Male Sex Ratio Research Articles

Women's suicide in low-, middle-, and high-income countries: Do laws discriminating against women matter?

BackgroundWomen's suicide is a serious public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study explored whether institutional discrimination against women, as manifested in formal and informal laws, is relevant to country's income-level variability in women's suicide mortality. It also examined which discriminatory laws are associated with LMIC women's suicides. MethodsScores on laws discriminating against women, across 176 countries, were obtained from the Gender, Institutions and Development Database. Male-to-female (M/F) 2017 suicide ratios were the index of women's propensity for suicide. The mediating role of laws discriminating against women on the association between country's income level and M/F suicide ratio was analysed by bootstrapping method. Regression analyses examined which discriminatory laws were associated with LMIC women's suicide rates. ResultsLMIC had significantly smaller M/F suicide ratios than high-income countries. Institutional discrimination mediated the association between country’s income-level and M/F suicide ratio (total effect: β = −0.13, 95% CI [ −0.26, −0.01]; direct effect: β = −0.06, 95% CI [ −0.20, 0.08]; indirect effect: β = −0.07, 95% CI [ −0.15, −0.02]). In LMIC, higher levels of discrimination against women in laws about access to productive and financial resources (β = −0.69, p < 0.001), civil liberties (β = −0.60, p < 0.001), and in family law (β = −0.57, p < 0.001) were associated with smaller M/F suicide ratios after controlling for male suicide rates and sex ratios at birth. ConclusionsThe relatively high suicide rates recorded among women in LMIC might be related to the higher level of institutional discrimination women experience in these countries. In LMIC, where, by law, women had restricted access to productive and financial assets and to justice, and/or unequal rights with regard to citizenship, household-responsibilities, divorce, and inheritance, M/F suicide ratios were lower—that is, women's suicide rates were higher. Suicide theory, research, and prevention targeting women should incorporate social-context and social-justice perspectives.

Staphylococcus aureus Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Study of Bacterio-Epidemiological Profile and Virulence Factors.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) represents a major cause of nosocomial infections in the intensive care units in which Staphylococcus aureus is frequently involved. Better knowledge of this pathogen is required in order to enhance the patient’s treatment and care. In this article, we studied the bacteriological profile and virulence factors of S. aureus-related VAP on a 3-year period. We included a collection of S. aureus strains (n = 35) isolated from respiratory samples from patients diagnosed with VAP in the intensive care units. We studied the bacteriological aspects and we searched for the presence of virulence factors (SpA, FnbpA, Hla, and PVL genes) in the strains, and we also studied the clinical and biological aspects of the infections. The average age of our patients was of 36 years and they were predominantly males (sex ratio = 3.37). A severe head trauma or a history of coma was noted in 73.43% of the patients. The average duration of ventilation was 29 days. Among the studied strains, five were Methicillin-resistant S. aureus of which three expressed the mecA gene. Overall, the Hla gene was detected in 85.7% of the strains and it was more prevalent in Methicillin-susceptible than Methicillin-resistant strains (93.3% versus 40%; P = 0.014). FnbpA, Spa, and PVL genes were detected, respectively, in 80%, 45.7%, and 20% of the strains. Therefore, our studied strains were essentially associated with the production of Hla and FnbpA genes. It is, however, important to elucidate their expression in order to establish their role in the VAP pathogenesis.

Time to end daughter aversion in India

Time to end daughter aversion in India

Study of some Reproductive Characteristics of Cyprinus Carpio (L., 1758) from Main Outfall Drain in Al-Qadisiyah City, Iraq.

Sex ratio and gonadosomatic indices of fish give important indexes about the reproductive biology for the species. This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive dynamics of the common carp (Carpio Cyprinus) species in the DMO, middle Iraq, for a period between January and December 2017. Where the sex ratio, fecundity and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were assessed and calculated throughout the year. Fish samples were captured by using the different fishing traditional methods to get all the sizes without bias. Total mean of the female to male sex ratio was 1:1.22 and ranged from 1:0.67 in December to 1:1.75 in April. The highest average of fecundity was for the female and male at the age of 3 and 2 years respectively. The monthly combined values of GSI for both sexes indicated that the peak breeding season to the species of C. carpio occurred in February in the study area and lowest in the female and male in August and July, respectively. This study provided a baseline assessment of the case of reproduction to the species of C. carpio to contribute to the evaluation of the potential long-term consequences for this species of fish.

Effects of Perennial Intercrops on Oil Palm Agronomic and Yield Traits

Background: Intercropping is wildly practiced in oil palm plantation in Thailand for a long time. However, there are few studies connected to oil palm intercropping. This study evaluated the effects of perennial intercrops on the agronomic and yield traits of oil palm.Methods: The observation used a completely randomized design with eight treatments including oil palm monocropping, oil palm intercropped with Intsia palembanica, Hopea odorata, Swietenia macrophylla, Ternstroemia wallichiana, Azardirachta excelsa, Magnolia champaca and Mesua ferrea. The height and stem perimeter of intercrops were recorded as were the plant height and diameter, number of male and female inflorescences and sex ratio of the oil palms. Those parameters were observed in October 2019, February and June 2020.Result: Oil palm intercropped with A. excelsa produced the highest number of female inflorescences and oil palm intercropped with M. champaca produced the highest sex ratio in October 2019 and February 2020, however, the differences of those parameters were not found in June 2020. There were no significant differences in the diameter, height, the number of male inflorescences throughout the observation. Among the 7 intercrops, M. champaca and A. excelsa produced the highest growth rate of plant height and stem perimeter, respectively. In conclusion, oil palm can be intercropped with perennial plants. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of intercropping in oil palm.

Sex ratio, gonad maturity and size-structure of Pagelus bellotti in Sierra Leone

A total of 135 specimens of Pagellus bellotti were randomly collected from artisanal boats in August 2018. Study of sex ratio, gonad maturity and size-structure of Pagellus bellottii is meagre in Sierra Leone, and forms the basis of the present study. The study will contribute to current knowledge and promote rational exploitation of the stock. Length and weight were measured using a fish measuring board (cm) and digital weight scale (g) respectively. Sex and gonad maturity were macroscopically assessed. Results showed dominant males (71.9%) and significant difference observed (1:2.6) and expected (1:1) female: male sex ratios (p &lt;0.05). Only 11.9% and 11.1% of male and female gonads transcended to the developed stage (Stage IV). The length-frequency distribution for combined sex was unimodal (modal class, 17cm-20.9cm). Mean length and weight respectively were, 19.04±0.32cm and 98.85±5.08g for males and 17.43±0.54cm and 78.61±6.32g for females. Growth exponent (b) for male, female and combined sex was 2.809, 2.928 and 2.850 respectively and the correlation coefficient for all sex categories showed (r &gt; 0.9). Indexes of condition were greater than 1.0 (K &gt; 1) for all sex categories. Results portrayed a heterogeneous gender population of Pagelus bellottii and vast similarity in reproductive strategies by both sexes. The fish comprised of one size group and males may be growing larger than the females. Growth pattern was near-isometric for females and negative allometric for the males, and both sexes were in better condition (K &gt;1.0). An annual study could provide further insight.

Gamma Ray Radiation Effects Emitted from Am-241 on Some Physiological Cases of Adult Rats

In this search we found the effect of 0.06.0.1 and 0.4 mGy / h gamma rays as radiation doses for 55 days at h /7 day irradiation in certain physiological cases as the sex ratio of adult rats. Major reductions in the total number of offspring were observed (p ˂0.05). female and male sex ratio when exposed to 0.06-0.4 mGy / h doses when compared to control group. Another argument, the effects of gamma radiation with the above dose levels and with the same mating showed substantial increases (p ˂0.05) in the number of female offspring and their sexual ratio. This rise is directly proportional to the increase in doses. This paper also revealed major differences in the sex ratio of male and female rats. The ratio of female offspring to gamma radiation was greater than the ratio of male offspring to control .The exposure of any source with frequency greater than GHz. and wave length in (10-10 meters) must therefore be avoided during gestations.

Population parameters of the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) from the Sundarban mangrove forest in Bangladesh

Population parameters of orange mud crab (Scylla olivacea) were estimated, aiming to determine sex ratios, carapace width-body weight (CW-BW) relationships, asymptotic width (CW∝), growth coefficient (K), mortality (Z, M, and F), recruitment and level of exploitation (E) in the Sundarban mangrove forest, located in the south-western part of Bangladesh. Year-round samples were collected using hook-lines and baited traps, the population parameters were measured from CW frequency data using FiSAT-II analyzer. The study showed that the overall male and female sex ratio was 1:0.66, revealing a male domination in the study area. The CW-BW relationship indicated that the increment rate in the BW of the male crabs (b = 3.06, R2 = 0.98) were higher than that of female (b = 2.62; R2 = 0.98) S. olivacea. The b value differed significantly (P < 0.006) from isometric growth (b = 3) where males exhibited positive and females exhibited negative growth allometry. Estimated CW∝ for male and female were 164 mm and 152 mm along with K values 0.90 yr−1 and 0.76 yr−1, respectively. Total mortality (Z) was 2.67 yr−1 and 1.57 yr−1, natural mortality (M) was 0.98 yr−1 and 0.90 yr−1 and fishing mortality (F) was 1.69 yr−1 and 0.67 yr−1 for male and female, accordingly. Recruitment of both sexes exhibited a bimodal recruitment pattern where young population occurs continuously throughout the year and a major peak of recruitment for males was observed from November to January and for female it was from February to April. The estimated exploitation rate (E) for male (0.63) was higher than the female (0.43) where the E for male exceeded the maximum permissible limit (E = 0.50). A remarkable range of fishing pressure at lower size classes was revealed in this study and thus framing minimum legal size is crucial for effective management of the population.

Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) Sex Ratio in Tallgrass Prairie: Effects of Survey Timing and Management Regime

The regal fritillary, Speyeria idalia (Drury), was once a common inhabitant of North American grassland communities. Regal fritillary populations are commonly reported to have a male biased adult sex ratio (ASR) throughout their range. We assessed the observed ASR of regal fritillary throughout an annual flight period, investigated how the overall density of both sexes changed, and tested effects of prescribed fire, grazing and haying management treatments on male and female density. We found that regal fritillary exhibited an observed 2:1 male biased ASR across the entire emergence period. Our analysis also revealed that male density peaked earlier than female density in the flight period. Point estimates of density indicated sites that received prescribed burning at the moderate fire-return interval supported ≥1.3 times greater density of males and ≥5.6 times greater density of females versus sites burned with short and long fire-return intervals. Additionally, this effect was enhanced when combined with grazing which showed males were ≥1.9 times and females had ≥1.2 times greater point estimates of density in sites that were grazed and burned at a moderate fire-return interval versus other sites. The relatively stable status of regal fritillary within our study region suggests that a 2:1 male to female ASR may be considered the model composition of populations throughout their range. Likewise, the dynamic nature of the ASR throughout the flight period highlights the importance of conducting surveys across the flight period. Finally, these results corroborate an increasing number of research results that reveal common prairie management practices, such as prescribed fire can be applied within sites that contain regal fritillary and continue to support stable populations.

Protein contain in Cyprinus carpio (Ham.) of experimental and control fishes due to administration of ovaprim, ovatide and pituitary gland extract at Fish Seed Production Centre, Paithan, Aurangabad, Maharashtra State, India

Protein contain is a cornerstone mechanism and form part and parcel of nutritive value in particular rely on season, food intake, breeding and spawning capacity. The protein contain in the fish body constitute as a firsthand source of energy for physiological functions incorporating reproduction. Present investigation display that variations in the protein is observed from the mature fishes of Indian major carps such as Cyprinus carpio comprises 20 to 50cm selected for the estimation of protein study considered as experimental and control fishes upon administration of PGE, ovaprim and ovatide synthetic hormonal doses to the male and female sex ratio separately. Protein in the liver of female major carps may be because of vitellogenin, a lipoprotein which is synthesized in the liver and is transported to the ovary (Wallace, 1985). Moreover, gonadal protein enhanced with maturation amongst these fishes. Protein estimation represents the variations throughout the study period amongst the muscle, gonad and liver. After hormonal injections are given then fishes are kept in the breeding pool at the Fish Seed Production Centres (FSPC) located near Paithan barrage. The protein is estimated upon satisfactory administration of hormonal doses Pituitary Gland Extract and by other two synthetic hormonal doses viz. Ovaprim and Ovatide. Study is conducted during 2013 to 2014.

Diagnostic Value of Patient-Reported and Clinically Tested Olfactory Dysfunction in a Population Screened for COVID-19

Recent studies have suggested that olfactory dysfunction and gustatory dysfunction are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, olfaction has been evaluated solely on reported symptoms, after COVID-19 diagnosis, and in both mild and severe COVID-19 cases, but rarely has it been assessed in prospectively unselected populations. To evaluate the diagnostic value of a semiobjective olfactory test developed to assess patient-reported chemosensory dysfunction prior to testing for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients attending a COVID-19 screening facility. This prospective diagnostic study with participants and observers blinded to COVID-19 status was conducted in a COVID-19 screening center of a tertiary university hospital in France from March 23 to April 22, 2020. Participants were 854 consecutively included health care workers or outpatients with symptoms or with close contact with an index case. Exclusion criteria were prior chemosensory dysfunction, testing inability, or contraindications (n = 45). Participants were interviewed to ascertain their symptoms and then underwent Clinical Olfactory Dysfunction Assessment (CODA), an ad hoc test developed for a simple and fast evaluation of olfactory function. This assessment followed a standardized procedure in which participants identified and rated the intensity of 3 scents (lavender, lemongrass, and mint) to achieve a summed score ranging from 0 to 6. The COVID-19 status was assessed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in samples collected via nasopharyngeal swab (reference standard) to calculate the diagnostic values of patient-reported chemosensory dysfunction and CODA. Of 809 participants, the female to male sex ratio was 2.8, and the mean (SD) age was 41.8 (13.0) years (range, 18-94 years). All participants, if symptomatic, had mild disease at the time of testing, and 58 (7.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Chemosensory dysfunction was reported by 20 of 58 participants (34.5%) with confirmed COVID-19 vs 29 of 751 participants (3.9%) who tested negative for COVID-19 (absolute difference, 30.6% [95% CI, 18.3%-42.9%]). Olfactory dysfunction, either self-reported or clinically ascertained (CODA score ≤3), yielded similar sensitivity (0.31 [95% CI, 0.20-0.45] vs 0.34 [95% CI, 0.22-0.48]) and specificity (0.97 [95% CI, 0.96-0.98) vs 0.98 [95% CI, 0.96-0.99]) for COVID-19 diagnosis. Concordance was high between reported and clinically tested olfactory dysfunction, with a Gwet AC1 of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93-0.97). Of 19 participants, 15 (78.9%) with both reported olfactory dysfunction and a CODA score of 3 or lower were confirmed to have COVID-19. The CODA score also revealed 5 of 19 participants (26.3%) with confirmed COVID-19 who had previously unperceived olfactory dysfunction. In this prospective diagnostic study of outpatients with asymptomatic or mild to moderate COVID-19, systematically assessed anamnesis and clinical testing with the newly developed CODA were complementary and specific for chemosensory dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction was suggestive of COVID-19, particularly when clinical testing confirmed anamnesis. However, normal olfaction was most common among patients with COVID-19.

Results of Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy in Inflammatory Choroidal Neovascularization.

Purpose:To report the visual outcomes of intravitreal (IVT) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (iCNV).Methods:A retrospective study of 43 eyes of 38 patients with active choroidal neovascularization (CNV) related to ocular inflammatory disease, treated with IVT injections of anti-VEGF (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept), with or without associated systemic anti-inflammatory therapy, at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia (24 eyes of 23 patients) and at Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy (19 eyes of 15 patients) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018.Results:The mean age was 35.5 ± 16.4 years. The sex ratio male:female was 0.27. Seventeen eyes (39.5%) of 17 patients (44.7%) had only anti-VEGF injections, and 26 eyes (60.5%) of 21 patients (45.3%) had anti-VEGF injections and associated systemic anti-inflammatory therapy. Bevacizumab was injected in 36 eyes (83.7%), ranibizumab in six eyes (14%), and aflibercept in one eye (2.3%). Mean follow-up was 20.3 ± 19.2 months (range, 6–106 months). Mean visual acuity improved from 0.8 ± 0.37 logMAR (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/125) to 0.51 ± 0.42 logMAR (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/63) (P < 0.001). Mean central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography decreased from 403.7 ± 121.9 to 293.7 ± 82.8 μm (P < 0.001). Mean gain of vision was 2.9 ± 3.1 lines. The mean number of injections was 2.5. Twenty eyes (46.5%) received a single injection. There were no side effects related to the IVT injections of anti-VEGF.Conclusions:CNV is a sight-threatening complication of uveitis. IVT anti-VEGF seems to be an effective and safe treatment for iCNV when inflammation is controlled.

Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy: Technique and Long Term Results.

Background: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (Longo operation) is a infrequent technique in our area. A different concept from hemorrhoidectomy, a proportionally important raise in cost and a special training may have contributed to it. We report our long-term results with the standard technique. Methods: The data of 35 patients with symptomatic second- and third-degree hemorrhoids who had stapled hemorrhoidopexy using a PPH03 stapler, from 01 January 2012 to 04 December 2020, were retrospectively collected. The sex ratio male: female was 3:4 and the mean age 45 (range 28-60) years. The follow-up consisted in a rectal exam and evaluated anatomical recurrence or prolapse. Results: The mean operative time was 42 (30-70) min. The mean parenteral analgesic doses during the first 24 h were 1,52. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.55 (1-2) days. A single patient needed reoperation for a staple line bleeding, two patients had a thrombosis of internal hemorrhoids and in one patient a small prolapse was diagnosed at 3 months follow-up. No hematoma, anastomotic stenosis, persistent anal pain, tenesmus, or impaired anal continence was recorded. One patient mentioned discomfort related to the presence of staples. Patients were followed-up for 6 (1-9) years. Global satisfaction rate was 94%. Conclusion: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy procedure is a safe and feasible procedure, which necessitates few analgesics and allows an early discharge. A rigorous selection of cases and a correct surgical technique allow to obtain good long-term results and offer a high level of patients satisfaction.

Effect of Innoculation Duration and Number of Hole Container to Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera; Branconidae) Propogation in Laboratory

This research was aimed to study the number of container holes and the inoculation period of C. flavipes. This research was conducted in the sugarcane Laboratory of Research and Development Sei Semayang Binjai, Sumatera Utara from November 2017 to January 2018. A complete randomized design with two factors and three replications was used. The first factor was the number of holes in a container (1 hole d=10 cm, 1 hole d=2.5 cm, 4 holes d=2.5 cm, 7 holes d=2.5 cm and the second factor was incubation period (10, 20, dan 30 minutes). The result showed that the number of holes in each container and the inoculation period was significantly affecting the parasitation period, parasitation presence, number of images, and sex ratio of C. flavipes. The highest percentage (33.68%) on the number of container 1 hole d=10 cm while the lowest (7.38%) was in 1 hole d=2.5 cm. In terms of the incubation period, the highest (24.14%) parasitation percentage was in 10 minutes and the lowest (15.81%) was in 30 minutes. The highest number of imago (319.92 C. flavipes) based on inoculation treatment = 10 minutes, while the lowest (207.25 C. flavipes) = 20 minutes. The highest male (207.78 C. flavipes) was in 1 hole d=10 cm and the lowest (48.89 C. flavipes) in 1 hole d=2.5cm. The highest female (219.44 C. flavipes) was in 1 hole d=10 cm and the lowest (54.00 C. flavipes) in 1 hole d=2.5 cm. The highest (168.00 C. flavipes) inoculation period = 10 minutes while the lowest (107.5 C. flavipes) was in inoculation = 20 minutes. The sex ratio male : female = 1 : 1.

Reproductive biology of mud crabs (Scylla olivacea) collected from Paikgachha, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Objective:This study was carried out to estimate the sex ratio, maturity size, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and peak breeding season of mud crabs.Materials and Methods:Samples were collected randomly from the estuary and river of the study area. Sampling was carried out monthly from April to September at every full moon during one high tide. A total number of 240 specimens were sampled, where 53 individuals were hermaphrodite. The crabs were shifted alive to the biology and histology lab for detailed biological study. Sex was determined. Male and female sex ratio and breeding season were also investigated.Results:The male:female ratio was 1:0.96 and the ovarian development was categorized into five stages based on internal observations, viz. immature (stage I), underdeveloped (stage II), early developed (stage III), late developed (stage IV), and mature (stage V). The maturity percentages were 37%, 19%, 13%, 11%, and 20%, respectively. 50% maturation was estimated at 82.36 mm internal carapace width (ICW). The highest mean GSI value was 7.97 ± 3.03. The mature stage was found in all the working periods. This shows that females have activated ovaries in all the working months, and the species are continuous breeders. A higher frequency of vitellogenic ovary and higher GSI value were found in September. The maximum GSI value was found in the size group 70–79 mm.Conclusion:The study shows that the capture from the wild sources of mud crabs without any regulation can threaten the population structure. The capture of female mud crabs should be more than 82.36 mm ICW, which will help conserve and protect young crabs.

Effect of different plant growth regulators on growth, yield and quality parameters of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Kalyanpur green

An investigation was carried out at the Vegetable Research farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during Kharif season of 2018. The soil of the experimental field was sandy-loam with uniform topography. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design replicated thrice with nine treatments i.e. T1 - foliar application of GA3 (100ppm) at 15 days after sowing, T2 - foliar application of GA3 (150ppm) at 30days after sowing, T3 - foliar application of GA3 (200ppm) at 45days after sowing, T4 - foliar application of NAA (100ppm) at 15days after sowing, T5 - foliar application of NAA (150ppm) at 30days after sowing, T6 - foliar application of NAA (200ppm) at 45 days after sowing, T7 - foliar application of Ethrel (200ppm) at 2-4 leaf stage, T8 - foliar application of Ethrel (300ppm) at pre flowering and T9 - Control (Water Spray). The result shows that an application of Ethrel 200ppm was found most effective in reducing the number of male flowers (90.75) in comparison to female flowers (52.08). GA3 200ppm reduce the number of days required for appearance of first flower (36.58 days) of cucumber plant, increased the production of female flowers (50.25), lowered the male and female sex ratio (1.70: 1), increased number of fruits per plant (11.67), increased yield per plant (3.89 kg) and per hectare (180.69 q). The next best treatment was GA3 100 ppm which increased the yield of fruits per plant (3.42 kg) and yield per hectare. From the results of this investigation, it could be inferred that Ethrel 200 ppm treatment was found most effective in improving femaleness with increased fruit yield of cucumber cv. Kalyanpur Green&#39;. Results revealed that the application of plant growth regulators significantly increased growth. GA3 (100ppm) play an important role in increasing yield characters followed by NAA (100 ppm) and male and female flower ratio can be lowered by the application Ethrel (300 ppm). The fruit set and fruit retention percentage was improved through the application GA3 (150ppm) followed by GA3 (200ppm).

Very High Relative Seroprevalence of Anti--SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Communities in Bangui, Central African Republic

Background: Large-scale population-based seroprevalence studies of SARS-CoV-2 are essential to characterize the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to extrapolate the prevalence of presumptive immunity at the population level.Objective: The objective of our survey was to estimate the cumulative population immunity for COVID-19 and to identify individual characteristics associated with a positive serostatus.Method: This was a clustered cross-sectional study conducted from July 12 to August 20, 2021, in households in the city of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. Information regarding demographic characteristics (age, gender, and place of residence), comorbidities (chronic diseases) was collected. A venous blood sample was obtained for each participant to determine the level of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a WANTAI SARS-CoV-2 Ab ELISA kit.Results: All up, 799 participants were surveyed. The average age was 27 years, and 45·8% of the respondents were male (sex ratio: 0.8). The overall proportion of respondents with a positive serostatus was 74·1%. Participants over 20 years of age were twice as likely to have a positive serostatus, with an OR of 2.· ·2 (95% CI: [1·6, 3·1]).Interpretation: The results of this survey revealed a high cumulative level of immunity in Bangui, thus indicating a significant degree of spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population. The public health implications of this high level of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the population remain to be determined.Funding Information: This study was funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through the REPAIR COVID-19-Africa project coordinated by the Pasteur International Network association.Declaration of Interests: All authors declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: This study was authorised by the Ministry of Health of the Central African Republic (N° 603/MSPP/DIRCAB/CMRF-21) and by the Ethics and Scientific Committee of the University of Bangui (N°09/UB/FACSS/IPB/CES/20). Informed and signed consent was obtained from each participant.

Parasitism by Amblyomma humerale (Acari: Ixodidae) on Chelonoidis denticulatus (Testudines: Testudinidae) in the Atlantic Forest.

The present study reports on patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma humerale on yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus, in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The tortoises were sampled occasionally, from July 2005 to January 2020. We collected 81 adult ticks from seven tortoises (mean = 11.57 ± 6.90 ticks/host), of which 72 were males (88.9%) and nine females (11.1%), resulting in an 8:1 sex ratio (males:females). Males were found in clusters, attached to the carapace. Females occurred mainly isolated, attached to coriaceous integumental areas (n = 7; 77.8%), especially the engorged females (100%). We suggest that the difference between attachment sites is a strategy used by fertilized females to avoid mechanical removal from their host through friction with elements of the environment. Because they undergo a considerable increase of volume when engorged, they move to more sheltered places on their host's surface. The parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus were compatible with those observed in the Amazon region and in the Cerrado-Amazonia transition. The present work provides information about the life history and host-parasite interface of the two species and contributes to understanding the parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.

Genetic Diversity and Sex Identification of Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824) in the Captivity of Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta

Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is one of the wild species that have a widely distribution. This bird has been successfully bred in Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta. The indicator of inbreeding in the captive population is shown by the decrease of nucleotide diversity and number of haplotypes. The result of genetic diversity analysis using D-loop fragment sequences showed low genetic diversity with nucleotide diversity (p) = 0.00064 ± 0.00010 and haplotype diversity (Hd) = 0.532 ± 0.061 in Pelecanus conspicillatus populations in the Ragunan Zoo. However, negative Fu's Fs value (-3,246) indicates population expansion. We found that there were seven haplotypes in bird populations in the captivity: haplotype 1, 2 and 3 consist of 43 individuals (65.15%), five individuals (7.57%), and 14 individuals (21.21%), respectively. For each haplotype 4, 5, 6 and 7 is only represented by one individual of Pelecanus conspicillatus (1.51%). The sex ratio of males to females is 1: 8.86 with four males identified as haplotype 1, and one male on haplotypes 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Genetic diversity data of the population is an important way for designing long-term plans and goals in efforts to maintain genetic diversity of the Pelecanus conspicillatus population in captivity.

Xanthogranulomatus inflammatory lesion mimicker of malignancy – A clinicopathological study from rural India

OBJECTIVE:Xanthogranulomatus inflammation is an uncommon variant of chronic inflammation and a well-established pathological entity involving various organs and systems. It may be associated with infection and obstruction, defective lipid transport, immunological disturbances, and often confused as a malignant neoplasm. The confirmative diagnosis is made on histopathology.METHODS:This is a retrospective study conducted from January 2008 to April 2020 on histopathologically diagnosed xanthogranulomatus lesions. All the relevant available data regarding age, sex, and organ involvement were collected from histopathology lab records. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of cases was also done. This study was aimed to determine the significance of histopathology in the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatus lesions, revealing pathological changes, and clinicopathological correlation.RESULTS:In the current study, there were 93 cases of xanthogranulomatus inflammatory lesion. Gall bladder was frequently involved 70 (75.27%), followed by 5 (5.37%) kidney, gastrointestinal Tract 6 (3 [3.23%] cases in colon and 3 [3.23%] in appendix, respectively), and others. The maximum number of cases was in the age group of 31–40 years with 24 (25.80%) cases. The female to male sex ratio was 2.3:1.CONCLUSION:Awareness and knowledge of xanthogranulomatus inflammatory lesion is significant to the pathologist and surgeon to prevent extensive surgery. This lesion often mimics as malignancy and confirmatory diagnosis is made on histopathology. Thus, every excised specimen must be examined histopathologically to diagnose and rule out differential.