scholarly journals Effectiveness of Wolbachia-infected mosquito deployments in reducing the incidence of dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases in Niterói, Brazil: A quasi-experimental study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0009556
Author(s):  
Sofia B. Pinto ◽  
Thais I. S. Riback ◽  
Gabriel Sylvestre ◽  
Guilherme Costa ◽  
Julia Peixoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Infected Mosquito ◽  
Dengue Case ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Control Zone ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background The introduction of the bacterium Wolbachia (wMel strain) into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reduces their capacity to transmit dengue and other arboviruses. Evidence of a reduction in dengue case incidence following field releases of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti has been reported previously from a cluster randomised controlled trial in Indonesia, and quasi-experimental studies in Indonesia and northern Australia. Methodology/Principal findings Following pilot releases in 2015–2016 and a period of intensive community engagement, deployments of adult wMel-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were conducted in Niterói, Brazil during 2017–2019. Deployments were phased across four release zones, with a total area of 83 km2 and a residential population of approximately 373,000. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of wMel deployments in reducing dengue, chikungunya and Zika incidence. An untreated control zone was pre-defined, which was comparable to the intervention area in historical dengue trends. The wMel intervention effect was estimated by controlled interrupted time series analysis of monthly dengue, chikungunya and Zika case notifications to the public health surveillance system before, during and after releases, from release zones and the control zone. Three years after commencement of releases, wMel introgression into local Ae. aegypti populations was heterogeneous throughout Niterói, reaching a high prevalence (>80%) in the earliest release zone, and more moderate levels (prevalence 40–70%) elsewhere. Despite this spatial heterogeneity in entomological outcomes, the wMel intervention was associated with a 69% reduction in dengue incidence (95% confidence interval 54%, 79%), a 56% reduction in chikungunya incidence (95%CI 16%, 77%) and a 37% reduction in Zika incidence (95%CI 1%, 60%), in the aggregate release area compared with the pre-defined control area. This significant intervention effect on dengue was replicated across all four release zones, and in three of four zones for chikungunya, though not in individual release zones for Zika. Conclusions/Significance We demonstrate that wMel Wolbachia can be successfully introgressed into Ae. aegypti populations in a large and complex urban setting, and that a significant public health benefit from reduced incidence of Aedes-borne disease accrues even where the prevalence of wMel in local mosquito populations is moderate and spatially heterogeneous. These findings are consistent with the results of randomised and non-randomised field trials in Indonesia and northern Australia, and are supportive of the Wolbachia biocontrol method as a multivalent intervention against dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Wolbachia-infected mosquito deployments in reducing the incidence of dengue and chikungunya in Niterói, Brazil: a quasi-experimental study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia B. Pinto ◽  
Thais I. S. Riback ◽  
Gabriel Sylvestre ◽  
Guilherme Costa ◽  
Julia Peixoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Infected Mosquito ◽  
Dengue Case ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Control Zone ◽  
Quasi Experimental

AbstractBackgroundThe introduction of the bacterium Wolbachia (wMel strain) into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reduces their capacity to transmit dengue and other arboviruses. Evidence of a reduction in dengue case incidence following field releases of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti has been reported previously from a cluster randomised controlled trial in Indonesia, and quasi-experimental studies in Indonesia and northern Australia.MethodsFollowing a period of intensive community engagement, deployments of adult wMel-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were conducted in Niterói, Brazil during 2017 – 2019. Deployments were phased across four release zones, with a total area of 83 km2 and a residential population of approximately 373,000. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of wMel deployments in reducing dengue and chikungunya incidence. An untreated control zone was pre-defined, which was comparable to the intervention area in historical dengue trends. The wMel intervention effect was estimated by controlled interrupted time series analysis of monthly dengue and chikungunya case notifications to the public health surveillance system before, during and after releases, from release zones and the control zone.ResultsThree years after commencement of releases, wMel introgression into local Ae. aegypti populations was heterogeneous throughout Niterói, reaching a high prevalence (>80%) in the earliest release zone, and more moderate levels (prevalence 40–70%) elsewhere. Despite this spatial heterogeneity in entomological outcomes, the wMel intervention was associated with a 69% reduction in dengue incidence (95% confidence interval 54%, 80%) and a 60% reduction in chikungunya incidence (95%CI 21%, 80%), in the aggregate release area compared with the pre-defined control area. This significant intervention effect on dengue was replicated across all four release zones, and in three of four zones for chikungunya.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that wMel Wolbachia can be successfully introgressed into Ae. aegypti populations in a large and complex urban setting, and that a significant public health benefit from reduced incidence of dengue and chikungunya accrues even where the prevalence of wMel in local mosquito populations is moderate and spatially heterogeneous. These findings are consistent with the results of randomised and non-randomised field trials in Indonesia and northern Australia, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the Wolbachia biocontrol method as a multivalent intervention against both dengue and chikungunya.

Review Article: Do exercise and fitness protect against stress-induced health complaints? A review of the literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Gerber ◽  
Uwe Pühse
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Stress Buffer ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Buffer Effects

Background: Understanding how exercise influences health is important in designing public health interventions. At present, evidence suggests that there is a positive relationship between exercise and health. However, whether this relationship is partly due to the stress-moderating impact of exercise has been less frequently investigated although more and more people are taxed by stressful life circumstances. Methods: A comprehensive review of studies testing the potential of exercise as a stress-buffer was conducted (including literature from 1982 to 2008). The findings are based on a narrative review method. Specific criteria were taken into account to evaluate causality of the evidence. Results: About half of the studies reported at least partly supportive results in the sense that people with high exercise levels exhibit less health problems when they encounter stress. The causality analyses show that stress-moderation effects were consistently found in different samples and with different methodological approaches. Although more support results from cross-sectional studies, exercise-based stress-buffer effects were also found in prospective, longitudinal and quasi-experimental investigations. Conclusions: This review underscores the relevance of exercise as a public health resource. Recommendations are provided for future research. More prospective and experimental studies are needed to provide insight into how much exercise is necessary to trigger stress-buffer effects. Furthermore, more information is warranted to conclude which sort of exercise has the strongest impact on the stress-illness-relationship.

Aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas de liberação manual diafragmática: uma revisão sistemática

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Dulce Marieli Danieli ◽  
Fabíola De Almeida Gomes ◽  
Bruna Eibel ◽  
William Dhein
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Scar Tissue ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Musculoskeletal Manipulations ◽  
Clinical Applicability ◽  
Quasi Experimental

INTRODUÇÃO: O diafragma é o principal músculo respiratório e desempenha um papel importante na respiração e na regulação fisiológica. Uma terapia que visa melhorar essas condições referentes ao diafragma, é a técnica de liberação manual diafragmática. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas manuais de liberação diafragmática e identificar as principais técnicas, populações investigadas, variáveis avaliadas e seus desfechos. MÉTODOS: Foram pesquisadas as seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Scielo e Science Direct, com os descritores “Diaphragm [Mesh]” e “Musculoskeletal Manipulations [Mesh]” com seus correspondentes no mesmo idioma. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados, não randomizados, estudos semi, quase-experimentais e estudos pilotos ou de caso, que abordaram técnicas de liberação manuais diafragmáticas.RESULTADOS: Há variadas técnicas de liberação diafragmática, sendo as mais mencionadas: normalização dos pilares do diafragma, alongamento e estiramento do diafragma, relaxamento dos pilares do diafragma. Além disso, as técnicas de liberação diafragmática vêm sendo associadas a protocolos de terapia manipulativa osteopática (TMO). As principais populações estudadas foram de pacientes saudáveis, com lombalgia, cervicalgia, osteoartrite, asmáticos, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, constipados, cardiopatas e com refluxo gastroesofágico. Os principais desfechos avaliados são variáveis musculoesqueléticas (dor, flexibilidade, amplitude, espessura diafragmática), variáveis cardiorrespiratórias (pressão inspiratória/expiratória máxima (PImax e Pemax), mobilidade torácica, frequência cardíaca e respiratória), qualidade de vida e disfunções gastrointestinais/gastroesofágicas. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas de liberação diagramática está sendo investigada associado com outras técnicas osteopáticas, em protocolos de TMO em pacientes saudáveis, pneumopatas, cardiopatas, gestantes, em cicatriz pós-cirúrgica, constipados, com refluxo gastroesofágico, osteoartrite, cervicalgia e com lombalgia. Evidencia-se: diminuição ou eliminação das dores musculoesqueléticas, aumento da flexibilidade, ADM, Pimáx e Pemáx, aumento da mobilidade torácica, aumento da qualidade de vida, diminuição do inchaço e dor abdominal e sem efeito em cardiopatas.ABSTRACT. Clinical applicability of manual diaphragmatic release techniques: a systematic review.BACKGROUND: The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle and plays an important role in breathing and physiological regulation. A therapy that aims to improve these conditions regarding the diaphragm, is the manual diaphragmatic release technique.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the clinical applicability of manual diaphragmatic release techniques and searching the main techniques, population, evaluated variables, and outcomes. METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Scielo, and Science Direct, with the descriptors “Diaphragm [Mesh]” and “Musculoskeletal Manipulations [Mesh]” with their correspondents in the same language. There were included randomized clinical trial, non-randomized clinical trials, semi, and quasi-experimental studies, and pilot or case studies, which addressed manual diaphragmatic release techniques.RESULTS: There are various diaphragmatic release techniques, the most mentioned are: normalization of the diaphragm pillars, stretching of the diaphragm, relaxation of the diaphragm pillars, and protocols for osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) for the diaphragm. The main populations studied were healthy patients, with low back pain, asthmatics, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, constipated, cardiac patients, and gastroesophageal reflux. The main outcomes assessed are musculoskeletal variables (pain, flexibility, range of motion, diaphragmatic thickness), cardiorespiratory variables (maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure (MIP and MEP), chest mobility, heart, and respiratory rate), quality of life, and gastrointestinal/ gastroesophageal disorders.CONCLUSION: The clinical applicability of diagrammatic release techniques is being investigated in association with other osteopathic techniques, in protocols of OMT in healthy subjects, patients with lung diseases, heart disease, pregnant women, scar tissue, constipated, with gastroesophageal reflux, osteoarthritis, cervicalgia and with low back pain. There is evidence of reduction and elimination of musculoskeletal pain, increased MIP, increased chest mobility, an increase in health quality, a decrease of bloating and abdominal pain related to constipation, and a decrease of reflux symptoms.

THE VALUE OF ORGANOLEPTIC INDICATORS OF DRINKING WATER THE ROSTOV REGION, AS FACTORS OF THE EPIDEMIC SAFETY OF POPULATION HEALTH

2019 ◽  
pp. 24-34
Author(s):  
Timur Khetsuriani ◽  
Elena Chaplygina ◽  
Tatyana Zhukova ◽  
Elgudzha Khetsuriani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Rostov Region ◽  
Organoleptic Characteristics ◽  
Aesthetic Appearance ◽  
Mass Development

The article presents an overview of the mass development of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in the don river of the Rostov region, which leads to the phenomenon, received in the literature the name of harmful “flowering” of water. The harmfulness of the mass development of cyanobacteria is changes in organoleptic characteristics of drinking water, which lead to the production of a large number of dangerous to human health and animal toxins, to reduce water quality, violation of the aesthetic appearance of the reservoir, the loss of useful human properties of the aquatic ecosystem and are factors of epidemic safety of public health. Experimental studies of the properties of cyanobacteria and toxins produced by blue-green algae are pre-sented. The first studies were carried out at the pilot plant on the technology of purification of flowering don water to ensure environmental safety of drinking water and public health.

scholarly journals Baby Box Distributions: Public Health Benefit or Concern?

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-331
Author(s):  
Wendy Middlemiss ◽  
Naomi C. Brownstein ◽  
Miranda Leddy ◽  
Scott Nelson ◽  
Srikant Manchiraju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Public Health Benefit

Non-stigmatising alternatives to anti-obesity public health messages: Consequences for health behaviour and well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532199970
Author(s):  
Joanne A Rathbone ◽  
Tegan Cruwys ◽  
Jolanda Jetten
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Total N ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Size Acceptance

This project investigated how alternative non-stigmatising public health messages influence people’s health behaviours and well-being, relative to traditional stigmatising weight-loss messages. We conducted three experimental studies (total N = 1281) that compared traditional weight-loss messages to weight-neutral messages (Study 1), weight-inclusive messages (Study 2) and size acceptance messages (Study 3). Results revealed that public health messages have differential effects on health behaviours and well-being, depending on the audience’s BMI or perceived weight. However, campaigns that challenge weight stigma and promote body positivity have positive effects on some psychological indicators of health and well-being for people of all body sizes.

scholarly journals Between Level Up and Game Over: A Systematic Literature Review of Gamification in Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Manzano-León ◽  
Pablo Camacho-Lazarraga ◽  
Miguel A. Guerrero ◽  
Laura Guerrero-Puerta ◽  
José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Current Lines ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Game Elements ◽  
The Impact

Educational gamification consists of the use of game elements and game design techniques in the educational context. The objective of this study is to examine the existing evidence on the impact of educational gamification on student motivation and academic performance in the last five years in order to analyze its distribution over time, educational level, variables, and most used game elements, and know the advantages of its implementation in the classroom. For this, a systematic review is proposed through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology in three multidisciplinary databases, through an exhaustive search with inclusion and exclusion criteria on quantitative experimental studies that explore gamification in educational centers, which provide information about the most current lines of research. Fourteen studies were included in this review. These used experimental or quasi-experimental designs. Most of them report gamification as a valid learning strategy. The results support the conclusion that educational gamification has a potential impact on the academic performance, commitment, and motivation of students. Therefore, this study implies the need to expand research on the needs and challenges of students when learning with gamified techniques.

scholarly journals Integrating quasi-experimental and inductive designs in evaluation: A case study of the impact of free bus travel on public health

Evaluation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Green ◽  
Helen Roberts ◽  
Mark Petticrew ◽  
Rebecca Steinbach ◽  
Anna Goodman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Risk-Based Approach To Evaluate the Public Health Benefit of Additional Wastewater Treatment

2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1882-1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Soller ◽  
Adam W. Olivieri ◽  
James Crook ◽  
Robert C. Cooper ◽  
George Tchobanoglous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Public Health Benefit ◽  
The Public

Relation between understanding and agreeing in response to one-sentence assertion*

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
YASUHIRO OZURU ◽  
DAVID BOWIE ◽  
GIULIA KAUFMAN
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cognitive Response ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Evaluative Response ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Relationship

abstractThree quasi-experimental studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the evaluative (i.e., agree/true) and the meta-cognitive (i.e., understand) response, and to determine which type of response people are more likely to provide when responding to one-sentence assertive statements. In Studies 1 and 2, participants performed two separate tasks in which they were asked to indicate the levels of: (i) understanding and (ii) agreement / perceived truthfulness of 126 one-sentence statements. The results indicated that participants were likely to provide a negative evaluative response (i.e., disagree/false) to a statement that they did not understand. In Study 3, participants were asked to evaluate the same 126 statements and choose between four response options: agree, disagree, understand, do not understand. The results indicated that people are more likely provide an evaluative response regardless of the understandability of a statement. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to (i) pragmatic perspective of how people infer speakers’ meaning, and (ii) cognitive processes underlying evaluative and meta-cognitive response.

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