Prevalence and burden of HBV co-infection among people living with HIV:A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Globally, in 2017 35 million people were living with HIV (PLHIV) and 257 million had chronic HBV infection (HBsAg positive). The extent of HIV-HBsAg co-infection is unknown. We undertook a systematic review to estimate the global burden of HBsAg co-infection in PLHIV. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and other databases for published studies (2002-2018) measuring prevalence of HBsAg among PLHIV. The review was registered with PROSPERO (#CRD42019123388). Populations were categorized by HIV-exposure category. The global burden of co-infection was estimated by applying regional co-infection prevalence estimates to UNAIDS estimates of PLHIV. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the odds of HBsAg among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals. We identified 506 estimates (475 studies) of HIV-HBsAg co-infection prevalence from 80/195 (41.0%) countries. Globally, the prevalence of HIV-HBsAg co-infection is 7.6% (IQR 5.6%-12.1%) in PLHIV, or 2.7 million HIV-HBsAg co-infections (IQR 2.0-4.2). The greatest burden (69% of cases; 1.9 million) is in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, there was little difference in prevalence of HIV-HBsAg co-infection by population group (approximately 6%-7%), but it was slightly higher among people who inject drugs (11.8% IQR 6.0%-16.9%). Odds of HBsAg infection were 1.4 times higher among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals. There is therefore, a high global burden of HIV-HBsAg co-infection, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Key prevention strategies include infant HBV vaccination, including a timely birth-dose. Findings also highlight the importance of targeting PLHIV, especially high-risk groups for testing, catch-up HBV vaccination and other preventative interventions. The global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for PLHIV using a tenofovir-based ART regimen provides an opportunity to simultaneously treat those with HBV co-infection, and in pregnant women to also reduce mother-to-child transmission of HBV alongside HIV

A Note on Clleulolytic Fungi: Isolation and Preliminary Study of Cellulase System

Page(s): 4 (2), 168-171, 4 Ref.Three cellulose decomposing fungi were isolated from local habitats, and, based on cultural and morphological characteristics, were tentatively identified as Chaetomium sp., Trichoderma sp. and Isolate F1 (unknown). The results of this preliminary study showed that the three isolates had complete cellulase system. It is also suspected that Chaetomim sp. and Trichoderma sp. may have a reasonable level of endoglucanase and exoglucanase. On the other hand, isolate F1 may possess a weak exoglucanase but a strong exoglucanase. These suspicions were in line with the results obtained when the cultural filtrates of the isolates were examined quantitatively for the enzymatic activities.Khartoum University Pres

Hydrodynamic Interactions' Dynamic Impact on the Diffusion of the Reaction Coordinate

Physics, Department ofHonors Colleg

Management and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity in Sudan Management and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity in Sudan

Abstract Several studies have been carried out in Sudan by national and international scientists with emphasis on the status of coral reefs and their biodiversity. Little work has been done with regard to mangroves and sea-grass beds compared with that donne with regard to coral reefs. These studies reflected the threats facing marine biodiversity including habitat destruction, environmental degradation from oil related, and pollution from land based activities. in this paper trends in conservation of marine biodiversity including past activities and recent initiatives were described. The role of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) is highlighted with regard to legal aspects, capacity development, and promotion of on-the-ground projects concerning conservation of marine ecosystems and their biological diversity

Response of non-structural components mounted on irregular RC buildings::comparison between FE and EC8 predictions

This paper investigates the seismic response of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) mounted on irregular reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) using non-linear dynamic finite element (FE) analysis. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, NSC to P-structure height ratio, and P-structure torsional behaviour on the seismic response of the NSCs. Representative constitutive models were used to simulate the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the frequencies of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction is considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of 21 natural and artificial earthquake records were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results indicate that the behaviour of the NSCs is significantly influenced by the investigated parameters. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode (EC8) predictions suggests that EC8 underestimates the response of NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of irregular RC P-structures when the fundamental periods and heights of the NSCs match those of the P-structures. The perceived cause of this discrepancy is that EC8 does not take into account the amplification in the dynamic response of NSCs induced by the torsional behaviour of RC P-structures