Stabilization of the Cauchy problem for integro-differential equations

In the present paper, we obtain a criterion for the stabilization of the Cauchy problem for an integro-differential equation in the class of functions of polynomial growth γ ≥ 0.Одержано критерій стабілізації задачі Коші для інтегро-диференціального рівняння у класі функцій з поліноміальним зростанням γ ≥ 0

The burden of high blood pressure and related risk factors in urban Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidences from Douala in Cameroon

Objective: To provide the current burden of high blood pressure and related risk factors in urban setting in Cameroon. Methods:We used the WHO STEPS approach for Surveillance of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors to collect data from 2,559 adults aged 15-99 years, residing at Cite des Palmiers in Douala, Cameroon. Results: The level of education was low with up to 60% of participants totalizing less than primary school. Smoking habits were 6 times more frequent in men (

A new species in the major malaria vector complex sheds light on reticulated species evolution

Complexes of closely related species provide key insights into the rapid and independent evolution of adaptive traits. Here, we described and studied Anopheles fontenillei sp.n., a new species in the Anopheles gambiae complex that we recently discovered in the forested areas of Gabon, Central Africa. Our analysis placed the new taxon in the phylogenetic tree of the An. gambiae complex, revealing important introgression events with other members of the complex. Particularly, we detected recent introgression, with Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii, of genes directly involved in vectorial capacity. Moreover, genome analysis of the new species allowed us to clarify the evolutionary history of the 3La inversion. Overall, An. fontenillei sp.n. analysis improved our understanding of the relationship between species within the An. gambiae complex, and provided insight into the evolution of vectorial capacity traits that are relevant for the successful control of malaria in Africa

Setting-up nurse-led pilot clinics for the management of non-communicable diseases at primary health care level in resource-limited settings of Africa

Background: This article describes the setting-up process for nurse-led pilot clinics for the management of four chronic diseases: asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and hypertension at the primary health care level in urban and rural Cameroon. Methods: The Biyem-Assi urban and the Bafut rural health districts in Cameroon served as settings for this study. International and local guidelines were identified and adapted to the country’s circumstances. Training and follow-up tools were developed and nurses trained by experienced physicians in the management of the four conditions. Basic diagnostic and follow-up materials were provided and relevant essential drugs made available. Results: Forty six nurses attended six training courses. By the second year of activity, three and four clinics were operational in the urban and the rural areas respectively. By then, 925 patients had been registered in the clinics. This represented a 68.5% increase from the first year. While the rural clinics relied mainly on essential drugs for their prescriptions, a prescription pattern combining generic and proprietary drugs was observed in the urban clinics. Conclusion: In the quest for cost-effective health care for NCD in sub-Saharan Africa, rethinking health workforce and service delivery has relevance. Nurse-led clinics, algorithm driven service delivery stands as alternatives to overcome the shortage of trained physicians and other issues relating to access to care

The epidemiological burden of obesity in childhood: a worldwide epidemic requiring urgent action

Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically. This worldwide epidemic has important consequences, including psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial disorders in childhood and increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. Treatment of obesity is difficult and children with excess weight are likely to become adults with obesity. These trends have led member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) to endorse a target of no increase in obesity in childhood by 2025. Main body: Estimates of overweight in children aged under 5 years are available jointly from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO and the World Bank. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has published country-level estimates of obesity in children aged 2–4 years. For children aged 5–19 years, obesity estimates are available from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. The global prevalence of overweight in children aged 5 years or under has increased modestly, but with heterogeneous trends in low and middle-income regions, while the prevalence of obesity in children aged 2–4 years has increased moderately. In 1975, obesity in children aged 5–19 years was relatively rare, but was much more common in 2016. Conclusions: It is recognised that the key drivers of this epidemic form an obesogenic environment, which includes changing food systems and reduced physical activity. Although cost-effective interventions such as WHO ‘best buys’ have been identified, political will and implementation have so far been limited. There is therefore a need to implement effective programmes and policies in multiple sectors to address overnutrition, undernutrition, mobility and physical activity. To be successful, the obesity epidemic must be a political priority, with these issues addressed both locally and globally. Work by governments, civil society, private corporations and other key stakeholders must be coordinated

Understanding of research, genetics and genetic research in a rapid ethical assessment in north west Cameroon

BACKGROUND There is limited assessment of whether research participants in low-income settings are afforded a full understanding of the meaning of medical research. There may also be particular issues with the understanding of genetic research. We used a rapid ethical assessment methodology to explore perceptions surrounding the meaning of research, genetics and genetic research in north west Cameroon. METHODS Eleven focus group discussions (including 107 adults) and 72 in-depth interviews were conducted with various stakeholders in two health districts in north west Cameroon between February and April 2012. RESULTS Most participants appreciated the role of research in generating knowledge and identified a difference between research and healthcare but gave varied explanations as to this difference. Most participants' understanding of genetics was limited to concepts of hereditary, with potential benefits limited to the level of the individual or family. Explanations based on supernatural beliefs were identified as a special issue but participants tended not to identify any other special risks with genetic research. CONCLUSION We demonstrated a variable level of understanding of research, genetics and genetic research, with implications for those carrying out genetic research in this and other low resource settings. Our study highlights the utility of rapid ethical assessment prior to complex or sensitive research

Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma Pierre): Arbre à usage multiple de forêt dense humide du Cameroun

Le Moabi est un grand arbre de la forêt dense humide du Cameroun. Cet arbre à usages multiples, est recherché par l’industrie forestière pour la qualité de son bois et par les populations rurales pour ses produits autres que le bois tels l’écorce et les racines pour leurs importances médicinales, les fruits pour la fabrication d’huile. Ces formes d’exploitations concurrentielles, très souvent sans soucis de durabilité ont considérablement réduit les populations d’arbres, avec pour conséquence la rareté des produits dérivés. Face à cette forte pression anthropique qui s’exerce sur le Moabi dans le sud Cameroun, il a paru nécessaire d’effectuer une étude socioéconomique et écologique dans les villages à fortes activités d’exploitation. En effet, la compréhension des atouts socioculturels et des divers liens et usages que les ruraux tissent autour de cet arbre, l’estimation des stocks disponibles dans les terroirs villageois est un préalable impératif à l’élaboration des règles de gestion durable. Les enquêtes auprès des utilisateurs et les inventaires forestiers ont été réalisés dans sept villages. La distribution de cette espèce est estimée à 0,8 arbre/ha pour les individus d’un diamètre à 1,3 m supérieur à 10 cm. Cet arbre revêt une importance socioculturelle et incarne des pouvoirs divins indéniables pour 65% des ruraux. Les femmes représentent 56,5% des exploitants des produits forestiers non ligneux issus de cet arbre. Elles sont plus que les hommes, tributaires de l’exploitation des fruits et des écorces du Moabi. De ce fait, elles sont les principales victimes des conflits d’intérêts. Les écorces et le latex sont utilisés en pharmacopée. La production d’huile à partir des fruits peut générer jusque 1 050 000 Fcfa de rentrées financières dans le village Melondo. L’importance de ce gain incite à promouvoir l’extraction d’huile de Moabi dans le cadre de la diversification des sources de revenus et de la lutte contre la pauvreté.Mots clés: Moabi, usages multiples, gestion soutenue, communauté rurale, Camerou

Data pooling efforts in Africa and Latin America.

Correspondenc

Serum lipophilic antioxidants levels are associated with leucocyte telomere length among US adults

Background: To examine the association between serum concentrations of antioxidant and telomere length (TL) in U.S adults. Methods: Participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with data available on TL measures from 2001 to 2002 were included. Serum lipophilic antioxidants level was measured using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. We used analysis of co-variance and multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, accounting for the survey design and sample weights. Results: Of the 5992 eligible participants, 47.5% (n = 2844) were men. The mean age was 46.9 years overall, 47.2 years in men and 46.6 in women (p = 0.071). In age, sex, race, education, marital status, adiposity, smoking, C-reactive protein adjusted linear regressions, antioxidant, serum α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis- β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and combined Lutein/zeaxanthin were positively and significantly associated with TL (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings support a possible positive association between serum concentrations of lipophylic antioxidant and TL. The implications of this association deserve further investigation