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An experiment was conducted to evaluate the reproductive performance and offspring quality of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii broodstock fed four diets: commercial maturation feed (control, T0), maggot (T1), fresh mackerel (T2) and locally formulated feed (T3). Spent broodstock of M. vollenhovenii fed experimental diets and their reproductive performances were evaluated in phase one experimentation. In phase two their offspring quality in a recirculation system with three replicates per treatment (TL0, TL1, TL2 and TL3) were evaluated for 30 days. The duration of gonadal development was significantly different among all the treatments, 28.67 ± 0.58 days and 16.33 ± 1.15 days for T0 and T1, respectively. T1 recorded the best GSI (16.08 ± 0.2%). Larval development in TL1 and TL3 were significantly faster than TL0 and TL2. However, survival rate was the best in TL3 (32.17 ± 0.57%) followed by TL0 (29.63 ± 0.33%). The results of this study are evidence of the possibility of successfully re-maturing and breeding this prawn in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots, 1857), the largest of the indigenous West African Palaemonidae prawns, has a high potential for aquaculture. This work was carried out to assess the effect of temperature on embryonic development and offspring quality of this species. In the phase one experiment, females at stage V of gonadal development incubated their eggs at three experimental temperatures and their embryonic development was evaluated. Seven embryonic developmental stages were observed: fertilisation, mitosis, morula, blastula, gastrula, nauplius and larvae. The incubation periods were 19, 14 and 13 days at 26 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C, respectively. A temperature of 30 °C resulted in higher broodstock mortality (33.33%). In phase two, larvae were reared at the respective temperatures for 30 days at a stocking density of 30 larvae per litre of water. Offspring quality was significantly different between treatments from day five onwards, with the fastest development at 30 °C followed by 28 °C. However, larval survival rate was significantly higher at 26 °C (31.7%) followed by 28 °C (27.6%). A temperature of 28 °C could therefore be recommended as the most favourable for embryonic development and larviculture of M. vollenhovenii. These findings will help bridge the knowledge gap with respect to captive breeding and hatchery technology for M. vollenhovenii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the effect of an intervention to improve the quality of data used to monitor the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus in South Africa. Methods The study involved 58 antenatal clinics and 20 delivery wards (37 urban, 21 rural and 20 semi-urban) in KwaZulu-Natal province that provided PMTCT services and reported data to the District Health Information System. The data improvement intervention, which was implemented between May 2008 and March 2009, involved training on data collection and feedback for health information personnel and programme managers, monthly data reviews and data audits at health-care facilities. Data on six data elements used to monitor PMTCT services and recorded in the information system were compared with source data from health facility registers before, during and after the intervention. Data completeness (i.e. their presence in the system) and accuracy (i.e. being within 10% of their true value) were evaluated. Findings The level of data completeness increased from 26% before to 64% after the intervention. Similarly, the proportion of data in the information system considered accurate increased from 37% to 65% (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the correlation between data in the information system and those from facility registers rose from 0.54 to 0.92. Conclusion A simple, practical data improvement intervention significantly increased the completeness and accuracy of the data used to monitor PMTCT services in South Africa. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.] Objectif Evaluer l'effet d'une intervention visant a ameliorer la qualite des donnees utilisees pour controler la prevention de la transmission de la mere a l'enfant (PMTCT) du virus de l'immunodeficience humaine en Afrique du Sud. Methodes L'etude a concerne 58 cliniques prenatales et 20 salles d'accouchement (37 urbaines, 21 rurales et 20 semi-urbaines) de la province du KwaZulu-Natal, qui ont fourni des services PMTCT et reporte les donnees au systeme d'information sanitaire du district. L'intervention d'amelioration de la qualite des donnees, mise en place entre mai 2008 et mars 2009, a implique une formation a la collecte des donnees et au retour d'information du personnel d'information sanitaire et des gestionnaires de programme, ainsi que des verifications de donnees mensuelles et des audits de donnees dans les centres de soins. Les donnees de 6 elements de donnees utilises pour controler les services PMTCT et enregistres dans le systeme d'information ont ete comparees aux donnees sources des registres des centres de soins avant, pendant et apres l'intervention. Lexhaustivite des donnees (c'est-a-dire leur presence dans le systeme) et leur precision (representant 10% de leur valeur reelle) ont ete evaluees. Resultats Le niveau d'exhaustivite des donnees a augmente de 26% avant l'intervention a 64% apres celle-ci. De meme, la proportion des donnees dans le systeme d'information, qui sont considerees precises, a augmente de 37% a 65% (P < 0,0001). De plus, la correlation entre les donnees du systeme d'information et les donnees des registres des centres de soins est passee de 0,54 a 0,92. Conclusion Une intervention d'amelioration des donnees, simple et pratique, a permis d'augmenter considerablement l'exhaustivite et la precision des donnees utilisees pour controler les services PMTCT en Afrique du Sud. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.] Objetivo Evaluar el efecto de una intervencion para mejorar la calidad de los datos empleados para controlar la prevencion de la transmision del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana de la madre al hijo (TMT) en Sudafrica. Metodos El estudio incluyo 58 clinicas prenatales y 20 paritorios (37 de ellos situados en areas urbanas, 21 en areas rurales y 20 en areas parcialmente rurales) en la provincia de KwaZulu-Natal que proporcionaban servicios de prevencion de transmision de la madre al hijo y comunicaron sus datos al Sistema de Informacion Sanitaria del Distrito. La intervencion para la mejora de los datos, que se aplico entre mayo de 2008 y marzo de 2009, incluyo la formacion sobre recopilacion de datos y comunicacion de resultados dirigida al personal sanitario encargado de la informacion asi como a los gestores de programas, examenes mensuales y auditorias de los datos en las instalaciones de asistencia sanitaria. Se compararon los datos basados en seis elementos de datos utilizados para controlar los servicios de prevencion de TMT y archivados en el sistema de informacion con la fuente de datos de los registros de las instalaciones de asistencia sanitaria antes, durante y despues de la intervencion. Se evaluaron los datos en base a su exhaustividad (por ejemplo, su presencia en el sistema) y su exactitud (por ejemplo, estar situado dentro del 10% de su valor autentico). Resultados El nivel de exhaustividad de los datos aumento del 26% antes de la intervencion al 64% despues de la misma. De manera similar, la proporcion de datos en el sistema de informacion considerados exactos aumento del 37% al 65% (P Conclusion Una intervencion sencilla y practica para mejorar los datos aumento la exhaustividad y exactitud de los datos empleados para controlar los servicios de prevencion de laTMT en Sudafrica., Introduction Reliable and accurate public health information is essential for monitoring health and for evaluating and improving the delivery of health-care services and programmes. (1-4) As countries report their progress [...]

Net community production (NCP), an analog of carbon export out of the surface ocean, is often estimated using budgets of dissolved oxygen. Accurate estimates of oxygen‐based NCP, especially in dynamic coastal regions, require constraints on vertical transport of water with O2 out of equilibrium with the atmosphere, nonsteady state change in the oxygen inventory, heating/cooling‐driven O2 disequilibrium, and the rate of bubble injection from wave activity. The latter two are typically evaluated by using discrete measurements of the O2/Ar ratio in lieu of O2 only. Because sophisticated sampling and measurement techniques are required to make these measurements, they are often limited in spatiotemporal resolution. However, high‐resolution estimates of NCP may be useful in determining small‐scale patchiness in export. In this study, we calculated high‐resolution NCP in coastal Southern California using dissolved oxygen measurements made by an autonomous buoyancy‐driven Slocum glider and an empirical relationship derived using discrete measurements of O2/Ar in the surface mixed layer to remove the influence of bubble injection, which accounted for approximately one fourth of the O2 supersaturation observed. Using estimates of vertical transport from wind speed‐based parameterizations, previously validated using a 7Be budget, we were able to correct for the physical biases to the signal, which are known to significantly influence dissolved oxygen budgets in this region. Our results agree well with previously published NCP estimates for the study area but also reveal higher‐frequency variability that discrete sampling was unable to resolve, suggesting that this approach may be useful in other regions with well‐constrained vertical transport rates. Plain Language Summary: The ocean takes up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a process referred to as "the biological pump." "Carbon export" refers to the amount of carbon removed by this process and is therefore an important quantity in determining the ocean's role as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and significantly influences ocean chemistry. Carbon export is often estimated using budgets of oxygen in the surface ocean because oxygen is affected by the same processes. However, bubbles introduced through wave activity can bias oxygen budgets if not accounted for using precise measurements, which are often made in low spatiotemporal resolution and thus can miss patchy, high‐productivity events believed to contribute significantly to carbon export. In this study, we use an autonomous underwater vehicle to estimate carbon export with high resolution in coastal California. The results agree with more precise but lower‐resolution measurements, implying that the vehicle‐based approach may be useful for estimating carbon export in similar regions that may be dominated by undersampled, high‐productivity events. Key Points: A glider‐mounted oxygen sensor shows the oxygen inventory varies across the San Pedro Channel and is not reflected in surface concentrationUsing an empirical relationship between oxygen supersaturation and {Delta}O2/Ar, we make high‐resolution estimates of NCP, an analog of carbon exportThis approach removes the effect of bubble injection and may be useful for detecting patchy, high‐productivity events in similar regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a high burden of depression globally, including in South Africa. Maternal depression is associated with poverty, unstable income, food insecurity, and lack of partner support, and may lead to poor outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa one-third of working women are in informal work, which is associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods A cross sectional survey explored work setting and conditions, food security and risk of depression among informal working women with young children (0–3 years). Depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) and Whooley score. Food insecurity was evaluated using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS and Stata. Results Interviews were conducted with 265 informal women workers. Types of work included domestic work, home-based work, informal employees and own account workers, most of whom were informal traders. Most participants (149/265; 56.2%) earned between US$70–200 per month, but some participants (79/265; 29.8%) earned US$200 per month (37/265; 14.0%). Many participants experienced mild (38/267; 14.3%), moderate (72/265; 27.2%) or severe (43/265; 16%) food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was significantly higher among participants with the lowest income compared to those with the highest income (p = 0.027). Women who received financial support from the baby’s father were less likely to be food insecure (p = 0.03). Using EPDS scores, 22/265 (8.3%) women were designated as being at risk of depression. This was similar among postnatal women and women with older children. Household food insecurity was significantly associated with depression risk (p

The article discusses the Africa Centre Vertical Transmission Study which aims to identify the impact of infant feeding practices on HIV infection rates of infants at 6 and 22 weeks of age. Conducted in the rural Umkhanyakude district of northern KwaZulu Natal in August 2001, the study analyzed a group of 3,445 pregnant women. Researchers found that HIV positive women are at a significantly increased risk of pregnancy complications.

Background. Breast problems, including mastitis, can interfere with the duration and exclusivity of breast-feeding. However, there are no large prospective studies documenting the prevalence, duration, and timing of such problems in breast-feeding women, particularly those who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods. Women enrolled prenatally underwent a breast-feeding counseling intervention until 6 months after delivery. Breast health problems were documented per breast for 180 days after delivery, with 14-day recall histories. Results. Breast health problems were rare, and there were no significant differences between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women for any of the following conditions: engorgement, 39 HIV-infected women (3.5%) versus 33 HIV-uninfected women (2.7%; P = .30); breast thrush, 17 (1.5%) versus 12 (1.0%; P = .25); bleeding nipple, 6 (0.5%) versus 4 (0.3%; P = .45); and mastitis/abscess, 11 (1.0%) versus 6 (0.5%; P = .17). Most problems occurred during the first month after birth, with few additional mothers experiencing problems after this point: at 1 and 6 months, 13% and 17% of all mothers, respectively, had experienced a minor or major breast health problem, including sore nipples. Women who had not exclusively breast-fed their infants were more likely to experience any of the breast health problems than were women who had exclusively breast-fed their infants (time-dependent variable; adjusted odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.87; P = .003). HIV-infected women who experienced any serious breast health problem (i.e., bleeding nipple, pus oozing from a nipple or breast, or mastitis/abscess) were 3.55 times (95% confidence interval, 0.86-14.78 times; P = .08) more likely to transmit HIV postnatally to their infant. Conclusions. With encouragement to exclusively breast-feed, women experienced few breast health problems. When those problems did occur, HIV-infected women with bleeding nipple, pus oozing from a nipple or breast, or mastitis/abscess were more likely to transmit HIV to their infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine infant feeding intentions of HIV-infected and uninfected women and the appropriateness of their choices according to their home resources; and to determine their adherence to their intentions in the first postnatal week. Methods Feeding intentions of pregnant women were compared against four resources that facilitate replacement feeding: clean water, adequate fuel, access to a refrigerator and regular maternal income. First-week feeding practices were documented. Findings The antenatal feeding intentions of 1253 HIV-infected women were: exclusive breastfeeding 73%; replacement feeding 9%; undecided 18%. Three percent had access to all four resources, of whom 23% chose replacement feeding. Of those choosing replacement feeding, 8% had access to all four resources. A clean water supply and regular maternal income were independently associated with intention to replacement feed (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–3.2; AOR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2–3.5, respectively). Significantly more HIV-infected women intending to exclusively breastfeed, rather than replacement feed, adhered to their intention in week one (exclusive breastfeeding 78%; replacement feeding 42%; P<0.001). Of 1238 HIV-uninfected women, 82% intended to exclusively breastfeed; 2% to replacement feed; and 16% were undecided. Seventy-five percent who intended to exclusively breastfeed adhered to this intention postnatally, and only 11 infants (<1%) received no breast milk. The number of antenatal home visits significantly influenced adherence to feeding intention. Conclusion Most HIV-infected women did not have the resources for safe replacement feeding, instead choosing appropriately to exclusively breastfeed. Adherence to feeding intention among HIV-infected women was higher in those who chose to exclusively breastfeed than to replacement feed. With appropriate counselling and support, spillover of suboptimal feeding practices to HIV-negative women is minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric wards in South Africa are largely occupied by children with AIDS-related illnesses. This study uses qualitative inquiry involving focus groups with nurses into the needs of children, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The findings indicate changes to the nature of nursing practice, knowledge of nursing, and ethics of nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) from 0 to 6 mo of age is recommended by the World Health Organization as the optimal feeding method for infants, including infants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women from developing countries who choose to breastfeed. EBF may be associated with less risk of postnatal HIV transmission than mixed feeding, but is still uncommonly practised for reasons that are poorly understood. This study aimed to assess EBF rates and the impediments to EBF in a South African rural area of high HIV prevalence where most mothers are unaware of their status. In a longitudinal study, 130 women attending 3 clinics, chosen for their disparate socioeconomic characteristics, were interviewed at weekly postnatal intervals. Follow-up to 16 wk was completed on 119 infants. In an additional cross-sectional survey mothers of 445 infants, aged 0-12 mo, attending immunization clinics were interviewed. In the longitudinal study 46% of infants received non-breast-milk fluids or feeds within 48 h of birth; only 10% were exclusively breastfed for 6 wk and 6% for 16 wk. Supplements, most commonly formula milk, were introduced for perceived milk insufficiency. Feeding choices were mainly self-determined (43% of women), but health staff (22%) and grandmothers (16%) were cited as sources of advice. In the cross-sectional survey caregivers reported that 47% of infants aged 2 wk, 40% aged 6 wk and 33% aged 12 wk had been exclusively breastfed since birth.Conclusion: EBF is uncommon in this area in spite of a baby-friendly hospital initiative in the district. Strategies to promote exclusive breastfeeding in developing countries where HIV and infant feeding policies are being formulated must strongly address local perceptions on the need for supplements and sources of feeding advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report our experience with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in pediatric patients.Methods: Over a 19-month period, eight low-profile percutaneously introducible IVC filters were placed in four male and four female patients aged 6-16 years (mean 11 years). Indications were contraindication to heparin in six patients, anticoagulation failure in one, and idiopathic infrarenal IVC thrombosis in one. Six of the eight devices placed were titanium Greenfield filters. One LGM and one Bird's Nest filter were also placed. Two of the filters were introduced via the right internal jugular vein by cutdown, and the remainder were placed percutaneously via the right internal jugular vein or the right common femoral vein. Patients received follow-up abdominal radiographs from 2 to 13 months after IVC filter placement.Results: All filters were inserted successfully without complication. Three of the patients died during the follow-up period: two due to underlying brain tumors at 2 and 12 months and a third at 6 weeks due to progressive idiopathic renal vein and IVC thrombosis. The remaining five patients were all alive and well at follow-up without evidence of IVC thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, or filter migration.Conclusion: IVC filter placement using available devices for percutaneous delivery is technically feasible, safe, and effective in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of extracranial craniopharyngioma simulating a sphenoid sinus mucocele in a 12‐year‐old female who presented with progressive subacute left‐sided visual disturbance. Although infrasellar craniopharyngioma is a rare entity, the presence of foci of calcification within the lesion is a useful finding for diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the surgical problems and lessons encountered with an epidemic of Shigella dysenteriae type I in Africa. Signs and symptoms of the disease; Similarities with other endemic diseases; Difficulties in diagnosing the disease; Referral of patients to surgeons due to abdominal tenderness, distension, peritonitis or perforation; Performance of laparotomy due to evidence of perforation.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the nutritional adequacy and feasibility of breastmilk replacement options recommended by WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF. The study aim was to explore suitability of the 2001 feeding recommendations for infants of HIV-infected mothers for a rural region in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa specifically with respect to adequacy of micronutrients and essential fatty acids, cost, and preparation times of replacement milks. METHODS: Nutritional adequacy, cost, and preparation time of home-prepared replacement milks containing powdered full cream milk (PM) and fresh full cream milk (FM) and different micronutrient supplements (2 g UNICEF micronutrient sachet, government supplement routinely available in district public health clinics, and best available liquid paediatric supplement found in local pharmacies) were compared. Costs of locally available ingredients for replacement milk were used to calculate monthly costs for infants aged one, three, and six months. Total monthly costs of ingredients of commercial and home-prepared replacement milks were compared with each other and the average monthly income of domestic or shop workers. Time needed to prepare one feed of replacement milk was simulated. FINDINGS: When mixed with water, sugar, and each micronutrient supplement, PM and FM provided