Japan International Cooperation Agency

About: Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 555 authors who have published 613 publications receiving 9536 citations.

Parasitological surveys in the jos plateau, nigeria

Abstract: Surveys for schistosomiasis, intestinal parasitic infections and filariasis were carried out in 3 villages of the Jos Plateau, Nigeria, in the period between February and March, 1985. Of 668 fecal samples, 66.8% were found to harbour parasitic eggs and protozoa. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections among villagers was as follows : hookworm, 40.3%; Ascaris lumbricoides, 9.1%; Strongyloides stercoralis, 0.3%; Trichuris trichiura, 0.4%; Schistosoma mansoni, 18.9%; Taenia sp., 0.1%; Hymenolepis nana, 0.1%; and cysts of Entamoeba histolytica, 6.7%; Entamoeba coli, 31.4%; Iodamoeba butschlii, 11.1%; Endolimax nana, 2.5%; Chilomastix mesnili, 1.6%; Giardia lamblia, 1.5%. Hookworm was the predominant helminth, and the infective larvae of Necator americanus were found in 6 pupils using filter paper-cultures. The prevalence rates of hookworm infection varied significantly with villages; 53.9% at Sop, 33.3% at Jebu and 6.0% at Maigemu. Of the 344 inhabitants, 5.2% and 13.4% were found to harbour microfilariae of Loa loa and Dipetalonema perstans, respectively. Factors which may have contributed to the spread of these parasitic infections on the Jos Plateau are discussed.

The Chilean Salmon Industry Takes Off: From the Commercialization to the Early Development Phase

Abstract: Norman and Stiglitz (2012, 7) emphasize that the long-term success of economic development rests on the ability of societies to learn “new technologies, new ways of doing business, new ways of managing the economy, new ways of dealing with other countries.” Related to this notion of a “learning society” is the view of Cimoli et al. (2009, 2) that great industrial transformation “entails a major process of accumulation of knowledge and capabilities, at the level of both individuals and organizations.”

Mobility of Contaminated Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Sediments Caused by Recent Industrial Activities

Abstract: Sequential leaches (sequential extractions) experiment of 62 elements were carried out for assessing the mobility of contaminated heavy metals and metalloids contaminated in natural sediments; river sediments of Oued El Harrach (Algeria) and lagoon sediments of Bizerte (Tunisia), North African Mediterranean coast. Applied extractants for the sequential leaches are: (A) distilled water for extracting water soluble components, (B) 1M sodium-acetate for extracting exchangeable cations by clay minerals and co-precipitations of carbonates, (C) 0.1M sodium-pyrophosphate for extracting the elements bound with organic matter, (D) 0.1M hydroxylamine for extracting the elements bound with amorphous Mn hydroxides, and (E) 0.25M hydroxylamine for extracting the elements bound with amorphous Fe hydroxides and more crystallized Mn hydroxides. According to the results of sequential leaches experiment, contaminated heavy metals, metalloids, and other potentially toxic element (PTEs) in the sediments are mostly presented as exchangeable cations by clay minerals, co-precipitations of carbonate compounds, binding complexes with organic matter, and/or amorphous manganese hydroxides. Mobility of contaminated heavy metal and metalloids is relatively larger in Algerian river sediment than in Tunisian lagoon sediments. However the mobility of the PTEs in the sediments can be easily changed if the depositional environment is altered by civil construction works.

Challenges to neonatal care in Cambodia amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: Since mid-February, 2020, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading in Cambodia and, as of April 9, 2020, the Ministry of Health has identified 119 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive cases. However, the PCR test is available in only two specialized institutes in the capital city Phnom Penh; therefore, exact and adequate identification of the cases remains still limited. Many vulnerable newborn infants have been admitted to the neonatal care unit (NCU) at the National Maternal and Child Health Center in Phnom Penh. Although the staff have implemented strict infection prevention and control measures, formidable gaps in neonatal care between Cambodia and Japan exist. Due to the shortages in professional workforce, one family member of sick newborn(s) should stay for 24 hours in the NCU to care for the baby. This situation, however, may lead to several errors, including hospital-acquired infection. It is crucial not only to make all efforts to prevent infections but also to strengthen the professional healthcare workforce instead of relying on task sharing with family members.