Prophylactic Behaviour Research Articles

Impact of Skin Cancer Awareness on Prophylactic Behavior Among Renal Transplant Recipients

BackgroundRenal transplant recipients (RTRs) have a risk for skin cancer. The most important risk factor, and the only one that depends on patient behavior, is the exposure to ultraviolet light. The aim of this study was to assess the level of skin cancer awareness and its impact on preventative behavior among RTRs. MethodsQuestionnaires were applied to assess the awareness of increased risk of skin cancer and its influence on preventative behavior among RTRs. ResultsOf the RTRs, 51.6% considered themselves as a group of patients with a high risk of skin cancer. Only 11.5% (group A) were able to fully explain the whole reason of the need for sun protection usage. A partial explanation was provided by 40.1% of the patients (group B). The other 48.5% of the patients (group C) provided no explanation. Among the patients, 53.9% of surveyed RTRs never applied any sunscreen. Of RTRs, 22.5% claimed to always avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Most of the patients admitted to having outdoor hobbies (81% of group A, 60.3% of group B, 58% of group C). In addition, 36.2% of RTRs thought that they were more attractive if they were tanned. ConclusionsThe awareness of being in a group of increased risk of skin cancer is still poor among RTRs. Skin cancer awareness does not correlate with usage of different forms of sun prevention. There is a great need for active education of Polish RTRs.

Modeling the Spread of Ebola

ObjectivesThis study aims to create a mathematical model to better understand the spread of Ebola, the mathematical dynamics of the disease, and preventative behaviors. MethodsAn epidemiological model is created with a system of nonlinear differential equations, and the model examines the disease transmission dynamics with isolation through stability analysis. All parameters are approximated, and results are also exploited by simulations. Sensitivity analysis is used to discuss the effect of intervention strategies. ResultsThe system has only one equilibrium point, which is the disease-free state (S,L,I,R,D) = (N,0,0,0,0). If traditional burials of Ebola victims are allowed, the possible end state is never stable. Provided that safe burial practices with no traditional rituals are followed, the endemic-free state is stable if the basic reproductive number, R0, is less than 1. Model behaviors correspond to empirical facts. The model simulation agrees with the data of the Nigeria outbreak in 2004: 12 recoveries, eight deaths, Ebola free in about 3 months, and an R0 value of about 2.6 initially, which signifies swift spread of the infection. The best way to reduce R0 is achieving the speedy net effect of intervention strategies. One day's delay in full compliance with building rings around the virus with isolation, close observation, and clear education may double the number of infected cases. ConclusionThe model can predict the total number of infected cases, number of deaths, and duration of outbreaks among others. The model can be used to better understand the spread of Ebola, educate about prophylactic behaviors, and develop strategies that alter environment to achieve a disease-free state. A future work is to incorporate vaccination in the model when the vaccines are developed and the effects of vaccines are known better.

The role of self-efficacy in undertaking health-seeking behaviours by physical education teachers

Background: Self-efficacy, defined as a personal resource, is increasingly analysed in context of healthseeking behaviours. Therefore, it is important to explain to what extent these behaviours are associated with cognitive personality disposition of physical education teachers, manifested by their self-efficacy. Material/Methods: We examined 271 physical education teachers (n♀ = 137 and n♂ =134) aged between 23 and 62 years (M = 38.97, SD = 9.33). The respondents were surveyed with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale by Schwarzer and Jerusalem in the Polish adaptation by Juczynski, Health Behaviour Inventory by Juczynski and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire by Cash. Results: Our findings point to a beneficial effect of self-efficacy on Proper Nutrition Habits, Prophylactic Behaviour, Positive Psychological Attitudes and Fitness/Health Orientation. Nevertheless, the use of Indicator Variables in Regression revealed that GSES exerts stronger effect on health-seeking behaviours in men than in women. Furthermore, we did not confirm a crucial role of self-efficacy in undertaking physical activity and Health Practices. Conclusions: Physical education teachers show moderate levels of health-seeking behaviours; this necessitates stimulating their active involvement in self-promotion of health. This can be achieved by health promotional and educational activities addressed to physical education teachers.

Emergency measures: Adaptive response to pathogen intrusion in the ant nest

Ants have developed prophylactic and hygienic behaviours in order to limit risks of pathogenic outbreaks inside their nest, which are often called social immunity. Here, we test whether ants can adapt the “social immune response” to the level of pathogenic risk in the colony. We challenged Myrmica rubra colonies with dead nestmates that had either died from being frozen or from infection by the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Ant survival was compromised by the presence of the fungus-bearing corpses: workers died faster with a significantly lower survival from the 4th day compared to workers challenged with freeze-killed corpses. When faced with fungus-bearing corpses, workers responded quickly by increasing hygienic behaviours: they spent more time cleaning the nest, moving the corpses, and self-grooming. Ants in fungus-threatened colonies also decreased contact rates with other workers, and moved corpses further in the corners of the nest than in colonies in contact with non-infected corpses. These results show that ant colonies are able to assess the risk level associated with the presence of corpses in the nest, and adjust their investment in terms of hygienic behaviour.

Interaction specificity between leaf-cutting ants and vertically transmitted Pseudonocardia bacteria.

BackgroundThe obligate mutualism between fungus-growing ants and microbial symbionts offers excellent opportunities to study the specificity and stability of multi-species interactions. In addition to cultivating fungus gardens, these ants have domesticated actinomycete bacteria to defend gardens against the fungal parasite Escovopsis and possibly other pathogens. Panamanian Acromyrmex echinatior leaf-cutting ants primarily associate with actinomycetes of the genus Pseudonocardia. Colonies are inoculated with one of two vertically transmitted phylotypes (Ps1 or Ps2), and maintain the same phylotype over their lifetime. We performed a cross-fostering experiment to test whether co-adaptations between ants and bacterial phylotypes have evolved, and how this affects bacterial growth and ant prophylactic behavior after infection with Escovopsis.ResultsWe show that Pseudonocardia readily colonized ants irrespective of their colony of origin, but that the Ps2 phylotype, which was previously shown to be better able to maintain its monocultural integrity after workers became foragers than Ps1, reached a higher final cover when grown on its native host than on alternative hosts. The frequencies of major grooming and weeding behaviors co-varied with symbiont/host combinations, showing that ant behavior also was affected when cuticular actinomycete phylotypes were swapped.ConclusionThese results show that the interactions between leaf-cutting ants and Pseudonocardia bear signatures of mutual co-adaptation within a single ant population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0308-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk factors involved in orofacial cleft predisposition - review.

Clefts that occur in children are a special topic. Avoiding risk factors, and also an early diagnosis of cleft possibility can result in minimizing or avoiding them. If on the other hand when clefts occur they require a long-term, multistage specialized treatment. Etiology of clefts seems to be related to many factors. Factors such as genetic, environmental, geographic and even race factors are important. Identification of risk factors can lead to prevention and prophylactic behaviors in order to minimize its occurrence. Exposure to environmental factors at home and work that lead to cleft predisposition should not be disregarded. It seems that before planning a family it would be wise to consult with doctors of different specializations, especially in high-risk families with cleft history in order to analyze previous lifestyle. Clefts are very common in hereditary facial malformations and are causing a lot of other irregularities in the head and neck region. In this paper after a brief papers review authors present socio-geographic, environmental and also work place related factors that are influencing pregnant women condition and should be taken under serious consideration.

Keep the nest clean: survival advantages of corpse removal in ants.

Sociality increases exposure to pathogens. Therefore, social insects have developed a wide range of behavioural defences, known as ‘social immunity’. However, the benefits of these behaviours in terms of colony survival have been scarcely investigated. We tested the survival advantage of prophylaxis, i.e. corpse removal, in ants. Over 50 days, we compared the survival of ants in colonies that were free to remove corpses with those that were restricted in their corpse removal. From Day 8 onwards, the survival of adult workers was significantly higher in colonies that were allowed to remove corpses normally. Overall, larvae survived better than adults, but were slightly affected by the presence of corpses in the nest. When removal was restricted, ants removed as many corpses as they could and moved the remaining corpses away from brood, typically to the nest corners. These results show the importance of nest maintenance and prophylactic behaviour in social insects.

Prudent inquilines and proactive hosts: behavioral dynamics between an ant social parasite, Megalomyrmex symmetochus and its fungus-growing ant host, Sericomyrmex amabilis

Ant social parasites evolve adaptive relationships with their hosts. Theoretically, coevolution predicts strong selection to maximize fitness of the parasite that minimizes costs to its host, which potentially leads to the evolution of benign interactions. We studied the demographic and behavioral traits of the ant social parasite Megalomyrmexsymmetochus (Solenopsidini), an agro-predator that feeds on larvae and fungal garden products of their host, Sericomyrmex amabilis (Attini). Based on demographic data from 15 parasitized colonies, the proportion of parasitic workers to those of the host is 1:2. Moreover, defensive prophylactic behaviors observed during infections with Metarhiziumbrunneum, a generalist entomopathogen, and Escovopsis, a specialized fungal garden parasite, showed that S.amabilis works extensively to remove and control fungal infections, in contrast to M. symmetochus. M.symmetochus, however, performed intraspecific allogrooming during infections with Escovopsis and M. brunneum, suggesting that they may recognize fungal pathogens and indirectly limit dispersion of spores. Our results indicate that M. symmetochus did not have a strong role in maintaining a hygienic nest.

Differential gene expression in Acromyrmex leaf‐cutting ants after challenges with two fungal pathogens

Social insects in general and leaf-cutting ants in particular have increased selection pressures on their innate immune system due to their social lifestyle and monoclonality of the symbiotic fungal cultivar. As this symbiosis is obligate for both parties, prophylactic behavioural defences against infections are expected to increase either ant survival or fungus-garden survival, but also to possibly trade off when specific infections differ in potential danger. We examined the effectiveness of prophylactic behaviours and modulations of innate immune defences by a combination of inoculation bioassays and genome-wide transcriptomic studies (RNA-Seq), using an ant pathogen (Metarhizium brunneum) and a fungus-garden pathogen (Escovopsis weberi) and administering inoculations both directly and indirectly (via the symbiotic partner). Upon detection of pathogen conidia, ant workers responded by increasing both general activity and the frequency of specific defence behaviours (self-grooming, allo-grooming, garden-grooming) independent of the pathogen encountered. This trend was also evident in the patterns of gene expression change. Both direct and indirect (via fungus garden) inoculations with Metarhizium induced a general up-regulation of gene expression, including a number of well-known immune-related genes. In contrast, direct inoculation of the fungus garden by Escovopsis induced an overall down-regulation of ant gene expression, whereas indirect inoculation (via the ants) did not, suggesting that increased activity of ants to remove this fungus-garden pathogen is costly and involves trade-offs with the activation of other physiological pathways.

Exposed intestines and contaminated cooks: Sex, stress, & satiation predict disgust sensitivity

An evolutionary perspective predicts that the intensity of the disgust response should depend on the ancestral costs and benefits of coming into contact with disease vectors. Previous research advanced the compensatory behavioral prophylaxis hypothesis: progesterone-induced immunosuppression should be accompanied by increased disgust and contaminant-avoidance. However, extant data do not address whether factors other than progesterone-induced immunosuppression also trigger heightened disgust. The current study delineates two competing prophylaxis hypotheses and adjudicates between them by testing whether stress and satiation, which shift the costs and benefits of prophylactic behavior but are unrelated to progesterone-induced immunosuppression, predict disgust sensitivity. Results revealed a sex–stress–satiation interaction in predicting Disgust Scale-Revised (DS-R) scores. This study provides evidence of a broader system of compensatory prophylaxis, illuminates the functional basis of facultative shifts in disgust, and presents conceptual and statistical analyses for more cleanly cleaving the psychology of disgust at its natural joints.

Recognition and Avoidance of Contaminated Flowers by Foraging Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)

Bumblebee colonies are founded by a single-mated queen. Due to this life history trait, bumblebees are more susceptible to parasites and diseases than polyandrous and/or polygynous social insects. A greater resistance towards parasites is shown when the genetic variability within a colony is increased. The parasite resistance may be divided into different levels regarding the step of the parasite infection (e.g. parasite uptake, parasite intake, parasite's establishment in the nest, parasite transmission).We investigate the prophylactic behaviour of bumblebees. Bumblebees were observed during their foraging flights on two artificial flowers; one of these was contaminated by Crithidia bombi, a naturally occurring gut parasite of bumblebees (in a control experiment the non-specific pathogen Escherichia coli was used). For C. bombi, bumblebees were preferentially observed feeding on the non-contaminated flower. Whereas for E. coli, the number of visits between flowers was the same, bumblebees spent more time feeding on the non-contaminated flower.These results demonstrate the ability of bumblebees to recognise the contamination of food sources. In addition, bumblebees have a stronger preference for the non-contaminated flower when C. bombi is present in the other flower than with E. coli which might be explained as an adaptive behaviour of bumblebees towards this specific gut parasite. It seems that the more specific the parasite is, the more it reduces the reward of the flower.

Health Behavior of Patients After Heart Transplantation as an Indicator of Patient Compliance

Introduction Life after heart transplantation (HTX) does not only mean adherence to medical recommendations, but also implementation of healthy habits each day. It is necessary to change health-related customs, diet, and lifestyle, as well as to maintain a high standard of hygiene. Some patients make the necessary lifestyle modifications prior to surgery, as a result of pre–heart failure conditions, such as coronary heart disease or hypertension or diabetes. People who suddenly fall ill must make these changes immediately after the operation. The transplantation team working with patients after HTX since 1988 performs a program of secondary prophylaxis. Patients work with a physician, psychologist, physiotherapist, nursing team, and dietitian. The program is based on the processual model of health behavior Health Action Process Approach by Ralf Schwarzer. The goal of the study was to describe and assess compliance to a healthy lifestyle among patients living with a heart transplant. Methods The study was conducted using the Health Behavior Inventory developed and standardized by Z. Juczyński. The scale examined three types of behavior lowering/raising the risk of illness as associated with compliance to medical recommendations, maintaining health, and reducing disease risk. Participants included 100 HTX patients including 23 women and 77 men of overall age range 21–75 years (average = 53.5). Results The results are as follows: General indicator of health behaviors—7.3 sten. Subscales: proper nutrition habits—3.5; prophylactic behavior—4.1; positive psychological attitude—3 health practices—3.8. Conclusions Heart transplant patients require professional, interdisciplinary assistance to shape healthy behaviors with motivational and volitional phases. Patients who follow medical recommendations experience a much better quality of life, protecting the new heart from negative effects of bad habits.

Retrospective comparison of patient outcomes after in-person and telephone results disclosure counseling for BRCA1/2 genetic testing

Telephone disclosure of BRCA1/2 molecular genetic test results has been proposed as a feasible alternative to traditional in-person results disclosure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between method of result disclosure with the patient outcome variables of knowledge, cancer worry, cancer risk perception, satisfaction, and cancer screening and prophylactic surgery behaviors. Study participants included 228 women who completed retrospective, self-administered, mailed surveys regarding their pre-test genetic counseling and results disclosure. No significant relationships were found between result disclosure method and the outcome variables investigated. A majority (90%) of individuals who received positive results by telephone returned for follow up visits. Factors which genetic counselors believed influenced their clinical decision to offer telephone disclosure, such as history of breast cancer, a priori risk of genetic mutation and family history of known mutation were not shown to significantly impact the actual disclosure method. This study suggests that telephone results disclosure is clinically appropriate when counselors utilize their clinical judgment to determine which patients are appropriate candidates.

Effect of probiotics on biotechnological characteristics of yoghurt

PurposeProbiotics are known to extend health benefits and therefore may be included during yoghurt manufacture to enhance its prophylactic properties. Different probiotic strains may exhibit diverse biotechnological behaviour in association with yoghurt cultures, therefore interactive behaviour amongst probiotic and yoghurt cultures must be evaluated prior to their commercial application. This paper aims to assess the effect of inclusion of different probiotic cultures on various biotechnological (technological, dietetic and prophylactic) characteristics of yoghurt cultures.Design/methodology/approachYoghurt was assessed for technological characteristics based on acidification and flavour production, dietetic characteristics based on proteolytic activity, vitamin synthesis and L (+) lactic acid production and prophylactic characteristics based onβ‐galactosidase activity, antibacterial spectrum, viability in product as well as during gastro‐intestinal transit, intestinal colonization, immunomodulation, anti‐carcinogenicity and hypocholesterolemic effect.FindingsDifferent probiotic cultures exhibited diverse technological, dietetic and prophylactic behaviour in association with yoghurt cultures. Functional properties of traditional yoghurt could be enhanced with the combined introduction of probiotic cultures such asBifidobacterium bifidum,Bifidobacterium infantisandLactobacillus acidophilusand the resultant product may be recommended for consumption as a dietary adjunct.Originality/valueThe paper shows that combined introduction of probiotic cultures such asB. bifidum,B. infantisandL. acidophilus,as microbial additives during the manufacture of yoghurt would result in a product with enhanced functional properties.

Das infizierte Implantat

The periprosthetic infection is a permanent risk and a severe complication in joint arthroplasty. Raising numbers of cases, unsatisfactory results of treatment and high cost urge to sufficient prophylactic behaviour in primary surgery and research for new treatment strategies. In the future antibiotic coating of the implants and influence on biofilm could possibly be established. Disciplined early diagnostic measures and rational actions following the established concepts are able to create better results and reduce the extreme high costs.

Travelers’ Compliance to Prophylactic Measures and Behavior During Stay Abroad: Results of a Retrospective Study of Subjects Returning to a Travel Medicine Center in Italy

Many sources of health advice are consulted by travelers, but in Europe, only 35% go to a travel clinic. Travel to countries outside Europe increases daily, and from 2001 to 2004, there was a marked increase in the number of travelers from the Florentine area crossing the borders (+18.0%), taking a plane (+81.4% of international travelers in Pisa airport), and applying to the Centre of Travel and Migration Medicine (CTMM) (+96%). An anonymous survey was carried out at CTMM among those travelers returning to complete vaccinations for which the first dose had been given before going abroad. The survey included questions on vaccination status, adherence to recommended antimalaria prophylaxis, occurrence of other health problems, and food and drink consumption. The study population (which represents a "best case scenario") was composed of 1,237 subjects and had a very high compliance to the proposed questionnaire (95%). Approximately 55% of travelers took malaria chemoprophylactic measures, and 88% of them followed the indications given. Approximately 28% reported one or more secondary effects following antimalarial medication, and approximately 69% reported constant attention regarding safe consumption of food and drinks. Notwithstanding these measures, 236 cases of travelers' diarrhea were reported. Our results are conditioned by the self-selection of the study population (those who seek advice are likely to follow it through). However, since no certainty exists about other sources of health advice for the remainder of the traveler population in our region, both the importance of counseling offered by travel clinics as well as the recommendation to the ever-increasing number of travelers to consult these clinics are stressed.

Knowledge of Malaria, Risk Perception, and Compliance with Prophylaxis and Personal and Environmental Preventive Measures in Travelers Exiting Zimbabwe from Harare and Victoria Falls International Airport

Travel associated malaria is a major health risk for visitors to malaria endemic destinations. To examine the knowledge of malaria prevention, risk perception, current prophylactic behavior, and compliance with chemoprophylaxis and personal and environmental protection measures we conducted a study in a cohort of travelers exiting Zimbabwe from two international airports during a peak malaria transmission period. Data were collected by pretested self-administered questionnaires from 595 adults in the departure lounges of Harare and Victoria Falls International airports. Excluded were children and travelers from the African continent. A multilingual research assistant supervised data collection. The majority of travelers obtained health advice prior to travel. Patterns of protective behavior and compliance with prophylaxis were inconsistent with a high perception of malaria threat and good knowledge. About 23% of travelers failed to use chemoprophylaxis during their visit. In the group of travelers who used chemoprophylaxis, 18% were noncompliant. Fifteen drug combinations were in use. Full compliance with medication plus use of personal preventive measures always was estimated as 13%. Forgetfulness was the main cause of noncompliance, followed by deliberate omission due to side effects. Of 57 travelers who reported side effects from current medication, over half used mefloquine. There is a need to examine how people process personal risk and communications about risk. We must recognize the competition between precautionary measures against malaria and other life demands that are imposed by travel, especially in young long stay travelers and persons visiting primarily for business purposes. Mediating a protective response will also depend on judgments about the effectiveness of the action, strengthening travelers intentions toward adherence, and increasing efficacy perception by individuals and their peers. Conflicts in prophylactic recommendations need to be resolved. As ecotourism develops in Zimbabwe and other malaria regions, stakeholders in this rapidly growing industry must be made aware of the important role they can play in protecting clients from malaria.

Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism during early inpatient rehabilitation after acquired brain injury: How guidelines change management

Purpose. To establish guidelines for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in younger adults undergoing early inpatient rehabilitation following acquired brain injury (ABI).Method. A two-phase (phase 1: retrospective; phase 2: prospective) observational study was carried out involving patients admitted to an inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit during a 40-month period. In phase 1, VTE prophylaxis was prescribed on an ad hoc basis. In phase 2, prophylaxis was considered in accordance with guidelines agreed locally. The prescribing behaviour in each phase of the study was compared using a VTE risk stratification tool based on expert opinion and a review of the literature.Results. Data were obtained on 94 patients in phase 1 and 23 patients in phase 2. During phase 1, the prophylactic prescribing behaviour of the referring hospitals and our unit after admission were similar ( p = 0.13). In phase 2, our prescribing behaviour had changed compared with that of the referring hospitals, with a significant increase in the proportion of patients on appropriate treatment ( p = 0.01) and a decrease in the numbers under-treated ( p = 0.002). We were also significantly less likely to under-treat ( p = 0.005) and more likely to over-treat ( p = 0.004) after admission during phase 2 compared with phase 1, whilst practice was variable in patients at moderate risk.Conclusions. Guidelines modify behaviour. They must stratify risk, particularly to avoid inconsistencies in the management of patients at moderate risk. There is a need to establish national guidelines for VTE prophylaxis during early inpatient rehabilitation after ABI; these guidelines should include a risk stratification tool.

Nest-founding in Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini): demography and putative prophylactic behaviors

Foundresses of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus in central Panama forage for leaves as garden substrate (semi-claustral foundation). The fungal pellet and substrate usually are attached to rootlets, which are used as a platform for the garden. This arrangement keeps the garden suspended away from the earthen chamber of the underground nest during early colony growth, and we hypothesize that it serves to minimize contact between the garden and contaminants. A. octospinosus foundresses produce from 3 to 7 workers in 2.7 months after founding the nest, but workers do not forage for substrate at this time. Incipient nests died or were abandoned at a monthly rate of ca. 50%. We show that ants routinely clean their legs before manipulating the garden substrate. We also describe how foundresses use their fore-legs to rub the surface of the metapleural gland (MPG), and they then use typical grooming behaviors to pass the forelegs through the mouthparts, after which the ant then licks the garden substrate. Similarly, ants apparently use their mouths to transfer fecal droplets to their legs. We briefly discuss the functional significance of these grooming behaviors, and hypothesize that they are prophylactic behaviors that may help the foundress maintain a hygienic garden.

Maladies sexuellement transmissibles et voyages

Travellers are exposed to acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, indeed risks will certainly arise. the most prefered destinations are often in regions with highest risk. At present, the travellers do not know the risk, especially about HIV. This fact explains the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among coming back tourists. Facing this return pathology, the biologist has to remember that the etiology should be unusual in Europe. It is crucial to give an ethiological diagnosis as soon as possible. It is the condition for a specifical therapy, which is often urgent. Moreover, the medical care has to go with a prophylactic behaviour toward the usual sexual partners.