Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicology of b-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) in model crop plants

Cyanobacteria are known to produce a variety of toxic compounds. β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is one of the neurotoxins produced by most cyanobacteria. BMAA has been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / Parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS / PDC) and was suggested to contribute to this pathology after biomagnification and slow release of BMAA from a protein associated form. The uptake and accumulation of BMAA by the aquatic macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum has recently been shown, but the consumption of aquatic macrophytes by humans is not typical. The uptake by, and accumulation in, crop plants (Nasturtium officinale and Daucus carota) was therefore investigated so as to establish the existence of any risk to humans from the consumption of plants irrigated with water from dams with high cyanobacterial biomass and therefore high BMAA levels. After the exposure to the BMAA through the growth medium, BMAA had no effect on growth and development of N. officinale and D. carota. The uptake and bioaccumulation of BMAA was observed in N. officinale and D. carota, and was found to be concentration-dependent. Both free and bound cellular BMAA was detected following BMAA exposure through the growth medium. The photosynthetic apparatus of N. officinale was not significantly damaged. The uptake and accumulation of BMAA in edible terrestrial plants may constitute another route of human exposure to BMAA; it may now be prudent to avoid spray irrigation of edible plants with waters from dams with high cyanobacterial biomass and therefore high BMAA levels. After uptake by plants, the cyanotoxins may induce oxidative stress. A recent study showed that BMAA has a significant inhibitory effect on the oxidative stress enzymes in C. demersum. Therefore, the toxicological effects on selected plants were investigated by a range of biochemical enzyme assays in order to establish the plant stress response to exogenous BMAA. The inhibition of antioxidant enzymes upon exposure of N. officinale to BMAA through the growth medium was observed. The inhibition of antioxidant defence enzymes by BMAA correlated with the BMAA bioaccumulation in N. officinale. Further investigations are needed to analyze the uptake, accumulation, and ecotoxicology of BMAA in other crop plants, and to examine the fate of BMAA in these plants particularly its distribution and metabolism

Factors Affecting The Performance Of Senior Two Students In Chemistry In Rutsiro District Of Rwanda

Performance in chemistry has been observed as an issue in secondary schools based on attitudes of students toward chemistry lesson, how is taught in class and availability of needed infrastructures that help to conceptualize lesson in chemistry. The classroom hands on, mind on activities, change of attitudes of students, and awareness of stakeholders to provide adequate infrastructures are needed to ensure effectiveness of teaching and learning chemistry in schools in order to improve the performance. The present study was carried out to determine the level of senior two students’ performance in chemistry and to find out the important factors affecting senior two chemistry performance in Rutsiro district, of Western province of Rwanda. The deductive research design was considered and the research was conducted in 5 schools. The target population was 130 respondents that included 100 students, 5 teachers, 5 head teachers and 5 deputy head teachers in charge of studies and 15 PTC members. In this study, purposive and simple sampling techniques were used to select students, teachers and administrative staff to take part in this study. Two instruments namely questionnaires and documentary class performance reports were used to collect data on the factors affecting senior two students’ performance in chemistry. The descriptive statistics were used to present the data and the results were analyzed by SPSS and analysis of frequency, percentage, p value and t- value were used in the present study. The data from the documentary class performance report showed that 71.0% of senior two students have poor performance (performance below 50% marks). The data from questionnaires and respondents showed that factors linked with the poor performance are less activity-based technique of teaching and learning, bad attitudes of students toward chemistry and lack of enough students’ resources materials, low back profile of their families, despites the teacher and administrative staff have higher qualifications needed to deliver the quality education. Teachers, parents, school administration have to be mobilized to motivate students in liking chemistry as core subject. Decision makers have to avail equipped laboratory with enough reagents, library with sufficient chemistry books and textbooks, smart classroom and internet connectivity to enhance teaching- learning

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Uric Acid Levels among Pregnant Women Attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, in Rwanda

Background: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a common burden during pregnancy usually associated with adverse maternal and paternal outcomes. The uric acid serum level was identified as an important biochemical marker which can predict preeclampsia, a type of PIH. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of serum uric acid levels in association with blood pressure among pregnant women attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed and 80 pregnant women in different gestation trimesters participated in the study. Data was collected from September to October 2018. Digital sphygmomanometer was used to test blood pressures for participants. Blood samples were collected in red top tubes and centrifuged to obtain serum for uric acid levels. Using Humastar 80, uric acid levels were measured for each participant. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Bivariate correlation was used to analyse the relationship between uric acid levels and participants’ blood pressure.Results: The median age was 27 in interquartile 23-31 ranging from 19 to 39 years. 58.75% of participants were in their 1st trimester,  followed by 21.25% in the 2nd trimester and 20% in the 3rd trimester. The prevalence of hypertension was 11.3% (7.5% for stage 1 and 3.8% for stage 2). Hyperuricemia was found in 15% of the participants. The mean of uric acid level was 7.12 ± 1.86 mg/dl in the  hypertensive group and 4.49 ± 1.22 mg/dl in the non-hypertensive group. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between uric acid levels and systolic /diastolic blood pressure.Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was revealed. The association of hypertension and hyperuricemia was recorded with a strong correlation between blood pressures and serum uric acid levels. Examination of Uric acid levels among  pregnant women should be routinely performed for early identification and management of hypertension

Platelets Transfusion Practice at Butaro Cancer Centre of Excellence in Rwanda

 Background: To respond to the high demand of hospitals for the lack of enough platelets, in 2015, Rwanda national centre for blood transfusion introduced apheresis to produce more platelets. The high increase of impaired bone marrow among cancer patients was declared to be the main cause of the urgent demand of transfused platelets. The aim of this study was to describe the practice of platelets transfusion at Butaro cancer centre.Methodology: A retrospective study of 238 patients who received platelets transfusions at Butaro Cancer Centre of Excellence within a period of 24 months was carried out. Laboratory register books for blood transfusion, patients’ chart files and open clinic patient information software were used to identify all patients who received platelets transfusion at BCCOE during the study period. A collection form was used to record all the required data.Results: A sum of 209 (87.8%) of receivers of platelets transfusion were cancer patients. Majority of those cancer patients had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Out of 1318 platelets units requested, only 925(70.2%) were received of which 573(43.4%) were O Rhesus positive. Among diagnosed cancers, Lymphomas (Chi square =7;P=.01) was statistically significant to be associated with the increase rate of platelets after transfusion. The combination of all diagnosed cancers (Chi square=11;P=.03) were associated with the increase rate of platelets after transfusion.Conclusion: Regardless the indication of platelets transfusion, the increase of platelet count was observed after each transfusion. Ministry of health has to ensure the availability of platelets for a good care of thrombocytopenic patients of whom cancer patients are the most

Examining the utilization of web-based discussion tools in teaching organic chemistry: A dataset collected from secondary schools of Gasabo and Kamonyi districts in Rwanda

In recent years, teaching and learning organic chemistry have been troubled by limited engagement, and active participation among learners. As a result, there has been a growing need to develop innovative teaching methods that can address these educational challenges. Web-based discussion tools have emerged as a promising means of promoting engagement and critical thinking skills among learners. Web-based discussion tools are platforms or apps that help communication and collaboration among users over the internet. These tools allow individuals or groups to engage in conversations, share information, and exchange ideas in a digital learning environment. Therefore, this dataset delves into the current usage of web-based discussion in teaching and learning organic chemistry in Gasabo and Kamonyi districts secondary schools. The study's objectives encompass evaluating usage levels of web-based discussion tools, comparing levels of usage, identifying integration possibilities, and informing policymakers and researchers for future practices. The dataset consists of data from 133 secondary school chemistry teachers obtained through an online survey. The survey gathered information on the current usage, teachers' perceptions and skills of using web-based discussion tools in teaching organic chemistry. The data were categorized into seven sheets. The dataset allows for in-depth exploration across various demographic variables, including gender, location, school ownership, working experience, and age. The data are raw, filtered, analyzed and are available freely to explore and reuse. Researchers in related fields can use this dataset to measure the existing use of web-based discussion in teaching and learning organic chemistry, identify gaps, and foresee potential solutions to the difficulties associated with the use of this approach in Rwandan secondary schools. Moreover, the presented data can aid teachers, policymakers, and curriculum designers in developing effective strategies for integrating web-based discussion into organic chemistry instruction