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Chelly S, Jaziri S, Ammar A, Ezzi O, Douss N, Saffar S, Tritar M, Njah M, Mahjoub M. Safety and efficiency of COVID-19 vaccine in North Africa. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2306703. [PMID: 38304972 PMCID: PMC10841012 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2306703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In the absence of a specific treatment for COVID-19, preventive measures have been implemented to control this pandemic and vaccination is one of them. However, it is crucial to verify the safety and efficiency of every vaccine. The aim was to determinate the predictive factors of side effects and reinfection after COVID-19 vaccine. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2022 among Tunisians infected with COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2022, using an online self-administered questionnaire. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses using binary stepwise logistic regression. Results A total of 1541 was selected from 1911 individuals. Comorbidities affected a quarter of the population (22.3%). Before the initial infection, 39.3% had received full vaccination, and 8.7% had received partial vaccination. By February 2022, the majority (82.9%) had received at least two vaccine doses. The reinfection rate was 30.6%. All vaccines prior to the first infection was identified as a protective factor against reinfection. Inactivated virus vaccinations were less likely to induce adverse effects. Conclusion ach vaccine has its own set of advantages and disadvantages: mRNA-based vaccines had a higher incidence of side effects but all vaccines provided better protection against reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhir Chelly
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Shayma Jaziri
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Asma Ammar
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Ezzi
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Nour Douss
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Saffar
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Marouen Tritar
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Mansour Njah
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Mahjoub
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
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Carrillo P, González-Olalla JM, J Cabrerizo M, Villar-Argaiz M, Medina-Sánchez JM. Uneven response of phytoplankton-bacteria coupling under Saharan dust pulse and ultraviolet radiation in the south-western Mediterranean Sea. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:172220. [PMID: 38588733 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The microbial carbon (C) flux in the ocean is a key functional process governed by the excretion of organic carbon by phytoplankton (EOC) and heterotrophic bacterial carbon demand (BCD). Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels in upper mixed layers and increasing atmospheric dust deposition from arid regions may alter the degree of coupling in the phytoplankton-bacteria relationship (measured as BCD:EOC ratio) with consequences for the C-flux through these compartments in marine oligotrophic ecosystem. Firstly, we performed a field study across the south-western (SW) Mediterranean Sea to assess the degree of coupling (BCD:EOC) and how it may be related to metabolic balance (total primary production: community respiration; PPT:CR). Secondly, we conducted a microcosm experiment in two contrasting areas (heterotrophic nearshore and autotrophic open sea) to test the impact of UVR and dust interaction on microbial C flux. In the field study, we found that BCD was not satisfied by EOC (i.e., BCD:EOC >1; uncoupled phytoplankton-bacteria relationship). BCD:EOC ratio was negatively related to PPT:CR ratio across the SW Mediterranean Sea. A spatial pattern emerged, i.e. in autotrophic open sea stations uncoupling was less severe (BCD:EOC ranged 1-2), whereas heterotrophic nearshore stations uncoupling was more severe (BCD:EOC > 2). In the experimental study, in the seawater both enriched with dust and under UVR, BCD:EOC ratio decreased by stimulating autotrophic processes (particulate primary production (PPP) and EOC) in the heterotrophic nearshore area, whereas BCD:EOC increased by stimulating heterotrophic processes [heterotrophic bacterial production (HBP), bacterial growth efficiency (BGE), bacterial respiration (BR)] in the autotrophic open sea. Our results show that this spatial pattern could be reversed under future UVR × Dust scenario. Overall, the impact of greater dust deposition and higher UVR levels will alter the phytoplankton-bacteria C-flux with consequences for the productivity of both communities, their standing stocks, and ultimately, the ecosystem's metabolic balance at the sea surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Presentación Carrillo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación del Agua, Universidad de Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, nº4, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan Manuel González-Olalla
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación del Agua, Universidad de Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, nº4, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Marco J Cabrerizo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación del Agua, Universidad de Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, nº4, 18071, Granada, Spain; Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Manuel Villar-Argaiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación del Agua, Universidad de Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, nº4, 18071, Granada, Spain; Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan Manuel Medina-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación del Agua, Universidad de Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, nº4, 18071, Granada, Spain; Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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Pourmehdi M. Aftermath of COVID-19: Exploring the Perception of Violence Against Women in the Middle East and North Africa. J Interpers Violence 2024; 39:2076-2102. [PMID: 38084386 PMCID: PMC10993635 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231215033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the perception of violence against women (VAW) in the Middle East and North Africa in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic using Arab Barometer VI parts 1 and 3 (N = 12,548). Results showed that men and social conservatism were less likely to perceive that the VAW in the community had increased. For religious people, the odds of perceiving violence in the community were higher. Individuals whose jobs were interrupted because of the COVID-19 outbreak were more likely to perceive VAW in the community has increased compared to individuals whose jobs were not interrupted. The strongest predictor of the perception of increased VAW in the community because of COVID-19 was the current economic situation of the country. Those who perceived the economic situation of the country as bad were 1.6 times more likely to believe that VAW has increased. Government handling of the crisis and overall government performance increased the odds of perceiving that VAW has increased. Investigating correlates of VAW as the consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial because it helps governments, emergency services, and community leaders develop strategies of prevention for future disasters and improve community and institutional reactions.
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Fouad Y, Ghazinyan H, Alboraie M, Al Khatry M, Desalegn H, Al-Ali F, El-Shabrawi MHF, Ocama P, Derbala M, Barakat S, Awuku YA, Ndububa DA, Sabbah M, Hamoudi W, Ng'wanasayi M, Elwakil R, Ally R, Al-Busafi SA, Hashim A, Esmat G, Shiha G. Joint position statement from the Middle East and North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa on continuing to endorse the MAFLD definition. J Hepatol 2024; 80:e194-e197. [PMID: 38342440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Fouad
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
| | - Hasmik Ghazinyan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service, Yerevan Medical Scientific Center, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Mohamed Alboraie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maryam Al Khatry
- Department of Gastroenterology, Obaidulla Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates Health Services, Ministry of Health, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hailemichael Desalegn
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fuad Al-Ali
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hayat Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait
| | - Mortada H F El-Shabrawi
- Paediatric Hepatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ponsiano Ocama
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moutaz Derbala
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salma Barakat
- National Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Ibn Sina Hospital, Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Yaw Asante Awuku
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Dennis Amajuoyi Ndububa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Meriam Sabbah
- Department of Gastroenterology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Waseem Hamoudi
- Internal Medicine Department, Al-Bashir Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Reda Elwakil
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
| | - Reidwan Ally
- Department of Gastroenterology, Univ of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Said A Al-Busafi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Almoutaz Hashim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeddah University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal Esmat
- Departement of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastrenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gamal Shiha
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt; Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Yousfi FZE, Haroun AE, Nebhani C, Belayachi J, Askander O, Fahime EE, Fares H, Ennibi K, Abouqal R, Razine R, Bouhouche A. Prevalence of the protective OAS1 rs10774671-G allele against severe COVID-19 in Moroccans: implications for a North African Neanderthal connection. Arch Virol 2024; 169:109. [PMID: 38658463 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06038-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The clinical presentation of COVID-19 shows high variability among individuals, which is partly due to genetic factors. The OAS1/2/3 cluster has been found to be strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. We examined this locus in the Moroccan population for the occurrence of the critical variant rs10774671 and its respective haplotype blocks. The frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cluster of OAS immunity genes in 157 unrelated individuals of Moroccan origin was determined using an in-house exome database. OAS1 exon 6 of 71 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with asymptomatic/mild disease and 74 with moderate/severe disease was sequenced by the Sanger method. The genotypic, allelic, and haplotype frequencies of three SNPs were compared between these two groups. Finally, males in our COVID-19 series were genotyped for the Berber-specific marker E-M81. The prevalence of the OAS1 rs10774671-G allele in present-day Moroccans was found to be 40.4%, which is similar to that found in Europeans. However, it was found equally in both the Neanderthal GGG haplotype and the African GAC haplotype, with a frequency of 20% each. These two haplotypes, and hence the rs10774671-G allele, were significantly associated with protection against severe COVID-19 (p = 0.034, p = 0.041, and p = 0.008, respectively). Surprisingly, in men with the Berber-specific uniparental markers, the African haplotype was absent, while the prevalence of the Neanderthal haplotype was similar to that in Europeans. The protective rs10774671-G allele of OAS1 was found only in the Neanderthal haplotype in Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa, suggesting that this region may have served as a stepping-stone for the passage of hominids to other continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zahra El Yousfi
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abbas Ermilo Haroun
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Laboratory of Community Health, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Chaimae Nebhani
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Jihane Belayachi
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Omar Askander
- Faculty of Medical Science, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Elmostafa El Fahime
- Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics Platform, National Center for Scientific and Technical Research, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Hakima Fares
- Intensive Care Department, Cheikh Zaid International Universitary Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Khalid Ennibi
- Virology, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Center, Hopital Militaire d'Instruction Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Redouane Abouqal
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Laboratory of Community Health, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Rachid Razine
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Laboratory of Community Health, Department of Public Health, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Bouhouche
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Medical School and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
- Genomic Center of the Cheikh Zaid Foundation, Abulcasis International University of Health Sciences, Rabat, Morocco.
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6
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Boualem B, Egbueri JC. Graphical, statistical and index-based techniques integrated for identifying the hydrochemical fingerprints and groundwater quality of In Salah, Algerian Sahara. Environ Geochem Health 2024; 46:158. [PMID: 38592363 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01931-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater, a predominant reservoir of freshwater, plays a critical role in providing a sustainable potable water and water for agricultural and industry uses in the In Salah desert region of Algeria. This research collected 82 underground water samples from Albian aquifers to assess water quality and identify hydrogeochemical processes influencing mineralization. To achieve this objective, various methods were employed to evaluate water quality based on its intended uses. The drinking water quality index utilized revealed the water potability status, while the indicators of irrigation potability were employed to evaluate its quality for agricultural purposes. Additionally, an assessment of groundwater susceptibility to corrosion and scaling in an industrial context was conducted using several indices, e.g., Langelier index, Larson-Skold index, Ryznar index, chloride-sulfate mass ratio, Puckorius index, aggressiveness index, and the Revelle index. The findings of this study revealed that the groundwater quality for consumption fell into four categories: good (2.44%), fair (29.27%), poor (65.85%), and non-potable (2.44%). Concerning agricultural irrigation, the indexical results indicated that 15.85% of the waters exhibited adequate quality, while 84.15% were questionable for irrigation. Calculations based on various corrosion and scaling evaluation indices showed that most wells were prone to corrosion, with a tendency for calcium bicarbonate deposit formation. Furthermore, the hydrochemical study identified three water types: Na-Cl (53.66%), Ca-Mg-Cl (37.80%), and Ca-Cl (8.54%) waters. Analyses of correlation matrices, R-type clustering, factor loadings, Gibbs diagrams, scatterplots, and chloro-alkaline indices highlighted that the chemistry of the Albian groundwater is fundamentally impacted by a number of processes such as silicate weathering, evaporite dissolution, ionic exchange, and anthropogenic inputs, that played impactful role in the aquifer's water chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouselsal Boualem
- Laboratory of Underground Oil, Gas and Aquifer Reservoirs, Department of Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah, Route de Ghardaia, BP 511, 30000, Ouargla, Algeria
| | - Johnbosco C Egbueri
- Department of Geology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, 431124, Nigeria.
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De Baerdemaeker K, Dines AM, Nefau T, Skapurova K, Giraudon I, Alachaher D, Archer JRH, Bentur Y, El Zahran T, Jovic-Stocic J, Omary A, Tahar AM, Thabet H, Thoma E, Vucinic S, Wood DM, Dargan PI. Comparison of recreational drug presentations to the emergency department in Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa. Eur J Emerg Med 2024; 31:149-151. [PMID: 38416586 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000001087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Klara De Baerdemaeker
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Emergency Medicine, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Alison M Dines
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Thomas Nefau
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Katerina Skapurova
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabelle Giraudon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Djamel Alachaher
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Oran, Oran, Algeria
| | - John R H Archer
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yedidia Bentur
- The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tharwat El Zahran
- Emergency Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Asaad Omary
- The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ait Mouhab Tahar
- Emergency Department, Mohamed Liamine Debaghine Hospital, Bab El Oued University Hospital Center, Bab El Oued, Algeria
| | - Hafedh Thabet
- Emergency Department, Centre Mahmoud Yacoub d'assistance médicale urgente, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Slavica Vucinic
- The National Poison Control Centre, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paul I Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Bekhechi A, Malti CEW, Babali B, Bouafia M, Bekhechi C, Casanova J, Paoli M, Tomi F. Chemical Variability and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Leaf Essential Oil from Algerian Sahara. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202302077. [PMID: 38388803 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202302077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The chemical composition of 71 oil samples from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L., harvested in three provinces: Naâma (Western Algeria), Béchar and Adrar (Algerian Sahara), was investigated by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13CNMR. In total, 52 compounds were identified accounting for 88.8 % to 99.9 % of the total composition. The chemical composition of the oils was largely dominated by monoterpenes, with 1,8-cineole (9.7-70.2 %), camphor (0.3-31.0 %) being the major compounds followed by borneol (0.3-21.0 %), α-pinene (4.5-14.5 %), β-pinene (0.1-12.0 %), linalool (0.7-9.9 %) and verbenone (up to 11.1 %) which was present only in the samples harvested in Adrar. All compositions (71 samples) were submitted to statistical analysis. Combination of hierarchical clustering dendrogram and principal component analysis suggested the existence of three groups (one of these being subdivided into two sub-groups) which were distinguished on the basis of 1,8-cineole, camphor and verbenone contents. Four essential oil samples, containing 1,8-cineole and/or camphor as main components, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against lipoxygenase, with IC50 values in the range 93 to 155 μg/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlem Bekhechi
- Université de Corse-CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Route des Sanguinaires, 20000, Ajaccio, France
| | - Charaf Eddine Watheq Malti
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université Ahmed Zabana, Cité Bourmadia, 48000, Relizane, Algérie
- Laboratoire de Produits Naturels, Département de Biologie, Université Abou Bekr Belkaïd, Imama, 13000, Tlemcen, Algérie
| | - Brahim Babali
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie et Gestion des Ecosystèmes Naturels, Département d'Ecologie et Environnement, Université Abou Bekr Belkaïd, Imama, 13000, Tlemcen, Algérie
| | - Miloud Bouafia
- Laboratoire Antibiotiques, Antifongiques, Physico-chimique, Synthèse et Activité Biologique, Département de Biologie, Université Abou Bekr Belkaïd, Imama, 13000, Tlemcen, Algérie
| | - Chahrazed Bekhechi
- Laboratoire de Produits Naturels, Département de Biologie, Université Abou Bekr Belkaïd, Imama, 13000, Tlemcen, Algérie
| | - Joseph Casanova
- Université de Corse-CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Route des Sanguinaires, 20000, Ajaccio, France
| | - Mathieu Paoli
- Université de Corse-CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Route des Sanguinaires, 20000, Ajaccio, France
| | - Félix Tomi
- Université de Corse-CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Route des Sanguinaires, 20000, Ajaccio, France
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Sakariyahu R, Fagbemi T, Adigun R, Lawal R, Seyingbo O, Oyekola O. Severity of environmental degradation and the impact on quality of life in Africa. J Environ Manage 2024; 356:120537. [PMID: 38508010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Considering the mounting impacts of environmental degradation on the global ecosystem, this study offers an empirical contribution to the debate on whether there exists a significant nexus between environmental degradation and quality of life in Africa. Towards this end, we employ several econometric techniques to account for cross-sectional dependence, causality, and also present results based on IV-Lewbel 2SLS regression. Using a sample of African countries, the results indicate cross-sectional dependence due to spill-over effects from common factors in Africa, while the panel cointegration test affirms that environmental degradation have long-term consequences for quality of life only in sub-Saharan African region. Moreover, our results reveal a unidirectional causality between environmental degradation variables and quality of life at both the continent and sub-Saharan African region levels while a bi-directional causality between these variables are revealed for North Africa. On this evidence, our conjecture is that increased mineral extraction, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation, amongst other factors, may be driving this result. Hence, improvement in environmental quality in the continent would have an increasingly beneficial effects on the well-being and survival of the populace. The varied impacts across regions also suggest that policy initiatives toward mitigating the effects of environmental degradation should consider regional dynamics of the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Temitope Fagbemi
- Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Rasheed Adigun
- JP Morgan and Chase, 943 Pavonia avenue, Apt 42, Jersey city, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Rodiat Lawal
- School of Business, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | | | - Olayinka Oyekola
- Department of Economics, University of Exeter, Rennes Dr, Exeter, EX4 4PU, UK.
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Deeb M, Smagin AV, Pauleit S, Fouché-Grobla O, Podwojewski P, Groffman PM. The urgency of building soils for Middle Eastern and North African countries: Economic, environmental, and health solutions. Sci Total Environ 2024; 917:170529. [PMID: 38296094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Soil degradation is a short or long ongoing process that limits ecosystem services. Intensive land use, water scarcity, land disturbance, and global climate change have reduced the quality of soils worldwide. This degradation directly threatens most of the land in the Middle East and North Africa, while the remaining areas are at high risk of further desertification. Rehabilitation and control of these damaged environments are essential to avoid negative effects on human well-being (e.g., poverty, food insecurity, wars, etc.). Here we review constructed soils involving the use of waste materials as a solution to soil degradation and present approaches to address erosion, organic matter oxidation, water scarcity and salinization. Our analysis showed a high potential for using constructed soil as a complimentary reclamation solution in addition to traditional ones. Constructed soils could have the ability to overcome the limitations of existing solutions to tackle land degradation while contributing to the solution of waste management problems. These soils facilitate the provision of multiple ecosystem services and have the potential to address particularly challenging land degradation problems in semi and dry climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Deeb
- Soils and Substrates, HEPIA, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland; Lehrstuhl für Strategie und Management der Landschaftsentwicklung, Technische Universität München, Germany.
| | - Andrey Valentinovich Smagin
- Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), 119991 Moscow, Russia; Institute of Forest Science of RAS, Moscow Region, Sovetskaya 21, 143030 Uspenskoe, Russia
| | - Stephan Pauleit
- Lehrstuhl für Strategie und Management der Landschaftsentwicklung, Technische Universität München, Germany
| | - Olivier Fouché-Grobla
- IRD, UMR IEES-Paris, Sorbonne Université/IRD/CNRS/INRAe/UPEC/Université de Paris, Centre IRD de France Nord, 32, Av. H. Varagnat, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France; Geomatics & Land Law Lab, Conservatoire national des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), Paris, France
| | - Pascal Podwojewski
- IRD, UMR IEES-Paris, Sorbonne Université/IRD/CNRS/INRAe/UPEC/Université de Paris, Centre IRD de France Nord, 32, Av. H. Varagnat, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France
| | - Peter M Groffman
- Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
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Tong HL, Alnasser A, Alshahrani NZ, Bawaked RA, AlAhmed R, Alsukait RF, Rakic S, Cetinkaya V, Al-Hazzaa HM, Alqahtani SA. The Use of Mobile Technologies to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Behaviors in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e53651. [PMID: 38502160 PMCID: PMC10988381 DOI: 10.2196/53651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces unique challenges in promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors, as the prevalence of insufficient physical activity is higher than the global average. Mobile technologies present a promising approach to delivering behavioral interventions; however, little is known about the effectiveness and user perspectives on these technologies in the MENA region. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile interventions targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the MENA region and explore users' perspectives on these interventions as well as any other outcomes that might influence users' adoption and use of mobile technologies (eg, appropriateness and cultural fit). METHODS A systematic search of 5 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Global Index Medicus) was performed. Any primary studies (participants of all ages regardless of medical condition) conducted in the MENA region that investigated the use of mobile technologies and reported any measures of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, or user perceptions were included. We conducted a narrative synthesis of all studies and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the quality of the included RCTs; quality assessment of the rest of the included studies was completed using the relevant Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. RESULTS In total, 27 articles describing 22 interventions (n=10, 37% RCTs) and 4 (15%) nonexperimental studies were included (n=6141, 46% women). Half (11/22, 50%) of the interventions included mobile apps, whereas the other half examined SMS. The main app functions were goal setting and self-monitoring of activity, whereas SMS interventions were primarily used to deliver educational content. Users in experimental studies described several benefits of the interventions (eg, gaining knowledge and receiving reminders to be active). Engagement with the interventions was poorly reported; few studies (8/27, 30%) examined users' perspectives on the appropriateness or cultural fit of the interventions. Nonexperimental studies examined users' perspectives on mobile apps and fitness trackers, reporting several barriers to their use, such as perceived lack of usefulness, loss of interest, and technical issues. The meta-analysis of RCTs showed a positive effect of mobile interventions on physical activity outcomes (standardized mean difference=0.45, 95% CI 0.17-0.73); several sensitivity analyses showed similar results. The trim-and-fill method showed possible publication bias. Only 20% (2/10) of the RCTs measured sedentary behaviors; both reported positive changes. CONCLUSIONS The use of mobile interventions for physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the MENA region is in its early stages, with preliminary evidence of effectiveness. Policy makers and researchers should invest in high-quality studies to evaluate long-term effectiveness, intervention engagement, and implementation outcomes, which can inform the design of culturally and socially appropriate interventions for countries in the MENA region. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42023392699; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=392699.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong Ly Tong
- Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, Redfern, Australia
- The World Bank Group, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Aroub Alnasser
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najim Z Alshahrani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rowaedh A Bawaked
- Department of Public Health, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem AlAhmed
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa
- Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Alqahtani
- Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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12
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Tsetseri MN, Keene DJ, Silman AJ, Dakin SG. Exploring the burden, prevalence and associated factors of chronic musculoskeletal pain in migrants from North Africa and Middle East living in Europe: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:769. [PMID: 38475746 PMCID: PMC10935970 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immigrants are exposed to numerous risk factors that may contribute to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Recent political and environmental crises in North Africa and the Middle East have led to an increase in immigration to Europe that has challenged the healthcare system and especially the management of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE The aims of this scoping review are to investigate the burden, prevalence, and associated factors of chronic musculoskeletal pain in immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East in Europe during the last decade. The intentions of the review are to inform healthcare policymakers, to identify gaps in the literature, and aid the planning of future research. DESIGN Online databases Medline, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify epidemiological studies published from2012-2022 examining chronic pain in populations from North Africa and the Middle East with a migration background residing in Europe. RESULTS In total eleven studies were identified conducted in Norway (n = 3), Denmark (n = 3), Germany (n = 1), Austria (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), and Switzerland (n = 1). Among the identified studies, eight studies were cross-sectional (n = 8), two were prospective cohort studies (n = 2) and one was a retrospective cohort study (n = 1). Data suggested that chronic pain is more prevalent, more widespread, and more severe in people with than without a migration background. Furthermore, immigrants who have resided in the destination country for a longer period experience a higher prevalence of chronic pain compared to those in the early phases of migration. The following factors were found to be associated with chronic pain in this population: female gender, lower education, financial hardship, being underweight or obese, time in transit during migration, experience of trauma, immigration status, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION Several gaps in the literature were identified. Research is limited in terms of quantity and quality, does not reflect actual immigration trends, and does not account for immigration factors. Prospective cohort studies with long follow-ups would aid in improving prevention and management of chronic pain in populations with a migration background. In particular, they should reflect actual immigration trajectories, account for immigration factors, and have valid comparison groups in the countries of origin, transit and destination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Nefeli Tsetseri
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - David J Keene
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alan J Silman
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Stephanie G Dakin
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
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Liger E, Hernández F, Expósito FJ, Díaz JP, Salazar-Carballo PA, Gordo E, González C, López-Pérez M. Transport and deposition of radionuclides from northern Africa to the southern Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands during the intense dust intrusions of March 2022. Chemosphere 2024; 352:141303. [PMID: 38280650 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The present study focuses on the two consecutive and markedly intense Saharan dust intrusion episodes that greatly affected southern Spain (Málaga) and, to a lesser extent, the Canary Islands (Tenerife), in March 2022. These two episodes were the result of atypical meteorological conditions in the region and resulted in record levels of aerosols in the air at the Málaga location. The activity levels of various natural and artificial radionuclides (7Be, 210Pb, 40K, 137Cs, 239Pu, 240Pu, 239+240Pu) and radioactive indicators (gross alpha and gross beta) were impacted by these events and the results are described herein. These episodes caused, for example, the activities of 137Cs in aerosol samples at the Málaga monitoring station to reach the highest concentrations ever recorded since high-volume aerosol monitoring started at this site in 2009. A link between the activity levels of 137Cs, 40K and gross alpha in the atmospheric aerosols and daily PM10 concentrations during the episodes is also reported. In addition, isotopic ratios are discussed in the context of the source and destination of the various anthropogenic radionuclides measured. The atmospheric residence time of aerosols during these episodes is also evaluated because it concerns how intrusions to the Canary Islands should be analysed. Finally, for the first time, the concentrations of 137Cs deposition by rainwater during a Saharan dust intrusion are reported and the deposition rate of these radionuclides during these episodes is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Liger
- Departamento de Física Aplicada II, Universidad de Málaga, Spain; Grupo de Geoquímica y Radiactividad Ambiental, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
| | - Francisco Hernández
- Grupo de Geoquímica y Radiactividad Ambiental, Universidad de Málaga, Spain; Grupo de Observación de la Tierra y la Atmósfera, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | | | - Juan Pedro Díaz
- Grupo de Observación de la Tierra y la Atmósfera, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Pedro A Salazar-Carballo
- Laboratorio de Física Médica y Radioactividad Ambiental, SEGAI, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain; Departamento de Medicina Física y Farmacología, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Elisa Gordo
- Grupo de Geoquímica y Radiactividad Ambiental, Universidad de Málaga, Spain; Servicios Centrales de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad de Málaga, Spain
| | - Cristina González
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias. Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | - María López-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Física Médica y Radioactividad Ambiental, SEGAI, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
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Boudriga I, Poindron C, Khammeri Y, Zouari AB, Rossi V, Thyssen M, Desboeufs K, Bel Hassen M. Impact of atmospheric deposition on the dynamics of ultraphytoplanktonic populations in the Gulf of Gabès during an intense dust event (MERITE-HIPPOCAMPE campaign). Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 200:116059. [PMID: 38335628 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The ultraphytoplankton composition and dynamics were assessed during a Saharan dust event occurring off the southern Tunisian coasts during the MERITE-HIPPOCAMPE Trans-Mediterranean oceanographic cruise. The composition of atmospheric dust was characterized in terms of nutriments and trace metals. Data-assimilative hydrodynamic model revealed no differences in the hydrological features along the sampling track and almost no water transport occurred during the period of atmospheric deposition. Dust deposition increased the growth rates and the productivity of the major phytoplanktonic cytometric groups, resulting in the highest surface biomass along the Mediterranean transect. One group, distinguished by low fluorescence and nanoplanktonic size, reacted to dust deposition within hours, exhibiting the highest growth rate and net productivity. The dust composition showed a substantial enrichment with organic phosphorous representing (56 % of Total phosphorus) and trace metals mainly Fe, Mn and V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Boudriga
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), 28, rue 2 mars 1934, Salammbô 2025, Tunisia.
| | - Charlotte Poindron
- Université Paris Cité and Univ Paris Est Creteil, CNRS, LISA, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Yosra Khammeri
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), 28, rue 2 mars 1934, Salammbô 2025, Tunisia
| | - Amel Bellaaj Zouari
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), 28, rue 2 mars 1934, Salammbô 2025, Tunisia
| | - Vincent Rossi
- Aix Marseille Univ., Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Melilotus Thyssen
- Aix Marseille Univ., Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Karine Desboeufs
- Université Paris Cité and Univ Paris Est Creteil, CNRS, LISA, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Malika Bel Hassen
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), 28, rue 2 mars 1934, Salammbô 2025, Tunisia
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15
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Lu Y, Lan T. Spatiotemporal trends of cardiovascular disease burden attributable to low physical activity during 1990-2019: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Public Health 2024; 228:137-146. [PMID: 38354583 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The epidemiological trends of cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden attributed to low physical activity (LPA) across various regions and countries are poorly understood. Hence, we assessed the global, regional, and national spatiotemporal trends of LPA-related CVD from 1990 to 2019. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The data on LPA-related CVD were examined with regard to sex, age, year, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). METHODS We assessed the temporal changes in age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) over a 30-year period. RESULTS There were a staggering 0.64 million deaths and 9.99 million disability-adjusted life-years globally attributed to LPA-related CVD in 2019. The majority of the LPA-related CVD burden was observed in the population aged ≥80 years. It also indicated a high disease burden of LPA-related CVD in Central Asia, Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa. Although there has been a decline in ASMR and ASDR associated with LPA-related CVD on a global scale, the countries experiencing the most substantial increase in LPA-related CVD burden are Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. The ASMR and ASDR remained stable in regions with low, low-middle, and middle SDI levels. The EAPCs of ASMR and ASDR were negatively linked with SDI in 2019. CONCLUSIONS From 1990 to 2019, LPA led to a significant and escalating burden of CVD in certain regions, namely, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. It is imperative for governments and policymakers to implement regulatory measures and strategic interventions aimed at mitigating this burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Lu
- Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Lan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310007, People's Republic of China.
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Oraby D. Sexuality Education for Youth and Adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Window of Opportunity. Glob Health Sci Pract 2024; 12:e2300282. [PMID: 38290752 PMCID: PMC10906548 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-23-00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The enabling role of Islam in the notion of sexuality education can serve as a window of opportunity for implementing culturally and contextually relevant sexuality education programs in the Middle East and North Africa region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa Oraby
- Independent public health consultant, Cairo, Egypt.
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17
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Cuesta J, López-Noval B, Niño-Zarazúa M. Social exclusion concepts, measurement, and a global estimate. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298085. [PMID: 38416726 PMCID: PMC10901322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple estimates exist of global monetary and multidimensional poverty, but populations at risk of social exclusion still lack a worldwide estimate. This paper fills this gap by providing the first estimates of the share and number of populations at risk of social exclusion worldwide. The paper contributes to the literature in three important respects. First, it develops a conceptual framework of social exclusion that emphasizes the relative, multidimensional, and dynamic features of exclusion. Second, it proposes a macro-counting methodology that allows measuring populations at risk of exclusion based on identity, circumstances, and socioeconomic conditions, while advancing a protocol to avoid double counting of individuals at risk of social exclusion. Third, the empirical strategy provides to the best of our knowledge, the first estimates of populations at risk of social exclusion by dimensions of exclusion on a global and regional scale. Overall, we estimate that between 2.33 and 2.43 billion people-roughly 32 per cent of the global population-are at risk of social exclusion. The South Asia and East Asia and Pacific regions contain 1.3 billion such people, with India and China alone home to 840 million of them. Meanwhile, 52 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa's population is vulnerable to exclusion, the greatest share of any region. Our findings have important policy implications. While antipoverty policies can support household consumption and smooth its volatility among the poor, they are unlikely to address social exclusion stemming from ethnic, racial, or gender discrimination. Therefore, addressing exclusion necessitates a suite of multiple interventions tailored to distinct groups and sustained over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Cuesta
- Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Borja López-Noval
- Department of Economics and Statistics, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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18
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Navarro A, Del Moral A, Weber B, Weber J, Molinero A, Delgado R, Párraga J, Martínez-Checa F. Microbial composition of Saharan dust plumes deposited as red rain in Granada (Southern Spain). Sci Total Environ 2024; 913:169745. [PMID: 38163611 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
During durst storms, also biological material is transported from arid areas such as the Sahara Desert. In the present work, rain samples containing significant amounts of mineral dust have been collected in Granada during different red rain episodes. Biological features (bacteria, biofilm, pollen grain and fungal spore) as well as size-particle distribution and mineralogical composition were studied by SEM. Nanobacteria were observed for the first time in red rain samples. A preliminary metabarcoding analysis was performed on three red rain samples. Here, Bacillota made up 18 % and Pseudomonadota 23 % of the whole prokaryotic community. The fungal community was characterized by a high abundance of Ascomycota and, dependent on the origin, the presence of Chytridiomycota. By means of 16S rRNA sequencing, 18 cultivable microorganisms were identified. In general, members of the phyla Pseudomonadota and Bacillota made up the majority of taxa. Some species, such as Peribacillus frigoritolerans and Bacillus halotolerans were isolated during three different red rain episodes. Generally, red rain carries a wide variety of microorganisms, being their ecosystem and health effects largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azahara Navarro
- Department of Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Del Moral
- Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Bettina Weber
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens Weber
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Alberto Molinero
- Department of Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Delgado
- Department of Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús Párraga
- Department of Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Longrich NR, Pereda-Suberbiola X, Bardet N, Jalil NE. A new small duckbilled dinosaur (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) from Morocco and dinosaur diversity in the late Maastrichtian of North Africa. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3665. [PMID: 38351204 PMCID: PMC10864364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In the Late Cretaceous, northern and southern hemispheres evolved distinct dinosaurian faunas. Titanosaurians and abelisaurids dominated the Gondwanan continents; hadrosaurids, ceratopsians and tyrannosaurs dominated North America and Asia. Recently, a lambeosaurine hadrosaurid, Ajnabia odysseus, was reported from the late Maastrichtian phosphates of the Oulad Abdoun Basin Morocco, suggesting dispersal between Laurasia and Gondwana. Here we report new fossils from the phosphates of Morocco showing lambeosaurines achieved high diversity in the late Maastrichtian of North Africa. A skull represents a new dwarf lambeosaurine, Minqaria bata. Minqaria resembles Ajnabia odysseus in size, but differs in the ventrally positioned jugal facet and sinusoidal toothrow. The animal is small, ~ 3.5 m long, but the fused braincase shows it was mature. A humerus and a femur belong to larger hadrosaurids, ~ 6 m long, implying at least three species coexisted. The diversity of hadrosaurids in Europe and Africa suggests a dispersal-driven radiation, with lambeosaurines diversifying to take advantage of low ornithischian diversity. African lambeosaurines are small compared to North American and Asia hadrosaurids however, perhaps due to competition with titanosaurians. Hadrosaurids are unknown from eastern Africa, suggesting Moroccan hadrosaurids may be part of a distinct insular fauna, and represent an island radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Longrich
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Xabier Pereda-Suberbiola
- Departamento de Geología, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Apartado 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Nathalie Bardet
- CR2P, Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie-Paris, CNRS-MNHN-Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CP38, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Nour-Eddine Jalil
- CR2P, Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie-Paris, CNRS-MNHN-Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CP38, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
- Museum of Marrakech (Museum of Natural History of Marrakesh, Univ. Cadi Ayyad), Marrakesh, Morocco
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Chergui M, Gherissi DE, Titaouine M, Kaouadji Z, Harek D, Koutti S, Boumaraf H, Gaouar SBS. Lactation traits and reproductive performances of Sahraoui female camel in two breeding systems at Algerian Sahara. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:70. [PMID: 38324093 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03902-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of the camel livestock system on individual and herd performances of milk production, lactation curve, fats, and protein concentrations. For this purpose, 13 she-camels of Sahraoui breed from the south eastern Algeria and belonging and semi-intensive system (N = 6) and intensive system (N = 7) were studied. Recording and sampling of milk were carried out at regular intervals during a full lactation. The lactation curve was estimated using Wood's gamma function and the t-test of independent groups was carried out to compare lactation performances, lactation curve, and reproductive parameters. The overall average daily milk (DMY), fat (DFY), and protein (DPY) yield were 6.77 ± 0.82 kg/day, 4.15 ± 0.91%, and 4.49 ± 0.20%, respectively. The mean of total milk yield (TMY) was 2696.39 ± 343.86 kg during a mean lactation length (LL) of 398.38 ± 20.65 days. The peak of milk production (6.79 ± 0.68 kg) was reached at 93.9 ± 55.8 days after calving. The open day (DO) and inter-calving interval (ICI) recorded in this study were 348.38 ± 30.33 and 723.38 ± 30.33 days, respectively. There is no significant difference (p > 0.05) between intensive and semi-intensive breeding systems for TMY (2795.39 ± 261.88 kg vs. 2580.89 ± 414.43 kg), DMY (6.96 ± 0.66 kg vs. 6.55 ± 1.00 kg), and LL (402.14 ± 21.18 days vs. 394 ± 21.03 days). However, the total amount of fat was significantly higher in intensive system (182.02 ± 33.91 kg) and the DPY content was significantly higher in semi-intensive system (4.60 ± 0.13%). The parameters α, β, and γ of lactation, fat, and protein curves between the two systems showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) for the parameters (α and β) for the milk production curve, significant (p < 0.05) for the time to reach peak yield, and no significance for the other parameters. The corresponding values of the coefficient of determination (R2) were 0.62, 0.35 for milk yield (p > 0.05), 0.12, 0.13 (p > 0.05) for fat, and 0.03, 0.11 (p < 0.05) for protein, in the intensive and semi-intensive systems, respectively. In addition, DO and ICI were not significantly different between the livestock systems, but were higher in the intensive system than the semi-intensive system (337.17 ± 26.26 vs. 712.17 ± 26.26, respectively). The study concluded that the intensive system had a higher milk performance with a more efficient lactation curve. The incomplete gamma model (Wood) used in this study was inappropriate for estimating milk yield, but acceptable for fat and protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moussa Chergui
- Laboratory Diversity of Ecosystems and Dynamics of Agricultural Production Systems in Arid Zones (DEDSPAZA), University of Biskra, BP 68, 07000, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Djalel Eddine Gherissi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Animal Production and Health (PABIOS), Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Souk Ahras, 41000, Souk Ahras, Algeria.
| | - Mohamed Titaouine
- Laboratory Diversity of Ecosystems and Dynamics of Agricultural Production Systems in Arid Zones (DEDSPAZA), University of Biskra, BP 68, 07000, Biskra, Algeria
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Valorization of Bio Resources (LGBVB), University of Biskra, PB 68, 07000, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Zoubeyda Kaouadji
- Applied Geneticin Agriculture, Ecology and Public Health (GenApAgiE), Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Sidi Bel Abbes, BP 89, 22000, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria
| | - Derradji Harek
- National Institute of Agricultural Research of Algeria (INRAA), Algiers, Algeria
| | - Sassi Koutti
- Laboratory of the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture in Arid Regions (PIARA), University of Biskra, BP 68, 07000, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Haroun Boumaraf
- Phoeniciculture Studies Research Laboratory (Phoenix), University of Ouargla, 1 Novembre 1954, 30001, Ouargla, Algeria
| | - Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar
- Applied Geneticin Agriculture, Ecology and Public Health (GenApAgiE), Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
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Elmighrabi NF, Fleming CAK, Agho KE. Factors Associated with Childhood Stunting in Four North African Countries: Evidence from Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, 2014-2019. Nutrients 2024; 16:473. [PMID: 38398798 PMCID: PMC10892369 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Stunting remains a significant public health issue among North African children, even though significant progress has been made in reducing hunger and poverty. This study aimed to identify factors associated with stunting among children in four North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia). A logistic regression model adjusted for clustering and sampling weights was used to identify factors associated with childhood stunting. It was found that the prevalence of stunting in Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia was 9.7%(95% CI: 9.1, 10.3), 21.1% (95% CI: 19.8, 22.5), 33.8% (95% CI: 32.7, 34.9), and 8.2% (95% CI: 7.3, 9.2), respectively. Stunting was more common among children from Sudan and Egypt. Our analysis showed that a low wealth index, being a boy, low BMI, dietary diversity <5 foods, and low birth weight were associated with stunting from 0 to 23 months; however, rural residency, a low-educated mother, low BMI, family size, and diarrhea were associated with stunting from 24 to 59 months. A collaborative approach that prioritizes maternal health and nutrition, invests in struggling families, and customizes interventions to meet the specific needs of each North African country is essential for eradicating undernutrition by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi
- School of Health Science, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia (K.E.A.)
- Department of People Determination and Sustainable Development, Benghazi 18251, Libya
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi 18251, Libya
| | - Catharine A. K. Fleming
- School of Health Science, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia (K.E.A.)
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Kingsley E. Agho
- School of Health Science, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia (K.E.A.)
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
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22
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Siddiqui M, Sanduka O, Tom A, Sinha P, Appel G, Avery J, Weber A. A Medical Student-Led Stigma Awareness Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region. Acad Psychiatry 2024; 48:102-103. [PMID: 37735343 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-023-01855-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Omar Sanduka
- Al-Khalidi Hospital and Medical Center, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | | | | | - Alan Weber
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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23
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Bentz PC, Liu Z, Yang JB, Zhang L, Burrows S, Burrows J, Kanno A, Mao Z, Leebens-Mack J. Young evolutionary origins of dioecy in the genus Asparagus. Am J Bot 2024; 111:e16276. [PMID: 38297448 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PREMISE Dioecy (separate sexes) has independently evolved numerous times across the angiosperm phylogeny and is recently derived in many lineages. However, our understanding is limited regarding the evolutionary mechanisms that drive the origins of dioecy in plants. The recent and repeated evolution of dioecy across angiosperms offers an opportunity to make strong inferences about the ecological, developmental, and molecular factors influencing the evolution of dioecy, and thus sex chromosomes. The genus Asparagus (Asparagaceae) is an emerging model taxon for studying dioecy and sex chromosome evolution, yet estimates for the age and origin of dioecy in the genus are lacking. METHODS We use plastome sequences and fossil time calibrations in phylogenetic analyses to investigate the age and origin of dioecy in the genus Asparagus. We also review the diversity of sexual systems present across the genus to address contradicting reports in the literature. RESULTS We estimate that dioecy evolved once or twice approximately 2.78-3.78 million years ago in Asparagus, of which roughly 27% of the species are dioecious and the remaining are hermaphroditic with monoclinous flowers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support previous work implicating a young age and the possibility of two origins of dioecy in Asparagus, which appear to be associated with rapid radiations and range expansion out of Africa. Lastly, we speculate that paleoclimatic oscillations throughout northern Africa may have helped set the stage for the origin(s) of dioecy in Asparagus approximately 2.78-3.78 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip C Bentz
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA
| | - Zhengjie Liu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Jun-Bo Yang
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | | | | | - Akira Kanno
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Zichao Mao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Jim Leebens-Mack
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA
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24
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Rahman MN, Ferdaous J. Linkages between ICT diffusion, renewable energy consumption, and carbon emissions: a comparative analysis of SAARC, MENA, and OECD countries. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:13471-13488. [PMID: 38253841 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
This paper examines the linkages between information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion, renewable energy consumption (REC), and carbon (CO2) emissions across three distinct regions: the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations. We explore the causal pathways linking these variables and perform a comparative assessment of region-specific patterns with their policy implications. Utilizing a panel dataset of 28 countries from 1998 to 2019, we employ panel ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and D-H causality tests. The comprehensive analysis of the sample reveals that ICT development enhances CO2 emissions, whereas REC reduces emissions. However, the comparative analysis suggests a positive linkage between ICT diffusion and CO2 emissions in MENA and OECD countries but a negative linkage in SAARC countries. Further, REC substantially reduces emissions in MENA and OECD countries but has an insignificant effect in SAARC countries. Our findings corroborate the first-order effect of ICT (negative environmental impact) in MENA and OECD countries, with contextual variations attributed to economic structure, financial sector growth, trade openness, and industrialization. These findings offer pivotal insights for policymakers to leverage ICT capabilities and REC to attain sustainable development and mitigate climate change consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nafizur Rahman
- Department of Business Administration in Finance & Banking, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh.
| | - Jannatul Ferdaous
- Department of Business Administration in Finance & Banking, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh
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25
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Makoni M. Sub-Saharan Africa's harmonised cancer guidelines. Lancet Oncol 2024; 25:163. [PMID: 38142703 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
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Benovics M, Rahmouni C, Řehulková E, Nejat F, Šimková A. Uncovering the monogenean species diversity of cyprinoid fish in Iraq using an integrative approach. Parasitology 2024; 151:220-246. [PMID: 38116665 PMCID: PMC10941050 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The freshwaters of Iraq harbour a high diversity of endemic and phylogenetically unique species. One of the most diversified fish groups in this region is cyprinoids, and although their distribution is relatively well known, their monogenean parasites have only rarely been investigated. Herein, we applied an integrative approach, combining morphology with molecular data, to assess the diversity and phylogeny of cyprinoid-associated monogenean parasites. A total of 33 monogenean species were collected and identified from 13 endemic cyprinoid species. The highest species diversity was recorded for Dactylogyrus (Dactylogyridae, 16 species) and Gyrodactylus (Gyrodactylidae, 12 species). Four species of Dactylogyrus and 12 species of Gyrodactylus were identified as new to science and described. Two other genera, Dogielius (Dactylogyridae) and Paradiplozoon (Diplozoidae), were represented only by 4 and 1 species, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus species revealed that the local congeners do not form a monophyletic group and are phylogenetically closely related to species from other regions (i.e. Europe, North Africa and Eastern Asia). These findings support the assumption that the Middle East served as an important historical crossroads for the interchange of fauna between these 3 geographic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Benovics
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - C. Rahmouni
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - E. Řehulková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - F. Nejat
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - A. Šimková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Sedrati M, Morales JA, Duveau J, M'rini AE, Mayoral E, Díaz-Martínez I, Anthony EJ, Bulot G, Sedrati A, Le Gall R, Santos A, Rivera-Silva J. A Late Pleistocene hominin footprint site on the North African coast of Morocco. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1962. [PMID: 38263453 PMCID: PMC10806055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52344-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Footprints represent a relevant vestige providing direct information on the biology, locomotion, and behaviour of the individuals who left them. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of hominin footprints is heterogeneous, particularly in North Africa, where no footprint sites were known before the Holocene. This region is important in the evolution of hominins. It notably includes the earliest currently known Homo sapiens (Jebel Irhoud) and the oldest and richest African Middle Stone Age hominin sites. In this fragmented ichnological record, we report the discovery of 85 human footprints on a Late Pleistocene now indurated beach surface of about 2800 m2 at Larache (Northwest coast of Morocco). The wide range of sizes of the footprints suggests that several individuals from different age groups made the tracks while moving landward and seaward across a semi-dissipative bar-trough sandy beach foreshore. A geological investigation and an optically stimulated luminescence dating of a rock sample extracted from the tracksite places this hominin footprint surface at 90.3 ± 7.6 ka (MIS 5, Late Pleistocene). The Larache footprints are, therefore, the oldest attributed to Homo sapiens in Northern Africa and the Southern Mediterranean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouncef Sedrati
- Geo-Ocean, Univ Bretagne Sud, Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR6538, F- 56000, Vannes, France.
| | - Juan A Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Huelva, Spain
- Centro Científico Tecnológico de Huelva, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Jérémy Duveau
- DFG Center for Advanced Studies ''Words, Bones, Genes, Tools: Tracking Linguistic, Cultural and Biological Trajectories of the Human Past'', Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Rümelinstrasse 23, 72070, Tübingen, Germany
- UMR 7194 Histoire Naturelle de l'Homme Préhistorique, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Paris, France
| | | | - Eduardo Mayoral
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Huelva, Spain
- Centro Científico Tecnológico de Huelva, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Ignacio Díaz-Martínez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y Física de la Materia Condensada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Edward J Anthony
- CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix Marseille University, 13545, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Glen Bulot
- Geo-Ocean, Univ Bretagne Sud, Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR6538, F- 56000, Vannes, France
| | - Anass Sedrati
- Lixus Archaeological Site, Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, Larache, Morocco
| | - Romain Le Gall
- Geo-Ocean, Univ Bretagne Sud, Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR6538, F- 56000, Vannes, France
| | - Ana Santos
- Departamento de Geología, Facultad de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus de Llamaquique, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jorge Rivera-Silva
- Centro de Investigación, Tecnología e Innovación (CITIUS), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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28
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Zichello JM, DeLiberto ST, Holmes P, Pierwola AA, Werner SJ. Recent beak evolution in North American starlings after invasion. Sci Rep 2024; 14:140. [PMID: 38167426 PMCID: PMC10761893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49623-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
European starlings are one of the most abundant and problematic avian invaders in the world. From their native range across Eurasia and North Africa, they have been introduced to every continent except Antarctica. In 160 years, starlings have expanded into different environments throughout the world, making them a powerful model for understanding rapid evolutionary change and adaptive plasticity. Here, we investigate their spatiotemporal morphological variation in North America and the native range. Our dataset includes 1217 specimens; a combination of historical museum skins and modern birds. Beak length in the native range has remained unchanged during the past 206 years, but we find beak length in North American birds is now 8% longer than birds from the native range. We discuss potential drivers of this pattern including dietary adaptation or climatic pressures. Additionally, body size in North American starlings is smaller than those from the native range, which suggests a role for selection or founder effect. Taken together, our results indicate rapid recent evolutionary change in starling morphology coincident with invasion into novel environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Zichello
- Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Shelagh T DeLiberto
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Paul Holmes
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Shrewsbury Veterinary Investigation Centre, Shrewsbury, SY1 4HD, UK
| | - Agnieszka A Pierwola
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Werner
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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29
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Kareche H, Valle-Casuso JC, Madeline A, Froger D, Lecouturier F, Gonzalez G, Debbi A, Benseghir ST, Nasri AM, Boureghda M, Achouri A, Laabassi F. Equine influenza outbreak in Eastern of Algeria in 2021: The first introduction of Florida Clade 1 to Maghreb area. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 104:102109. [PMID: 38118336 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
We have performed an equine influenza (EI) serological study of the equine population in Algeria by testing 298 serum samples collected between February and August 2021 from 5 provinces. The results were obtained performing an NP-ELISA. Our results revealed that 49.3% (147/298) samples positive for antibodies to EI (H3N8). During this study and after a gap of one decade an outbreak of EI was reported in Algeria in the first week of March 2021. The disease was confirmed by virus detection from the nasal swabs (n = 39) by qRT-PCR and by identifying 5 EI seroconversion. The virus sequences were identified as H3N8 by sequencing the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. Alignment of HA1 amino acid sequence confirmed that viruses belong to Clade 1 of the Florida sublineage in the American lineage. This study indicate the first detection of FC1 strain of EIV in Maghreb area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadda Kareche
- PIAD Research Team, ESPA Laboratory, Department of Veterinary, Institute of Veterinary Sciences and Agronomic Sciences, University of Batna-1, 05000 Batna, Algeria
| | - José-Carlos Valle-Casuso
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France
| | - Anthony Madeline
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France
| | - Delphine Froger
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France
| | - Fanny Lecouturier
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | | | | | - Moundher Boureghda
- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, University of Ibn Khaldoun, 14000 Tiaret, Algeria
| | - Abdelhamid Achouri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Institute of Agronomics Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, University of Mohamed Chérif Messaadia, 41000 Souk Ahras, Algeria
| | - Farouk Laabassi
- PIAD Research Team, ESPA Laboratory, Department of Veterinary, Institute of Veterinary Sciences and Agronomic Sciences, University of Batna-1, 05000 Batna, Algeria.
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30
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Darkaoui B, Aksim M, Aarab A, Lafnoune A, Khourcha S, Cadi R, Filali OA, Oukkache N. Neutralization Capacity of Tissue Alterations Caused by the Venoms of the Most Dangerous Scorpions in North Africa Using a Selective Antivenom. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:16. [PMID: 38251233 PMCID: PMC10818304 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In North Africa, scorpion stings pose an urgent public health problem, particularly for children with high morbidity and mortality rates. The main species implicated are the Androctonus mauretanicus (Am), Androctonus australis hector (Aah), and Buthus occitanus (Bo). Immunotherapy is the specific therapeutic approach aimed at directly neutralizing toxins, despite their severity and rapid diffusion. In the present study, we evaluate, histologically and immunohistologically, the neutralization potency of the selective antivenom produced against, among other species, the Am, Aah, and Bo at the level of the tissue alterations in Swiss mice, as experimental subjects. Firstly, the lethal doses 50 test was conducted to assess the venom's toxic activity, and then the median effective dose of the antivenom was determined against each venom. The histological and immunohistological analyses were performed by injecting the sublethal dose of venom, the complex venom and antivenom, or the antivenom 2 h following inoculation of venom. Our study revealed the highest toxicity of the Am, followed by the Aah and then the Bo venom. The neutralizing ability and effectiveness of the antivenom to completely or partially neutralize the tissular damages were demonstrated in all organs studied: brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Our results highlighted the important cytoplasmic and membranous staining in the heart compared to the brain tissue for the three scorpion venoms. Therefore, the scorpionic antivenoms are able to reach their target even at the tissue level. Immunotherapy represents the specific and recommended treatment against the scorpionic stings in North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouchra Darkaoui
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20250, Morocco; (B.D.); (A.L.); (S.K.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P 5366 Maarif, Casablanca 20000, Morocco; (R.C.); (O.A.F.)
| | - Mohamed Aksim
- Laboratory of Anatomic Pathology, The Regional Hospital Centre Hassan II, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
| | - Ayoub Aarab
- Laboratory of Anatomical Pathology Marrakech, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
| | - Ayoub Lafnoune
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20250, Morocco; (B.D.); (A.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Soukaina Khourcha
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20250, Morocco; (B.D.); (A.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Rachida Cadi
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P 5366 Maarif, Casablanca 20000, Morocco; (R.C.); (O.A.F.)
| | - Ouafaa Aniq Filali
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P 5366 Maarif, Casablanca 20000, Morocco; (R.C.); (O.A.F.)
| | - Naoual Oukkache
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20250, Morocco; (B.D.); (A.L.); (S.K.)
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D'Atanasio E, Risi F, Ravasini F, Montinaro F, Hajiesmaeil M, Bonucci B, Pistacchia L, Amoako-Sakyi D, Bonito M, Onidi S, Colombo G, Semino O, Destro Bisol G, Anagnostou P, Metspalu M, Tambets K, Trombetta B, Cruciani F. The genomic echoes of the last Green Sahara on the Fulani and Sahelian people. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5495-5504.e4. [PMID: 37995693 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The population history of the Sahara/Sahelian belt is understudied, despite previous work highlighting complex dynamics.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 The Sahelian Fulani, i.e., the largest nomadic pastoral population in the world,8 represent an interesting case because they show a non-negligible proportion of an Eurasian genetic component, usually explained by recent admixture with northern Africans.1,2,5,6,7,9,10,11,12 Nevertheless, their origins are largely unknown, although several hypotheses have been proposed, including a possible link to ancient peoples settled in the Sahara during its last humid phase (Green Sahara, 12,000-5,000 years before present [BP]).13,14,15 To shed light about the Fulani ancient genetic roots, we produced 23 high-coverage (30×) whole genomes from Fulani individuals from 8 Sahelian countries, plus 17 samples from other African groups and 3 from Europeans as controls, for a total of 43 new whole genomes. These data have been compared with 814 published modern whole genomes2,16,17,18 and with relevant published ancient sequences (> 1,800 samples).19 These analyses showed some evidence that the non-sub-Saharan genetic ancestry component of the Fulani might have also been shaped by older events,1,5,6 possibly tracing the Fulani origins to unsampled ancient Green Saharan population(s). The joint analysis of modern and ancient samples allowed us to shed light on the genetic ancestry composition of such ancient Saharans, suggesting a similarity with Late Neolithic Moroccans and possibly pointing to a link with the spread of cattle herding. We also identified two different Fulani clusters whose admixture pattern may be informative about the historical Fulani movements and their later involvement in the western African empires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia D'Atanasio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Flavia Risi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ravasini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Montinaro
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy; Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mogge Hajiesmaeil
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Pistacchia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel Amoako-Sakyi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Maria Bonito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Onidi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Colombo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ornella Semino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Destro Bisol
- Department of Enviromental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Istituto Italiano di Antropologia, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Anagnostou
- Department of Enviromental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mait Metspalu
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Beniamino Trombetta
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Cruciani
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Irit N, Hana B, Laura R, Arielle K, Mariela P, Esti KW, Guadalupe P, Katja S, Ariel K. Trichocoleus desertorum isolated from Negev desert petroglyphs: Characterization, adaptation and bioerosion potential. Sci Total Environ 2023; 904:166739. [PMID: 37673239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The Negev petroglyphs are considered valuable cultural heritage sites, but unfortunately, they are exposed to deterioration processes caused by anthropogenic and natural forces. Despite the many studies that have already pointed to the role of cyanobacteria in biogenic rock weathering, the knowledge involved in the process is still lacking. In this study, a cyanobacterial strain was isolated from the Negev Desert petroglyphs aiming to reveal its involvement in geochemical cycles and in the weathering processes of the rock substrate. The strain was characterized using morphological, molecular, and microscopic studies. The morphological research revealed a green-bluish, bundle-forming filamentous strain characterized by trichomes embedded in a common sheath. A combination of Nanopore and Illumina sequencing technologies facilitated the assembly of a near-complete genome containing 5,458,034 base pairs. A total of 5027 coding sequences were revealed by implementing PROKKA software. Annotation of five replicas of the 16S ribosomal RNA genes revealed that the Negev cyanobacteria isolate is closely (99.73 %) related to Trichocoleus desertorum LSB90_MW403957 isolated from the Sahara Desert, Algeria. The local strain was thus named Trichocoleus desertorum NBK24 CP116619. Several gene sequences that code for possible environmental adaptation mechanisms were found. Our study also identified genes for membrane transporters involved in the exchange of chemical elements, suggesting a possible interaction with rock minerals. Microscopic observations of T. desertorum NBK24 CP116619 infected onto calcareous stone slabs under laboratory conditions demonstrated the effect of the isolated cyanobacteria on stone surface degradation. In conclusion, the findings of this study further our understanding of terrestrial cyanobacterial genomes and functions and highlight the role of T. desertorum NBK24 CP116619 in stone weathering processes. This information may contribute to the creation of efficient restoration strategies for stone monuments affected by cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Irit
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Barak Hana
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Rabbachin Laura
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK), Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kahn Arielle
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Pavan Mariela
- The Ilse Katz Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Kramarsky-Winter Esti
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Piñar Guadalupe
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK), Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sterflinger Katja
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK), Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kushmaro Ariel
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; The Ilse Katz Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; School of Sustainability and Climate Change, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
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Agbémélé SKM, Saliou S, Mayéna K, Mawussé MK, Tchiky A, Daniel PK, Ezin-Houngbe J. MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHOTRAUMA IN ASYMMETRIC WARFARE ON ARMIES IN SITU SOUTH OF THE SAHARA. West Afr J Med 2023; 40:S42. [PMID: 38071485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
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Marín Fermín T, Hantouly AT, Al-Dolaymi AA, Olory BCR, Hagert E, Papakostas ET, Zikria BA. Patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine YouTube videos in Arabic have higher view counts in the Middle East and North Africa than their English versions. Int Orthop 2023; 47:3007-3011. [PMID: 37702842 PMCID: PMC10673965 DOI: 10.1007/s00264-023-05970-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study aims to assess the impact of the local language on the view count of patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine videos in an Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in the Middle East and North Africa. METHODS An observational study on English and Arabic versions of Aspetar's YouTube channel patient-oriented educational video series was conducted in February 2023, comparing the view count and viewer characteristics. Included videos were posted either simultaneously or in English version first, in both languages, and shared on the same media platforms. Collected data of interest included video title, view count in each language, age and sex of the viewers, location, and traffic source. RESULTS Eleven videos of the patient-oriented educational video series were included in the present study. Except for one, the view count was significantly higher in the Arabic version of all 11 videos (minimum sevenfold, P = 0.03). Viewers were predominantly males (73.9%) and between 18 and 44 years old (81.1%). Eleven out of 19 countries of the Middle East and North Africa region [11] were among the viewers' top 20 countries. Traffic sources included YouTube search (45.9%), YouTube suggested videos (17%), external sources (14.4%), YouTube browse features (8.5%), and YouTube advertising (6%). CONCLUSION Patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine videos in Arabic yield higher view counts than their English version in young adult viewers from 11 countries in the Middle East and Africa among the top 20. Content creation on languages with limited online representation could effectively reach the targeted population by breaking language barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodorakys Marín Fermín
- Centro Médico Profesional Las Mercedes, Av. Principal de Las Mercedes, piso 3, consultorio 37, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Ashraf T Hantouly
- Orthopedics Department, Surgical Specialty Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayyoub A Al-Dolaymi
- Medicine College, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bruno C R Olory
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Elisabet Hagert
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Bashir A Zikria
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
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Elmassah S, Hassanein EA. GVCs and environmental sustainability in MENA: Do digitalization and institutions make a difference? Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:121614-121629. [PMID: 37953424 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30772-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The advent of digitalization has brought about profound changes in the global value chain, raising significant concerns about environmental sustainability. However, the environmental consequences resulting from the interplay between global value chain participation and digitalization have not been adequately explored, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). To address this gap, our research delves into the impact of global value chain participation on environmental sustainability in 15 MENA countries from 1996 to 2018. We also investigate the moderating effects of two critical policy variables: digitization and institutional quality, employing the SYS-GMM Panel method and Random Effects method. Empirical findings reveal that participating in the global value chain has positive environmental implications for MENA countries. These results hold true and remain consistent when considering forward value participation linkages and oil-importing nations. Furthermore, we observe that the proposed moderators play a significant role in shaping the environmental impact of the global value chain. Specifically, institutions and global value chains work in synergy to promote environmental sustainability in MENA, encompassing both oil-importing and oil-exporting groups. However, the interaction between the global value chain and digitalization generates a negative net effect, which diminishes beyond a specific digitalization threshold of 10.23%. Consequently, implementing complementary policies becomes crucial when digitization is below this threshold. Additionally, our study supports the resource curse hypothesis for the MENA region, suggesting that natural resources contribute to environmental degradation. These insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing global value chain integration while preserving a sustainable environment in MENA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanna Elmassah
- College of interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, 144534, UAE.
- Economic Department, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt.
| | - Eslam A Hassanein
- Economic Department, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt
- Faculty of Politics and Economics, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, 2722165, Egypt
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Zeraibi A, Radulescu M, Shehzad K, Khan MK, Usman M. Exploring the impact of public funds and eco-friendly innovations on reducing carbon pollution in North Africa. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:122906-122920. [PMID: 37979114 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to examine the impacts of green energy and public investment on the CO2 emissions in North Africa. Moreover, the study also tests the existence of the N-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis for North African countries between 1995 and 2018. These factors were analyzed using the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimators to obtain estimations of heterogeneous parameters. The outcome of these tests and examinations showed that the N-shaped curve was confirmed. Secondly, The results of the study also demonstrate the effectiveness of renewable energy as an eco-friendly innovation in reducing carbon emissions. This finding highlights the positive impact that renewable energy sources can have in terms of emitting fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional energy sources. Moreover, public investment, which interprets government expenditure, and urbanization contribute to environmental degradation by increasing CO2 emissions in the case of North African countries. Furthermore, the findings also indicated a trade-off effect resulting from the correlation between CO2 emissions and economic development. Based on these findings, the study recommends that economic policymakers in North African countries prioritize transforming the structure of government expenditures to improve environmental quality, optimize the utilization of revenues from non-environmentally friendly energy resources to accelerate the energy transition, increase the exploitation of renewable energy, and promote environmental awareness in society. By implementing these recommendations, North African countries can balance economic growth and environmental quality while reducing their carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayoub Zeraibi
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Magdalena Radulescu
- Department of Finance, Accounting, and Economics, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Pitesti, Pitesti, Romania.
- Institute for Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies, University "Lucian Blaga" Sibiu, Bd. Victoriei, Sibiu, Romania.
| | - Khurram Shehzad
- School of finance, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Muhammad Kamran Khan
- Management Studies Department, Bahria Business School, Bahria University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Abu-Rub LI, Johar ARA, Al Mana H, Abdelrahman HA, Althani AA, Qotba H, Yassine HM, Eltai NO. Bacterial indoor air contaminations in hospitals in MENA region: a systematic review. Int J Environ Health Res 2023; 33:1218-1232. [PMID: 35658652 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2083087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poor indoor air quality in healthcare settings has been tied with the increase in hospital-acquired infections. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to assess the levels and compositions of bacteria in indoor hospital air in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We examined results provided by different search engines published between 2000 and 2021. Our data showed that most studies were conducted in Iran (80.9%) with a bacterial concentration mean of 172.9 CFU/m3. Comparing sensitive and non-sensitive areas of hospitals, no significant difference was detected in the mean bacterial concentration. The most investigated sensitive hospital areas were operating rooms and intensive care units with mean indoor bacterial concentrations of 180.3 CFU/m3 and 204.6 CFU/m3, respectively. Staphylococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Bacillaceae were commonly identified bacterial families. In conclusion, the mean concentrations of the airborne bacteria were within the acceptable limit compared to WHO standards (300 CFU/m3) for the air in areas occupied by immunosuppressed people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Al-Reem A Johar
- Research and Development Department, Barzan Holdings, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hassan Al Mana
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Hamda Qotba
- Clinical Research Department, Primary Health Care Corporation, Clinical Research Primary Healthcare Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nahla O Eltai
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Lehmann T, Kouam C, Woo J, Diallo M, Wilkerson R, Linton YM. The African mosquito-borne diseasosome: geographical patterns, range expansion and future disease emergence. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231581. [PMID: 38018102 PMCID: PMC10685135 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) threaten public health and food security globally. We provide the first biogeographic description of the African mosquito fauna (677 species) and the 151 mosquito-borne pathogens (MBPs) they transmit. While mosquito species richness agrees with expectations based on Africa's land surface, African arboviruses and mammalian plasmodia are more speciose than expected. Species assemblages of mosquitoes and MBPs similarly separate sub-Saharan Africa from North Africa, and those in West and Central Africa from eastern and southern Africa. Similarities between mosquitoes and MBPs in diversity and range size suggest that mosquitoes are key in delimiting the range of MBPs. With approximately 25% endemicity, approximately 50% occupying one to three countries and less than 5% occupying greater than 25 countries, the ranges of mosquitoes and MBPs are surprisingly small, suggesting that most MBPs are transmitted by a single mosquito species. Exceptionally widespread mosquito species feed on people and livestock, and most are high-altitude-windborne migrants. Likewise, widespread MBPs are transmitted among people or livestock by widespread mosquitoes, suggesting that adapting to people or livestock and to widespread mosquito species promote range expansion in MBPs. Range size may predict range expansion and emergence risk. We highlight key knowledge gaps that impede prediction and mitigation of future emergence of local and global MBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tovi Lehmann
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Cedric Kouam
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Woo
- Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Pôle de Zoologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Richard Wilkerson
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution–National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yvonne-Marie Linton
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution–National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Dorothy N, Niringiyimana B, Enock W, Guido O, Joel K, Isa A, Katuramu A, Beatrice O, Korsah CN, Kyomugasho L, Oola D, Musisi K, Kim E, Yu N, Kaliisa R, Lee Y, Kim B, Ronald S, Kiwanuka N, Achilles K, Joloba ML. Evaluating the effectiveness of Uganda's Supranational TB Reference Laboratory quality management system training program. Hum Resour Health 2023; 21:89. [PMID: 37990265 PMCID: PMC10664520 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-023-00876-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving the targeted organizational goals through effective training can increase employee satisfaction. Since 2015, the Supranational Reference Laboratory Uganda (SRL Uganda) has trained National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratories (NTRLs) from 21 countries in a variety of areas that cover both technical and programmatic aspects pertinent to TB laboratories. The Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) under SRL coordinates actions intended to ensure sustained quality of the laboratory services offered by the National TB Reference Laboratories. In order for laboratory results to be helpful in a clinical or public health setting, they must be accurate, reliable, and timely. The LQMS course aims to provide learners with knowledge on how to attain and maintain this quality. Prior to this study, there was hardly any data available on the effectiveness of LQMS trainings provided by SRL Uganda; using Kirkpatrick model, which is popular among researchers for evaluating the efficacy of the training program, this paper seeks to establish the effectiveness of the LQMS training offered by the SRL Uganda. METHOD We evaluated the effectiveness of LQMS training within the Uganda's SRL network for courses offered during the period 2017 and 2021 for participants from the Southern and East African sub-Saharan region. RESULTS In 2017 and 2021, respectively, test results from 10/17 and 9/17 showed overall post-test scores above 80%. Of the 18 labs evaluated, 14 showed improvement; of these, 7 labs were from the Eastern region and the other 7 were from Southern Africa; one facility in this region also maintained its accreditation. In the post-evaluation assessment, attendees of the LQMS course gave feedback of strongly agree and agree variety. CONCLUSION More SRL Uganda network laboratories in the regions achieved a 5-star SLIPTA level rating and among these, 5 NTRLs got ISO 15189:2012 accredited by the end of 2021, while one maintained its accreditation status. This proves that the Laboratory Quality Management System training program was an effective tool in improving the quality of laboratory services, work practices, and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nakiwala Dorothy
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Benjamini Niringiyimana
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wekiya Enock
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ocung Guido
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kabugo Joel
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Adam Isa
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Anita Katuramu
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Orena Beatrice
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Lillian Kyomugasho
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Denis Oola
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kenneth Musisi
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eunjung Kim
- Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Seoul, Korea
| | - Nayeong Yu
- Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Seoul, Korea
| | - Ruth Kaliisa
- Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeni Lee
- Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Seoul, Korea
| | - Bounggui Kim
- Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Noah Kiwanuka
- College of Health Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Moses L Joloba
- National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory/WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory, Kampala, Uganda
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40
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Li JX, Zhong QQ, Yuan SX, Zhu F. Trends in deaths and disability-adjusted life-years of stroke attributable to low physical activity worldwide, 1990-2019. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2242. [PMID: 37964255 PMCID: PMC10644476 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17162-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low physical activity (LPA) is linked to the risk of stroke, but the disease burden of stroke attributable to LPA needs to be understood to develop effective preventive strategies. We aim to assess spatiotemporal trends in the global burden of stroke attributable to LPA from 1990 to 2019. METHODS Based on the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, our research examined deaths, the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), the Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR), the Age-Standardized DALY Rate (ASDR), and the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) for stroke attributable to LPA. RESULTS Deaths and DALYs were on the rise worldwide from 1990 to 2019, with increases of 72.72% for the former and 67.41% for the latter; ASMR and ASDR decreased, with the ASMR-related EAPC of -1.61 (95% CI:-1.71--1.5) and ASDR-related EAPC of -1.35 (95% CI:-1.43--1.27); females had more numbers of deaths and DALYs, and the majorities of deaths and DALYs were shared by those aged ≥ 70. The highest burden rates were shared by North Africa, the Middle East, and Tropical Latin America; the ASMR-related EAPC was associated with the ASMR in 1990 (R = -0.26, P < 0.001) and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) across different countries in 2019 (R = -0.61, P < 0.001), respectively, and such patterns were similar to what ASDR and the ASDR-related EAPC had; the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2019 was associated with the ASMR-related EAPC (R = 0.63, P < 0.001) and the ASDR-related EAPC across different countries (R = -0.62, P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Globally, deaths and DALYs of stroke attributable to LPA were on the rise, although their age-standardized rates presented downward over the past three decades; the burden of stroke attributable to LPA showed upward trends especially in those aged ≥ 70 and females in the regions of East Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, which need more attention to the effects of physical activity on health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Xiao Li
- Central Laboratory, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Departments of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong-Qiong Zhong
- Central Laboratory, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Departments of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Xiang Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Central Laboratory, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
- Departments of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Mohyeldin MM, Tarbah AFS, El-Deeb NM, Ghazy NM, El-Hawiet A. Comparative anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 and chemical profiling of Thymus capitatus and Artemisia herba-alba collected from North Africa. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:4038-4041. [PMID: 36597612 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2164280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can infect millions of people worldwide causing mild to life-threating infections. The current study demonstrates the first comparative anti-HSV type 1 activity and phytochemical investigation of Artemisia herba-alba and Thymus capitatus collected from Egypt and Libya. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis allowed the identification of 56 and 38 compounds in the Egyptian and Libyan Artemisia herba-alba ethanolic extracts, respectively, in addition to 46 and 50 compounds in the Egyptian and Libyan Thymus capitatus ethanolic extracts, respectively. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of their corresponding essential oils revealed the presence of 15, 17, 17 and 8 compounds in Egyptian and Libyan Artemisia herba-alba and Thymus capitatus, respectively. The major chemical classes of the identified compounds were phenolic acids, flavonoids and oxygenated monoterpenes. Evaluation of the anti-HSV1 activities of the studied extracts showed that the Egyptian Thymus capitatus ethanolic extracts were the most potent extract with more than 200-fold reduction in the viral PFU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M Mohyeldin
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Nehal M El-Deeb
- Biopharmaceutical Product Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nabila M Ghazy
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amr El-Hawiet
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Kazemitabar M, Nyhan K, Makableh N, Minahan-Rowley R, Ali M, Wazaify M, Tetrault J, Khoshnood K. Epidemiology of substance use and mental health disorders among forced migrants displaced from the MENAT region: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292535. [PMID: 37797050 PMCID: PMC10553213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the epidemiology of substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders (MHDs) among forced migrants from the Middle East and North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region is of utmost importance given their distinct challenges and vulnerabilities. Existing research on the topic is substantial; however, comprehensive systematic reviews are limited. We aim to conduct a systematic literature review to bridge this gap, providing a thorough understanding of SUDs and MHDs epidemiology among this population. METHODS The systematic review will include original, peer-reviewed research articles published in English or Arabic between 2013 and 2023. It will encompass qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies focusing on SUDs and/or MHDs among forced migrants from the MENAT region. A Medline (via Ovid) search strategy was developed and will be translated into databases of EMBASE (via Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection (as licensed at Yale), and CINAHL. Risk of Bias in the included studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) 2 tool for intervention studies. Meta-analysis using random-effects models will be conducted and subgroup analyses based on studies' data will be performed. The systematic review will be conducted based on the framework introduced by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Additionally, the PRISMA-P extension for systematic reviews was used to report the present protocol. The present systematic review protocol has been registered with PROSPERO, an international prospective register of systematic reviews. The review's registration ID is CRD42021286882. DISCUSSION The systematic review aims to explore, identify and synthesize the evidence to reveal the epidemiology of SU and/or MH of forced migrants of the MENAT region as described in this protocol. In sum, the review will provide evidence to fill the gap in the literature and help the stakeholders, policymakers, and health providers to expand current knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors of SU and/or MH in humanitarian settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kazemitabar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Harvey Cushing / John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Natalie Makableh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Minahan-Rowley
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Malak Ali
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mayyada Wazaify
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Jeanette Tetrault
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Kaveh Khoshnood
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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Varga G, Meinander O, Rostási Á, Dagsson-Waldhauserova P, Csávics A, Gresina F. Saharan, Aral-Caspian and Middle East dust travels to Finland (1980-2022). Environ Int 2023; 180:108243. [PMID: 37804716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Studies on atmospheric dust and long-range transport of mineral dust have been a focus of atmospheric science in recent years. With its wide range of direct and indirect effects, mineral dust is one of the most uncertain elements in the mechanisms of climate change, and a deeper understanding of its role is essential for understanding future processes. The aim of our research was to provide the first systematic data on the so far episodically documented northward transport mineral dust from arid-semiarid areas. So, in this paper, we present dust storm events from lower latitudes reaching the Finnish atmosphere, based on the MERRA-2 model Dust Column Mass Density data and after a multistep verification procedure using independent data source. In total, 86 long-range dust storm events were identified between 1980 and 2022, when air masses loaded with dust reached Finland. Based on backward-trajectories different sources were identified: 59 were Saharan, 22 were Aral-Caspian, and five were associated with Middle Eastern source areas. Considerable variation in inter-annual frequencies was observed among the source areas, which may be due to changes in circulation conditions and the effects of human activity (agriculture and land use changes in Aral Sea region). There is a clear maximum of dust events in spring (60%), followed by summer and autumn (where 10 of the 11 autumn episodes were from the Sahara). However, the number and proportion of scarce winter events have more than doubled since 2010 compared to the preceding 30 years, but no autumn events were registered during this period. This clear temporal variation coincides with changes in dust transport observed in other regions of Europe, driven by greater atmospheric meridionality associated with climate change and driven by reduced temperature difference between low and high latitudes due to enhanced temperature increases at Arctic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Varga
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Budapest, Hungary; CSFK, MTA Centre of Excellence, Budapest, Hungary; Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary.
| | - Outi Meinander
- Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ágnes Rostási
- MTA-PE Air Chemistry Research Group, Veszprém, Hungary; Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova
- Faculty of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Agricultural University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Modeling, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adrienn Csávics
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Budapest, Hungary; CSFK, MTA Centre of Excellence, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Gresina
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Budapest, Hungary; CSFK, MTA Centre of Excellence, Budapest, Hungary; ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental and Landscape Geography, Budapest, Hungary
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El-Saed A, Othman F, AlMohrij S, Abanmi M, Tannous E, Alshamrani MM. Coverage and methods of surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Am J Infect Control 2023; 51:1151-1156. [PMID: 36931506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is a cornerstone for effective infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. The objective was to evaluate the coverage and methods of HAI surveillance in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries. METHODS A cross-sectional study targeted IPC staff working in MENA countries using the Infection Control Network electronic database of the Arab countries. The study focused on self-reported surveillance-related characteristics of IPC staff, facilities, and the IPC program. RESULTS A total of 269 IPC staff were included. They were mainly females (68%), nurses (63%), and working in GCC countries (83%). Approximately 69% of covered facilities had surveillance activities. Hand hygiene, multidrug-resistant organisms, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections were the most common surveillance activities (>90%). The surveillance workload consumed 27% of the average weekly working time. The scores of performing multiple surveillance, with appropriate methods and tools, were 83%, 67%, and 61% (respectively). Appropriate surveillance methods and/or tools were linked to GCC region, CBIC qualifications, surveillance training, specific setting (acute care and long term), staff-to-bed ratio, presence and active function of IPC committee, presence of IPC annual plan, communications with health care workers, and leadership support. CONCLUSIONS While most health care facilities in the MENA region perform multiple surveillance, surveillance methods and tools are still suboptimal and their optimization should be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman El-Saed
- Infection Prevention and Control Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; The Arab Countries Infection Control Network (AcicN), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatmah Othman
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud AlMohrij
- College of Medicine, University of Almaarefa, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Abanmi
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elias Tannous
- The Arab Countries Infection Control Network (AcicN), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Infection Prevention and Control, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Majid M Alshamrani
- Infection Prevention and Control Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Cuesta L, Alvarado R, Ahmad M, Murshed M, Rehman A, Işık C. Institutional quality, oil price, and environmental degradation in MENA countries moderated by economic complexity and shadow economy. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:105793-105807. [PMID: 37721669 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29758-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims to analyze the link between environmental degradation and institutional quality and the price of oil moderated by economic complexity and the underground economy. We use quantile regressions with annual panel data for 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa during 1995-2021. The findings indicate that institutional quality, economic complexity, and output positively and heterogeneously impact environmental degradation. However, the square of production has a negative impact, confirming an inverted U relationship between production and environmental degradation. Likewise, we find that the price of oil and the underground economy have a negative and heterogeneous impact on environmental degradation. Based on our results, a potential recommendation for policymakers is that the institutional framework of Middle Eastern and North African countries should be accompanied by a more significant concern for the environment instead of prioritizing extractive growth that is detrimental to the environment's environmental sustainability. Likewise, economic diversification will mitigate environmental degradation and improve formal employment. Our findings are relevant to policymakers and researchers interested in promoting ecological sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizeth Cuesta
- Carrera de Economía, Universidad Nacional de Loja, 110150, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Rafael Alvarado
- Esai Business School, Universidad Espíritu Santo, 091650, Samborondon, Ecuador.
| | - Munir Ahmad
- College of International Economics & Trade, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, 315175, Zhejiang, Ningbo, China
- "Belt and Road" Bulk Commodity Research Center, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, 315175, Ningbo, China
| | - Muntasir Murshed
- Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, North South University, 1229, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Journalism, Media and Communications, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Rehman
- College of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, 450002, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cem Işık
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Anadolu University, Tepebaşı, Eskişehir, Türkiye
- Adnan Kassar School of Business, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
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Baklouti M, Sellami K, Rekik M, Charfi S, Sellami T, Turki H. Lichen planus pigmentosus: a clinico-pathological study in a Caucasian population from North Africa. Int J Dermatol 2023; 62:e535-e538. [PMID: 37326442 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massara Baklouti
- Dermatology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Khadija Sellami
- Dermatology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Rekik
- Dermatology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Slim Charfi
- Pathology Department, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Tahya Sellami
- Pathology Department, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hamida Turki
- Dermatology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
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GOOSSENS PL. [Unconventional Laveran]. Med Trop Sante Int 2023; 3:mtsi.v3i3.2023.406. [PMID: 38094485 PMCID: PMC10714597 DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.v3i3.2023.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran - 18 June 1845 - 18 May 1922: first French Nobel Prize in Medicine, "in recognition of his work on the role played by protozoa in causing diseases". One hundred years after his death, only written records remain of his work and life. The witnesses to this period are no more. Alphonse Laveran has become an "object" of history.He was deeply involved in a turbulent historical period, marked by crises of regime change (Monarchy/Empire/Republic), military events (French colonial expansion in North Africa from 1830, the wars of 1870 and 1914-1918) and their consequences (the medical impact of infections in the colonial empire and during armed conflicts, the Dreyfus affair, among others), the advent of Pasteurian "microbiology" and the deciphering of the causes and modes of transmission of infectious diseases. A player on the edge of the military and civilian worlds, with their own, sometimes incompatible, visions of the aims and objectives to be pursued, Alphonse Laveran lived through these upheavals in a society in the throes of change, in his family and scientific environment.Paradoxically, the primary sources available to us for learning about this scientist and man are both abundant and "scarce" for us in the 21st century. His scientific publications and many of his speeches at various academies, committees and meetings are for the most part public and accessible, giving us a vision of a professional in scientific and medical research in action, presenting and convincing people of his ideas and theoretical and practical insights. The writings of his contemporaries, both public and private, shed light on - distort? - the man's many facets. On the other hand, there are few surviving sources on the man and his vision of life, his life and that of his family and friends.We will rely on the archives that have been preserved, in particular by the organisations that welcomed him during his military and civilian career, as well as by his wife Marie Laveran and his colleague Marie Phisalix, one of the first doctors of medicine in France and a renowned herpetologist. These two female figures have preserved and contributed to his memory. Let's take a closer look at the man behind the scientist, as we can imagine him through the traces that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre L. GOOSSENS
- Unité Yersinia, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux 75015 Paris, France
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Genfors E, Lysholm S, Moliso MM, Ayele F, Wieland B, Magnusson U, Båge R. Herd health and reproductive management associated with lamb weight gain and mortality in sub-Saharan drylands-a case from Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:310. [PMID: 37733155 PMCID: PMC10514115 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03715-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Sheep are important for food and livelihood security in sub-Saharan Africa, and maximizing lamb weight gain while minimizing mortality is essential to improve production. Using the Menz sheep breeding villages of Amhara region in Ethiopia as a case study, the weight gain and mortality rate of 208 lambs were monitored during their first 5 months of life. The study was conducted in intervention and control villages, where the intervention villages were part of community-based breeding programmes and had participated in various projects aiming to improve sheep production and management. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to detect associations between weight gain from birth to 1 month, and birth to 5 months, and different lamb and ewe characteristics, farmer education, application of management routines, and presence of village level sheep management interventions. In general, lambs from intervention villages, without certain signs of diseases, whose mothers were 2 years or older, had a body condition score of more than 2 on a 5-point scale, and who originated from flocks where disease prevention strategies had been implemented, had gained more weight. Overall lamb mortality was 6.8% with most deaths occurring before 1 month of age. This study highlights that health interventions in ewes improve lamb survival and weight gain and that the care of lambs during the first month of life is crucial for overall herd productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Genfors
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Lysholm
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mesfin Mekonnen Moliso
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Firdawok Ayele
- Debre Berhan Agricultural Research Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara Wieland
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ulf Magnusson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Renée Båge
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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Boissonneault M, Costa R. Experts' assessments of migration scenarios between the Middle East & North Africa and Europe. Sci Data 2023; 10:640. [PMID: 37730818 PMCID: PMC10511477 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe data collected among 138 migration experts about the repercussions of scenarios of social change on migration between the Middle East & North Africa and Europe, during the period 2021-2030. Scenarios include changes in the cultural, demographic, economic, and political determinants of migration in sending and receiving countries. Assessments focus on the change in the number of family, work, and return migrants, the number of refugees, and the likelihood of achieving safe, orderly, and regular migration. Experts were at the moment of the survey active in European research centers or European (supra-) national governmental or civil society organizations. The survey features a factorial design, which allows for identifying a causal relationship between the experts' assessments and the scenarios of social change. Our data may be used to estimate projection models of future migration flows, map out what experts consider as critical migration issues for the region, and identify areas of agreement or disagreement between them. As such, our dataset may illuminate decision-making regarding migration policies in Europe and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Boissonneault
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI-KNAW)/University of Groningen, The Hague, the Netherlands.
- Department of Linguistics and Philology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Rafael Costa
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI-KNAW)/University of Groningen, The Hague, the Netherlands.
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Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common urological malignancies worldwide. This study examines the global epidemiological profile of BCa incidence and mortality in 2020 and the projected burden to 2040. Methods The estimated number of BCa cases and deaths were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database. Age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) were calculated using the world standard. The predicted BCa incidence and mortality in 2040 was calculated based on demographic projections. Results Globally, approximately 573 000 new BCa cases and 213 000 deaths occurred in 2020, corresponding to ASIRs and ASMRs of 5.6 and 1.9 per 100 000, respectively. The incidence and mortality rates were approximately 4-fold higher in men (9.5 and 3.3 per 100 000, respectively) than women (2.4 and 0.9, respectively). Across world regions, incidence rates varied at least 12-fold among men and 8-fold among women, with the highest ASIRs for both men and women detected in Southern Europe (26.5 and 5.8 per 100 000, respectively) and Western Europe (21.5 and 5.8, respectively) and the lowest in Middle Africa (2.2) in men and South-Central Asia (0.7) in women. The highest ASMRs for both men and women were found in Northern Africa (9.2 and 1.8 per 100 000, respectively). By 2040, the annual number of new BCa cases and deaths will increase to 991 000 (72.8% increase from 2020) and 397 000 (86.6% increase), respectively. Conclusions Geographical distributions of BCa incidence and mortality uncovered higher risk of BCa incidence in Southern and Western European populations and higher risk of mortality in Northern African populations. Considering the predicted 73% and 87% increase in annual BCa cases and deaths by 2040 globally, respectively, there is an urgent need to develop and accelerate BCa control initiatives for high-risk populations to tackle global BCa burden and narrow its geographical disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Harriet Rumgay
- Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Department of Cancer Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haibing Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Haiyan Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Jindong Ni
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
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