scholarly journals Leptospira in livestock in Madagascar: uncultured strains, mixed infections and small mammal-livestock transmission highlight challenges in controlling and diagnosing leptospirosis in the developing world

Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 146 (14) ◽  
pp. 1707-1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soanandrasana Rahelinirina ◽  
Mark H. Moseley ◽  
Kathryn J. Allan ◽  
Emmanuel Ramanohizakandrainy ◽  
Sati Ravaoarinoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Molecular Typing ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Livestock Productivity ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Pooled Samples ◽  
Single Kidney

AbstractIn developing countries, estimates of the prevalence and diversity of Leptospira infections in livestock, an important but neglected zoonotic pathogen and cause of livestock productivity loss, are lacking. In Madagascar, abattoir sampling of cattle and pigs demonstrated a prevalence of infection of 20% in cattle and 5% in pigs by real-time PCR. In cattle, amplification and sequencing of the Leptospira-specific lfb1 gene revealed novel genotypes, mixed infections of two or more Leptospira species and evidence for potential transmission between small mammals and cattle. Sequencing of the secY gene demonstrated genetic similarities between Leptospira detected in Madagascar and, as yet, uncultured Leptospira strains identified in Tanzania, Reunion and Brazil. Detection of Leptospira DNA in the same animal was more likely in urine samples or pooled samples from four kidney lobes relative to samples collected from a single kidney lobe, suggesting an effect of sampling method on detection. In pigs, no molecular typing of positive samples was possible. Further research into the epidemiology of livestock leptospirosis in developing countries is needed to inform efforts to reduce human infections and to improve livestock productivity.

scholarly journals Loss of work productivity in a warming world: Differences between developed and developing countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Yu ◽  
Zhongwei Yan ◽  
Jiangjiang Xia ◽  
Alcide Zhao ◽  
Anzhi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The World ◽  
Warming World

<p>Comparable estimates of the heat-related work productivity loss (WPL) in different countries over the world are difficult partly due to the lack of exact measures and comparable data for different counties. In this study, we analysed 4363 responses to a global online survey on the WPL during heat waves in 2016. The participants were from both developed and developing countries, facilitating estimates of the heat-related WPL across the world for the year. The heat-related WPL for each country involved was then deduced for increases of 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 °C in the global mean surface temperature under the representative concentration pathway scenarios in climate models. The average heat-related WPL in 2016 was 6.6 days for developing countries and 3.5 days for developed countries. The estimated heat-related WPL was negatively correlated with the gross domestic product per capita. When global surface temperatures increased by 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 °C, the corresponding WPL was 9 (19), 12 (31), 22 (61) and 33 (94) days for developed (developing) countries, quantifying how developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change from a particular point of view. Moreover, the heat-related WPL was unevenly distributed among developing countries. In a 2°C-warmer world, the heat-related WPL would be more than two months in Southeast Asia, the most influenced region. The results are considerable for developing strategy of adaptation especially for developing countries.</p>

Sukuk as an Infrastructure-Financing Tool

2020 ◽  
pp. 770-787
Author(s):  
Ahliddin Malikov
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Depth Interviews

Although many studies have stressed potential benefits of using Sukuk for funding large-scale infrastructure projects, several technical, legal, and political obstacles that are encountered by new sovereign and corporate issuers, investors, and Shari'ah boards remain largely unexplored. This research evaluates the opportunities, barriers, and potential risks for future Sukuk issuances that are proposed for funding large-scale infrastructure projects in developing countries. A purposive sampling method was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with several Islamic finance experts in support of the qualitative data analysis. Using the maximal variation and snowball approach, the researcher identifies the key challenges for large-scale Sukuk issuances and provides useful interpretations that can contribute to the expansion of Sukuk structures for a wider international investor base.

An analytical study of stakeholders relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of climate strategy proactivity (CSP)

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Kant
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Self Bias ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate empirically the perceptions of the stakeholder regarding their relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of climate strategy proactivity (CSP) which is an outcome of the importance and influence of the category of the stakeholders of Indian companies. Revolutionized by the liberalization–privatization–globalization, the practices and strategies of the companies in the developing country such as India have been marked by dynamic changes in the several past decades. In these circumstances, it has become imperative to understand the relevance of the stakeholders in terms of CSP displayed by these companies to seek help in developing appropriate strategies in the emerging competitive market. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a research design comprising descriptive analytical method using non-probability purposive sampling method to collect data from a sampled 701 respondents representing eleven categories stakeholders, with the help of a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey questionnaire. Findings The findings of the study detail the evaluation of the stakeholders relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of CSP attaching significance to the stakeholders’ perception as a useful tool. While the findings hint at the incessant growth of stakeholder awareness urging corporations to analyze effects and adopt appropriate strategies in developing countries, they also evaluate empirically the perceptions of the stakeholder regarding their relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of CSP which is an outcome of the importance and influence enjoyed by the category of the stakeholders of Indian companies. The findings confirmed the adequate level of awareness of the stakeholders of Indian companies responsible for making them adopt CSP. Research limitations/implications This study had the limitations such as collection of information through a self-reported questionnaire which might have the impact of self-bias despite all the preventive and corrective measures, and the risk of creation of a subjective viewpoint due to the assessment of the perceptions of varied stakeholders. Nonetheless, meeting the objective of this study, the study succeeds in providing a stakeholder perspective to the existing body of knowledge with respect to CSP, a stakeholders-centric concept which is in infancy in the context of developing countries and their corporations. Originality/value The paper is original as it adds value by providing empirical evidence from the perspective of different stakeholders, including but not limited to managers or shareholders only, like majority of previous studies. By doing so, it successfully attempts to contextualize them indicating the need to unlock huge potentialities and substantial significance for other developing countries.

Crowdfunding: An Emerging Source of Raising Funds In Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 381-404
Author(s):  
Olufemi Aladejebi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Multiple Case Studies ◽  
Agricultural Business ◽  
Developed Nations

Crowdfunding has become a new phenomenon of raising capital for business. Crowdfunding is prevalent in developed nations, while it is just getting popular in developing countries. The research method used for the research was multiple case studies. The purposive sampling method was used to select the five participants for the research. The questionnaire contained fifteen questions. Eighteen themes were generated from the questions. As a result of Social distancing for protection under COVID 19, questions were sent to the respondents via the Google form. The thematic analysis result revealed that agricultural business is the most popular when it comes to crowdfunding. It is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to raise money from another source, easier to access funds through crowdfunding. The crowdfunding approaches used to raise funds by the five participants are loans, hybrid, reward-based, and royalty-based approaches. Crowdfunding is an effective funding alternative for entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals Evaluation of BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR as Molecular Typing Tools for PathogenicLeptospira

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Maurice Bilung ◽  
Chai Fung Pui ◽  
Lela Su’ut ◽  
Kasing Apun
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Distance ◽  
Molecular Typing ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Typing Methods ◽  
Discriminatory Index

In the last decades, leptospirosis had gained public health concern due to morbidity and mortality rates caused by pathogenicLeptospira. The need for rapid and robust molecular typing methods to differentiate this zoonotic pathogen is of utmost importance. Various studies had been conducted to determine the genetic relatedness ofLeptospiraisolates using molecular typing methods. In this study, 29 pathogenicLeptospiraisolates from rat, soil, and water samples in Sarawak, Malaysia, were characterized using BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR. The effectiveness of these two methods with regard to the ease of interpretation, reproducibility, typeability, and discriminatory power was also being evaluated. Using BOX-PCR, six clusters and 3 single isolates were defined at a genetic distance percentage of 11.2%. ERIC-PCR clustered the isolates into 6 clusters and 2 single isolates at a genetic distance percentage of 6.8%. Both BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR produced comparable results though the discriminatory index for ERIC-PCR (0.826) was higher than that for BOX-PCR (0.809). From the constructed dendrogram, it could be summarized that the isolates in this study were highly heterogeneous and genetically diverse. The findings from this study indicated that there is no genetic relatedness among the pathogenicLeptospiraisolates in relation to the locality, source, and identity, with some exceptions. Out of the 29 pathogenicLeptospiraisolates studied, BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR successfully discriminated 4 isolates (2 isolates each) into the same cluster in relation to sample sources, as well as 2 isolates into the same cluster in association with the sample locality. Future studies shall incorporate the use of other molecular typing methods to make a more thorough comparison on the genetic relatedness of pathogenicLeptospira.

scholarly journals Novel organization of mitochondrial minicircles and guide RNAs in the zoonotic pathogen Trypanosoma lewisi

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (17) ◽  
pp. 9747-9761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Jin Li ◽  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Julius Lukeš ◽  
Bi-Qi Li ◽  
Ju-Feng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Genomes ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Guide Rnas ◽  
Trypanosoma Lewisi ◽  
Insertion And Deletion ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Rna Genes

Abstract Kinetoplastid flagellates are known for several unusual features, one of which is their complex mitochondrial genome, known as kinetoplast (k) DNA, composed of mutually catenated maxi- and minicircles. Trypanosoma lewisi is a member of the Stercorarian group of trypanosomes which is, based on human infections and experimental data, now considered a zoonotic pathogen. By assembling a total of 58 minicircle classes, which fall into two distinct categories, we describe a novel type of kDNA organization in T. lewisi. RNA-seq approaches allowed us to map the details of uridine insertion and deletion editing events upon the kDNA transcriptome. Moreover, sequencing of small RNA molecules enabled the identification of 169 unique guide (g) RNA genes, with two differently organized minicircle categories both encoding essential gRNAs. The unprecedented organization of minicircles and gRNAs in T. lewisi broadens our knowledge of the structure and expression of the mitochondrial genomes of these human and animal pathogens. Finally, a scenario describing the evolution of minicircles is presented.

scholarly journals Case Report: One Human Streptococcus Suis Infection in Shandong Province, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueli Zhang ◽  
Qihan Bao ◽  
Zengqiang Kou ◽  
Renpeng Li ◽  
Qian Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
Streptococcus Suis ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Gram Positive Cocci ◽  
Fluid Culture

Abstract Background: Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Case presentation: A 56-year-old woman was infected with S. suis. The patient reared pigs in her backyard. At admission, her blood examinations showed a leukocyte count of 27.28×109/L with 94.20% neutrophils. Cerebrospinal fluid was noted to be cloudy with a leukocyte count of 2700×106/L. Cerebrospinal fluid culture grew gram-positive cocci that were identified as S. suis type II. Ceftriaxone was administered. Conclusion: Human infections with S. suis highlights the need for health education, prevention and surveillance it.

TroR Negatively Regulates the TroABCD System and Is Required for Resistance to Metal toxicity and Virulence in Streptococcus suis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengkun Zheng ◽  
Man Wei ◽  
Jun Qiu ◽  
Mengdie Jia ◽  
Xiaohui Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Metal Toxicity ◽  
Streptococcus Suis ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Essential Nutrients ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Growth Defects ◽  
Human Infections

Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes severe swine and human infections. Metals are essential nutrients for life; however, excess metals are toxic to bacteria. Therefore, maintenance of intracellular metal homeostasis is important for bacterial survival. Here, we characterize a DtxR family metalloregulator, TroR, in S. suis . TroR is located upstream of the troABCD operon, whose expression was found to be significantly downregulated in response to excess manganese (Mn). Deletion of troR resulted in the reduced growth when S. suis was cultured in metal-replete medium supplemented with elevated concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), or cobalt (Co). Mn supplementation could alleviate the growth defects of Δ troR under Zn and Co excess conditions; however, it impaired the growth of the wild type (WT) and complement strain (CΔ troR ) under Cu excess conditions. The growth of Δ troR was also inhibited in metal-depleted medium supplemented with elevated concentrations of Mn. Moreover, Δ troR accumulated increased levels of intracellular Mn and Co, rather than Zn and Cu. Deletion of troR in S. suis led to significant upregulation of the troABCD operon. Furthermore, troA expression in the WT strain was induced by ferrous iron [Fe(II)] and Co, and repressed by Mn and Cu; the repression of troA was mediated by TroR. Finally, TroR is required for S. suis virulence in an intranasal mouse model. Together, these data suggest that TroR is a negative regulator of the TroABCD system and contributes to resistance to metal toxicity and virulence in S. suis . IMPORTANCE Metals are essential nutrients for life; however, the accumulation of excess metals in cells can be toxic to bacteria. In the present study, we identified a metalloregulator, TroR, in Streptococcus suis , which is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. In contrast to the observations in other species that TroR homologs usually contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis of one or two metals, we demonstrated that TroR is required for resistance to the toxicity conferred by multiple metals in S. suis . We also found that deletion of troR resulted in significant upregulation of the troABCD operon, which has been demonstrated to be involved in manganese acquisition in S. suis . Moreover, we demonstrated that TroR is required for the virulence of S. suis in an intranasal mouse model. Collectively, these results suggest that TroR is a negative regulator of the TroABCD system and contributes to resistance to metal toxicity and virulence in S. suis .

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