National List Research Articles

Insulin resistance dealt with homoeopathy

One of the intricacies of diabetes is to understand the phenomenon of insulin resistance (IR). The phenomenon of IR applies to all types of diabetes. IR is a condition where the body’s cells stop responding to the glucose control hormone. In the current article, the lead author focuses on the IR related intricacies of diabetes and the role of homoeopathy in all the 4 types of diabetes. The first three types ate type 1, type 2 and type 3 the 4th type is maturity onset of diabetes in the young (MODY). The IR phenomenon cuts across among all sections of population including the working group and that’s why the discussion of IR is related to the growing economy as it puts burden on the economy. The article discusses the epidemiology, patho-physiology, prevention, control and treatment of IR especially at the global and national level. Thereafter, it discusses the integration of homoeopathy in to the IR domain. The properties of homoeopathy regarding the essential medicine (EM) in the national list of EM (NLEM) and the national list of essential AYUSH medicines (NLEAM) are also dealt upon. A suggested treatment protocol based on homoeopathic therapeutics is given at the end of the article after focusing on the burden of IR at national level through data from large scale surveys. In that section, the benefits that are to be accrued as a result of homoeopathic integration is also touched upon.

Analisis Pengelolaan Obat Di Instalasi Farmasi Puskesmas X Kabupaten Sukoharjo

The management of medicines in community health centers is a key element in healthcare services. This study aims to analyze the management of medicines at the Pharmacy Installation of X Community Health Center in Sukoharjo Regency. The aim of this research is to determine the suitability of indicators for the selection, planning, procurement, distribution, and use of drugs at this community health center, and to identify the strategic position of the pharmacy installation within the SWOT matrix. This research employs a descriptive analysis study design with a nonexperimental qualitative approach. Data were collected retrospectively through a review of documented records. Data collection techniques included document review, observation, and interviews at X Community Health Center in Sukoharjo Regency. The results showed that the indicators for compliance with the community health center's formulary were in accordance with standards, but the compliance of medicine items with the national formulary and the national essential medicines list was not up to standard. In the planning and procurement stages, all indicators met standards, such as the comparison between the number of medicine items planned and those actually used, the frequency of procurement of each medicine item annually, and planning deviations. In the distribution stage, the indicators for medicine matching with stock cards and the warehouse management system met standards. In the usage stage, the percentage of prescriptions with generic medicines met standards. The SWOT analysis results indicated a position in quadrant 1.

Wound-healing properties of Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) in skin and mucosa injuries: a scoping review protocol.

This review will map the literature on the types of research and methods used to investigate the wound-healing properties of Stryphnodendron adstringens ( barbatimão ) in skin and mucosa injuries. Barbatimão is a Brazilian native plant and its wound-healing properties have been described in literature since the colonial period. It is one of the 71 plants included in the Brazilian health system's national list of medicinal plants of interest. However, existing literature reviews on the subject are limited, not comprehensive, lack a search strategy, and lack peer review. This scoping review will include all types of published and unpublished sources that investigate the wound-healing properties of barbatimão to treat any type of skin or mucosa injury in humans, animals, or in vitro, in any context. A scoping review will be conducted following JBI methodology. The main databases to be searched will include Embase (EBSCOhost), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, PubMed (EBSCOhost), ScienceDirect, Lilacs, SciELO, CUIDEN, MOSAICO, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar. Unpublished studies will also be considered. Two independent reviewers will examine titles and abstracts and select and read full-text sources for possible inclusion. Subsequently, the reviewers will extract and synthesize the data, which will be presented as a map, diagram, or table, according to the review objectives. Open Science Framework osf.io/w57m4.

Organ Transplant and Challenges

Abstract: In the 1950s, the first attempts at immunosuppression for kidney transplantation involved total irradiation and was met with some degree of success The use of chemical immunosuppression, initially with 6-mercaptopurine and then with combination of azathioprine and steroids, avoided the problems associated with irradiation and improved outcomes significantly. It was the discovery of cyclosporine in 1976, and its introduction in clinical practice in 1984, that dramatically changed the landscape of OT(Organ Transplant) resulting in an increased one-year survival in both kidney and liver transplant recipients (95 and 75% respectively). Modern immunosuppressive agents (tacrolimus, sirolimis, mycophenolic acid, and everolimus), allow us to currently enjoy superior outcomes and a reduction in adverse immunosuppressive effects. The next important milestone in the development of OT was the founding of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) in 1984. This organization manages all transplant activities in the US including the maintenance of a national transplant list for all types of transplantation, data collection, and coordination of educational activities. There are a number of organizations in Europe and Asia with similar responsibilities.

A Century of Band Contest Literature Lists: From National Origins to the State of Florida

Band repertoire lists for the National Band Contests evolved from a desire to make school bands “more educational” in the 1920s. The national band contest repertoire lists (1924–1943) formed the basis for the wind band canon during the first half of the twentieth century. Many state band organizations developed their own lists when national contests ended after World War II. This study was an analysis of the pieces and composers that were on the Florida band contest lists, how the lists evolved, and who influenced them, especially compared to the national lists. Findings include greater diversity in Florida’s concert music committee membership than National, but likely only since 1991. The percentage of original wind band works on Florida’s lists maintained the final proportions of the National Band Contest lists (approximately 50%–53%). White male composer representation over the 75 years of lists remained extremely high (98.08% of all works), though the proportion of women composers and composers of color on annual additions since 2015 has increased dramatically.

Evaluation of medical professionals’ knowledge about Q fever

Aims: evaluate the medical professionals’ knowledge about Q fever, seeking integrative contributions to public health that may favor the formulation of policies and the development of strategies based on a One Health approach. Methods: this is a cross-sectional and quantitative study with data collection through a structured questionnaire applied face-to-face to physicians from various clinical specialties working at the three levels of health care in Brazil. The questionnaire consisted of 25 questions, seven of which were specific to assessing knowledge about Q fever. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess whether the variables medical specialty, level of health care in which they work, age range and gender were associated with a correct answer to at least one specific question about Q fever. Results: among the 254 physicians included, 236 (92.9%) were unaware of Q fever. Only three (16.6%) of the 18 who correctly answered at least one specific question about the disease had a score of more than 50%. The highest rates of correct answers for at least one question (p < 0.0001) occurred among the medical specialties most related to clinical signs and symptoms or the differential diagnosis of Q fever and among males. It is highlighted that 85.8% of physicians consider Q fever a neglected and underreported disease in Brazil. Additionally, all physicians responded that they were not aware of the One Health approach. Conclusions: the almost total lack of knowledge among medical professionals regarding Q fever reinforces the need for greater disclosure for this zoonosis with a One Health approach in Medical Schools, in Residency Programs and for physicians in general. In addition, the inclusion of Q fever in the national list of notifiable diseases becomes relevant, allowing a better understanding of its epidemiological situation in Brazil. Finally, effective public health actions must be carried out to avoid underdiagnosis and the development of severe cases of the disease. Methods: this is a cross-sectional and quantitative study with data collection through a structured questionnaire applied face-to-face to physicians from various clinical specialties working at the three levels of health care in Brazil. The questionnaire consisted of 25 questions, seven of which were specific to assessing knowledge about Q fever. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess whether the variables medical specialty, level of health care in which they work, age range and gender were associated with a correct answer to at least one specific question about Q fever. Results: among the 254 physicians included, 236 (92.9%) were unaware of Q fever. Only three (16.6%) of the 18 who correctly answered at least one specific question about the disease had a score of more than 50%. The highest rates of correct answers for at least one question (p < 0.0001) occurred among the medical specialties most related to clinical signs and symptoms or the differential diagnosis of Q fever and among males. It is highlighted that 85.8% of physicians consider Q fever a neglected and underreported disease in Brazil. Additionally, all physicians responded that they were not aware of the One Health approach. Conclusions: the almost total lack of knowledge among medical professionals regarding Q fever reinforces the need for greater disclosure for this zoonosis with a One Health approach in Medical Schools, in Residency Programs and for physicians in general. In addition, the inclusion of Q fever in the national list of notifiable diseases becomes relevant, allowing a better understanding of its epidemiological situation in Brazil. Finally, effective public health actions must be carried out to avoid underdiagnosis and the development of severe cases of the disease.

When a name changes everything: taxonomy and conservation of the Atlantic bushmaster (Lachesis Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae)

The South American bushmaster Lachesis muta is currently considered a valid taxon with no recognized subspecies. However, its wide distribution with discontinuous populations, the restricted sampling of molecular data in previous studies, and the inherent difficulty in obtaining diagnostic data, preclude a detailed evaluation of the taxonomic status of this taxon. In this study, we use high-resolution genomics, as well as venomic, morphological, and ecological data to infer the speciation processes involved in the evolutionary history of L. muta populations. Our data recognize the Amazon populations as L. muta and the Atlantic Forest populations as L. rhombeata. Lachesis rhombeata has lower genetic diversity than L. muta and we recommend a critical evaluation to include this species in the national and international red lists of endangered species. Moreover, we propose classifying the L. rhombeata population from the Baturité massif (Ceará state) as an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) for conservation and we also found genetic substructure within L. muta populations. We expect our results will contribute to the taxonomic stability of the Neotropical fauna and highlight the urgency of protecting Atlantic Forest populations of Lachesis species and, consequently, the landscape that this species and related biota inhabit.

Genome assembly catalog for species in the Japanese Red List: unlocking endangered biodiversity through genomic inventory.

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology are allowing the dramatic increase of whole genome data for a wide variety of species. Such genome sequence data can assist the monitoring of intraspecific genetic diversity, but is often lacking for threatened species. In this project, we focused on the national Red List, a catalog of extinct and threatened species, issued by the Japanese government. We combined the data included in it with the record of genome assembly in NCBI and tabulated the assembly availability of the species in the list. The combined data shows a low percentage (2.1%) of the availability of whole genome sequence data for the taxa ranked on the Japanese Red List as well as a strong bias towards mammals and birds in Animalia and vascular plants in Plantae. Our data presentation highlights potential systematic limitations in genome sequencing (e.g., budget for sequencing large genomes of amphibians) and instructs future policies including which taxon needs more effort for genome sequencing. The resultant tables are available in the original website https://treethinkers.nig.ac.jp/redlist/ and are regularly updated.

Environmental Sanitation – A Therapy for Healthy Living for Sustainable Development. A Case Study of Argungu Township Kebbi State, North Western Nigeria

Environmental sanitation is the principle and practice of creating healthful and hygienic conditions in the environment to promote public health and welfare, improve quality of life and ensure a sustainable environment. However, environmental sanitation which remains a catalyst for achieving healthy living has been neglected in most developing countries. In Nigeria, it is common to see people defecating in the open. The ugly side of this is that street gutters are left untidy and filled with dirt, and marketplaces are covered with waste and discarded items. Worrisomely, the story remains the same in rural places where there is hardly any proper waste management technology. All types of waste are dumped into nearby bushes and forests while human faeces are discharged into streams and rivers from which people obtain their water. This is what motivated the researchers to investigate the level of sanitation in Argungu Township in Kebbi State. Data for this study was collected through a structured al interviewing method. The total number of households in five (5) metropolitan wards as contained in the national immunization house listing schedule is 16, 594. However, a systematic sampling method was applied to arrive at the sample. After every count of fifty households, one household was selected making a total of 313 households for the research. The study revealed that people have neglected the sanitation of their environment. In Conclusion, the study recommends the use of a community participation model of sanitation which outlines the role expected by each individual toward ensuring a free and hygienic environment.

Microscopic and histochemical characterization applied to quality control of Anacardium occidentale: Anacardium occidentale microanalyses

Anacardium occidentale belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is popularly known as cashew. It is provided with several pharmacological activities, described in the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, molluscicidal, and larvicidal activities stand out. As it is a plant of great economic and medicinal importance, it is necessary to characterize the pharmacobotanical profile of this species. Thus, the present work aims to carry out a microscopic and histochemical characterization applied to the quality control of A. occidentale. Cross-sections of the stem, petiole and leaf blade were performed, as well as longitudinal sections of the stem and paradermal sections of the leaf blade. Anatomical studies were performed under light, polarization and scanning electron microscopy. For histochemical analysis, different reagents were used according to the metabolite under investigation. Among the anatomical structures that provide a detailed diagnosis of the studied parts of this species, the presence of resin ducts, druse crystals, glandular trichomes, paracytic stomata, and isobilateral mesophyll stand out. Histochemistry identified the location of different substances, such as starch, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, essential oils, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, and calcium oxalate crystals in the leaf blade. Through the analysis of ultra-anatomical images by SEM-EDS, it was also possible to verify that the crystals found in the leaf blade are calcium oxalate. Its elemental composition was shown in detail. In view of the results, the importance of this study is justified because important characteristics of the anatomical structure of the stem and leaves of this medicinal species of wide distribution in Brazil are now identified. They are essential parameters for the determination of botanical authenticity.

Pharmacoepidemiology of Drugs Used in Indoor Patients of Orthopaedic Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Globally, with the increasing orthopaedic admissions, the management modalities have also been evolving. With the focus mainly on reducing hospital stay and improving quality of life, pharmacotherapy is a keystone in management. Thus, the present study was undertaken to assess the drug utilization in orthopaedic inpatients. Methods: This is a cross sectional, observational study carried out over a period of one year from April 2021 to April 2022. Data was collected from prescriptions of 200 patients admitted in the Orthopaedic ward and evaluated for WHO Drug Use Indicators and potential drug-drug interactions (pDDI) and prescription pattern was noted. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) were noted and assessed. Results: A total of 2046 drugs were prescribed in 200 prescriptions. Average number of drugs per prescription is 10.23. Antimicrobials (25.76%) was the most common class of drug prescribed followed by supplements (20.28%) and analgesics (16.13%). 79.42% drugs were prescribed by generic name, 82.06% were from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and 99.9% drugs were from hospital pharmacy. Antibiotics prescribed were as per WHO AWaRe guidelines. ADR noted in 4 patients with drug being discontinued in one case. pDDI were seen in 98% prescriptions with 95.8% being Pharmacokinetic interactions. Conclusion: Current study provides insight into the drug utilisation pattern, highlighting the extensive use of antibiotics and analgesics in orthopaedic inpatients. Adherence to WHO guidelines helps reduce antibiotic resistance and promotes better patient care.

A quantitative comparison between the essential medicines for rheumatic diseases in children and young people in Africa and the WHO model list

BackgroundThe World Health Organisation Essential Medicines List (WHO EML) guides National Essential Medicines Lists and Standard Treatment Guidelines for clearly identified disease priorities especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study compares the degree to which the basket of medicines recommended for rheumatic diseases in children and young people in National Essential Medicines Lists of countries in the WHO Africa region, corresponds to the 2021 WHO EML and WHO EML for children, as a proxy of availability.MethodsAn online search of the WHO medicines and health technology portal, the Health Ministry websites of the 54 African countries, PUBMED and Google Scholar, with search terms for ‘National Essential Medicines List’, AND/OR ‘standard treatment guidelines’ AND/OR ‘Lista Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais’ AND/ OR ‘Liste Nationale de Medicaments Essentiels’ AND Africa AND/OR < Name of African country > was conducted. The number of medicines on the national lists were compared according to a predefined template of medicines; and the percentage similarity calculated. Descriptive statistics were derived using STATA.ResultsForty-seven countries in the WHO Africa region have developed a National Essential Medicines List. Eleven countries do not have any medicines listed for rheumatic diseases.The majority of countries had less than or equal to 50% similarity with the WHO EML for rheumatic disease in children and young people, median 3 medicines (IQR 1— 4). The most common medicines on the national lists from Africa were methotrexate, sulfasalazine and azathioprine, with etanercept available in 6 countries. Seven countries had only one medicine, acetylsalicylic acid listed in the section ‘Juvenile Joint diseases’.A multiple linear regression model for the predictors of the number of medicines on the national lists established that 20% of the variability was predicted by health expenditure per capita, socio-demographic index and the availability of rheumatology services (adult and/or paediatric) p = 0.006, with socio-demographic index (p = 0.035, 95% CI 0.64—16.16) and the availability of rheumatology services (p = 0.033, 95% CI 0.13 – 2.90) significant.ConclusionFour countries (8.5%) in Africa have updated their National Essential Medicines Lists to reflect adequate care for children and young people with rheumatic diseases. Moving forward, efforts should focus on aligning available medicines with the WHO EML, and strengthening healthcare policy for rheumatology and pharmaceutical services, for affordable access to care and medicines.

Birds of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park harbors diverse avifauna. The last checklist of birds for Shivapuri, published by SNP and BCN (2007), covered 318 species. However, it excluded the Nagarjun Forest birds as this area wasn't incorporated into the national park until 2009. Since then, many new bird sightings have been reported in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP). To address this gap, we've compiled a comprehensive checklist of SNNP birds in Nepal's central mid-hills, drawing on direct observations and a literature review. A total of 396 species of birds belonging to 18 orders and 71 families were known to occur in the park. Order Passeriformes (n=260, 65%) and family Muscicapidae (n=50, 12%) have the highest record of the number of species. Out of 396 bird species, 237 species were recorded during the recent survey of 2021–2022 and 159 species were considered from the past literatures. 10.60% (n=42) of the recorded bird species are classified as nationally threatened according to Nepal’s national red list and 2% (n=8) are listed as globally threatened. The globally threatened birds include Vulnerable greater spotted eagle Aquila clanga, imperial eagle Aquila heliaca, and Kashmir flycatcher Ficedula subrubra; Endangered steppe eagle Aquila nipalensis and Pallas’s fish eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus; and Critically Endangered white-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis, slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris and red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus. A total of 55 species recorded are included in the CITES Appendices; one species is also listed in the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NPWCA) Schedule I, and the park includes spiny babbler Acanthoptila nipalensis the only endemic bird of Nepal. Resident species make up the majority (n=243, 61.36%) of birds recorded in the national park. The remaining are the migrants which include summer and winter visitors, passage migrants and vagrants.

Advocating for the inclusion of therapeutic drug monitoring in the national essential diagnostic list: Perspectives from psychiatrists.

India published its first edition of the National Essential Diagnostics List in 2019. The list depicts the list of diagnostic tests that can ensure affordable and quality healthcare delivery by removing barriers toward accessibility and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. In 2024, the Indian Council of Medical Research has invited suggestions for revision of the list. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has been a promising modality and has been useful for a range of indications like monitoring medication adherence, diagnosing suboptimal treatment, detecting drug interactions, and guiding initiation or withdrawal of therapy. In this article, the authors make a case for inclusion of TDM for certain psychotropic drugs like lithium, sodium valproate, carbamazepine, and clozapine at the district hospital level. The authors have tried to justify the inclusion backed by recent evolving evidence.

What Is Visible and What Is Invisible during the Carnival at Rajecká Dolina (Rajecká Valley), or Sekala &amp; Niskala in Slovakia

Fred B. Eiseman Jr.’s publication which discusses “the visible and invisible” meanings of traditional culture on the Indonesian island of Bali inspired the content of this study. I have asked the following research question: How can an inscription in the national list of intangible cultural heritage influence Carnival (Fašiangy) traditions at Rajecká Dolina (Rajecká Valley)? The description of Carnival customs in the Municipality of Rajecká Lesná illustrates that a part of them is intended for the public and another part for a closer group of participants – municipality inhabitants who understand ritual behaviour and humorous comments and remember what they have experienced together. The third part remains visible only to Carnival revellers and their friends. In the system registration of elements of cultural heritage on the UNESCO list it is very important that balanced focus should be given to understanding the singularity and the degree of effectiveness of each element stemming from folk traditions, which fulfil important tasks mainly at the regional level.

Herpetofauna of Laguna Blanca National Park, Argentinean Patagonia: species list and conservation status

Laguna Blanca National Park (LBNP) is located in the mid-west of Neuquén Province, Argentina. It was created in 1940 with the aim of conserving the nesting and breeding habitats of an important diversity of birds. Until now, there have been no exclusive works that address the herpetofauna present. The aim of this article is to provide an updated inventory of reptile and amphibian species in LBNP. We used four sources of information to create the species list: 1) data coming from field observations; 2) specimens deposited in herpetological collections; 3) scientific literature review; 4) online biodiversity databases. We confirm the occurrence of 18 species of herpetofauna in LBNP, including 13 reptiles and 5 amphibians. We also included six species with probable presence according to the range of distribution and habitat similarity. We added the conservation status of the national and international lists for each species. Five species are in some threat category at the national (Vulnerable, Endangered) or international level (Endangered, Critically Endangered). Seven taxa are listed as “Species of Vertebrates of Special Value” by the Administración de Parques Nacionales. Despite being protected within a national park, the herpetofauna present face threats such as prolonged drought events, habitat modification due to the presence of livestock, introduced exotic species, and emerging diseases. Conservation efforts are imperative to protect these species and mitigate their threats.

Cost-effectiveness of Finerenone in Addition to Standard of Care for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Type2 Diabetes in China.

Adding finerenone to current standard of care (SoC), as recommended by Chinese guidelines, has shown substantial benefit in delaying chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD and type2 diabetes (T2D) in the landmark FIDELIO-DKD trial. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of finerenone + SoC versus SoC alone among Chinese patients with T2D and CKD from a healthcare system perspective. A cost-effectiveness model (FINE-CKD) has been developed and published, with health states defined for CKD stages (CKD1/2, CKD3, CKD4, and CKD5 without renal replacement therapy (RRT), dialysis, or transplant) and cardiovascular event history. Additionally, the model also considered adverse events. Transition probabilities and event risks were derived using patient-level data from Asian population analysis of FIDELIO-DKD. Since the price of finerenone after the national reimbursement drug list (NRDL) inclusion was confidential, the cost of finerenone in the model was assumed to be the same as that of SoC. Other health resource costs were gathered from literature and supplemented by physician interviews. Measured by the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, quality of life was translated into utilities based on the Chinese EQ-5D-5L value set. Discounted at 5.0% annually, over a lifetime horizon, finerenone + SoC resulted in a quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gain of 0.321 versus SoC alone (8.660 vs. 8.338 QALYs), due to a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular events and dialysis. Total costs per patient were lower under finerenone + SoC than SoC alone (381,130 CNY vs. 392,390 CNY). As a result, finerenone + SoC was a dominant treatment strategy compared with SoC alone. Sensitivity analysis has confirmed the robustness of this study. Adding finerenone to SoC was likely to be either a dominant or cost-effective treatment option compared with SoC alone in Chinese patients with CKD and T2D.

A Review of the Conservation Status of Shorebirds in Mongolia

We present the first comprehensive review of 62 migratory shorebird species in Mongolia, covering their ecological status, IUCN assessments at regional or national levels, population trends, threats, and conservation measures. Mongolia hosts a total of 62 shorebird species from twenty-two genera and seven families, with six species classified as globally threatened: the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing, the Endangered Siberian Sandplover, the Far Eastern Curlew, the Great Knot, and the Vulnerable Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper. Both national and global IUCN Red List assessments highlight Mongolia’s significance as a breeding and passage migrating site for globally threatened and Near-Threatened shorebirds. Species richness is higher in northern regions compared to the south, with the highest diversity found in areas with complex aquatic ecosystems. Global population trends indicate a decline in 61% of species, with 18% remaining stable, 16% of unknown status, and 5% increasing. At the national level, most species are stable (61%), 34% status is unknown, and 5% are decreasing. Anthropogenic-induced threats, including habitat loss and degradation, pollution, disturbance, and harvesting, pose significant risks to 69% of species, while natural disasters affect 11%. Additionally, 8% of species are impacted by accidental mortality and intrinsic factors, and 5% by changes in native species. Despite these threats, no specific conservation action plans exist for shorebirds in Mongolia. However, general conservation measures are in place, such as environmental and fauna protection laws, regulations on foreign trade in endangered species, and the establishment of protected areas under governmental resolutions. Mongolia also participates in international conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Ramsar, and Migratory Species (CMS), and has developed national red lists, red books, and publications such as “A Summary Conservation Action Plan for Mongolian Birds”, “Important Bird Areas” to support conservation efforts.

Landscape assessment of the availability of medical abortion medicines in India

BackgroundMedical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol can be provided up to 63 days’ gestation in India. This accounts for 67.5 percent of all abortions in the country. We conducted an assessment to determine the availability of medical abortion medicines, specifically the combi-pack, in India.MethodsWe applied the World Health Organization landscape assessment protocol at the national level. The assessment protocol included a five-step adaptation of an existing availability framework, including online data collection, desk review, country-level key informant interviews, and an analysis to identify barriers and opportunities to improve medical abortion availability. The assessment was conducted between August and March 2021.ResultsMedicines for medical abortion are included in the national essential drug list and available with prescription in India. The assessment identified 42 combi-pack products developed by 35 manufacturers. The quality of medical abortion medicines is regulated by national authorities; but as health is devolved to states, there are significant inter-state variations. This is seen across financing, procurement, manufacturing, and monitoring mechanisms for quality assurance of medical abortion medicines prior to distribution. There is a need to strengthen supply chain systems, ensure consistent availability of trained providers and build community awareness on use of medical abortion medicines for early abortions, at the time of the assessment.ConclusionOpportunities to improve availability and quality of medical abortion medicines exist. For example, uniform implementation of regulatory standards, greater emphasis on quality-assurance during manufacturing, and standardizing of procurement and supply chain systems across states. Regular in-service training of providers on medical abortion is required. Finally, innovations in evidence dissemination and community engagement about the recently amended abortion law are needed.

Genome assembly catalog for species in the Japanese Red List: unlocking endangered biodiversity through genomic inventory

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology are allowing the dramatic increase of whole genome data for a wide variety of species. Such genome sequence data can assist the monitoring of intraspecific genetic diversity, but is often lacking for threatened species. In this project, we focused on the national Red List, a catalog of extinct and threatened species, issued by the Japanese government. We combined the data included in it with the record of genome assembly in NCBI and tabulated the assembly availability of the species in the list. The combined data shows a low percentage (2.1%) of the availability of whole genome sequence data for the taxa ranked on the Japanese Red List as well as a strong bias towards mammals and birds in Animalia and vascular plants in Plantae. Our data presentation highlights potential systematic limitations in genome sequencing (e.g., budget for sequencing large genomes of amphibians) and instructs future policies including which taxon needs more effort for genome sequencing. The resultant tables are available in the original website https://treethinkers.nig.ac.jp/redlist/ and are regularly updated.