scholarly journals Epidemic waves of cholera in the last two decades in Mozambique

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (06) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Paulo Langa ◽  
Cynthia Sema ◽  
Nilsa De Deus ◽  
Mauro Maria Colombo ◽  
Elisa Taviani
Keyword(s):  
Causative Agent ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pandemic Strains ◽  
Genetic Profiles ◽  
Reference Strains

Introduction: Africa is increasingly affected by cholera. In Mozambique, cholera appeared in the early 1970s when the seventh pandemic entered Africa from the Indian subcontinent. In the following decades, several epidemics were registered in the country, the 1997–1999 epidemic being the most extended. Since then, Mozambique has been considered an endemic area for cholera, characterized by yearly outbreaks occurring with a seasonal pattern.. At least three pandemic variants are thought to have originated in the Indian subcontinent and spread worldwide at different times. To understand the epidemiology of cholera in Mozambique, whether the disease re-emerges periodically or is imported by different routes of transmission, we investigated clinical V. cholerae O1 isolated during 1997–1999 and 2012–2014 epidemics. Methodology: By detecting and characterizing seven genetic elements, the mobilome profile of each isolate was obtained. By comparing it to known seventh pandemic reference strains, it was possible to discern among different V. cholerae O1 variants active in the country. Results: During 1997–1999, epidemic strains showed two different genetic profiles, both related to a pandemic clone that originated from India and was reported in other African countries in the 1990s. Isolates from 2012–2014 outbreaks showed a genetic background related to the pandemic strains currently active as the prevalent causative agent of cholera worldwide. Conclusions: Despite cholera being endemic in Mozambique, the epidemiology of the disease in the past 20 years has been strongly influenced by the cholera seventh pandemic waves that originated in the Indian subcontinent.

Pakistan’s Development: Successes, Failures, and Future Tasks (Presidential Remarks)

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (4I) ◽  
pp. 321-331
Author(s):  
Sarfraz Khan Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
General Meeting ◽  
The Past ◽  
Past Half Century ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Golden Jubilee ◽  
Freedom Movement ◽  
Past Half ◽  
Do So

It is an honour for me as President of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists to welcome you to the 13th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Society. I consider it a great privilege to do so as this Meeting coincides with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the state of Pakistan, a state which emerged on the map of the postwar world as a result of the Muslim freedom movement in the Indian Subcontinent. Fifty years to the date, we have been jubilant about it, and both as citizens of Pakistan and professionals in the social sciences we have also been thoughtful about it. We are trying to see what development has meant in Pakistan in the past half century. As there are so many dimensions that the subject has now come to have since its rather simplistic beginnings, we thought the Golden Jubilee of Pakistan to be an appropriate occasion for such stock-taking.

scholarly journals Priority Research themes in the fight Against the COVID-19 with particular reference to Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-217
Author(s):  
Vincent PK Titanji
Keyword(s):  
Research Priorities ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Short List ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Deadly Disease ◽  
The Developed Countries

The ongoing SARS CoV-2 pandemic also known as COVID-19 is a highly infectious and deadly disease that has disrupted socio- economic activities  and killed over 500 000 people worldwide during the past six months since it first erupted in Wuhan China in December 2019.While intensive efforts  are under way in the developed countries to find a vaccine and cure for the disease, Cameroon and other African countries should not fold their hands and wait , but join the search for new remedies including from cures from traditional herbs while rigorously applying barrier and social  distancing measures that have proven effective in in curbing the spread of the disease. Herein we enumerate a short list of research priorities that are feasible in our milieu and that could improve on diagnostics, treatment and prevention of the disease in the short and medium terms. Key Words: SARS CoV-2, COVID-19, research, diagnostics, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, pandemic, Cameroon.

scholarly journals Current aspects of epidemiology, clinic and diagnosis of campylobacteriosis

2001 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 446-450
Author(s):  
S. V. Khaliullina ◽  
V. A. Anokhin
Keyword(s):  
Causative Agent ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Past ◽  
Foreign Literature ◽  
Medical Terms ◽  
Intestinal Infections ◽  
Veterinary Pathology

The problem of campylobacteriosis (CB) has been widely covered in the national and foreign literature over the past 10-20 years. Probably, the interest to this topic is due to a number of reasons. From a microbiological point of view, the causative agent of CB was discovered relatively recently and is an actively studied microorganism. At the same time, the responsibility of the microbe for the development of diseases in domestic animals and birds brings it into the category of problems of veterinary pathology. In medical terms, CB, taking into account modern epidemiological studies, is attributed to the group of the most common bacterial intestinal infections in children of different age groups, since it causes from 5 to 44.9% of all cases of the disease.

scholarly journals Major Stressors Favoring Cholera Trigger and Dissemination in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11296
Author(s):  
Ana Machado ◽  
Eva Amorim ◽  
Adriano A. Bordalo
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Wash Water ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Heavy Burden ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Key Indicators

Cholera remains a heavy burden worldwide, especially in Sub-Saharan African countries, which account for the majority of the reported cases on the continent. In this study, a 27-year retrospective analysis of cholera epidemics in Guinea-Bissau was performed in order to highlight major stressors fueling the trigger and dissemination of the disease. Although the role of environmental factors did not always have the same degree of importance for the onset of epidemics, a cholera seasonal pattern was clearly perceived, with most of the reported cases occurring during the wet season. The generated theoretical hypothesis indicated rainfall above climatological average, associated with a lack of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) infrastructure, and the occurrence of concomitant epidemics in neighboring countries as the key indicators for optimal conditions for cholera to thrive in Guinea-Bissau. Warmer air temperature, the increase in sea surface temperature, and the decrease in salinity in the coastal areas may also contribute to the emergence and/or aggravation of cholera events. Prediction of the conditions favorable for cholera growth and identification of risk pathways will allow the timely allocation of resources, and support the development of alert tools and mitigation strategies.

Rare association of Klippel-Feil syndrome with situs inversus totalis and review of the genetic background

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e241906
Author(s):  
Husain Abdulameer Abdali ◽  
Joseph Rivendra Duddu ◽  
Mohamed Jawad Mubarak ◽  
Almughirah Salahaldin Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomaly ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Situs Inversus ◽  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Situs Inversus Totalis ◽  
Rare Congenital Anomaly ◽  
Rare Association ◽  
High Possibility

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital anomaly in forming the cervical vertebrae resulting in the fusion of two or more of the vertebrae. KFS is associated with many congenital anomalies, some of which are common and well known. Here, we report a child with an extremely rare association of KFS with situs inversus totalis (SIT). Both KFS and SIT are genetically heterogeneous and their co-occurrence suggests a high possibility of sharing the same underlying causative agent. Here, we review the genetic background that is known for these two conditions in the literature.

Constructing the Knowledge Society

2014 ◽  
pp. 253-266
Author(s):  
Li Wengang ◽  
Chen Yulai ◽  
Guo Jia
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
National Congress ◽  
Fresh Impetus ◽  
Reform And Opening Up ◽  
Opening Up

Since the Reform and Opening up in the late 1970s, China has been seeking an innovation-driven knowledge society. In the past decade, the central government and local governments took effective measures to quicken China's steps towards a knowledge society. In the recent 18th National Congress of the CPC, reform and innovation was highly emphasized to give fresh impetus to knowledge society building. Within the context of increasing globalization and Africa-China long-lasting friendship and cooperation, China and African countries can learn from each other in knowledge society construction. As the second largest economy in the world, China is playing an increasing role in knowledge society construction in Africa. Can Africa learn from China's experiences? This chapter provides some answers to this query.

scholarly journals Kenya and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Implications for China-Africa Relations

2018 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 401-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sabil Farooq ◽  
Tongkai Yuan ◽  
Jiangang Zhu ◽  
Nazia Feroze
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Silk Road ◽  
Cultural Impact ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Maritime Silk Road ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

China remains Africa’s largest financier of infrastructure, and the Belt and Road Forum held in May 2017 estimated pledge of funds of about US$40 billion. Reportedly, projects worth much more than the pledged funds are in the planning or have been underway, making the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” the biggest development initiative in history. China and Africa need each other in development, and the Asian giant continues to make inroads into Africa, home to minerals, oil, and other resources that help feed China’s phenomenal economic growth. This article intends to discuss the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR)” under the BRI and its socioeconomic and cultural impact on China-Africa relations, with an emphasis on China’s relationship with Kenya, a founding member of the East Africa community (EAC) that has enjoyed lasting friendship with China. It is concluded that despite the generally positive impact of Chinese economic presence in Africa over the past decades, both China and African countries have much to do to consolidate their mutually beneficial relationship and to achieve the MSR’s target of common prosperity in the long run.

scholarly journals Provision of mental health services in Nigeria

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufemi Olugbile ◽  
M. P. Zachariah ◽  
O. Coker ◽  
O. Kuyinu ◽  
B. Isichei
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
The Past ◽  
Trained Personnel

Nigeria, like other African countries, is short of personnel trained in mental healthcare. Efforts to tackle the problem have often focused on increasing the numbers of psychiatrists and nurses in the field. These efforts, over the past 20 years, have not appeared to have greatly improved service delivery at the grass roots. Most of the specialist centres where such highly trained personnel work are in urban areas and for a large part of the population access to them is limited by distance and cost.

Identification of Infectious Disease Agents: Unusual and usual Pathogens and the Diagnostic Difficulties they Present

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 642-643
Author(s):  
CD Humphrey
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Identification Methods ◽  
Species Migration ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Diagnostic Difficulties ◽  
Genetic Profiles

“Emergence” of infectious disease agents in humans, domestic animals and wildlife during the past 20 years has been widely described. Perception of emergence derives largely from the application of improved identification methods, including refinements in molecular, serologic, and microscopy technologies that enable researchers to monitor species migration with greater sensitivity. The reality of emergence comes from shifts in genetic profiles and from influences of ecological changes often brought about by human interventions designed for economic or quality-of-life gains, and ecologic management. CDC has frequent involvement with many outbreaks caused by various infectious disease agents, some of which may be considered emerging. Notable unusual agents include filoviruses (Fig. 1) and hantaviruses (Fig. 2). More typically encountered agents include caliciviruses (Fig. 3) and influenza viruses (Fig. 4). Recently, threats of national and international bioterrorism have added to CDC's responsibilities for prompt identification of infectious agents.

scholarly journals Recent advances in treatment for narcolepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175628641987562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Barateau ◽  
Yves Dauvilliers
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Autoimmune Process ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
Third Line Therapy ◽  
Third Line ◽  
Genetic Profiles ◽  
Receptor Inverse Agonist

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic orphan disorder, caused by the selective and irreversible loss of hypocretin/orexin (ORX) neurons, by a probable autoimmune process. Little is known about NT2 etiology and prevalence, sharing with NT1 excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and dysregulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but without cataplexy and loss of ORX neurons. Despite major advances in our understanding of the neurobiological basis of NT1, management remains nowadays only symptomatic. The main and most disabling symptom, EDS, is managed with psychostimulants, as modafinil/armodafinil, methylphenidate, or amphetamines as a third-line therapy. Narcolepsy is an active area for drug development, and new wake-promoting agents have been developed over the past years. Pitolisant, a selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist, has been recently approved to treat patients with NT1 and NT2. Solriamfetol, a phenylalanine derivative with dopaminergic and noradrenergic activity will be soon a new therapeutic option to treat EDS in NT1 and NT2. Sodium oxybate, used for decades in adult patients with narcolepsy, was recently shown to be effective and safe in childhood narcolepsy. The discovery of ORX deficiency in NT1 opened new therapeutic options oriented towards ORX-based therapies, especially nonpeptide ORX receptor agonists that are currently under development. In addition, immune-based therapies administered as early as possible after disease onset could theoretically slow down or stop the destruction of ORX neurons in some selected patients. Further well-designed controlled trials are required to determine if they could really impact on the natural history of the disease. Given the different clinical, biological and genetic profiles, narcolepsy may provide a nice example for developing personalized medicine in orphan diseases, that could ultimately aid in similar research and clinical efforts for other conditions.

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