BACKGROUND: COVID-19 was recognised as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. In South Africa (SA), a nationwide lockdown was implemented at midnight on 26 March to prepare for the predicted surge and slow the spread of the virus. OBJECTIVES: To compare the volume and type of presentations of trauma secondary to interpersonal violence and road traffic collisions (RTCs) during two 5-month periods, from February to June 2019 and 2020, in the emergency department (ED) of an academic tertiary hospital in Gauteng Province, SA. In 2020, February - June included the lockdown period. METHODS: An observational retrospective audit of the patient register at the Helen Joseph Hospital ED was conducted, comparing the number of trauma presentations secondary to interpersonal violence (assaults with gunshot wounds, general assaults including mob assaults, assaults with stab wounds) and RTC presentations between February and June 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: A total of 4 300 trauma presentations secondary to interpersonal violence and RTCs were noted in the 5-month period February -June 2019, as opposed to 3 239 presentations in February - June 2020 (25% decline). A 40% decline in the number of RTCs, from 1 704 in February - June 2019 to 1 026 in the corresponding period for 2020, was noted and found to be statistically significant (p=0.03). Declines in the volume of trauma cases secondary to interpersonal violence and of overall trauma cases were only directional in favour of 2020, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of trauma presentations secondary to interpersonal violence and RTCs in the Helen Joseph Hospital ED decreased during the lockdown period. The decline in the volume of RTCs was statistically significant, but declines in the volume of trauma presentations secondary to interpersonal violence and in the volume of overall trauma presentations were not.

Several protozoan parasites exist in the Trypanosomatidae family, including various agents of human diseases. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that important differences are present between the translational and mRNA processing (trans splicing) systems of trypanosomatids and other eukaryotes. In this context, certain small complexes of RNA and protein, which are named small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U snRNPs), have an essential role in pre-mRNA processing, mainly during splicing. Even though they are well defined in mammals, snRNPs are still not well characterized in trypanosomatids. This study shows that a U5-15K protein is highly conserved among various trypanosomatid species. Tandem affinity pull-down assays revealed that this protein interacts with a novel U5-102K protein, which suggests the presence of a sub-complex that is potentially involved in the assembly of U4/U6-U5 tri-snRNPs. Functional analyses showed that U5-15K is essential for cell viability and is somehow involved with the trans and cis splicing machinery. Similar tandem affinity experiments with a trypanonosomatid U5-Cwc21 protein led to the purification of four U5 snRNP specific proteins and a Sm core, suggesting U5-Cwc-21 participation in the 35S U5 snRNP particle. Of these proteins, U5-200K was molecularly characterized. U5-200K has conserved domains, such as the DEAD/DEAH box helicase and Sec63 domains and displays a strong interaction with U5 snRNA.

Uma preocupação pela exposição de crianças ao elemento mercúrio estimulou a Agência para Substâncias Tóxicas e Registro de Doenças e os Centros para Controle e Prevenção de Doenças a rever as fontes de exposição a este elemento por crianças, descrever a locação e proporção de crianças afetadas e fazer recomendações de como prevenir essas exposições. Nesta análise, foi excluída a exposição a mercúrio em instalações de queima de carvão, amálgamas dentários, consumo de peixes, incineradores de lixo hospitalar ou vacinas contendo timerosal. Analisamos programas regionais, estaduais e federais com dados sobre liberação de mercúrio, juntamente com relatórios de crianças expostas ao elemento nos Estados Unidos. Selecionamos todos os eventos relacionados ao mercúrio que documentaram exposição (ou potencial exposição) de crianças. As principais localidades de exposição foram em casa, na escola e outras como indústrias não adequadas ou instalações médicas. A exposição a pequenos derramamentos de termômetros quebrados foram o cenário mais comum; todavia, relatos de tais exposições estão diminuindo. A informação analisada sugere que a maior parte dos comunicados não conduz a danos demonstráveis se o período de exposição for curto e o mercúrio for devidamente limpo. A prevenção primária deve incluir educação em saúde e iniciativas de políticas.

Concern for children exposed to elemental mercury prompted the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the sources of elemental mercury exposures in children, describe the location and proportion of children affected, and make recommendations on how to prevent these exposures. In this review, we excluded mercury exposures from coal-burning facilities, dental amalgams, fish consumption, medical waste incinerators, or thimerosal-containing vaccines. We reviewed federal, state, and regional programs with data on mercury releases along with published reports of children exposed to elemental mercury in the United States. We selected all mercury-related events that were documented to expose (or potentially expose) children. Primary exposure locations were at home, at school, and at others such as industrial property not adequately remediated or medical facilities. Exposure to small spills from broken thermometers was the most common scenario; however, reports of such exposures are declining. The information reviewed suggests that most releases do not lead to demonstrable harm if the exposure period is short and the mercury is properly cleaned up. Primary prevention should include health education and policy initiatives.

Uma preocupação pela exposição de crianças ao elemento mercúrio estimulou a Agência para Substâncias Tóxicas e Registro de Doenças e os Centros para Controle e Prevenção de Doenças a rever as fontes de exposição a este elemento por crianças, descrever a locação e proporção de crianças afetadas e fazer recomendações de como prevenir essas exposições. Nesta análise, foi excluída a exposição a mercúrio em instalações de queima de carvão, amálgamas dentários, consumo de peixes, incineradores de lixo hospitalar ou vacinas contendo timerosal. Analisamos programas regionais, estaduais e federais com dados sobre liberação de mercúrio, juntamente com relatórios de crianças expostas ao elemento nos Estados Unidos. Selecionamos todos os eventos relacionados ao mercúrio que documentaram exposição (ou potencial exposição) de crianças. As principais localidades de exposição foram em casa, na escola e outras como indústrias não adequadas ou instalações médicas. A exposição a pequenos derramamentos de termômetros quebrados foram o cenário mais comum; todavia, relatos de tais exposições estão diminuindo. A informação analisada sugere que a maior parte dos comunicados não conduz a danos demonstráveis se o período de exposição for curto e o mercúrio for devidamente limpo. A prevenção primária deve incluir educação em saúde e iniciativas de políticas.

Concern for children exposed to elemental mercury prompted the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the sources of elemental mercury exposures in children, describe the location and proportion of children affected, and make recommendations on how to prevent these exposures. In this review, we excluded mercury exposures from coal-burning facilities, dental amalgams, fish consumption, medical waste incinerators, or thimerosal-containing vaccines. We reviewed federal, state, and regional programs with data on mercury releases along with published reports of children exposed to elemental mercury in the United States. We selected all mercury-related events that were documented to expose (or potentially expose) children. Primary exposure locations were at home, at school, and at others such as industrial property not adequately remediated or medical facilities. Exposure to small spills from broken thermometers was the most common scenario; however, reports of such exposures are declining. The information reviewed suggests that most releases do not lead to demonstrable harm if the exposure period is short and the mercury is properly cleaned up. Primary prevention should include health education and policy initiatives.

PROBLEM: The inadequate number of trained public health personnel in Africa remains a challenge. In sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated workforce of public health practitioners is 1.3% of the world's health workforce addressing 25% of the world's burden of disease. APPROACH: To address this gap, the National School of Public Health at the then Medical University of Southern Africa created an innovative approach using distance learning components to deliver its public health programmes. Compulsory classroom teaching is limited to four two-week blocks. RELEVABT CHANGES: Combining mainly online components with traditional classroom curricula reduced limitations caused by geographical distances. At the same time, the curriculum was structured to contextualize continental health issues in both course work and research specific to students' needs. LESSONS LEARNED: The approach used by the National School of Public Health allows for a steady increase in the number of public health personnel in Africa. Because of the flexible e-learning components and African-specific research projects, graduates from 16 African countries could avail of this programme. An evaluation showed that such programmes need to constantly motivate participants to reduce student dropout rates and computer literacy needs to be a pre-requisite for entry into the programme. Short certificate courses in relevant public health areas would be beneficial in the African context. This programme could be replicated in other regions of the continent.

PROBLEMA: La falta de personal de salud pública capacitado en África sigue siendo un problema. En el África subsahariana, la fuerza laboral estimada de profesionales de la salud pública equivale a un 1,3% de toda la fuerza laboral sanitaria mundial, que debe hacer frente a un 25% de la carga mundial de morbilidad. ENFOQUE: A fin de corregir ese déficit, la Escuela Nacional de Salud Pública de la entonces denominada Universidad Médica del África Austral creó un enfoque innovador basado en componentes de aprendizaje a distancia para llevar a cabo sus programas de salud pública. La enseñanza obligatoria en las aulas se limita a cuatro bloques de dos semanas. CAMBIOS DESTACABLES: La combinación de esos componentes en línea como elemento principal y de los tradicionales programas de estudios teóricos redujo las limitaciones debidas a las distancias geográficas. Al mismo tiempo, el programa de estudios se estructuró de manera que los temas de salud continentales se contextualizaron tanto en las actividades de los cursos como en investigaciones específicas para las necesidades de los estudiantes. ENSEÑANZAS EXTRAÍDAS: El enfoque utilizado por la Escuela Nacional de Salud Pública permite aumentar de forma constante el número de trabajadores de salud pública en África. Gracias a los componentes flexibles de aprendizaje electrónico y a los proyectos de investigación específicos para África, graduados de 16 países africanos pudieron beneficiarse de ese programa. Una evaluación mostró que dichos programas tienen que motivar constantemente a los participantes para reducir sus tasas de deserción, y que la alfabetización informática debe ser un requisito para participar en ellos. La implantación de cursos breves para obtener títulos en áreas pertinentes de la salud pública sería beneficiosa en el contexto africano. Este programa podría reproducirse en otras regiones del continente.

PROBLÉMATIQUE: Le manque de personnel formé à la santé publique demeure un grand problème en Afrique. Dans la partie sub-saharienne de ce continent, on estime que l'effectif du personnel travaillant pour la santé publique représente 1,3 % de la main-d'œuvre mondiale au service de la santé et doit cependant faire face à 25 % de la charge de morbidité mondiale. DÉMARCHE: Pour remédier à cette insuffisance, l'Ecole nationale de santé publique de la Faculté médicale d'Afrique du Sud a mis au point une démarche innovante, utilisant des modules d'enseignement à distance, pour délivrer son programme de santé publique. L'enseignement magistral obligatoire est limité à quatre unités de deux semaines. MODIFICATIONS PERTINENTES: La combinaison de modules d'apprentissage principalement en ligne avec des programmes d'enseignement magistral traditionnel permet de réduire les obstacles dus aux distances géographiques. Dans le même temps, le programme d'enseignement a été structuré de manière à contextualiser les problèmes de santé du continent africain dans des cours et des travaux de recherche répondant aux besoins spécifiques des étudiants. ENSEIGNEMENTS TIRÉS: L'approche adoptée par l'Ecole nationale de santé publique permet un accroissement constant des effectifs au service de la santé publique en Afrique. Grâce aux modules flexibles d'enseignement en ligne et aux projets de recherche consacrés spécifiquement à l'Afrique, des diplômés de 16 pays africains ont pu bénéficier de ce programme. Une évaluation a montré que des programmes de ce type devaient constamment motiver leurs participants pour limiter le taux d'abandon et que pour être admis dans le cursus, les étudiants devaient avoir au préalable des connaissances en informatique. Dans le contexte africain, des formations courtes, sanctionnées par un certificat, seraient utiles. Le programme présenté pourrait être reproduit dans d'autres régions du continent.