Implementation of liquid culture for tuberculosis diagnosis in a remote setting: lessons learned.

Although sputum smear microscopy is the primary method for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in low-resource settings, it has low sensitivity. The World Health Organization recommends the use of liquid culture techniques for TB diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing in low- and middle-income countries. An evaluation of samples from southern Sudan found that culture was able to detect cases of active pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB missed by conventional smear microscopy. However, the long delays involved in obtaining culture results meant that they were usually not clinically useful, and high rates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolation made interpretation of results difficult. Improvements in diagnostic capacity and rapid speciation facilities, either on-site or through a local reference laboratory, are crucial

Compound C inhibits nonsense-mediated RNA decay independently of AMPK

The nonsense mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway safeguards the integrity of the transcriptome by targeting mRNAs with premature translation termination codons (PTCs) for degradation. It also regulates gene expression by degrading a large number of non-mutant RNAs (including mRNAs and noncoding RNAs) that bear NMD-inducing features. Consequently, NMD has been shown to influence development, cellular response to stress, and clinical outcome of many genetic diseases. Small molecules that can modulate NMD activity provide critical tools for understanding the mechanism and physiological functions of NMD, and they also offer potential means for treating certain genetic diseases and cancer. Therefore, there is an intense interest in identifying small-molecule NMD inhibitors or enhancers. It was previously reported that both inhibition of NMD and treatment with the AMPK-selective inhibitor Compound C (CC) induce autophagy in human cells, raising the possibility that CC may be capable of inhibiting NMD. Here we show that CC indeed has a NMD-inhibitory activity. Inhibition of NMD by CC is, however, independent of AMPK activity. As a competitive ATP analog, CC does not affect the kinase activity of SMG1, an essential NMD factor and the only known kinase in the NMD pathway. However, CC treatment down-regulates the protein levels of several NMD factors. The induction of autophagy by CC treatment is independent of ATF4, a NMD target that has been shown to promote autophagy in response to NMD inhibition. Our results reveal a new activity of CC as a NMD inhibitor, which has implications for its use in basic research and drug development

Relationship between Selected Technologies Adoption and Organizational Performance; a Case of Dairy Societies in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Dairy societies in Kenya, like many Africa countries are carried out by small-scale dairy farmers located in the rural areas, often with low literacy levels and very few technological skills. For dairy cooperatives to survive they have to streamline their operations and improve their management processes to have positive balance sheet and surplus money to pay dividends to their members, therefore, the study assessed the relationship between selected technology adoption and organizational performance of dairy societies in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. The study specifically determined the relationship between financial technologies, Information communication technologies, human resources information system, and storage and processing technologies on organization performance of dairy societies. The study was informed by Diffusion of Innovation theory (DOI) and Theory of Constraints (TOC. It adopted explanatory research design and a census of all the dairy cooperative societies in Uasin Gishu County was conducted. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques and inferential statistics such as Pearson moment correlations and Multiple regression model. The study concluded that financial technologies adoption, information communication technology adoption and storage and processing technologies adoption are important determinants of performance of dairy societies. However, human resources information system had no significant effect on performance of dairy societies. Key words: financial technologies, communication technologies, human resource information system, storage and processing technologie

Experiences in Care Given During Child Birth at a Referral Hospital in Kenya

The fifth Millennium development Goal (MDG) calls for a reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 75% between 1990 and 2015, with a key indicator being the proportion of births attended to by skilled health personnel, (United Nations, 2007). In Kenya the MMR is 400 and has made insufficient progress towards improving maternal health, (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, 2013). According to KDHS (2014), the proportion of skilled birth attendance is 46.5%, while in Kenya it is 62% against an MDG target of 90%. According to Zaers S., et al., (2008), prior experience in delivery care by skilled attendants affects their subsequent use of these services. In Africa little research has been carried out on the experiences of mothers in facility-based delivery care. This study was therefore set to describe the experiences of women during labour and delivery at a referral hospital in Kenya This was a cross sectional descriptive study that focused on experiences of delivery care by postnatal mothers at a referral hospital in Kenya. Systematic random sampling from a sampling frame of 327 was employed to recruit post-natal mothers who delivered in labour ward and four postnatal wards. A total of 109 participants were recruited into the study. Views and experiences of recently delivered women were elicited using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire focusing on four dimensions of participants’ intrapartum experience. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Research results were presented in frequency distribution tables, graphs and charts. P-values were used to determine the statistical significance of the results obtained. Most participants (87.7%) agreed that they were treated with respect, accorded privacy and asked to consent, prior to the initiation of the procedures. A single aspect of communication, namely health provider explanation of health status with understandable terms was poorly rated (mean 1.8 to 2.2) as was the level of genuine interest in patient well-being (mean = 1.7 to 2.0) which was significant in the study. Most participant (n = 102(93.6%) said they would recommend delivery services at KNH to friends or family, although 6% of them said they would not recommend. Majority of the participants had a positive experience of quality in delivery care. This was evidenced by the fact that majority of then stated that they would come to deliver in the same institution again or recommend a relative or friend. Aspects of care such as health providers communicating to clients in understandable terms and showing genuine interest in patients wellbeing was rated poorly. Institutional factors such as inadequate space and shortage of staff were also noted to be significantly contributing to negative experience of delivery care in the study

Role of heterogeneous astrocyte receptor expression in determining astrocytic response to neuronal disorders

Following neuronal disorders, astrocytes carry out either neuroprotection or neurodegeneration. Previous authors suggest that favoring of neurodegeneration or neuroprotection by astrocytes can be due to many factors such as the influence of cytokines following their binding on their receptors on astrocytes. These receptors have however been shown to be region specific and heterogeneous. Further, research exploiting their role and influence in determining astrocytic response remains partly elucidated. A review of previous and ongoing research on these receptors would be helpful in the disclosure of astrocytic responses to neuronal disorders.Keywords: Astrogliosis, Heterogenous astrocyte expression, Antagonistic astrocyte reaction, Nervous injury, Astrocyte mediated neurodegeneratio

The Extent of Influence of Factors on Cigarette Smoking Among Teenagers in Baguio City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Although there are several studies conducted on teenage smoking, the causes to become smokers in adolescence remain unclear. Several factors were identified but the extent of its influence still obscure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the significant difference in the extent of influence of these identified factors when teens are group according to gender and age group of 13 to 16 years old versus 17-19 years of age. Objective: A quantitative study was conducted to determine the extent of influence of factors on cigarette smoking among teenagers in City high school and St. Louis high school. Methods: A total of 100 respondents were investigated using a structured questionnaire. The study sought to explore the factors that influenced cigarette smoking among teenagers and to what extent they can influence. A questionnaire, in the form of a checklist was the primary tool used in the data gathering relevant to the study. The questionnaire explored the extent of influence of factors affecting smoking among teenagers in Baguio City. The design used for this study was the quantitative research design. The subjects were 100 students (Male and female) studying in Baguio City, Philippines. The age bracket for subjects was 13-19 years for males and females. The sample for this quantitative study was constructed by purposive sampling students in Baguio City who were asked to voluntarily answer the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics which included frequency, % distribution, average and weighted mean was used. Average mean was used to determine the extent of influence of factors on smoking among teenagers of Baguio City. Standard deviation and t-test were used to determine the extent of influence when the teenagers were grouped according to age and gender. Results: The study found out that there was a significant difference in the extent of influence of factors when the teenagers were grouped according to gender, the females smoked more than the males. However, when grouped according to age (13-16 & 17-19), there was no significant difference in their extent of influence. The teenagers were very much aware of the effects of cigarette smoking on the biological, physical and social implications. Despite this awareness, the drive to perform the behavior is strong. Conclusion: Finding solutions to modify the belief on the identified potent factor will alter the attitude in the performance of smoking behavior. Successful cessation often requires multiple strategies since continuous smoking is associated with several factors.  The researchers would recommend the formulation programs and campaigns on anti-smoking. The researchers are also optimistically looking for the possibility of this study to help assess the need to strictly or creatively implement enacted laws stated in Republic Act 2011.  The researchers believe an epidemic of tobacco use is imminent if drastic action is not taken, and recommend that anti-smoking campaigns with an emphasis on the religious aspect should start as early as in elementary school. Intervention programs to encourage behavior modification of adolescents are also recommended. Keywords: Gender, Age group, Adolescents and Tobacco use

falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and

Trends in drug resistance codons in Plasmodiu

Morphological and Molecular Identification of the Causal Agent of Anthracnose Disease of Avocado in Kenya

Anthracnose disease of avocado contributes to a huge loss of avocado fruits due to postharvest rot in Kenya. The causal agent of this disease has not been clear but presumed to be Colletotrichum gloeosporioides as reported in other regions where avocado is grown. The fungus mainly infects fruits causing symptoms such as small blackish spots, “pepper spots,” and black spots with raised margin which coalesce as infection progresses. Due to economic losses associated with the disease and emerging information of other species of fungi as causal agents of the disease, this study was aimed at identifying causal agent(s) of the disease. A total of 80 fungal isolates were collected from diseased avocado fruits in Murang’a County, the main avocado growing region in Kenya. Forty-six isolates were morphologically identified as Colletotrichum spp. based on their cultural characteristics, mainly whitish, greyish, and creamish colour and cottony/velvety mycelia on the top side of the culture and greyish cream with concentric zonation on the reverse side. Their spores were straight with rounded end and nonseptate. Thirty-four isolates were identified as Pestalotiopsis spp. based on their cultural characteristics: whitish grey mycelium with black fruiting structure on the upper side and greyish black one on the lower side and septate spores with 3-4 septa and 2 or 3 appendages at one end. Further molecular studies using ITS indicated Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum boninense, and Pestalotiopsis microspora as the causal agents of anthracnose disease in avocado. However, with this being the first report, there is a need to conduct further studies to establish whether there is coinfection or any interaction thereof

Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Urinary Tract Infectious Bacteria and the Effect of Different Antibiotics

Introduction: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) defines a condition in which the urinary tract is infected with a pathogen causing inflammation which is a common, distressing and occasionally life threatening condition. UTI affects people of all  ages and both gender. In all patients with UTI are reported with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Female are more susceptible to  UTIs compared to  male. To ensure appropriate therapy, current knowledge of  the  organisms  that  cause  UTI  and  their  antibiotic  is  susceptibility is mandatory. Methods: This study focused on the frequency of uropathogens and  their antibiotic susceptibility in different gender in Madurai District. Cultural and biochemical characterization  of  uropathogens revealed  the  prevalence  of  both  gram-positive and gram-negative organisms Results: E. coli was the predominant isolate isolated from the urine specimen followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis. Among the antibiotics tested, chloraphenicol and ciprofloxacin (100%) were found to be effective for empirical treatment of UTI and has covered the majority of urinary pathogens followed by tetracycline,  gentamycin and kanamycin (83%), Ampicillin (67). Streptomycin, Rifampicin and amoxicillin were less effective (50%). Conclusion: Some of the isolates were resistant to penicillin-G, Streptomycin, rifampicin and amoxicillin which are more frequently prescribed and indicates that increased consumption of a particular antibiotic leads to acquisition of resistance by the uropathogens.   Resistance rates among common uropathogens continue to evolve and appear to be increasing too many commonly used antimicrobial agents and a continued surveillance of resistance rates among uropathogens is needed to ensure appropriate recommendations for the treatment of the urinary tract infections. Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Drug resistence, Uropathogens, Biochemical tests