Recent benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Celtic Sea (South Western Approaches, NE Atlantic)

The faunal composition and diversity pattern of Recent benthic foraminifera from the shelf and slope of the South Western Approaches (Celtic Sea) were assessed. The sampling stations cover a depth range from 100 to 500 m. A total number of 294 species was recorded, of which 89 were found exclusively in the living fauna and 118 only in the dead assemblage, whereas 87 species were found in both assemblages. The faunal composition revealed a distinct bisection of the living fauna on the shelf. While certain distribution patterns of living dominant species were recognized along a NE-SW trending transect towards the shelf edge, the living fauna changed within small depth intervals and geographic position on the slope. Causes for this structured slope assemblages were probably along-slope currents of varying strengths, as well as variations in topography and bottom sediments. Analyses of population densities and diversity patterns determined high densities along the shelf edge and at one slope station, as well as an increasing diversity with water depth. A comparison with literature data from the same area yields distinct differences in faunal composition on the shelf and slope. The diversity was similar on the shelf, but higher at corresponding stations on the slope. We conclude that the faunal composition was highly influenced by the time and methods of sampling. In order to obtain consistent results in regional studies, all samples should be taken in a short time interval and by using the same sampling device. In addition, we depicted the influences of environmental parameters on dead faunal assemblages and their consequences for paleoenvironmental interpretations of fossil foraminiferal assemblages

Evaluations of training and education interventions for improved infectious disease management in low-income and middle-income countries:a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES: To identify most vital input and outcome parameters required for evaluations of training and education interventions aimed at addressing infectious diseases in low-income and middle-income countries. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for eligible studies between January 2000 and November 2021. STUDY SELECTION: Health economic and health-outcome studies on infectious diseases covering an education or training intervention in low-income and middle-income countries were included. RESULTS: A total of 59 eligible studies covering training or education interventions for infectious diseases were found; infectious diseases were categorised as acute febrile infections (AFI), non-AFI and other non-acute infections. With regard to input parameters, the costs (direct and indirect) were most often reported. As outcome parameters, five categories were most often reported including final health outcomes, intermediate health outcomes, cost outcomes, prescription outcomes and health economic outcomes. Studies showed a wide range of per category variables included and a general lack of uniformity across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Further standardisation is needed on the relevant input and outcome parameters in this field. A more standardised approach would improve generalisability and comparability of results and allow policy-makers to make better informed decisions on the most effective and cost-effective interventions

Taxonomic notes on recent benthic foraminiferal species of the family Trochamminidae from the Celtic Sea

Benthic foraminiferal faunas from the shelf and upper continental slope of the Celtic Sea (NE Atlantic) show a rich variety of Trochamminidae species. We recognized 31 taxa, of which 18 could be determined to species level. These 18 species comprise about 9% of all species of the family Trochamminidae that are described from Recent sediments worldwide. For species determination and generic classification, we used existing taxonomic concepts and assessed their applicability. Besides the morphology of the test and internal structures, different apertural. features play a fundamental role in the systematic subdivision of the Trochamminidae. The position of the aperture controls the chamber arrangement and, therefore, the final shape of the test. However, we found no relationship between the apertural features and shape of the chambers as well as between apertural features and mode of life. Using apertural features for a sound taxonomic designation of our specimens proves difficult, because apertures are often obscured. Further, combined morphological and molecular-phylogenetic studies are required to constrain the taxonomic relevance of apertural characteristics

Diversity of benthic foraminifera of the shelf and slope of the NE-Atlantic: analysis of datasets

The objective of this work was to review the distribution of benthic foraminiferal species at the western European continental margin from 43–58uN, determine their diversity, and generate a standardized taxonomy based on 44 publications (1913–2010) and unpublished information. Qualitative and quantitative data based upon foraminiferal occurrences and species abundances were included together with supplementary sedimentological and hydrographical data. From the species inventory, as well as from differences in morphological, physical, and hydrographic conditions in the study area, we defined six regions. The investigation of 2902 stations revealed 1486 species, of which 26% are synonymous. Most of the species have a hyaline test and live free, on or in the sediment. We recorded 608 species whose distributions were confined only to one of the six regions. Quantitative faunal data showed a general diversity increase from shelf to slope and two mid-slope diversity maxima, one located on the Basque continental margin at 550–850-m water depth and the other west of Ireland at 700–1100 m. In addition, the number of living species on the shelf generally increased from N–S. The latitudinal vs. depth distribution of six dominant species showed an irregular, lobate distribution pattern for the shelf regions. These species displayed similar distribution patterns on the continental slope, despite different modes of life, and different food and substrate preferences. This suggests that they have the same ecohabitat throughout their depth range. The faunal distribution pattern revealed close relationships between the different regions despite their varying hydrologic regimes.A delineation of one or two regions based on faunal criteria has not been attempted to date. There were no major distinctions in diversity among the six regions of the NE Atlantic, but the whole area exhibits an interregional diversity (c-diversity of 16), similar in magnitude to that of the Gulf of Mexico. In some parts of the study area, gaps in data coverage and differences in foraminiferal taxonomy and hydrographic conditions prevented the calculation of diversity indices

Cost-Effectiveness of Test-and-Treat Strategies to Reduce the Antibiotic Prescription Rate for Acute Febrile Illness in Primary Healthcare Clinics in Africa

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic use increases selective pressure, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) would be instrumental to better target antibiotic prescriptions, but widespread implementation of diagnostics for improved management of febrile illnesses is limited.Objective: Our study aims to contribute to evidence-based guidance to inform policymakers on investment decisions regarding interventions that foster more appropriate antibiotic prescriptions, as well as to address the evidence gap on the potential clinical and economic impact of RDTs on antibiotic prescription.Methods: A country-based cost-effectiveness model was developed for Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda. The decision tree model simulated seven test strategies for patients with febrile illness to assess the effect of different RDT combinations on antibiotic prescription rate (APR), costs and clinical outcomes. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed as the incremental cost per percentage point (ppt) reduction in APR.Results: For Burkina Faso and Uganda, testing all patients with a malaria RDT was dominant compared to standard-of-care (SoC) (which included malaria testing). Expanding the test panel with a C-reactive protein (CRP) test resulted in an ICER of $0.03 and$ 0.08 per ppt reduction in APR for Burkina Faso and Uganda, respectively. For Ghana, the pairwise comparison with SoC—including malaria and complete blood count testing—indicates that both testing with malaria RDT only and malaria RDT + CRP are dominant.Conclusion: The use of RDTs for patients with febrile illness could effectively reduce APR at minimal additional costs, provided diagnostic algorithms are adhered to. Complementing SoC with CRP testing may increase clinicians’ confidence in prescribing decisions and is a favourable strategy.</p