Browsing by Subject "Lactation"

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    Open Access
    Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes
    (2019-09-02) Attardo, Geoffrey M; Abd-Alla, Adly M M; Acosta-Serrano, Alvaro; Allen, James E; Bateta, Rosemary; Benoit, Joshua B; Bourtzis, Kostas; Caers, Jelle; Caljon, Guy; Christensen, Mikkel B; Farrow, David W; Friedrich, Markus; Hua-Van, Aurélie; Jennings, Emily C; Larkin, Denis M; Lawson, Daniel; Lehane, Michael J; Lenis, Vasileios P; Lowy-Gallego, Ernesto; Macharia, Rosaline W; Malacrida, Anna R; Marco, Heather G; Masiga, Daniel; Maslen, Gareth L; Matetovici, Irina; Meisel, Richard P; Meki, Irene; Michalkova, Veronika; Miller, Wolfgang J; Minx, Patrick; Mireji, Paul O; Ometto, Lino; Parker, Andrew G; Rio, Rita; Rose, Clair; Rosendale, Andrew J; Rota-Stabelli, Omar; Savini, Grazia; Schoofs, Liliane; Scolari, Francesca; Swain, Martin T; Takáč, Peter; Tomlinson, Chad; Tsiamis, George; Van Den Abbeele, Jan; Vigneron, Aurelien; Wang, Jingwen; Warren, Wesley C; Waterhouse, Robert M; Weirauch, Matthew T; Weiss, Brian L; Wilson, Richard K; Zhao, Xin; Aksoy, Serap
    Abstract Background Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. Results Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Vision-associated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. Conclusions Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies.
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    Open Access
    Evaluation of a nutrition supplementation programme in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa
    (2003) Hendricks, MK; le Roux, M; Fernandes, M; Irlam, J
    AIM: This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness regarding implementation and impact of a take-home nutrition supplementation programme, the Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) Scheme, that targets malnourished pre-school children and pregnant and lactating women in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. METHODOLOGY: In assessing implementation of the PEM Scheme, a cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken over a 6-month period in the six regions of the Northern Cape Province. Interviews were conducted with programme managers and health personnel at clinics who were responsible for implementing the PEM Scheme. In assessing the impact of the PEM Scheme on growth, a retrospective review was done of the clinic records (including anthropometric data) of children enrolled in the PEM Scheme over a 1-year period. RESULTS: About 76% of the budget allocated to the PEM Scheme had been utilised over the 1-year period. The budget for the following financial year was based solely on food supplements purchased in the previous year. Coverage of malnourished pre-school children and eligible pregnant and lactating women for enrolment was estimated to be 50% and 60%, respectively. Eighty-five per cent of health facilities in the province participated in the PEM Scheme. Some of the main problems identified included: lack of training, inappropriate targeting of certain groups, incorrect application especially of discharge criteria for pregnant and lactating women, inadequate assessment for nutrition-related disease, inadequate nutrition counselling and no standardised monitoring. Of the 319 children enrolled over a year, the mean age was 16.2 (standard deviation 16.2) months, 41% had been low-birth-weight and 18% had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Ten per cent of the children with a weight-for-age Z-score of <-2 moved into the normal Z-score range after being on the PEM Scheme for a mean duration of 8 months. There was an overall improvement in the weight-for-age Z-scores of 25% of the sample, with a significant difference between the mean weight-for-age Z-scores at enrolment and follow-up This was mainly related to significant improvement in the mean weight-for-age Z-scores of children <2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous problems with the PEM Scheme have been identified which could have limited its impact. Recommendations are proposed for improving the effectiveness and impact of the PEM Scheme in the province.