term clinical studies. 相似文献