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Studies that rely on noninvasive collection of DNA for birds often use feces or feathers. Some birds, such as vultures, regurgitate undigested matter in the form of pellets that are commonly found under roost sites. Our research demonstrates that regurgitated pellets are a viable, noninvasive source of DNA for molecular ecology studies of vultures. Our objectives were to amplify 5 microsatellite loci designed for distinguishing Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) in a single, multiplexed PCR, and to determine how long the target nuclear DNA persists after a vulture pellet is regurgitated and exposed to the environment. We collected pellets from captive Black Vultures and placed them in an outdoor aviary for a maximum estimated total of 12, 24, 36, or 48 h. We swabbed pellet surfaces for extraction and amplified vulture DNA using the panel of markers. All amplified alleles fell within predicted ranges of Black Vultures for all 5 loci, supporting the use of this microsatellite panel for vulture species identification. Overall amplification success for samples collected 0-12 h after regurgitation was 82.3%. Pellets collected 12-24 h. 24-36 h, and 36-48 h after regurgitation had only 18%, 10.2%, and 4.5% amplification success, respectively, which may have been due to a rain event. Our approach will be useful for noninvasive genetic sampling targeting nuclear DNA. These results should encourage noninvasive genetic sampling studies of other species that regurgitate pellets, such as raptors, water birds, or shorebirds. Received 16 December 2021. Accepted 16 July 2022. Key words: amplification success, microsatellite loci, multiplex PCR, noninvasive DNA, nuclear DNA. Estudios que dependen de colecta no invasiva de ADN de aves muchas veees utilizan heces o plumas. Algunas aves, como los zopilotes, regurgitan materia sin digerir en forma de egagropilas que sc encuentran comiinmente bajo los dormideros. Nuestra investigacion muestra que las egagropilas regurgitadas son una fuente de ADN viable y no invasiva para estudios de eeologia molecular de zopilotes. Nuestros objetivos fueron amplificar 5 loci microsatelitales disenados para distinguir aura gallipavo (Cathartes aura) y zopilote negro (Coragyps atratus) en un solo PCR multiple asi eomo detenninar cuanto tiempo persiste el ADN nuclear bianco despues de que una egagropila de zopilote es rcgurgitada y expuesta al ambiente. Colectamos egagropilas de zopilotes negros en eautivcrio y las colocamos en un aviario al aire libre durante un tiempo maximo estimado dc 12, 24, 36 y 48 h. Realizamos un frotis de la superficie de las egagropilas para una extraction y amplificacion del ADN de los zopilotes usando el panel de mareadores. Todos los alelos amplificados eayeron en los rangos predichos para los zopilotes negros para todos los 5 loci, lo que apoya el uso de este panel de microsatelites para identification dc especies de zopilotes. El exito general de amplificacion de muestras colectadas dc muestras colectadas 0-12 h despues dc regurgitadas fue de 82.3%. Las egagropilas colectadas 12-24 h, 24-36 h y de 36-48 h tuvieron solamente 12%, 10.2% y 4.5% de exito de amplificacion. rcspectivamente, lo que podria scr debido a un evento de Iluvia. Nuestro enfoque sera util para muestrcos geneticos no invasivos dirigidos a ADN nuclear. Estos resultados deberian fomentar los estudios de mucstreo genetico no invasivo en otras especies que rcgurgiten egagropilas, como rapaccs, aves acuaticas y aves playeras. Palabras clave: ADN no invasivo, ADN nuclear, exito de amplificacion, loci microsatelitales, PCR mutiplc., Vultures and other birds of prey, shorebirds, and some aquatic birds such as cormorants and shags regurgitate a mass of undigested matter, referred to as a pellet. Pellets can be [...]

The implementation of the 2013 World Health Organization Option B+ recommendations for HIV treatment during pregnancy has helped drive significant progress in achieving universal treatment for pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, critical research and implementation gaps exist in achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. To help guide researchers, programmers and policymakers in prioritising these areas, we undertook a comprehensive review of the progress, gaps and research needs to achieve the 90-90-90 targets for this population in the Option B+ era, including early infant HIV diagnosis (EID) for HIV-exposed infants. Salient areas where progress has been achieved or where gaps remain include: (1) knowledge of HIV status is higher among people with HIV in southern and eastern Africa compared to western and central Africa (81% versus 48%, UNAIDS); (2) access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant women has doubled in 22 of 42 SSA countries, but only six have achieved the second 90, and nearly a quarter of pregnant women initiating ART become lost to follow-up; (3) viral suppression data for this population are sparse (estimates range from 30% to 98% peripartum), with only half of women maintaining suppression through 12 months postpartum; and (4) EID rates range from 15% to 62%, with only three of 21 high-burden SSA countries testing >50% HIV-exposed infants within the first 2 months of life. We have identified and outlined promising innovations and research designed to address these gaps and improve the health of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV and their infants.

Access to basic imaging and laboratory services remains a major challenge in rural, resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare programme in western Kenya implemented a mobile diagnostic unit (MDU) outfitted with a generator-powered X-ray machine and basic laboratory tests to address the lack of these services at rural, low-resource, public health facilities. The objective of this paper is to describe the design, implementation, preliminary impact and operational challenges of the MDU in western Kenya. Since implementing the MDU at seven rural health facilities serving a catchment of over half a million people, over 4500 chest radiographs have been performed, with one or more abnormalities detected in approximately 30% of radiographs. We observed favorable feedback and uptake of MDU services by healthcare workers and patients. However, various operational challenges in the design and construction of the MDU and the transmission and reporting of radiographs in remote areas were encountered. Our experience supports the feasibility of deploying an MDU to increase access to basic radiology and laboratory services in rural, resource-limited settings.

: Introduction: The rollout of dolutegravir (DTG) in low‐ and middle‐income countries was disrupted by a potential association reported with periconceptional DTG exposure among women living with HIV (WLHIV) and infant neural tube defects. This prompted countries to issue interim guidance limiting DTG use among women of reproductive potential to those on effective contraception. Data to understand the potential impact of such guidance on WLHIV are limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of WLHIV 15–49 years initiating DTG‐containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Kenya from 2017 to 2020. We determined baseline effective (oral, injectable or lactational amenorrhea) and very effective (implant, intrauterine device or female sterilization) contraception use among women who initiated DTG before (Group 1) or during (Group 2) the interim guideline period. We defined incident contraception use in each group as the number of contraceptive methods initiated ≤180 days post‐guideline (Group 1) or post‐DTG initiation (Group 2). We determined the proportions of all women who switched from DTG‐ to non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐ (efavirenz or nevirapine) containing ART ≤12 months post‐DTG initiation, compared their viral suppression ( Results: Among 5155 WLHIV in the analysis (median age 43 years), 89% initiated DTG after transitioning from an NNRTI. Baseline effective and very effective contraception use, respectively, by the group were: Group 1 (12% and 13%) and Group 2 (41% and 35%). Incident contraception use in each group was Conclusions: Baseline, but not incident, effective contraception use was higher during the interim guideline period compared to before it, suggesting women already using effective contraception were preferentially selected to initiate DTG after the guideline was released. These findings reveal challenges in the implementation of policy which ties antiretroviral access to contraceptive use. Future guidance should capture nuances of contraception decision‐making and support women's agency to make informed decisions., INTRODUCTION Since the recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to include dolutegravir (DTG) as a preferred component of first‐ and second‐line antiretroviral treatment (ART) in 2018, DTG has been [...]

The purpose of this scoping review was to provide further insight into the stress and the stressors experienced by pediatric occupational therapists in the work environment. Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, the search was conducted in eight databases, nine electronic journals, and eight gray literature sources to identify articles related to stress and stressors of pediatric occupational therapists. Review selection and characterization were performed by two independent reviewers. Twelve articles published from 2011 to 2020 were identified and varied in terms of purpose, population, and results although the articles all shared similar methodologies and outcome measures. Only 25% of the articles (3/12) addressed pediatric occupational therapy stress and stressors directly while the remaining addressed occupational stress, but with varying levels of attention to pediatric occupational therapists. Stress and stressors experienced by pediatric occupational therapists have been studied to a limited extent. Occupational stress is associated with increased burnout, decreased health, and decreased job satisfaction and performance. Several knowledge gaps have been identified, as well as priorities for future research into pediatric occupational therapists and occupational stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although 1·3 million women with HIV give birth annually, care and outcomes for HIV-exposed infants remain incompletely understood. We analyzed programmatic and health indicators in a large, multidecade global dataset of linked mother-infant records from clinics and programs associated with the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. Methods and findings HIV-exposed infants were eligible for this retrospective cohort analysis if enrolled at Conclusions While there was marked regional and temporal heterogeneity in clinical and programmatic outcomes, infant LTFU was high across all regions and time periods. Further efforts are needed to keep HIV-exposed infants in care to receive essential services to reduce HIV infection and mortality., Author(s): Andrew Edmonds 1,*, Ellen Brazier 2, Beverly S. Musick 3, Marcel Yotebieng 4, John Humphrey 5, Lisa L. Abuogi 6, Adebola Adedimeji 7, Olivia Keiser 8, Malango Msukwa 9, [...]