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Engaging men is a critical component in efforts to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). Little is known regarding men's perspectives of approaches that challenge inequitable gender norms, particularly in settings impacted by armed conflict. This article describes men's experiences with a women's empowerment program and highlights men's perceptions of gender norms, poverty and armed conflict, as they relate to achieving programmatic goals. Data are from 32 Ivorian men who participated in indepth interviews in 2012. Interviews were undertaken as part of an intervention that combined gender dialogue groups for both women and their male partners with women's only village savings and loans programs to reduce IPV against women. Findings suggested that in the context of armed conflict, traditional gender norms and economic stressors experienced by men challenged fulfillment of gender roles and threatened men's sense of masculinity. Men who participated in gender dialogue groups discussed their acceptance of programming and identified improvements in their relationships with their female partners. These men further discussed increased financial planning along with their partners, and attributed such increases to the intervention. Addressing men's perceptions of masculinity, poverty and armed conflict may be key components to reduce men's violence against women in conflict-affected settings., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The immune responses of schoolchildren in southeast England to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other species of mycobacteria were studied prior to vaccination with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data are presented for tuberculin (Heaf) skin test and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses to M. tuberculosis purified protein derivative (PPD), and IFN-gamma responses to PPDs from eight other environmental mycobacteria, measured in 424 schoolchildren (13-15 years of age). Responses to M. tuberculosis PPD were detected in 27% of schoolchildren by in vitro IFN-gamma response and in 20% by the Heaf test. IFN-gamma responses were more prevalent to PPDs from species of mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis, predominantly those of the MAIS complex and M. marinum (45-60% responders). Heaf test and IFN-gamma responses were associated (P<0.001) for M. tuberculosis, MAIS and M. marinum. These findings have implications for appropriate implementation of vaccination against tuberculosis.

We have previously reported that injection of ryanodine receptor agonists into mature bovine oocytes induces intracellular calcium release, indicative of the existence of ryanodine receptors. In this experiment, further evidence of the ryanodine receptor localization, and developmental regulation in bovine oocytes is presented. The possible physiological significance is also suggested. Using a rabbit antibody against the rabbit cardiac muscle ryanodine receptor, the ryanodine receptor was observed uniformly localized in the periphery of mature bovine oocytes, while a weak and discontinuous signal was observed in the germinal vesicle intact stage of bovine oocytes. As oocytes progress to the metaphase I stage, the ryanodine receptor localization became more intense and continuous, yet not comparable to that observed in the metaphase II oocytes. These modifications correlate with the intracellular calcium responsiveness to ryanodine. A 200-microM injection of ryanodine induces a low intracellular calcium transient in germinal vesicle-stage bovine oocytes, while peaked intracellular calcium transients are subsequently observed in the metaphase II-stage oocytes. However, no significant changes in the amplitude of intracellular calcium transients induced by 250 nM inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and 10 microM ionomycin were observed in oocytes at a comparable stage. Fertilization induced a significant decrease in ryanodine receptor signal; similar changes were also observed in oocytes injected with 200 microM ryanodine or incubated with 10 microM ionomycin. However, no changes in ryanodine signal were observed in oocytes injected with vehicle medium. Furthermore, injection of either ryanodine or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induced subsequent pronuclear formation and cleavage. These data indicate that the ryanodine receptor is closely regulated and associated with early cellular changes following fertilization; stimulation of this receptor results in the activation of bovine oocytes, and it is likely that this receptor may play a role at fertilization.

Biological monitoring of workers exposed to toxic substances has been used for many years for a variety of differing purposes. This has caused some confusion amongst the professions concerned as to its proper use in any defined circumstances. This paper attempts to clarify the position, particularly as regards the role of biological monitoring in occupational hygiene practice.

Faced with the difficult task of coordinating statewide health education, the Kentucky Council on Higher Education is using several manpower projection statistics as one component of their decision-making process. These manpower data are essential when considering the establishment, expansion, continuation, or termination of health-related academic programs. Three models were used to project manpower requirements for licensed physical therapists in Kentucky. The models were 1) manpower:population ratio, 2) trend analysis based on time series, and 3) the American Physical Therapy Association's health-needs method. Four variants of the manpower:population ratio model are discussed and presented: population ratio based ona 1) national ratio, 2) Kentucky ratio, 3) weighted national ratio, and 4) weighted Kentucky radio. The trend analysis model is presented and discussed. The health-needs approach, based on expert opinion and health-related variables, identifies the quantity and quality of services required to provide the Kentucky population with the best possible care. The paper concludes with three brief scenarios describing the possible effects of the three models and physical therapy in Kentucky. The scenarios unfold from differing assumption about the effects of manpower production on health care. Scenario A is a "current arrangement" scenario. Scenario B considers the effects of predicting future manpower requirements and resources based on the past. Scenario C projects the effects of a comprehensive plan on the goal of producing the best possible care for all Kentuckians.