Rapid range shifts in African Anopheles mosquitoes over the last century

AbstractAnopheles mosquitoes are the vector of malaria and several neglected tropical diseases, such as lymphatic filariasis and O’nyong’nyong fever. Like many species, mosquitoes are expected to track warming temperatures in a changing climate, possibly introducing disease into previously protected higher-latitude and higher-elevation communities. Tracking range shifts is fundamental for forecasting disease risk, but has proven challenging to do in real-time. Here, we use historical data to trace those shifts in Anopheles for the first time. We test for range shifts using a new comprehensive dataset of Anopheles occurrences in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 500,000 species-locality pair records spanning 1898 to 2016. We propose a simple regression-based method of measuring range shifts in larger datasets, which identifies a more coherent signal in anopheline range shifts than the Mann-Whitney method popular in ecology. We estimate range-shifting species gained 1.56 meters of elevation annually, and moved southward 6.28 km per year in their outer range limits, a full order of magnitude faster than some “rapid” shifts observed in the literature. We expect these results to have major implications for malaria control work in sub-Saharan Africa, and for our broader picture of vector responses to climate change.

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Chemical Constituents and Antibacterial Activity of Cissus Aralioides.

Letters in Organic Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1570178617999200609130127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Balogun Olaoye Solomon ◽

Ajayi Olukayode Solomon ◽

Owolabi Temitayo Abidemi ◽

Oladimeji Abdulkarbir Oladele ◽

Liu Zhiqiang

Keyword(s):

Plant Extract ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Ethyl Acetate Fraction ◽

Antibacterial Activities ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Chromatographic Purification ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

First Time

: Cissus aralioides is a medicinal plant used in sub-Saharan Africa for treatment of infectious diseases; however the chemical constituents of the plant have not been investigated. Thus, in this study, attempt was made at identifying predominant phytochemical constituents of the plant through chromatographic purification and silylation of the plant extract, and subsequent characterization using spectroscopic and GC-MS techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) for the antibacterial activities of the plant extract, chromatographic fractions and isolated compounds were also examined. Chromatographic purification of the ethyl acetate fraction from the whole plant afforded three compounds: β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2) and friedelin (3). The phytosterols (1 and 2) were obtained together as a mixture. The GC-MS analysis of silylated extract indicated alcohols, fatty acids and sugars as predominant classes, with composition of 24.62, 36.90 and 26.52% respectively. Results of MICs indicated that friedelin and other chromatographic fractions had values (0.0626-1.0 mg/mL) comparable with the standard antibiotics used. Characterization of natural products from C. aralioides is being reported for the first time in this study.

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Labellum and gynostemium micromorphology in Polystachya (Orchidaceae)

Plant Systematics and Evolution ◽

10.1007/s00606-020-01724-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 307 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mytnik Joanna ◽

Davies L. Kevin ◽

Narajczyk Magdalena ◽

Łuszczek Dorota ◽

Kubiak Joanna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Capitate Trichomes ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

First Time ◽

Scanning Electron

AbstractPolystachya is a large, pantropical orchid genus of 200 species, most of which occur as epiphytes in sub-saharan Africa. The three-lobed labellum of most Polystachya species possesses a fleshy callus and various types of trichomes and papillae. In this paper, we present the results of micromorphological studies on the labellum of 20 species, representing eight of the 13 sections in the genus, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results show the scale of infrageneric diversity of trichomes and papillae relative to the sampled sections. They also demonstrate the taxonomic value of labellar micromorphology at the sectional level. The study revealed seven types of papillae and five types of trichomes (uni- and multi-cellular) in Polystachya, some of which, are described here for the first time. Clavate trichomes are the most common and are present in 60% of the species studied. Moniliform trichomes mainly occur in sect. Polystachya and are strongly characteristic of the section. Pseudopollen is formed by fragmentation of moniliform trichomes or the detachment of other trichomes as bicellular units. We provide, for the first time, evidence for the detachment of the terminal cells of capitate trichomes.

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Schistosoma mansoni eggs induce Wnt/β-catenin signaling and activate the protooncogene c-Jun in human and hamster colon

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79450-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jakob Weglage ◽

Friederike Wolters ◽

Laura Hehr ◽

Jakob Lichtenberger ◽

Celina Wulz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathways ◽

Colorectal Carcinogenesis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Interleukin 4 ◽

Health Burden ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Considerable Morbidity ◽

First Time

AbstractSchistosomiasis (bilharzia) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, with considerable morbidity in parts of the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly also in Europe. The WHO describes an increasing global health burden with more than 290 million people threatened by the disease and a potential to spread into regions with temperate climates like Corsica, France. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of S. mansoni infection on colorectal carcinogenic signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro. S. mansoni infection, soluble egg antigens (SEA) and the Interleukin-4-inducing principle from S. mansoni eggs induce Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the protooncogene c-Jun as well as downstream factor Cyclin D1 and markers for DNA-damage, such as Parp1 and γH2a.x in enterocytes. The presence of these characteristic hallmarks of colorectal carcinogenesis was confirmed in colon biopsies from S. mansoni-infected patients demonstrating the clinical relevance of our findings. For the first time it was shown that S. mansoni SEA may be involved in the induction of colorectal carcinoma-associated signaling pathways.

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Community-driven citizen science approach to explore cardiovascular disease risk perception, and develop prevention advocacy strategies in sub-Saharan Africa: a programme protocol

Research Involvement and Engagement ◽

10.1186/s40900-020-00246-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kufre Joseph Okop ◽

Kathy Murphy ◽

Estelle Victoria Lambert ◽

Kiya Kedir ◽

Hailemichael Getachew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽

Data Gathering ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which experiences a disproportionately high cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden, population-based screening and prevention measures are hampered by low levels of knowledge about CVD and associated risk factors, and inaccurate perceptions of severity of risk. Methods This protocol describes the planned processes for implementing community-driven participatory research, using a citizen science method to explore CVD risk perceptions and to develop community-specific advocacy and prevention strategies in the rural and urban SSA settings. Multi-disciplinary research teams in four selected African countries will engage with and train community members living in rural and urban communities as citizen scientists to facilitate conceptualization, co-designing of research, data gathering, and co-creation of knowledge that can lead to a shared agenda to support collaborative participation in community-engaged science. The emphasis is on robust community engagement, using mobile technology to support data gathering, participatory learning, and co-creation of knowledge and disease prevention advocacy. Discussion Contextual processes applied and lessons learned in specific settings will support redefining or disassembling boundaries in participatory science to foster effective implementation of sustainable prevention intervention programmes in Low- and Middle-income countries.

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“It’s better I’m dead”: oppression and suicidal ideation

International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/ijmhsc-05-2020-0049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Lisa Reber

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Host Country ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Well Being ◽

Environmental Context ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Content Type ◽

Temporary Migrant ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

First Time

Purpose Anecdotal accounts of suicide among temporary low-wage migrant workers in the UAE are numerous, but unofficial and qualitative accounts remain unexplored. This study aims to examine how the socio-environmental context can lead some low-wage migrants, irrespective of their nationality or culture, to contemplate suicide for the first time after arriving in the host country. Design/methodology/approach The findings draw from ten months of qualitative fieldwork (2015–2016) and in-depth interviews conducted with 44 temporary migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, earning in the lowest wage bracket in Dubai. The study used a non-probabilistic, purposive sampling approach to select participants. Three criteria drove eligibility: participants had to reside in the UAE, be non-national and earn Dh1500 (US$408) or less a month. Otherwise, diversity was sought in regard to nationality, occupation and employer. Findings Eight (18%) of the 44 study participants interviewed admitted to engaging in suicidal thoughts for the first time after arriving in the UAE. The findings suggest that for low-wage migrants working in certain socio-environmental contexts, the religious, gendered or other cultural or group characteristics or patterns that may be predictors of suicide in migrants’ country of origin may become secondary or possibly even irrelevant when one is forced to survive under conditions that by most objective standards would be deemed not only oppressive but extremely exploitative and abusive. Originality/value This study contributes to understandings of how the emotional and psychological well-being of temporary foreign low-wage migrant workers can be impacted by the socio-environmental context of the host country. It is a first step in understanding the intimate thoughts of low-wage migrant workers on the topic of suicidality, furthering our understanding of suicidal ideation and the factors that can contribute to it.

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The big three versus NTDs - finding common purpose.

10.1079/9781786392558.0008 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 92-102

Author(s):

Alan Fenwick ◽

Wendie Norris ◽

Becky McCall

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Control Programs ◽

Humanitarian Response ◽

Common Purpose ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

First Time ◽

National Control ◽

Leprosy Control ◽

Onchocerciasis Control

Abstract Even so, no country in sub-Saharan Africa before 2000 had national control programs for any of the seven programs, with the exception of cervical cancer. Onchocerciasis is the target of the Africa Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) with the help of many NGOs organisation using the drug mectizan (ivermectin). The use of drug financing at APOC is revolutionary. They had, for the first time, established as a viable concept with leprosy control programs, and now, with APOC, demonstrated that pharmaceutical companies can and will reuse a drug and treat it as part of a humanitarian response. This book chapter focused on repurposing drugs against schistosomiasis.

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Three arenaviruses in three subspecific natal multimammate mouse taxa in Tanzania: same host specificity, but different spatial genetic structure?

Virus Evolution ◽

10.1093/ve/veaa039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Laura N Cuypers ◽

Stuart J E Baird ◽

Alexandra Hánová ◽

Tatjana Locus ◽

Abdul S Katakweba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Spatial Genetic Structure ◽

First Record ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Lassa Virus ◽

Large Area ◽

Order Of Magnitude ◽

Morogoro Virus ◽

Test Specificity ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Mastomys natalensis is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and hosts several arenavirus species, including the pathogenic zoonotic Lassa virus in West Africa. Mitochondrial lineages sub-divide the range of M. natalensis and have been associated with cryptic structure within the species. To test specificity of arenaviruses to hosts carrying these lineages, we screened 1772 M. natalensis in a large area of Tanzania where three mitochondrial lineages meet. We detected fifty-two individuals that were positive for one of three arenaviruses: Gairo, Morogoro, and Luna virus. This is the first record of Luna virus in Tanzania. We confirmed the specificity of each arenavirus to a distinct host mitochondrial lineage except for three cases in one locality at the centre of a host hybrid zone. No arenaviruses were detected in a large part of the study area. Morogoro and Gairo virus showed differences in prevalence (Morogoro virus lower than Gairo virus) and in genetic structure (Morogoro virus more structured than Gairo virus). However, both viruses have genetic neighbourhood size estimates of the same order of magnitude as Lassa virus. While differences in arenavirus and/or host evolutionary and ecological dynamics may exist, Tanzanian arenaviruses could be suited to model Lassa virus dynamics in M. natalensis.

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