Pilot study of peer modeling with psychological inoculation to promote coronavirus vaccination.

Promoting coronavirus vaccination is deterred by misinformation, ranging from elaborate conspiracy theories about sinister purposes to exaggeration of side effects, largely promulgated by social media. In this pilot study, we tested the effects of different messages on actions leading to vaccination. Two theory-based advertisements were produced for Facebook, which provided video testimonials from peer role models recommending vaccination and its benefits while providing psychological inoculation through the models' acknowledging misinformation, rejecting it and receiving the vaccine. These ads were paid to appear on Facebook users' feeds in rural counties in South Texas, along with a generic vaccine promotion ad from the CDC without peer models or psychological inoculation. Ad viewers could click a link to 'find a vaccine near you'; these responses served as the outcome variable for assessing experimental effects. Ads featuring peer modeling with psychological inoculation yielded a significantly higher rate of positive responses than CDC ads (30.5 versus14.9/1000 people reached in English and 49.7 versus 31.5/1000 in Spanish; P < 0.001 for both English and Spanish rate comparisons). This provides useful pilot data supporting the hypothesis that theory-based communication, i.e. peer modeling with psychological inoculation, may be more effective than more traditional forms of advertising for promoting coronavirus vaccination.

The association between alcohol consumption and self-reported current depression among adults residing in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between binge and heavy drinking and self-reported current depression (SRCD) in a representative population-based sample of adults residing in Brazil. METHODS: The sample for this study was based on the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey. SRCD was accessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), a valid eight-item depression measure for population-based studies instrument. The association between binge/heavy drinking and SRCD was investigated using weighted and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Out of the final study sample of 59 399 Brazilians, 47.2% were young adults, 34.6% were middle age adults and 52.4% were females. The prevalence of binge drinking was 13.8%, of heavy drinking was 3.2% and SRCD was 7.6%. There was a significant weighted and adjusted association between binge drinking and SRCD among young and middle age females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI:1.1-2.0 and OR = 0.6, 95% CI:0.4-0.8, respectively) and between heavy drinking and SRCD among young and middle age males (OR = 1.8, 95% CI:1.2-2.8 and OR = 2.5, 95% CI:1.5-4.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The possible protective factor of binge drinking for SRCD among middle-aged Brazilian females needs to be further investigated and understood. Longitudinal research is needed to provide further evidence of associations found in this study.

Screening of tropical estuarine water in south-west coast of India reveals emergence of ARGs-harboring hypervirulent Escherichia coli of global significance.

The goal of this study was to investigate the involvement of a tropical Indian estuary in the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)-harboring hypervirulent E. coli of global significance. A total of 300 E. coli isolates was tested for antibiotic susceptibility to ß-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, quinolones, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim. The E. coli isolates were screened for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tetA, tetB, sul1, sul2, strA, aphA2, catI, dhfr1, and dhfr7), integrase (int1, int2, and int3), Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and extraintestinal virulence genes (papAH, papC, sfa/focDE, kpsMT II, and iutA). The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistance was observed for ampicillin, followed by tetracycline, and nalidixic acid. Among E. coli isolates, 64% were resistant to at least one of the 15 antibiotics tested, and approximately 40% were multiple antibiotic-resistant (MAR). More than 40% (n = 122) of E. coli isolates had ARGs. Integrase 1 (int1) was found in 7.6% of E. coli isolates. Among E. coli isolates, 16.3% (n = 49) were extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), and approximately 34.6% (n = 17) of ExPEC had ARGs. A hypervirulent ARGs-harboring STEC was isolated. The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was low (n = 1). The prevalence of ARGs-harboring pathogenic E. coli isolates was higher in stations close to the City (urban area), than that of other stations. ERIC-PCR (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence polymerase chain reaction) analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the ARGs-harboring E. coli isolates. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of ARGs-harboring E. coli in estuarine water and confirm the need for a better wastewater treatment facility and proper control measures to reduce the discharge of sewage and wastewater into the aquatic environments.

MRSA in dermatology inpatients with a vesiculobullous disorder.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged worldwide as a major nosocomial pathogen that causes notable morbidity and mortality, especially in vesiculobullous disorders. To study the prevalence of MRSA among patients with autoimmune bullous and drug-induced vesiculobullous disorders and elucidate its predisposing factors and associated mortality, we conducted a prospective, descriptive, 1-year study of all vesiculobullous patients admitted to a tertiary-care center. The prevalence of MRSA in this study was high (32.6%); MRSA constituted 55.8% of all bacterial isolates. All MRSA isolates were resistant to cloxacillin, oxacillin, and cefoxitin; all isolates (100%) were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid; and 79.1% of isolates (34 patients) were sensitive to amikacin, an inexpensive and readily available antibiotic.

Dental students' perceptions on the contribution and impact role of a clinical teacher.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted in University of Malaya to evaluate student perceptions on the contribution and role of an effective clinical teacher based on the cognitive apprenticeship model in clinical practice. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 233 undergraduate dental students involved with clinical teaching. This modified and validated questionnaire focusing on students' learning environment was used in order to gain relevant information related to dental clinical teaching. Six domains with different criteria applicable to clinical teaching in dentistry were selected consisting of modelling (four criteria), coaching (four criteria), scaffolding (four criteria), articulation (four criteria), reflection (two criteria) and general learning environment (six criteria). Data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. RESULTS: Majority of the students expressed positive perceptions on their clinical learning experience towards the clinical teachers in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, in all criteria of the domains. Few negative feedbacks concerning the general learning environment were reported. CONCLUSION: Further improvement in the delivery of clinical teaching preferably by using wide variety of teaching-learning activities can be taken into account through students' feedback on their learning experience.

TRPC1-mediated Ca²âº entry is essential for the regulation of hypoxia and nutrient depletion-dependent autophagy.

Autophagy is a cellular catabolic process needed for the degradation and recycling of protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Although Ca(2+) is suggested to have an important role in cell survival, the ion channel(s) involved in autophagy have not been identified. Here we demonstrate that increase in intracellular Ca(2+) via transient receptor potential canonical channel-1 (TRPC1) regulates autophagy, thereby preventing cell death in two morphologically distinct cells lines. The addition of DMOG or DFO, a cell permeable hypoxia-mimetic agents, or serum starvation, induces autophagy in both epithelial and neuronal cells. The induction of autophagy increases Ca(2+) entry via the TRPC1 channel, which was inhibited by the addition of 2APB and SKF96365. Importantly, TRPC1-mediated Ca(2+) entry resulted in increased expression of autophagic markers that prevented cell death. Furthermore, hypoxia-mediated autophagy also increased TRPC1, but not STIM1 or Orai1, expression. Silencing of TRPC1 or inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine, but not TRPC3, attenuated hypoxia-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) influx, decreased autophagy, and increased cell death. Furthermore, the primary salivary gland cells isolated from mice exposed to hypoxic conditions also showed increased expression of TRPC1 as well as increase in Ca(2+) entry along with increased expression of autophagic markers. Altogether, we provide evidence for the involvement of Ca(2+) influx via TRPC1 in regulating autophagy to protect against cell death.

An Audit Of The Turnaround Time Of Fixed Prosthodontics Cases In The Ceramic Laboratory

This clinical audit is aimed to provide an insight into the performance of dental technicians in renderingfixed prosthodontics services at Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. A retrospective audit wascarried out between 1st of November 2014 and 31st January 2015 using data derived from records andmonthly returns of the technicians, which are kept at the ceramic laboratory. Retrospective data oncases of diagnostic wax-ups, full metal crowns, metal ceramic crowns, all ceramic crowns and bridgesthat were sent to ceramic laboratory for fabrication from 1st of September 2013 to 31st of August 2014was systematically extracted from the record and tabulated categorically in SPSS version 22.0. Theturnaround time in workings day for diagnostic wax-ups and the prostheses was calculated by deductingexit date from entry date. Subsequently, the turnaround time and the complexity of cases were categorizedaccordingly. The association of turnaround time and the complexity of the cases was analysed usingFisher Exact test with p value < 0.05. Within this time frame, a total of 102 cases of diagnostic waxups,36 cases of crown and 18 cases of bridges were fabricated. 57.8% of diagnostic wax-ups werecompleted within 3 days. 100% of 1 unit crown were completed within 7 days and 94.4% of bridges werecompleted within 14 days. There was a significant association of turnaround time and the complexity ofthe cases for diagnostic wax-ups and crowns with p value <0.05. The standard for turnaround time isbeing met by the ceramic laboratory at Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. However, due to theexcessive workload, the overall output of all the measured procedures remains low.

Yellow nail syndrome: a rarity in Indians?

Reports of yellow nail syndrome have been few and far between. The classical triad of the syndrome has not been reported in Indian literature. We report a case of yellow nail syndrome in a forty-year-old male, who had yellowish-brown nails from birth. He developed lymphoedema of the legs at the age of twenty years and presented with pleural effusion at the age of forty years. Although a case of yellow nail syndrome has been reported from India, the classical triad of the syndrome is yet to be documented from our country. The condition may be missed because of the long time difference in presentation of different components of the syndrome and also because of the dark skin colour of Indians.

Larvicidal and chemosterilant activity of Annona squamosa alkaloids against Anopheles stephensi.

Alkaloids isolated from Annona squamosa have shown larvicidal growth-regulating and chemosterilant activities against Anopheles stephensi at concentrations of 50 to 200 ppm. Adults exposed as larvae to different treatments showed reduced fecundity and fertility in females. Mortality in the larvae, pupae and adults produced about a 52-92% decrease in the laboratory experiment. The total developmental period was slightly reduced from the control. Treatment with the alkaloids had a significant effect on the mortality, emergence and reproductive physiology of An. stephensi.

Laboratory assessment of indigenous plant extracts for anti-juvenile hormone activity in Culex quinquefasciatus.

Of 15 plants tested, five plant extracts showed anti-juvenile hormone-like activity against laboratory colonised late fourth instar larvae and adult female mosquitoes. Petroleum ether extract of Eichhornia crassipes and acetone extracts of Ageratum conyzoides, Cleome icosandra, Tagetes erectes and Tridax procumbens showed growth inhibitory (P less than 0.001) and juvenile hormone mimicing activity to the treated larvae of C. quinquefasciatus.. Larval pupal intermediates, demalanised pupae, defective egg rafts and adult with deformed flight muscles were few noticeable changes. Biting behaviour was observed to be affected only in Ageratum, Cleome and Tridax extracts (P less than 0.001). Loss of fecundity was observed in the treated mosquitoes but no sterilant effects could be seen. Adults, obtained from larvae exposed to the plant extracts produced significantly shorter egg-rafts (P less than 0.005) than in control.

Thalassemia in Bombay: the role of medical genetics in developing countries.

This study of 200 families with thalassaemic children in Bombay showed that these children's treatment and needs place a significant, unavoidable and increasing demand on the public health services. At the same time, owing to the potentially large number of patients and the difficulties of long-term management, the situation is characterized by evasion of the problem, failure of planning, no provisions for prevention, and inadequate treatment leading to premature death among the affected children. The burden on such families is greater in developing than in developed countries because, besides caring for the chronically sick child, their lives are dominated by the high costs of treatment, often amounting to 20-30% of the income for many families. Seven mothers with no healthy children and 27 with only one healthy child had been sterilized; 90% of reproductive-age couples felt that prenatal diagnosis was a necessity. Also, ignorance and prejudice in the community led to social isolation for forty families. The experience in Europe shows that improved treatment is the key step in controlling thalassaemia. A well-organized day-transfusion service is cost-effective, soon restoring the children to health and leading to increased optimism. The formation of associations by parents could mobilize community support for improved treatment and prevention, and increase public awareness of the problem. Thus cost-effective management and prevention through screening, genetic counselling, and prenatal diagnosis are at least as important in the developing as in developed countries.

Thalassaemia in Bombay: The role of medical genetics in developing countries

This study of 200 families with thalassaemic children in Bombay showed that these children's treatment and needs place a significant, unavoidable and increasing demand on the public health services. At the same time, owing to the potentially large number of patients and the difficulties of long-term management, the situation is characterized by evasion of the problem, failure of planing, no provisions for prevention, and inadequate treatment leading to premature death among the affected children. The burden on such families is greater in developing than in developed countries because, besides caring for the chronically sick child, their lives are dominated by the high cost of treatment, often amounting to 20-30 per cent of the income for many families. Seven mothers with no healthy children and 27 with only one healthy child had been sterilized; 90 per cent of reproductive-age couples felt that prenatal diagnosis was a necessity. Also, ignorance and prejudice in the community led to social isolation for the forty families

The experience in Europe shows that improved treatment is the key step in controlling thalassaemia. A well-organized day-transfusion service is cost-effective, soon restoring the children to health and leading to increased optimism. The formulation of associations by parents could mobilize ...(AU)

Restriction endonuclease gene mapping studies of an Indian (A gamma delta beta)zero-thalassaemia, previously identified as G gamma-HPFH.

Restriction endonuclease mapping data are presented for the DNA of a young Indian homozygous patient (and his heterozygous parents) who were identified 10 years ago as having a G gamma-hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (Sukumaran et al, 1972). However, the present results indicate a genetic lesion in these persons which is similar to that observed in another Indian with (A gamma delta beta)0-thalassaemia homozygosity (Amin et al, 1979) and is characterized by two relatively short deletions and an inversion involving the A gamma, delta and beta globin genes (Jones et al, 1981a). Some additional blot hybridization studies have provided further data confirming the deletion-inversion hypothesis.

Heterogeneity in the molecular basis of three types of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and the relative synthesis of the G gamma and A gamma types of gamma chain.

Restriction endonuclease analyses of DNA from one Black G gamma A gamma-HPFH homozygote and four Black and one Indian G gamma A gamma-HPFH heterozygotes have identified three different HPFH types which are the result of large deletions including the delta and beta genes. Two of the types are comparable to those characterized previously, but the third, which is present in the Indian heterozygote, shows a distinct difference in the size of the deletion. The 5' end point of the deletion in this type III G gamma A gamma-HPFH extends 0.5-1.0 kb beyond the 5' end point of one of the Black types of HPFH (type I). Each of the three types is associated with a distinct ratio between the G gamma and the A gamma chains, an observation supported by family data. The highest ratio is found in the heterozygote with the Indian type III G gamma A gamma-HPFH, with 69.3% G gamma chains, while the averages for the other types were 50.7% G gamma (type I) and 32.3% G gamma (type II).

Gamma thalassemia resulting from the deletion of a gamma-globin gene.

The first example of a deletion of one of the two gamma globin genes has been characterized through an analysis of the DNA of the heterozygous parent of a homozygous newborn, using restriction endonuclease mapping techniques. A deletion of approximately 5 kb was observed which was probably caused by an unequal crossing-over between the -G gamma- and -A gamma- genes resulting in the formation of a -G gamma A gamma- hybrid gene. Data on proportions of G gamma and A gamma chains in newborn babies assumed to be heterozygous for the hybrid and normal genes suggest that this hybrid gene may be producing its A gamma chain at levels normally seen only for the G gamma chain.