Epidemiology of diarrhoeal disease in rural Malawi - a case study of cryptosporidiosis

A rural community based case control study was conducted in Malawi, over a 23 month period, to identify determinants influencing human cryptosporidiosis in under fives. 96 home interviews were conducted in 24 communities (cases n=24; unmatched controls n=72). 61 risk factors were investigated by questionnaire, combined with quantitative data from drinking water and domesticated animal stool samples. Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in either sample type. Multivariate logistic regression of questionnaire data revealed an increased risk of cryptosporidiosis associated with ownership of pigs (OR7.2, 95%CI 1.9–27.5, p=0.004), presence of diarrhoea in the household (OR8.8, 95%CI 1.8–53.4, p=0.008), bathing in the river (OR76.7, 95%CI 1.1–23.8, p=0.037) and no education within the household (OR3.6, 95%CI 1.1–11.8, p=0.038). Bacteriological results indicating faecal contamination of both drinking water stored within the home, and the surface of guardians’ hands were indicative of poor hygienic practices and potential sources of infection

Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Improving food safety and hygiene is integral to the successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Foodborne diseases continue to impose a high burden on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly children under five years, and meeting stipulated conditions for both domestic and export markets can be challenging. This paper reports a situation analysis exploring the challenges faced in the food safety sector in LMICs, using Malawi as an example. The analysis used a desk and policy review, literature search, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to provide national data, which was then subject to thematic analysis. The analysis established there is a significant threat to public health and market access due to uncoordinated, outdated or incomplete regulatory framework, poorly defined mandates, limited infrastructure, lack of equipment and skilled personnel, inadequate resources, and limited awareness and ability to comply with standards. Food safety and hygiene improvements must strike a balance between market access gains and protection of public health. To achieve this, the sector requires effective integration at national level in food security, nutrition, health, economic development, agriculture, and poverty reduction. Solutions for each country must be context-specific and take into consideration national realities if they are to be successful

Is manure from ecological sanitation latrines safe for use to fertilize crops? A review of evidence from literature

Studies have shown that manure harvested in ecological sanitation (ecosan) latrines has more thermo tolerant bacteria and helminthic eggs than the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation. The review was aimed at assessing adequacy of available guidelines on use of ecosan to produce safe manure. Relevant literature was searched and critically reviewed. Literature on effect on pathogen die off was not consistent from one study to the next and in some situations conflicting results have been found. Guidelines on waiting period after pit is sealed differed from one country to the next and there is an agreement that six months waiting period is not enough to produce safe manure. There is need for further research in real latrine situation to investigate all potential factors that affect pathogen die off. These may assist to explain inconsistencies in literature on pathogen die off and assist to develop specific guidelines for different locations

Deconstructing HD 28867

The 3" pair of B9 stars, HD 28867, is one of the brightest X-ray sources in the Taurus-Auriga star forming region. In this multi-wavelength study, we attempt to deduce the source of the X-ray emission. We show that the East component is the X-ray source. The East component has a near-IR excess and displays narrow absorption lines in the optical, both of which are consistent with a cool stellar companion. This companion is one of the brightest low mass pre-main sequence stars in Tau-Aur; at 2 microns it and the B9 star are equally bright. We see evidence for radial velocity variability in the cool component of >34 km/s. It is not visible in K band speckle imaging, which constrains the companion to lie within 14 AU of the B star. We also report on a possible fourth member of the group, an M1 star 18" south of HD 28867.Comment: accepted by the Astronomical Journa

Evaluation of transparent 20L polyproylene buckets for household solar water disinfection (SODIS) of drinking water in resource-poor environments.

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is an appropriate technology for treating drinking water in developing communities, as it is effective, low- or zero-cost, easy to use. The WHO recognises SODIS as an appropriate intervention to provide drinking water after manmade or natural disasters. Nevertheless, uptake is low due partially to the burden of using small volume polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (1.5-2 L). A major challenge is to develop a low cost transparent container for disinfecting larger volumes of water. This study examines the capability of transparent polypropylene (PP) buckets of 5 and 20 litres volume, as SODIS containers using three waterborne pathogen indicator organisms: E. coli, MS2-phage and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts

End-stage renal disease in young black males in a black-white population: longitudinal analysis of the Bogalusa Heart Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Risk factors in childhood create a life-long burden important in the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease in adulthood. Many risk factors for CV disease (e.g., hypertension) also increase the risk of renal disease. However, the importance of childhood risk factors on the development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is not well characterized.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The current observations include data from Bogalusa Heart Study participants who were examined multiple times as children between 1973 and 1988.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through 2006, fifteen study participants subsequently developed ESRD in adulthood; seven with no known overt cause. Although the Bogalusa Heart Study population is 63% white and 37% black and 51% male and 49% female, all seven ESRD cases with no known overt cause were black males (p < 0.001). Mean age-adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressure in childhood was higher among the ESRD cases (114.5 mmHg and 70.1 mmHg, respectively) compared to black (103.0 mmHg and 62.3 mmHg, respectively) and white (mean = 103.3 mmHg and 62.3 mmHg, respectively) boys who didn't develop ESRD. The mean age-adjusted body mass index in childhood was 23.5 kg/m²among ESRD cases and 18.6 kg/m²and 18.9 kg/m²among black and white boys who didn't develop ESRD, respectively. Plasma glucose in childhood was not significantly associated with ESRD.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest black males have an increased risk of ESRD in young adulthood. Elevated body mass index and blood pressure in childhood may increase the risk for developing ESRD as young adults.</p

Microbiological evaluation of 5 L- And 20 L-transparent polypropylene buckets for solar water disinfection (SODIS)

Background: Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is an appropriate technology for household treatment of drinking water in low-to-middle-income communities, as it is effective, low cost and easy to use. Nevertheless, uptake is low due partially to the burden of using small volume polyethylene terephthalate bottles (1.5-2 L). A major challenge is to develop a low-cost transparent container for disinfecting larger volumes of water. (2) Methods: This study examines the capability of transparent polypropylene (PP) buckets of 5 L- and 20 L- volume as SODIS containers using three waterborne pathogen indicators: Escherichia coli, MS2-phage and Cryptosporidium parvum. (3) Results: Similar inactivation kinetics were observed under natural sunlight for the inactivation of all three organisms in well water using 5 L- and 20 L-buckets compared to 1.5 L-polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) bottles. The PP materials were exposed to natural and accelerated solar ageing (ISO-16474). UV transmission of the 20 L-buckets remained stable and with physical integrity even after the longest ageing periods (9 months or 900 h of natural or artificial solar UV exposure, respectively). The 5 L-buckets were physically degraded and lost significant UV-transmission, due to the thinner wall compared to the 20 L-bucket. (4) Conclusion: This work demonstrates that the 20 L SODIS bucket technology produces excellent bacterial, viral and protozoan inactivation and is obtained using a simple transparent polypropylene bucket fabricated locally at very low cost ($2.90 USD per unit). The increased bucket volume of 20 L allows for a ten-fold increase in treatment batch volume and can thus more easily provide for the drinking water requirements of most households. The use of buckets in households across low to middle income countries is an already accepted practice

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy