35 research outputs found
Transmission studies on Trichinella species isolated from Crocodylus niloticus and efficacy of fenbendazole and levamisole against muscle L1 stages in Balb C mice
Forty four Balb C mice, aged 18 weeks were infected with crocodile ( Crocodylus
niloticus)-derived Trichinella species. Of the infected mice, 32 were
randomly divided into two groups each containing equal numbers of males
and females; levamisole treated group and fenbendazole treated group.
Each group was randomly subdivided into two subgroups as follows:
levamisole group (subgroup 1: treated with levamisole on day 35 post
infection and subgroup 2: treated with levamisole on days 35 and 42 post
infection) and fenbendazole group (subgroup 1: treated with fenbendazole
on day 35 post infection and subgroup 2: treated with fenbendazole on
days 35 and 42 post infection). The first sub-groups treated on day 35
post infection were slaughtered on day 42 post infection and the second
subgroups were treated on days 35 and 42 post infection and slaughtered
on day 49 post infection. Two female mice were infected a day after
mating and were slaughtered together with the offspring on day 64
post-infection. Ten infected control mice were given 1 ml distilled
water orally as placebo, and five of these were slaughtered on day 42 post
infection. The results showed that the mean reproductive capacity index
of this strain (RCI) in Balb C mice was 110. There was a significant
reduction ( P<0.01) in larval counts in the single treatment groups (day
35) and in the double treatment groups (days 35 and 42) for both
anthelmintics when compared the number of parasites in the control
groups. After a single treatment, levamisole reduced the infection by
79.9% and fenbendazole by 76.7%. Following double treatments, levamisole
reduced the infection by 95.5% and fenbendazole by 99.1%. There was
evidence that the infected pregnant mice transmitted the parasite to
their offspring. It is not certain whether the parasite was transmitted
congenitally or transmammary. Alternative ways of controlling the
parasite in crocodile farms in Zimbabwe are discussed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi.
Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Research Board of the University of Zimbabwe.mn201
Relationship between burden of infection in ungulate populations and wildlife/livestock interfaces
In southern African transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), people, livestock and wildlife share
space and resources in semi-arid landscapes. One consequence of the coexistence of wild and
domestic herbivores is the risk of pathogen transmission. This risk threatens local livelihoods relying
on animal production, public health in the case of zoonoses, national economies in the context
of transboundary animal diseases, and the success of integrated conservation and development
initiatives. The level of interaction between sympatric wild and domestic hosts, defining different
wildlife/livestock interfaces, characterizes opportunities of pathogen transmission between host
populations. Exploring the relationship between infection burden and different types of wildlife/
domestic interfaces is therefore necessary to manage the sanitary risk in animal populations through
control options adapted to these multi-host systems. Here, we assessed the infection burdens of
sympatric domestic cattle (Bos taurus/Bos indicus) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) at an
unfenced interface and compared the infection burdens of cattle populations at different wildlife/
livestock interfaces in the Great Limpopo TFCA. Patterns of infection in ungulate populations
varied between wild and domestic hosts and between cattle populations at different wildlife/livestock
interfaces. Foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever and theileriosis infections were detected in
buffalo and cattle at unfenced interfaces; bovine tuberculosis was only present in buffalo; and
brucellosis and lumpy skin disease only in cattle. At unfenced interfaces, cattle populations
presented significantly higher Theileria parva and brucellosis prevalence. We hypothesize that cattle
populations at wildlife/livestock interfaces face an increased risk of infection compared to those
isolated from wildlife, and that the type of interface could influence the diversity and quantity of
pathogens shared. Additional host behavioural and molecular epidemiological studies need to be
conducted to support this hypothesis. If it is confirmed, the management of wildlife/livestock
interfaces will need to be considered through the prism of livestock and public health.The European PARSEL project (No.
Food 2007 137-950) and by the MinistÚre Français
des Affaires EtrangĂšres through the French Embassy
in Zimbabwe (RP-PCP grants 2008 and 2009).http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=HYGam201
Assessing the benefits and usefulness of Schwartz Centre Rounds in Second-Year Medical Students using Clinical Educator-Facilitated Group Work Session: not just âA Facilitated Moanâ!
Background
An experiential curriculum exposing medical students to the clinic early has many benefits but comes with the emotional stress this environment engenders. Schwartz rounds (SR) are an effective means to combat emotional stress and increasingly used in UK and USA hospitals. Recent studies show that the SR format may also provide benefits for medical students. This study aimed to investigate whether the guidance of SR in second year medical students provides the same benefits as to healthcare professionals.
Methods
SR assessment involved 83 second year MBChB students in facilitated groupwork sessions. Topics discussed were âchange and resilienceâ and âduty of candourâ. Students completed a Likert Scale questionnaire evaluating outcomes proffered by the Point of Care Foundation in collaboration with the Schwartz Foundation, with freeform feedback.
Results
There was an 86% completion rate with 25% providing written feedback. Participants were more likely to agree than disagree that SR were beneficial. SR effectiveness in enhancing studentsâ working relationship awareness and skills was strongly correlated with understanding the purpose of, and engagement with, the SR (P<0.001). Similarly, engagement with the SR was strongly correlated with self-reporting of enhanced patient-centredness (P < 0.001). Freeform feedback could be grouped into five themes that revolved around understanding of the SR and engagement with the process. Many positive comments regarded the SR as a forum not only to âlearn experientiallyâ but to so in a âsafe environmentâ. Many negative comments stemmed from students not seeing any benefits of engagement with the SR, in that sharing experiences was âunbeneficialâ, âempathy is inherent and not learntâ, or that sharing emotional problems is simply âmoaningâ.
Conclusion
SRs are an effective way of fostering empathy and understanding towards patients and colleagues. However, for the students to benefit fully from the SR it is necessary for them to engage and understand the process. Therefore, for the successful implementation of SR into pre-clinical medical education, it is important to help students realise that SR are not merely a âfacilitated whingeâ
Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia: Anticipating socioecological challenges from largeâscale infrastructure in a global biodiversity hotspot
Until recently, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has overlooked many of the social and environmental dimensions of its projects and actions in favor of more immediate economic and sociopolitical considerations. The main focus of investments under BRI has largely been to improve transport, telecommunication, and energy infrastructures. However, in Central Asia, biodiversity is not only foundational for the livelihoods and socioeconomic wellbeing of communities, it also shapes people's culture and identities. Furthermore, ecosystem services derived from functioning landscapes bring enormous benefit for millions of people downstream through integrated and transboundary water systems. Already under pressure from climate-induced melting of glaciers, the fate of ecologically important areas is considered in light of the potential harm arising from large-scale linear infrastructure projects and related investments under China-led BRI. Following review of some of the anticipated impacts of BRI on mountain environments and societies in the region, we highlight several emerging opportunities and then offer recommendations for development programsâaiming fundamentally to enhance the sustainability of BRI investments. Leveraging new opportunities to strengthen partner countriesâ priority Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing their agency in the selection of collaborations and the standards to use in environmental impact and risk assessments are recommended
Assessment of the health status and risk factors of Kham Tibetan pastoralists in the alpine grasslands of the Tibetan plateau
The health status of Tibetan herders in the Sanjiangyuan region of the Tibetan Plateau, in southwest Qinghai Province, is assessed in this paper. The field study was conducted in 2002 in the context of a broader community development and research framework, the ultimate goal of which is to achieve an effective region-specific programme of preventative health care and training for Tibetan pastoralists. Specifically, the authors analysed the impact of a number of potentially health-related environmental and lifestyle risk factors on self-reported health indicators, with a special emphasis on mother and child health. Several health status indicators were used, including a general morbidity index and a measurement of functional incapacity due to illness in the sample households. Maternal and child health findings were alarming with high rates of miscarriage and infant loss, with no traditional midwives to assist in pregnancy and delivery. Preventable childhood illnesses were also common. Other debilitating diseases included hepatitis, tuberculosis, arthritis (gout), gall bladder disease, peptic ulcers and back pain. Finally, binary logistic regression analysis showed a significant link between general morbidity and the time it takes to obtain water. The survey findings, validated by the focus groups, indicate a real need for increased accessibility and quality of health service provision to women and men and effective preventative health strategies.Health status Risk factors Mother-and-child health Pastoralists Tibet
How do General Practitioners Deal with Parents Bereaved by Suicide? A Qualitative Study.
GPsâ experiences of dealing with parents bereaved by suicide:A qualitative study
BACKGROUND: Suicide prevention is an NHS priority in England. Bereavement by suicide is a risk factor for suicide, but the needs of those bereaved by suicide have not been addressed, and little is known about how GPs support these patients, and how they deal with this aspect of their work. AIM: This study explores the experiences of GPs dealing with parents bereaved by suicide. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative study using interviews with 13 GPs in the UK. METHOD: Parents, whose adult offspring had died by suicide between 2002 and 2012, were recruited and gave the name of their GP to be invited for interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The topic guide explored experiences of dealing with suicide and bereavement. Data were analysed thematically using constant comparison techniques. RESULTS: GPs described mental health as 'part and parcel' of primary care, but disclosed low confidence in dealing with suicide and an unpreparedness to face parents bereaved by suicide. Some GPs described guilt surrounding the suicide, and a reluctance to initiate contact with the bereaved parents. GPs talked of their duty to care for the bereaved patients, but admitted difficulties in knowing what to do, particularly in the perceived absence of other services. GPs reflected on the impact of the suicide on themselves and described a lack of support or supervision. CONCLUSION: GPs need to feel confident and competent to support parents bereaved by suicide. Although this may be facilitated through training initiatives, and accessible services to refer parents to, GPs also require formal support and supervision, particularly around significant events such as suicide. Results from this qualitative study have informed the development of evidence-based suicide bereavement training for health professionals