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Rotavirus disease is a common cause of health care utilization and almost all children are affected by the age of 5 years. In Canada, at the time of this survey (2008-09), immunization rates for rotavirus were less than 20%. We assessed the determinants of a parent's acceptance to have their child immunized against rotavirus. The survey instruments were based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data were collected in two phases. In all, 413 and 394 parents completed the first and second interviews, respectively (retention rate 95%). Most parents (67%) intended to immunize their child against rotavirus. Factors significantly associated with parental intentions (Phase 1) were as follows: perception of the moral correctness of having their child immunized (personal normative belief) and perception that significant others will approve of the immunization behavior (subjective norm), perceived capability of having their child immunized (perceived behavioral control) and household income. At Phase 2, 165 parents (42%) reported that their child was immunized against rotavirus. The main determinant of vaccination behavior was parental intention to have their child vaccinated, whereas personal normative beliefs influenced both intention and behavior. The acceptability of the rotavirus vaccine will be higher if health promotion addresses parental knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding the disease and the vaccine.

Successful vertical HIV transmission prevention programmes (VTP) have resulted in an expanding population of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants whose growth, health and neurodevelopmental outcomes could have consequences for future resource allocation. We compared neurodevelopmental and behavioural outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2–3 year old HEU and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HU) children. Women living with and without HIV and their infants were enrolled within three days of birth from a low-risk midwife obstetric unit in Cape Town, South Africa during 2012 and 2013, under WHO Option A VTP guidelines. HIV-uninfected children aged 30–42 months were assessed using the Bayley scales of Infant Development-Third edition (BSID) and Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Thirty-two HEU and 27 HU children (mean birth weight 3048g vs 3096g) were assessed. HEU children performed as well as HU children on BSID cognitive, language and motor domains. Mean scores fell within the low average range. Mothers of HEU children reported fewer conduct problems but stunting was associated with increased total difficulties on the SDQ. HEU and HU children's performance on the BSID was similar. In this low-risk cohort, HIV exposure did not confer additional risk. Stunting was associated with increased behavioural problems irrespective of HIV exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have employed element and chemically sensitive x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in order to address a long standing controversy regarding the electronic and magnetic states of CuCr2Se4 via halogen doping of the Se anion site in CuCr2Se4-xYx (Y=Cl and Br). Long range magnetic order is observed above room temperature for all samples. The Cr L2,3 XAS spectra show a prevalent 3+ valence for the Cr ions independent of doping concentration and doping agent. The Cu L2,3 XAS spectra show a combination of 1+ and 2+ valence states for all samples. XMCD spectra indicate the presence of a magnetic moment associated with the Cu ions that is aligned antiparallel to the Cr moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the magnetic properties of the isostructural spinel-spinel interface of NiMn2O4(NMO)–Fe3O4. Although the magnetic transition temperature of the NMO film is preserved, both bulk and interface sensitive measurements demonstrate that the interface exhibits strong interfacial magnetic coupling up to room temperature. While NMO thin films have a ferrimagnetic transition temperature of 60 K, both NiFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 are ferrimagnetic at room temperature. Our experimental results suggest that these magnetic properties arise from a thin interdiffused region of (Fe,Mn,Ni)3O4 at the interface, leading to Mn and Ni magnetic properties similar to those of MnFe2O4 and NiFe2O4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 50-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with stage IV KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer who experienced visible muscle twitching in the right lateral triceps brachii from irinotecan administration for which typical supportive care measures were unsuccessful, including the administration of atropine and slowing down the infusion rate. The patient was able to tolerate this reaction and received 20 cycles of irinotecan-based chemotherapy despite experiencing the muscle twitching with every cycle at the same onset, duration, and severity. It is possible that competitive metabolism by concomitant medications metabolized by CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 was responsible for this event. Due to ethical concerns, we were unable to formally assess the drug interaction by discontinuing the suspected interacting medications and re-initiating them to evaluate the effects. A formal pharmacokinetic study may be warranted to better elucidate these potential drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Estimating abundance is fundamental to effective fishery management but can be challenging in a river where spatial and temporal heterogeneity may preclude the consistent use of a single sampling gear and different gears have differing size selectivity and capture probabilities of fish. In this study, the number of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, was estimated based on mark–recapture data from angling and boat electric fishing in a 4.2‐km regulated section (mean width = 115 m) of the Broad River, South Carolina, USA. Closed‐population capture–mark–recapture models were fit in the Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework with an estimated number of 2,380 fish (95% credible interval: 1,578–3,693) over 200 mm TL, although simulations indicated that abundance would be slightly overestimated (<20%) when two gears selected for different individuals. Integrating two gear types into a mark–recapture study can provide a method for assessing abundance in spatially or temporally heterogeneous habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Vaccine hesitancy" is a concept used frequently in vaccination discourse and is challenging previously held perspective that individual vaccination attitudes and behaviours are a simple dichotomy of accept or reject. Given the importance of achieving high vaccine coverage in Canada to avoid vaccine preventable diseases and their consequences, vaccine hesitancy is an important issue that needs to be addressed. This article describes the scope and causes of vaccine hesitancy in Canada and proposes potential approaches to address it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Public Health Agency of Canada / Canadian Institutes of Health Research Influenza Research Network (PCIRN), established in 2009 to undertake evaluative research to inform public health decision making in Canada, is now being replaced by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN), which will retain the mandate of PCIRN but expand it to all vaccines including influenza vaccine. CIRN is organized as a network of networks focusing on undertaking research in the areas of vaccine safety, adverse events following immunization (AEFIs), vaccine hesitancy, vaccine effectiveness, and vaccine coverage. CIRN's networks include: a clinical trial network; a laboratory network; a modelling and economics network; a network of social science and humanities researchers; a vaccine safety surveillance network; a hospital-based surveillance network; a clinic network to evaluate serious AEFIs; and a network that links vaccine research capacity in provincial health agencies and departments. PCIRN has contributed to Canada's vaccine safety surveillance system and has facilitated the translation of safety research into policy. Vaccine safety surveillance and research will remain a focus of the newly formed Canadian Immunization Research Network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]