Parasitic Infections, Anemia and Malnutrition Among Rural Settled and Mobile Pastoralist Mothers and Their Children in Chad

Malnutrition, resulting from various etiologies, is common in rural Chadian women and children. This cross-sectional study assessed the spectrum of parasitic infection and level of anemia and their effect on nutritional status in settled and mobile pastoral mothers and children near Lake Chad. Intestinal parasites were evaluated using direct fecal smears and the Kato-Katz technique. Malaria status was determined using Paracheck-Pf® rapid diagnostic test, and anemia was assessed with the Hemocue photometer. Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric parameters. At the end of the 2008 wet season, the prevalence of malnutrition was 36% [confidence interval (CI) 30-42] among women and 15% (CI 11-18) among children. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 75% (CI 68-83) among women and 60% (CI 53-66) among children. The predominant helminth species was Ascaris lumbricoides while Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most common protozoan. The hookworm prevalence was 14% (CI 8-20) in women and 18% (CI 13-23) in children. Malaria prevalence was low among women (1%, CI 0.5-2) and children (3% CI 2-5). No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of parasitic infection between the mobile pastoralist and rural sedentary populations. Thirty-four percent (CI 27-40) of nonpregnant women, 53% (CI 34-72) of pregnant women, and 27% (CI 23-32) of children were anemic. In subjects infected with Plasmodium, all women and 54% (CI 22-85) of children were anemic. Malnutrition was significantly associated with anemia in mothers and with selected intestinal parasites, anemia and age in their childre

Retinol Assessment Among Women and Children in Sahelian Mobile Pastoralists

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in developing countries, particularly in remote communities such as mobile pastoralists. The nutritional and vitamin A status of this population is not well-documented in Chad. This study assessed serum retinol levels among women and children under five-year-old in nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralist and rural-settled communities, who are similarly exposed to risk factors such as gastrointestinal parasitic infection, anaemia and emaciation. The novel method of portable fluorometry was used for the first time to measure β-carotene and retinol levels in a pastoral nomadic area. Moderate level blood retinol deficiency (<0.7μmol/L) was observed in 5% (CI 1-11) of nomadic, 29% (CI 13-45) of semi-nomadic and 22% (CI 8-35) of sedentary women. In children, 1% (CI 0.1-4), 17% (CI 9-25) and 28% (CI 18-39), respectively, had moderate level blood retinol deficiency. In nomadic communities, women and children had blood retinol levels close to normal. Deficiency of retinol was strongly linked with lifestyle (nomadic, semi-nomadic and settled) among women and lifestyle and age among children. The results support an ecological linkage between human retinol levels and livestock milk retinol. This study shows the feasibility of portable retinol and β-carotene measurement in human blood as well as human and animal milk under remote field conditions, but the approach requires further validatio

Exploring the 7p22.1 Chromosome as a Candidate Region for Autism

A high incidence of de novo chromosomal aberrations in a population of persons with autism suggests a causal relationship between certain chromosomal aberrations and the occurrence of autism. A previous study on a Tunisian boy carrying a t(7;16) translocation identified the 7p22.1 as a positional candidate region for autism on chromosome 7. The characterization of the chromosomal breakpoints helped us to identify new candidate regions on chromosome 16p11.2 which contain no known genes and the other one on 7p22.1 containing a portion of genes (NP 976327.1, RBAK, Q6NUR6 also called RNF216L and MMD2). We proposed Q6NUR6 (RNF216L) as a candidate gene for autism due to its vicinity to the translocation breakpoint on the chromosome derivative 7. Q6NUR6 is predicted to be an E3ubiquitin-ligase. Quantitative PCR demonstrates that Q6NUR6 gene has an ubiquitous expression and that it is strongly expressed in fetal and adult brain. The Q6NUR6 expression is increased in the patient blood cells in comparison to controls. This is the first report of Q6NUR6 gene (E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIAD3 EC 6.3.2) increasing blood levels in a patient with autism. It's probably caused by a position effect involving this gene and modifying its expression

Valeur ajoutée de la participation à l'analyse des risques des produits d'origine animale vendus dans le secteur informel

La sécurité sanitaire des aliments est devenue, durant les deux dernières décennies, une préoccupation majeure des consommateurs, des autres acteurs des filières agro-alimentaires et des décideurs. Cela est le résultat d’un regard plus attentionné sur la qualité des aliments à la suite des différentes crises et intoxications alimentaires ayant engendré en plus des souffrances, des pertes en vies humaines. Les mesures de contrôle des risques sanitaires sont encore insuffisantes du fait de la non maîtrise des facteurs de risques et de la complexité dans l’application de la méthode classique d’épidémiologie quantitative d’analyse de risques dans la chaîne de valeur alimentaire. Par ailleurs, ces analyses des risques se limitent au stade initial d’identification du danger. En s’appuyant sur des études de cas réalisées en Afrique subsaharienne au niveau du secteur informel du lait et de la viande et fruits de mer (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopie, Mali et Nigeria), nous démontrons que la participation des acteurs et la prise en compte de leurs connaissances peuvent contribuer à une analyse mieux élaborée des risques alimentaires. Les approches participative et transdisciplinaire se révèlent être d’une grande efficacité dans la collecte d’importantes données qualitatives complexes pour expliquer les données biologiques quantitatives (exposition, dose-effet). Elle pourrait permettre par une association de plusieurs techniques de collecte des données (enquête par questionnaire, Méthode Accélérée de Recherche Participative (MARP) et Focus Group Discussion), de réduire les coûts de l’analyse du risque et de mieux préciser le risque pour les prises de décisions pertinentes dans le secteur informel des denrées alimentaires d’origine animale Food safety has become over the last two decades a major concern for consumers and other stakeholders in food value-chain, as well as decision makers. This has resulted in more attention on quality, augmented by various recent food poisoning crises and resultant suffering and human life losses. The control measures of health risks remain inadequate due to the complexity of applying classical quantitative epidemiology on risk analysis in the food value-chain. Furthermore, risk analysis is still limited to the initial stages of hazard identification. Based on case studies in Sub-Saharan Africa in the informal sector of milk, meat and see food (Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mali and Nigeria), we demonstrate that stakeholder participation and incorporation of their knowledge are likely to contribute to a more sophisticated risk analysis. We position participation and transdisciplinarity as effective approaches for collecting important and complex qualitative data to explain quantitative biological data (exposure, dose-response). They could contribute in bringing together different data collection techniques (e.g. questionnaire survey, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and focus group discussion) to reduce the cost of risk analysis and also to provide broader evidence for decision making in the animal source food informal sector

De Novo Balanced Translocation t (7;16) (p22.1; p11.2) Associated with Autistic Disorder

The high incidence of de novo chromosomal aberrations in a population of persons with autism suggests a causal relationship between certain chromosomal aberrations and the occurrence of isolated idiopathic autism. We report on the clinical and cytogenetic findings in a male patient with autism, no physical abnormalities and a de novo balanced (7;16)(p22.1;p16.2) translocation. G-banded chromosomes and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to examine the patient's karyotype as well as his parents'. FISH with specific RP11-BAC clones mapping near 7p22.1 and 16p11.2 was used to refine the location of the breakpoints. This is, in the best of our knowledge, the first report of an individual with autism and this specific chromosomal aberration

Left bundle branch block causes relative but not absolute septal underperfusion during exercise

Aims Left bundle branch block (LBBB) often causes septal perfusion defects in radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging using exercise (Ex) but rarely using vasodilator stress. We studied whether this is due to an underlying structural disease inherent to spontaneous LBBB or whether it is also found in temporary LBBB induced by right ventricular pacing (PM) indicating a functional rather than a structural alteration. Methods and results Regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and at Ex was measured with(15)O-H(2)O and PET in 10 age-matched healthy volunteers (controls), 10 LBBB patients and 10 PM patients with right ventricular pacing off and on (PM off and PM on). Although at Ex septal MBF tended to be higher in LBBB than in controls (3.04 +/- 1.18 vs. 2.27 +/- 0.72 mL/min/g; P= ns), the ratio septal/lateral MBF was 19% lower in LBBB than in controls (P < 0.05). Similarly, switching PM on at Ex decreased the ratio septal/lateral MBF by 17% (P < 0.005). Conclusion The apparent septal perfusion defect in LBBB is mainly due to a relative lateral hyperperfusion rather than to an absolute septal flow decrease. This pattern seems to be reversibly inducible by right ventricular pacing, suggesting a functional rather than a structural alteratio

Modeling and simulation of high speed milling centers dynamics

High speed machining is a milling operation in industrial production of aeronautic parts, molds and dies. The parts production is being reduced because of the slowing down of the machining resulting from the tool path discontinuity machining strategy. In this article, we propose a simulation tool of the machine dynamic behavior, in complex parts machining. For doing this, analytic models have been developed expressing the cutting tool feed rate. Afterwards, a simulation method, based on numerical calculation tools, has been structured. In order to validate our approach, we have compared the simulation results with the experimental ones, for the same examples

Health of mobile pastoralists in the Sahel - assessment of 15 years of research and development

In the Sahel, between Mauritania and Somalia including Northern Kenya, about 20-30 million people live as mobile pastoralists. The rhythm of their migration follows the seasons and the availability of resources such as water, pasture and salt. Despite their high exposure to zoonoses and problems caused by extreme climatic conditions, mobile pastoralists are virtually excluded from health services because the provision of social services adapted to their way of life is challenging. In cooperation with various partners in the region, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute has been active in research and development in the Sahel for 15 years. Based on the perceived needs of mobile pastoralists and the necessities of development, interdisciplinary research has considerably contributed to better understanding of their situation and their problems. Close contact between humans and livestock necessitates close cooperation between human and animal health specialists. Such useful approaches should be continued and extended

Teaching and Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stories from Educators Around the World

Educational institutions around the globe were considerably challenged by the unexpected health consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Schools were rapidly forced to close their doors and begin exploring alternative options to educate students. Teachers, families, and students found themselves having to navigate completely new ways of offering and accessing educational services. Educators from eight different countries share their experiences at the beginning of the Pandemic and their creative efforts to continue providing educational services to their students

Relationship between epistasis and aggressiveness in resistance of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to Phytophthora nicotianae

This study evaluated the types of gene action governing the inheritance of resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae necrosis in populations derived from two crosses involving two susceptible (Beldi and Nabeul II) and one resistant (CM334) cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Populations, composed of Pr, Ps, F1 , F 2 , BC 1 Pr, and BC 1 Ps generations, were inoculated with six P. nicotianae isolates. Generation means analysis indicated that an additive-dominance model was appropriate for P. nicotianae isolates Pn Ko1 , Pn Ko2 and Pn Kr1 , which showed low aggressiveness in the two crosses. For the more aggressive isolates Pn Bz1 , Pn Bz2 and Pn Kr2 , epistasis was an integral component of resistance in the two crosses. The presence of epistasis in the resistance of pepper to P. nicotianae was dependent on the level of aggressiveness of the isolates. Selection in pepper with less aggressive isolates was efficient, but not with more aggressive isolates; on the other hand, selection with more aggressive isolates was more stable. The minimum number of genes controlling resistance was estimated at up to 2.71. In the majority of cases, the additive variance was significant and greater than the environmental and dominance variance