| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Bucardo, F., et al.
(författare)
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Seroprevalence in Household Raised Pigs Indicate High Exposure to GII Noroviruses in Rural Nicaragua
- 2016
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Ingår i: Zoonoses and Public Health. - : WILEY-BLACKWELL. - 1863-1959 .- 1863-2378. ; 63:8, s. 600-607
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Information about porcine norovirus (PoNoV), genetically similar to human NoV (HuNoV), is limited from rural areas where household-raised pigs are heavily exposed to faecal material which could facilitate transmission. Histoblood group antigens (HBGAs) are known susceptibility factors to NoV in humans and in a germfree piglet model but their role in susceptibility in the porcine population remains unknown. This study reports: (i) the seroprevalence and antibody titres to human norovirus (NoV) VLPs in household raised pigs; (ii) the distribution of HBGAs in relation to NoV IgG antibody titres and further characterization by blocking of GII. 4 VLP binding to pig gastric mucins (PGM). The majority of pigs were seropositive to all three VLPs tested (58-70%) with seropositivity and cross-reactivity increasing significantly with age. However, pig sera could not block the binding of NoV GII. 4 VLPs (Dijon) to PGM suggesting no previous infection with this genotype. The majority of the pigs were H-positive (84%), a susceptibility factor for human infections. IgG antibody titres were however higher in H-negative (GMT = 247) as compared with H-positive (GMT = 57) pigs, but after age stratification, this difference in antibody titres was only observed in pigs = 1 month of age. In conclusion, serological data show that the porcine population of Nicaragua is highly exposed to NoV infections, and the association to HBGAs warrants further investigation.
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| 33. |
- Safon, Cara, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of perceived insufficient milk among new mothers in León, Nicaragua
- 2016
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Ingår i: Maternal and Child Nutrition. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1740-8695 .- 1740-8709. ; 13:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Breastfeeding has been shown to improve maternal and child health. In Nicaragua, the primary risk of death and disability-adjusted life years among children under 5 years of age is suboptimal breastfeeding. Although the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health promotes exclusive breastfeeding from within the first half hour through the first 6 months of life, less than a third of children in the country under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. As part of a larger, mixed-methods study, 21 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with new mothers recruited from three primary health centers between June and August 2015 in order to identify the social, cultural, and structural factors that contribute to infant feeding practices and the discrepancy between recommendations and practices among mothers who delivered at an urban public hospital in León, Nicaragua. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, and interview transcripts were coded and analyzed by a three-member team using a grounded theory approach. Findings highlight a widespread perception of insufficient milk among mothers that influenced early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices. This perception stemmed from anxiety about meeting infant nutritional needs and infant satiety, anxiety about maternal nutrition, advice from and role modeling of family members about mixed feeding, and perceived infant feeding norms. Results suggest that support modeled after the 10 steps of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative as well as strengthened policy-level support are needed. Community interventions that address cultural and structural barriers to improve breastfeedingpractices may also help to increase breastfeeding rates
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| 34. |
- Bucardo, F., et al.
(författare)
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Large increase of rotavirus diarrhoea in the hospital setting associated with emergence of G12 genotype in a highly vaccinated population in Nicaragua.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Clinical Microbiology and Infection. - : Elsevier. - 1198-743X .- 1469-0691. ; 21:6, s. 603.e1-603.e7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of severe diarrhoea in young children. Nicaragua introduced routine immunization with the pentavalent RV vaccine (RV5) in 2006, which greatly reduced the incidence of diarrhoea. A remaining concern has been the possible emergence of new RV strains to which the vaccination has less effect. In this study, 837 children with diarrhoea in hospital settings were investigated for RV between May 2011 and July 2013. RVs were subsequently typed by multiplex PCR and/or sequencing. Fecal anti-RV IgA titres for a subset of RV-infected (n = 137) and noninfected children (n = 52) were determined with an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The RV detection rate was 8% in 2011, followed by a sharp increase to 29% in 2012 and 19% in 2013. This was associated with emergence and predominance of genotype G12 RV, from 0% in 2011 to 66% in 2012 and 82% in 2013, infecting children from 1 month to 10 years of age. Two sequenced G12 strains showed a Wa-like genome with genotype G12-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1, similar to the globally emerging G12 strains. Fecal anti-RV IgA analysis showed that most G12-infected and noninfected children had been in contact with either vaccine or wild RV strains, but such antibodies did not prevent symptomatic G12 infection. A marked increase of RV was evident in the hospital setting associated with a nationwide emergence and predominance of RV G12 genotype in a population with high RV5 vaccine coverage.
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| 35. |
- Smpokou, Evangelia Theano, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental exposures in young adults with declining kidney function in a population at risk of Mesoamerican nephropathy
- 2019
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Ingår i: Occupational and environmental medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 76:12, s. 920-926
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives There is an epidemic of Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN) in Central America, where sugarcane production is prominent. Numerous causes are proposed, but to date limited evidence supports any one hypothesis. A nested case-control study using biosamples from a rural, community-based follow-up study of 350 young adults from Northwest Nicaragua at risk of MeN was conducted with the aim of characterising the associations between urinary concentrations of metals, pesticides and mycotoxins from samples collected in the first 6 months and decline in kidney function over 2 years. Methods Urine samples collected at baseline (pre-sugarcane harvest) and the first 6 month follow-up (post-sugarcane harvest) visit were tested. Twelve metals and metalloids (aluminium, total arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, silicon and strontium) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Twelve pesticides or their metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid, chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propen-1-yl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, cis/trans 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, ethylenethiourea, glyphosate, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid, 3-hydroxy-pyrimetanil, 5-hydroxytiabendazole, hydroxy-tebuconazole and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) and two mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT)) were analysed by liquid chromatography coupled-mass spectrometry. Differences in the creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations of the measured exposures between outcome groups (participants with stable vs declining kidney function) were examined. Results Elevated levels of aluminium and total arsenic as well as metabolites of several pesticides were detected across the population. No differences were identified between the declining and stable groups in the levels of metals or pesticides tested. OTA and CIT were below the limit of detection. Conclusions The tested metals, metalloids, pesticides and mycotoxins were not associated with loss of kidney function in participants at-risk of MeN.
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| 36. |
- Wedel, Johan, 1962
(författare)
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Customary law and the mediation of witchcraft accusations in Eastern Nicaragua
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Legal Anthropology. - : Berghahn Books. - 1758-9576 .- 1758-9584. ; 3:1, s. 62-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article focuses on efforts to overcome the divide between state legality and local practices. It explores a pragmatic effort to deal with witchcraft accusations and occult-related violence in customary courts among the Miskitu people in Eastern Nicaragua, taking into account both indigenous notions of justice and cosmology, and the laws of the state. In this model, a community court (elected by the community inhabitants and supported by a council of elders), watchmen known as ‘voluntary police’ and a ‘judicial facilitator’ play intermediary roles. Witchcraft is understood and addressed in relation to Miskitu cultural perceptions and notions of illness afflictions, and disputes are settled through negotiations involving divination, healing, signing a legally binding ‘peace’ contract, a fine, and giving protection to alleged witches. This decreases tensions and the risk of vigilante justice is reduced. The focus is on settling disputes, conciliation and recreating harmony instead of retribution.
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| 37. |
- Bergkvist, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Carbon Sequestration Potential f Agroforestry Systems For Phytoremediation In Chinandega, Nicaragua
- 2018
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Ingår i: Linnaeus Eco-Tech 2018. ; , s. 211-211
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased to earlier unrecorded levels, causing global climate change that increases GMT and threaten ecosystems and livelihoods. IPCC report suggest that agroforestry offers considerable carbon sequestration (c seq.) potential, especially for developing countries. The purpose of this study is to estimate the c seq. potential in different agroforestry systems suitable in Chinandega, Nicaragua - a deforested region where the ground is polluted by toxaphene and other POP:s. Three scenarios where studied; Shading system using Tectona grandis and Pogostemon cablin; Alley cropping using Erythrina poeppigiana and Ricinus communis and Silvopasture using Cordia alliodora and Brachiaria ruziziensis, the last scenario being divided into two subscenarios; unmanaged (grazed) and managed (harvested) grass. Calculations were performed using the modelling program CO2FIX v. 3.2, with a runtime of 100 years and assuming deforested area with no previous land use. Results show a significantly higher c seq. potential in Shading system (168/217 MgC/ha). Alley cropping yields 71 MgC/ha and Silvopasture results in 80/84 MgC/ha unmanaged and 65/70 MgC/ha managed. The higher number includes products from harvest. All scenarios show fluctuations over time due to thinning and harvesting practices. Phytoremediation potential of POPs has been shown in Ricinus communis and grass species. Soil c seq. is especially important to consider in longterm scenarios as this c seq. can be sustained over longer time. The inclusion of crop residue, the effect of grazing animals or changes in density of trees and crops and environmental fate of the toxic compounds need further assessment before considering large scale applications. Agroforestry practices could contribute to several benefits, including climate change mitigation and phytoremediation.
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Zapata Campos, María José, 1972, et al.
(författare)
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Unexpected translations in urban policy mobility. The case of the Acahualinca development programme in Managua, Nicaragua
- 2015
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Ingår i: Habitat International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0197-3975. ; 46:April, s. 271-276
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Implementation gaps between policy goals and outcomes are of increasing concern in practice and research. We explore the translation chains through which urban policies become mobile and are translated into practice. Informed by the city management and policy mobility literature, we conduct a case study of La Chureca, the rubbish dump and slum of Managua, Nicaragua, and its renewal programme. The Acahualinca Programme was implemented via translation chains enacted by many policy translators. It was translated into residents' and waste collectors' interests, its language packaged in artefacts such as prototypes in order to travel. It was made mobile via relational sites or situations providing safe and accessible connections with Chureca residents. Paradoxically, these places also allowed extraordinary connections between actors located in different scales and spaces, facilitating unexpected local community resistance. Although the Program ultimately remained almost unalterable in content, resistance unexpectedly transformed residents from passive policy transmitters into active policy actors in making the city. We conclude that policy implementation cannot be seen as the scripted translation of plans into reality, but as an uncontrollable process in which multiple translations twist policies and plans from below. The significant question is therefore not whether plans succeed, but how they succeed.
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