scholarly journals In vitro growth competition experiments that suggest consequences of the substandard artemisinin epidemic that may be accelerating drug resistance in P. falciparum malaria

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248057
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Hassett ◽  
Paul D. Roepe
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Drug Treatments ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Treat All ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

Over the past decade, artemisinin (ART)-combination therapies (ACTs) have shown declining efficacy within Southeast Asia (SEA). These resistance-like phenomena manifest as a delayed clearance phenotype (DCP) in some patients treated with ACTs. ACTs are currently the recommended treatment for P. falciparum infections by the World Health Organization (WHO), and they are our last line of defense to effectively treat all strains of malaria. Acceleration of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is often theorized to be exacerbated by the use of subtherapeutic dosages of drugs (“substandard” drug), which for ACTs has been well documented over the last decade. Troublingly, in 2017, the WHO estimated that nearly 1 in 10 medical products tested in low- and middle-income countries failed to meet quality standards. We have developed a tissue culture-based approach for testing possible connections between substandard treatment and the spread of ACT resistant blood stage forms of P. falciparum. Via sequencing of pfk13, a molecular marker that is predictive for ART resistance (ARTR), we monitor competition of sensitive vs resistant strains over time and under various conditions and define conditions that favor emergence of ARTR parasites. Our findings help to define the conditions under which substandard drug treatments might favor the proliferation of mutant PfK13-mediated drug resistant strains over drug sensitive.

Antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, allies or foes?

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1138-1147
Author(s):  
Bruno Rivas-Santiago ◽  
Flor Torres-Juarez
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that has become a serious public health issue in recent years, although increasing incidence has been controlled, deaths caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been accentuated due to the emerging of multi-drug resistant strains and the comorbidity with diabetes mellitus and HIV. This situation is threatening the goals of World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate tuberculosis in 2035. WHO has called for the creation of new drugs as an alternative for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, among the plausible molecules that can be used are the Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). These peptides have demonstrated remarkable efficacy to kill mycobacteria in vitro and in vivo in experimental models, nevertheless, these peptides not only have antimicrobial activity but also have a wide variety of functions such as angiogenesis, wound healing, immunomodulation and other well-described roles into the human physiology. Therapeutic strategies for tuberculosis using AMPs must be well thought prior to their clinical use; evaluating comorbidities, family history and risk factors to other diseases, since the wide function of AMPs, they could lead to collateral undesirable effects.

Defining Preterm Birth and Stillbirth in the Western Pacific: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.

scholarly journals Tobacco Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Changing the Present to Help the Future

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany Hipple Walters ◽  
Ionela Petrea ◽  
Harry Lando
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Second Hand Smoke Exposure ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Low And Middle Income

While the global smoking rate has dropped in the past 30 years (from 41.2% of men in 1980 to 31.1% in 2012 and from 10.6% of women in 1980 to 6.2% in 2012), the number of tobacco smokers has increased due to population growth (Ng et al., 2014). This tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure continue to harm people worldwide. Those harmed are often vulnerable: children, those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), those with existing diseases, etc. As noted by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 80% of those who smoke live in a LMIC (World Health Organization, 2017). Furthermore, it is often those who are more socio-economically disadvantaged or less educated in LMICs that are exposed to second-hand smoke at home and work (Nazar, Lee, Arora, & Millett, 2015).

scholarly journals EXPLORING COVID-19 VACCINE ACCEPTANCE AND HESITANCY DETERMINANTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 80-91
Author(s):  
Tauheed Zahra ◽  
◽  
Farhan Ahmad Faiz ◽  
Farrah Ahmed ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Background ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Social Worlds ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization recognizes vaccine related myths and conspiracies as the world's top threat to public health safety, particularly in low middle-income countries. The current study aims to explore the beliefs of the general public towards the vaccine acceptance and the hesitancy. The study explicates the COVID 19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy determinants through an in-depth qualitative approach. A total of 30 male and female millennials from different education backgrounds were interviewed through an interview guide. This study reveals that people have different beliefs related to the vaccine authenticity which plays a vital role in the reluctance towards it. Findings from paper is similar to literature that people from good educational background have similar thoughts towards COVID 19 vaccination. Disregard for the vaccine was caused by various factors, such as misinformation, safety concerns, and personal knowledge. This level of distrust was associated with the social worlds that participants experienced during the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a complex relationship that involves the spread of misinformation. Vaccine programs should provide a focused, localized, and empathetic response to counter misinformation. Keywords: COVID-19, vaccines, myths, hesitancy, vaccines awareness, pandemic, conspiracy, corona virus

scholarly journals Carbon Monoxide and Hydrocarbon Contains of Motorcycles: Metro Dumaguete, Philippines

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narcisa T. Morallo
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
World Health ◽  
Average Amount ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Safe Level ◽  
Emission Testing ◽  
Metro Manila ◽  
Standard Value ◽  
Health Organization

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 98% of low and middle-income countries’ air fail to meet the United Nations (UN) body’s standards. Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) revealed the Total Suspended Particles (TSP) in Metro Manila during the first quarter of 2015 reached 130 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm). The maximum safe level is 90 ug/Ncm. Since 80% of pollution load is contributed by vehicles, the study determined the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) during the smoke emission testing of motorcycles in Metro Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Random sampling and simple average formula were utilized in the study. Using the smoke test results from January to February 2015, it was found out that the average amount of CO is 1.45 µg/cm which is very low compared to DENR standard exposure value of 35 ug/cm for one hour and 10 µg/cm for 8-hour exposure. Also, the average amount of HC is 600.26 ppm which is low compared to DENR’s maximum set value of 4500ppm to 6500 ppm. Current findings indicate that the amount of CO of motorcycle emissions is insignificant while HC is low as compared to the standard value. 

Epidemiology and burden

Depression ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Raymond W. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Years Lived With Disability

Depression is a common condition with a lifetime prevalence of about 15%. People with depression experience significant impairment in psychosocial functioning, particularly in those with a recurrent or chronic course. Depression is now the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Depression is also associated with increased risk of developing a medical illness and an increased risk of overall mortality, even when deaths from suicide are excluded. The economic costs of depression are staggering, largely owing to indirect costs associated with occupational impairment leading to work absence and reduced productivity. Depression remains undertreated, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, but the World Health Organization has estimated that scaling up of depression treatment returns US$5 for every US$1 spent.

scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Components of Urban Aerosols in Africa: Current Status and Knowledge Gaps

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egide Kalisa ◽  
Stephen Archer ◽  
Edward Nagato ◽  
Elias Bizuru ◽  
Kevin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Nitro Derivatives ◽  
Health Organization

Aerosolized particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture that has been recognized as the greatest cause of premature human mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Its toxicity arises largely from its chemical and biological components. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitro-derivatives (NPAHs) as well as microorganisms. In Africa, fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning in urban settings are the major sources of human exposure to PM, yet data on the role of aerosols in disease association in Africa remains scarce. This review is the first to examine studies conducted in Africa on both PAHs/NPAHs and airborne microorganisms associated with PM. These studies demonstrate that PM exposure in Africa exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits and carcinogenic PAHs/NPAHs and pathogenic microorganisms are the major components of PM aerosols. The health impacts of PAHs/NPAHs and airborne microbial loadings in PM are reviewed. This will be important for future epidemiological evaluations and may contribute to the development of effective management strategies to improve ambient air quality in the African continent.

scholarly journals A Symptom-based COVID-19 Diagnostic Tool in case of Limited Testing Facilities

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Raiiq Ridwan ◽  
Md Robed Amin ◽  
Md Ridwanur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Atypical Pneumonia ◽  
New Disease ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Transmission Of Disease ◽  
Limited Testing ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Since December 2019, when a cluster of atypical pneumonia cases were identified in Wuhan, China a new disease has spread across the world. COVID-19 has since become the biggest pandemic in a century, touching lives in almost every country in the world. At the outset of COVID-19, the World Health Organization advised for testing to become a priority so that patients with COVID-19 could be quickly identified, isolated and treated to interrupt transmission of disease. However, testing shortages have been an increasing problem in low and middle income countries. Even when tests are available, it has proved time-consuming. Therefore, we propose a symptom-based tool to assist in the diagnosis of COVID-19 management in low and middle income Countries. It is based on the symptoms that have so far been described in the literature and advises the frontline healthcare worker on how to diagnose the likelihood of having COVID-19 and separate the patient into Red (very likely), Yellow (possible) and Green (unlikely) categories. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 71-75

scholarly journals The burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents: Global projections study to 2060

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921632095756
Author(s):  
Katherine E Sleeman ◽  
Barbara Gomes ◽  
Maja de Brito ◽  
Omar Shamieh ◽  
Richard Harding
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Palliative care improves outcomes for people with cancer, but in many countries access remains poor. Understanding future needs is essential for effective health system planning in response to global policy. Aim: To project the burden of serious health-related suffering associated with death from cancer to 2060 by age, gender, cancer type and World Bank income region. Design: Population-based projections study. Global projections of palliative care need were derived by combining World Health Organization cancer mortality projections (2016–2060) with estimates of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents. Results: By 2060, serious health-related suffering will be experienced by 16.3 million people dying with cancer each year (compared to 7.8 million in 2016). Serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents will increase more quickly in low income countries (407% increase 2016–2060) compared to lower-middle, upper-middle and high income countries (168%, 96% and 39% increase 2016-2060, respectively). By 2060, 67% of people who die with cancer and experience serious health-related suffering will be over 70 years old, compared to 47% in 2016. In high and upper-middle income countries, lung cancer will be the single greatest contributor to the burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents. In low and lower-middle income countries, breast cancer will be the single greatest contributor. Conclusions: Many people with cancer will die with unnecessary suffering unless there is expansion of palliative care integration into cancer programmes. Failure to do this will be damaging for the individuals affected and the health systems within which they are treated.

scholarly journals Collaboration between traditional healers and psychiatrists in Sudan

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Sorketti ◽  
N. Z. Zuraida ◽  
M. H. Habil
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The importance of traditional healing in low- and middle-income countries cannot be under estimated. It is generally perceived as part of the prevailing belief system and traditional healers are often seen as the primary agents for psychosocial problems in these countries; estimates of their service share range from 45% to 60% (World Health Organization, 1992). The World Health Organization (2000) estimated that 80% of people living in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries depend on traditional medicine for their health needs.

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