Combined triple treatment of fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in individuals with Long COVID/ Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) can resolve their persistent symptoms

We recognise that fibrin(ogen) amyloid microclots and platelet hyperactivation, that we have previously observed in COVID-19 and Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) patients, might form a suitable set of foci for the clinical treatment of the symptoms of long COVID/PASC. We first report on the comorbidities and symptoms found in a cohort of 845 South African Long COVID/PASC patients who filled in the South African Long COVID/PASC registry, of which hypertension and high cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemia) were the most important comorbidities. The gender balance (70% female) and the most commonly reported Long COVID/PASC symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, loss of concentration and forgetfulness, shortness of breath, as well as joint and muscle pains) were comparable to those reported elsewhere. This suggests that our sample was not at all atypical. Using a previously published scoring system for fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology, we analysed blood samples from 70 patients, and report the presence of significant fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in all cases; these were associated with Long COVID/PASC symptoms that persisted after the recovery from acute COVID-19. A subset of 24 patients was treated with one month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (Clopidogrel 75mg/Aspirin 75mg) once a day, as well as a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) (Apixiban) 5 mg twice a day. A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pantoprazole 40 mg/day was also prescribed for gastric protection. Such a regime must only be followed under strict and qualified medical guidance to obviate any dangers, especially haemorrhagic bleeding, and of the therapy as a whole. Thromboelastography (TEG®) was used to assist in determining their clotting status. Each of the 24 treated cases reported that their main symptoms were resolved and fatigue as the main symptom was relieved, and this was also reflected in a decrease of both the fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology scores. Nine patients were genotyped for genetic variation in homocysteine metabolism implicated in hypertension, a common COVID-19 co-morbidity reported in both patients found to be homozygous for the risk-associated MTHFR 677 T-allele. Fibrin amyloid microclots that block capillaries and inhibit the transport of O2 to tissues, accompanied by platelet hyperactivation, provide a ready explanation for the symptoms of Long COVID/PASC. The removal and reversal of these underlying epitheliopathies underlying this provide an important treatment option that seems to be highly efficacious, and warrants controlled clinical studies.

Network analysis of specimen co-collection

We took data on the collectors of specimens from natural history collections. Co-collectors of specimens were extracted from the data and a network of co-collection was constructed. This network was used to analyze the age and gender balance of collectors and how this has changed with time. Men outnumber women in the network, but women participation increases with time, as are the all female pairs of collectors. Most collector pairs have less than 50 years age difference and it is suggested that co-collections above this age difference should be checked for errors. This project has proven the value of analyzing co-collection data, but also highlighted the many additional avenues for future research on this subject.

Gender and Economic Downturn. The Focus on Women and the Pandemic Crisis

The goal of the paper is to consider whether women are vulnerable or protected on the labour market during the pandemic crisis, seeking answers in the wider context of previous downturns and economic theory. In times of crisis, female employment is likely to be more susceptible to cuts, for several reasons explained i.a. by the flexible buffers hypothesis or sex segregation hypothesis. Since the pandemic crisis is still unfolding, many of its effects are still unknown but it can be expected that the COVID-19 crisis may have an unequal impact on women and men. Additional challenges in this crisis can be found in the home. Gender effects vary across EU countries, however, it is essential to develop at both the European and national level effective policy responses leading to gender balance in various dimensions (including paid and unpaid work).

Who Migrates, Who Stays?

This chapter provides a descriptive investigation into who migrates. Reasons for concern about the gender balance in migration are set out, including the empowerment of women. Gender differences in education are estimated to be an important contributor shaping this balance. Autonomous migration by women is broadly stigmatized but shown to vary widely across countries of Africa and Asia. The long-standing evidence of positive selection on education in rural-urban migration is reaffirmed, though the more recent depiction of negative selection on urban-rural migration is less uniform. Claims that migrations between the rural and urban zones result in sorting of labor by skills are not supported. Rural-urban migration is lowering education of the labor force in towns; urban-rural migration is raising that in the countryside. Minority ethnolinguistic groups typically undertake less rural-urban and more urban-rural migration. The context in which these communities live and the policies toward them contribute to these migration patterns and are detailed in the chapter.

Gender and Politics: Gender Balance as a Panacea to a Credible and Successful Election

This paper focuses on Gender Balance as a Panacea to a Credible and Successful Election, having as its raison d’être: to review the concept of gender balance and appropriate its implications towards achieving a credible and successful election required for the existence of human centered development process in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria as a case study. Thus, the paper achieves its goal by adopting a qualitative descriptive method of analysis as it examines qualitatively: the urgency for the crusade on gender balance; the inter-linkages between gender balance and a credible-successful election. A few theoretical orientations were employed to mediate for a proper epistemic extrapolations and reconstructions to explaining gender balance as a panacea to a credible and successful election: these include, the notion of Social Contract, the notion of Democratic Culture, and the notion of Participatory Electoral Process. The paper made some findings, a few of these include: 1) there is the tendency in the sub-Saharan African socio-political cultural practice, Nigeria in particular, to socially exclude women in politics because the female gender has been judged first of all from sexuality point of view as a second class gender rather than seeing women, first of all, as humans, hence entitled to human rights for which right to political participation is inclusive. 2) There is a correlation between gender balance and a credible-successful election, and the absence of the former reproduces a negative outcome in the latter. The paper therefore concludes that strict observance of gender balance is a sine qua non for a credible-successful election conducive for human centered development process. It thus recommends for the total commitment of government to democratic culture by mainstreaming women in politics, inter alia. Received: 27 July 2021 / Accepted: 15 October 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

Tanzania’s president will begin to pursue her own plan

Significance Alongside a recent cabinet reshuffle and promises to fast-track negotiations over a possible USD30bn liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, there are strong indications Samia is starting to build her own strategy for Tanzania’s development. Impacts Samia will prioritise projects that can give her something to show to voters and her party as she mounts her 2025 election bid. Progress in gas talks will likely spur a surge in investments in related industries. Samia’s appointment of Tanzania’s first female defence minister will help address gender balance, but may not presage major policy shifts.