BACKGROUND: South Africa (SA) has embarked on a process to implement universal health coverage (UHC) funded by National Health Insurance (NHI). The 2019 NHI Bill proposes creation of a health technology assessment (HTA) body to inform decisions about which interventions NHI funds will cover under UHC. In practice, HTA often relies mainly on economic evaluations of cost-effectiveness and budget impact, with less attention to the systematic, specific consideration of important social, organisational and ethical impacts of the health technology in question. In this context, the South African Values and Ethics for Universal Health Coverage (SAVE-UHC) research project recognised an opportunity to help shape the health priority-setting process by providing a way to take account of multiple, ethically relevant considerations that reflect SA values. The SAVE-UHC Research Team developed and tested an SA-specific Ethics Framework for HTA assessment and analysisOBJECTIVES: To develop and test an Ethics Framework for use in the SA context for health priority-settingMETHODS: The Framework was developed iteratively by the authors and a multidisciplinary panel (18 participants) over a period of 18 months, using the principles outlined in the 2015 NHI White Paper as a starting point. The provisional Ethics Framework was then tested with multi-stakeholder simulated appraisal committees (SACs) in three provinces. The membership of each SAC roughly reflected the composition of a potential SA HTA committee. The deliberations and dedicated focus group discussions after each SAC meeting were recorded, analysed and used to refine the Framework, which was presented to the Working Group for review, comment and final approvalRESULTS: This article describes the 12 domains of the Framework. The first four (Burden of the Health Condition, Expected Health Benefits and Harms, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, and Budget Impact) are commonly used in HTA assessments, and a further eight cover the other ethical domains. These are Equity, Respect and Dignity, Impacts on Personal Financial Situation, Forming and Maintaining Important Personal Relationships, Ease of Suffering, Impact on Safety and Security, Solidarity and Social Cohesion, and Systems Factors and Constraints. In each domain are questions and prompts to enable use of the Framework by both analysts and assessors. Issues that arose, such as weighting of the domains and the availability of SA evidence, were discussed by the SACsCONCLUSIONS: The Ethics Framework is intended for use in priority-setting within an HTA process. The Framework was well accepted by a diverse group of stakeholders. The final version will be a useful tool not only for HTA and other priority-setting processes in SA, but also for future efforts to create HTA methods in SA and elsewhere

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the mechanism of Periplaneta americana extract promoting intestinal mucosal repair of OXZ-induced colitis in rat. Methods: All experiments used an equal number of male and female SD rats (n=48). We injected OXZ into the colon to induce UC rat model. To determine the optimal concentration of P. Americana's extract (PA-40), it was classified into low (L), medium (M), and high (H) doses. After OXZ treatment, each drug was administered by enema for 7 consecutive days. Rats were divided into the following 6 groups: (1) Saline treatment group (NC), (2) OXZ treatment UC model group (MC), (3) OXZ + budesonide group (BUN), (4) OXZ + PA-40 L group, (5) OXZ + PA-40 M group, (6) OXZ + PA-40 H group. Disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological score, serum cytokine level (IL-4, IL-10, iNOS, tNOS), and amount of MPO, EGF, IL-13 in colonic mucosa were measured. Results: PA treatment had a significant healing effect on the OXZ-colitis model and significantly reduced the lesioned area, especially in the PA-40H groups. PA treatment did not alter the expression of IL-10 and MPO level, but increased EGF (epidermal growth factor) and decrease IL-13 in the colonic tissue. PA inhibited the rise of NOSs (nitric oxide synthase) and decreased the serum IL-4 level. Conclusions: The data suggest that Periplaneta americana extract may be a potential compound for the treatment of colonic lesions. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the secretion of IL-13 and promoting the formation of EGF.

ABSTRACT Heat stress induces oxidative stress, and reduces body antioxidant metabolite levels, which can affect poultry production performance. Dietary antioxidants protect birds against the adverse effects of heat stress. The effects of increasing concentrations of dietary curcumin on the antioxidant parameters of layers maintained under high-temperature conditions for nine weeks were evaluated. Roman laying hens (n = 336, 22 weeks old, 1420 g BW) were divided into three treatment groups. The first group served as a thermoneutral control (kept at 25 ± 1 °C). The second group was exposed to high temperatures (32 ± 1 °C, 6 h/d), given a basal diet. The third group was further divided into five treatment groups (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg Curcumin) fed a basal diet (treatments H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) under high temperatures conditions (32 ± 1 °C, 6 hours/day). As a result of this study, total superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in H2 and H3 groups, and total antioxidant capacity was higher in H2, H3, and H5 groups. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the H3 group. Malondialdehyde concentration was lowered in curcumin supplemented hens compared with control groups hens. Laying hens in all curcumin treatment groups had slightly higher activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC in the liver, heart, and lungs, compared with heat stressed control group. It was concluded that dietary curcumin given to laying hens under heat stress may enhance their antioxidant status, and alleviate the detrimental effects of stressful environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT Chinese indigenous chicken breeds are geographically widespread, and a total of 116 indigenous chicken breeds are listed as Chinese national genetic resources. However, these indigenous chicken breeds are facing serious challenges as declining population and germplasm degeneration because lots of commercial chicken breeds had been introduced. In this study, the genetic variations of eleven Chinese indigenous chicken breeds of Sichuan province and three commercial chicken breeds were investigated based on the partial mitochondrial DNA D-loop of 487bp in length. 147 individuals from 14 breeds were examined and 34 haplotypes were observed. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the highest haplotype diversity level was found in Dahen Chicken (DH) population, while the Arbor Acres Chicken (WF) and Roman layer (RM) showed lower genetic diversity levels. The long-term artificial selection may lead to reduced nucleotide diversity. Genetic population differentiation analysis indicated that most of the variation (80.80%) was attributed to variations among breeds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these individuals were divided into four distinct genetic clades, including cluster A, B, C and D. Eighteen haplotypes were classified as cluster A, eight haplotypes were classified as cluster B, five haplotypes were classified as cluster C and three haplotypes were classified as cluster D. There was no breed-specific clade. Our study firstly identified the population’s genetic structure of Chinese indigenous chickens and the most important commercial breeds in Sichuan province, though the genetic diversity of indigenous breeds did not suffer obvious decrease, but could be helpful for efficient artificial breeding selection and genetic resources conservation.

RESUMO: Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos de aditivos nas características de fermentação, composição química e digestibilidade in vitro do gafanhoto preto tetraplóide (TBL). A silagem de folhas TBL não foi tratada (controle) ou foi tratada com 1 × 106 ufc / g FM Lactobacillus plantarum (L), 1% glicose (G), 3% melaço (M), uma combinação de 1% glicose e Lactobacillus plantarum ( L + G), ou uma combinação de 3% de melaço e Lactobacillus plantarum (L + M). A qualidade da fermentação, a composição química e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes foram analisadas. As concentrações de etanol e ácido acético foram os produtos de fermentação dominantes em todas as silagens, com exceção da silagem L + M. Os tratamentos L, G e L + G não influenciaram na fermentação. O tratamento com M aumentou (P<0,05) a concentração de ácido láctico e diminuiu (P<0,05) o pH, quando comparado com a silagem controle. As melhores propriedades de fermentação foram observadas na silagem L + M, como indicado pela dominância do ácido lático sobre o etanol nos produtos de fermentação. As silagens M e L + M apresentaram maior teor de matéria seca (P<0,05), e a silagem M apresentou maior carboidrato solúvel em água residual que o controle. A ensilagem aumentou (P<0,05) a matéria seca in vitro, a fibra em detergente neutro e a degradabilidade da fibra em detergente ácido de TBL. Entre as silagens, a silagem M apresentou os maiores teores de matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e degradabilidade da fibra em detergente ácido. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a aplicação de bactérias lácticas em conjunto com 3% de melaço pode ser uma estratégia eficaz para evitar a ocorrência de fermentação alcoólica e melhorar a qualidade da fermentação da silagem TBL. A adição de açúcares fermentáveis à TBL aumenta a disponibilidade de nutrientes para ruminantes.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of additives on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of tetraploid black locust (TBL). The TBL leaves silage was either untreated (control) or treated with 1 × 106 cfu/g FM Lactobacillus plantarum (L), 1% glucose (G), 3% molasses (M), a combination of 1% glucose and Lactobacillus plantarum (L+G), or a combination of 3% molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum (L+M). Fermentation quality, chemical composition and nutrient digestibility were then analyzed. Ethanol and acetic acid concentrations were the dominant fermentation products in all silages except L+M silage. The L, G and L+G treatments failed to influence the fermentation. The M treatment increased (P<0.05) the lactic acid concentration and lowered (P<0.05) the pH when compared with control silage. The best fermentation properties were observed in L+M silage, as indicated by the dominance of lactic acid over ethanol in fermentation products. The M and L+M silages exhibited higher (P<0.05) dry matter, and M silage showed higher residual water-soluble carbohydrates than the control. Ensiling increased (P<0.05) the in vitro dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber degradability of TBL. Among the silages, M silage had the highest levels of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber degradability. The obtained results suggested that application of lactic acid bacteria together with 3% molasses could be an effective strategy to prevent the occurrence of ethanol fermentation and improve fermentation quality of TBL silage; addition of fermentable sugars to TBL improves nutrient availability to ruminants.

ABSTRACT BMP6, a member of the subfamilies of the morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), plays a crucial role in osteogenic and chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and stimulates chondrogenesis, making chondrocytes differen-tiate on their terminal stage. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between polymorphism of BMP6 gene and slaughter traits in chicken respectively. We screened the exonic and intronic regions of BMP6 gene by DNA pool construction and amplified DNA fragment by PCR, and finally, we got nine SNPs. Association analysis revealed that BMP6 had no significant association among all slaughter traits in Yellow bantam chicken. However, BMP6 had a significant difference with femur weight, tibia weight, femur length (p<0.05), and was extremely significant with tibia length (p<0.01) in Avian chicken. Moreover, femur perimeter also had significant correlation with BMP6 in Avian chicken. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of chicken BMP6 gene.

ABSTRACT Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) infection has frequently affected the poultry industry in recent years. The infection with REV weakens the immune responses of the infected poultry. It is reported that Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides are capable of regulating immune function. In order to investigate the immuno regulatory effects of Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides (EPS) on the response of REV-infected broilers to a live attenuated Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine. Broilers were intraperitoneally injected with REV at one day of age, subcutaneously infected with EPS at 2 days of age, and vaccinated by nasal drip with a live attenuated ND (Lasota strain) vaccine at 5 days of age. Immune organ index, secretory immunoglobulinA (SIgA), peripheral blood heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H/L ratio), peripheral blood lymphocyte transformation rates, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels were measured at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 56 days of age. The results showed that EPS increased the immune organ index, and the secretion of small intestine secretory immunoglobulin A, serum ND antibody titers, blood H/L ratio, peripheral blood lymphocyte transformation rates, and IL-2 and IFN-γ levels. These results indicate that EPS are able to enhance the immune responses of chickens both to REV infection and to ND vaccination. Therefore, Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides can be considered as an immune regulator in the future.

ABSTRACT To study the development rules of Chinese native geese, two breeds, Shitou and Sichuan White geese were analyzed from 0 to 12 weeks of age. The growth curves were fitted with commonly used four kinds of nonlinear models (Logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy and Richards). The results showed that the growth curves were appropriately fitted with all four models but the Logistic and Richards both had the best fitting with growth curve (R2>0.99). Analyzing the fitting parameters of the Logistic and Richards, we found that male Shitou had the highest adult body weight while Sichuan White female had the lowest weight. In Shitou breed, Shape parameter Predicted with Richards model was corresponded with Gompertz curve, while in Sichuan breed it was in between Gompertz and Bertalanffy. Growth parameters predicted with Logistic model was much more closed to observed value as compared others. So overall logistic was the best model to analyze the growth curve in Chinese native goose and Shitou goose had excellent growth performance when compared to Sichuan White.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of paediatric hand injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs) in Foshan City, as well as to supply data for the development of preventive strategies in South China and similar developing areas. Methods: From July 2010 to June 2011, a multicentre study was prospectively designed and conducted in five large hospital EDs in Foshan. An anonymous questionnaire was specially designed for data collection. Results: A total of 317 (95.48%) subjects with paediatric hand injuries completed questionnaires within the one-year study period. Most subjects were injured at home or work (40.69% vs 36.60%). The majority of paediatric hand injuries occurred in daily activities (164, 51.74%) or were caused by crushing (144, 45.43%). There were significant statistical differences among age groups and places of occurrence (p < 0.05). Most subjects got their fingers injured (174, 54.89%). About 116 (36.59%) subjects were injured while at work and 106 (91.38%) subjects had medical insurance. About 59 (50.86%) subjects had < 0.5 year of job tenure. However, only less than half of the subjects (46.55%) had the related experience of safety training. Upon the occurrence of hand injuries, the subjects had been working for 4.49 ± 3.05 hours without rest. Among them, 19 (5.99%) subjects were younger than 16 years old and should not be employed, according to the Chinese labour law. Conclusions: Epidemiology data enhance our knowledge of paediatric hand injuries and facilitate prevention and treatment in the future, thus reducing loss of hand function as well as psychological and economic burden.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la epidemiología de las lesiones de mano pediátricas tratadas en departamentos de emergencias (DE) en la ciudad de Foshan, así como suministrar datos para el desarrollo de estrategias preventivas en el sur de China y áreas de desarrollo similar. Métodos: De julio de 2010 a junio de 2011 de junio, se diseñó y realizó prospectivamente un estudio multicéntrico en cinco DE hospitalarios mayores de Foshan. Un cuestionario anónimo fue especialmente diseñado para la recolección de datos. Resultados: Un total de 317 (95.48%) sujetos con lesiones de mano pediátricas completaron cuestionarios dentro del período de estudio de un año. La mayoría de los sujetos recibieron lesiones en el hogar o en el trabajo (40.69% vs 36.60%). La mayoría de las lesiones de mano pediátricas ocurrieron en actividades diarias (164, 51.74%) o fueron causadas por aplastamiento (144, 45.43%). Hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los grupos por edad y los lugares de ocurrencia (p < 0.05). La mayoría de los sujetos se lesionaron los dedos (174, 54.89%). Alrededor de 116 (36.59%) sujetos resultaron heridos durante el trabajo y 106 (91.38%) sujetos tenían seguro médico. Alrededor de 59 (50.86%) sujetos tenían < 0.5 año de permanencia en el empleo. Sin embargo, sólo menos de la mitad de los sujetos (46.55%) tenían experiencia en relación con entrenamiento de seguridad. Cuando ocurrieron las lesiones en las manos, los sujetos habían estado trabajando por 4.49 ± 3.05 horas sin descanso. Entre ellos, 19 (5.99%) sujetos tenían menos de 16 años de edad, y no debían estar empleados de acuerdo con las leyes laborales en China. Conclusiones: Los datos epidemiológicos mejoran nuestro conocimiento sobre las lesiones de mano pediátricas, y facilitan la prevención y el tratamiento futuros, reduciendo así la pérdida de la función de la mano y la consiguiente carga psicológica y económica.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In response to this, many countries are working towards achieving the World Health Assembly and Roll Back Malaria Partnership target of a 75% decline in malaria incidence. OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in malaria morbidity and mortality in the three islands of the Comoros Archipelago from 2010 to 2014. METHODS. This was a retrospective study in which all confirmed malaria cases and deaths recorded between 2010 and 2014 were accessed from the national malaria control database. Trends and comparisons in malaria incidence and case fatality rates for all age groups, including under-5 children and pregnant women, were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 16. RESULTS: A substantial decline in malaria incidence was observed for each island between 2010 and 2014; from 75.98 cases per 1 000 population in 2010 to 0.14 in 2014 in Moheli, 60.60 to 0.02 in Anjouan and 235.36 to 5.47 in Grand Comoro. Additionally, a general reduction in malaria case fatalities was observed. In Moheli, there were no case fatalities between 2010 and 2014, while there was a decline in the case fatality rate in Anjouan (from 1.20 fatalities per 1 000 cases to 0) and Grand Comoros (0.51 to 0). There were also significant differences (p<0.05) in malaria incidence and case fatalities between the three islands. A similar trend was observed for pregnant women and under-5 children. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a significant decline in malaria morbidity and mortality in the islands of Moheli, Anjouan and Grand Comoro from 2010 to 2014. This considerable reduction is attributed to a combination of malaria prevention and control interventions implemented during the study period.

To evaluate scallop safety in the Guangzhou seafood market, contents of shellfish toxins in adductor muscle, mantle skirts, gills and visceral mass of scallops were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and mouse unit assay. The results showed that: paralytic shellfish poisoning contents were up to 37.44 μg/100 g by ELISA and 319.99 MU/100 g by mouse unit assay, which did not exceed the limits of national standards (80 μg/100g and 400 MU/100 g); the contents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning were 142.04 μg/100g and 0.2 MU/100 g, which exceeded the national standard limits (60 μg/100g); neurotoxic shellfish poisoning was undetectable; the contents of amnesic shellfish poisoning reached 220.12 μg/100g (no limit value could be referred to) . In addition, these poisons were present mainly in visceral mass and gills rather than adductor muscle and mantle skirts, suggesting that these toxins accumulate in a tissue-specific manner.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a frequência de depressão/ansiedade em pessoas com epilepsia e estabelecer as características sociais, da epilepsia e psiquiátricas associadas. MÉTODO: Foi feito um estudo transversal para avaliar 153 sujeitos com epilepsia identificados em um levantamento prévio feito na comunidade. Primeiramente foi realizada uma entrevista estruturada, seguida de uma avaliação psiquiátrica. Os sujeitos deprimidos foram comparados com aqueles sem depressão e os sujeitos com ansiedade foram comparados com aqueles sem ela. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de ansiedade e depressão foi de 39,4% e 24,4%, respectivamente. Ambas foram associadas a baixa escolaridade (OR 3,8; IC95% 1,6-9,0 e OR 2,8, IC95% 1,2- 6,5 para depressão e ansiedade, respectivamente), ideação suicida (OR 4,4; IC95% 1,9-10,3 e OR 3,6; IC95% 1,7-7,7) e tentativa de suicídio (OR 9,3; IC95% 2,6-32,8 e OR 6,9; IC95% 1,8-26,4). CONCLUSÃO: As altas taxas de depressão e ansiedade reforçam a necessidade de reconhecimento e tratamento dos transtornos mentais na epilepsia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of depression/anxiety and to establish the social, epilepsy and psychiatric characteristics in individuals with epilepsy. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was employed to evaluate 153 subjects with epilepsy who were identified in a previous community-based survey. First, a structured interview was conducted, followed by a psychiatric evaluation. Subjects with depression were compared to those without, and subjects with anxiety were compared to those without. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 39.4 and 24.4%, respectively. Both were associated with low schooling (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.0 and OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.5 for depression and anxiety, respectively), lifetime suicidal thoughts (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 10.3 and OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7 to 7.7) and lifetime suicide attempts (OR 9.3, 95% CI 2.6 to 32.8 and OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 26.4). CONCLUSION: The high rates of depression and anxiety reinforced the need for recognition and treatment of mental disorders in epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behaviour among migrant peasant workers in Changsha, which is a inland city in central China, and to provide evidence that educating this population may help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. METHODS: A total of 1782 migrant peasant workers participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to determine their knowledge ofHIV/AIDS and related attitude and behaviour items. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents had a rather low level of overall HIV/AIDS knowledge and its prevention, had what constituted risky behaviour in this regard and a generally low acceptance of HIV-infected persons. Furthermore, their behaviour and attitude were analysed with respect to their educational level, occupational class and score ofHIV/AIDS related knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation will help healthcare professionals develop a sensitive and specific educational programme for migrant peasant workers. Educating this population will be a very important aspect ofHIV/AIDS prevention in China.

OBJETIVOS: Explorar los conocimientos, las actitudes, y el comportamiento en relación con el VIH/SIDA, entre los trabajadores campesinos migratorios en Changsha - una ciudad del interior en China central -y proporcionar evidencias en cuanto al hecho de que educar a esta población puede ayudar a prevenir la diseminación del VIH/SIDA en China. MÉTODOS: Un total de 1782 trabajadores campesinos migratorios participó en el estudio. Se usó un cuestionario a fin de determinar sus conocimientos sobre el VIH/SIDA, así como aspectos relacionados con la actitudy el comportamiento hacia este último. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de los encuestados tenían un nivel bastante bajo de conocimientos generales sobre el VIH/SIDA y su prevención, poseían lo que pueden considerarse como una conducta riesgosa al respecto, y manifestaban una aceptación generalmente baja de las personas infectadas con el VIH. Además, se analizaron su comportamiento y actitud con respecto a su nivel educacional, clase ocupacional y puntuación en cuanto a conocimientos en relación con el VIH/SIDA. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados de esta investigación ayudarán a los profesionales de la salud a desarrollar un programa educativo sensible y específico para los trabajadores campesinos migratorios. Educar a esta población será un aspecto muy importante para la prevención del VIH/SIDA en China.