Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin.

BACKGROUND: A multi-country, community-based trial on scheduled screening and treatment for malaria in pregnancy was conducted in Benin, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Despite standardized procedures and outcomes, the study became subject to rumours and accusations of placenta being sold for mystical and financial gain by trial staff, leading to drop-out rates of 30% and the consequent halting of placental biopsy sampling in Benin. This paper explores the role of socio-cultural beliefs related to placenta and identified additional factors contributing these rumours. METHODS: A qualitative comparative emergent-theory design was used to assess social factors related to trial implementation and uptake in the three countries. Data from participant observation, informal conversations, group discussions and interviews were triangulated and analysed with NVivo Qualitative Analysis software. RESULTS: Despite similar sociocultural beliefs about the sacred nature of the placenta in all three study countries, these beliefs did not affect participation rates in Burkina Faso and The Gambia and placenta-related rumours only emerged in Benin. Therefore, the presence of beliefs is not a sufficient condition to have generated placenta-selling fears. The rumours in Benin reflected the confluence of placenta-related beliefs and factors related to the implementation of the trial (including a catalysing adverse event and miscommunication during the informed consent procedure). Furthermore, distinct socio-political factors contributed to the emergence of rumours, including the historical distrust in governmental organizations and the tense relationship between some of the actors involved in the trial. CONCLUSION: Transdisciplinary social science research designs should accompany the implementation of the trial. The integration of multiple stakeholders' knowledge and involvement is required to define and solve upcoming barriers

Biomagnetism in the diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and some other associated diseases

…………………. Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 3 (1&3) 2004: pp. 3-

Sourcing for a New Oytocic Agent: Comparative Activities of the Oxytocic Substance in Fresh and Dried Sheep Placenta

Background: Extracts of both fresh and dried sheep placenta have been employed in traditional obstetric practice in Nigeria to facilitate labour. The comparative oxytocin effects of an extracts of the pulverized dried sheep placenta with normal saline and a normal saline infusion of the fresh placenta were investigated on pregnant guinea-pig uterus. Method: Increasing concentrations of placental wash and placental extract were administered to uterine preparation which was mounted in a 50ml aerated organ bath. Uterine contractions were recorded on smoke paper mounted on a rotating kymograph drum. The effects were compared with those due to increasing concentrations of oxytocin as standard recorded on the same tissue. Results: Infusion from the fresh placenta was 2.89 – 5.70 times more potent than the extract of the dried placenta. Oxytocin showed a higher relative potency than either of the extracts; 2.5 x 106 times as potent the dried placental extract and 8.7 x 105 times more potent than the fresh placental infusion. Conclusion: The oxytocic substance in the placenta is to some degree affected by drying, hence its lower potency. Key Words: Sheep placenta, Extract, Infusion, Relative Oxytocic Potency. Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.1 2000: 29-3

The mechanism of Dual Action of Piperzine Citrate on Guinea - pig

No Abstract

Mechanical characterization and reinforcement of the adobe material of the Chellah archaeological site

The evaluation of historical buildings has always posed significant challenges due to the difficulties associated with the characterization of complex geometries, the variability of the properties of building materials and the actual state of damage to these structures. This challenge is even more complex when it concerns historical adobe masonry buildings, because earthen masonry has a high variability and rapid deterioration over time if it is not properly maintained. In the context of the previous, it was important to provide information to support intervention projects in historic centres. This research involves the experimental analysis of the adobe material collected from the Chellah archaeological site (Rabat-Morocco), in order to study the mechanical behaviour of this material as well as that reinforced by wood shaving. A series of mechanical tests carried out, which include compressive and tensile strength on the adobe material and the mixture adobe/wood fibre in different proportions. The improvement of the mechanical properties of the reinforced adobe, led us to a SEM study, which was carried out on the surface of the test specimens to examine the morphology and observe the interfaces of the adobe/wood mixture, as well as the state of dispersion of the fibres in the adobe mixture