Estimating the potential public health impact of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in African children

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention, previously known as intermittent preventive treatment in children, is highly effective in areas with a short malaria transmission season. Here we assess seasonality in malaria incidence data and define a predictor of seasonality based on rainfall. We then use spatial rainfall, malaria endemicity and population data to identify areas likely to have highly seasonal malaria incidence, and estimate the population at risk and malaria burden in areas where seasonal malaria chemoprevention would be appropriate. We estimate that in areas suitable for seasonal malaria chemoprevention, there are 39 million children under 5 years of age, who experience 33.7 million malaria episodes and 152,000 childhood deaths from malaria each year. The majority of this burden occurs in the Sahelian or sub-Sahelian regions of Africa. Our data suggest that seasonal malaria chemoprevention has the potential to avert several million malaria cases and tens of thousands of childhood deaths each year if successfully delivered to the populations at risk

Competitive growth texture of pulse laser deposited VO2 nanostructures on a glass substrate

We report on the crystal structure and morphology of vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanostructures synthesized by pulsed laser deposition on soda-lime glass substrates. The VO2 nanostructures exhibit sharp a-axis diffraction peaks, characteristic of the VO2 monoclinic phase, which implies that highly a-axis textured VO2 was formed. A detailed description of the growth mechanisms and the substrate–film interaction is given, and the characteristics of the electronic transition and hysteresis of the phase transition are described in terms of the morphology and grain boundary structure. The sharpness of the transition and the hysteresis upon heating and cooling are found to be strong functions of the crystal structure and microstructure (grain size and shape).UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, INRS (Canada), the ICTP-Trieste and the NANOAFNET.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/actamathb2014ai201

The glassy response of solid He-4 to torsional oscillations

We calculated the glassy response of solid He-4 to torsional oscillations assuming a phenomenological glass model. Making only a few assumptions about the distribution of glassy relaxation times in a small subsystem of otherwise rigid solid He-4, we can account for the magnitude of the observed period shift and concomitant dissipation peak in several torsion oscillator experiments. The implications of the glass model for solid He-4 are threefold: (1) The dynamics of solid He-4 is governed by glassy relaxation processes. (2) The distribution of relaxation times varies significantly between different torsion oscillator experiments. (3) The mechanical response of a torsion oscillator does not require a supersolid component to account for the observed anomaly at low temperatures, though we cannot rule out its existence.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, presented at QFS200

Effect of substrate temperature on the structure and the metal insulator transition in pulsed laser deposed V02\ films on soda lime glass

In this paper, we report the effect of soda lime substrate deposition temperature (Ts) on the crystal structure and the metal insulator transition of VO2 thin films. Samples were deposited at substrate deposition temperature ranging from 450 to 600 0C by pulsed-laser deposition and characterized by x-ray diffraction and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. At a substrate temperature of 550°C, the VO2 (100) reflection dominate the spectrum showing a change in crystalline grains orientation. The highest transition temperatures of 74 oC with the lowest hysteresis width of 11 oC were obtained on the same sample grown at a substrate deposition temperature of 500 oC and also corresponding to the largest grains size of a value of 350 nm.http://link.springer.com/journal/125962016-03-31hb201

Ivermectin, ‘Wonder drug’ from Japan: the human use perspective

Discovered in the late-1970s, the pioneering drug ivermectin, a dihydro derivative of avermectin—originating solely from a single microorganism isolated at the Kitasato Intitute, Tokyo, Japan from Japanese soil—has had an immeasurably beneficial impact in improving the lives and welfare of billions of people throughout the world. Originally introduced as a veterinary drug, it kills a wide range of internal and external parasites in commercial livestock and companion animals. It was quickly discovered to be ideal in combating two of the world’s most devastating and disfiguring diseases which have plagued the world’s poor throughout the tropics for centuries. It is now being used free-of-charge as the sole tool in campaigns to eliminate both diseases globally. It has also been used to successfully overcome several other human diseases and new uses for it are continually being found. This paper looks in depth at the events surrounding ivermectin’s passage from being a huge success in Animal Health into its widespread use in humans, a development which has led many to describe it as a “wonder” drug

Exploration of the equilibrium operating space for NSTX-Upgrade

This paper explores a range of high-performance equilibrium scenarios available in the NSTX-Upgrade device [J.E. Menard, submitted for publication to Nuclear Fusion]. NSTX-Upgrade is a substantial upgrade to the existing NSTX device [M. Ono, et al., Nuclear Fusion 40, 557 (2000)], with significantly higher toroidal field and solenoid capabilities, and three additional neutral beam sources with significantly larger current drive efficiency. Equilibria are computed with freeboundary TRANSP, allowing a self consistent calculation of the non-inductive current drive sources, the plasma equilibrium, and poloidal field coil current, using the realistic device geometry. The thermal profiles are taken from a variety of existing NSTX discharges, and different assumptions for the thermal confinement scalings are utilized. The no-wall and idealwall n=1 stability limits are computed with the DCON code. The central and minimum safety factors are quite sensitive to many parameters: they generally increases with large outer plasmawall gaps and higher density, but can have either trend with the confinement enhancement factor. In scenarios with strong central beam current drive, the inclusion of non-classical fast ion diffusion raises qmin, decreases the pressure peaking, and generally improves the global stability, at the expense of a reduction in the non-inductive current drive fraction; cases with less beam current drive are largely insensitive to additional fast ion diffusion. The non-inductive current level is quite sensitive to the underlying confinement and profile assumptions. For instance, for BT=1.0 T and Pinj=12.6 MW, the non-inductive current level varies from 875 kA with ITER-98y,2 thermal confinement scaling and narrow thermal profiles to 1325 kA for an ST specific scaling expression and broad profiles. This sensitivity should facilitate the determination of the correct scaling of transport with current and field to use for future fully non-inductive ST devices. Scenarios are presented which can be sustained for 8-10 seconds, or (20-30)τCR, at βN=3.8-4.5, facilitating, for instance, the study of disruption avoidance for very long pulse. Scenarios have been documented which can operate with βT~25% and equilibrated qmin>1. The value of qmin can be controlled at either fixed non-inductive fraction of 100% or fixed plasma current, by varying which beam sources are used, opening the possibility for feedback qmin control. In terms of quantities like collisionality, neutron emission, non-inductive fraction, or stored energy, these scenarios represent a significant performance extension compared to NSTX and other present spherical torii

Global, regional, national, and selected subnational levels of stillbirths, neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality, 1980�2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background Established in 2000, Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) catalysed extraordinary political, financial, and social commitments to reduce under-5 mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. At the country level, the pace of progress in improving child survival has varied markedly, highlighting a crucial need to further examine potential drivers of accelerated or slowed decreases in child mortality. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides an analytical framework to comprehensively assess these trends for under-5 mortality, age-specific and cause-specific mortality among children under 5 years, and stillbirths by geography over time. Methods Drawing from analytical approaches developed and refined in previous iterations of the GBD study, we generated updated estimates of child mortality by age group (neonatal, post-neonatal, ages 1�4 years, and under 5) for 195 countries and territories and selected subnational geographies, from 1980�2015. We also estimated numbers and rates of stillbirths for these geographies and years. Gaussian process regression with data source adjustments for sampling and non-sampling bias was applied to synthesise input data for under-5 mortality for each geography. Age-specific mortality estimates were generated through a two-stage age�sex splitting process, and stillbirth estimates were produced with a mixed-effects model, which accounted for variable stillbirth definitions and data source-specific biases. For GBD 2015, we did a series of novel analyses to systematically quantify the drivers of trends in child mortality across geographies. First, we assessed observed and expected levels and annualised rates of decrease for under-5 mortality and stillbirths as they related to the Soci-demographic Index (SDI). Second, we examined the ratio of recorded and expected levels of child mortality, on the basis of SDI, across geographies, as well as differences in recorded and expected annualised rates of change for under-5 mortality. Third, we analysed levels and cause compositions of under-5 mortality, across time and geographies, as they related to rising SDI. Finally, we decomposed the changes in under-5 mortality to changes in SDI at the global level, as well as changes in leading causes of under-5 deaths for countries and territories. We documented each step of the GBD 2015 child mortality estimation process, as well as data sources, in accordance with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting (GATHER). Findings Globally, 5·8 million (95 uncertainty interval UI 5·7�6·0) children younger than 5 years died in 2015, representing a 52·0% (95% UI 50·7�53·3) decrease in the number of under-5 deaths since 1990. Neonatal deaths and stillbirths fell at a slower pace since 1990, decreasing by 42·4% (41·3�43·6) to 2·6 million (2·6�2·7) neonatal deaths and 47·0% (35·1�57·0) to 2·1 million (1·8-2·5) stillbirths in 2015. Between 1990 and 2015, global under-5 mortality decreased at an annualised rate of decrease of 3·0% (2·6�3·3), falling short of the 4·4% annualised rate of decrease required to achieve MDG4. During this time, 58 countries met or exceeded the pace of progress required to meet MDG4. Between 2000, the year MDG4 was formally enacted, and 2015, 28 additional countries that did not achieve the 4·4% rate of decrease from 1990 met the MDG4 pace of decrease. However, absolute levels of under-5 mortality remained high in many countries, with 11 countries still recording rates exceeding 100 per 1000 livebirths in 2015. Marked decreases in under-5 deaths due to a number of communicable diseases, including lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, and malaria, accounted for much of the progress in lowering overall under-5 mortality in low-income countries. Compared with gains achieved for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies, the persisting toll of neonatal conditions and congenital anomalies on child survival became evident, especially in low-income and low-middle-income countries. We found sizeable heterogeneities in comparing observed and expected rates of under-5 mortality, as well as differences in observed and expected rates of change for under-5 mortality. At the global level, we recorded a divergence in observed and expected levels of under-5 mortality starting in 2000, with the observed trend falling much faster than what was expected based on SDI through 2015. Between 2000 and 2015, the world recorded 10·3 million fewer under-5 deaths than expected on the basis of improving SDI alone. Interpretation Gains in child survival have been large, widespread, and in many places in the world, faster than what was anticipated based on improving levels of development. Yet some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, still had high rates of under-5 mortality in 2015. Unless these countries are able to accelerate reductions in child deaths at an extraordinary pace, their achievement of proposed SDG targets is unlikely. Improving the evidence base on drivers that might hasten the pace of progress for child survival, ranging from cost-effective intervention packages to innovative financing mechanisms, is vital to charting the pathways for ultimately ending preventable child deaths by 2030. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY license

Investigation of the mutagenic and antimutagnic effects of Origanum compactum essential oil and some of its constituent

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Abcès rompus du foie : aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques, à propos de 36 cas

La rupture est la complication la plus fréquente des abcès du foie.  L'imagerie reste incontournable dans la prise en charge diagnostique et  thérapeutique. La chirurgie toujours associée au traitement médical, reste l'option la plus utilisée au stade de rupture en péritoine libre. Cependant, un traitement conservateur par le drainage percutané associé à l'antibiothérapie appropriée peut suffire pour les ruptures localisées dans la plèvre, le péricarde ou la paroi abdominale.Notre objectif était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, et thérapeutiques des abcès du foie rompus au Centre Hospitalier Régional de Saint Louis. Nous avons mené une étude observationnelle avec une collecte prospective des  données sur une période allant de 1er janvier 2016 au 28 février 2019.Nous avons inclus les dossiers des malades ayant présenté un abcès du foie rompus.Les aspects suivants ont été étudiés : l’âge, le sexe, les délais de consultation, les données cliniques, les données biologiques et cytobactériologiques,les données de l’imagerie des abcès à savoirla  localisation, le caractère unique ou multiple, le diamètre, la présence de gaz, le siège de la rupture, et les données thérapeutiques à savoir la durée de l’antibiothérapie, les gestes effectués, la durée de l’hospitalisation, la morbidité et la mortalité. Nous avons colligé dans notre étude 138 patients présentant un abcès du foie sur une période de 38 mois. Parmi ces patients on décomptait 36 cas d’abcès rompus (26 %). L’âge moyen de  l’ensemble de nos patients était de 21,2 ans (extrêmes de 3 ans et 63 ans) avec un sex ratio de 3. L’on notait 25 cas d'abcès à pyogènes (69,4%) et 11 cas d'abcès amibiens (30,6%). L'imagerie permettait de préciser la localisation des abcès : lobe droit dans 24 cas (66,7%), lobe gauche dans 8 cas (22,2%) et bilobaire dans 4 cas (11,1%). Concernant la taille des abcès, le diamètre moyen était de 9,1 cm avec un écart type de 1,6 et des extrêmes de 7 et 15 cm.Le diamètre moyen des abcès pyogènes était de 8,6 cm avec des extrêmes de 7 cm et 11 cm ; et celui des abcès amibiens de 10,1cm avec des extrêmes de 8,5 cm et 15 cm. L’on notait 83,3 % (n=30) de rupture dans le péritoine qu’il soit libre ou cloisonné, 5,5 % (n=2) de rupture au niveau de la paroi abdominale antérieure, 5,5 % (n=2) de rupture au niveau broncho-pulmonaire, 2,7% (n=1) de rupture pleurale, (2,7% (n=1) de rupture au niveau de l’arrière cavité des épiploons. Un traitement antalgique et une antibiothérapie étaient instaurés chez tous nos patients et toujours associé à un geste d'évacuation du pus. La  mortalité était de 2,7 % (n=1). L'abcès du foie est une pathologie pouvant engager le pronostic vital par la survenue de la rupture. Un diagnostic précoce associé à un traitement conservateur dans la mesure du possible donne de bons résultats.Mots-clés : foie, abcès, rupture, épidémiologie, diagnostic, traitement.Rupture is the most common complication of liver abscess. Imaging  remains essential in diagnostic and therapeutic management. Surgery always associated with medical treatment, remains the most used treatment when rupture occurs in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore,  conservative treatment with percutaneous drainage with appropriate antibiotherapy can be enough for localized rupture in the pleura, the  pericardium or the abdominal wall. Our aim is to determine the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of ruptured liver abscess at the Saint Louis Regional Hospital. This is a  prospectivecross-sectional study over a period from January 1, 2016 to February 28, 2019. We have included patients who had ruptured liver  abscess. The studied parameters were: age, sex, time to consultation, clinical and biologic aspects, results of imaging of the abscess (localization, number, diameter, gas forming, site of rupture), therapeutics aspects (duration of antibiotherapy, type of gestures, time of hospital stay),  morbidity and mortality. We collected in our study 138 cases of liver abscess over a period of 38 months. Among these patients, there were 36 cases of ruptured liver abscess (26%). The mean age of all our patients was 21.2 years with a sex ratio of 3. There were 25 cases of pyogenic abscess (69.4%) and 11 cases of amebic abscess (30.6%). Imaging revealed the location of abscesses in the right lobe in 24 cases (66.7%), left lobe in 8 cases (22.2%) and both in 4 cases (11.1%). Regarding the size of abscesses, the mean diameter was 9.1 cm with extremes of 7 cm and 15 cm. The mean diameter of pyogenic abscess was 8.6 cm with  extremes of 7 cm and 11 cm; and was 10.1cm with extremes of 8,5 cm and 15 cm for amoebic abscess. We noticed 83.3 % (n=30) of rupture in the peritoneal cavity, 5.5 % (n=2) in the abdominal wall, 5.5 % (n=2) in the lungs, 2.7% (n=1) in the pleura and 2.7% (n=1) in the lesser omental sac. Antalgic treatment and antibiotherapy were instituted in all our patients and always associated with a drainage or surgery. The mortality was 2.7% (n=1). Liver abcess is a life threathening condition given the risk of rupture. Early diagnosis and adequate nonoperative measures are usually associated with a good outcome.Key words: liver, abscess, rupture, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment