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Abstract The study's overarching goal was to examine the dynamics of geomorphological interaction and their effects on the urban expansion of the Weija-Gbawe Municipality in Ghana's Greater Accra Region. The study deployed a quantitative research approach to achieve the objective. A descriptive research design was used in collecting and analyzing data from three hundred and fifty-one (351) participants with a closed-ended questionnaire. The study employed a cluster sampling technique to select the participants based on areas with high concentrations of built-ups and other areas with low concentrations. Using the important relative index (RII), the fundamental level is ranked by the index. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse the data, and the results are shown in a descriptive frequency distribution table. The findings revealed population growth in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality as the main human factor transforming the landscapes' geomorphology, as residents change the landscape for human occupation and industrial uses. Similarly, the topographical terrain, emphasizing slope and elevation were the predominant geomorphological characteristic modifying urban expansion in the Municipality, as settlements were mainly distributed on flat terrain, and the elevation and slope were significant constraints for expansion of the city. Furthermore, urban land utilization in the Weija Gbawe Municipality is distinguished by an industrialized economy and built-up facilities. The paper concludes that applying geographic information systems, remote sensing, and field surveys is essential for generating comprehensive knowledge of urban and anthropocene geomorphology; this is possible through the use of GIS and remote sensing in analyzing the land use land cover changes in the study area. The study suggests enacting, enforcing environmental by-laws, intensifying, and restructuring environmental education by various stakeholders, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Municipality's Physical Planning Agency (PPA). This could be done by bridging the weak linkage between land use/road planning and aborting applications received which were not in line with the planning standards and approving those that are accurate and standard.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a pervasive problem in Ghana that has long-term negative consequences for survivors. Churches in Ghana are not immune to this menace. Although, there is no reliable data on the prevalence of CSA in churches, in some cases, Christian religious leaders have been accused as perpetrators of CSA, covering up abuse or failing to take appropriate action when abuse occurs. Using the second phase of the Pastoral Cycle, the study undertook a contextual examination of child sexual abuse in churches and the church’s role in child protection in Ghana. The paper posits that pastoral ministry of care and safeguarding of children could contribute significantly to the fight against CSA in Ghana. This article adds to the literature on curbing child sexual abuse in Ghana.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a global public health concern. It is considered a crime in most countries in the world. CSA has a devastating and long-term adverse effect on the child, family, community, and the nation. Child sexual abuse involves any kind of sexual activity to which children are subjected, especially by someone who is responsible for them or has power or control over them, and who they should be able to trust. The statistics of CSA are alarming and vary across countries. In Ghana, there is evidence that CSA is on the increase, despite several efforts by Governmental and Civil Society Organizations to address this menace. The paper undertakes a contextual analysis of the realities of CSA, with a special focus on socio-cultural, legal, and health perspectives to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the situation of CSA in Ghana. The paper concludes that an appropriate understanding of the complexities and realities of CSA could contribute to a stronger stakeholder collaboration for comprehensive and multi-sectorial intervention strategies to address the problem of CSA in Ghana.

Abstract Background Sexual dimorphism in metabolic and oxidative stress markers of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus longifilis found in southwest Nigeria was investigated. C. garepinus and H. longifilis broodstock weighing 2.54 ± 0.12 and 2.11 ± 0.15 kg consisting of 20 males and females each per species were sourced from southwest Nigeria. Fishes conditioned conditioning for breeding, blood samples were collected, and serum obtained to assess metabolic and oxidative stress indices using standard procedures. Results The results obtained show that serum albumin, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, and total antioxidant activity of Clarias garepinus were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Heterobranchus longifilis. Superoxide dismutase of males was significantly (p < 0.05) superior to females in both species. The total antioxidant activity of males was significantly (p < 0.05) superior to females in Heterobranchus longifilis. Serum catalase, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation were not affected by sex and species differences. Superoxide dismutase activity and some non-enzyme antioxidants could account for superior total antioxidant activity in males despite similar lipid peroxidation. Conclusion Catfish broodstocks of Heterobranchus longifilis possess superior total antioxidant activity than Clarias gariepinus owing to its superior non-enzyme antioxidants fraction. In both clariid species, males have better antioxidant defence than females.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources. Here, we discuss the implementation of transformative strategies, such as expanding the regional workshop model of AfricaBP to involve multiple countries, institutions and partners, including the proposed creation of an African digital database with sequence information relating to both biodiversity and agriculture. This will ultimately help create a critical mass of skilled genomics and bioinformatics scientists across Africa., (© 2024. Springer Nature America, Inc.)

Diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and schistosome infections relies largely on conventional microscopy which has limited sensitivity, requires highly trained personnel and is error-prone. Rapid advances in miniaturization of optical systems, sensors and processors have enhanced research and development of digital and automated microscopes suitable for the detection of these diseases in resource-limited settings. While some studies have reported proof-of-principle results, others have evaluated the performance of working prototypes in field settings. The extensive commercialization of these innovative devices has, however, not yet been achieved. This review provides an overview of recent publications (2010–2022) on innovative field applicable optical devices which can be used for the diagnosis of STH and schistosome infections. Using an adapted technology readiness level (TRL) scale taking into account the WHO target product profile (TPP) for these diseases, the developmental stages of the devices were ranked to determine the readiness for practical applications in field settings. From the reviewed 18 articles, 19 innovative optical devices were identified and ranked. Almost all of the devices (85%) were ranked with a TRL score below 8 indicating that, most of the devices are not ready for commercialization and field use. The potential limitations of these innovative devices were discussed. We believe that the outcome of this review can guide the end-to-end development of automated digital microscopes aligned with the WHO TPP for the diagnosis of STH and schistosome infections in resource-limited settings.

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems (DDS) may promote safer chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) by maximizing local drug distribution and residence time. Carbohydrate polymers, e.g. pectin (P) and chitosan (CS), are potential biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS due to their gelling ability, mucoadhesive property, colonic digestibility, and anticancer activity. Polymer mucoadhesion is augmentable by thiolation, e.g. pectin to thiolated pectin (TP). Meanwhile, P-CS polyelectrolyte complex has been shown to improve structural stability. Herein, we fabricated, characterized, and evaluated 5-fluorouracil-loaded primary DDS combining TP and CS as a composite (TPCF) through triple crosslinking actions (calcium pectinate, polyelectrolyte complex, disulfide). Combination of these crosslinking yields superior mucoadhesion property relative to single- or dual-crosslinked counterparts, with comparable drug release profile and drug compatibility. PCF and TPCF exhibited targeted cytotoxicity towards HT29 CRC cells with milder cytotoxicity towards HEK293 normal cells. In conclusion, TP-CS composites are promising next-generation mucoadhesive and selectively cytotoxic biomaterials for CRC-targeted DDS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Euglenoids (Euglenida) are unicellular flagellates possessing exceptionally wide geographical and ecological distribution. Euglenoids combine a biotechnological potential with a unique position in the eukaryotic tree of life. In large part these microbes owe this success to diverse genetics including secondary endosymbiosis and likely additional sources of genes. Multiple euglenoid species have translational applications and show great promise in production of biofuels, nutraceuticals, bioremediation, cancer treatments and more exotically as robotics design simulators. An absence of reference genomes currently limits these applications, including development of efficient tools for identification of critical factors in regulation, growth or optimization of metabolic pathways. The Euglena International Network (EIN) seeks to provide a forum to overcome these challenges. EIN has agreed specific goals, mobilized scientists, established a clear roadmap (Grand Challenges), connected academic and industry stakeholders and is currently formulating policy and partnership principles to propel these efforts in a coordinated and efficient manner., Competing Interests: Competing interests S.C.F. and M.R.S. are employees of Noblegen Inc which is for-profit entity. G.H. is an employee of Kemin Industries and a board member of Escovia Renewables. K.S. is an employee of Euglena Co. Ltd., (© 2022. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Unserviceable vehicles imported from developed countries are often dismantled in automobile junk markets and the useable parts sold. This generates hazardous waste oils which contain contaminants detrimental to the environment and human health. In this study, we quantified the potential human health risks associated with oral and dermal exposure to heavy metals and PAHs in well-water samples from a major automobile junk market in Ibadan, SW-Nigeria. Twenty-four to thirty-one water samples from seven wells within the market were analyzed for seven metals and eight PAHs using standard methods. Hazard-Quotient (HQ), Hazard-Index (HI), and Carcinogenic-Risk (CR) were computed for children and adults based on the USEPA Human-Health Risk Assessment model. Iron, Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Benzo(a)Anthracene, and Benzo(a)Pyrene exceeded regulatory limits. In children and adults, lead (1.14-3.71), cadmium (1.26-2.60) and arsenic (1.03-4.33) had HQ ingestion values exceeding 1. In addition, cadmium also posed risks via the dermal route in children in two of the seven sampled wells with an HQ of 1.76. Hazard Index was >1 via both routes in children (HI ingestion :- 5.04-10.07; HI dermal :- 1.12-2.12) but only via ingestion in adults (HI ingestion :- 2.36-4.85). Well-3 samples posed the greatest non-carcinogenic risks via ingestion with HI values of 10.07 (children) and 4.85 (adults) respectively. Cadmium, arsenic, lead, and chromium could also elicit carcinogenic risk, with CR values of 1.00E - 02, 1.95E - 03, 1.11E - 04, and 3.30E - 04 which exceeded the 10 -4 limit indicating high risk, particularly in children. However, HQ and HI values for PAHs were <1 via both pathways suggesting no non-carcinogenic risk from PAH exposure. Carcinogenic risk estimates for Benzo(a)Anthracene (9.66E - 04) and Benzo(a)Pyrene (2.31E - 04) suggest moderate risks in exposed children via the dermal route. Adverse health effects including cancer may occur in the exposed population on prolonged usage of these polluted water sources. Urgent remediation measures are therefore necessary to protect the exposed population., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Background: Melanoides tuberculata is a freshwater snail that serves as an intermediate host for 11 parasitic flukes. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and screening the snail intermediate hosts in the study site for schistosomiasis using the molecular technique., Methods: DNA was extracted from the snails by the hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide method and the Dra1 primer was used to amplify the Dra1 repeated sequence of Schistosoma haematobium., Results: The presence of schistosome DNA in M. tuberculata by polymerase chain reaction was confirmed., Conclusions: Our findings show that M. tuberculata is a potential intermediate host of schistosomes., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The corresponding author Michael L. Ginger is an Editorial Board member of the journal Protist.

Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Anthrax is an infectious disease occurring worldwide and is a threat to global society due to its possible misuse as a biological weapon. Bacillus anthracis is the etiologic agent of this disease which can be transmitted via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Globally, it is estimated around 2000 anthrax cases occur per year. Upon infection, the organism can cause cytolysis of macrophage and produce exotoxin capable of inducing edema and lymphatic blockage. Another challenge posed by the organism is the ability to form spores in harsh conditions. Various antibiotics have been used to fight the disease. However, like many other microbes, B. anthracis may develop resistance, thus the discovery of new therapeutics is urgently required. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been discovered since 1980s and attracted researchers in the antimicrobial field. In this review, the work and studies on the attempts to discover potent AMPs to treat anthrax together with the brief overview of the synthesis and modification pathways of several AMPs have been presented., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals, LLC.)

Background/purpose: Perioperative complications cause significant pediatric morbidity and mortality in low- and lower middle -income countries. This study investigates factors associated with prolonged length of stay, 90-day readmission and in-hospital mortality among pediatric patients at Eastern Regional Hospital (ERH) in Ghana., Methods: This is a retrospective review of perioperative morbidity and mortality in children < 18 years at ERH in Koforidua, Ghana. All pediatric surgeries performed between January 2015 and December 2017 were included in this study. Univariate analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests. Variables that were significant on univariate analysis were included in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender., Results: We analyzed 468 patients < 18 years of age with a median length of stay (LOS) of 3 days. The 90-day readmission and in-hospital mortality rates were 138 and 17 per 1000 patients, respectively. The most common procedures were herniorrhaphy (19 %) and appendectomy (15 %). Gastrointestinal surgery, surgical trauma, surgical infection and lack of insurance were significantly associated with prolonged LOS. Young age and female gender were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Malaria was significantly associated with 90-day readmission., Conclusions: Malaria infection is a significant risk factor for readmission, which should be investigated and treated in pediatric surgical patients in rural Ghana. Ensuring that all patients have insurance may result in shorter hospital stays. Provision of laparoscopic equipment may reduce hospital stays for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Expansion of the surgical work force, particularly pediatric surgeons, could improve perioperative survival in the very young population., Level of Evidence: Retrospective comparative study.

Africa plays a central importance role in the human origins, and disease susceptibility, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Nigeria as the most populous and most diverse country in Africa, owing to its 250 ethnic groups and over 500 different native languages is imperative to any global genomic initiative. The newly inaugurated Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) becomes necessary to facilitate research collaborative activities and foster opportunities for skills' development amongst Nigerian bioinformatics and genomics investigators. NBGN aims to advance and sustain the fields of genomics and bioinformatics in Nigeria by serving as a vehicle to foster collaboration, provision of new opportunities for interactions between various interdisciplinary subfields of genomics, computational biology and bioinformatics as this will provide opportunities for early career researchers. To provide the foundation for sustainable collaborations, the network organises conferences, workshops, trainings and create opportunities for collaborative research studies and internships, recognise excellence, openly share information and create opportunities for more Nigerians to develop the necessary skills to exceed in genomics and bioinformatics. NBGN currently has attracted more than 650 members around the world. Research collaborations between Nigeria, Africa and the West will grow and all stakeholders, including funding partners, African scientists, researchers across the globe, physicians and patients will be the eventual winners. The exponential membership growth and diversity of research interests of NBGN just within weeks of its establishment and the unanticipated attendance of its activities suggest the significant importance of the network to bioinformatics and genomics research in Nigeria., Competing Interests: None., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

Curcuma Longa: ( C. longa ) rhizome extract has been traditionally used to treat many infections. Curcumin, a pure compound isolated from the plant, has been documented to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Thai medicinal plant extracts including C. longa extract and Curcumin on Acanthamoeba triangularis , a causative agent of human Acanthamoeba keratitis. The parasite was isolated from the recreational reservoir at Walailak University, Thailand. The organism was identified as A. triangularis using morphology and 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences. The pathogen was tested for their susceptibility to ethanol extracts of Thai medicinal plants based on eye infection treatment. The ethanol C. longa extract showed the strongest anti- Acanthamoeba activity against both the trophozoites and cysts, followed by Coscinium fenestratum, Coccinia grandis , and Acmella oleracea extracts, respectively. After 24 h, 95% reduction of trophozoite viability was significantly decreased following the treatment with C. longa extract at 125 µg/mL, compared with the control (P < 0.05). The extract at 1,000 µg/mL inhibited 90% viability of Acanthamoeba cyst within 24 h, compared with the control. It was found that the cysts treated with C. longa extract at 500 µg/mL demonstrated abnormal shape after 24 h. The MIC values of C. longa extract and Curcumin against the trophozoites were 125 and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. While the MICs of the extract and curcumin against the cysts were 500 and 1,000 µg/mL, respectively. The results suggested the potential medicinal benefits of C. longa extract and Curcumin as the alternative treatment of Acanthamoeba infections.

Euglena spp. are phototrophic flagellates with considerable ecological presence and impact. Euglena gracilis harbours secondary green plastids, but an incompletely characterised proteome precludes accurate understanding of both plastid function and evolutionary history. Using subcellular fractionation, an improved sequence database and MS we determined the composition, evolutionary relationships and hence predicted functions of the E. gracilis plastid proteome. We confidently identified 1345 distinct plastid protein groups and found that at least 100 proteins represent horizontal acquisitions from organisms other than green algae or prokaryotes. Metabolic reconstruction confirmed previously studied/predicted enzymes/pathways and provided evidence for multiple unusual features, including uncoupling of carotenoid and phytol metabolism, a limited role in amino acid metabolism, and dual sets of the SUF pathway for FeS cluster assembly, one of which was acquired by lateral gene transfer from Chlamydiae. Plastid paralogues of trafficking-associated proteins potentially mediating fusion of transport vesicles with the outermost plastid membrane were identified, together with derlin-related proteins, potential translocases across the middle membrane, and an extremely simplified TIC complex. The Euglena plastid, as the product of many genomes, combines novel and conserved features of metabolism and transport., (© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.)

The authors have retracted this article [1] because of methodological inaccuracies and incorrect use of the PRISMA/PROSPERO guidelines of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the article.

Background: Photosynthetic euglenids are major contributors to fresh water ecosystems. Euglena gracilis in particular has noted metabolic flexibility, reflected by an ability to thrive in a range of harsh environments. E. gracilis has been a popular model organism and of considerable biotechnological interest, but the absence of a gene catalogue has hampered both basic research and translational efforts., Results: We report a detailed transcriptome and partial genome for E. gracilis Z1. The nuclear genome is estimated to be around 500 Mb in size, and the transcriptome encodes over 36,000 proteins and the genome possesses less than 1% coding sequence. Annotation of coding sequences indicates a highly sophisticated endomembrane system, RNA processing mechanisms and nuclear genome contributions from several photosynthetic lineages. Multiple gene families, including likely signal transduction components, have been massively expanded. Alterations in protein abundance are controlled post-transcriptionally between light and dark conditions, surprisingly similar to trypanosomatids., Conclusions: Our data provide evidence that a range of photosynthetic eukaryotes contributed to the Euglena nuclear genome, evidence in support of the 'shopping bag' hypothesis for plastid acquisition. We also suggest that euglenids possess unique regulatory mechanisms for achieving extreme adaptability, through mechanisms of paralog expansion and gene acquisition.

Background: Human schistosomiases are acute and chronic infectious diseases of poverty. Currently, epidemiological data of urinary schistosomiasis (US) in school-age children (SAC) and adults are often reported together making it difficult to ascertain the true status of the disease. Based on this premise, we set out to carry out this review., Method: To achieve this aim, we carried out a computer-aided search of PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, African Journals OnLine (AJOL) and the database of World Health Organization. However, the information obtained from these sources was supplemented with additional literatures from Mendeley, Research Gate, and Google., Results: The search yielded 183 literatures of which 93 full text research, review and online articles were deemed fit for inclusion. Our key findings showed that: (1) of all World Health Organization (WHO) Regions, Africa is the most endemic zone for US, with Kenya and Senegal recording the highest prevalence and mean intensity respectively; (2) SAC within the range of 5-16 years contribute most significantly to the transmission cycle of US globally; (3) gender is a factor to watch out for, with male often recording the highest prevalence and intensity of infection; (4) contact with open, potentially infested water sources contribute significantly to transmission; (5) parental factors (occupation and education status) predispose SAC to US; (6) economic vis a vis ecological factors play a key role in infection transmission; and (7) in the last decade, a treatment coverage of 45% was never achieved globally for SAC or non-SAC treatment category for urinary schistosomiasis., Conclusion: In view of the WHO strategic plan to eliminate schistosomiasis by 2020 and the findings from this review, it is obvious that this goal, in the face of realities, might not be achieved. It is imperative that annual control programmes be scaled up marginally, particularly in the African region of WHO. While US-based researches should be sponsored at the grass-root level to unveil hidden endemic foci, adequate facilities for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) should be put in place in all schools globally.

Introduction: Human schistosomiasis, a debilitating and chronic disease, is among a set of 17 neglected tropical infectious diseases of poverty that is currently posing a threat to the wellbeing of 2 billion people in the world. The SHAWN/WASH and MAM programmes in the study area require epidemiological data to enhance their effectiveness. We therefore embarked on this cross-sectional study with the aim of investigating the prevalence, intensity and risk factors of urogenital schistosomiasis., Methodology/ Principal Findings: Interviewed 484 respondents produced terminal urine samples (between 10.00h - 14.00h) which were analyzed with Medi ─Test Combi 10 and centrifuged at 400 r.p.m for 4 minutes using C2 series Centurion Scientific Centrifuge. Eggs of S. haematobium were identified with their terminal spines using Motic Binocular Microscope. Data were analyzed with Epi Info 7. In this study, the overall prevalence and arithmetic mean intensity of the infection were 8.68% (6.39─ 11.64) and 80.09 (30.92─129.28) eggs per 10ml of urine respectively. Urogenital schistosomiasis was significantly associated with knowledge about the snail host (χ2 = 4.23; P = 0.0398); water contact activities (χ2 = 25.788; P = 0.0001), gender (χ2 = 16.722; P = 0.0001); age (χ2 = 9.589; P = 0.0019); economic status of school attended (χ2 = 4.869; P = 0.0273); residence distance from open water sources (χ2 = 10.546; P = 0.0012); mothers' occupational (χ2 = 6.081; P = 0.0137) and educational status (χ2 = 4.139; P = 0.0419)., Conclusion/ Significance: The overall prevalence obtained in this survey shows that the study area was at a low-risk degree of endemicity for urogenital schistosomiasis. Beneath this is a subtle, latent and deadly morbidity-inducing heavy mean intensity of infection, calling for urgent implementation of WHO recommendation that MAM with PZQ be carried out twice for School-Age Children (enrolled or not enrolled) during their primary schooling age (once each at the point of admission and graduation). The criteria for classifying endemic areas for schistosomiasis should also be reviewed to capture the magnitude of mean intensity of infection rather than prevalence only as this may underplay its epidemiological severity., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, over 200 million individuals are estimated to be infected with urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis. In a bid to lay a foundation for effective future control programme, this study was carried out with the aim of assessing the diagnostic efficacy of some questionnaire-based rapid assessment indices of urinary schistosomiasis., Methodology: A total number of 1,363 subjects were enrolled for the study. Questionnaires were administered basically in English and Hausa languages by trained personnel. Following informed consent, terminal urine samples were collected between 09:40 AM and 2:00 PM using clean 20 ml capacity universal bottles. 10μl of each urine residue was examined for the eggs of S. haematobium using x10 objective nose of Motic Binocular Light Microscope (China)., Principal Findings: The average age ± Standard Deviation (SD) of school children examined was 15.30 ± 2.30 years and 40.87% were females. The overall prevalence and geometric mean intensity of S. haematobium infection were 26.41% (24.10─28.85) and 6.59 (5.59─7.75) eggs / 10 ml of urine respectively. Interestingly, a questionnaire equivalence of the prevalence obtained in this survey was 26.41% (24.10─28.85) for Rapid Assessment Procedure based on self-reported blood in urine. The results of correlation analyses demonstrated significant associations between the prevalence of S. haematobium infection and contact with potentially infested open water sources (r = 0.741; P = 0.006). By regression model, cases of respondents with self-reported blood in urine are expected to rise to 24.75% if prevalence of the infection shoots up to 26.5%., Conclusions/significance: The best RAP performance was obtained with self-reported blood in urine. Based on the overall prevalence value, the study area was at a "moderate-risk" of endemicity for urinary schistosomiasis. Chemotherapeutic intervention with Praziquantel, the rationale behind rapid assessment procedure for schistosomiasis, has been recommended to be carried out once in every 2 years for such communities.

Euglena gracilis is a major component of the aquatic ecosystem and together with closely related species, is ubiquitous worldwide. Euglenoids are an important group of protists, possessing a secondarily acquired plastid and are relatives to the Kinetoplastidae, which themselves have global impact as disease agents. To understand the biology of E. gracilis, as well as to provide further insight into the evolution and origins of the Kinetoplastidae, we embarked on sequencing the nuclear genome; the plastid and mitochondrial genomes are already in the public domain. Earlier studies suggested an extensive nuclear DNA content, with likely a high degree of repetitive sequence, together with significant extrachromosomal elements. To produce a list of coding sequences we have combined transcriptome data from both published and new sources, as well as embarked on de novo sequencing using a combination of 454, Illumina paired end libraries and long PacBio reads. Preliminary analysis suggests a surprisingly large genome approaching 2 Gbp, with a highly fragmented architecture and extensive repeat composition. Over 80% of the RNAseq reads from E. gracilis maps to the assembled genome sequence, which is comparable with the well assembled genomes of T. brucei and T. cruzi. In order to achieve this level of assembly we employed multiple informatics pipelines, which are discussed here. Finally, as a preliminary view of the genome architecture, we discuss the tubulin and calmodulin genes, which highlight potential novel splicing mechanisms.

Background: Human schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease of poverty caused by the cercariae of digenetic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The disease is a major source of morbidity and mortality in 77 low- and middle-income countries in the tropics where 700 million people are at risk. In a bid to provide relevant epidemiological information to boost control of urogenital schistosomiasis at the state level in Nigeria, we conducted this study with the aim of investigating the disease's prevalence and intensity, and the determinant factors responsible for its endemicity., Methods: Data on risk factors were obtained from a total of 645 students aged 12─25 years using well- designed questionnaires. Samples were collected between 09:45 and 14:00 in universal bottles. Each10μl centrifuged sample was examined for the eggs of S. haematobium using Motic® (Binocular) Light Microscope (model S-10-P) with a x10 objective. Average infection intensity was recorded as number of eggs per 10 ml of urine sample. Survey data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using Epi Info™ 7. Associations among variables were determined using the chi square test and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions., Results: Prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 30.54 % among the study population, with a mean infection intensity of 30.27 eggs/10 ml of urine. Prevalence and average intensity were higher in males (28.37 % and 32.21 eggs/10 ml of urine respectively) than in females (2.17 % and 5 eggs/10 ml of urine respectively). Water contact activities (X (2)   = 29.031, P = 0.0000), sex (male) [X (2)   = 109.82; P<0.0001], location (Dutsin─Ma) [X (2)   = 7.19; P = 0.0073], age group 18-20 (X (2)   = 4.819, P = 0.0281), altitude (531─560 m) [X (2)   = 6.84, p = 0.0089], fathers doing other brown─collar jobs (X (2)   = 8.449, P = 0.0037) and mothers' occupation (X (2)   = 9.470, P = 0.0021) were found to be significantly associated with urogenital schistosomiasis. Boys were six times more likely to be infected with the cercariae of S. haematobium compared to girls [AOR (95 % CI): 6.34 (4.89─8.22)]., Conclusions: Dutsin-Ma and Safana were classified as moderate-risk Local Government Areas for urogenital schistosomiasis. The strong association between the disease and mother's occupation is of utmost importance and suggests a promising control measure: that is, directing health education as well as grassroots mass chemotherapeutic intervention with praziquantel at mothers. A good network including treated pipe-borne water, drainage system, and sewage disposal facilities available should be improved upon. Molluscicides should be provided at highly subsidized rate to help control the disease.

Background: The national burden of genito-urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria has been expressed by an estimate of 101.3 million people at risk with an alarming figure of 29 million infected. Report obtained from respondents about Praziquantel® distribution and the obviously prevalent haematuria without any control programme in place justified the need for data on the prevalence, intensity of infection and associated risk factors which were the objectives this cross-sectional survey sought to address., Methods: A total of 718 students aged 10-23 years from the study area were surveyed between May and August, 2015. Data on socio-demographic and risk factors were obtained using structured questionnaires. Clean universal bottles with corresponding labels were offered for sample collection between 10:00 am and 13:30 pm. Centrifuged samples were microscopically examined and intensity of infection was recorded per 10 ml of each sample., Results: Prevalence of genito-urinary schistosomiasis was 22.7 % with a mean intensity of 25.05 (± standard deviation, ± 71.51) eggs/10 ml of urine. Higher prevalence (19.5 %) and mean intensity (28.7 eggs/10 ml of urine) was recorded among boys. Sex (χ (2) = 77.065, P < 0.0001), age group 16-18 (χ (2) = 5.396, P = 0.0202), altitude (χ (2) = 8.083, P = 0.0045), unwholesome water sources (χ (2) = 27.148, P < 0.0001), human recreational activities (χ (2) = 122.437, P < 0.0001), mothers' occupation (χ (2) = 6.359, P = 0.0117), farming (χ (2) = 6.201, P = 0.0128) and other brown collar jobs (χ (2) = 4.842, P = 0.0278) in fathers' occupational category were found to be significantly associated with urogenital schistosomiasis. Boys were seven times more likely to be infected compared to girls [AOR (95 % CI): 7.3 (4.26-12.4)]. Age group 16-18 years was four times more likely to be infected compared to age group 10-12 years [AOR (95 % CI): 4.43 (2.62-7.49)]. Similarly, respondents with farming as fathers' occupation were twice more likely to be infected than those whose fathers were civil servants [AOR (95 % CI): 2.08 (1.2-3.59)]., Conclusions: Dutsin-Ma and Safana were classified as moderate-risk Local Government Areas (LGA). Sex, altitude, unwholesome water sources and mothers' occupation were identified as the determining epidemiological factors in the prevalence of the disease. Sustainable chemotherapeutic intervention with Praziquantel®, good network of treated pipe-borne water, health education and waste disposal facilities are highly recommended to reduce its prevalence below the threshold of public health significance.