Masculinity beliefs and willingness to seek help among young men in the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

Health-related behaviors including help-seeking are related to men's felt and perceived masculinity. This study explored whether findings from studies of links between masculinity and health-related behavior in developed 'western' contexts applied in the more strongly patriarchal cultural context of Pakistan. Online questionnaires were completed by male university students aged 17-30: 307 in Pakistan and 105 in the United Kingdom. Analyses revealed that compared to British men, Pakistani respondents had less egalitarian beliefs about gender relations, gave more importance to their own masculinity, considered non-traditional behaviors to have greater negative implications for men's masculinity, and were less willing to seek help. Among Pakistani men, lower willingness to seek help for physical and mental health was predicted by having less egalitarian gender beliefs, giving greater importance to personal masculinity, and considering non-traditional behaviors to have greater negative implications for men's masculinity. Among British men, greater perceived masculinity of help seeking predicted help seeking for physical concerns, and less importance of personal masculinity predicted help seeking for mental health. The results highlight a need for sensitivity to men's gender identity concerns when providing and encouraging use of health care, and to be aware of how cultural norms shape individuals' beliefs and behavior.

Death Anxiety and WellBeing in Doctors During COVID-19: The Explanatory and Boosting Roles of Sleep Quality and Work Locality.

The COVID-19 pandemic, a global public health crisis, has triggered anxiety and fear of death in general public and particularly among health professionals. This study aimed to assess the direct and mediated associations between death anxiety, sleep quality, and subjective wellbeing in doctors working during the pandemic. A secondary aim was tested to analyze the interactive role of workplace locality in these associations. An indirect-effect model was tested on a sample of 244 doctors working during the pandemic. Findings revealed that the association between death anxiety and subjective wellbeing was mediated through sleep quality. Furthermore, death anxiety significantly and negatively predicted subjective wellbeing in doctors working in rural setups compared to those working in urban setups. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

The practice of self-medication among Pakistani university students.

Self-medication refers to the selection and use of medicines without prescription by an individuals' personal responsibility as a cure of self-identified disease. Although its rationale, type and extent may different from culture to culture, it is globally prevalent practice. In Pakistan no research is available on the use of self-medication among university students. The existing study was conducted to investigate the frequency and percentages of branded medicines used by university students, reasons and rationale behind self-medication. It was a survey research design and descriptive statistics were collected regarding the use of self- medication. Hence, a sample of 300 students was employed between the age range of 16-25 years (M = 20.23, SD = 2. 76). The respondents filled a questionnaire regarding socio-economic and demographic variables, use of self-medication, and medication knowledge. Information was obtained on the conditions treated with medication, the medications used, and attitude towards self-medication. Results indicated mostly used type of self-medication was allopathic (f = 230, 77%). Headache was found to be more frequently prevalent disease. Most frequently used medicine was Disprin (M = 49.68, SD = 15. 14) as a cure of headaches and other body pains. Financial problems (f = 90, 30%) left over drugs (f = 46, 15%) and easy accessibility (f =38, 12.7%) were found to be the strongest factors in using self-medication. Moreover significant differences appeared in the use of type of medicines between boys and girls. The study concluded that self-medication is widely used practice among university students in Pakistan.

Brachyspira suanatina sp. nov., an enteropathogenic intestinal spirochaete isolated from pigs and mallards: genomic and phenotypic characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The genus Brachyspira currently encompasses seven valid species that colonize the intestines of mammals and birds. In a previous study a group of strongly haemolytic isolates from pigs and mallards was provisionally described as a new species within genus Brachyspira, "B. suanatina", and enteropathogenic properties were demonstrated in a porcine challenge model. METHODS: In the current study characterization of B. suanatina was performed on the basis of cell morphology, growth characteristics, enzyme profiles, DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) and whole genome comparisons. The draft genome sequence of B. suanatina strain AN4859/03 was determined and compared with the available genomes of all valid species of Brachyspira. RESULTS: According to morphological traits, growth characteristics and enzymatic profiles, B. suanatina was similar to the type strain of B. hyodysenteriae, but using the recommended threshold value of 70% similarity by DDH it did not belong to any of the recognized Brachyspira species (range 16-64% similarity). This was further supported by average nucleotide identity values. Phylogenetic analysis performed using housekeeping genes and core genomes of all valid Brachyspira sp. and "B. hampsonii" revealed that B. suanatina and B. intermedia formed a clade distinct from B. hyodysenteriae. By comparing the genomes of the three closely related species B. intermedia, B. hyodysenteriae and B. suanatina similar profiles of general genomic features and distribution of genes in different functional categories were obtained. However, the genome size of B. hyodysenteriae was smallest among the species, suggesting the possibility of reductive evolution in the divergence of this species. A bacteriophage region and a putative plasmid sequence were also found in the genome of B. suanatina strain AN4859/03. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that despite being similar to B. hyodysenteriae phenotypically, B. suanatina should be regarded as a separate species based on its genetic characteristics. Based on characteristics presented in this report we propose that strains AN4859/03, AN1681:1/04, AN2384/04 and Dk12570-2 from pigs in Sweden and Denmark, and strains AN3949:2/02 and AN1418:2/01 isolated from mallards in Sweden, represent a unique species within genus Brachyspira. For this new species we propose the name B. suanatina for which the type strain is AN4859/03T (=ATCC® BAA-2592™=DSM 100974T).

What are the coping strategies gynaecologists employ to meet with stressful situations?

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of stress and coping strategies among gynaecologists. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah, Ganga Ram and Mayo Hospitals, Lahore, from 10th January 2014 to 30th June 2014 and comprised gynaecologists at public-sector hospital with work experience ranging from 5 to 30 years. Demographic Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale and Cope Scale were employed to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to express stress and coping strategies. RESULTS: The mean age of the 200 respondents was 35.6±7.98 years (range: 25-59 years). Their mean experience was 15.5±2.65 years (range: 5 to 27 years). Overall, 52(26%) were experiencing mild stress, 82(41%) moderate stress and 66(33%) severe stress. Significant positive correlation was found of stress with problem-focused coping strategies like active coping, planning, instrumental social support, acceptance and positive reframing (p<0.05 each), and demographic factors like age, marital status, monthly income, working shifts, number of dependents, working hours, nature of job and family system (p<0.05 each)gynaecologist. Active coping, planning, instrumental social support, acceptance and positive reframing (p<0.05 each) were significant predicting strategies of stress. Monthly income, working shifts, working hours and nature of job (p<0.05 each) were significant predictors of stress among gynaecologists. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will contribute to knowledge about coping strategies employed by gynaecologists and variables that predict stress among gynaecologists.

Depression, anxiety, stress and demographic determinants of hypertension disease.

UNLABELLED: Background and Objective : Research evidence supports the relationship of psychological and demographic factors with hypertension and these variables are strongest predictors of hypertension which are scarcely studied in Pakistan. The present study was carried out to explore the correlation of depression, anxiety, stress and demographic factors with hypertension. METHOD: We used correlation research design and a sample of (N = 237), hypertensive patients (N = 137) and their age matched healthy controls (N = 100) was taken from hospitals. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress. RESULTS: RESULTS indicated significant positive correlation between depression (χ (2) MH = 104.18, p < .001), anxiety (χ (2) MH = 78.48, p < .001), stress (χ (2) MH = 110.95, p < .001) and overall negative states (χ (2) MH = 97.43, p < .001) with hypertension. Depression (OR = 1.44, p < .01), anxiety (OR = 1. 76, p < .01) stress (OR = 1.37, p < .01), job and dependents, working hours and weight turned out as predictors of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Hypertension has significant positive relationship with depression, anxiety, stress and with demographic variables. The findings of the present study will contribute in the existing knowledge of health professionals to enhance public awareness regarding the harmful outcomes of depression, anxiety and stress upon human health.

Family or otherwise: Exploring the impact of family motivation on job outcomes in collectivistic society.

The motive of the current research is to determine the influence of family motivation on intent to leave and job performance using self-determination theory. Moreover, this study also explores the moderating role of collectivistic culture and the mediating role of psychological meaningfulness on the relationship between family motivation and work outcomes. The data (N = 175) were collected from paramedical staff working in Pakistani public hospitals, and data was analyzed using PROCESS method. The findings revealed that family motivation enhanced employee job performance and lessened employees' intent to leave. At the same time, family motivation and psychological meaningfulness are stronger in highly collectivistic cultures compared to less collectivist cultures. This study extends the investigation of the newly developed construct of family motivation by focusing on psychological meaningfulness and collectivistic culture. Moreover, this study is the first to introduce psychological meaningfulness as a mediator and collectivistic culture as a moderator for the relationship between family motivation and employee job outcomes. This study provides several critical insights for the hospitals by exploring the importance of family motivation as a potential motivational resource for maintaining high employee job-performance levels and lessening the intent of employees to leave.

Religious coping and young adult's mental well-being during Covid-19: Testing a double moderated mediation model.

The literature describes religious coping as an important predictor of mental well-being. Present study is aimed at extending this knowledge by assessing whether specific religious coping regulates specific cognitive emotional responses to improve well-being during Covid pandemic, an extreme international event with significant impacts on individuals and communities. A sample of young adults responded to self-report measures of negative and positive religious coping, positive reappraisal, self-blaming, and mental well-being. Results revealed that positive religious coping was a positive predictor of mental well-being and positive reappraisal mediated this positive link. Also, gender and physical health status significantly interacted with positive reappraisal to predict mental well-being in these mediational associations. More specifically, indirect effects of positive reappraisal were positive and significant for men and for participants with better physical health compared with women and those with poor physical health. However, negative religious coping was not a significant correlate of mental well-being but a positive correlate of self-blame. Results suggest that positive religious coping facilitates positive regulation of emotions for improved mental well-being in young adults and particularly young men.

Genetic analysis of a Treponema phagedenis locus encoding antigenic lipoproteins with potential for antigenic variation.

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a painful and debilitating claw disease in cattle. Spirochetes of the genus Treponema are found in high numbers in the lesions and are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis. The occurrence of Treponema phagedenis in DD lesions, especially near the interface of healthy and diseased tissue, suggests that this species contributes to the development and/or progression of the lesions. In this study we characterized a genetic locus in T. phagedenis that contains coding regions for three antigenic proteins, PrrA, VpsA, and VpsB. Comparative analysis of homologous loci from fifteen strains suggests that prrA may be transposed into or out of this locus. Alterations in the copy number of TA repeats within the putative promoter region may regulate VpsA/B expression. The vpsA and prrA genes occur in allelic variants in different T. phagedenis isolates and may provide one explanation for the antigenic variation observed in T. phagedenis DD isolates.

The Trauma of Sexual Harassment and its Mental Health Consequences Among Nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sexual harassment in nurses and to observe its correlation with negative mental health (depression, anxiety and stress). Further to examine the role of sexual harassment as a predictor of negative mental health in nurses and to explore the differences in the experience of sexual harassment, depression, anxiety and stress between junior and senior nurses. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Public Sector Hospitals in Lahore, from December 2011 to March 2012. METHODOLOGY: Asample of 200 nurses with age range 23 to 46 years was obtained. Assessment tools used in the study were Sexual Harassment Experience Questionnaire (SHEQ) by Kamal, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) by Lovibond and Lovibond. RESULTS: Mean age of the nurses was 29.80 ±7.10 years. Among these 63% were married and 37% unmarried. The mean working experience of nurses was 13.7 ±3. 52 years and their mean monthly income was 27820 ±13687.32 rupees. Their working hours ranged from 8 to 16 hours (M = 8.32, SD = 2.12). The mean prevalence of sexual harassment was 71.66 ±19.01. A significant positive correlation of sexual harassment with depression, anxiety, stress and combined effect of them (DASS) was found. Multiple regression analysis showed sexual harassment as significant predictor of depression (ß= 0.47, p < .001), anxiety (ß= 0.43, p < .001) and stress (ß= 0.45, p < .001) in nurses. CONCLUSION: Sexual harassment was found to be a predictor of negative mental health in the form of depression, anxiety and stress in nurses of public hospitals.

Draft genome sequence of 'Treponema phagedenis' strain V1, isolated from bovine digital dermatitis.

'Treponema phagedenis' is considered to be a key agent in the pathogenesis of bovine digital dermatitis, an infectious foot condition of economic and animal welfare importance. We hereby report the draft sequence of 'T. phagedenis' strain V1. The draft genome assembly consists of 51 scaffolds comprising 3,129,551 bp and a GC-content of 39.9 %. Putative pathogenicity related factors have been identified in the genome that can be used in future studies to gain insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of 'T. phagedenis'.

Complete genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus, strain ILRI_Eymole1/1, isolated from a Kenyan dromedary camel.

We report the genome of a Staphylococcus aureus strain (ILRI_Eymole1/1) isolated from a nasal swab of a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in North Kenya. The complete genome sequence of this strain consists of a circular chromosome of 2,874,302 bp with a GC-content of 32.88 %. In silico annotation predicted 2755 protein-encoding genes and 76 non-coding genes. This isolate belongs to MLST sequence type 30 (ST30). Phylogenetic analysis based on a subset of 283 core genes revealed that it falls within the human clonal complex 30 (CC30) S. aureus isolate cluster but is genetically distinct. About 79 % of the protein encoding genes are part of the CC30 core genome (genes common to all CC30 S. aureus isolates), ~18 % were within the variable genome (shared among multiple but not all isolates) and ~ 3 % were found only in the genome of the camel isolate. Among the 85 isolate-specific genes, 79 were located within putative phages and pathogenicity islands. Protein encoding genes associated with bacterial adhesion, and secretory proteins that are essential components of the type VII secretion system were also identified. The complete genome sequence of S. aureus strain ILRI_Eymole1/1 has been deposited in the European Nucleotide Archive under the accession no LN626917.1.