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Esperanto, planned by Ludwik Lejzer (Łazarz) Markovich Zamenhof between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, was born as a linguistic tool within a broader project of reflection on the value of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, immediately presenting itself as the “language of peace”. But all this did not protect it from being used for different, if not even opposite, purposes in the military and political spheres. After introducing the reader to the values of Esperantism, we will discuss two peculiar examples – consonant in their diversity of context – of “heterodox” use of this lingvo de paco, to reflect, in conclusion, briefly on the more general relationship between ‘language’ and ‘peace’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical detector offers a rapid, accurate, precise and inexpensive micromethod for measuring iron in serum, in practise 50 microliters of serum is pipetted into the electrochemical cell and 60 seconds after the serum iron concentration is displayed digitally in mcg/dl. Day to day precision is 1.2%, the linearity is +/- 2% over range 0-1000 mcg/dl. Normal value in pediatric patients are 42-94 mcg/dl.

Here is presented a practical method for predicting creatinine clearance for pediatric patients from serum creatinine concentration and patients age without collection 24 h urine. Creatinine excretion rate (ER) can be predicted from the patients age, in years, by the formula: ER = (0.0463 x age) + 0.4049. Creatinine clearance can be predicted using the predicted excretion rate and serum creatinine concentration. There was a correlation (r = 0.66) between predicted and observed creatinine clearance in 101 subjects. This method allows renal function to be rapidly estimated.

In 46 breast-fed children affected with otitis or otoantrite, it was investigated on the role of seric immunoglobulines which necessarie are in e transitory lacking period. In the 50% of the tested cases in has been checked a lack of IgG particularly remarkable, beyond the limits of range of the values specific in the breastfed child. As e conclusion, the lack in gammaglobulines is a factor which favours the rising of infection.

After a short review on the topic of nutrition of very low-birth-weight infants, particularly the very small preterms, results are reported on a trial with an adapted milk for prematures. Subjects involved had a gestational age of 28-34 weeks and weighed less than 1500 g thus representing a sample of very low birth weight babies. By using levels of MCT in the milk, a protein quota of 3, 15 g/Kg/day with 40/60 casein whey-protein ratio, an electrolyte content slightly higher than in most adapted formulas (for fullterm babies) and low osmolarity, good results were obtained for body weight growth, length, head circumference and subcutaneous fat. Growth indices were similar to those typical of the terminal months of intrauterine development as well as a satisfactory overall portrayal of biochemical indices of the nutritional status of VLBW babies.

Two glycolytic enzymes, PHI and LDH, have been evaluated in 18 children affected by leukemia or solid tumors: 11 patients had just initiated therapy, 3 patients were about to initiate therapy, while 4 patients were out of therapy. The analysis of the data obtained has shown a good correlation with the course of the disease: we have found values above the normal range in patients with a favorable course of the disease (bone marrow relapse or CNS involvement in leukemic children; relapse or metastasis in solid tumors) almost always before it was possible to demonstrate by clinical and laboratory studies the inhanchement of tumoral cells growth. This was true in all patients except two children affected by neuroblastoma, who were in a favorable immunological status (presence in the serum of free specific antibodies), and who were out of therapy. In these patients the abnormal high values of PHI were interpretated as an index of necrotic phenomena of micrometastasis of tumor cells induced by specific committed T-lymphocytes. Values of PHI and LDH in the normal range were found in patients whose disease demonstrated a favorable course. The AA. suggest the introduction of these enzymatic parameters which may be a useful index of the efficacy of the chemotherapy in the follow-up of oncologic patients.

Public perception of drought is an important factor in sustainable water use. Heightened media coverage of drought events is shown to reduce public water consumption. This research examined Ireland's 2018 summer drought to identify how drought was framed in three broadsheet newspapers through a media content analysis over 19 weeks. Ireland provided a novel case study due to its rainy climate and lack of drought management strategies. Since the 1970s, few hydrological droughts occurred in Ireland, but forecasts indicate the country is likely to experience greater precipitation deficits in summer. In Ireland, as elsewhere, greater understanding of behavioural change and water conservation communication is needed given projected trends for increased frequency and severity of drought events. This research explored water conservation communication in the media to support better public response to future droughts in Ireland and elsewhere. Results demonstrated delayed media coverage of the drought and insufficient advice may have hampered public water conservation efforts. In addition, the role of climate change in exacerbating drought was under and misrepresented, potentially discouraging mitigative behaviours and acceptance of climate and water management policies. Earlier coverage of impending droughts with relevant advice could improve public efforts in water conservation and drought adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria during pregnancy results in intrauterine growth restriction, fetal anemia, and infant mortality. Women are more susceptible to malaria during pregnancy due to malaria‐induced inflammation and the sequestration of infected red blood cells in the placenta, which bind to the chondroitin sulfate portion of syndecan‐1 on the syncytiotrophoblast and in the intervillous space. Syndecan‐1 is a dimeric proteoglycan with an extracellular ectodomain that is cleaved from the transmembrane domain (referred to as "shedding") by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), likely the secreted MMP‐9. The ectodomain includes four binding sites for chondroitin sulfate, which are proximal to the transmembrane domain, and six distal binding sites primarily for heparan sulfate. This "shedding" of syndecan‐1 is inhibited by the presence of the heparan sulfate chains, which can be removed by heparanase. The intervillous space contains fibrin strands and syndecan‐1 ectodomains free of heparan sulfate. The following is proposed as the sequence of events that leads to and is primarily responsible for sequestration in the intervillous space of the placenta. Inflammation associated with malaria triggers increased heparanase activity that degrades the heparan sulfate on the membrane‐bound syndecan‐1. Inflammation also upregulates MMP‐9 and the removal of heparan sulfate gives MMP‐9 access to cleave syndecan‐1, thereby releasing dimeric syndecan‐1 ectodomains with at least four chondroitin sulfate chains attached. These multivalent ectodomains bind infected RBCs together leading to their aggregation and entrapment in intervillous fibrin. This mechanism suggests possible new targets for anti‐placental malaria drugs such as the inhibition of MMP‐9. Doxycycline is an antimalarial drug which inhibits MMP‐9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among the Plasmodium species that infect humans, adverse effects of P. falciparum and P. vivax have been extensively studied and reported with respect to poor outcomes particularly in first time mothers and in women living in areas with unstable malaria transmission. Although, other non-falciparum malaria infections during pregnancy have sometimes been reported, little is known about the dynamics of these infections during pregnancy. Methods and findings: Using a quantitative PCR approach, blood samples collected from Beninese pregnant women during the first antenatal visit (ANV) and at delivery including placental blood were screened for Plasmodium spp. Risk factors associated with Plasmodium spp. infection during pregnancy were assessed as well as the relationships with pregnancy outcomes. P. falciparum was the most prevalent Plasmodium species detected during pregnancy, irrespective either of parity, of age or of season during which the infection occurred. Although no P. vivax infections were detected in this cohort, P. malariae (9.2%) and P. ovale (5.8%) infections were observed in samples collected during the first ANV. These non-falciparum infections were also detected in maternal peripheral blood (1.3% for P. malariae and 1.2% for P. ovale) at delivery. Importantly, higher prevalence of P. malariae (5.5%) was observed in placental than peripheral blood while that of P. ovale was similar (1.8% in placental blood). Among the non-falciparum infected pregnant women with paired peripheral and placental samples, P. malariae infections in the placental blood was significantly higher than in the peripheral blood, suggesting a possible affinity of P. malariae for the placenta. However, no assoctiation of non-falciparum infections and the pregnancy outcomes was observed Conclusions: Overall this study provided insights into the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium spp. infection during pregnancy, indicating the lack association of non-falciparum infections with adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal release of the orexin neuropeptides orexin-A (Ox-A, hypocretin-1) and orexin-B (Ox-B, hypocretin-2) stabilises arousal, regulates energy homeostasis and contributes to cognition and learning. However, whether cellular correlates of brain plasticity are regulated through orexins, and whether they do so in a time-of-day-dependent manner, has never been assessed. Immunohistochemically we found sparse but widespread innervation of hippocampal subfields through Ox-A- and Ox-B-containing fibres in young adult rats. The actions of Ox-A were studied on NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission in acute hippocampal slices prepared around the trough (Zeitgeber time (ZT) 4-8, corresponding to 4-8 h into the resting phase) and peak (ZT 23) of intracerebroventricular orexin levels. At ZT 4-8, exogenous Ox-A (100 nM in bath) inhibited NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (NMDA-EPSCs) at mossy fibre (MF)-CA3 (to 55.6 ± 6.8% of control, P = 0.0003) and at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses (70.8 ± 6.3%, P = 0.013), whereas it remained ineffective at non-MF excitatory synapses in CA3. Ox-A actions were mediated postsynaptically and blocked by the orexin-2 receptor (OX2R) antagonist JNJ10397049 (1 μM), but not by orexin-1 receptor inhibition (SB334867, 1 μM) or by adrenergic and cholinergic antagonists. At ZT 23, inhibitory effects of exogenous Ox-A were absent (97.6 ± 2.9%, P = 0.42), but reinstated (87.2 ± 3.3%, P = 0.002) when endogenous orexin signalling was attenuated for 5 h through I.P. injections of almorexant (100 mg kg-1), a dual orexin receptor antagonist. In conclusion, endogenous orexins modulate hippocampal NMDAR function in a time-of-day-dependent manner, suggesting that they may influence cellular plasticity and consequent variations in memory performance across the sleep-wake cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep spindles are extensively studied electroencephalographic rhythms that recur periodically during non–rapid eye movement sleep and that are associated with rhythmic discharges of neurons throughout the thalamocortical system. Their occurrence thus constrains many aspects of the communication between thalamus and cortex, ranging from sensory transmission, to cortical plasticity and learning, to development and disease. I review these functional aspects in conjunction with novel findings on the cellular and molecular makeup of spindle-pacemaking circuits. A highlight in the search of roles for sleep spindles is the repeated finding that spindles correlate with memory consolidation in humans and animals. By illustrating that spindles are at the forefront understanding on how the brain might benefit from sleep rhythms, I hope to stimulate further experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Anaemia in pregnancy is an important reproductive health problem associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking in Gombe, North-eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 461 women attending the antenatal clinic was carried out. Anaemia in pregnancy was defined as a packed cell volume (PCV) of <30%. The capillary technique was used for the estimation of the PCV. The biosocial characteristics (age, parity and social class); and gestational age at booking were obtained and analysed. Of the 461 pregnant women studied, 239 were anaemic, a prevalence of anaemia at booking of 51.8%. The majority of these patients, 67.4%, were mildly anaemic, 30.5% were moderately anaemic while only 2.1% had severe anaemia. Most, 316 (68.5%) of the women booked in the second trimester while only 3.0% booked in the first trimester. There was no relationship between parity and anaemia in pregnancy in this study The majority of the women, 293 (63.5%) were in the lower social class. Because the majority of the anaemic gravidae are in the low social class, provision of haematinics at little or no cost will go a long way towards reducing the high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy. In the long run, educational and economic empowerment of the women is the key to reducing the overall prevalence of anaemia to the barest minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract   Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and represents enormous diagnostic challenge. The objective of this report was to review scientific data from studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on the diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy within the last two decades (1987 to 2007), to highlight the challenges and the public health implications. Using the Medline Entrez-Pubmed search, relevant publications were identified for the review via combinations of key words such as Malaria, Pregnancy, and Sub-Saharan Africa, which yielded 777 entries as of September 2007. The results from the various studies were discordant, due to differences in the techniques of sample collection and analysis, based on the differences in the definition of clinical, peripheral, and placental malaria. Definitions were based on the presence of malaria parasite and/or pigments in blood smear from peripheral/placental blood, on histological placental findings, on the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nonspecific clinical presentation of malaria, lack of efficient diagnostic facilities and trained personnel, and absence of regulatory standards for diagnostic tests, are some of the major diagnostic challenges. Increased allocation of resources to development and application of accurate diagnostics will improve malaria diagnosis in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and the survival and growth of the malaria parasite. Folate sufficiency may be associated with an increased risk of malaria. Antifolate antimalarial drugs are of major importance in the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Folic acid reverses the inhibition by antifolate drugs of plasmodial growth or survival in vitro, and folic acid supplements given to children with malaria may increase the failure rate of treatment with antimalarials. There is no convincing evidence of a significant prevalence of folate deficiency in children in malarious areas, nor of a beneficial effect of folic acid supplementation on malarial anemia. In areas where Plasmodium falciparum malaria is holoendemic, universal supplementation of children with iron and folic acid may increase the incidence of severe morbidity and mortality. These regions should be excluded from the World Health Organization recommendation of universal folic acid supplementation of children in areas of high prevalence of anemia. This does not apply to supplementation of pregnant women with folic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay provides a perspective on several issues in valence bond theory: the physical significance of semilocal bonding orbitals, the capability of valence bond concepts to explain systems with multireferences character, the use of valence bond theory to provide analytical representations of potential energy surfaces for chemical dynamics by the method of semiempirical valence bond potential energy surfaces (an early example of specific reaction parameters), by multiconfiguration molecular mechanics, by the combined valence bond-molecular mechanics method, and by the use of valence bond states as coupled diabatic states for describing electronically nonadiabatic processes (photochemistry). The essay includes both ab initio and semiempirical approaches. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anemia in pregnancy remains a major problem in nearly all developing and many industrialized countries. In Mali, the subpopulation prevalence and etiology of anemia during pregnancy are largely unknown.Objective: To examine the prevalence and likely etiologies of anemia in pregnancy in a poor urban population in Bamako, Mali.Methods: Pregnant women (n = 190) were selected randomly. Hemoglobin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity were measured; blood smears were examined for Plasmodium falciparum malaria; and single stool and urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium and hookworm. Gynecologic examinations were performed and interviews conducted to qualitatively assess food consumption and other socioeconomic characteristics. Associations among mild, moderate, and severe anemia; iron and parasite status; erythrocyte sedimentation rates; and the presence of abnormal vaginal discharge were evaluated. Differences in hemoglobin and serum iron concentrations, total iron-binding capacity, and anemia were compared according to trimester of pregnancy and between infected and noninfected women. The relative and attributable risks of anemia were calculated, and adjusted odds ratios for anemia and low serum iron were estimated by multivariate logistic regression.Results: Of the 131 women for whom complete data were available, 47% had hemoglobin concentrations below 110 g/L; 13% had serum iron concentrations below 12 micromol/L; none had transferrin saturation values below 16%; 11%, 23%, and 8% harbored P. falciparum, S. haematobium, and hookworm, respectively; and 82% had an abnormal vaginal discharge. Food restrictions were reported by 45% of the women. Abnormal vaginal discharge correlated significantly with anemia (Pearson chi2 = 62.4; p < .01). Univariate and multivariate analyses found that infections were strongly associated with and predictive of anemia.Conclusions: Our data suggest that infections and food accessibility contribute to the high rates of anemia during pregnancy in Mali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening for anaemia in pregnancy is essential for implementing and monitoring effective antenatal programmes. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of invasive and non-invasive screening methods in a cross-sectional survey of 403 pregnant women attending an urban health centre in Awassa, southern Ethiopia. Overall anaemia prevalence [haemoglobin (Hb): <11 g/dl] was 15.1% (95% CI: 12.1-19.9), mild anaemia (Hb: 10-10.9 g/dl) 10.4%, moderate anaemia (Hb: 7-9.9 g/dl) 4.2% and severe anaemia (Hb < 7 g/dl) 0.3%. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of conjunctival pallor and the WHO Hb colour scale were calculated for Hb cut-off points <11, <10 and <9 g/dl. All methods in combination with the symptoms and complaints reported by the mothers were entered into a predictive scoring system. None of the methods tested or models predicted anaemia with suitable accuracy in this population. The diagnosis of anaemia based on clinical signs and symptoms remains unreliable despite attempts to develop predictive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in South Southern Nigeria, and to identify an 'at-risk' group for targeted intervention. Antenatal women were screened for anaemia for 1 year (October 2000-September 2001) at the booking clinics of our three government hospitals in Kwale zone. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions of risk factors for anaemia ([Hb] < 11 g/dL) and severe anaemia ([Hb] < 7·0 g/dL) were carried out. The prevalence of overall anaemia and severe anaemia was found to be 56·1% and 6·7%, respectively. Independent risk factors for anaemia and severe anaemia were primigravidity, booking in late pregnancy and wet season. We conclude that anaemia remains a common problem in our population, and additional intervention for the 'at-risk' group is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is common in Tanzania, but many areas have not been investigated. This study describes prevalence and determinants of anemia among rural pregnant women living at 1300-2200 meters above sea level in Northern Tanzania.Methods: Three thousand eight hundred and thirty-six pregnant women from two rural divisions of Mbulu and Hanang districts attending antenatal clinic between January 1995 and March 1996 were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were examined for hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and thick blood slide (BS) for malaria. Information on date of examination, village, age, ethnic and religious affiliation, gestational age, and parity was recorded. Altitude was derived from official maps. Main outcome measures were mean Hb level and risk of anemia defined as a Hb of less than 9.0 g/dl.Results: Hb levels ranged from 4.5 to 18.1 g/dl, and mean was 12.1 g/dl. Twenty-three per cent had a Hb of less than 11 g/dl, 4.6% less than 9 g/dl and 0.5% less than 7 g/dl; standardized to sea level 36.1%, 8.8%, and 1.1%, respectively. The mean Hb increased by 0.3 g/dl per 200 m increased altitude, and the risk of anemia decreased with a factor of 0.6 per 200 m increased altitude. We found higher risk of anemia at higher maternal age (1.2 times increased risk per 5 years). Furthermore, the Datoga tribe had twice the risk of anemia compared with the Iraqw. The risk of anemia was only half at 3-4 months of gestation compared to at 7-8 months. The risk increased six-fold in the rainy season of 1995, and the risk was almost double among those with malaria parasitemia.Conclusions: Anemia in pregnancy was common in this area of high altitude in rural Tanzania, but less prevalent than indicated by studies from most other parts of the country. The study confirms that preventing anemia is a challenge in preventive antenatal care in the highlands of Tanzania. Studies focussing on the specific etiologic agents are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding events can inflict major disruption on society and cause significant infrastructural and environmental damage. However, the adverse health impacts of flooding, particularly as they pertain to private groundwater resources used for consumption, are frequently overlooked. Whilst the literature has previously found a lack of well stewardship among private well owners under 'normal' conditions, our understanding of private well owners' perceptions of and preparedness for the risks posed by flooding to their domestic well-water supply is limited. This study advances the qualitative literature on this subject. It is amongst the first qualitative studies employing focus groups to examine private well owners, and the first in an Irish context. Six focus groups were conducted in four counties in Ireland, with the themes emerging from the focus groups refined, organised, and interpreted in the context of the Health Belief Model. Most focus group participants expressed awareness of the potential severity of well contamination following flooding, but many did not consider their local area "at risk" of it, notwithstanding the occurrence of previous local flooding events. All focus group participants shared the view that owners were primarily responsible for their own wells. However, their capacity to undertake appropriate actions was reduced by reliance on visual and olfactory evidence to assess water quality, and concerns regarding the financial cost and accessibility of water testing facilities. The phenomenon of misperception was also evident among participants. In light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events including flooding, these findings provide direction for future socio-hydrogeological interventions. Targeted communication strategies highlighting the risks posed by flooding, mitigation measures that promote well stewardship, and protective behaviours are required. The provision of access to free well water testing would also promote protective actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]