Examining Perceptions of Rapid Population Growth in North and South Gondar Zones, Northwest Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the most populous countries in Africa and ranks second only to Nigeria. Rapid population growth has hampered the country''s development, making the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger difficult. This study which had two components—quantitative and qualitative—was aimed at exploring the perceptions of women and other social groups on the prevailing population pressures. The quantitative study involved 3,512 women aged 15–49 years. The qualitative study consisted of five focus-group discussions and six key-informant interviews. Over 90% of women (n=3,512) who participated in the quantitative study and nearly all the focus-group discussants and interviewees (n=39) felt that something should be done to keep the population from growing too fast. Most (over 90%) participants approved of the Government passing a law regarding the maximum number of children that a couple should have. It is, therefore, timely for the responsible bodies to exert maximum effort and commitment in responding to the emerging attitudes of the people by making the population problem a priority.Key words: Cross-sectional studies, Perceptions, Population growth, Ethiopia     

The fine structure of the melanocytes of the adult mouse hair follicle during their amelanotic phase (telogen and early anagen)

Melanocyte-precursor cells have been described previously in telogen and early anagen hair germs by observation of Epon sections using light microscopy. The existence of these precursor cells has not been generally accepted due to lack of ultrastructural evidence. It is our purpose to describe these cells using transmission electron microscopy. We studied hair germs of the dorsal skin of adult mice in the appropriate stages of the hair cycle prior to melanogenesis. Telogen melanocytes are distinguishable from adjacent keratocytes by their lack of desmosomes, lack of coarse clumps of microfilaments, sparsity of ribosomes, unusually few nuclear pores and presence of dendrites. Melanocytes in early anagen show extensive growth with abundant polysomes, elaborate RER and Golgi zones. They still differ from keratocytes in their lack of desmosomes and clumps of microfilament, and also in the occasional presence of premelanosomes.     

Pathophysiological aspects of hip implants

Osteolysis and aseptic loosening are the major causes of failure of total hip replacements (THRs). These processes are induced by wear debris released from components of implants over time. Wear particles are a clinically relevant size (0.1-10 microm) that activates macrophages and induces a foreign-body response. Activated macrophages stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) to the synovial capsule, leading to chronic inflammation and bone resorption. Wear mechanics, including characteristics of wear particles from metal, polyethylene, and ceramic articulating surfaces, fixation materials, and surface coatings, have been reported in the literature and are compiled here. Data concerning the pathophysiological effects of wear debris are reported in this article, whereas data on the metal ions released from implants are presented in the following article (see pp. 113-114). Clinical data obtained from in vivo use and laboratory studies conducted in vitro are summarized.     

妊娠并发疟疾补充铁剂、叶酸效果的临床观察

目的 :临床观察孕妇并发疟疾补充铁剂、叶酸的效果。方法 :将 158例孕妇并发疟疾者根据补充铁剂、叶酸前血红蛋白水平分为空白对照组、预防组 (两组血红蛋白皆≥ 90g L)和治疗组 (血红蛋白 <90g L)。预防组 4 2例 ,治疗组 50例 ,于孕 2 0～ 2 4周开始口服硫酸亚铁、叶酸 ;空白对照组 66例。 3组分别于服药前查血红蛋白与红细胞 ,观察期间每 4周复查 1次血红蛋白与红细胞直至分娩 ,并观察临床结局。结果 :预防组服药后血红蛋白与红细胞明显高于空白对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;治疗组服药后血红蛋白与红细胞明显高于服药前及对照组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :合理的抗疟治疗及补充铁剂、叶酸可有效地改善孕妇并发疟疾的贫血 ,减少孕妇并发疟疾发作次数及异常妊娠结局的发生率     

Willingness-to-pay for cancer treatment and outcome: a systematic review

The European Journal of Health Economics - Understanding patient preferences in cancer management is essential for shared decision-making. Patient or societal willingness-to-pay (WTP) for desired...