Maatschappelijk vastgoed:aanhouden of verkopen

In dit onderzoeksrapport staat het maatschappelijk vastgoed van de gemeente Emmen centraal. De gemeente Emmen staat voor de keuze of zij haar maatschappelijk vastgoed moet gaan verkopen of niet. Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd via een indirecte opdrachtgever. Deze indirecte opdrachtgever is een aanspreekpunt voor de gemeente Emmen en voor het onderzoeksteam. In het onderzoek wordt voor de gemeente Emmen onderzocht welke mogelijke manieren er zijn om haar maatschappelijk vastgoed te verkopen, waarbij zij haar invloed behoud. De centrale vraag zal volledig beantwoord worden door alle informatie die door kwalitatieve methoden verzameld is. Het doel van het onderzoek is, een passende manier voor de gemeente Emmen vinden om haar maatschappelijk vastgoed te verkopen met behoudt van invloedsmogelijkheden. De probleemstelling van het onderzoek is als volgt samengesteld: “Welke mogelijkheden heeft de gemeente Emmen tot haar beschikking, om ervoor te zorgen dat na verkoop van haar maatschappelijk vastgoed, haar invloed deels behouden kan blijven?”. Studentonderzoek in het kader van het thema Leefomgeving

Development of an urban molecular xenomonitoring system for lymphatic filariasis in the Recife Metropolitan Region, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular xenomonitoring (MX)-pathogen detection in the mosquito rather than human-is a promising tool for lymphatic filariasis (LF) surveillance. In the Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR), the last LF focus in Brazil, Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes have been implicated in transmitting Wuchereria bancrofti parasites. This paper presents findings on the ideal mosquito collection method, mosquito dispersion, W. bancrofti infection in mosquitoes and W. bancrofti antigen in humans to aid MX development. METHODS: Experiments occurred within two densely populated urban areas of Olinda, RMR, in July and August 2015. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps were compared to battery-powered aspirators as collection methods, and mosquito dispersion was measured by mosquito mark release recapture (MMRR). Female Cx. quinquefasciatus were tested by PCR for W. bancrofti infection, and study area residents were screened by rapid tests for W. bancrofti antigen. RESULTS: Aspirators caught 2.6 times more total Cx. quinquefasciatus, including 38 times more blood-fed and 5 times more gravid stages, than CDC light traps. They also collected 123 times more Aedes aegypti. Of the 9,644 marked mosquitoes released, only ten (0.01%) were recaptured, nine of which were < 50m (34.8m median, 85.4m maximum) from the release point. Of 9,169 unmarked mosquitoes captured in the MMR, 38.3% were unfed, 48.8% blood-fed, 5.5% semi-gravid, and 7.3% gravid. PCR on 182 pools (1,556 mosquitoes) found no evidence of W. bancrofti infection in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Rapid tests on 110 of 111 eligible residents were all negative for W. bancrofti antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirators were more effective than CDC light traps at capturing Ae. aegypti and all but unfed stages of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Female Cx. quinquefasciatus traveled short (< 86m) distances in this urban area. Lack of evidence for W. bancrofti infection in mosquitoes and antigen in humans in these fine-scale studies does not indicate that LF transmission has ceased in the RMR. A MX surveillance system should consider vector-specific collection methods, mosquito dispersion, and spatial scale but also local context, environmental factors such as sanitation, and host factors such as infection prevalence and treatment history

The Impact of Intensive Versus Standard Anthelminthic Treatment on Allergy-related Outcomes, Helminth Infection Intensity, and Helminth-related Morbidity in Lake Victoria Fishing Communities, Uganda: Results From the LaVIISWA Cluster-randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergy-related diseases is increasing in low-income countries. Parasitic helminths, common in these settings, may be protective. We hypothesized that intensive, community-wide, anthelminthic mass drug administration (MDA) would increase allergy-related diseases, while reducing helminth-related morbidity. METHODS: In an open, cluster-randomized trial (ISRCTN47196031), we randomized 26 high-schistosomiasis-transmission fishing villages in Lake Victoria, Uganda, in a 1:1 ratio to receive community-wide intensive (quarterly single-dose praziquantel plus albendazole daily for 3 days) or standard (annual praziquantel plus 6 monthly single-dose albendazole) MDA. Primary outcomes were recent wheezing, skin prick test positivity (SPT), and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (asIgE) after 3 years of intervention. Secondary outcomes included helminths, haemoglobin, and hepatosplenomegaly. RESULTS: The outcome survey comprised 3350 individuals. Intensive MDA had no effect on wheezing (risk ratio [RR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.93), SPT (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.85-1.42), or asIgE (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.82-1.12). Intensive MDA reduced Schistosoma mansoni infection intensity: the prevalence from Kato Katz examinations of single stool samples from each patient was 23% versus 39% (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.88), but the urine circulating cathodic antigen test remained positive in 85% participants in both trial arms. Hookworm prevalence was 8% versus 11% (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-1.00). There were no differences in anemia or hepatospenomegaly between trial arms. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reductions in S. mansoni intensity and hookworm prevalence, intensive MDA had no effect on atopy, allergy-related diseases, or helminth-related pathology. This could be due to sustained low-intensity infections; thus, a causal link between helminths and allergy outcomes cannot be discounted. Intensive community-based MDA has a limited impact in high-schistosomiasis-transmission fishing communities, in the absence of other interventions. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ISRCTN47196031

Evolution of the life cycle in land plants

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92043/1/j.1759-6831.2012.00188.x.pd

Health impact of urban air pollution in Belgium

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Fine particles, a major threat to children.

International audienceBACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence for serious health consequences of exposure to ambient air pollution. The general question of who is susceptible is one of the most important gaps in current knowledge regarding particulate matter (PM)-related health effects. Who is susceptible depends on the specific health endpoint being evaluated and the level and length of exposure. Here, we restrict the review on the impact of fine particle exposure on children's health to the following outcomes: infant death, lung function, respiratory symptoms and reproductive outcomes. METHODS: This is a strategic review of children's susceptibility to ambient fine particles and characteristics of infant and children which underlie their increased susceptibility to PM. RESULTS: Ambient fine PM is associated with intra-uterine growth retardation, infant mortality; it is associated with impaired lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, particularly in asthmatics. Concerning infant mortality, exposure to PM is strongly and consistently associated with postneonatal respiratory mortality and less consistently with sudden infant death syndrome. Although most of the studies reported adverse effects for this health outcome, the evidence is weaker than for infant death. Exposure to fine PM has been associated with impaired lung function and lung function growth. Most of the studies reported increased prevalence of symptom with increased exposure to fine PM. CONCLUSION: Fine PM is a major threat to children, because of their higher exposure to PM compared to adults, the immature state of the lung in childhood and also of the immune function at birth. The first months of life might be a period of particular sensitivity. Although the mechanisms of air pollution effects have not yet been completely understood, pregnant women, infants and children need specific protection against exposure to fine particles