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Eradication of schistosomiasis in Guangxi, China. Part 1: Setting, strategies, operations, and outcomes, 1953-92.

Reported are the results of an analysis of a 40-year programme leading to eradication of schistosomiasis in Guangxi, China, a large, poor autonomous region of the country that had the heaviest global burden of the disease. We used historical county data and maps showing the initial distribution and density of Oncomelania snails and the initial prevalence of schistosomiasis to assess the correlation between snail occurrence and human infection. All annual county schistosomiasis reports were collected and analysed, including information on snail abundance and infection, human and animal infection control, stool examinations and patient treatments, clinical and serology examinations, skin test surveillance, patient follow-up, patient treatments, animal examinations, water supply and sanitation, and environmental modification. The findings bear witness to the laborious, systematic and scientific basis of the control programme and how it changed over the 40 years. Of note is the continual search for and treatment of cases, the killing of snails, and the permanent alteration of their habitats using mass community participation and methods adapted to local conditions. The programme has freed more than 10 million people from the risk of schistosomiasis and boosted rural economic development and health. The persistence, good record keeping, evolving and locally flexible strategies, and the clear focus of the control programme were crucial to its eventual success.

Animals↗

[Perception of risk for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus].

Prevention of AIDS is very complex and requires, apart from basic knowledge about modes of transmission and protection, individual awareness of personal risk of infection and modification of one's risky behavior. Perception of risk has been suggested as an important element of sexual behavior change among people who engage in behaviors that place them at risk of HIV infection. This study investigates perceived risk of an HIV infection among inhabitants of municipality of Palilula. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative accuracy of risk assessment, especially for those with high-risk sexual behavior and to assess the factors related to self perception of developing AIDS. The survey was conducted as a household survey in Belgrade municipality "Palilula". The design of the survey was based on a two-stage stratified random sample. The population of Palilula municipality was divided in two stratums and 840 households were selected from each stratum. All members of selected households aged 15-49 years were interviewed. Total of 2659 persons was interviewed. Self administered questionnaire, developed by WHO and described in the Evaluation of National AIDS Programme: A Methods Package 1. Prevention of HIV infection, Geneva, 1994, was translated and adapted for local application. For analysis of findings methods of descriptive statistics, chi square test and logistic regression were used. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS/PC. The results showed that most of the respondents (1662, 62.5%) do not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection. Interestingly, almost one quarter of the sample couldn't estimate personal chances of being HIV infected. Significantly larger proportion of respondents living in urban area than those living in rural area perceived themselves at risk (17.1% of urban vs. 7.7% from rural area, chi square = 54.06, Ir0.00). Significant differences between age groups were found for perception of personal risk. Respondents up to 19 and those older than 25 in more than 60 percent and only a half of those between 20 and 24 believed that there was no chance they could become HIV infected. Almost 16% of respondents between 20 and 24 believed that they had some chances of contracting HIV, also approximately one third of them couldn't estimate personal risk of contracting HIV infection (chi square = 2.10, p = 0.00)(Graphe 1). Those who engaged in sex with irregular partners were found to perceive themselves in higher risk then those who were engaged in sex only with regular partners in previous 12 months. One fifth of those with irregular partners estimated their chances as good versus only 10% of those with only regular partners. A logistic regression analysis found that those who believed they were personally at risk knew someone with HIV, had more irregular sexual partners in last 12 months, were younger, and lived in urban area (Table 1). People correctly perceived the risk of HIV infection as being minimal as most of them didn't engage in risk behavior. Risk perception was higher among those who had more irregular partners, younger and those from urban area. Most important predictor of risk perception was knowledge of HIV positive individual.

Adolescent↗

[Studies of climatic factors influencing the performance of cattle in the Syrian Arab Republic. 2. Assessment fo 1968/69 climatic factors].

On the basis of the values of temperature and moisture for one year, an experimental cowshed (80 cows) on the border of the Syriain semidesert was investigated using a new evaluation scheme. The assessment was made according to three ranges of physiological compatibility. Essential deficiencies were found in the construction and in the function of the cowshed. Using the relevant literature (see part 1) on this subject, the paper tries to show that such conditions must be detremental to the performance of European cattle breeds. If cattle stay for a long time in temperature regions above the physiological compatibility range, damages to the health must also be expected in non-adapted and local breeds. Suitable devices must be built into the cowsheds to enable release of warmth from the cattle kept there. Improvements in the climate of the cowshed are part of the complex measure for increasing the performance. The paper tries to stimulate more intensive studies of the climate and its effect on the performance in animal production for other regions and countries as well.

Animal Husbandry↗

Forelimb postischaemic reactive hyperaemia is impaired by hypotensive low body negative pressure in healthy subjects.

Local metabolic conditions adapt blood supply to metabolic requirement by a direct effect on vascular smooth muscles and indirectly by modulating sympathetic vasoconstrictor effectiveness. During exercise, sympathetic nervous activity could in turn interfere on local metabolic control of vascular tone and restrain blood flow to active muscles. In order to investigate that interaction non-invasively, we measured postischaemic reactive hyperaemia (RH) in the forelimb of eight healthy young men (22.7 +/- 2.1 years) at rest and during two levels of sympathetic stimulation using low body negative pressure (LBNP -15 and -30 mmHg). During every stages, RH was measured after 40, 60, 90 and 180 s of arterial occlusion, respectively. In control conditions, RH rose with duration of ischaemia (18.9, 24.2, 30.4, 33.1 ml min(-1) per 100 ml(-1) for 40, 60, 90 and 180 s of ischaemia, respectively). During non-hypotensive LBNP (-15 mmHg) sympathetic activation was associated with decreased forelimb blood flow (6.4 +/- 0.9 versus 3.9 +/- 0.6 ml min(-1) per 100 ml(-1), P<0.01), but RH were not significantly different from control conditions. During hypotensive tachycardia LBNP (-30 mmHg), RH were significantly lower than under the previous LBNP stage. This fall in RH was greater after the shortest gap of ischaemia and tapered off as arterial occlusion gap increased (-22.3, -13.1, -10.5 and -8.7% for 40, 60, 90 and 180 s of ischaemia, respectively). These results suggested that vascular tone adaptation to local metabolic conditions was modified by sympathetic nervous activation. This was particularly marked when an hypotensive-mediated sympathetic stimulation was opposed to short gaps of ischaemia.

Adult↗

Spatiotemporal characteristics of form analysis in the human visual cortex revealed by rapid event-related fMRI adaptation.

The integration of local elements to coherent forms is at the core of understanding visual perception. Accumulating evidence suggests that both early retinotopic and higher occipitotemporal areas contribute to the integration of local elements to global forms. However, the spatiotemporal characteristics of form analysis in the human visual cortex remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate form analysis at different spatial (global vs. local structure) and temporal (different stimulus presentation rates) scales across stages of visual analysis (from V1 to the lateral occipital complex-LOC) in the human brain. We used closed contours rendered by Gabor elements and manipulated either the global contour structure or the orientation of the local Gabor elements. Our rapid event-related fMRI adaptation studies suggest that contour integration and form processing in early visual areas is transient and limited within the local neighborhood of their cells' receptive field. In contrast, higher visual areas appear to process the perceived global form in a more sustained manner. Finally, we demonstrate that these spatiotemporal properties of form processing in the visual cortex are modulated by attention. Attention to the global form maintains sustained processing in occipitotemporal areas, whereas attention to local elements enhances their integration in early visual areas. These findings provide novel neuroimaging evidence for form analysis at different spatiotemporal scales across human visual areas and validate the use of rapid event-related fMRI adaptation for investigating processing across stages of visual analysis in the human brain.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Molecules that inhibit T-cell functions: cytochemical localization and shuttling.

Adaptive immune responses to antigens are mediated by specific receptors expressed on B cells (BCR's) and T cells (TCR's). Effector cells and memory cells are produced following a proliferative wave that accounts for clonal expansion. If not down-regulated, clonal expansion might lead to uncontrolled lymphoproliferation that would be harmful for the organism. Several mechanisms that account for the down-sizing of activated lymphocyte clones are briefly reviewed here. We next consider in detail one such mechanism that deals with the functional characterization and the immunocytochemical localization of two T-cell inhibitory molecules, namely the Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and the HP-F1 antigen, both present in all T lymphocytes. CTLA-4 and HP-F1 inhibit CD4+ T-helper cell proliferation and the lytic ability of CD8+ T-cytotoxic cells in non-specific and in antigen-specific cytolytic assays. Interestingly, a clonal distribution exists as for the ability of CTLA-4 and HP-F1 to inhibit T-cell functions. In resting and activated T cells, both molecules are largely confined in the endosomal compartment, as shown by immunofluorescence analyses. However, upon interaction of T cells with Antigen-Presenting Cells (APC's) or with target cells that must be killed, CTLA-4 molecules are transported to the plasma membrane, at the site of cell-to-cell contact where, following interaction with ligands, they trigger inhibitory signals.

Abatacept↗

Complex growth rate evolution in a latitudinally widespread species.

The simultaneous effects of selective agents acting on somatic growth rates, their interactions, and their interactions with local environmental conditions that vary across a species' geographic range are potentially complex and poorly known. This is particularly true of viviparous ectotherms whose offspring may be adapted to the gestation environment provided by their mothers. We studied multiple sources of growth rate variation in a widespread, viviparous reptile, including the effect of the maternal environment on growth following parturition. Females in early pregnancy were collected from replicate populations close to the tropical and temperate margins of this species' range. These females completed gestation in either of two different, common environments designed to simulate the thermal and photoperiod environments at the sampling locations. Our experiments revealed complex growth rate evolution between the northern and southern extremes of Eulamprus quoyii's geographic range and local adaptation of growth rates to maternal environments. Unique to this study was the manifestation of these growth rate differences, entrained in utero, but expressed following parturition and maintained through to maturity despite the presence of compensatory growth. In addition to providing the most complete picture to date of the evolution of somatic growth in a viviparous ectotherm, our study suggests that understanding local adaptation to maternal gestation environments, in terms of both mean growth rates and growth rate reaction norms, could change our understanding of how growth rates have evolved in other viviparous ectotherms. Indeed, such local adaptation may provide a selective advantage in the evolution of viviparity.

Acclimatization↗

Ayurveda, malaria and the indigenous herbal tradition in Sri Lanka.

Using key informants and available records, the way in which inhabitants of purana villages in Nuwarakalaviya, Sri Lanka coped with malaria during the pre-DDT era is examined. This study found that the Nuwarakalaviya peasants responded to endemic malaria through a localized herbal tradition, which was to some extent independent of the scholarly ayurveda system common to the whole of South Asia. The relevant herbal tradition, consisting of a combination of antiparasite and antivector strategies using locally available natural resources, represented an effective adaptation to the local ecosystem.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗

Linear motion aftereffect induced by pure relative motion.

The effect of adaptation to pure relative motion was investigated for the motion aftereffect (MAE) of linear translation motion. In experiment 1, MAE induced by adaptation in the surrounding area was tested. The relative motion signal significantly increased the magnitude of MAE while local MAE in the surrounds was not affected. In experiment 2, MAE observed in the same adapted area was examined while local adaptation was cancelled out. Substantial MAE was found only when the test stimuli included the surroundings, which is considered to be favourable for relative motion mechanisms. These results clearly indicate that MAE is induced by adaptation to pure relative motion as well as by local motion. MAE should be regarded as a composite phenomenon reflecting multiple sites of adaptation including the local and the relative motion levels. The results also provide evidence for the existence of independent detecting mechanisms for relative motion processing.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

[Local immune response to live cold-adapted reassortant influenza vaccine in children, adults, and aged people].

A study was conducted to compare the production of the serum and local IgA-antibodies in persons of different age groups (aged: 3-6, 7-14, 18-30, 65-89) after a single intranasal immunization with trivalent live cold-adapted reassortant of influenza vaccine (LIV). The geometric mean of titers of local IgA-antibodies increased, during post-vaccination period, against influenza viruses A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B as much as people's age went up. It is noteworthy, that the parameters of the young and elderly did not virtually differ. As for the children, aged 3-6 and especially 7-14, an active local immune response developed in them to the LIV administration. Thus, no pronounced age-related immunologic insufficiency was found in children, aged 3-14, or in the elderly above 65 to the induced local response caused by LIV.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Adaptive responses to antimicrobial agents in biofilms.

Bacterial biofilms demonstrate adaptive resistance in response to antimicrobial stress more effectively than corresponding planktonic populations. We propose here that, in biofilms, reaction-diffusion limited penetration may result in only low levels of antimicrobial exposure to deeper regions of the biofilm. Sheltered cells are then able to enter an adapted resistant state if the local time scale for adaptation is faster than that for disinfection. This mechanism is not available to a planktonic population. A mathematical model is presented to illustrate. Results indicate that, for a sufficiently thick biofilm, cells in the biofilm implement adaptive responses more effectively than do freely suspended cells. Effective disinfection requires applied biocide concentration that increases quadratically or exponentially with biofilm thickness.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effects of adaptation of vestibulo-ocular reflex function on manual target localization.

The goal of the present study was to determine if adaptive modulation of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function is associated with commensurate alterations in manual target localization. To measure the effects of adapted VOR on manual responses we developed the Vestibular-Contingent Pointing Test (VCP). In the VCP test, subjects pointed to a remembered target following passive whole body rotation in the dark. In the first experiment, subjects performed VCP before and after wearing 0.5X minifying lenses that adaptively attenuate horizontal VOR gain. Results showed that adaptive reduction in horizontal VOR gain was accompanied by a commensurate change in VCP performance. In the second experiment, bilaterally labyrinthine deficient (LD) subjects were tested to confirm that vestibular cues were central to the spatial coding of both eye and hand movements during VCP. LD subjects performed significantly worse than normal subjects. These results demonstrate that adaptive change in VOR can lead to alterations in manual target localization.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

[Physiological mechanisms fo the formation of the adaptation- compensatory process with the impact of local vibration accompanied by noise and dust].

Based on studies and mathematic analysis of 72 parameters of body systems, the authors arranged correlation matrix and multiple regression models for 109 tunnelers and drillers. The parameters characterizing mobility of retardation and balance of nervous processes were proved to play a leading role among adaptation and compensation mechanisms of human response to local vibration, noise and dust. The authors justified criteria to reliably characterize individual sensitivity to local vibration.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The role of spatial-frequency channels in the perception of local and global structure.

Adaptation and reaction-time techniques were used to examine the role of different spatial-frequency channels in the perception of local and global structure. Subjects were shown figures consisting of a large C composed of smaller Cs and asked to identify the orientation of either the global C or its local elements. Prior to performing the task subjects were adapted to different spatial frequencies and the effect on subsequent performance was assessed. Two main results were found. First, the adapting frequency that most affected the global task was often lower than that most affecting the local task, suggesting that high and low frequencies independently code the structure of an image. Second, reaction time to global figures was often faster than to local figures at all levels of detectability, again suggesting a role of low-frequency channels in global processing.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

Local, hierarchic, and iterative reconstructors for adaptive optics.

Adaptive optics systems for future large optical telescopes may require thousands of sensors and actuators. Optimal reconstruction of phase errors using relative measurements requires feedback from every sensor to each actuator, resulting in computational scaling for n actuators of n2. The optimum local reconstructor is investigated, wherein each actuator command depends only on sensor information in a neighboring region. The resulting performance degradation "global" modes is quantified analytically, and two approaches are considered for recovering global performance. Combining local and global estimators in a two-layer hierarchic architecture yields computations scaling with n(4/3); extending this approach to multiple layers yields linear scaling. An alternative approach that maintains a local structure is to allow actuator commands to depend on both local sensors and prior local estimates. This iterative approach is equivalent to a temporal low-pass filter on global information and gives a scaling of n(3/2). The algorithms are simulated by using data from the Palomar Observatory adaptive optics system. The analysis is general enough to also be applicable to active optics or other systems with many sensors and actuators.

Journal Article↗