The fishing sector in Seychelles: an overview, with an emphasis on artisanal fisheries
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:272-276. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.016. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTSeychelles has a well-developed fishing sector that is a vital part of the social and economic development of the country. Three main types of fisheries are recognised: artisanal fisheries targeting demersal and semi-pelagic species, semi-industrial fisheries targeting pelagic species, and industrial fisheries targeting species of tuna. In economic terms, the industrial fisheries are of greatest importance. The per capita consumption of fish in Seychelles is one of the highest in the world and the artisanal fisheries contribute...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Jan Robinson Jude Shroff Source Type: research
Scholastic achievement among children enrolled in the Seychelles Child Development Study
This study reports a secondary analysis of the scholastic achievement data to test the hypothesis that the results obtained in the primary analysis were probably due to the onset of the primary school curriculum between the first and second testing, and not to inherent cognitive deficits among the children at 66 months. The results suggest that a combination of reading instruction and characteristically consistent letter-sound relationships in Creole, the language spoken at home by the majority of Seychellois families, probably accounted for the high achievement scores at 107 months.PMID:33742601 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2020...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Jean Sloane-Reeves Philip W Davidson Gary J Myers Conrad Shamlaye Andre Leste Li Shan Huang Sally Thurston Source Type: research
The fishing sector in Seychelles: an overview, with an emphasis on artisanal fisheries
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:272-276. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.016. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTSeychelles has a well-developed fishing sector that is a vital part of the social and economic development of the country. Three main types of fisheries are recognised: artisanal fisheries targeting demersal and semi-pelagic species, semi-industrial fisheries targeting pelagic species, and industrial fisheries targeting species of tuna. In economic terms, the industrial fisheries are of greatest importance. The per capita consumption of fish in Seychelles is one of the highest in the world and the artisanal fisheries contribute...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Jan Robinson Jude Shroff Source Type: research
Seychelles Child Development Study: many more avenues for scientific collaboration
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:222-223. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.008. Epub 2020 Oct 14.NO ABSTRACTPMID:33742599 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.008 (Source: Neurotoxicology)
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Conrad Shamlaye J J Strain Thomas W Clarkson Source Type: research
Association between prenatal dietary methyl mercury exposure and developmental outcomes on acquisition of articulatory-phonologic skills in children in the Republic of Seychelles
We examined the relationship between MeHg exposure and development of articulatory-phonologic speech skills in children whose mothers consumed a diet high in fish during pregnancy to determine whether any adverse associations could be detected. A total of 544 children from the Republic of Seychelles were given a speech assessment when they were 66 months of age. Exposure level was determined by measuring MeHg in maternal hair growing during pregnancy. No adverse associations between articulatory- phonologic speech skills and prenatal MeHg exposure were detected. The findings of this investigation are compatible with previo...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Edna Carter Young Philip W Davidson Gregory Wilding Gary J Myers Conrad Shamlaye Christopher Cox Jan de Broeck Carolyn M Bennett Jean Sloane Reeves Source Type: research
Monitoring the educational achievement of primary school children: an international collaboration
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:339-346. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.026. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTRecent development in measuring educational outcomes has led to increased collaboration between international organisations and better understanding of education systems. From SACMEQ (Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality) a full data archive of the achievement of Grade 6 pupils in fourteen developing countries (including Seychelles) has been prepared. At the same time, from the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) a longitudinal information system has been built on a cohort of Seychello...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Andr é Leste Philip W Davidson Source Type: research
Principles of studying low-level neurotoxic exposures in children: using the Seychelles Child Development Study of methyl mercury as a prototype
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:307-314. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.022. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTEpidemiological studies to determine the impact of low level toxic exposure on child development are important in guiding clinical and public health action. However, carrying out such studies and interpreting their findings presents a number of significant challenges to the investigators. First, they must find a cohort with suitable exposure, select a biomarker that will accurately determine the level of exposure and determine the endpoints that are most likely to detect subtle differences in neurodevelopment. Following that, t...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Philip W Davidson Gary J Myers Conrad Shamlaye Source Type: research
Nutrition and neurodevelopment: the search for candidate nutrients in the Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:300-306. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.021. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTThis review examines the role of nutrients in child development and outlines the key nutrients identified as potentially important to neurodevelopment among high fish consumers in the Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study (SCDNS). It describes the clinical assessment of these nutrients in the blood and breast milk samples collected from the cohort of 300 pregnant women who were recruited, at their first antenatal visit, on the SCDNS. These key nutrients include the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), docosoh...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: J J Strain Maxine P Bonham Emeir M Duffy Julie M W Wallace Paula J Robson Thomas W Clarkson Conrad Shamlaye Source Type: research
Observations on the levels of total mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in species common to the artisanal fisheries of Seychelles
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:277-281. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.017. Epub 2020 Oct 14.ABSTRACTExposure to mercury (Hg) in Seychelles is expected to be high owing to the large amounts of fish regularly consumed. In spite of this consumption, a recent long-term study of child development found no evidence that higher prenatal exposure to Hg increases the risk of neurological disorders. To identify the major sources of mercury in the diets of Seychellois fish consumers, 16 species of fish common to local markets were tested for total Hg. Selenium (Se), which may act as an antidote to Hg toxicity, was also measured. Mercury...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Jan Robinson Jude Shroff Source Type: research
Scholastic achievement among children enrolled in the Seychelles Child Development Study
This study reports a secondary analysis of the scholastic achievement data to test the hypothesis that the results obtained in the primary analysis were probably due to the onset of the primary school curriculum between the first and second testing, and not to inherent cognitive deficits among the children at 66 months. The results suggest that a combination of reading instruction and characteristically consistent letter-sound relationships in Creole, the language spoken at home by the majority of Seychellois families, probably accounted for the high achievement scores at 107 months.PMID:33742601 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2020...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Jean Sloane-Reeves Philip W Davidson Gary J Myers Conrad Shamlaye Andre Leste Li Shan Huang Sally Thurston Source Type: research
Socioeconomic development in Seychelles: an overview
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:224-229. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.009. Epub 2020 Oct 12.ABSTRACTAlthough Seychelles is a very small country with a population of 79 879 in 2003, it has a complex and under-studied society and economy. In order to provide broad context, this article provides an overview of the national population trends before framing Seychelles in the concept of a small island developing state (SIDS). This serves to highlight macroeconomic and geographical realities. The article then gives a short sketch of the transition of the economy from the colonial period to the present. These two sections provide und...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Michel W Rosalie Liam Campling Source Type: research
Health in Seychelles - an overview
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:230-237. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.010. Epub 2020 Oct 12.ABSTRACTHealth in Seychelles has improved significantly over the past three decades, largely as a result of investment not only in the health services, but also in other social sectors that have direct impact on child survival and the health of individuals. Through different stages of the evolution of the health care system there have been close links between health policy and strategy, the overall national development efforts and the wider social and economic environment. Awareness of these links are useful in the understanding of cur...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Conrad Shamlaye Heather Shamlaye Rubell Brewer Source Type: research
Maternal and child health in Seychelles
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:238-245. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.011. Epub 2020 Oct 12.ABSTRACTServices aimed at improving the health of infants, children and mothers have developed over the years since the initiation of the Seychelles Child Development Study. This paper describes the policies, procedures and facilities and how they have impacted on service provision. The utilisation of antenatal, perinatal and child health services, both in the hospital and community settings, are described. The successes and challenges are illustrated by describing fertility, abortion, teenage pregnancy and infant mortality. This overv...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Philip Govinden Juliette Henderson Zia Rizvi Valentina Seth Heather Shamlaye Source Type: research
The Seychelles Dental Service
We present a resume of the major strengths and challenges of the Seychelles Dental Service, concluding with recommendations for staff development. Findings and recommendations of reviews and assessments of various dental health issues conducted in the country between 1977 and 1999 are summarised in the appendix.PMID:33741110 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.012 (Source: Neurotoxicology)
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Kathline Ernesta Marie-Helene Dogley Elizabeth Arissol Harold Pothin Source Type: research
Increasing prevalence of overweight among Seychelles children, 1998-2002
Neurotoxicology. 2020 Dec;81:259-265. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.09.014. Epub 2020 Oct 12.ABSTRACTTo examine the prevalence and trends in excess weight among children in the Seychelles. Serial surveys of weight and height were conducted each year between 1998-2002 in all students attending four school grades (crèche, 4th, 7th and 10th years of compulsory school). Overweight and obesity were defined using age-specific body mass index (BMI) criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Two questions explored physical activity at leisure time and daily walking time. From an eligible total of 32 077 observations between 19...
Source: Neurotoxicology - March 20, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Pascal Bovet George Madeleine Dana Padayachy Nicolas Stettler Monica Servina Source Type: research
