Novartis Foundation

About: Novartis Foundation is a nonprofit organization based out in Basel, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Leprosy. The organization has 99 authors who have published 85 publications receiving 3993 citations.

Sex is All in the Brain: Report of a Novartis Foundation Symposium on the Neuronal and Cognitive Effects of Oestrogens, London, UK, 7–9 September 1999

Abstract: Suspicions of the impact of oestrogen beyond its traditional role in sex maturation were confirmed with the discovery of oestrogen receptors in a great variety of tissues other than just in sex organs. Recently, research findings have indicated the central nervous system as one of the prime target organs – not only does oestrogen modulate the production and actions of serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine, but it also encourages the growth of new synapses and enhances neuronal survival. Whether the many effects of oestrogen operate through classical oestrogen receptors or alternative channels remains under intense investigation. During this three-day symposium, researchers and clinicians discussed a wide-range of oestrogen-related subjects from novel mechanisms of action to the influence of oestrogen on cognition and behaviour, and results from clinical studies that suggest oestrogen therapy after menopause may protect from Alzheimer's disease.

Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled factorial design trial to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of reactive focal mass drug administration and vector control to reduce malaria transmission in the low endemic setting of Namibia.

Abstract: Introduction To interrupt malaria transmission, strategies must target the parasite reservoir in both humans and mosquitos. Testing of community members linked to an index case, termed reactive case detection (RACD), is commonly implemented in low transmission areas, though its impact may be limited by the sensitivity of current diagnostics. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) before malaria season is a cornerstone of vector control efforts. Despite their implementation in Namibia, a country approaching elimination, these methods have been met with recent plateaus in transmission reduction. This study evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of two new targeted strategies, reactive focal mass drug administration (rfMDA) and reactive focal vector control (RAVC) in Namibia. Methods and analysis This is an open-label cluster randomised controlled trial with 2×2 factorial design. The interventions include: rfMDA (presumptive treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL)) versus RACD (rapid diagnostic testing and treatment using AL) and RAVC (IRS with Acellic 300CS) versus no RAVC. Factorial design also enables comparison of the combined rfMDA+RAVC intervention to RACD. Participants living in 56 enumeration areas will be randomised to one of four arms: rfMDA, rfMDA+RAVC, RACD or RACD+RAVC. These interventions, triggered by index cases detected at health facilities, will be targeted to individuals residing within 500 m of an index. The primary outcome is cumulative incidence of locally acquired malaria detected at health facilities over 1 year. Secondary outcomes include seroprevalence, infection prevalence, intervention coverage, safety, acceptability, adherence, cost and cost-effectiveness. Ethics and dissemination Findings will be reported on clinicaltrials.gov, in peer-reviewed publications and through stakeholder meetings with MoHSS and community leaders in Namibia. Trial registration number NCT02610400; Pre-results.

A comprehensive research agenda for zero leprosy

Abstract: Leprosy control achieved dramatic success in the 1980s–1990s with the implementation of short course multidrug therapy, which reduced the global prevalence of leprosy to less than 1 in 10 000 population. However, a period of relative stagnation in leprosy control followed this achievement, and only limited further declines in the global number of new cases reported have been achieved over the past decade. In 2016, major stakeholders called for the development of an innovative and comprehensive leprosy strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of leprosy, lowering the burden of disability and discrimination, and interrupting transmission. This led to the establishment of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) in 2018, with partners aligned around a shared Action Framework committed to achieving the WHO targets by 2030 through national leprosy program capacity-building, resource mobilisation and an enabling research agenda. GPZL convened over 140 experts from more than 20 countries to develop a research agenda to achieve zero leprosy. The result is a detailed research agenda focusing on diagnostics, mapping, digital technology and innovation, disability, epidemiological modelling and investment case, implementation research, stigma, post exposure prophylaxis and transmission, and vaccines. This research agenda is aligned with the research priorities identified by other stakeholders. Developing and achieving consensus on the research agenda for zero leprosy is a significant step forward for the leprosy community. In a next step, research programmes must be developed, with individual components of the research agenda requiring distinct expertise, varying in resource needs, and operating over different timescales. Moving toward zero leprosy now requires partner alignment and new investments at all stages of the research process, from discovery to implementation.

Towards improved health service quality in Tanzania: An approach to increase efficiency and effectiveness of routine supportive supervision.

Abstract: Effective supportive supervision of healthcare services is crucial for improving and maintaining quality of care However, this process can be challenging in an environment with chronic shortage of qualified human resources, overburdened healthcare providers, multiple roles of district managers, weak supply chains, high donor fragmentation and inefficient allocation of limited financial resources Operating in this environment, we systematically evaluated an approach developed in Tanzania to strengthen the implementation of routine supportive supervision of primary healthcare providers The approach included a systematic quality assessment at health facilities using an electronic tool and subsequent result dissemination at council level Mixed methods were used to compare the new supportive supervision approach with routine supportive supervision Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews in three councils Observational data and informal communication as well as secondary data complemented the data set Additionally, an economic costing analysis was carried out in the same councils Compared to routine supportive supervision, the new approach increased healthcare providers' knowledge and skills, as well as quality of data collected and acceptance of supportive supervision amongst stakeholders involved It also ensured better availability of evidence for follow-up actions, including budgeting and planning, and higher stakeholder motivation and ownership of subsequent quality improvement measures The new approach reduced time and cost spent during supportive supervision This increased feasibility of supportive supervision and hence the likelihood of its implementation Thus, the results presented together with previous findings suggested that if used as the standard approach for routine supportive supervision the new approach offers a suitable option to make supportive supervision more efficient and effective and therewith more sustainable Moreover, the new approach also provides informed guidance to overcome several problems of supportive supervision and healthcare quality assessments in low- and middle income countries

Spatial expression patterns of genes involved in cyclic AMP responses in Dictyostelium discoideum development

Abstract: The spatial expression patterns of genes involved in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses during morphogenesis in Dictyostelium discoideum were analyzed by in situ hybridization. Genes encoding adenylyl cyclase A (ACA), cAMP receptor 1, G-protein α2 and β subunits, cytosolic activator of ACA (CRAC and Aimless), catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA-C) and cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDE and REG-A) were preferentially expressed in the anterior prestalk (tip) region of slugs, which acts as an organizing center. MAP kinase ERK2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2) mRNA, however, was enriched in the posterior prespore region. At the culmination stage, the expression of ACA, CRAC and PKA-C mRNA increased in prespore cells in contrast with the previous stage. However, no alteration in the site of expression was observed for the other mRNA analyzed. Based on these findings, two and four classes of expression patterns were catalogued for these genes during the slug and culmination stages, respectively. Promoter analyses of genes in particular classes should enhance understanding of the regulation of dynamic and coordinated gene expression during morphogenesis.