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Introduction: Despite a recent drive to increase diversity, the global academic workforce is skewed in favor of authors from high‐income countries, and women are under‐represented in the published medical literature. Objectives: To explore the trends in authorship of three high‐impact otolaryngology journals over a ten‐year period (2011–2020). Methods: Journals selected: JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, The Laryngoscope and Rhinology. Articles were reviewed from four issues per journal per year, and data was collected on: time of publication; subspeciality; number of authors; sex of first and last authors; country of practice of first author and country where each study was conducted. Trends were examined though univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 2998 articles were included. 93.9% of first authors and 94.2% of studies were from high‐income countries. Women were first authors in 31.5% (n = 912) and senior authors in 18.4% (n = 524) of articles. Female first authorship significantly increased between 2011 and 2020 however female senior authorship remained the same. There have been no significant changes in the proportion of published articles from low‐and middle‐income countries (LMIC) over time (p =.65). Amongst the LMIC articles, 72% came from Brazil, Turkey or China and there were no published papers from countries with a low‐income economy (gross national income per capita of $1085 or less). Conclusions: Although female first authorship has increased in the last decade, there has been minimal other demographic change in authorship over this time. High‐impact otolaryngology journals poorly represent academia in low‐and‐middle income countries. There is a need for increased advocacy promoting gender and geographical research equity in academic medicine. Level of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the impact of female sex on the experiences of trainees and surgeons in otolaryngology from LMIC and HIC. Methods: This study includes perspectives of five consultants and two resident physicians from the United States, United Kingdom, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. Results: Six themes emerged from these interviews. Overall, LMIC and HIC women shared similar experiences of microaggressions during patients, working along ancillary staff, related to pregnancy, imposter syndrome, difficulties during job search, and unique barriers as consultant. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight that gender disparities are present at all levels in Otolaryngology but can present differently depending on context. Laryngoscope, 133:547–551, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's 1063 mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) live in two subpopulations at the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The majority of mountain gorillas are human‐habituated to facilitate tourism and research, which brings mountain gorillas into close proximity of people daily. Wild great apes are proven to be susceptible to human pathogens, including viruses that have caused fatal respiratory disease in mountain gorillas (e.g., human metapneumovirus1). This is the result of the close genetic relatedness of humans and gorillas as species, and the structural and genetic similarity in molecular receptors that allow viruses to infect cells2. At the time of writing, there is no evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19), has infected a mountain gorilla. However, due to the significant potential for human‐to‐gorilla transmission, mountain gorilla range States took immediate steps to minimize the COVID‐19 threat. These actions included a combination of preventive practice around gorillas and other great apes (e.g., mandatory face mask use, increased "social" minimum distancing from gorillas) as well as human public health measures (e.g., daily health/fever screenings, COVID‐19 screening, and quarantines). Minimization of the COVID‐19 threat also required socioeconomic decision‐making and political will, as all gorilla tourism was suspended by late March 2020 and guidelines developed for tourism reopening. A consortium that collaborates and coordinates on mountain gorilla management and conservation, working within an intergovernmental institutional framework, took a multifaceted One Health approach to address the COVID‐19 threat to mountain gorillas by developing a phased contingency plan for prevention and response. The aim of this paper is to describe how range States and partners achieved this collaborative planning effort, with intent that this real‐world experience will inform similar actions at other great ape sites. REASEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Endangered mountain gorillas are at risk for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19)COVID‐19 risk is high because of daily close proximity of humans.National parks and NGOs developed a contingency plan to ensure best practices for prevention and readiness for response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubella virus causes a mild disease; however, infection during the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in over 80% of affected pregnancies. Vaccination is recommended and has been shown to effectively reduce CRS incidence. Uganda plans to introduce routine rubella vaccination in 2019. The World Health Organization recommends assessing the disease burden and obtaining the baseline molecular virological data before vaccine introduction. Sera collected during case‐based measles surveillance from January 2005 to July 2018 were tested for rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Sera from confirmed rubella outbreaks from January 2012 to August 2017 were screened using real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR); for positive samples, a region within the E1 glycoprotein coding region was amplified and sequenced. Of the 23 196 suspected measles cases serologically tested in parallel for measles and rubella, 5334 (23%) were rubella IgM‐positive of which 2710 (50.8%) cases were females with 2609 (96.3%) below 15 years of age. Rubella IgM‐positive cases were distributed throughout the country and the highest number was detected in April, August, and November. Eighteen (18%) of the 100 sera screened were real‐time RT‐PCR‐positive of which eight (44.4%) were successfully sequenced and genotypes 1G and 2B were identified. This study reports on the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of rubella. Increased knowledge of former and current rubella viruses circulating in Uganda will enhance efforts to monitor the impact of vaccination as Uganda moves toward control and elimination of rubella and CRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A species, especially when it is endangered and surrounded by anthropogenic elements, can be threatened by habitat fragmentation. Food resource availability in the species' usual or surrogate habitats may reinforce or decrease its use of certain areas. Our objective was to to determine the influence of natural and anthropogenic variables on spatial distribution of eastern chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). We first determined the home range of a wild chimpanzee community (hereafter Sebitoli Chimpanzee Community [SCC]) based on global positioning system (GPS) point locations ( n = 2,586 direct observations and feces locations) collected between 2009 and 2013 in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda. We described SCC home range using grid cells (2,959 cells of 100 m × 100 m) referencing environmental, spatial, and topographical variables ( n = 15). We then determined diet and food species abundance within their territory ( n = 63 vegetation plots and 18 months phenological survey) and predicted distribution of the 10 most foraged fruit species within SCC home range, using environmental, spatial, and topographical variables ( n = 10) by applying a maximum entropy model (maxent). We then predicted chimpanzee presence as a function of environmental, spatial, and topographical variables ( n = 15) using the maxent model and assessed its truthfulness with the kernel model, based only on GPS point locations. Chimpanzees in Sebitoli were mostly observed in a core area of 5.42 km2 within the 25-km2 home range. They did not avoid forest edges in contact with human populations, especially males who used larger core areas than females. Factors with the greatest positive impact on the chimpanzee distribution model (maxent area under the curve [AUC] = 0.907) were related to 3 different food resources: 1) proximity to forest edges considered as attractive because of presence of crops cultivated by local farmers; 2) proximity to a tarmac road that crosses the SCC home range with shoulders covered by attractive terrestrial herbaceous vegetation; and 3) presence of wild forest fruiting resources. The results obtained with the maxent predictive model, applied on a fine scale, were consistent with the kernel model, based on real observations. Therefore, such an approach may be recommended for surveys or action plans interested in sustainable management of wildlife in an anthropogenic environment and may be a useful tool to better understand parameters of a prefered zone for an endangered species. © 2016 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the spread of road infrastructures throughout Africa to support regional development, industry, and tourism, few studies have examined how wild animals adapt their behavior and ecology in road-forest ecotones. Indeed, while numerous studies have demonstrated chimpanzee adaptability in anthropogenic landscapes, none have examined the effects of asphalted highways on wild chimpanzee behaviors. In a 29-month survey, we assessed the dangers posed by an asphalted road crossing the Sebitoli area of Kibale National Park (Uganda). We analyzed 122 individual chimpanzee crossings. Although the asphalted road represents a substantial threat to crossing animals (89 motorized vehicles per hour use this road and individuals of six different primate species were killed in 1 year), chimpanzees took into account this risk. More than 90% of the individuals looked right and left before and while crossing. Chimpanzees crossed in small subgroups (average 2.7 subgroups of 2.1 individuals per crossing event). Whole parties crossed more rapidly when chimpanzees were more numerous in the crossing groups. The individuals most vulnerable to the dangers of road crossing (females with dependents, immature, and severely injured individuals) crossed less frequently compared with non-vulnerable individuals (lone and healthy adolescents and adults). Moreover, healthy adult males, who were the most frequent crossing individuals, led progressions more frequently when crossing the road than when climbing or descending feeding trees. Almost 20% of the individuals that crossed paid attention to conspecifics by checking on them or waiting for them while crossing. These observations are relevant for our understanding of adaptive behavior among chimpanzees in human-impacted habitats. Further investigations are needed to better evaluate the effects of busy roads on adolescent female dispersal and on their use of territories. Mitigation measures (e.g., bridges, underpasses, reduced speed limits, speed-bumps, signposts, or police controls) should be established in this area. Am. J. Primatol. 77:890-900, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Molecular data on rubella viruses are limited in Uganda despite the importance of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Routine rubella vaccination, while not administered currently in Uganda, is expected to begin by 2015. The World Health Organization recommends that countries without rubella vaccination programs assess the burden of rubella and CRS before starting a routine vaccination program. Uganda is already involved in integrated case-based surveillance, including laboratory testing to confirm measles and rubella, but molecular epidemiologic aspects of rubella circulation have so far not been documented in Uganda. Twenty throat swab or oral fluid samples collected from 12 districts during routine rash and fever surveillance between 2003 and 2012 were identified as rubella virus RNA positive and PCR products encompassing the region used for genotyping were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the 20 sequences identified 19 genotype 1G viruses and 1 genotype 1E virus. Genotype-specific trees showed that the Uganda viruses belonged to specific clusters for both genotypes 1G and 1E and grouped with similar sequences from neighboring countries. Genotype 1G was predominant in Uganda. More epidemiological and molecular epidemiological data are required to determine if genotype 1E is also endemic in Uganda. The information obtained in this study will assist the immunization program in monitoring changes in circulating genotypes. J. Med. Virol. 86:2107-2113, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At least 10% of the Sebitoli chimpanzee community of the Kibale National Park ( Uganda) present a characteristic facial phenotype with flattened nose, reduced nostrils, and concave mid-face. Affected individuals do not present skin lesions, and also young infants are affected. We suggest, therefore, a congenital origin of this defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]