Designing an evidence-informed package of essential health services for Universal Health Coverage: lessons learnt and challenges to implementation in Liberia.

Liberia developed an evidence-informed package of health services for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) based on the Disease Control Priorities 3 evidence. This paper describes the policy decisions, methods and processes adopted for prioritisation, key features of the package and lessons learnt, with special emphasis on feasibility of implementation. Package design was led by the Ministry of Health.

Decision-making processes for essential packages of health services: experience from six countries.

Many countries around the world strive for universal health coverage, and an essential packages of health services (EPHS) is a central policy instrument for countries to achieve this. It defines the coverage of services that are made available, as well as the proportion of the costs that are covered from different financial schemes and who can receive these services. This paper reports on the development of an analytical framework on the decision-making process of EPHS revision, and the review of practices of six countries (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Zanzibar-Tanzania).

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 among migrant populations in high-income countries: A systematic review.

Background: Migrants in high-income countries may be at increased risk of COVID-19 due to their health and social circumstances, yet the extent to which they are affected and their predisposing risk factors are not clearly understood. We did a systematic review to assess clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in migrant populations, indirect health and social impacts, and to determine key risk factors.

Methods: We did a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42020222135).

Long-term outcome of adjustable transobturator male system for stress urinary incontinence in the Iberian multicentre study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term durability and effectiveness of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS).

Materials And Methods: The retrospective multicenter Iberian ATOMS study (n = 215) was updated to evaluate long-term continence status, complications, explants, and secondary treatments. Mean follow-up from surgery to March 2020 was 60.

Knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and practices towards diabetes mellitus in Kuwait.

Background: Rates of diabetes in Kuwait are among the highest in the world.

Aims: To inform prevention initiatives, this study assessed diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards it, and personal behaviour relating to risk factors among the Kuwaiti population.

Methods: A cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices survey of 1124 people was performed between July and September 2015.

Patient satisfaction with adjustable transobturator male system in the Iberian multicenter study.

Backgrounds: Patient-reported outcome measurements are important for urinary incontinence. We analyze self-assessed patient satisfaction and define the clinical profile of patient with highest satisfaction with the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS).

Methods: Patient perception of results was evaluated in a series of 181 patients after ATOMS adjustment.

Migrant and refugee populations: a public health and policy perspective on a continuing global crisis.

The 2015-2017 global migratory crisis saw unprecedented numbers of people on the move and tremendous diversity in terms of age, gender and medical requirements. This article focuses on key emerging public health issues around migrant populations and their interactions with host populations. Basic needs and rights of migrants and refugees are not always respected in regard to article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 23 of the Refugee Convention.

Correction: Lifestyle factors and oncogenic papillomavirus infection in a high-risk male population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Treatment of male stress urinary incontinence with the adjustable transobturator male system: Outcomes of a multi-center Iberian study.

Aim: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS) for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Material And Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in nine Iberian institutions using a board-approved database for 215 patients intervened between 2012 and 2017, with no case excluded. Continence status, patient satisfaction, number, and grade of complications (Clavien-Dindo) and factors affecting dry rate at adjustment were evaluated.

Lifestyle factors and oncogenic papillomavirus infection in a high-risk male population.

Background: High risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in males is a health issue with implications for HPV-related lesions in their partners. The identification of risk factors for male infection may improve our understanding of HR-HPV transmission and prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between lifestyle, genital warts and HR-HPV infection.

Infant and young child feeding patterns in Kuwait: results of a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The beneficial role of breast-feeding for maternal and child health is now well established. Its possible role in helping to prevent diabetes and obesity in children in later life means that more attention must be given to understanding how patterns of infant feeding are changing. The present study describes breast-feeding profiles and associated factors in Kuwait.

GBA Variants Influence Motor and Non-Motor Features of Parkinson's Disease.

The presence of mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene is a known factor increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations carriers have earlier disease onset and are more likely to develop neuropsychiatric symptoms than other sporadic PD cases. These symptoms have primarily been observed in Parkinson's patients carrying the most common pathogenic mutations L444P and N370S.

Genetic analysis of CHCHD2 in a southern Spanish population.

Researching genetic factors involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) is crucial to increase our knowledge about the pathophysiology of the disorder. A missense mutation has recently been reported within CHCHD2, a gene newly associated with autosomal dominant PD. Subsequent studies in different ethnic populations have not reached any conclusive result about the role of CHCHD2 in PD.

Low serum uric acid levels in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Introduction: Uric acid is a natural antioxidant, and it has been shown that low levels of uric acid could be a risk factor for the development of PD. Our aim was to investigate whether uric acid plays a role in PSP.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study to compare serum uric acid levels between PSP patients, PD patients, and healthy controls.

Immigration and viral hepatitis.

WHO estimates reveal that the global prevalence of viral hepatitis may be as high as 500 million, with an annual mortality rate of up to 1.3 million individuals. The majority of this global burden of disease is borne by nations of the developing world with high rates of vertical and iatrogenic transmission of HBV and HCV, as well as poor access to healthcare.

Screening for infectious diseases among newly arrived migrants in EU/EEA countries--varying practices but consensus on the utility of screening.

Screening is one possible tool for monitoring infectious diseases among migrants. However, there is limited information on screening programmes targeted for newly arrived migrants in EU/EEA countries. Our aim was to investigate the implementation, practices and usefulness of these programmes.

Lack of validation of variants associated with cervical dystonia risk: a GWAS replication study.

Background: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified a putative association, not statistically confirmed, of cervical dystonia within several regions in a British population. Hence, the authors proposed dysfunction of the ion channel NALCN (for sodium leak channel, nonselective) as a plausible cause of cervical dystonia. The objective of our study was to investigate the association of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously reported with high signals as putative genetic risk factors for cervical dystonia in a British GWAS, including two located in the NALCN gene region.

The use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of sialorrhea in parkinsonian disorders.

Drooling is a common symptom in parkinsonian disorders. Our aim was to assess the safety and effect of botulinum toxin when applied to parotid glands without ultrasound guidance for sialorrhea in parkinsonian disorders in a retrospective study with a long-term follow-up. We evaluated 53 patients (64.

Clinical features and neuropsychological profile in vascular parkinsonism.

Background: The clinical profile in vascular parkinsonism (VP) patients is well described in the literature, but little is known about the neuropsychological features of this disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the profile of cognitive impairment in patients with VP.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 12 patients with VP, 15 with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 13 healthy controls (HC) with similar age and sex distribution.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in primary adult-onset dystonia: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Background: A polymorphism in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Val66Met) has been reported as a risk factor in primary dystonia. However, overall the results have been inconclusive. Our aim was to clarify the association of Val66Met with primary dystonia, and with the most prevalent clinical subtypes, cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.

Long-term levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel in advanced Parkinson's disease.

The short-term benefits of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) are well documented, but the long-term benefits are still uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the motor and cognitive outcome of LCIG treatment in advanced PD after a follow-up period of at least 24 months. We assessed 29 patients with advanced PD who started LCIG infusion at our centre between 2007 and 2013.

Systematic mutational analysis of FBXO7 in a Parkinson's disease population from southern Spain.

Mutations in FBXO7 (PARK15) have been associated with a syndrome characterized by early-onset progressive parkinsonism with and without pyramidal tract signs. Therefore, our aim was to analyze this gene in a population from southern Spain (338 Parkinson's disease [PD] patients and 330 unrelated control subjects) to elucidate the potential involvement of FBXO7 in PD pathogenesis. We identified 17 variants (11 novel), including 10 missense substitutions, 3 synonymous, and 4 intronic alterations.