Lessons from the Pacific programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: a case study of 5 countries

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is an important Neglected Tropical Disease, being a major cause of disability worldwide. The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem by the year 2020, primarily through repeated Mass Drug Administration (MDA). The Pacific region programme commenced in 1999. By June 2007, five of the eleven countries classified as endemic had completed five MDA campaigns and post-MDA prevalence surveys to assess their progress. We review available programme data and discuss their implications for other LF elimination programs in developing countries. Reported MDA coverage and results from initial surveys and post-MDA surveys of LF using the immunochromatographic test (ICT) from these five Pacific Island countries (Tonga, Niue, Vanuatu, Samoa and Cook Islands) were analysed to provide an understanding of their quality and programme progress towards LF elimination. Denominator data reported by each country programme for 2001 was compared to official sources to assess the accuracy of MDA coverage data. Initial survey results from these five countries revealed an ICT prevalence of between 2.7 and 8.6 percent in individuals tested prior to commencement of the programme. Country MDA coverage results varied depending on the source of denominator data. Of the five countries in this case study, three countries (Tonga, Niue and Vanuatu) reached the target prevalence of <1% antigenaemia following five rounds of MDA. However, endpoint data could not be reliably compared to baseline data as survey methodology varied. It was concluded that accurate and representative baseline and post-campaign prevalence data is crucial for determining program effectiveness and the factors contributing to effectiveness. This is emphasised by the findings of this case study. While three of the five Pacific countries reported achieving the target prevalence of <1% antigenaemia, limitations in the data preclude identification of key determinants of this achievement

Interaction between FTO gene variants and lifestyle factors on metabolic traits in an Asian Indian population

Background Lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity have been shown to modify the association between fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) gene variants and metabolic traits in several populations; however, there are no gene-lifestyle interaction studies, to date, among Asian Indians living in India. In this study, we examined whether dietary factors and physical activity modified the association between two FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8050136 and rs11076023) (SNPs) and obesity traits and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods The study included 734 unrelated T2D and 884 normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) participants randomly selected from the urban component of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES). Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated interviewer administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Physical activity was based upon the self-report. Interaction analyses were performed by including the interaction terms in the linear/logistic regression model. Results There was a significant interaction between SNP rs8050136 and carbohydrate intake (% energy) (Pinteraction = 0.04), where the ‘A’ allele carriers had 2.46 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 3.0 × 10−5) among individuals in the highest tertile of carbohydrate intake (% energy, 71 %). A significant interaction was also observed between SNP rs11076023 and dietary fibre intake (Pinteraction = 0.0008), where individuals with AA genotype who are in the 3rd tertile of dietary fibre intake had 1.62 cm lower waist circumference than those with ‘T’ allele carriers (P = 0.02). Furthermore, among those who were physically inactive, the ‘A’ allele carriers of the SNP rs8050136 had 1.89 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 4.0 × 10−5). Conclusions This is the first study to provide evidence for a gene-diet and gene-physical activity interaction on obesity and T2D in an Asian Indian population. Our findings suggest that the association between FTO SNPs and obesity might be influenced by carbohydrate and dietary fibre intake and physical inactivity. Further understanding of how FTO gene influences obesity and T2D through dietary and exercise interventions is warranted to advance the development of behavioral intervention and personalised lifestyle strategies, which could reduce the risk of metabolic diseases in this Asian Indian population

Energy consumption trends and their linkages with renewable energy policies in East and Southeast Asian countries: Challenges and opportunities

Global warming is one of today's most critical environmental issues, caused largely by emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from burning of fossil fuels. Emissions of carbon dioxide vary throughout countries in Asia. It is increasingly recognised that countries must act to promote the greater use of renewable energy resources as part of actions seeking to mitigate climate change. This paper presents a review of the energy demand scenario in China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia and the growth of non-fossil energy in these countries. Energy scenarios within these countries are investigated to identify the opportunities and challenges that exist in developing renewable energy. Energy production among the four countries was analysed. In 2014, China made the highest use of renewables for primary energy production, while Malaysia used them the least. However, fossil energy still constitutes the primary energy source in each country where coal dominates in China (77%) and Indonesia (70%), oil in Japan (28%) and natural gas in Malaysia (61%). In addition, renewable energy policies have been introduced and established based on the energy needs and development status of renewables in each country. This study analyses and compares strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of these countries based on their renewable energy policies. It identifies the challenges for renewable energy development and highlights the necessity of enhanced multilevel governance processes and increased cooperation between the four countries to strengthen their renewable energy sectors and better compete in the global energy market

Chrysanthemums

Date of Report: July 2002 Plant with 4 white flowers, 26/30 Lithograp

Inspection and assessment system of highway bridges in Sri Lanka

Highway Bridges play a key role in the road based transportation system. There are 4456 highway bridges in Class A, Class B and Class AB roads in Sri Lanka, as per the "Annual Report, Road Development Authority – 2015". Significant portion of those bridges are reaching their design life. Therefore, a proper maintenance system, which includes preventive maintenance for these highway bridges is an essential requirement. Road Development Authority (RDA) is the principal organization, which handles the road related infrastructure in Sri Lanka. RDA conducts inspection on bridge structures, assesses their functionality, and carries out repair and rehabilitation works. The current method of inspection and assessment has been followed since 1997. RDA is in the process of upgrading their Bridge Management System (BMS) and still practicing the old system, which was implemented in year 1997. The current method of inspection and assessment is not comprehensive enough to grasp the necessary distresses. Only basic information, with respect to distresses, are collected in the process of bridge inspection. The present study provides a detailed review of the current method of inspection, which is followed by RDA, Sri Lanka. The current local system is compared with the advanced Bridge Inspection Systems in several other countries. At the same time, necessary feedback about the current method of inspection is sought from the bridge inspectors at RDA. This study revealed several shortcomings of the current system. Hence, an improved Bridge Inspection and Assessment System, which overcomes most of the shortcomings in the current system is proposed with the present study

Search system

US7765225; US7765225 B2; US7765225B2; US7,765,225; US 7,765,225 B2; 7765225; Appl. No. 10/910,055Inventor name used in this publication: Luk Wing Pong RobertUS2010-2011 > Other Outputs > Patents grantedVersion of Recor

The Effect of 2 - amino - 2 methyl - 1 - propanol on stabilization and properties of latex and latex mixes used in latex dipping operations

Ammonia preservation is widely used as the standard method of preservation for Natural Rubber (NR) latex. Because ammonia is volatile its concentration in latex is difficult to control. This study presents an alternative method of preservation of natural rubber latex using a less volatile material. Centrifuged NR latex from Kalutara district was used for this investigation and 2-amino-2- methyl propanol (AMP) was added to centrifuged latex instead of ammonia. Controlled samples were prepared with ammonia as the standard preservative and in addition, ammonia and AMP mixed samples also was prepared for investigating the combined effect. Prepared latex samples were continuously monitored for characterization against the controlled samples using standard test methods like MST, VFA number, pH, Viscosity, Alkalinity, etc. Compounded latex samples were prepared once in a week from these preserved samples and dipped gloves were made to investigate the processability of these latices and determine the physical properties like tensile strength, abrasion resistance, etc. of the glove films to compare the properties with the controlled samples. Results suggest that AMP can be used effectively as a preservative for NR latex. Although 0.2% AMP and AMPINH3 mixes gave satisfactory results 0.7 % AMP preserved sample gave the best results