Analysis of porcine DNA in several food products

Species identification in food products has grown interest in recent years since these foodstuffs are liable targets for fraudulent labelling. Consumers of Halal products typically buying those with a Halal logo stamped on the packaging without doubt for its authenticity. DNA-based methods on PCR amplification were used to identify the presence of porcine DNA in the processed food samples. Genomic DNA of porcine was extracted using DNA-Sorb-C and subjected to PCR amplification targeting the mitochondrial 12S rDNA gene and porcine leptin gene (LEP). Out of 66 samples, 37 samples showed amplified product of 387 bp with mitochondrial 12S rDNA gene and 59 samples showed amplified products of 152 bp with LEP. The verification for Halal authentication of food products is significant for economical, religious and public health concerns

The influence of household human and social capitals on participation in agricultural development initiatives in the coastal region of Kenya

The present study sought to establish the human and social capital that determines rural households’ participation in agricultural projects and programmes implemented by the Kenyan government and development partners. The research was carried out among rural households in the three counties of the coastal region of Kenya. Multi-stage sampling techniques (purposive, proportionate random and simple random sampling) were used to select the study area and the study sample. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion and observation schedules. The data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and regression analysis with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 22. The findings revealed that individuals with human capital; namely age (-0.15), primary education (-0.16), secondary education (-0.14), vocational training (0.35), and on the of job training (0.25), have a higher likelihood of participating in agricultural development initiatives. Households with the social capital of membership to groups (0.51), engaged in economic activities (0.53) and have linkages with development agencies (0.44) have a higher likelihood of participating in development initiatives. Key policy recommendations for county government and development partners include: encourage the community members to enrol in adult education; provide support for vocational and technical training; register as members in existing groups or form groups based on common interest, and engage in economic activities. The county governments should enhance advisory services to ensure close contact with professionals who will facilitate training, meetings and interactions with groups leading to the empowerment of members

Perceived benefits and barriers to community participation in development projects – The case of Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani on the Kenya coast

Benefits and barriers to participating in community development projects as perceived by participants were studied in coastal counties of Kenya through a World Bank-funded initiative known as Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani (HMP). Primary data were collected from 326 randomly selected HMP beneficiaries using questionnaires. Data analysis using SPSS prioritized perceived benefits of participation as: acquisition of additional financial support (94 %); development of new skill (90.8 %); enhanced ability to meet own individual needs (90.8 %); development of valuable professional relationships (90.8 %); acquisition of useful knowledge (84.2 %); increased utilization of own expertise (77.9 %) heightened public profile (77.2 %); ability to contribute to community (71.9 %); ability to have greater impact (68.8 %); and enhanced ability to effect public policy (49.1 %). Perceived barriers were prioritized as: feeling unwelcome (89.4 %); lack of information or not knowing (87.9 %); feeling unable to make a difference (87.9 %); demanding work schedule at home or office (69.7 %); inadequate transportation (50.8 %); and concern for safety (43.2 %). The study concluded that while the perceived benefits still strengthen the argument for active involvement of communities, development practitioners need to incorporate “what’s in it for me?” as an incentive for participation in future. They should also develop context-specific strategies to overcome participation barriers

Acute toxicity of malathion, dichlorvos and temephos in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)

Malathion, dichlorvos and temephos are used globally to control a wide range of invertebrate pests especially in Malaysia. These pesticides usually enter aquatic environment by direct application or through overspray, runoff and watersheds. However, applications of pesticides may cause adverse impacts to many non-target organisms such as fish. The objective for this study was to determine the 96 hours lethal concentration (LC50) of each pesticide in climbing perch, Anabas testudineus. A total of 130 A. testudineus was subjected to 13 aquariums. Fish were exposed to different concentrations of each pesticide for 96 hours. Fish were observed daily and dead fish were removed immediately. The 96h LC50 value for malathion, dichlorvos and temephos was determined as 0.25 mg/L, 2.35 mg/L and 25.0 mg/L respectively. The results obtained were based on the probit analysis method as described by Finney 1952. From the values obtained, malathion, dichlorvos and temephos can be classified as highly toxic pesticides since it can kill 50 percent of the population even in lower concentration. Thus, the information in this study can be used as a guide to help environmental management to assure the effective use of these pesticides and to prevent indiscriminate use of pesticides

The Orang Asli in Malaysia: the legal protection of their rights to land / Nur Izzaina Yuhana … [et al.]

This project paper is a study of the adequacy of legal protection of rights to land of Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. The law that governs Orang Asli is the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Revised-1974) which carries the purpose of protecting the welfare and socio economic of the Orang Asli. However, this law does not provide assistance regarding the matter of Orang Asli's land tenure. Furthermore, Orang Asli's rights to land are deprived by encroachments by various parties. Therefore, this project paper is to propose relevant recommendations to overcome this matter

Unpredictability dictates quality of maternal and newborn care provision in rural Tanzania-A qualitative study of health workers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Health workers are the key to realising the potential of improved quality of care for mothers and newborns in the weak health systems of Sub Saharan Africa. Their perspectives are fundamental to understand the effectiveness of existing improvement programs and to identify ways to strengthen future initiatives. The objective of this study was therefore to examine health worker perspectives of the conditions for maternal and newborn care provision and their perceptions of what constitutes good quality of care in rural Tanzanian health facilities. METHODS: In February 2014, we conducted 17 in-depth interviews with different cadres of health workers providing maternal and newborn care in 14 rural health facilities in Tandahimba district, south-eastern Tanzania. These facilities included one district hospital, three health centres and ten dispensaries. Interviews were conducted in Swahili, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. A grounded theory approach was used to guide the analysis, the output of which was one core category, four main categories and several sub-categories. RESULTS: 'It is like rain' was identified as the core category, delineating unpredictability as the common denominator for all aspects of maternal and newborn care provision. It implies that conditions such as mothers' access to and utilisation of health care are unreliable; that availability of resources is uncertain and that health workers have to help and try to balance the situation. Quality of care was perceived to vary as a consequence of these conditions. Health workers stressed the importance of predictability, of 'things going as intended', as a sign of good quality care. CONCLUSIONS: Unpredictability emerged as a fundamental condition for maternal and newborn care provision, an important determinant and characteristic of quality in this study. We believe that this finding is also relevant for other areas of care in the same setting and may be an important defining factor of a weak health system. Increasing predictability within health services, and focusing on the experience of health workers within these, should be prioritised in order to achieve better quality of care for mothers and newborns

Investigating the implementation of differentiated HIV services and implications for pregnant and postpartum women: A mixed methods multi-country study.

Universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa has required adaptations to service delivery. We compared national policies on differentiated HIV service delivery with facility-level implementation, and explored provider and user experiences in rural Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa. Four national policies and two World Health Organization guidelines on HIV treatment for pregnant and postpartum women published between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed and summarised. Results were compared with implementation data from surveys undertaken in 34 health facilities. Eighty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant and post-partum women living with HIV, their partners and providers. In 2018, differentiated service policies varied across countries. None specifically accounted for pregnant or postpartum women. Malawian policies endorsed facility-based multi-month scripting for clinically-stable adult ART patients, excluding pregnant or breastfeeding women. In Tanzania and South Africa, national policies proposed community-based and facility-based approaches, for which pregnant women were not eligible. Interview data suggested some implementation of differentiated services for pregnant and postpartum women beyond stipulated policies in all settings. Although these adaptations were appreciated by pregnant and postpartum women, they could lead to frustrations among other users when criteria for fast-track services or multi-month prescriptions were not clear

Cancer bronchique à petites cellules et grossesse: à propos d’un cas avec revue de la literature

Le cancer broncho-pulmonaire (CBP) de la femme enceinte est une entité rare, d'évolution péjorative. Cette situation devient de plus en plus fréquente, du fait de l'augmentation du tabagisme chez la femme. La transmission tumorale trans-placentaire avec atteinte foetale est décrite surtout chez les femmes non traitées. Le traitement est multidisciplinaire et n'est pas bien codifié. Nous rapportons le cas d'une patiente de 23 ans chez qui le diagnostic d'un carcinome bronchique à petites cellules a été fait au cours de sa grossesse. Elle avait bénéficié d'une chimiothérapie pendant la grossesse, bien tolérée. L'évaluation radiologique a objectivé une stabilisation du processus pulmonaire. Le traitement a été complété par une association radio-chimiothérapie concomitante après l'accouchement.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2