Assessing the potential of native copepods in Guatemala for Aedes vector control.

Background: In this study we examine the feeding efficiency of copepods locally found in Guatemala on first instar Aedes aegypti larvae. Copepods are a potential tool for Aedes vector control that has shown promising results in the laboratory and in community-based field trials.

Methods: Four different copepod species from different habitat types were included in the laboratory assays of this study.

Bivalve shell growth from molecular to sclerochronological scale: Environment and intrinsic factors control increment deposition.

Biomineralisation of bivalve shells raises questions at the level of genes to the final calcified product. For the first time, gene expression has been studied in association with growth increment deposition in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. A short-term experiment highlighted that biomineralisation genes exhibit a rhythm of expression consistent with the observed tidal increment formation.

A new model of human lymphopoiesis across development and aging.

Over the past decade our research has implemented a multimodal approach to human lymphopoiesis, combining clonal-scale mapping of lymphoid developmental architecture with the monitoring of dynamic changes in the pattern of lymphocyte generation across ontogeny. We propose that lymphopoiesis stems from founder populations of CD127/interleukin (IL)7R or CD127/IL7R early lymphoid progenitors (ELPs) polarized respectively toward the T-natural killer (NK)/innate lymphoid cell (ILC) or B lineages, arising from newly characterized CD117 multi-lymphoid progenitors (MLPs). Recent data on the lifelong lymphocyte dynamics of healthy donors suggest that, after birth, lymphopoiesis may become increasingly oriented toward the production of B lymphocytes.

Prevalence of major non-communicable diseases and their associated risk factors in Afghanistan: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and increasingly so in low- and middle-income countries. Afghanistan is dealing with a double burden of diseases, yet there has been no evidence synthesis on the prevalence of major NCDs and their risk factors.

Objective: This study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the existing data on the prevalence of major NCDs and the common related risk factors in Afghanistan.

Secondary vectors of Zika Virus, a systematic review of laboratory vector competence studies.

Background: After the unprecedented Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the western hemisphere from 2015-2018, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are now well established primary and secondary ZIKV vectors, respectively. Consensus about identification and importance of other secondary ZIKV vectors remain.

How I do it: using a hammock mesh in the reconstruction of inguinal ligament during a wide en-bloc resection of a groin mesenchymal tumor.

Purpose: In case of soft tissue sarcomas (STS), an en-bloc resection with safe margins is recommended. To ensure safe removal without tumor rupture, STS of the groin area, retroperitoneal or pelvic mesenchymal tumors may require incision or resection of the inguinal ligament. Solid reconstruction is mandatory to prevent early and late postoperative femoral hernias.

Interventions against Aedes/dengue at the household level: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Because the evidence for the role of structural housing and combinations of interventions (domestic or peri-domestic) against Aedes mosquitoes or dengue is still lacking, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyse and synthesize research focusing on the household as the unit of allocation.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, LILACS, and Web of Science databases until February 2023 using three general keyword categories: (1) "Aedes" or "dengue"; (2) structural housing interventions including "house", "water", or "drainage"; and (3) vector control interventions of potential relevance and their combinations. We performed a qualitative content analysis and a meta-analysis for 13 entries on dengue seroconversion data.

Evaluation of the Ghana Heart Initiative - Design and Rationale of a Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Study from Diverse Perspectives: A Study Protocol.

Background: Rigorous evaluations of health system interventions to strengthen hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) care remain scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption / acceptability, implementation fidelity, cost, and sustainability of the Ghana Heart Initiative (GHI), a multicomponent supply-side intervention to improve cardiovascular health in Ghana.

Methods: This study adopts a mixed- and multi-methods design comparing the effects of the GHI in 42 intervention health facilities (i.

Ustekinumab-induced autoimmune hepatitis: a case report.

Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to interleukin (IL)-12/23. Ustekinumab-related liver injury (UST) is rare. There is limited data available on the potential for ustekinumab-liver interaction.

The prevalence of emotional abuse in children living in Sub-Saharan Africa - A systematic review.

Objectives: This study is meant to put a focus on the prevalence of emotional abuse in low-income states like the Sub-Saharan region.

Methodology: Searching PubMed, Google scholar, and web of science during February and April 2021 a total of 2264 articles were identified, 27 met the inclusion criteria. We added the results of 13 VAC (Violence Against Children and Youth) studies, conducted by UNICEF capturing information about experienced sexual, physical, or emotional violence in 13-24-year-olds, as well as 56 MIC (Multiple Indicator Cluster) studies, conducted by the CDC to research the disciplinary methods used with children aged 1-14 years in the past month by older household members.

Do surgical drains reduce surgical site occurrence and infection after incisional hernia repair with sublay mesh? A non-randomised pilot study.

Introduction: Surgical site occurrence (SSO) and surgical site infection (SSI) are common concerns with incisional hernia repair. Intraoperative drain placement is a common practice aiming to reduce SSO and SSI rates. However, literature on the matter is very poor.

Prevalence of anemia among Indigenous children in Latin America: a systematic review.

Objective: To describe the prevalence pattern of anemia among Indigenous children in Latin America.

Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed. Records were identified from the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Lilacs by two independent researchers between May and June 2021.

The economic burden of treating uncomplicated hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review.

Background And Objectives: Hypertension is one of the leading cardiovascular risk factors with high numbers of undiagnosed and untreated patients in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). The health systems and affected people are often overwhelmed by the social and economic burden that comes with the disease. However, the research on the economic burden and consequences of hypertension treatment remains scare in SSA.

Real-life Evaluation of an Interactive Versus Noninteractive e-Learning Module on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for Medical Licentiate Students in Zambia: Web-Based, Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: e-Learning for health professionals in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is still in its infancy, but with the advent of COVID-19, a significant expansion of digital learning has occurred. Asynchronous e-learning can be grouped into interactive (user-influenceable content) and noninteractive (static material) e-learning. Studies conducted in high-income countries suggest that interactive e-learning is more effective than noninteractive e-learning in increasing learner satisfaction and knowledge; however, there is a gap in our understanding of whether this also holds true in LMICs.

Restriction-free cloning for molecular manipulation and augmented expression of banana bunchy top viral coat protein.

Unlabelled: (BBTV) causing bunchy top disease, is one of the most devastating diseases of banana and plantain. All the six genomic components of isolates from different parts of the world have been well characterised, with most of the studies focusing on replicase gene and coat protein gene. Overexpression of coat protein (CP) in system can contribute significantly in structural as well as immunological studies.

COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices: a mixed-mode cross-sectional survey in Liberia.

Objectives: To examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of COVID-19 of rural and urban residents in Liberia to inform the development of local social and behaviour change communication strategies.

Design: Cross-sectional, mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey using non-probability sampling.

Setting: All 15 counties in Liberia with a focus on Maryland County.

Is biological larviciding against malaria a starting point for integrated multi-disease control? Observations from a cluster randomized trial in rural Burkina Faso.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of anti-malaria biological larviciding with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis on non-primary target mosquito species in a rural African setting.

Methods: A total of 127 villages were distributed in three study arms, each with different larviciding options in public spaces: i) no treatment, ii) full or iii) guided intervention. Geographically close villages were grouped in clusters to avoid contamination between treated and untreated villages.

Performance of alternative COPD case-finding tools: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rationale: Guidelines recommend pre-/post-bronchodilator spirometry for diagnosing COPD, but resource constraints limit the availability of spirometry in primary care in low- and middle-income countries. Although spirometry is the diagnostic gold standard, we shall assess alternative tools for settings without spirometry.

Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted, utilising Cochrane, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science (search cut-off was May 01, 2020).

Climate Change Policies in 16 West African Countries: A Systematic Review of Adaptation with a Focus on Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition.

Climate change strongly impacts the agricultural sector in West Africa, threatening food security and nutrition, particularly for populations with the least adaptive capacity. Little is known about national climate change policies in the region. This systematic review identifies and analyses climate change policy documents in all 16 West African countries: (1) What are the existing climate change adaptation policies publicly available? (2) Which topics are addressed? (3) How are agriculture and food security framed and addressed? Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Google scholar as key databases were searched with an extensive grey literature search.

The effect of CPAP therapy on excessive daytime sleepiness and quality of life in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea: an AB design study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by apnoeas and hypopnoeas due to repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep. So far, there are no published data regarding quality of life (QoL) and adherence to CPAP among patients with OSA in India. This study aims to measure sleepiness and QoL of patients before and after effective CPAP use in patients with OSA.

Biological larviciding against malaria vector mosquitoes with - Long term observations and assessment of repeatability during an additional intervention year of a large-scale field trial in rural Burkina Faso.

The first line of malaria vector control to date mainly relies on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). For integrated vector management, targeting the vector larvae with biological larvicides such as () can be an effective additional mainstay. This study presents data from the second intervention year of a large-scale trial on biological larviciding with that was carried out in 127 rural villages and a semi-urban town in Burkina Faso.

Ultrasonographic assessment of skeletal muscle mass and diaphragm function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study.

Background: Although muscle dysfunction is a major contributor to morbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), assessment of skeletal muscle, and diaphragm function is not routinely performed in COPD patients.

Objectives: (1) The aim is to assess muscle dysfunction in COPD by measuring the zone of apposition of diaphragm, diaphragm excursion, thickness of diaphragm, and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA) with ultrasonography.(2) To correlate the above assessments with spirometric parameters; notably forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV).