Suchergebnisse

To assess farmers' perception and criteria for cassava variety preference prior to the dissemination of improved varieties in Cameroon, field visits were organized at the Mbalmayo research farm of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA ) during the vegetative and harvest periods, and a sensory quality test was conducted in a participatory manner. Parameters recorded were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance procedure (ANO - VA ), resulting in the selection of five varieties for multilocational testing and demonstration. To complement this effort, thirty cassava farmers in Ebolowa, Bertoua, Bamenda, Ngaoundere making a total of one hundred and twenty were interviewed following structured questionnaires, and their fields assessed. Results show that farmers cultivate many varieties of cassava for different uses but prefer early maturing variety (96.7%), high yield (89.2%), and resistant to pests and diseases (88.3%). In addition, there was regional preference. Farmers in Ebolowa and Bertoua preferred leafy, sweet roots and early branching varieties (TMS -92/0326, TMS - 96/0023) while those in Bamenda and Ngaoundere preferred tall, drought tolerant (TMS - 92/0057), fibrous (TMS -96/1414) for gari (roasted cassava granules) and in some cases flowering varieties (M94/0121) for apiculture. Results served as feedback information to research, extension, policy makers and other stakeholders. This constitutes an attractive scheme for deployment of the improved varieties and complements programs of the Cameroonian government for roots and tuber (PNDRT ), with the main objective to increase the productivity of cassava. ; Peer Review

At last, climate change does appear to have entered mainstream consciousness. In the scientific community, the climate change debate has shifted from focusing on establishing the truth of the claim that climate change is a reality to warming public opinion to the cause and acknowledging that climate change will have far-reaching effects on how we build, organize and manage climate-responsive social systems including health care systems. There is particular urgency to the debate for health services and systems in low income countries where some of the worst effects of climate change will be felt and where health systems are already over-stretched due to long-term lack of investment, a double burden of disease (preventive and non-communicable), a crisis in human resources and governance deficiencies. Despite the urgency, the health care systems development community appears insular in its interests and actions, and a clear leader that could coordinate the activities of different researchers, research bodies, policy makers and international organizations across relevant sectors including disaster management, climate and health care systems, has yet to emerge. This essay considers the political landscape, possible leaders and why it is necessary for health systems' professionals to move beyond the health sector in order to secure support for health and health care systems development in a post-Millennium Development Goals development framework that is defined by climate change.

Physical education fosters personal and community wellness by empowering students to attain healthy, lifelong attitudes and behaviors through physical activity as part of the total educational experience. It: promotes a physically active lifestyle; o is a link to good health; o is a preventive measure against disease; o is a program for muscle strength and fitness; o promotes academic learning; o builds self esteem; and o develops cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship skill The purpose of physical education is to instill in students, at an early age, the value of self preservation and choosing a lifestyle that is good for both the mind and body. Most physical education programs are holistic. The program allows student to interact together to a common goal and that is to win and excel physically. It brings out the competitive sides of students working both body and mind but also promotes sportsmanship. This paper primarily aims to ?give an insight into the health benefits of physical education programs for students within the school system. It also provides legislative / regulatory recommendations for the purpose of improving the quality of physical education. The paper concludes that by addressing the quality, quantity and intensity of physical education across the country (the educational as well as the activity component), policymakers will maximize children's potential for a lifetime of: physical activity, health, and wellness.

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening tests have been designed to identify infants with severe disorders that are relatively prevalent and treatable or controllable. Comparing to other countries, the incidence of these diseases are very high in Turkey where the rate of consanguineous marriage is high. METHODS: In this article, it is aimed to evaluate the development and organization of newborn screening programs in Turkey which include phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and biotinidase deficiency screenings. The point reached today, limitations of the program, expectations and projects for the future are discussed. RESULTS: Today, the point reached in screening programs of the country is appreciable. While the screening rate of the live born babies was 4,7% in 1987, this rate reached to 95% by 2008. Predicted target for newborn screening program at the strategic plan of Ministry of Health for 2010–2014 was to enhance this rate above 95% by the end of 2012. It seems that the envisaged goal has been reached. CONCLUSION: National newborn screening program appears to be conducted successfully and extensively as a result of political determination and performance of health care workers who are in charge of this program. Nevertheless, limited numbers of the nutrition and metabolism clinics and specialists on these branches have caused some access difficulties, waste of time, and financial loss. Therefore, special planning to improve quality and the number of the clinics would be useful.

Indigenous cultures perceive the natural environment as an essential link between traditional cultural practices, social connectedness, identity, and health. Many tribal communities face substantial health disparities related to exposure to environmental hazards. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) members' perspectives about their environment and its connections with their health including views on environmental health hazards. Three 90-minute focus group sessions with a total of 27 participants were held to elicit opinions on meanings of health and how the environment interacts with health. A systematic text analysis was used to derive themes across focus groups. Participants expressed a holistic view of health that included environmental, physical, mental, spiritual, and social components. A healthy natural environment was identified as an essential component of a healthy individual and a healthy community. Participants also described many environmental health concerns including second-hand smoke, outdoor smoke, diesel exhaust, mold, pesticides, contaminated natural foods, and toxic wastes from the Hanford nuclear site and methamphetamine labs. Many believe the identified environmental hazards contribute to diseases in their community. The natural environment is an important resource to CTUIR members and plays an integral role in achieving and maintaining health. Knowledge about the values and concerns of the community are useful to the tribal and federal governments, health professionals, environmental health practitioners, and community members who seek to achieve sustainable and healthy rural Native communities.

Arnaud Mercier (2012) is right, universities are adrift, the academics are in danger. The LRU law, the evaluation policies, the new public management, etc. precipitate us into the wall. But he is wrong, all the difficulties do not result from orientations taken by the government these last ten years. The disease is deeper. On the one hand, a university public sphere is dying, so that the voice of the university community is inaudible in the public sphere. On the other hand, the cowardice of the academics explains why decisions so recent upset in depth our community. ; Arnaud Mercier a raison, les universités sont à la dérive, les universitaires sont en péril. La Loi relative aux libertés et responsabilités des universités (LRU), les politiques d'évaluation, la course à la taille critique, les nouvelles modalités du management public, etc. nous précipitent dans le mur. Mais il a tort, toutes les difficultés ne proviennent pas des orientations prises par les pouvoirs publics ces dix dernières années. Le mal est plus profond. D'une part, l'espace public universitaire est moribond, si bien que la voix de la communauté universitaire est inaudible dans l'espace public et, d'autre part, le peu d'engagement concret dans des actes de résistance contre les lois proposées par le gouvernement explique - en grande partie - la facilité avec lesquelles des décisions si récentes ont bouleversé, en profondeur, le monde universitaire.

В обзоре описаны основные международные подходы и направления нормативного регулирования препаратов клеточной терапии в США, Канаде, Европе, Австралии, Японии и Южной Корее. Интенсивное научно-технологическое развитие клеточной и тканевой инженерии привело к активному использованию человеческих клеток и тканей для лечения различных заболеваний и комбинированных повреждений. Регуляторные органы разных стран работают над установлением нормативно-правовой базы, основанной на оценке рисков, с некоторыми общими чертами. В ряде стран мира имеется многоступенчатая система контроля, гарантирующая качество и безопасность применения клеточного продукта. Государственные регуляторные органы предъявляют жесткие требования не только к безопасности самой продукции, но и к стандартам осуществления надлежащей лабораторной, производственной, клинической и тканевой практики. ; This article is a review of the main methods and approaches used in regulation of cell therapy products in the United States of America, Canada, European Union, Australia, Japan and South Korea. Intensive developments of scientific and technological aspects in stem cell and tissue engineering have led to the wide use of human cells and tissues for the treatment of various diseases and injuries of organs and tissues. Drug regulatory agencies of different countries are working on implementation of a risk-based legal framework with some common features. In many countries there is a multilevel control system that assures quality and safety of used cell products. Competent authorities establish strict requirements both to safety of the products and to the implemented standards of good laboratory, manufacturing, clinical and tissue practices.

Первичная профилактика аллергии всегда представлялась привлекательной темой, что связано со значительным негативным влиянием этой группы заболеваний на общество и пациента, существенными прямыми и непрямыми расходами, их постоянно растущей распространенностью. Совокупность имеющихся в настоящее время данных убедительно свидетельствует в пользу использования смесей на основе частично гидролизованной сыворотки для первичной профилактики атопического дерматита. Это эффективно и выгодно, по крайней мере, с точки зрения государственной системы здравоохранения и общества в целом. Педиатры, неонатологи и родители детей, попадающих в группу риска, должны владеть этой информацией. Поскольку профилактика атопического дерматита при помощи смеси на основе частично гидролизованной сыворотки является затратно-эффективной, органам управления здравоохранением необходимо заняться разработкой и внедрением ведомственных целевых программ профилактики аллергии с бесплатным обеспечением нуждающихся детей группы риска соответствующим питанием в течение первых месяцев жизни. ; Primary prevention of allergy is an attractive aim due to high social, economic burden and increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. The up-to-date data strongly support the use of partially hydrolyzed whey formula for primary prevention of atopic dermatitis. This approach is effective and cost-saving both from societal and governmental health service perspectives. Pediatricians as well as parents of high risk children should be strictly aware of these data. Because of cost-saving effect of partially hydrolyzed whey formula governmental health service administrations should develop programs for primary prevention of atopic dermatitis with free supply of high risk children with this nutrition for first months of life.

The prevalence of Giardiasis in cattle slaughtered in the Sokoto metropolitan abattoir was investigated. Faeces and bile samples were collected and processed using formal-ether concentration technique. The essence of this study was to establish the prevalence of Giardiasis in Sokoto metropolitan abattoir. Gross lesions from 224 out of 1, 313 slaughtered cattle were randomly selected and examined. Out of the 224 cattle examined, 56 (25.00%) were infected. Out of the 95 male cattle examined, 20 (21.05%) were infected, out of 129 female cattle examined, 36 (27.91%) were infected. The infection withGiardia sppin the examined breed was also found to be 56 (25.00%) in relation to breed out of 100 Sokoto Gudali breed examined, 20 (20.00%) were infected, and out of 123 Red Bororo breed examined, 36 (29.27%) were infected. While 1 white Fulani breed was examined, and 0 (0.00%) was infected. The overall prevalence of infection with Giardia was 27.68% and there was a significant difference (p > 0.05) between the rate of infection in males and females and between breeds. Regular treatment of all animals and humans with an effective antiprotozoal drugs such as Metronidazole (Flagyl®), Tindamax®(Tinidazole), proper abattoir inspection, adequate and clean water supply to animals; payment of compensation by government, and public enlightenment about the disease by government non- governmental organizations (NGO's) on health implication inherent in unsafe disposal of human and animal faeces were suggested.This strategy will help to protect animals and the general public from Giardiasis in our country.

In June 2011, the Government of Ethiopia rolled out a pilot Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme. This paper assesses scheme uptake. We examine whether the scheme is inclusive, the role of health status in inducing enrolment and the effect of the quality of health care on uptake. By December 2012, scheme uptake had reached an impressive 45.5 percent of target households. We find that a household's socioeconomic status does not inhibit uptake and the most food-insecure households are substantially more likely to enrol. Recent illnesses, incidence of chronic diseases and self-assessed health status do not induce enrolment, while there is a positive link between past expenditure on outpatient care and enrolment. A relative novelty is the identification of the quality of health care on enrolment. We find that the availability of medical equipment and waiting time to see a medical professional play a substantial role in determining enrolment. Focus group discussions raise concerns about the behaviour of health care providers who tend to provide preferential treatment to uninsured households. Nevertheless, the start of the pilot scheme has been impressive and despite some concerns, almost all insured households indicate their intention to renew membership and more than half of uninsured households indicate a desire to enrol. While this augurs well, the estimates suggest that expanding uptake will require continued investments in the quality of health care.

Women represent a growing proportion of new positive HIV tests in Canada and are more likely to experience comorbid depression. This is concerning because comorbid depression is associated with suboptimal adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and poor HIV disease outcomes. The purpose of this project is to answer the question, What is the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) in optimizing adherence to HAART amongst marginalized, HIV-positive women with comorbid depression? By evaluating current literature this project found that social factors such as poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, post-traumatic stress disorder, stigmatization, gender or racial discrimination and injection drug use are risk factors for both comorbid depression and HAART non-adherence. Effective treatments for depression include cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacological intervention with antidepressants. The role of the NP was inferred by extrapolating the findings from this literature search with the competencies required of NP practice. NPs have the skills, education and legislated authority to provide collaborative care that addresses the underlying social factors that contribute to comorbid depression and HAART non-adherence. These findings are limited by the scarcity of research conducted with HIV-positive female participants, that investigates NP practice or interventions to address underlying social factors. --leaf ii. ; The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b1947180

PURPOSE: Alcohol consumption and tobacco use are key risk factors for chronic disease and health burden across the adult lifespan. We estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking by age and time period in adults from mid to old age. METHODS: Participants (n = 50,652) were drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project and were compared with Australian National Health Survey data. Alcohol and smoking consumption DYNOPTA data were weighted to the estimated resident population of the sampling frame for each contributing study according to age and sex distributions within major statistical regions. RESULTS: Comparisons in the rates of smoking and alcohol consumption between DYNOPTA and other national surveys were comparable. Males were more likely to be (RRR = 2.12) or have been smokers (RRR = 2.97), whilst females were more likely to be non-drinkers (RRR = 2.52). Period effects were also identified; higher prevalence rates in consumption of alcohol (RRR = 3.21) and smoking (RRR = 1.67) for those contributing studies from the early 1990's, in comparison with those studies from the latter half of the decade, were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Over a decade, prevalence rates for highrisk consumption of alcohol and current smoking behaviour declined and suggest the possible impact of government health policy, with targeted-health policies, that included bans on public smoking, and a toughening of legislation against alcohol-related crime. ; NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia)

PURPOSE: Alcohol consumption and tobacco use are key risk factors for chronic disease and health burden across the adult lifespan. We estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking by age and time period in adults from mid to old age. METHODS: Participants (n = 50,652) were drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project and were compared with Australian National Health Survey data. Alcohol and smoking consumption DYNOPTA data were weighted to the estimated resident population of the sampling frame for each contributing study according to age and sex distributions within major statistical regions. RESULTS: Comparisons in the rates of smoking and alcohol consumption between DYNOPTA and other national surveys were comparable. Males were more likely to be (RRR = 2.12) or have been smokers (RRR = 2.97), whilst females were more likely to be non-drinkers (RRR = 2.52). Period effects were also identified; higher prevalence rates in consumption of alcohol (RRR = 3.21) and smoking (RRR = 1.67) for those contributing studies from the early 1990's, in comparison with those studies from the latter half of the decade, were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Over a decade, prevalence rates for highrisk consumption of alcohol and current smoking behaviour declined and suggest the possible impact of government health policy, with targeted-health policies, that included bans on public smoking, and a toughening of legislation against alcohol-related crime. ; NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia)

This article is a review of the main methods and approaches used in regulation of cell therapy products in the United States of America, Canada, European Union, Australia, Japan and South Korea. Intensive developments of scientific and technological aspects in stem cell and tissue engineering have led to the wide use of human cells and tissues for the treatment of various diseases and injuries of organs and tissues. Drug regulatory agencies of different countries are working on implementation of a risk-based legal framework with some common features. In many countries there is a multilevel control system that assures quality and safety of used cell products. Competent authorities establish strict requirements both to safety of the products and to the implemented standards of good laboratory, manufacturing, clinical and tissue practices. ; В обзоре описаны основные международные подходы и направления нормативного регулирования препаратов клеточной терапии в США, Канаде, Европе, Австралии, Японии и Южной Корее. Интенсивное научно-технологическое развитие клеточной и тканевой инженерии привело к активному использованию человеческих клеток и тканей для лечения различных заболеваний и комбинированных повреждений. Регуляторные органы разных стран работают над установлением нормативно-правовой базы, основанной на оценке рисков, с некоторымиобщими чертами. В ряде стран мира имеется многоступенчатая система контроля, гарантирующая качество и безопасность применения клеточного продукта. Государственные регуляторные органы предъявляют жесткие требования не только к безопасности самой продукции, но и к стандартам осуществления надлежащей лабораторной, производственной, клинической и тканевой практики.

Nanotechnology involves the creation, manipulation and use of materials at the nanometer scale (10-9 m). This field is enabling new advances in science, with applications in fields such as chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and particularly in medicine. The latter called nanomedicine, has generated advances in monitoring, tissue repair, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases, using tools such as nanosensors, nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and in the near future, nanorobots, capable of penetrating the human body to repair it. Nanotechnology is in a growth stage, capturing the interest of companies, governments and investors to develop products useful in several fields, especially in medicine. ; La nanotecnología comprende la creación, manipulación y utilización de materiales en el orden nanométrico (10-9 m) y su aplicación en los campos de la química, la biología, la física, la ingeniería y en especial la medicina, se ha traducido en trascendentales avances en la ciencia. La hoy denominada nanomedicina ha comportado significativos adelantos en la monitorización, la reparación de tejidos, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la prevención de enfermedades mediante el uso de herramientas como nanosensores, nanopartículas y nanotubos, y en el futuro cercano nanorrobots capaces de penetrar en el organismo humano para repararlo. La nanotecnología se encuentra en una fase de crecimiento y ha capturando el interés de empresas, gobiernos e inversionistas que buscan desarrollar productos útiles para aplicarlos en diferentes esferas, especialmente en medicina. ; Universidad de San Buenaventura - Cali