Scientific research partnership: north-south and south-south.

Scientific research can contribute much to solving many urgent global problems. However, research must be conducted in a global context and, in particular, must be extended to the countries of the South. If this is to be done, the research capacities of those countries must be considerably expanded and consolidated.

Purification and characterization of three alpha 2-antiplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin inactivating enzymes from the venom of the Mexican west coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus).

Three distinct alpha 2PI (alpha 2-antiplasmin) degrading and alpha 2M (alpha 2-macroglobulin) inhibiting enzymes, named proteinase a, b and c, have been purified from the venom of Crotalus basiliscus (the Mexican west coast rattlesnake) by fast protein liquid chromatography (anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography). SDS-PAGE revealed that proteinase a and b had similar mol. wts (approximately 23,500), whereas proteinase c displayed a mol.

Purification and characterization of an antithrombin III inactivating enzyme from the venom of the African night adder (Causus rhombeatus).

A serine proteinase was isolated from the venom of the night adder (Causus rhombeatus) by fast protein liquid chromatography (anion-exchange, gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction). The protein (termed CR-serpinase) had an estimated mol. wt of 45,500 as determined by SDS-PAGE, pI of 4.

Antigenic relationship between the venom of the night adder Causus maculatus and venoms of other viperids.

Monovalent antivenoms were raised in mice against the venoms of Causus maculatus, Vipera ammodytes, Echis carinatus, Cerastes cerastes, Bitis arietans, Agkistrodon rhodostoma and Bothrops atrox. These antivenoms as well as four commercially available antivenoms were tested against the venoms of 15 viperid species by means of immunoelectrophoresis and/or ELISA. Cross-reactive protein bands were determined by immunoblot.

Agricultural production in Kikwawila village, southeastern Tanzania.

Food production, land utilisation and agricultural structures were surveyed at Kikwawila village, north of Ifakara (Kilombero District, Morogoro Region) in 1984. This study was part of a more comprehensive, longitudinal programme to investigate the health status of a rural community, aiming in particular at the interrelations between nutrition, parasitic infections, immunity and the environment. Out of 340 households, 100 were interviewed and their subsistence farming activities recorded.

Longitudinal study on the health status of children in Kikwawila village, Tanzania: study area and design.

The paper describes the study area and the project design of a longitudinal study on the health status of children undertaken in Kikwawila village in southeastern Tanzania from 1982 to 1984. This rural village is situated in the Kilombero river plain (270 m above sea level) and extends over 50 km2. A census in 1982 (repeated in 1984) revealed that 1152 (1406) people lived in 260 (299) households of the nucleated roadside settlements of the sectors Kikwawila and Kapolo.

Antibodies to the repetitive epitope of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein in a rural Tanzanian community: a longitudinal study of 132 children.

An ELISA employing a novel synthetic peptide consisting of 40 (Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro) repeats of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, (NANP)40, was used to detect antibodies against P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein in 132 children, 1 month to 15 years old, from a rural community (Kikwawila village) of Tanzania, a region where malaria is hyperendemic. The children were surveyed comprehensively over 3 consecutive years for clinical, parasitological, and serological parameters.

Laboratory and field trials at Ifakara (Kilombero District, Tanzania) on the plant molluscicide Swartzia madagascariensis.

The molluscicidal activity of crushed seed pods of Swartzia madagascariensis was assessed by laboratory and field trials. Mature dry seed pods were ground and extracted in tap water for 24 h. Water extracts exerted a significant molluscicidal activity against Bulinus globosus up to dilutions of 100 mg of ground pods per litre.

[Poisoning by domestic vipers (Vipera berus and Vipera aspis). A retrospective study of 113 patients].

In a retrospective study, 113 bites which occurred in Switzerland within a 16-year period by either of the two indigenous adders (Vipera berus and Vipera aspis) were analyzed. 13 patients showed no signs of envenomation. Out of the other 100, 62 patients had merely minor (local edema only) and 24 moderate envenomation (vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hypotension), while 24 had severe envenomation (shock and angioneurotic edema of the tongue and lips).

Studies on the ecology of Bulinus globosus, the intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium in the Ifakara area, Tanzania.

During a period of 2 years, the ecology of Bulinus globosus was studied in 8 habitats in two streams near Ifakara, SE-Tanzania. The relative Bulinus densities were followed monthly. Two different methods for estimating snail densities (man/time vs.

[Diarrhea caused by parasites].

The role of parasites as etiologic agents in diarrhea is emphasized. In countries of western Europe, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia are the most prevalent species, although some other 20 protozoans and helminths may lead to diarrheic disturbances. Parasitology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and therapy are briefly outlined.

[Swiss cooperation in the development of public health in Tanzania].

With the financial support of the Basle Foundation for Aid to Developing Countries and in close collaboration with the St. Francis hospital, the Swiss Tropical Institute has set up and looked after a teaching centre at Ifakara, Tanzania, for the training of African medical, paramedical and auxiliary personnel. In the course of seventeen years, 770 young Africans have undergone training here.