Overhaul needed in stalled South Sudan Peace process

LSE alumnus Jacob Dut looks as the drivers behind the failure in the South Sudan peace negotiations

Abyei’s courtship by the two Sudans – Where will it end?

LSE alumnus Jacob Dut Chol looks at challenges facing the Abyei Referendum in October this year

Bacterial Quality and Safety of Commercial Fish and Chicken Feeds Sold at Kisenyi Market, Kampala-Uganda. A Laboratory Based Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The growth in the poultry and fish industry in Uganda has resulted in heavy dependence on finished feeds supplied by feed millers, the quality of which determines the profit margin of the farmers. The presence of pathogenic microbes, however, tends to deplete the nutritive value of these poultry and fish diets. This study, therefore, focused on assessing the prevalence of micro-organisms in commercial poultry and fish feeds sold at Kisenyi Market, Uganda. Method:  Poultry and fish feeds were randomly sampled and examined for their microbiological qualities using standard microbiological and analytical methods. The isolates were identified according to their cultural, microscopic, and biochemical properties.  Results:  A total of 42 micro-organisms were isolated, including; Citrobacter spp (4.76%), Corynebacterium spp (9.52%), E. coli (2.38%), and Enterococcus spp (35.71%) Proteus spp (2.38%) and S. aureus (45.2%). Comparing contamination in pelleted and non-pelleted feeds, there was no significant difference in the microbial contamination (feeds (X2 = 7.287, P> 0.05). Their susceptibility pattern revealed major resistance of; S. aureus to Gentamycin (78.95%), Corynebacterium spp to linezolid (100%), Enterococcus spp to Gentamycin (100%), and negative rod enterococcus to Cefoxitin (100%). Conclusion:  The presence of a high level of pathogenic micro-organisms in the selected feeds offered to poultry and fish predisposes them to health hazards, with resultant economic loss. Therefore, the commercial feeds should be periodically examined for biosafety, to reduce or prevent the risk of cross-contamination of poultry and poultry products with resistant bacterial strains.

Views on the treatment of carcinoma of the breast

No Abstract

Isolation of biosurfactant-producing marine bacteria

Biosurfactant-producing marine bacteria were isolated from oil-spilled seawater collected from harbors and docks in Mumbai, India. Haemolytic activity, emulsification activity toward n-hexadecane, emulsion of mixtures of oils, drop collapsing test as well as oil displacement test were used to determine biosurfactant producing activity of marine bacteria. Among 25 strains, 20 different strains showed biosurfactant activity in which only 6 strains had haemolytic activity and were able to emulsify mixtures of oils (kerosene + petrol + diesel) in Marine Broth 2216 during cultivation. Six strains named MW1, JN1, MS3, JN2, MS1, and MW2 were identified by various identification tests. MW2 (Pseudomonas sp.) Strain showed the highest emulsification activity against n-hexadecane. In addition, MW2 showed the highest activity for oil  displacement test (3.14 ± 0.02) and emulsification test (70.5 ± 0.55) towards nhexadecane.Key words: Biosurfactant, emulsification, bacteria, haemolytic, extreme conditions, oil

THE ASYMMETRIC EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN A TRANSITION ECONOMY: THE CASE OF VIETNAM

This study examines the asymmetric effects of Exchange Rate Volatility (ERV) on Vietnam’s international trade. Using time-series data fitted to the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model, we find that positive changes in ERV have a negative impact on the trade balance in the short-run. On the other hand,increases in ERV have a positive impact on the trade balance in the long-run. We also find that negative changes in ERV do not have any significant effect on the trade balance

The Effects Of Local Business Environments On Smes' Performance: Empirical Evidence From The Mekong Delta

This paper investigates how SME's local business environment affects its performance. Theoretical arguments for business environment and performance go in both directions. That is, on the one hand business environment enhances SME's performance; on the other hand it also impedes its operation. Using these arguments, we hypothesise that both favor treatment of local government for state-owned companies and bribery (or "speed money") are negatively related to SME's performance. Promotion policies of local government for private firm and local labour force have positive effects on SME's performance. We test these hypotheses in a survey data from 63 manufacturing and service SMEs locating in three provinces of the Mekong Delta within the period of 2011 and 2012. Using fixed effect and random effect models, the empirical results release that local government's favour policies for private firms and labour force have positive effects on SMEs' performance. The results revealed that although bribery has positively related to SME's performance, this relation becomes negatively when the level of bribe is high. A major implication is that the study provides better understanding for SMEs in addressing the local environment factors, which significantly affect SMEs' performance. The results of this study can also be used as reference for anyone who is interested in start their own business providing insights into decision-making in starting a business and also for any SMEs which are interested in continuing to sustain and grow. In addition, bribery enables SMEs to use government resources, avoid red tape, and thus foster revenues. High levels of "speed money" increasingly absorbs the returns on SME activities, and distort entrepreneurial spirit and behaviour because favourable relationships with public officials provide entrepreneurs legitimacy and thus decrease the risk for closure

Development of non-invasive transdermal patch of Emblica officinalis for anti atherosclerotic activity

The present study was designed to formulate matrix type transdermal patches of a potent anti atherosclerotic botanical Emblica officinalis on a mercury substrate and evaluated for physicochemical parameters like thickness, % flatness, weight variation, moisture uptake, moisture content, folding endurance, elongation and drug content values. Further, in vivo drug release was also observed by HPLC in rabbit serum. Four formulations were prepared using different ratio of matrix forming polymers, plasticizer and penetration enhancers. Formulations E-1, E-2, E-3 and E-4 were composed of Ethyl cellulose (EC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) with the following ratios: 6:4, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1. In vitro cumulative amounts of the permeated drug were observed 48.53, 55.46, 73.26 and 99.72% in 48 hrs from the four formulations. The release profile of the optimized formulation E-4; r2 = 0.984 (Higuchi) showed that permeation of the drug controlled by a diffusion mechanism. The cumulative amount of the permeated drug after 48hrs from E-4 was 343.95mcg/cm2. Permeability coefficient was calculated 7.16mcg/cm2/hr. Based on physicochemical and in vitro skin permeation studies, E-4 was chosen for further in vivo studies. Blood plasma concentration of E-4 after 48 hrs was 0.2914mcg/cm2. Skin permeation performance and scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that formulation E-4 was found to be better than other formulations and it was selected as the optimized formulation. The skin irritation tests showed negligible erythema and edema. The developed transdermal patches may increase the efficacy of E. officinalis for the therapy of atherosclerosis

Evaluation of Primary Metabolites and Antioxidant Potential Activity of Cayratia trifolia (Leaf and Stems)

Cayratia trifolia Linn. Domin Syn. Vitis trifolia (Family: Vitaceae) is commonly known as Fox grape in English; Amlabel, Ramchana in Hindi and Amlavetash in Sanskrit. It is native to Asia and Australia. This plant is used for chronic fever, rheumatic, anti-inflammatory etc. In the present study, quantitative analysis and free radical scavenging activities of stem ethanolic extract of Cayratia trifolia was investigated. The extract was found to possess more secondary metabolites and it exhibit radical scavenging activities, Based on the results it can be concluded that, the stem ethanolic extract of Cayratia trifolia which contains high amount of secondary metabolites and exhibits free radical scavenging activities, phytochemistry from leaves and stems using spectral techniques. This research paper provides information mainly on various biological activities like antimitotic, antidiabetic and anti-implantation and several medicinal uses. Biological activities of few of them have been studied maximum concentration of Proteins (58.4mg/gdw) and minimum concentration in total soluble sugar (0.7mg/gdw) and maximum concentration of Lipid peroxidase (5.01mg/gdw) and minimum concentration in FRAP (0.197mg/gdw). Keywords: Cayratia trifolia; Vitaceae; Phytochemistry; Antioxidant