Associations Between B Vitamin Interactions with polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognitive function among cognitively healthy older people as modified by amyloid status and sex

Background/Objectives: Nutrients such as vitamin B12, folate (B9), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may independently influence cognitive health, but their combined effects and interactions remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of B12, folate, and PUFAs, including their interactions, on cognitive function in cognitively healthy older adults, considering effect modification by sex and amyloid-beta status. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 321 participants aged 60–85 y enrolled in the UK CHARIOT–PRO SubStudy. Dietary intake was assessed using the Scottish Collaborative Group Food Frequency Questionnaire, and cognitive performance was measured via the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Stratified multivariate linear regression models by sex and amyloid-beta status and models with the saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio (substituted for PUFAs) as one of the predictors were constructed. Results: Males had lower total RBANS scores with a higher PUFA intake (β = −13.97, p = 0.04) but improved scores with increased folate (β = 9.08, p = 0.04). PUFA × folate revealed contrasting effects to PUFAs alone, with higher cognitive scores in the amyloid-negative group for total RBANS (β = 13.27, 95%: 3.81~22.73, p = 0.01) but lowered scores in the amyloid-positive group. Considering the UFA:SFA ratio, higher delayed memory scores were associated with the combined intake of folate, B12, and PUFAs (β = 7.46, p = 0.02) among females. In the amyloid-positive group, the negative cognitive effects observed with PUFAs were reversed when UFA:SFA was considered. Conclusions: Amyloid status and sex significantly influenced the cognitive effects of nutrient intake, with distinct patterns based on specific cognitive domains and nutrient interactions

Exploring television portrayal of gender-based violence in Uganda: A case of NTV and Bukedde TV

The study used NTV and Bukedde TV as a case of how television in Uganda portray gender-based violence to address the critical issue of how television framing impacts societal understanding and response to gender-based violence. The research adopted the framing theory as its conceptual lens and employed a mixed-methods approach combining content analysis of television news programs with in-depth interviews with newsroom staff. The findings reveal that Ugandan television predominantly employs victim-centered narratives, focusing on physical and sexual violence while often neglecting psychological violence and systemic contributors such as entrenched patriarchal norms. The human-interest frame emerged as the most utilized, aiming to evoke audience empathy, while conflict and morality frames lacked depth in addressing broader societal and structural issues. Institutional accountability was minimally featured, with limited follow-up on cases and systemic failures. Furthermore, while some progress was observed in framing gender-based violence as a societal issue rather than isolated incidents, challenges in institutional accountability and thematic storytelling persist. These insights underscore the need for balanced, ethical reporting and the integration of media practices into broader gender-based violence prevention strategies, emphasizing systemic change over episodic narratives. Investigated the portrayal of gender-based violence. On Ugandan television, his study had significant implications. For theory, it enriched the framing theory by applying it to gender-based violence media narratives in a Ugandan context. For media practitioners, it highlighted the need for balanced, ethical, and contextually nuanced reporting to foster public awareness and institutional accountability. Policy-wise, it emphasized the importance of integrating media insights into gender-based violence prevention strategies, advocating for a shift from episodic to thematic storytelling to addressing root causes and foster collective action

Uterus didelphys bicollis bicolpos —A case report

Uterus didelphys refers to a congenital uterine anomaly that occurs due to failed fusion of the paired Müllerian ducts. It is characterized by two separate noncommunicating uterine horns each with its cervix and fallopian tube. Duplication may be limited to the uterus, cervix or also involve the vagina. Here, we present a case of a 27-year-old primigravida incidentally diagnosed during pregnancy, followed up with cervical cerclage at 13 weeks due to a short cervix and had preterm delivery via cesarean section at 35 weeks. She had a successful pregnancy outcome and an uneventful postnatal course. Uterus didelphys is associated with better reproductive outcomes compared to other anomalies. However, patients are at risk of fetal malpresentation, preterm labor and cesarean section. Patients therefore need to be counseled on the clinical implications for shared decision making regarding their reproductive health

Analysing government communication strategies in combating information disorder on social media: A study of Uganda’s tax monitoring system

This research provides an analysis of the communication strategies that government communicators are utilising in a bid to counter wrong narratives on the Ugandan social media space, using the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). The study focuses on the nature of information disorder that revolved around the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), introduced in January 2021 by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and how it was stemmed. Through extensive content analysis of social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, 2 Key Informant interviews (KIIs) with key URA officials and 2 two In-depth interviews (IDIs) with tax and government communications experts, it was revealed that disinformation and some pockets of misinformation manifested on social media, in light of the topic on EFRIS. The content analysis highlighted comprehensive communication and counter-communication by URA against the wrong information about EFRIS, posted by some social media users. The KIIs and IDIs offered perspective on the manifestation of disinformation, noting that some social media users feigned ignorance that EFRIS was a tax and rather not a tool to ease tax payments. The content analysis further revealed that despite the disinformation, many social media users were already aware of the truth about the subject. Despite intense communication strategies to combat the information disorder around EFRIS, URA faced challenges of persistent disinformation, which cropped up on social media platforms where they had no presence, particularly, Tiktok, a popular video-sharing application. This created an information crisis which led to a perception crisis. The findings reveal that social media users with large followings as well as new, popular platforms, have a big impact on shaping user perceptions. The research underscores the need for government communications departments to carryout intentional digital media convergence, in a bid to combat persistent information disorder on social media. The findings advance a discernment of the correlation between social media platforms, its users, and the manner in which wrong narratives can be tackled. They also contribute to the improvement of crisis communication management on social media by government institutions

Human immunodeficiency virus and associated pneumonia

Pneumonia is a major global health concern and a leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, pneumonia accounts for over 2.5 million deaths annually, which means almost 1% of all deaths occur every 13 seconds due to this disease. Pneumonia affects approximately 450 million people globally per year, and in the United States alone, about 1 million adults are hospitalized each year because of pneumonia, leading to approximately 50,000 deaths annually. This disease can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and has significant implications for global health, particularly in vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This comprehensive work aims to explore pneumonia in-depth, detailing its pathology, physiology, and treatment strategies. The book is organized into two sections: Section 1 deals with pneumonia in general, providing a foundation for understanding the disease. Section 2 explores pneumonia in the context of specific conditions and populations, offering a targeted perspective on the disease. Understanding pneumonia’s multifaceted nature is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, especially given its significant impact on global health. This book is designed to provide valuable information for medical students, nurses, clinicians, healthcare providers, and specialists, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to manage patients effectively

Air pollution exposures in early life and brain development in children (ABC): protocol for a pregnancy cohort study

Introduction Air pollution is linked with poor neurodevelopment in high-income countries. Comparable data are scant for low-income countries, where exposures are higher. Longitudinal pregnancy cohort studies are optimal for individual exposure assessment during critical windows of brain development and examination of neurodevelopment. This study aims to determine the association between prenatal ambient air pollutant exposure and neurodevelopment in children aged 12, 24 and 36 months through a collaborative, capacity-enriching research partnership. Methods and analysis This observational cohort study is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Eligibility criteria are singleton pregnancy, no severe pregnancy complications and maternal age 18 to 40 years. At entry, mothers (n=400) are administered surveys to characterise air pollution exposures reflecting household features and occupational activities and provide blood (for lead analysis) and urine specimens (for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites). Mothers attend up to two additional antenatal study visits, with urine collection, and infants are followed through age 36 months for annual neurodevelopment and caregiving behaviour assessment, and child urine and blood collection. Primary outcomes are child motor skills, language and cognition at 12, 24 and 36 months, and executive function at 36 months. The primary exposure is urinary PAH metabolite concentrations. Additional exposure assessment in a subset of the cohort includes residential indoor and outdoor air monitoring for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ultrafine particles (UFP) and black carbon (BC). Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Kenyatta National Hospital - University of Nairobi Ethics and Research Committee, and the University of Washington Human Subjects Division. Results are shared at annual workshops

Navigating the complexities of managing placenta accreta spectrum: A case series and literature review

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) poses a significant risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. There is a global rise in incidence of PAS in tandem with an increase in rates of cesarian section. Previous cesarian section and presence of placenta previa are two independent risk factors for development of PAS. Other risk factors are dilatation and curettage, endometrial ablation, and hysteroscopy. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful in prenatal diagnosis, antenatal follow-up, and pre-operative planning. Patient care is individualized to optimize outcomes with appropriate preoperative counseling. However, a significant number of cases remain undiagnosed and are incidentally discovered during cesarian section or management for retained placenta. Patients may suffer significant morbidity such as postpartum hemorrhage, massive blood transfusion, injury to pelvic viscera, hysterectomy, acute kidney infection, and even death. Cesarean hysterectomy is the mainstay of treatment. In selected cases, conservative management may be offered. This includes leaving the placenta in situ with interval resolution, manual removal, application of compression sutures and balloon tamponade, myometrial resection with repair, and the triple P procedure. In this series, we present seven patients with PAS managed at a tertiary teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. We highlight and discuss their antenatal presentation, intraoperative findings, management and the postoperative course. Early diagnosis, involvement of multidisciplinary team, and good preoperative planning are key to achieving a good outcome. Patients with PAS should be managed in facilities with sufficient resources, skilled personnel to manage complications arising from treatment such as need for massive transfusion, and intensive care