Ovatoxin-a and Palytoxin Accumulation in Seafood in Relation to Ostreopsis cf. ovata Blooms on the French Mediterranean Coast

Dinoflagellates of the genus Ostreopsis are known to cause (often fatal) food poisoning in tropical coastal areas following the accumulation of palytoxin (PLTX) and/or its analogues (PLTX group) in crabs, sea urchins or fish. Ostreopsis spp. occurrence is presently increasing in the northern to north western Mediterranean Sea (Italy, Spain, Greece and France), probably in response to climate change. In France, Ostreopsis. cf. ovata has been associated with toxic events during summer 2006, at Morgiret, off the coast of Marseille, and a specific monitoring has been designed and implemented since 2007. Results from 2008 and 2009 showed that there is a real danger of human poisoning, as these demonstrated bioaccumulation of the PLTX group (PLTX and ovatoxin-a) in both filter-feeding bivalve molluscs (mussels) and herbivorous echinoderms (sea urchins). The total content accumulated in urchins reached 450 µg PLTX eq/kg total flesh (summer 2008). In mussels, the maximum was 230 µg eq PLTX/kg (summer 2009) compared with a maximum of 360 µg found in sea urchins during the same period at the same site. This publication brings together scientific knowledge obtained about the summer development of Ostreopsis spp. in France during 2007, 2008 and 2009

Mulat-estetiek: ’n Analise van Adam Small se dramas

Opsomming In hierdie artikel word die dramakonvensies van Adam Small ondersoek met besondere aandag aan perspektiewe op die mulat as ’n sosiale gegewe. Hierdie element bied ’n gepaste invalshoek omdat dit enersyds ‘n verskynsel is wat Small in sy dramas en ander skryfwerk aansny en daar andersyds ’n uitgebreide literatuur bestaan waarin oor die dramatiese, lewensbeskoulike en literêr-teoretiese inkleding daarvan besin word. Die werk van onder andere Langston Hughes en Derek Walcott word ondersoek om ’n leesstrategie te ontwikkel waarmee die Small-teks geanaliseer kan word.Web of Scienc

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Putting Children First: New Frontiers in the Fight Against Child Poverty in Africa

Despite important strides in the fight against poverty in the past two decades, child poverty remains widespread and persistent, particularly in Africa. Poverty in all its dimensions is detrimental for early childhood development and often results in unreversed damage to the lives of girls and boys, locking children and families into intergenerational poverty. This edited volume contributes to the policy initiatives aiming to reduce child poverty and academic understanding of child poverty and its solutions by bringing together applied research from across the continent. With the Sustainable Development Goals having opened up an important space for the fight against child poverty, not least by broadening its conceptualization to be multidimensional, this collection aims to push the frontiers by challenging existing narratives and exploring alternative understandings of the complexities and dynamics underpinning child poverty. Furthermore, it examines policy options that work to address this critical challenge.Comparative Research Programme on Poverty (CROP) at the University of Bergen.publishedVersio

Standards Recommendations for the Earth BioGenome Project

Funder: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteFunder: National Science Foundation; Grant(s): DBI:IIBR:CAREER #1943371A global international initiative such as the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) requires both agreement and coordination on standards to ensure that the collective effort generates rapid progress towards its goals. To this end, the EBP initiated five technical standards committees comprising volunteer members from the global genomics scientific community: Sample Collection and Processing, Sequencing and Assembly, Annotation, Analysis, and, IT and Informatics. The current versions of the resulting standards documents are available on the EBP website, with the recognition that opportunities, technologies and challenges may improve or change in the future requiring flexibility for the EBP to meet its goals. Here, we describe some highlights from the proposed standards, and areas where additional challenges will need to be met.NIH, EMBL, NSF, Smithsonian, NMNH, USDA, HHM

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Control de la Natalidad en Lima, Perú

It was carried out a case study of pregnancies and contraceptive methods used by a random sample of 500 women in Lima, Peru . During the five years preceding the interview, the proportion of pregnancies ending in abortions was 19 , 20 and 15 % in the socio- economic middle and lower respectively upper levels . Although the percentage of induced abortions was admitted as low , the rate of abortions was considered relatively high , and it was thought that probably included many whose provocation induced abortions but was not admitted . The suspicions were substantiated when abortions rates were tabulated by age of women and pregnancy order . It can be concluded that induced abortions are a method of controlling fertility in Lima, especially in the high and middle socio- economic levels, and women over 30 who already have 3 or 4 children , are which mainly resort to induced abortions . We found that contraceptive methods were widely practiced , especially the socio- economic upper and middle groups. The proportion of women at risk of pregnancy who were using a contraceptive method at the time the interview was conducted was 68 , 55 and 38% in the high , middle and lower socioeconomic groups respectively . The condom was one of the two most popular contraceptive methods in the three social classes . In the upper and middle socio- economic levels, the rhythm method was also popular, while douching and withdrawal were also popular in the lower level. In all groups , the majority of women were in favor of limiting the family.Fue llevado a cabo un estudio de casos de embarazos y métodos contraceptivos empleados por medio de un muestreo al azar de 500 mujeres en Lima, Perú. Durante los cinco años que precedieron a la entrevista, la proporción de embarazos que terminaron en abortos fue de 19, 20 y 15 % en los niveles socio-económicos superior, medio e inferior respectivamente. Aunque el porcentaje de abortos admitidos como provocados era bajo, la tasa de abortos fue considerada relativamente elevada, y se creyó que incluía probablemente muchos abortos provocados pero cuya provocación no fue admitida. Las sospechas fueron sustanciadas cuando las tasas de abortos fueron tabuladas por edad de la mujer y orden del embarazo. Se puede llegar a la conclusión de que los abortos provocados son un método de controlar la fecundidad en Lima, especialmente en los niveles socio-económicos elevados y medio, y que las mujeres mayores de 30 años, que ya tienen 3 ó 4 niños, son las que principalmente recurren a los abortos provocados. Se encontró que los métodos contraceptivos eran ampliamente practicados, especialmente por los grupos socio-económicos superior y medio. La proporción de mujeres expuestas al riesgo del embarazo que estaban usando algún método contraceptivo en el momento en que se realizó la entrevista fue de 68, 55 y 38% en los grupos socioeconómicos elevado, medio e inferior respectivamente. El preservativo fue uno de los dos métodos contraceptivos más populares en las tres clases sociales. En los niveles socio-económicos superior y medio, el método de ritmo también era popular, mientras que las duchas vaginales y el coito interrumpido eran populares también en el nivel inferior. En todos los grupos sociales, la mayor parte de las mujeres estaba a favor de la limitación de la familia

Control de la Natalidad en Lima, Perú

It was carried out a case study of pregnancies and contraceptive methods used by a random sample of 500 women in Lima, Peru . During the five years preceding the interview, the proportion of pregnancies ending in abortions was 19 , 20 and 15 % in the socio- economic middle and lower respectively upper levels . Although the percentage of induced abortions was admitted as low , the rate of abortions was considered relatively high , and it was thought that probably included many whose provocation induced abortions but was not admitted . The suspicions were substantiated when abortions rates were tabulated by age of women and pregnancy order . It can be concluded that induced abortions are a method of controlling fertility in Lima, especially in the high and middle socio- economic levels, and women over 30 who already have 3 or 4 children , are which mainly resort to induced abortions . We found that contraceptive methods were widely practiced , especially the socio- economic upper and middle groups. The proportion of women at risk of pregnancy who were using a contraceptive method at the time the interview was conducted was 68 , 55 and 38% in the high , middle and lower socioeconomic groups respectively . The condom was one of the two most popular contraceptive methods in the three social classes . In the upper and middle socio- economic levels, the rhythm method was also popular, while douching and withdrawal were also popular in the lower level. In all groups , the majority of women were in favor of limiting the family.Fue llevado a cabo un estudio de casos de embarazos y métodos contraceptivos empleados por medio de un muestreo al azar de 500 mujeres en Lima, Perú. Durante los cinco años que precedieron a la entrevista, la proporción de embarazos que terminaron en abortos fue de 19, 20 y 15 % en los niveles socio-económicos superior, medio e inferior respectivamente. Aunque el porcentaje de abortos admitidos como provocados era bajo, la tasa de abortos fue considerada relativamente elevada, y se creyó que incluía probablemente muchos abortos provocados pero cuya provocación no fue admitida. Las sospechas fueron sustanciadas cuando las tasas de abortos fueron tabuladas por edad de la mujer y orden del embarazo. Se puede llegar a la conclusión de que los abortos provocados son un método de controlar la fecundidad en Lima, especialmente en los niveles socio-económicos elevados y medio, y que las mujeres mayores de 30 años, que ya tienen 3 ó 4 niños, son las que principalmente recurren a los abortos provocados. Se encontró que los métodos contraceptivos eran ampliamente practicados, especialmente por los grupos socio-económicos superior y medio. La proporción de mujeres expuestas al riesgo del embarazo que estaban usando algún método contraceptivo en el momento en que se realizó la entrevista fue de 68, 55 y 38% en los grupos socioeconómicos elevado, medio e inferior respectivamente. El preservativo fue uno de los dos métodos contraceptivos más populares en las tres clases sociales. En los niveles socio-económicos superior y medio, el método de ritmo también era popular, mientras que las duchas vaginales y el coito interrumpido eran populares también en el nivel inferior. En todos los grupos sociales, la mayor parte de las mujeres estaba a favor de la limitación de la familia

Some further observations regarding "cryoplanation terraces" on Alexander Island

Landforms with the appearance of cryoplanation terraces were studied on Alexander Island in an attempt to better understand their formation and growth. Developed on sub-horizontal sedimentary rocks, with 3608 exposure around a nunatak, the terraces show a distinct equatorward orientational preference and an increase in terrace size with elevation. Available data fail to indicate any evidence of freeze-thaw weathering and information relating to present-day debris transport is singularly absent. Thermal data from the rock exposures showed variability that could cause thermal fatigue but no rates of change of temperature commensurate with thermal shock were recorded. Terrace development appears to be connected with lithological differences in the local sandstones, with growth along sedimentary junctions. Although presently in a permafrost environment, the available information on these landforms does not appear to be compatible with that generally accepted for cryoplanation terraces