The succession of mosquito species and abiotic factors affecting their distribution and abundance in rice (Oryza spp.) fields was investigated over a 16-wk rice growing cycle covering the period between January and May 2006. Fifteen experimental rice plots were sampled for mosquito larvae and characterized based on rice height, number of tillers, floating vegetation cover, water depth, water temperature, turbidity, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, and conductivity. Microscopic identification of 3,025 larvae yielded nine mosquito species predominated by Anopheles arabiensis Patton (45.0%), Culex quinquefasciatus Say (35.8%), Anopheles pharoensis Theobald (9.0%) and Ficalbia splendens Theobald (7.1%). Other species, including Anopheles rufipes Gough, Anopheles coustani Laveran, Anonopheles maculipalpis Giles, Culex annulioris Theobald, and Culex poicilipes Theobald made up 3.1% of the total collection. Anopheles gambiae s.l., Cx. quinquefasciatus, and An. pharoensis occurred throughout the cycle, but they were more abundant up to 4 wk posttransplanting with peaks after fertilizer application. As rice plants became established, three groups of mosquitoes were recognized: the first groups included An. rufipes, Fl. splendens, and Cx. annulioris, which occurred throughout much of the second half of the rice cycle, whereas the second group included Cx. poicilipes, which was found in the middle of the rice cycle. An. coustani and An. maculipalpis formed the third group occurring toward the end of the cycle. Dissolved oxygen, number of tillers, and rice height were negatively associated with the abundance of An. arabiensis and Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. In addition, Cx. quinquefasciatus also was associated with water depth (−ve) and turbidity (+ve). Abundance of An. pharoensis larvae was significantly associated with water temperature (+ve), the number of tillers (−ve), and rice height (−ve), whereas Fl. splendens was significantly associated with the number of tillers (+ve). The results demonstrate a complex nature of the interactions between some of the factors in the ecosystem and mosquito species abundance and calls for time-dependent and species-specific mosquito control operations.
We determined changes in species composition and densities of immature stages of Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in relation to rice growth cycle in order to generate data for developing larval control strategies in rice ecosystems. Experimental rice paddies (6.3m × 3.15m) exposed to natural colonization of mosquitoes were sampled weekly for two rice growing cycles between February 2004 and March 2005. Overall, 21,325 Anopheles larvae were collected, of which 91.9% were 1st and 2nd instars and 8.1% were 3rd and 4th instars. An. arabiensis was the predominant species (84.1%) with other species, An. pharoensis (13.5%), An. funestus (2.1%), An. coustani (0.3%), and An. maculipalpis (0.1%) accounting for only a small proportion of the anophelines collected. Culex quinquefasciatus (65.7%) was the predominant species among the non-anopheline species. Others species collected included: C. annulioris (9.9%), C. poicilipes (7.3%), C. tigripes (7.2%), C. duttoni (0.6%), Aedes aegypti (5.3%), Ae. cumminsii (3.5%), and Ae. vittatus (0.7%). The densities of the major anopheline species were closely related to rice stage and condition of the rice field. An. arabiensis, the predominant species, was most abundant over a three-week period after transplanting. Low densities of larvae were collected during the late vegetative, reproductive, and ripening phases of rice. An increase in larval density ten days post-transplanting was found to correlate with the application of fertilizer (sulphate of ammonia). Culicine and aedine species densities were significantly higher during the post-harvesting period. Our results suggest that the transplanting stage is favorable for the growth of immature stages of An. arabiensis and provides a narrow window for targeted larval intervention in rice.
Introduction Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, is often diagnosed at advanced stages leading to a poorer prognosis. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, which are healthcare technology utilizing mobile or other wireless technology, promise enhanced early detection by optimising lung cancer screening (LCS) implementation. However, their efficacy across various patient demographics and the underlying mechanisms that influence LCS success remain unclear and underexplored. Aim To explore the efficacy of mHealth interventions in promoting LCS uptake, focusing on patient demographics, intervention characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms and contexts influencing their effectiveness. Methods This realist review will employ an iterative literature search in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Selected studies will be assessed for relevance and rigour, extracting data on mHealth features, patient demographics, and intervention outcomes. Data will be analysed thematically to describe relationships between intervention mechanisms, contexts, and outcomes. Additionally, engagement from key stakeholders, including health experts and patients, will be sought during the synthesis phase. Conclusion This review aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of how and why mHealth interventions can influence LCS uptake and be effective across different patient demographics. These findings will provide insights into optimising mHealth interventions for LCS, potentially leading to earlier detections and improved patient outcomes.
Venus im Pelz by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch is notorious as the literary depiction of masochism. To date, critics and psychoanalysts have used Freud's theories of sexuality to critique Sacher-Masoch's novel and to offer various explanations for the existence of masochism. They have tended, however, to overlook the significance of the word "unheimlich" ("uncanny"), which recurs through the German text. This article explores the significance of the uncanny in terms of Sacher-Masoch's book. It turns away from Freud's theories of sexuality and instead compares motifs within this masochistic tale with those described in Freud's essay. Doing so reveals multiple layers of the uncanny within this masochistic tale. The suggestion is that this strong uncanny presence explains not only the death-driven forces behind masochism, but also the novel's enduring fascination.
The prevalence of Loa loa, Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti infections in an under-surveyed area of Bengo Province, Angola, was determined by surveying 22 communities with a combination of clinical, serological and DNA diagnostics. Additional information was collected on participants' duration of residency, access to mass drug administration, knowledge of insect vectors and use of bednets. A total of 1616 individuals (38.1% male: 61.9% female), with an average age of 43 years, were examined. For L. loa, 6.2% (n = 100/16616) individuals were found to have eyeworm, based on the rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) surveys, and 11.5% (n =178/1543) based on nested PCR analyses of venous blood. L. loa prevalences in long-term residents (>10 years) and older individuals (>60 years) were significantly higher, and older men with eyeworm were better informed about Chrysops vectors. For O. volvulus, 4.7% (n = 74/1567) individuals were found to be positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ov 16 ELISA), with only three individuals reporting to have ever taken ivermectin. For W. bancrofti, no infections were found using the antigen-based immunochromatographic test (ICT) and real-time PCR analysis; however, 27 individuals presented with lymphatic filariasis (LF) related clinical conditions (lymphoedema = 11, hydrocoele = 14, both = 2). Just under half (45.5%) of the participants owned a bednet, with the majority (71.1%) sleeping under it the night before. Our approach of using combination diagnostics reveals the age-prevalence of loiasis alongside low endemicity of onchocerciasis and LF. Future research foci should be on identifying opportunities for more cost-effective ways to eliminate onchocerciasis and to develop innovative surveillance modalities for clinical LF for individual disease management and disability prevention.
Background Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. A significant reason for its high mortality is delayed diagnosis, with lung cancer typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. Previous research has shown that prescribing rates of certain medications increase in the 24 months preceding a cancer diagnosis. This suggests a potential opportunity for early diagnosis of lung cancer by the identification of high-risk patients based on the prescribing of medications associated with a subsequent lung cancer diagnosis. Our aim is to identify all prescribing events associated within an increased incidence of primary lung cancer in the subsequent 24 months. Methods We will conduct a systematic review, and, where possible, a meta-analysis, reporting the findings in accordance with the PRISMA reporting guideline. All peer-reviewed studies in the English language that quantitatively describe an association between prescribing data and lung cancer diagnosis using a control group will be eligible. Details regarding prescribing rate in the lung cancer group versus the control group will be extracted with study characteristics. Quality appraisal of studies, using ROBINS-E will be used for assessing risk of bias. For each drug studied, we will report prescribing rate ratios (PRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A meta-analysis using a pooled estimate of PRRs, either by fixed or random-effect models, will be performed if possible. Conclusions This systematic review will summarise the evidence on drugs that, when prescribed, suggest the possibility of an as-yet-undiagnosed lung cancer. This research has the potential to impact clinical practice by informing targeted screening strategies and refining early detection protocols for this harmful disease. If achieved, this could increase the numbers of lung cancers diagnosed at an earlier stage, with consequent improvements to patients in terms of survival, treatment tolerability and quality of life.
Background Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with early screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) substantially improving survival. However, participation in screening programmes remains low, particularly among underserved populations. This review aims to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lung cancer screening within a behavioural and implementation science framework, to inform strategies that enhance community-based screening uptake. Methods This hybrid systematic review will be conducted in two phases. First, existing systematic reviews on global LDCT-based lung cancer screening recruitment strategies will be identified and screened against eligibility criteria. Second, we will search databases for individual studies not covered by the identified reviews. Studies must focus on community-based lung cancer screening recruitment, with the primary outcome being barriers and facilitators to implementation in these settings. Two independent reviewers will perform screening, selection, bias assessment, and data extraction. A thematic synthesis will be conducted using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), with evidence strength assessed using GRADE and CERQual. This protocol adheres to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewers’ Manual and PRISMA-P guidelines. Conclusion The review will provide comprehensive insights into factors influencing the implementation of lung cancer screening in community settings, aiming to guide improvements in recruitment strategies and increase participation rates. Findings will be disseminated widely to researchers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and the public to support the effective implementation of lung cancer screening programmes.
Abstract Background Although “Slash and Clear” has proven effective in reducing blackfly densities in low transmission foci, the impact of this strategy in high transmission settings with large rivers and important vector densities remains to be demonstrated. Methods/Principal findings A controlled before-and-after community-based intervention comprising two arms (Bayomen as control site and Biatsota as intervention site) was carried out in the Mbam Valley (Centre Region, Cameroon). In each arm, baseline blackfly densities were collected over one year using the human landing method. The intervention consisted of destroying the trailing vegetation where blackflies breed. Blackfly densities were collected post-intervention to assess the impact of the intervention. Before the intervention, a total of 36,273 and 29,041 blackflies were collected in Bayomen and Biatsota, respectively. After the intervention period, the total blackfly density in the intervention site decreased from 29,041 to 20,011 (31.1% reduction), while an increase of 2·7% was observed in the control site (from 36,273 to 37,248). The Poisson mixed regression model shows that the reduction was significantly greater in the intervention site than in the control site (p<0.0005). Conclusions/Significance This study showed that “Slash and Clear” approach is feasible and has a significant impact on vector densities in a high transmission setting. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term impact of this vector control approach, and how this promising strategy can be scaled-up and sustained until elimination of onchocerciasis. Author summary River blindness persists in some foci in Cameroon despite more than two decades of ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy. Mass drug administration (MDA) appears insufficient to interrupt onchocerciasis transmission in these hotspots, and should be complemented by vector control, the most promising alternative strategy to date. In 2018, the effectiveness of a new community-based vector control approach, known as slash and clear, was demonstrated. This strategy involves the removal of trailing vegetation at breeding sites, a primary attachment points for blackfly larvae. In this study, we show that this environment-friendly intervention is feasible and has a significant impact on blackfly densities in high transmission settings. This promising intervention can be combined with regular annual ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination.
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