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14. The lethal effect of soap on Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in water.

Author

Zhang, Jiaodi, Pitol, Ana K., Kinung'hi, Safari, Angelo, Teckla, Emery, Aidan M., Cieplinski, Adam, Templeton, Michael R., and Braun, Laura

Subjects
SCHISTOSOMA mansoni, CERCARIAE, SOAP, SCHISTOSOMIASIS, PARASITIC diseases
Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease which is spread through skin contact with water containing Schistosoma cercariae. Drug treatment has been the main control method, but it does not prevent reinfection. The use of soap can be a complementary measure to reduce transmission. Therefore, this study investigates the quantitative effect of different soaps on the mortality of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Methodology: Four soaps including two powder soaps (Kleesoft and Omo) and two bar soaps (B29 and Rungu) which are used in a schistosomiasis-endemic Tanzanian village were studied. S. mansoni cercariae were exposed to powder soaps of 0 (control), 10, 50, 75, 100 and 1000 mg/L and to bar soaps of 0 (control), 100, 500 and 1000 mg/L. The highest concentration of 1000 mg/L was selected based on the laboratory-estimated average soap concentration during handwashing. Cercariae were observed under a microscope after 0, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes of exposure to determine their survival. Conclusions: All four soaps can kill S. mansoni cercariae and this lethal effect was related to soap concentration and exposure time. At the highest concentration of 1000 mg/L, all cercariae were dead at 5 minutes post-exposure with two powder soaps and Rungu, while 100% cercarial death was achieved between 5 minutes to 15 minutes for B29. Almost all cercariae survived after being exposed to 10 mg/L powder soaps and 100 mg/L bar soaps for 60 minutes. Powder soaps were more lethal than bar soaps. Considering the widely varying concentrations of soap during real-world hygiene activities and the necessity for a very high soap concentration to eliminate all cercariae in a short 5-minute exposure, providing the efficacy of soap in preventing schistosomiasis becomes challenging. Future studies should investigate whether soap can influence alternative mechanisms such as creating a barrier to skin, thereby providing protection. Author summary: Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in low-resource countries where there is insufficient access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel has been the main control method, but it cannot protect against reinfection. With the increasing awareness of the importance of a multi-faceted control strategy, WASH has been recommended as one of the core strategic interventions for schistosomiasis control. The use of soap, one hygiene practice, might play a role in prevention by reducing human exposure to cercariae, thereby lowering the infection risk at transmission sites. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no detailed guidelines on how to use soap to prevent schistosomiasis in endemic areas. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the efficacy of four commercial Tanzanian soaps against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae to understand soap lethality. The results provide scientific evidence of soap protection against schistosome cercariae and suggest that future studies should investigate other potential mechanisms by which soap may provide protection against cercariae (e.g. damaging them sufficiently to hinder penetration into the skin or protecting skin against cercarial penetration). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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17. Experiences of service user involvement and their influence on identity

Author

Emery, Leigh M.

Subjects
150, BF0697 Differential psychology. Individuality. Self, HV1551 People with disabilities, RA0790 Mental health services. Mental illness prevention
Abstract

Identity can be considered to be socially constructed and developed through narratives about ourselves and our experiences. Having socially valued roles may thus facilitate a positive identity. This study aimed to explore how the experiences of service user involvement (SUI) in health and social care services (specifically, being involved in staff recruitment) influenced the narrative identities of people with learning disabilities. Interviews were conducted with seven people with learning disabilities who had been service user representatives on NHS interview panels. These were analysed using thematic narrative analysis as a framework. All described positive narrative identities, but the degree to which SUI featured in the construction of narrative identities varied. Whilst some found the experience transformative, for others it was not an important part of their narratives. The findings suggest that such experiences formed just one of many narratives that participants drew from to construct their narrative identity.

Published
2015

30. Energetic costs of testosterone in two subsistence populations (advance online)

Author

Trumble, B., Pontzer, H., Stieglitz, J., Cummings, D., Wood, B., Emery Thompson, M., Raichlen, D., Beheim, B., https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4653-3155, Yetish, G., Kaplan, H., and Gurven, M.

Abstract

Objective Testosterone plays a role in mediating energetic trade-offs between growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Investments in a high testosterone phenotype trade-off against other functions, particularly survival-enhancing immune function and cellular repair; thus only individuals in good condition can maintain both a high testosterone phenotype and somatic maintenance. While these effects are observed in experimental manipulations, they are difficult to demonstrate in free-living animals, particularly in humans. We hypothesize that individuals with higher testosterone will have higher energetic expenditures than those with lower testosterone. Methods Total energetic expenditure (TEE) was quantified using doubly labeled water in n?=?40 Tsimane forager-horticulturalists (50% male, 18?87?years) and n?=?11 Hadza hunter-gatherers (100% male, 18?65?years), two populations living subsistence lifestyles, high levels of physical activity, and high infectious burden. Urinary testosterone, TEE, body composition, and physical activity were measured to assess potential physical and behavioral costs associated with a high testosterone phenotype. Results Endogenous male testosterone was significantly associated with energetic expenditure, controlling for fat free mass; a one standard deviation increase in testosterone is associated with the expenditure of an additional 96?240 calories per day. Discussion These results suggest that a high testosterone phenotype, while beneficial for male reproduction, is also energetically expensive and likely only possible to maintain in healthy males in robust condition.

Published
2023

45. Vocal signals facilitate cooperative hunting in wild chimpanzees

Author

Mine, J., Slocombe, K. E., Willems, E. P, Gilby, I. C., Yu, M., Emery Thompson, M., Muller, M. N., Wrangham, R. W., Townsend, Simon W., and Machanda, Z. P.

Abstract

Cooperation and communication likely coevolved in humans. However, the evolutionary roots of this interdependence remain unclear. We address this issue by investigating the role of vocal signals in facilitating a group cooperative behavior in an ape species: hunting in wild chimpanzees. First, we show that bark vocalizations produced before hunt initiation are reliable signals of behavioral motivation, with barkers being most likely to participate in the hunt. Next, we find that barks are associated with greater hunter recruitment and more effective hunting, with shorter latencies to hunting initiation and prey capture. Our results indicate that the coevolutionary relationship between vocal communication and group-level cooperation is not unique to humans in the ape lineage and is likely to have been present in our last common ancestor with chimpanzees.\ud

Published
2022

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