20 research outputs found
Complete mitochondrial genome of the deep-sea asymmetrical barnacle <i>Altiverruca navicula</i> (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Verrucumorpha)
No full textThe hitherto suborder Verrucomorpha contains asymmetrical barnacles of two groups: the true Verrucomorpha (Eoverruca+Verrucidae) and the Neoverrucidae. Here, we determined the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Altiverruca navicula, a true Verrucomorpha species. The mitogenome was 15,976 base pairs in length and had the typical pancrustacean gene arrangement. Its protein-coding genes were very similar to those of other thoracican species in terms of length, AT content, and start and stop codons. In phylogenetic trees constructed with 13 protein-coding genes, A. navicula was positioned at an ancestral node of sessile barnacles, consistent with the findings of previous studies. ⓒ 2017 The Author(s).
An Introduction to Soviet Korean
No full textThis paper outlines the characteristic phonetic, phonological, morphological and lexical features of "Soviet Korean" as recorded by the author in a Tashkent bazaar. Comparisons with Putsillo's(1874) dictionary, the Kazan materials (1904) based on Yenhaycwu speech, and Kim Thay Kyun's (1986) Hampuk Pangen Sacen demonstrate that "Soviet Korean" comprehends several varieties of North Ham· kyeng dialect, and retains archaisms no longer found on the Korean peninsula
Lancet Glob Health
No full textEvent-based surveillance (EBS) systems have been implemented globally to support early warning surveillance across human, animal, and environmental health in diverse settings, including at the community level, within health facilities, at border points of entry, and through media monitoring of internet-based sources. EBS systems should be evaluated periodically to ensure that they meet the objectives related to the early detection of health threats and to identify areas for improvement in the quality, efficiency, and usefulness of the systems. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive framework to guide the monitoring and evaluation of EBS systems; this absence of standardisation has hindered progress in the field. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have collaborated to develop an EBS monitoring and evaluation indicator framework, adaptable to specific country contexts, that uses measures relating to input, activity, output, outcome, and impact to map the processes and expected results of EBS systems. Through the implementation and continued refinement of these indicators, countries can ensure the early detection of health threats and improve their ability to measure and describe the impacts of EBS systems, thus filling the current evidence gap regarding their effectiveness.CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States
The looming threat of dengue fever: the Africa context
No full textIn Africa, compared to 2019, dengue infections have surged ninefold by December 2023, with over 270 000 cases and 753 deaths reported across 18 African Union (AU) Member States. This commentary synthesises the context of dengue outbreaks in Africa and provides recommendations for sustainable control. In 2023, 18 African Union Member States reported outbreaks of dengue, among which seven had ongoing armed conflicts. These countries were amongst the top 15 African countries contributing to the most displaced persons on the continent and accounted for 98% of all dengue cases reported in the continent in 2023. Climate change remains an important driver, both through the displacement of people and global warming. The continent continues to face several challenges in detection, reporting and management, such as the lack of local laboratory capacity, misclassification of dengue cases and lack of medical countermeasures. Solutions targeting the strengthening of cross-border surveillance and early warning systems using a multisectoral one-health approach, local research and development for therapeutics and diagnostics and community engagement empowering communities to protect themselves and understand the gravity of the threat could help curb the spread of the disease in Africa
A proposed framework for the evaluation of cholera surveillance systems in Africa
No full textBackground: Despite the global roadmap to end cholera by 2030, the disease remains a major public health challenge in Africa, compounded by weak surveillance systems, inadequate multisectoral coordination and delayed case detection. A significant impediment is the absence of a comprehensive surveillance evaluation framework for African nations to systematically identify and address these critical capacity deficits.
Aim: This study builds upon prior research that highlighted the wide variations in existing surveillance evaluation frameworks, aiming to propose a comprehensive conceptual framework for assessing cholera surveillance systems in Africa.
Setting: This study focused on empirical data and feedback gathered from eight cholera-affected countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Methods: This was a mixed-method study and leveraged insights from a previous systematic review lasted 7 months (July 2024 to January 2025). The approach involved a detailed assessment of existing frameworks and consultations with eight cholera-affected countries.
Results: The assessment of 10 existing frameworks revealed consistent gaps, notably the absence of essential components such as cross-border surveillance, digitisation, effective linkages between surveillance and laboratory systems, and sustainable financing mechanisms. Our conceptual framework is structured around three key pillars: resource allocation, system structures and core functions, all underpinned by strong governance and leadership.
Conclusion: This study recommends the adaptation and integration of our proposed comprehensive framework into broader surveillance strategies and guidelines to significantly improve cholera surveillance across Africa, thereby enhancing early detection and response capabilities.
Contribution: This study presents a novel comprehensive framework for cholera surveillance system evaluation and recommends its adaptation and integration into broader surveillance strategies and guidelines to significantly improve cholera surveillance in Africa
Improved cholera control in Kenya: A retrospective analysis of 2017–2019 in Nairobi and Homabay
No full textBackground: Kenya has recorded at least 38 678 cases and 695 deaths over the last decade, and costing on average $2.2 million annually. From 2014 to 2016, the country experienced one of the deadliest and largest outbreak. However, between 2017 and 2020, there was a decline in the number of reported cases and deaths.
Aim: This study seeks to reveal the investments made post the 2014–2016 outbreak and highlight existing gaps that need to be addressed to stop the resurgence of cholera outbreaks in Kenya.
Setting: The study was conducted in two counties: Homabay and Nairobi.
Methods: We used an observational study. Data were collected from 20 health facilities (involved in cholera control, during the study), 9 key informant interviews (KII) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs).
Results: We found improvement such as: dissemination of standard operating procedures, aligned reporting system, field epidemiology programme, establishment of a public health emergency operating centre and improved partner coordination. On the other hand, 12 of the selected 20 (60%) facilities had no prior training before government financing and laboratory capacity was sub-optimal: 13 (65%) facilities had no prior training, 16 (20%) had no operational laboratory plan and 10 (50%) had inadequate laboratory test kits and reagents.
Conclusion: This study highlights that Kenya has experienced an improvement in specific core capacities.
Contribution: For Kenya to completely flatten the curve, there is need for more sustainable investment and government’s commitment in health system strengthening
Effectiveness of Community-Directed Intervention in the Roll-Back Malaria among the Under-Five Population of the Ndop Health District in North West Cameroon
No full textInternational audienceCommunity-directed Intervention (CDI) is an intervention approach in which communities themselves direct and execute the planning and implementation of a health intervention. The success of this approach for the intervention of Onchocerciasis led to the extension of the strategy for the intervention of the other diseases in Africa. Community Health Workers (CHWs) working under the CDI of malaria program play a vital role in primary health care of the community. Local health services and partners initially introduce the intervention and explain the community-directed approach and how it can be planned, run and controlled by the community. This project was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of the CDI in the roll-back of malaria among under-five children in the Ndop Health District, with special emphasis of the home management of malaria (HMM) by the Community Health Workers (CHWs). Among the CHW involved in the study, 94.7% of them accepted to receive monetary incentive for their services as CHW. Up to 39.8% of them had no other source of income. Furthermore, 74.3% of the participants reported that they have regular monthly meetings with their supervisor while 25.6% of them had either irregularly-scheduled meetings or none. While 76.1% of respondents accepted to have had at least one refresher course since working under the CDI of malaria program, 23.9% reported to have never had one. While 43.3% of the respondents found their workload okay, 8.9% of them reported they were overworked. A majority (47.8%) of the respondents reported that they found their workload as community health workers manageable. While majority of the respondents reported irregularity in the supply of both antimalarial drugs (64.6%) and RDT kits (73.5%), a majority of them said the supply of registers for records and the provision of transportation means were regular (71.7% and 69% respectively)
A Discrete Choice Clinical Survey and a Proposed Health Promotion Framework for Prostate Cancer in Cameroon
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