Highly Effective Therapy for Maternal Malaria Associated With a Lower Risk of Vertical Transmission

Background. The epidemiology of congenital malaria was investigated in a hospital-based malaria surveillance study in Papua, Indonesia

Green infrastructure: opportunities, challenges and the CUGIC

Urban green infrastructure has the ability to make cities more sustainable. However, the exact implementation of green infrastructure and the choices that must be made during implementation are still topics for discussion. Recently, the Consolidated Urban Green Infrastructure Classification (CUGIC) was published as a tool to help policymakers, practitioners and researchers assess the state of their urban green infrastructure relevant to urban biodiversity, human well-being, and ecosystem services. In this podcast, Joeri Morpurgo (Leiden University), Dirk Voets (Head remote sensing, Cobra-Groeninzicht), Ciska van Alphen (Policy officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality), and Jacco Schuurkamp (Senior policy officer, Municipality The Hague) discuss the challenges and opportunities for implementing green infrastructure and how CUGIC helps!Environmental Biolog

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Hereditary Ovalocytosis in the Ok Tedi Impact Region of Papua New Guinea

We report the distribution of two genetic traits, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency and hereditary ovalocytosis (HO) in a number of populations living in the Ok Tedi impact region of Papua New Guinea. Significant interpopulation heterogeneity in the distributions of G-6-PD deficiency and HO was observed. The highlands populations of the region did not show any G-6-PD deficiency, but in the highlands fringe and lowland populations the trait has achieved polymorphic frequencies. Hereditary ovalocytosis is significantly more common in the region and is present in all the populations studied, including those in the highland valleys. Distribution patterns of the two genetic markers correspond well with the pattern of malaria endemicity in the region, providing support for the hypothesis that relates the distribution of these polymorphisms to that of malaria

Sutureless versus Hand-Sewn Coronary Anastomoses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Sutureless coronary anastomotic devices are intended to facilitate minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) by easing and eventually standardizing the anastomotic technique. Within this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to determine patency and to evaluate safety outcomes for the sutureless anastomoses. Methods: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched from database start till August 2021 in a predefined search strategy combining the key concepts: ‘coronary artery bypass grafting’, ‘sutureless coronary anastomoses’, and ‘hand-sewn coronary anastomoses’ by the Boolean operation ‘AND’. Study characteristics, patient demographics, interventional details, and all available outcome data were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed on patency at longest follow-up. Safety outcomes were presented. Results: A total of eleven trials towards six sutureless anastomotic devices were included, comprising 3724 patients (490 sutureless and 3234 hand-sewn). There was no significant difference in patency at a mean follow-up duration of 546.3 (range 1.5–2691) days, with a risk ratio of 0.77 (95% CI 0.55–1.06). MACE was reported in 4.5% sutureless and 3.9% hand-sewn patients, including all-cause mortality (resp. 1.3 vs. 1.9%), myocardial infarction (resp. 1.6 vs. 1.7%), and coronary revascularization (resp. 1.8 vs. 0.5%). Incomplete hemostasis occurred in 24.8% of the sutureless anastomoses. Intra-operative device failure forced conversion to hand-sewn or redo-anastomosis in 5.8% of the sutureless cases. Conclusion: Based on the systematic review and meta-analysis including six devices, we conclude that sutureless coronary anastomotic devices appear safe and effective when used by well-trained and dedicated surgical teams