DIFFERENTIATION-INDUCED CHANGES IN ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND ANTIOXIDANT RESPONSE IN SH-SY5Y CELLS: ROLE OF NRF2

Organisms are exposed to reactive oxygen species from internal metabolism and environmental toxicant exposure, which have been linked to the initiation and progression of many neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Exposure to reactive oxygen species are counterbalanced by antioxidant defense systems such as the Nrf2-ARE pathway, the primary regulator of endogenous antioxidant response. Whereas neuronal cells are post-mitotic and are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress because of high oxygen consumption, astrocytes are mitotic and rely more on glycolytic metabolism. In this study, the difference in antioxidant response and capacity in mitotic and post-mitotic cells were investigated using undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The investigations of this study focused on the induction of antioxidant enzymes in SH-SY5Y cells by Nrf2 using tert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). The levels of GSH, Mn-SOD, HO and OGG1 which are all induced by Nrf2 were determined. The results of the experiment showed that differentiated (post-mitotic) and undifferentiated (mitotic) cells responded similarly to Nrf2 induction as was observed in the higher levels of GSH, HO, Mn-SOD and OGG1 compared to the control group. As compared to undifferentiated cells, differentiated cells had relatively lower antioxidant levels except in the case of Mn-SOD. This suggests that post-mitotic and mitotic cells respond to antioxidant induction similarly but differ in their antioxidant capacities. The study also compared DTNB and HPLC methods in determining GSH levels in these cells. The outcome of the experiments showed that HPLC offers a selective method in determining GSH levels

PUBH 4233 TOPICS IN GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

This course will introduce students to the field of epidemiology as applied in a global context. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of epidemiology as well as an overview of topics across the discipline. Special emphasis will be placed on health issues in the low and middle-income countries and case studies will be used as examples to illustrate concepts and topics of epidemiology. (3 credits

Terrorism and its Negative Effects on Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Al-Shabaab

In contemporary times, the most pressing issues threatening the tranquility and global stability, particularly in Africa, are the heinous activities of terrorist groups. The word “terrorism” caught the world’s attention through the 9/11 incident, although it has been in existence for centuries. There have been numerous definitions for the act of terrorism, yet there is no universally approved definition which is accepted by all countries. This article, therefore, seeks to elucidate terrorism from different perspectives and also elaborate on its causes as well. Most importantly, this article focuses on Al-Shabaab as a violent extremist group with an emphasis on their background, their violent activities, the recruitment process as well as their source of funding. Additionally, their interconnection with the Al-Qaeda group will be dealt with as well as how terrorism has negatively affected a lot of people through the spread of violence, fear, and instability throughout the regions of Africa. The Al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia is considered amongst the deadliest militant groups across the continent of Africa, after the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria. Some of the heinous activities carried out by this Al-Shabab terrorist group comprises of intimidation, bombing, suicide attacks, kidnapping, and gunfire of unarmed innocent citizens both within and outside Somalia. The inception of Al-Shabaab was as a result of the power vacuum that was created in 1991 after the warlords were unsuccessful in bringing into being any governance system during the fall of the last Somalia central government. Owing to this power vacuum fabricated, it has therefore empowered the Islamic court's leaders to assume informal authorities in some parts of south-central Somalia. Despite the fact that the Islamic court defeated these warlords, they were eventually defeated on the grounds of a national security threat by Ethiopian forces invading Somalia

PUBH 3136A - Principles of Environmental Health

This course examines health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control the major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include how the body reacts to environmental pollutants; physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination; vectors for dissemination (air, water, soil); solid and hazardous waste; susceptible populations; biomarkers and risk analysis; the scientific basis for policy decisions; and emerging global environmental health problems

Improving Barriers to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Outcomes in Ghana: A Narrative Review

There is increasing evidence that suggests that mental health problems affect 10-20 per cent of children and adolescents worldwide. Despite the increasing contribution of mental health to the total burden of disease and the impacts of mental disorders, policies, plans and programs to address mental health has been given less attention, particularly in low resource poor settings. Ghana is one such setting. Addressing the burden of poor mental health poses many challenges at the public health level in Ghana. This capstone presents a narrative review of the existing literature to identify barriers to improving mental health care services and, particularly, to discuss their relevance to child and adolescent mental health in Ghana. Key barriers identified include: the low priority attached to mental health service delivery as a public health issue, scarcity of resources for mental health, inequities in access to mental health care and the lack of collaboration formal and informal health providers. Recommendations for overcoming these barriers centered on the need to increase political will, the need for greater advocacy and clear policy and legislation to reduce the unmet needs to children and adolescents in Ghana.&nbsp

PUBH 3136 A – PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

This course examines health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control the major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include how the body reacts to environmental pollutants; physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination; vectors for dissemination (air, water, soil); solid and hazardous waste; susceptible populations; biomarkers and risk analysis; the scientific basis for policy decisions; and emerging global environmental health problems

ENVH 7234 - Environmental Toxicology

This course introduces students to concepts associated with the lethal and sub-lethal effects of environmental and occupational stressors on humans and other living organisms

PUBH 6532 - Environmental Health

Survey of specific environmental conditions and factors that contribute to the development of health problems in communities. Health effects, policy issues, intervention strategies and control programs for community environmental health protection are discussed

PUBH 3136A - Principles of Environmental Health

This course examines health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control the major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include how the body reacts to environmental pollutants; physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination; vectors for dissemination (air, water, soil); solid and hazardous waste; susceptible populations; biomarkers and risk analysis; the scientific basis for policy decisions; and emerging global environmental health problems

ENVH 7234 – Environmental Toxicology

This course introduces students to concepts associated with the lethal and sub-lethal effects of environmental and occupational stressors on humans and other living organisms