Molecular investigation and phylogeny of Theileria spp. from naturally infected sheep and the first report of Theileria sp. OT3 in Sulaymaniyah governorate/Iraq.

Theileriosis is a significant hemoprotozoal disease of domestic and wild ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Ovines are mainly infected by T. ovis and T. lestoquardi, causing economic losses. Due to data scarceness in the Sulaymaniyah governorate, north of Iraq, this study was conducted to investigate subclinical theileriosis using microscopic examination and PCR. A total of 450 blood samples were collected from eight districts in Sulaymaniyah. The samples were randomly taken from clinically healthy sheep in 40 farms from April to Octo- ber 2017. Following the organism verification, PCR products were sequenced and aligned. The study results revealed that 76.0% (n=342) and 58.0% (n=261) of the examined samples were positive for Theileria spp. by PCR and microscopic examination. T. ovis was reported in 76.0% (n=342) of all tested samples, while T. lestoquardi was present in 28.4% (n=97) of the positive specimens. Higher infection rates were observed during July and August. Analysis of the 18S rRNA gene partial sequence of the studied isolates with corresponding sequences in GenBank showed high degrees of identities with T. ovis and T. lestoquardi isolates reported from Iraq and other countries. T. uilenbergi and T. sp. OT3 were detected only through analysis of obtained partial sequences from Theileria-positive samples. Following analysis, T. uilenbergi isolates represented a high homology degree with Theileria isolates from Iraq and China. The newly identified T. sp. OT3 showed >99% identity with T. sp. OT3 isolates of Chinese and Spanish origin.

Plasma homocysteine levels in cardiovascular disease, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition in Sudan.

This study investigated the role of hyperhomocysteinaemia as a risk factor in Sudanese adults suffering from cardiovascular disease or malaria and children with protein-energy malnutrition. Mean total plasma homocysteine levels (micromol/L) were significantly higher in patients with coronary heart disease (17.64; SD 11.68) recurrent venous thrombosis (5.06; SD 10.55) and recurrent malaria (13.61; SD 4.82) than in healthy adult controls (7.85; SD 3.39). The mean homocysteine level was also significantly higher in children with protein-energy malnutrition (8.41; SD 1.61) than in healthy control children (5.72; SD 1.99).

Plasma homocysteine levels in cardiovascular disease, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition in Sudan

This study investigated the role of hyperhomocysteinaemia as a risk factor in Sudanese adults suffering from cardiovascular disease or malaria and children with protein-energy malnutrition. Mean total plasma homocysteine levels [micro mol/L] were significantly higher in patients with coronary heart disease [17.64; SD 11.68] recurrent venous thrombosis [5.06; SD 10.55] and recurrent malaria [13.61; SD 4.82] than in healthy adult controls [7.85; SD 3.39]. The mean homocysteine level was also significantly higher in children with protein-energy malnutrition [8.41; SD 1.61] than in healthy control children [5.72; SD 1.99]

Contraceptive method switching in Peninsular Malaysia: ethnic differences, 1940s-1970s.

PIP: Between 1955 and 1975 total fertility in Peninsular Malaysia dropped from 6.2 to 4.2. However, the change was not consistent among the 3 major ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Data from the 1976-1977 Malaysian Family Life Survey (MFLS) were used to construct individual contraceptive histories of 1191 ever-married women and to study contraceptive method switching in a total of 7154 interpregnancy intervals for the population as a whole and by ethnic group. Contraceptive methods considered were: sterilization; pill, IUD, injection (referred to in this analysis simply as "pill"); condoms; safe time (includes abstinence and withdrawal), folk methods; and no method. 80% of the samples from all intervals reported "no method"; Indians had the greatest proportion (84.5%) of unprotected intervals. The most popular contraceptive method was the pill (31% for the whole population, 42% for the Chinese, 23% for Indians and Malays). Sterilization was highest among Indians (20.5%). Since "no method" was used in all pregnancy intervals by 47% of the sample, the ever-use rate for the sample was 53% (67% for Chinese, 57% for Indians, 40% for Malays). Only 16.6% of ever-users reported use of more than 1 category of contraceptive method. Individual contraceptive histories were analyzed for acceptance, discontinuation, or change of method at each transition, i.e., each pregnancy interval. 84% of all transitions represented continuation of the same method. The probability of continuation of the same method was greater the less effective the method. Most switches were from less effective to more effective methods; 92% of these were from no method to the pill. Most of the switches to less effective methods were switches to no method, and switches to no method increased with increasing effectiveness of the method. The rate of new acceptances was 13.7%, but the discontinuation rate was 20.3%. Only 83 couples were sterilized, and most of them had previously used no method. For all ethnic groups the majority of new acceptors were pill users. New acceptance, however, was less common than discontinuation, especially among the Indians (40%). Malays were the least likely to accept contraceptives, but when they did, they were very unlikely to change method. The Chinese had the highest acceptance rate, the highest probability of switching methods, and the highest probability of switching to a more effective method. Indians had the highest percentage of unprotected pregnancies, the highest discontinuation rate, and were the least likely to switch to more effective methods. Implications of these data for program policy are that there are still many nonacceptors to be reached; that the more effective methods should be promoted, since most couples continue using the method with which they started; that the largest ethnic group that needs to be reached is the Indian population; and that different contraceptive methods should be available for choice.^ieng