Background. Past research shows that anxiety disorders can impair work performance, but there are no national studies examining the relationship between anxiety disorder subtypes and low work performance. In a representative sample of employed US adults, we examined the association between low work performance and three types of anxiety disorders--generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods. We analyzed data collected in 2001-2003 on 4,418 employed US adults participating in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used to determine the 12-month prevalence of GAD, PD, and PTSD. Low work performance was classified as a score of ≤7 on a 10-point scale in response to a single question (i.e. “What number describes your overall job performance on the days you worked during the past 30 days?”). Logistic regression predicting low work performance adjusted for age, gender, education, financial stress, having children, weekly work hours, race/ethnicity, and geographic region. Results. The prevalence of low work performances was 18.5%, while the prevalences of GAD, PD, and PTSD were 3.0%, 3.6%, and 4.2%, respectively. The prevalence of low work performance among those with GAD, PD, PTSD, or no anxiety disorder were 25.3%, 20.6%, 27.6%, and 18.0%, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, PTSD was the only anxiety disorder associated with a significantly higher risk of low performance (adjusted odds ratio = 1.44, 95 % confidence interval = 1.05, 1.98). Conclusion. Not all types of anxiety disorders may be associated with low work performance. Future research should examine these associations prospectively and by subtype of anxiety disorder. / Epidemiology

Background: Diabetes is an important cause of morbidity, mortality, and health-system costs worldwide. The growing burden of T2DM particularly in developing countries has directed more attention to primary prevention. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of T2DM and its risk factors among general and diabetic populations of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. Methods: This was a multi-center community-based cross-sectional study. 2624 individuals 40 years old or older residents (100 persons per Barangay of total 26 barangays) of the Zamboanga Peninsula province have been chosen via door-to-door systematic random sampling procedure. Personal demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Weight, height, WC, BMI, and HbA1c test was were obtained through participant measurements. Results: Valid data of 2572 (98.01%) individuals analyzed, mean ±SD of age was 57.39 ± 10.41 and 1843 (71.7%) of participants were women. Based on ADA 2018 guideline, the prevalence of T2DM and prediabetes were 18.3% and 26.7%, respectively. The frequency of having T2DM and prediabetes was higher in older people (p< 0.05). Urban areas had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes compared with rural areas (p< 0.01). 54.4 % of the population had a normal body mass index while 45.6% of the population were overweight (32.1 %) or obese (13.5%), and 65% had high or elevated WC. There was a significant association between BMI /central obesity and glucose abnormalities (P<0.01). The prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity was significantly higher in women and the older age groups had significantly lower BMIs/ abdominal obesity than younger age groups. 40.4% of the participants had HTN and the prevalence of HTN was significantly higher in the older age groups and female participants. The prevalence of HTN and family history of diabetes were higher in T2DM patients and individuals with prediabetes (P<0.01). Based on the FINDRISC score, the risk of developing diabetes was high or very high in 17.6% and moderate in 20.0% of the population. Conclusion: The prevalence of T2DM and prediabetes was higher in this study compared to previous surveys in the country. This finding highlights the need for public health efforts to improve T2DM risk factors such as obesity and hypertension in this population. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Since the inception of the 1974 Education for all Handicapped Children legislation, the number of students referred and placed in special education has been steadily rising. The largest increase is in the learning disabilities category. With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the federal requirements for schools under the No Child Left Behind law, schools are required to take a closer look at their rising special education numbers and identify alternative solutions for children's needs other than a certain placement in special education. There are different levels of variables that influence a teacher's decision to refer a student to special education. This study aimed to understand the mesosystem school variables that influence this process. Using two scales, the Organizational Health Inventory for Elementary Schools (OHI-E) and the Collective Efficacy Scale (CE-Scale) this study used purposive sampling to survey ten elementary school faculties in a large suburban district in Virginia. LD prevalence rates were collected for all elementary schools in the district. Data was analyzed to answer the following questions: (a) How does school organizational health correlate with the number of students referred to special education in a given school? (b) How does collective teacher efficacy correlate to the number of students referred for special education services? The overall return rate for the survey was 87% with 490 teacher surveys completed. Teachers did not have many teaching years in their buildings. Teachers with twelve or more teaching years experience were more likely to refer students to special education. Collective teacher efficacy scores were correlated to school health scores but not to LD prevalence rates. Higher institutional integrity was seen in smaller schools. Title I schools did not correlate with higher LD prevalence rates. Two variables predicted referrals to special education; years teaching in combination with teacher efficacy resulted in greater referrals to special education. The findings of this study may aid educational leaders in making sound changes within school environments to affect the school's LD prevalence rate, addressing particularly teacher efficacy and referral habits of more experienced teachers. / Ed. D.

Introduction: The mental nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve’s mandibular division provides sensory innervation to the lower lip, dentition, gingiva, and mucosa. Knowing the exact location of the mental foramen along with its accompanying structures including possible accessory foramina, and the anterior loop is crucial for avoiding surgical complications. Advancements in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) have provided unparalleled insights into these anatomical structures. This study uses the CBCT modality to investigate the anatomical variations of the mental foramen and anterior loop within a United States dental school patient population, aiming to improve surgical outcomes and patient safety. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1,006 CBCT scans from patients at Temple University's Dental School between January 2020 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients aged 18 years and above who underwent pre-operative CBCT scans, with exclusions for maxillary-only scans and images lacking crucial mandibular structures. A total of 558 scans met these criteria and were analyzed. Data collected included patient demographics noting the location of the mental foramen, presence of accessory foramina, presence of the anterior loop and the length of the anterior loop for both the right and left side of the mandible. Results: The total number of scans included in the study was 558. The mean age of the patients from whom the data was collected was 54.95. Of the total subjects 185 were older than 50, and 373 were younger than 50 years of age. 311 of the subjects were female and 247 were male. The race distribution is as follows: 263 Caucasians, 170 African Americans, 72 Hispanics, and 53 Asians. As for the dentition status: 454 individuals had partial dentition, 79 had complete dentition, and 25 were edentulous. The study revealed a 0.05% occurrence of accessory mental foramina and a predominant location of the mental foramen apical to the second premolar, consistent across racial groups but not significantly influenced by age or gender. The anterior loop was present in 56.5% of scans, with an average length of 3.3 mm. Notably, the distance between the anterior loop and the mental foramen correlated significantly, suggesting potential surgical implications. Discussion: The findings highlight significant anatomical variability, challenging the reliability of traditional anatomical landmarks in surgical planning. The presence of the anterior loop and its variable length underscores the importance of individualized CBCT analysis before dental implant placement. Search for comparison within existing literature indicates a lower prevalence of accessory mental foramina in our study, suggesting population-specific anatomical variations. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of CBCT in identifying the anatomical nuances of the mental foramen and anterior loop, advocating for its routine use in pre-surgical planning for dental implants. The variability observed in these structures, even within the same patient, emphasizes the need for personalized surgical approaches to mitigate risks and enhance patient care. Future research should aim to expand the sample size and diversity to validate these findings further and explore their clinical implications. / Oral Biology

Yes / The COVID-19 pandemic, whose origin was established to be in China, wreaked havoc across the world infecting and killing huge numbers of people. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were affected in many ways especially mentally. The study aims at establishing how anxiety affected HCWs in Europe. Methodology: A systematic review study was carried out based on the Prefrred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) using five databases. The search period was from September 27th to December 7, 2021, and 2326 articles were yielded. Of these, 22 met the inclusion criteria. All the data was inputted onto a data extraction sheet and thematic analysis was carried out on the study outcomes to identify themes. Results: It was established that there was a significant increase in anxiety among HCWs in Europe. It was likewise found that there were non-modifiable (sex and age) and modifiable (nature of work, vulnerability, comorbidities, workload, social factors and geographical location) risk factors for anxiety among the workers. Young female HCWs were found to have a higher prevalence of anxiety compared to male health workers. Anxiety is also associated with other mental health issues as well as suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: There was a marked increase in anxiety among HCWs in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health during disease emergencies should be a priority in terms of policy among healthcare employers. There is a need for further research in this area of mental health to build more evidence that informs policy.

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms indicative of asthma in children from Latin America has been largely ignored. As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), 17 centers in 9 different Latin American countries participated in the study, and data from 52,549 written questionnaires (WQ) in children aged 13-14 years and from 36,264 WQ in 6-7 year olds are described here. In children aged 13-14 years, the prevalence of asthma ever ranged from 5.5-28%, and the prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months from 6.6-27%. In children aged 6-7 years, the prevalence of asthma ever ranged from 4.1-26.9%, and the prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months ranged from 8.6-32.1%. The lower prevalence in centers with higher levels of atmospheric pollution suggests that chronic inhalation of polluted air in children does not contribute to asthma. Furthermore, the high figures for asthma in a region with a high level of gastrointestinal parasite infestation, and a high burden of acute respiratory infections occurring early in life, suggest that these factors, considered as protective in other regions, do not have the same effect in this region. The present study indicates that the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in Latin America is as high and variable as described in industrialized or developed regions of the world. / Revisión por pares

Many researchers have documented the trend of decreasing financial support from donors for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) responses in Ethiopia. Less information is available regarding the correlation between trends of HIV prevalence and external funding and ways to address the impact that funding scarcity could cause. The purpose of this study was to examine the trend of HIV prevalence and donor funding levels, analyzing how the 2 are correlated, and opportunities to improve responses. Using the proximate determinant framework, the research questions examined the changes in HIV prevalence in Ethiopia during the past 10 years; the association between the trends of HIV prevalence, funding levels, and services provided; and the effect of different characteristics on the trend of the prevalence. A paired sample t-test, time series forecasting, Pearson correlation, chi-square test, and multiple regression were employed using a secondary data of sampled 1,067 people from the Demographic and Health Surveys and data from donors. Results indicated that the change in prevalence was statistically significant (t [10] = 4.59, p = .001), and correlated with the funding levels(r (10) = .635*, p = .027), a significant relationship between funding level and type of services, Ï?2 (2, N = 1067) = 1425.7, p <.001 and a significant regression equation to predict HIV prevalence (F (9, 1056) = 12.639, p < .001). The results from this study could be used to inform the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and HIV project implementers to plan for domestic sustainable financing initiatives, invest based upon evidence-based HIV prevention strategies that could most directly impact quality of life and guide future research.

Darbo tikslas buvo nustatyti mastito sukėlėjų paplitimą Lietuvos pieninių galvijų populiacijoje. Įvertinti mastito sukėlėjų paplitimą Lietuvoje veisiamų pieninių galvijų bandose. Ištirti metų laiko įtaką mastitų sukėlėjų pasireiškimui karvių piene. Įvertinti mastitų sukėlėjų paplitimą karvių tešmens ketvirčiuose. Ištirti metų sezono ir mastito sukėlėjų įtaką somatinių ląstelių skaičiui pieno mėginiuose. / The objective of this study was to estimate mastitis pathogens prelavence in Lithuanian dairy cattle population. Evaluate the prevalence of mastitis pathogens in dairy cattle herds in Lithuania. Investigate influence of the season to mastitis pathogens manifestation in cow‘s milk. Evaluate the prevalence of mastitis pathogens in udder quarters. Investigate effect of the season and mastitis pathogens on somatic cell count in milk samples.

Bibliography / Thesis (PhD (Pathology. Medical Microbiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Overview: Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas are not routinely diagnosed and are under researched in South Africa. Prevalence, population shifts especially concerning genital flora and implications in infection or other conditions are unknown. Information pertaining to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratory disease is similarly lacking. There is little information on antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance development against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) syndromic management approaches. Aims: a) Elucidate mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal prevalence and contributing factors concerning cervical colonisation or preterm delivery in conjunction with HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis b) Investigate prevalence of M. pneumoniae in respiratory infections in conjunction with HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Determine antimicrobial susceptibilities of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas and analyse resistance genes. d) Assess the inter-generic transfer potential of resistance gene (tetM) between Ureaplasma spp. and Neisseria gonorrhea. Genital setting: The prevalence of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia on women attending their first prenatal visit, in conjunction with preterm labour or HIV status was investigated. For preterm labour (2003), 199 women were monitored for preterm delivery (<37 weeks); for colonisation and HIV (2005), 219 women were screened. Microbial detection was performed on DNA extracted from endocervical swabs employing PCR techniques. Colonisation was seen to be highest in the 14-20 year group from 2003. In women aged ±21 years, co-colonisation was 13% although there was a shift from co-colonisation with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 to other dual/triple combinations in 2005. Overall major trends from both collection periods were that the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. tended to be higher in women ±26 years, whilst prevalence of C. trachomatis and M. hominis were lower. No association was evident between colonisation with M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum and labour outcome. HIV status had no effect on the prevalence/co-colonisation of M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. or C. trachomatis. Respiratory setting: Studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of community acquired atypical pneumonias in adults (M. pneumoniae and P. jiroveci) and neonates (mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis) in order to improve treatment management programmes in the Port Elizabeth region. Sputum specimens from 102 adult patients presenting with pneumonia/symptoms of pneumonia admitted to hospitals were assessed by PCR. Details of patient’s gender, age, HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis status were provided by the hospitals. Women were seen to be at high risk for community-acquired P. jiroveci colonisation. Overall, prevalence of P. jiroveci was 52.9% (54/102 patients). P. jiroveci was mainly associated with HIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci and HIV positive patients in patient sample for which clinical data and HIV status was available) and co-infection with M. tuberculosis was observed in 12 HIV cases and one HIV negative patient. No DHPS (20) or DHFR (17) resistance associated mutations were found in P. jiroveci. M. pneumoniae was detected in one patient. For prevalence studies (2007-2008) on atypical pneumonia in neonates, 69 endotracheal aspirates were obtained. PCR detection of M. hominis, U. urealyticum and C. trachomatis was performed and U. parvum detected in two specimens. Antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance genes: The following investigations on clinical isolates of U. parvum and U. urealyticum were conducted (i) antibiotic susceptibility profiles, (ii) detection of drug target gene mutations, or gene acquisitions and (iii) inter-generic resistance gene transfer potential to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Culture techniques applied to 132 endocervical specimens provided 66 Ureaplasma cultures (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIC determinations to ofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin and josamycin were performed. Thirty-seven ureaplasma cultures were fully susceptible to all antibiotics tested; 21 showed intermediate resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin and ofloxacin; while seven were resistant to tetracycline, three of which were also resistant to doxycycline and one also resistant to azithromycin. Concerning ofloxacin resistance directed at quinolone resistance determining regions, a substitution of Ser83Leu in ParC was demonstrated in one intermediately-resistant Ureaplasma (MIC 4 µg/ml) while a triple substitution of Asp112Glu in GyrA along with Ala125Thr and Ala136Thr in ParC was found in six further intermediately-resistant strains. No mutations were found in strains with MICs 1 µg/ml. No mutations were detected in 23S rRNA operons, L4 or L22 proteins. TetM and int-Tn genes were found in seven tetracycline-resistant strains. On screening 59 tetracycline-susceptible and -intermediate strains, eleven whilst possessing an int-Tn gene lacked a large region of tetM and 48 only contained small regions of tetM. The tetM genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains were sequenced and comparisons performed against GenBank sequences of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and U. urealyticum. For five strains tetM was seen to be highly mosaic in structure containing regions that were similar to those of the GenBank strains and others that were unique. In the tetM leader region, four hot spot recombination sites were identified that could certainly influence the formation of the mosaic structures, upstream insertion sequences/open reading frames and transposon regions that regulate expression. On characterising the int-Tn genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains, three types were present indicating transposons from different origins had integrated into ureaplasma genomes. Reciprocal tetracycline resistance gene transfer between ureaplasmas and N. gonorrhoeae were unsuccessful. However, low-level tetracycline resistance (MICs 4-8 µg/ml) was transferred to a U. parvum recipient from one U. urealyticum and three U. parvum donors that carried tetM with MICs 16-64 µg/ml. On tetM PCR analysis, tetM was not detected in the transformants. Conclusions: The importance of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and C. trachomatis in long term aetiologies requires further investigations, certainly in relation with syndromic management regimens that fail to reduce colonisation rates. The high prevalence of P. jiroveci, the presence of M. pneumoniae in cases of pneumonia and detection of U. parvum in two cases of neonatal pneumonia investigated emphasises that in the absence of definitive diagnoses, it is crucial to monitor treatment responses carefully, especially when first line antibiotic preferences are ß-lactams, in order to ensure adequate and informed delivery of medical care. The finding of transposon and/or tetM regions in all ureaplasmas investigated with or without full expression of tetracycline resistance, in conjunction with tetM gene diversity, certainly places ureaplasmas strongly in the picture for intra- and inter-generic exchange of antibiotic resistance genes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oorsig: Mikoplasma en ureaplasma word nie roetineweg gediagnoseer nie en in Suid Afrika is nog min navorsing daaroor gedoen. Prevalensie, populasie verskuiwings, veral in genital flora, en die impliksies van infeksie en ander toestande is onbekend. Inligting rakende Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratoriese siekte is ook gebrekkig. Daar is min inligting beskikbaar rakende die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid en die ontwikkeling van weerstandigheid gesien teen die benadering tot sindromiese hantering van seksueel oordraagbare siektes. Doelwitte: a) Om inligting te verskaf oor die prevalensie van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en bydraende faktore betreffende voortydige kraam tesame met MIV en Chlamydia trachomatis. b) Ondersoek van die prevalensie van M. pneumoniae in respiratoriese infeksies tesame met MIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis en Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Bepaling van die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en analisevan weerstandigheids gene. d) Bereken die inter-genetiese oordrag potensiaal van weerstandigheids gene (tetM) tussen Ureaplasma spp. en Naisseria gonorrhoeae. Genitale omgewing: Die prevalensie van genitale mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia in vroue tydens hul eerste prenatale besoek, tesame met vroegtydige kraam en MIV status is ondersoek. In voortydige kraam (2003), is 199 vroue gemonitor vir voortydige kraam (<37 weke); vir kolonisasie en MIV (2005), is 219 vroue getoets. Mikrobiale toetsing is gedoen deur DNS te win vanaf endoservikale deppers met PKR tegnieke. Kolonisasie was die hoogste in die ouderdomsgroep 14.20 jaar, in 2003. In vroue van ±21 jaar was medekolonisasie 13% alhoewel daar en verskuiwing was van mede-kolonisasie met Mycoplasma hominis en Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 tot ander dubbel/trippel kombinasies in 2005. Die oorkoepelende tendens in altwee die tydperke van waarneming was dat die prevalensie van Ureoplasma spp. geneig was om hoër te wees in vroue ±26 jaar, terwyl prevalensie van C. trachomatis en M. hominis laer was. Geen assosiasie kon getoon word tussen koloniesasie met M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum en uitkoms van kraam nie. MIV status het geen effek gehad op die prevalensie/mede-kolonisasie van M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. of C. Trachomatis nie. Respiratories: Studies is gedoen om die prevalensie van gemeenskaps verworwe atipiese pneumonie in volwassenes (M. pneumoniae en P. jiroveci) en neonate (mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia trachomatis) te bepaal om behandeling en hantering programme in die Port Elizabeth area te verbeter. Sputum monsters van 102 volwasse pasiënte wat presenteer het met pneumonie of simptome van pneumonie en wat tot hospitale toegelaat was, is ontleed. Besonderhede van die pasiënte se geslag, ouderdom, MIV en Mycobacterium tuberculosis status is deur die hospitale verskaf. PKR is gedoen met inleiers gerig teen die volgende gene: P. jiroveci vir die aantoning van mitokondriale groot subeenheid RNS en vir die analise van mutasies vir ko-trimoksasool weerstandigheid dihydropteroaat sintetase (DHPS) en dihydrofolaat reduktase (DHFR); M. pneumoniae vir die aantoning van P1 adhesien en 16S rRNS. Vroue het ‘n hoë risiko vir gemeenskapsverworwe P. jiroveci kolonisasie gehad. In die algemeen was die prevalensie van P. jiroveci 52.9% (54/102 pasiënte). P. jiroveci was hoofsaaklik geassosieerd met MIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci en MIV positiewe pasiënte in die pasiënt monster waarvoor daar kliniese data en MIV status bekend was) en mede-infeksie met M. tuberculosis is gesien in 12 MIV gevalle en een MIV negatiewe pasiënt. Geen DHPS (20) of DHFR (17) weerstandigheids geassosieerde mutasies is gevind in P. Jiroveci nie. M. pneumoniae was aangetoon in een pasiënt. Vir prevalensie studies (2007-2008) op atipiese pneumonie in neonate is 69 endotrageale aspirate verkry. PKR toetsing vir M. hominis, U. urealyticum en C. trachomatis is gedoen met ‘primers’ soos voorheen gepubliseer. Ureaplasma parvum is aangetoon in twee neonate met PKR met negatiewe kultuur resultate. Antibiotika sensitiwiteite en weerstandigheids gene: Die volgende toetse is gedoen op kliniese isolate van U. parvum en U. urealyticum (i) antibiotika sensitiwiteits profiele, (ii) aantoning van teiken geen mutasies, of geen aanwinste en (iii) potensiaal vir inter-generiese weerstandigheids geen oordrag na Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Kultuur tegnieke toegepas op 132 endoservikale monsters het 66 Ureaplasma kulture gelewer (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIK bepaling vir ofloksasien, eritromisien, tetrasiklien, doksisiklien, azitromisien en josamisien is gedoen. Sewe-en-dertig kulture was ten volle sensitief vir alle antibiotika wat getoets is; een-en twintig het intermediere weerstandigheid teenoor eritromisien, azitromisien en ofloksasien getoon, terwyl sewe weerstandig was vir tetrasiklien, drie daarvan was ook weerstandig vir doksisiklien. Wat betref ofloksasien weerstandigheid gemik teen kwinoloon weerstandigheids bepalende gebiede, is vervanging van Ser83Leu in ParC gedemonstreer in een intermedier weerstandige Ureaplasma (MIK 4 µml) terwyl en trippel vervanging van Asp112Glu in GyrA saam met Ala125Thr en Ala136Thr in ParC gevind is in ses ander intermedier weerstandige stamme. Geen mutasies is gevind in stamme met MIKs van MICs 1 µg/ml nie. Geeneen van die ureaplasma was weerstandig vir eritromisien/azitromisien nie en geen mutasies is gevind in 23S rRNA operons , L4 of L22 proteine nie. TetM en int- Tn gene is gevind in sewe tetrasiklien weerstandige stamme. 58 Tetrasiklien sensitiewe en .intermediere stamme is getoets, waarvan elf en int-Tn geen gekort het sowel as en groot deel van tetM, terwyl 48 slegs klein dele van TetM bevat het. Die tetM gene van die sewe tetrasiklein-werstandige stamme se geenvolgorde is bepaal en vergelykings is getref teenoor die GenBank volgordes van Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae en U. urealyticum. In vyf stamme is gevind dat die tetM geen hoogs mosaiek in struktuur was met areas wat ooreenstem met die in GenBank stamme, en ander areas wat uniek is. In die tetM leier area, is vier ehot spot f herkombinasie areas geidentifiseer wat sekerlik die vorming van die mosaiiek strukture kon beinvloed, asook transposon areas wat geenuitdrukking bepaal. Met karakterisering van die int-Tn gene van die sewe tetrasikleinweerstandlige stamme, was drie tipes teenwoordig waarin transposons vanaf verskillende oorsprong aangedui was, geintegreerd met die ureaplama genome. Resiprokale tetrasiklien weerstandigheids geen oordrag tussen ureaplasma en n. gonorrhoea was nie suksesvol nie. Lae-vlak tetrasiklien weerstandigheid (MIK fs van 4 . 8 µg/ml) is wel suksesvol oorgedra na en U. parvum ontvanger vanaf een U. urealyticum en drie U. parvum ontvangers wat tetM gedra het met MIKs van 16-64 µg/ml. Met die analise van tetM met PKR, kon tetM nie aangetoon word in die transformante nie. Gevolgtrekkings: Die belang van genitale mykoplasma, ureaplasma en C. trachomatis in langtermyn etologie benodig verdere ondersoek, veral in die lig van die sindromiese behandeling regimes wat nie kolonisasie verminder nie. Die hoe prevalensie van P. jiroveci, die teenwoordigheid van M. pneumoniae in gevalle van pneumonie en die aantoning van U. parvum in twee gevalle van neonatale pneumonie benadruk dat, in die afwesigheid van en definitiewe diagnose, dit noodsaaklik is om respons tot behandeling sorgvuldig te moniteer, veral indien die eerste lyn antibiotika keuse ß-laktam antimikrobiale middels of kefalosporiene is, sodat behoorlike en ingeligde gesondheidsorg gelewer kan word. Die bevinding van transposon en/of tetM gebiede in alle ureaplasma wat ondersoek is met of sonder volle uitdrukking van tetrasiklien weerstandigheid, in samehang met tetM diversiteit, plaas verseker ureaplasma sterk in die prentjie vir intra- en inter-generiese uitruiling van antibiotika weerstandigheids gene. / Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University / National Research Foundation (NRF Thuthuka) / Medical Research Council

Introduction: Les troubles respiratoires du sommeil (TRS), qui représentent une préoccupation croissante pour la santé, ont des effets significatifs sur la santé, le comportement et la performance académique chez l’enfant. Les malformations craniofaciales, l’hypertrophie adéno-amygdalienne et l'obésité, représentent des facteurs de risque importants dans le développement de cette condition. Les symptômes des TRS ont été étudiés dans une étude prospective chez les enfants et adolescents durant leur traitement orthodontique dans un milieu universitaire. Cette étude a cherché à décrire la prévalence et les facteurs de risque principaux des TRS, ainsi que l'impact des différentes interventions orthodontiques sur les symptômes TRS. Matériel et méthodes: dans une étude cohorte prospective, un groupe de 168 sujets âgés de 12 à 21 ans ont été soumis, quatre ans après la prise de données initiale, à un examen craniofacial en plus d'être administré des questionnaires qui ont recueilli des données sur la situation socio-démographique, le bruxisme et les troubles d’ATM, le sommeil et le comportement diurne, et les facteurs neuropsychologiques. Résultats: l'indice de masse corporelle a été augmenté mais est demeurée dans la même catégorie aux deux moments de l'enquête. Il ya eu une augmentation du serrement des dents et des symptômes de l'ATM, une diminution de la taille des amygdales, et une augmentation de la somnolence diurne. La prévalence des TRS n'a pas changé entre l’étude initiale et l’étude de suivi. Aucune intervention orthodontique s'est avérée avoir un effet cliniquement significatif sur les voies aériennes supérieures. Conclusions: la prévalence des symptômes TRS était constante par rapport aux valeurs de base pour la population étudiée, mais a augmenté si rapportée à la population générale. Les traitements orthodontiques ne montrent aucun effet sur les TRS. Mots-clés : apnée du sommeil, craniofacial, prévalence, ronflement, traitement orthodontique, voies aériennes supérieures / Introduction: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a growing health concern, has significant effects on a child’s health, behaviour, and scholastic performance. Craniofacial malformations, along with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obesity, represent important risk factors in the development of this condition. SDB symptoms in children and adolescents followed for orthodontic treatment in a university setting have been investigated in this prospective study. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence and main risk factors of SDB and the impact of different orthodontic interventions on the SDB symptoms. Materials and methods: in a prospective cohort study, four years following an initial evaluation, a group of 168 subjects aged 12-21 years underwent a craniofacial examination in addition to being administered self-completed questionnaires that collected information on socio-demographic and psychosocial factors, bruxism and temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, sleep and daytime behaviour, and neuropsychological factors. Results: Body mass index (BMI) was slightly increased but remained in the same category at the two time points of investigation. There was an increase in tooth clenching and TMJ symptoms, a decrease in tonsils’ size, and an increase in daytime sleepiness. Prevalence of SDB did not change between baseline and follow-up studies. No orthodontic treatment intervention proved to have any clinically significant impact on the upper airway. Conclusions: SDB symptoms prevalence was constant when compared to the baseline values for the studied population, but increased if reported to the general population. Regular orthodontic treatment didn’t show any effect on SDB symptoms. Keywords : craniofacial, orthodontic treatment, prevalence, sleep apnea, snoring, upper airway