Cost-effort analysis of Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and environmental DNA (eDNA) in monitoring marine ecological communities

Monitoring the diversity and distribution of species in an ecosystem is essential to assess the success of restoration strategies. Implementing biomonitoring methods, which provide a comprehensive assessment of species diversity and mitigate biases in data collection, holds significant importance in biodiversity research. Additionally, ensuring that these methods are cost-efficient and require minimal effort is crucial for effective environmental monitoring. In this study we compare the efficiency of species detection, the cost and the effort of two non-destructive sampling techniques: Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to survey marine vertebrate species. Comparisons were conducted along the Sussex coast upon the introduction of the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw. This Byelaw aims to boost the recovery of the dense kelp beds and the associated biodiversity that existed in the 1980s. We show that overall BRUV surveys are more affordable than eDNA, however, eDNA detects almost three times as many species as BRUV. eDNA and BRUV surveys are comparable in terms of effort required for each method, unless eDNA analysis is carried out externally, in which case eDNA requires less effort for the lead researchers. Furthermore, we show that increased eDNA replication yields more informative results on community structure. We found that using both methods in conjunction provides a more complete view of biodiversity, with BRUV data supplementing eDNA monitoring by recording species missed by eDNA and by providing additional environmental and life history metrics. The results from this study will serve as a baseline of the marine vertebrate community in Sussex Bay allowing future biodiversity monitoring research projects to understand community structure as the ecosystem recovers following the removal of trawling fishing pressure. Although this study was regional, the findings presented herein have relevance to marine biodiversity and conservation monitoring programs around the globe.

Baseline malaria prevalence at the targeted pre-elimination districts in Ethiopia

Background

Encouraged by the previous success in malaria control and prevention strategies, the Ethiopian ministry of health launched malaria elimination with a stepwise approach by primarily targeting the low-transmission Districts and their adjacent areas/zones in order to shrink the country’s malaria map progressively. Hence, this community survey was conducted to establish baseline malaria information at the preliminary phase of elimination at targeted settings.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted at 20 malaria-elimination targeted Districts selected from five Regional states and one city administration in Ethiopia. The GPS-enabled smartphones programmed with Open Data Kit were used to enumerate 9326 study households and collect data from 29,993 residents. CareStart™ Malaria PAN (pLDH) Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) were used for blood testing at the field level. Armpit digital thermometers were used to measure axillary temperature.

Result

Overall malaria prevalence by RDTs was 1.17% (339/28973). The prevalence at District levels ranged from 0.0 to 4.7%. The proportion of symptomatic cases (axillary temperature > 37.5^oc) in the survey was 9.2% (2760/29993). Among the 2510 symptomatic individuals tested with RDTs, only 3.35% (84/2510) were malaria positive. The 75.2% (255/339) of all malaria positives were asymptomatic. Of the total asymptomatic malaria cases, 10.2% (26/255) were under-five children and 89.8% (229/255) were above 5 years of age.

Conclusion

The study shows a decrease in malaria prevalence compared to the reports of previous malaria indicator surveys in the country. The finding can be used as a baseline for measuring the achievement of ongoing malaria elimination efforts. Particularly, the high prevalence of asymptomatic individuals (0.88%) in these transmission settings indicates there may be sustaining hidden transmission. Therefore, active case detection with more sensitive diagnostic techniques is suggested to know more real magnitude of residual malaria in the elimination-targeted areas.

Birth preparedness and related factors: a cross-sectional study in Tanzania City area

Background

Birth preparedness could be the key factor that influences the choice of birthplace with skilled birth attendants. To reduce the high maternal mortality of Tanzania, a large study was planned to develop a smartphone app to promote birth preparedness in a city area of Tanzania. This study aimed to identify factors that influence birth preparedness in the city area of Tanzania.

Methods

Pregnant women were asked to complete the Birth Preparedness Questionnaire during antenatal visits using tablets. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics that influenced the factors.

Results

A total of 211 participants were included in the analysis. Distance from the nearest health facility negatively influenced the total score of the Birth Preparedness Assessment (β= 0.7, p = 0.02). Education higher than college positively influenced the total score (β = 4.76, p = 0.01). Decision-making of birthplace by other people (not women) negatively influenced Family Support (β=1.18, p = 0.03). Having jobs negatively influenced Preparation of Money and Food (β=-1.02, p < 0.01) and positively influenced the knowledge (β = 0.75, p = 0.03). Being single positively influenced Preparation of Money and Food (β = 0.35, p = 0.19) and Preference of Skilled Birth Attendants (β = 0.42, p = 0.04). Experience of losing a baby negatively influenced the knowledge (β=0.80, p < 0.01) and Preference of Skilled Birth Attendants (β=0.38, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The findings showed an updated information on pregnant Tanzanian women living in an urban area where rapid environmental development was observed. Birth preparedness was negatively affected when women reside far from the health facilities, the birthplace decision-making was taken by others beside the women, women have jobs, and when women have experienced the loss of a baby. We hope to use the information from this study as content in our future study, in which we will be applying a smartphone app intervention for healthy pregnancy and birth preparedness. This information will also help in guiding the analysis of this future study. Although generalization of the study needs careful consideration, it is important to reconsider issues surrounding birth preparedness as women’s roles both in the family and society, are more, especially in urban settings.

Serum pepsinogen levels in different regions of China and its influencing factors: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to investigate the difference of serum pepsinogen (PG) baseline levels in different regions of China and its influencing factors.

METHODS

From October 2016 to October 2018, asymptomatic health checkup people who underwent nasal endoscopy in nine health management centers in different regions of China were collected. Lifestyle questionnaires were conducted, and serum PG and gastroscopy were performed. The differences in PG levels in baseline population (OLGA-0 grade) were studied according to geographical subregions of China. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

1922 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with the non-atrophy (OLGA-0) group, PGR levels in atrophy group (OLGA-I to IV) were significantly decreased with the atrophy degree (p < 0.05). A total of 1590 baseline people (OLGA-0) were included in the study, including 254 from South China, 574 from East China, 210 from Southwest China, 332 from Northeast China, and 220 from Central/Northern China. There were significant differences in baseline PGI levels among the five regions (p < 0.05). The PGII levels were also different among the five regions, except for Central/Northern versus Southern China. PGR (PGI/PGII ratio) levels in Southern China were higher than other four regions. Further studies were conducted on the related factors that might affect the baseline PG level, which was affected by nationality, dietary habits, smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection and other related factors.

CONCLUSION

Influenced by many factors, the baseline PG levels are different in different regions of China. In the follow-up studies of PG cut-off value, different PG cut-off value based on region may be more effective in the screening of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in China.

Assessing factors driving the distribution and characteristics of shoreline macroplastics in a subtropical reservoir

Plastic pollution is a growing problem that threatens all habitat types globally. However, relatively little is known about the extent of macroplastics in African freshwater ecosystems. This study explored the distribution and concentration of different macroplastic debris types in Nandoni reservoir, South Africa over four sites (2 high household- and 2 low household-density) and two seasons (cool-dry, hot-dry). Similarities were observed for macroplastic debris numbers and weights across sites and seasons. Although slight insignificant differences in macroplastics abundances were observed, no significant relationships were recorded between household density (i.e. as proxy for human population density) and macroplastic debris abundances. The amount of plastic debris and 'species' (i.e. γ-diversity value) decreased with distance from the shoreline, with the highest amount of plastic debris and 'species' being observed at the shoreline in all sites and seasons. Polypropylene was the most dominant (>45%) in terms of abundance for both seasons and sites. The information derived serves as a baseline for future studies on macroplastic distributions along freshwater reservoir shorelines.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella contamination in egg shells and contents from retail in Western Australia: Serovar diversity, multilocus sequence types, and phenotypic and genomic characterizations of antimicrobial resistance

In recent years, the number of human salmonellosis cases in Western Australia (WA) has increased more dramatically than in any other Australian state. In 2017, the number of cases in WA was more than double the five-year average, and eggs had emerged as the key culprit for several Salmonella foodborne disease outbreaks. To better understand such an epidemiologically intriguing situation, our research goal was to investigate the prevalence, serovar diversity, multilocus sequence types, and antimicrobial resistance of non-typhoidal Salmonella contamination in retail eggs produced and sold in WA. A total of 200 visually clean and intact retail egg samples (each containing a dozen eggs) were purchased for one year (2017-2018) from supermarkets in metropolitan Perth, the capital of WA. For each sample, the contents and shells of the 12 eggs were separately pooled and cultured according to standard methods. Overall, Salmonella was detected in 11.5% (23/200) of the tested egg samples. Salmonella was isolated from 4.5% (9/200) and 3% (6/200) of eggshells and egg contents, respectively. In 4% (8/200) of the samples, Salmonella was recovered from both eggshell and egg contents. Isolates from positive retail egg samples were serotyped as either S. Typhimurium (52.2% [12/23]) or S. Infantis (39.1% [9/23]). Both serotypes were concurrently recovered from two different retail egg samples. We retained a set of both S. Typhimurium (n = 29) and S. Infantis (n = 12) isolates from all Salmonella-positive retail packs (n = 23) for further characterization. Only two (S. Typhimurium) isolates showed resistance to ampicillin, of which one carried β-lactamase resistance gene bla_TEM-1b. The remaining isolates (39/41) were susceptible to all 14 antimicrobials included in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) testing panel. Multilocus sequence typing and serotyping were perfectly mirrored, as all S. Typhimurium isolates were characterized as sequence type (ST)-19, and all S. Infantis isolates were ST-32. This study points to the noteworthy Salmonella prevalence rate in retail egg samples in WA. Our results illustrate minimal public health risks arising from antimicrobial resistance Salmonella from Australian eggs.

[Fujian Tulou Family Cohort Study: study design and characteristics of participants and pedigrees in baseline investigation]

Objective: To describe the study design, the characteristics of participants as well as the pedigrees included in the baseline survey of Fujian Tulou Family Cohort Study. Methods: Fujian Tulou Family Cohort Study was a prospective open cohort study with a biological sample bank. A baseline survey was conducted in Tulou areas of Nanjing county in Fujian province from 2015 to 2018, including questionnaire survey, physical and biochemical indicators examinations, and blood sample collection in adults aged ≥18 years. In addition, family relationship of the participants was also recorded. The pedigree information of the juveniles under 18 years old were also collected. Results: The baseline survey included 2 727 individuals in two clans, of whom 2 373 (87.0%) were adults, and 2 126 participants completed questionnaires, physical examinations and biochemical tests. The average age of the 2 126 participants was (57.9±13.3) years, with 39.4% being males. The current smoking rates in male and female participants were 41.2% and 2.1%, respectively. The corresponding rates of current alcohol consumption were 19.0% and 2.6%. For common chronic diseases, the prevalence rates were 51.3% for hypertension, 9.7% for diabetes and 26.7% for hyperlipemia according to the self-reported disease diagnoses, health examination results and biochemical examination results in class Ⅱ or Ⅲ hospitals. Based on the family relationship information and genealogical data, 710 pedigrees were finally identified, consisting of 5 087 family members. The numbers of five, four, three, and two generations pedigrees were 3, 88, 238 and 381, respectively. The pairs of the first to the fifth degree relatives were 12 039, 2 662, 1 511, 202 and 31, respectively. Conclusion: The establishment of Fujian Tulou Family Cohort provides valuable resources for exploring the genetic risk factors, environmental risk factors and gene-environment interactions contributing to the risk of common chronic diseases.

Validity of Measures Assessing Oral Health Beliefs of American Indian Parents

OBJECTIVES

This aimed to validate measures of constructs included in an extended Health Belief Model (EHBM) addressing oral health beliefs among American Indian (AI) parents.

METHODS

Questionnaire data were collected as part of a randomized controlled trial (n = 1016) aimed at reducing childhood caries. Participants were AI parents with a preschool-age child enrolled in the Navajo Nation Head Start program. Questionnaire items addressed five EHBM constructs: perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, and parental self-efficacy. Subscales representing each construct underwent reliability and validity testing. Internal consistency reliability of each subscale was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent validity was assessed using linear regression to evaluate the association of each EHBM subscale with oral health-related measures.

RESULTS

Internal consistency reliability was high for self-efficacy (α = 0.83) and perceived benefits (α = 0.83) compared to remaining EHBM subscales (α < 0.50). Parents with more education (p < 0.0001) and income (p = 0.0002) perceived dental caries as more severe younger parents (ps = 0.02) and those with more education (ps < 0.0001) perceived greater benefits and fewer barriers to following recommended oral health behavior. Female parents (p < 0.0001) and those with more education (p = 0.02) had higher levels of self-efficacy. Parental knowledge was associated with all EHBM measures (ps < 0.0001) excluding perceived susceptibility (p > 0.05). Parents with increased self-efficacy had greater behavioral adherence (p < 0.0001), whereas lower behavioral adherence was associated with parents who reported higher perceived barriers (p < 0.0001). Better pediatric oral health outcomes were associated with higher levels of self-efficacy (p < 0.0001) and lower levels of perceived severity (p = 0.02) and barriers (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results support the value of questionnaire items addressing the EHBM subscales, which functioned in a manner consistent with the EHBM theoretical framework in AI participants.

Completing Baseline Mapping of Trachoma in Nepal: Results of 27 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Conducted in 2013 and 2014

PURPOSE

Trachoma is endemic in parts of Nepal; implementation of the surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement (SAFE) strategy started in 2002. Some suspected-endemic districts had not previously been mapped. We aimed to estimate the prevalences of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trichiasis in those districts.

METHODS

Population-based prevalence surveys were undertaken in 27 districts. In each of those districts, two-stage cluster sampling was used to select a sample of 2000 children aged 1-9 years and 4000 adults aged ≥15 years from a total of 40 wards (clusters), drawn evenly from two subdistricts. Consenting eligible participants were examined for trachoma by Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP)-certified graders, using the World Health Organization simplified grading system. Data were analyzed at district level using GTMP methods.

RESULTS

A total of 43,200 households were surveyed, and 162,094 people were examined for trachoma. District-level TF prevalence in 1-9-year-olds ranged from 0% to 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-6.2). Among adults aged ≥15 years, trichiasis prevalence ranged from 0% to 0.33% (95% CI 0.08-0.65).

CONCLUSION

TF was not a public health problem in any of the 27 districts surveyed; thus, antibiotic mass drug administration is not needed. In two districts (Dhanusa and Gorkha), trichiasis prevalence in adults aged ≥15 years was ≥0.2%; thus, further trichiasis surgery interventions at public health level are warranted to achieve elimination. These findings will facilitate planning for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Nepal.

Characteristics of patients with depression initiating or switching antidepressant treatment: baseline analyses of the PERFORM cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients who require a switch in their antidepressant therapy may have different clinical profiles and treatment needs compared with patients initiating or maintaining a first-line antidepressant therapy.

METHODS

The Prospective Epidemiological Research on Functioning Outcomes Related to Major depressive disorder (MDD) (PERFORM) study was a 2-year observational cohort study in outpatients with MDD in five European countries. Enrolled patients were either initiating or undergoing the first switch to an antidepressant monotherapy. Baseline data on patients' clinical status, functioning, productivity, quality of life and medical-resource use were compared in a cross-sectional baseline analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1402 patients were enrolled, of whom 1159 (82.7%) provided analysable baseline data. The majority (78.7%) of the analysable population were initiating antidepressant treatment and most (83.6%) were enrolled and followed up by general practitioners. Compared with patients initiating antidepressants, those switching antidepressants (21.3%) tended to have more severe depressive symptoms, greater anxiety, worse health-related quality of life, greater functional impairment, greater medical-resource use and had a different medical history. Limitations included an over-representation of switches due to lack of efficacy among patients who were switching treatment, as patients were selected based on presence of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MDD who are switching treatment for the first time have a different profile and different depression-associated health needs compared with those initiating treatment. Therapeutic management should therefore be adapted for patients who switch.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01427439 ; Retrospectively registered 26 August 2011.

Trachoma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Results of 46 Baseline Prevalence Surveys Conducted with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Purpose: Trachoma was suspected to be endemic in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We aimed to estimate prevalences of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF), trichiasis, and water and sanitation (WASH) indicators in suspected-endemic Health Zones.

Methods: A population-based prevalence survey was undertaken in each of 46 Health Zones across nine provinces of DRC, using Global Trachoma Mapping Project methods. A two-stage cluster random sampling design was used in each Health Zone, whereby 25 villages (clusters) and 30 households per cluster were sampled. Consenting eligible participants (children aged 1–9 years and adults aged ≥15 years) were examined for trachoma by GTMP-certified graders; households were assessed for access to WASH.

Results: A total of 32,758 households were surveyed, and 141,853 participants (98.2% of those enumerated) were examined for trachoma. Health Zone-level TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds ranged from 1.9–41.6%. Among people aged ≥15 years, trichiasis prevalences ranged from 0.02–5.1% (95% CI 3.3–6.8). TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds was ≥5% in 30 Health Zones, while trichiasis prevalence was ≥0.2% in 37 Health Zones.

Conclusion: Trachoma is a public health problem in 39 of 46 Health Zones surveyed. To meet elimination targets, 37 Health Zones require expanded trichiasis surgery services while 30 health zones require antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement interventions. Survey data suggest that trachoma is widespread: further surveys are warranted.

Baseline Trachoma Surveys in Kaskazini A and Micheweni Districts of Zanzibar: Results of Two Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Conducted with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Purpose: Based on health care records and trachoma rapid assessments, trachoma was suspected to be endemic in Kaskazini A and Micheweni districts of Zanzibar. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF), and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in each of those districts.

Methods: The survey was undertaken in Kaskazini A and Micheweni districts on Unguja and Pemba Islands, respectively. A multi-stage cluster random sampling design was applied, whereby 25 census enumeration areas (clusters) and 30 households per cluster were included. Consenting eligible participants (children aged 1–9 years and people aged 15 years and older) were examined for trachoma using the World Health Organization simplified grading system.

Results: A total of 1673 households were surveyed and 6407 participants (98.0% of those enumerated) were examined for trachoma. Examinees included a total of 2825 children aged 1–9 years and 3582 people aged 15 years and older. TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds was 2.7% (95% confidence interval, CI, 2.7–4.1%) in Kazkazini A and 11.4% (95% CI 6.6–16.5%) in Micheweni. Among people aged 15 years and older, TT prevalence was 0.01% (95% CI 0.00–0.04%) in Kazkazini A and 0.21% (95% CI 0.08–0.39%) in Micheweni.

Conclusion: Trachoma is a public health problem in Micheweni district, where implementation of all four components of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement), including mass drug administration with azithromycin, is required. These findings will facilitate planning for trachoma elimination.

Progress of Trachoma Mapping in Mainland Tanzania: Results of Baseline Surveys from 2012 to 2014

PURPOSE

Following surveys in 2004-2006 in 50 high-risk districts of mainland Tanzania, trachoma was still suspected to be widespread elsewhere. We report on baseline surveys undertaken from 2012 to 2014.

METHODS

A total of 31 districts were surveyed. In 2012 and 2013, 12 at-risk districts were selected based on proximity to known trachoma endemic districts, while in 2014, trachoma rapid assessments were undertaken, and 19 of 55 districts prioritized for baseline surveys. A multi-stage cluster random sampling methodology was applied whereby 20 villages (clusters) and 36 households per cluster were surveyed. Eligible participants, children aged 1-9 years and people aged 15 years and older, were examined for trachoma using the World Health Organization simplified grading system.

RESULTS

A total of 23,171 households were surveyed and 104,959 participants (92.3% of those enumerated) examined for trachoma signs. A total of 44,511 children aged 1-9 years and 65,255 people aged 15 years and older were examined for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trichiasis, respectively. Prevalence of TF varied by district, ranging from 0.0% (95% confidence interval, CI 0.0-0.1%) in Mbinga to 11.8% (95% CI 6.8-16.5%) in Chunya. Trichiasis prevalence was lowest in Urambo (0.03%, 95% CI 0.00-0.24%) and highest in Kibaha (1.08%, 95% CI 0.74-1.43%).

CONCLUSION

Only three districts qualified for mass drug administration with azithromycin. Trichiasis is still a public health problem in many districts, thus community-based trichiasis surgery should be considered to prevent blindness due to trachoma. These findings will facilitate achievement of trachoma elimination objectives.