Hmong gardens: Botanical diversity in an urban setting

Since the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Laotian Hmong have immigrated to the United States, many ultimately resettling in the Central Valley of California. In the innercity environment of Sacramento, the Hmong continue their agrarian traditions by creating urban gardens where they grow traditional plants. In this study, we document 59 Hmong garden species grown at a site in South Sacramento. Most of these species are documented in the Southeast Asian botanical literature as either food or medicinal plants. Uses of the plants are discussed as is the importance of urban gardens in maintaining Hmong cultural identity and practices.     

艾滋病合并咽喉马尔尼菲青霉菌病的研究

目的研究艾滋病(AIDS)患者合并咽喉马尔尼菲青霉菌病(Penicilliosis marneffei,PSM)的咽喉表现和诊疗方法。方法收集2002年5月~2007年3月,经真菌学、血清学和组织病理学证实的5例AIDS合并咽喉PSM患者。应用抗逆转录病毒药物治疗AIDS,用两性霉素B联合氟康唑静滴治疗PSM。结果咽痛、声嘶及粘膜溃疡是AIDS合并PSM的咽喉部症状体征。5例病变组织病理学检查发现细胞内PM菌体。真菌培养分离出双相性马尔尼菲青霉菌(Penicillium marneffei,PM)。经抗真菌治疗,2例体温下降,咽喉疼痛减轻,声嘶改善,扁桃体炎症消退,溃疡面缩小,全身症状减轻。最终4例机会性感染死亡,1例仍在随访中。结论AIDS合并咽喉PSM是根据病史、临床表现和实验检查三方面作出诊断;HIV/AIDS用抗逆转录酶病毒治疗,PM用两性霉素B联合氟康唑静滴治疗。     

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in a rural setting in Canada.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was monitored in patients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection in a village in southeastern Ontario from April 1983 to April 1984. M. pneumoniae was isolated from 51 (48%) of the 106 patients. The incidence began to increase in May 1983, reached a peak in July and declined to normal by mid-August. During the epidemic period M. pneumoniae was detected in 36 of the 43 symptomatic patients. The most prominent features of the outbreak were the considerable intrafamilial attack rate and the high frequency of pneumonia among infected patients. Treatment with tetracyclines and erythromycin reduced the duration of the illness and accelerated the resolution of symptoms.     

Detection of tularemia pathogens in patients with the use of an immunofluorescence reaction

For the first time three cases of the detection of Francisella tularensis, made by means of the direct immunofluorescence test in the fluid obtained from punctured buboes or in purulent matter taken from patients with the ulcerous bubonic form of tularemia, are presented. The simplicity of the test and its capacity of yielding rapid results make it possible to recommend this test, together with other diagnostic methods, for the clinical diagnosis of tularemia.     

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in infants less than six months of age in Hawassa,an urban setting,Ethiopia

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life. However, the proportion of EBF in Ethiopia is 58%. The EBF practice and factors affecting it have not been studied in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of EBF practice among infants less than six months age in Hawassa city, Ethiopia.

Methods

A total of 529 mothers with infants aged 0–6 months were involved in this study between November 2015 and January 2016. Trained interviewers collected data from the mothers of the infants. Exclusive breastfeeding was assessed based on infant feeding practice in the prior 24 h. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results

Infants aged 0–5.9 months were studied with comparable gender composition (51.4% females). The exclusive breastfeeding prevalence was 60.9% (95% CI 56.6, 65.1). Mothers with infants aged 0–1.9 months and 2–3.9 months practiced EBF more likely than mothers with infants aged 4–6 months (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.59; 95% CI 2.07, 6.2) and (AOR 2.08; 95% CI 1.23, 3.5), respectively. Married mothers practiced EBF more likely than singles (AOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.03, 4.06). Housewives practiced EBF more likely than employed mothers (AOR 2.57; 95% CI 1.34, 4.9). Mothers who had a vaginal birth were more likely to practice EBF than mothers who gave birth via Cesarean section (AOR 2.8; 95% CI 1.7, 4.6). Mothers who gave birth at a healthcare facility were more likely to practice EBF than mothers who gave birth at home (AOR 8.8; 95% CI 5.04, 15.4). Mothers without a breast complication practiced exclusive breastfeeding more than mothers with breast complications (AOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.5, 4.1).

Conclusions

This study showed a low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Younger infants, babies born to married women, who are housewives, having a vaginal birth in a health facility, and whose mother’s breasts were healthy, were predictors for EBF. The promotion of an institutional delivery, optimal breastfeeding practices, and designing strategies to better support employed mothers are recommended.

     

Field investigations of tularemia in Norway

Abstract In Norway, tularemia is a common disease in small rodent and hare populations, where large outbreaks can be observed. In humans, the yearly number of cases is low, usually less than ten, with peaks up to 44 recorded in recent years. Serological investigations on hunters and healthy school children nevertheless indicate, with up to 4.7% positivity in the latter group, that Francisella tularensis low-grade infection is widespread. F. tularensis in co-culture with amoebae, e.g. Achantamoeba castellanii , may grow after internalization and kill the amoeba. As with Legionella, Francisella virulence may be enhanced after protozoan ingestion. This suggests a mechanism that can explain the pattern of dissemination and infection in our region.