Physico-chemical, proximate, mineral and bioactive composition of Garcinia buchananii baker fruit from Uganda and Rwanda

Garcinia buchananii Baker (Family,Cluciaceae/Guttiferae) is an underutilized indigenous fruit tree that produces edible fruits that are used as both  food and medicine in tropical Africa. This study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of G. buchananii fruits collected from Uganda  and Rwanda. Ripe fruits were harvested during their peak seasons in Masaka and Bugesera Districts in Uganda and Rwanda, respectively. The fruits  were analyzed for physical characteristics including; fruit weight, fruit size (that is length and width), number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, seed  dimensions(length, width and breadth); chemical characteristics (pH and titratable acidity), proximate composition (moisture content, protein, fat,  dietary fibre, carbohydrates and energy), mineral composition (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu), and bioactive components (total phenolic compounds,  flavonoids and anthocyanins; and antioxidant activity). Data were statistically analyzed using a student T-test (p≤0.05). The results indicated that fruit  weight and pulp content ranged from 6.3±1.3-9.5±2.8g and 54.1±10.6- 81.1±6.5%, respectively. Titratable acidity of the pulp ranged from  6.1±0.8 to 7.1±0.1 %. Nutritionally, dietary fibre, vitamin C, iron and zinc ranged from 20.0±0.4 -22.6±1.8 g/100g, 32.8±3.2-42.0±3.3 mg/100g, 4.8±0.2  - 6.5±0.8 mg/100g and 1.1±0.0 -2.5±0.1 mg/100g, respectively. The total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity ranged from 996.7±50.5 -  1147.5±47.4 mg/g GAE (Garlic Acid Equivalent) and 8.0±0.2- 8.4±0.1 mg/100g AAE (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent) as IC50, respectively. There was a  significant difference (p≤0.05) in the physical characteristics (weight, length, width and breadth), nutritional composition and bioactive components  of the fruit samples of the two countries. Assessment of the nutrients indicated that the pulp was rich in vitamin C, iron, zinc, copper and dietary  fibre. The pulp also contained phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The seeds had 6-24% crude oil content with palmitic, stearic, oleic and  linoleic as major fatty acids. The total unsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil ranged from 58.4-59.5%. Although this finding showed significant  differences (P≤0.05) in the physical and chemical of G. buchananii fruit from Uganda and Rwanda, the nutritional composition and bioactive  component information has shown the potential of the fruits for processing into high-value nutraceuticals.&nbsp

Typology of healers in traditional medicine around the Kahuzi-Biega national Park, DR Congo

Typology of healers in traditional medicine around the Kahuzi-Biega national Park, DR Congo C. Shalukoma, P. Duez, J. Bigirimana, J. Bogaert, C. Stévigny , C. Pongombo, M.Visser Several ethnobotanical surveys have demonstrated links between the folk medicinal practices with ethnic and geographic identity of healers, while many others concluded the opposite. Given this contrast, the present study aimed to establish a categorization that could organize healers, treated pathologies and profiles of used medicinal plants based on their ethnic origin and area of practice. A secondary goal was to evaluate whether certain medicinal species could be in danger, especially those considered essential both for healers and for gorillas of the park. A total of 88 healers, recognized as 'specialists' in their communities, were involved in the study. Multivariate analyses showed that the ethnic belonging and geographical location did not explain practices and knowledge of healers. However, using the IndVal method, differences were observed in their degree of specialization. Non-specialized healers (70 %) could be distinguished from healers specialized in the care of bone traumatisms and those specialized in reproductive organs (30 %). The Mantel correlation has shown a positive association (r = 0.134, p < 0.05) between the 'healers-plants' and 'healers-diseases' matrices. Forest species were the most collected (83 %), of which 47 % are also consumed by lowland gorillas. This indicates that healers who treat similar diseases often use similar herbs

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology In The Management Of Thyroid Nodules: A Preliminary Retrospective Review Of 53 Cases At King Faisal Hospital

Introduction: This is a retrospective review of 50 thyroid nodules investigated by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). On clinical grounds alone, it is not easy to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. The use of FNAC in the preliminary investigation of cases assisted in the clinical management of these nodules in ruling out malignancy and in helping to avoid unnecessary open biopsies and surgery. Its cost-effectiveness and rapidity of results and attendant relief of anxiety to the patient make it acceptable to both physician and patient. Materials and Methods: 53 thyroid nodules were evaluated clinically and sampled by FNA using 23G and 25G needles and 10 ml syringes. Ethanol fixed and air-dried methanol –fixed smears were prepared for Papanicolaou and Diff-Quik staining, respectively. Stained preparations were evaluated on the light microscope. Results: Cytodiagnoses included 24 nodular goitres, 19 colloid goitres, 5 cystic lesions, 1 hyperplastic lesion, 1 thyroidifis, and 1 fungal infection. Conclusions: FNAC was useful in ruling out malignancy and avoiding unnecessary surgery. Benign thyroid nodules were more frequent than thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid nodules were more frequent in female patients than male patients with a ratio of 6:1. Further studies are required to unravel any related aetiologic factors, if any.,Introduction: Il s’agit d’une revue rétrospective de 53 nodules thyroïdiens investigués par cytologie après aspiration à l’aiguille fine (CAAF). Il est parfois difficile de faire la différence entre les lésions bénignes et malignes sur base clinique seulement. L’usage de la CAAF comme moyen d’étude de ces cas a été utile dans la prise en charge clinique de ces nodules, en éliminant la malignité et en évitant des biopsies à ciel ouvert et une chirurgie inutile. Son très bon rapport coût-efficacité, la rapidité des résultats et donc l’absence de l’anxiété en attendant ceux-ci font que cette méthode est bien acceptée aussi bien par le médecin que par le patient. Matériels et Méthodes: 53 nodules thyroïdiens ont été évalués cliniquement et aspirés en utilisant une aiguille 23G et 25G ainsi qu’une seringue de 10ml. Des frottis humides fixés à l’éthanol et des frottis secs fixés au méthanol ont été préparés puis colorés par la méthode de Papanicolaou et au Diff-Quik. Les lames colorées ont été analysées au microscope optique. Résultats: Les résultats de l’analyse cytologique comprenaient 24 goitres nodulaires, 19 goîtres colloïdes, 5 lésions kystiques, 2 cas suspects de malignité, une hyperplasie, une thyroïdite et une infection mycosique. Conclusion: La CAAF a été utile en éliminant la malignité et en évitant une chirurgie inutile. Les nodules thyroidiens bénins ont été plus fréquents que les carcinomes thyroidiens. Ces nodules thyroidiens intéressaient plus souvent les femmes que les hommes avec une ratio de 6:1. Des études ultérieures sont nécessaires à la recherche de tout facteur étiologique s’il en existe

Characterization of traditional healers in the mountain forest region of Kahuzi-biega, South-kivu, DR Congo [Caractérisation des tradipraticiens de la région de forêt montagneuse de Kahuzi-Biega, sud-Kivu, RD Congo]

Description of the subject. Several ethnobotanical studies have demonstrated links between traditional medicine practices and the ethnicity and geographical location of healers, while many others have concluded the opposite. This study deals with the typology of traditional healers in the mountain region of Kahuzi-Biega. Objectives. The goal is to understand whether the typology of traditional healers is related to their inter-ethnic and inter-zonal differences, based on diseases treated and plants used. Method. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted using the “PSSVV” method. This involved 88 traditional healers recognized as “specialists” in 33 villages adjacent to the forest of Kahuzi-Biega, in DR Congo. Multivariate analysis (clustering, ordination, Mantel test, IndVal) were applied to establish typologies of traditional healers. Results. Multivariate analyses showed that ethnicity and geographical location did not explain the practices and knowledge of healers. However, by using the IndVal method, differences were observed in their degree of specialization. Non-specialized healers (70%) could be distinguished from specialized healers (30%). Two clear groups of specialists emerged; those who treat bone trauma and those who treat obstetric-gynecological complaints. The Mantel correlation test revealed a positive association (r = 0.134, p < 0.05) between the “healers-plants” and “healers-diseases” matrices. This indicates that healers who treat similar diseases use similar herbs. Both typologies have shown their preferences for forest species (81%), especially trees (51%). Conclusions. This exploratory study suggests that traditional healers are characterized based on their specializations. This result helps in creating strategies to preserve local traditional knowledge and apply it to the conservation of species. © 2016, FAC UNIV SCIENCES AGRONOMIQUES GEMBLOUX. All rights reserved

Characterization of traditional healers in the mountain forest region of Kahuzi-Biega, South-Kivu, DR Congo

peer reviewedDescription of the subject. Several ethnobotanical studies have demonstrated links between traditional medicine practices and the ethnicity and geographical location of healers, while many others have concluded the opposite. This study deals with the typology of traditional healers in the mountain region of Kahuzi-Biega. Objectives. The goal is to understand whether the typology of traditional healers is related to their inter-ethnic and inter-zonal differences, based on diseases treated and plants used. Method. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted using the 'PSSVV' method. This involved 88 traditional healers recognized as 'specialists' in 33 villages adjacent to the forest of Kahuzi-Biega, in DR Congo. Multivariate analysis (clustering, ordination, Mantel test, IndVal) were applied to establish typologies of traditional healers. Results. Multivariate analyses showed that ethnicity and geographical location did not explain the practices and knowledge of healers. However, by using the IndVal method, differences were observed in their degree of specialization. Non-specialized healers (70%) could be distinguished from specialized healers (30%). Two clear groups of specialists emerged; those who treat bone trauma and those who treat obstetric-gynecological complaints. The Mantel correlation test revealed a positive association (r = 0.134, p < 0.05) between the 'healers-plants' and 'healers-diseases' matrices. This indicates that healers who treat similar diseases use similar herbs. Both typologies have shown their preferences for forest species (81%), especially trees (51%). Conclusions. This exploratory study suggests that traditional healers are characterized based on their specializations. This result helps in creating strategies to preserve local traditional knowledge and apply it to the conservation of species

Flora and plant communities of the city of Bujumbura (Burundi): diversity, origin and conservation value.

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Patient characteristics, early outcomes, and implementation lessons of cervical cancer treatment services in rural Rwanda

Purpose Low- and middle-income countries account for 86% of all cervical cancer cases and 88% of cervical cancer mortality globally. Successful management of cervical cancer requires resources that are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rural settings. Here, we describe the early clinical outcomes and implementation lessons learned from the Rwanda Ministry of Health’s first national cancer referral center, the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE). We hypothesize that those patients presenting at earlier stage and receiving treatment will have higher rates of being alive. Methods The implementation of cervical cancer services included developing partnerships, clinical protocols, pathology services, and tools for monitoring and evaluation. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with cervical cancer who presented at BCCOE between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2015. Data were collected from the electronic medical record system and by manually reviewing medical records. Descriptive, bivariable and multivariable statistical analyses were conducted to describe patient demographics, disease profiles, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Results In all, 373 patients met the study inclusion criteria. The median age was 53 years (interquartile rage, 45 to 60 years), and 98% were residents of Rwanda. Eighty-nine percent of patients had a documented disease stage: 3% were stage I, 48% were stage II, 29% were stage III, and 8% were stage IV at presentation. Fifty percent of patients were planned to be treated with a curative intent, and 54% were referred to chemoradiotherapy in Uganda. Forty percent of patients who received chemoradiotherapy were in remission. Overall, 25% were lost to follow-up. Conclusion BCCOE illustrates the feasibility and challenges of implementing effective cervical cancer treatment services in a rural setting in a low-income country