Extramarital sexual practices and perceived association with HIV infection among the Borana pastoral community

Background: Evidence has shown that in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV spreads mainly through heterosexual relationships. It is documented that, among others, the problem is more pronounced in connection to prevailing multiple sexual relations and marital infidelity. Despite evident association between such practice and spread in HIV infection, to date multiple sexual partnerships is a common practice. Among the Borana pastoral community, where awareness about HIV and AIDS is documented to be limited, engagement in extramarital sexual practice is believed to be the norm rather than exception. However, it remains unclear as to why the practice continues and if the community feels its consequences.Objectives: To explore if and why extramarital sexual practice is maintained and sustained and perceived vulnerability to HIV infection among the Borana pastoral community.Methods: An ethnographic study design was employed to responds to the objectives of this study. Such questions: whether extramarital sex is still practiced, if so why? Who practices it, whether the community is aware of the consequence of such practice vis-a-vis HIV infection, were set to be answered. A total of nine FGDs with sixty-eight participants and sixty in-depth interviews with men and women participated in the study. Information so generated was coded, categorized and summarized with an application of MAXQDA version 10 qualitative data analysis software, and interpretation of the results was carried out based on the objectives of the study.Results: Sex before marriage is considered as a taboo and those involved are out-casted (cabana) from the normal life processes of the community. While young men may engage in sexual activity with married women even before marriage and continues to maintain extramarital partner (jaalto) after marriage, women’s engagement in the practice follows marriage. Participants agreed that although local culture ‘disproves’ it and the community recognizes the fact that it would facilitate HIV infection, extramarital sexual practice remains common in the community. Its persistence is attributed to multiple factors including personal interest to prove that one is wanted by the opposite sex given fulfillment of socially prescribed gender roles, and economic transactions between families of those involved. Despite consistent denial of the cultural approval of such practice and the growing concern over its consequences to the spread of HIV infection, extramarital sexual activity remains to be valued and cherished in the community.Conclusion: Despite the widespread recognition of the consequences of extramarital sex on the spread of HIV infection, there is vested interest among the community numbers to maintain the practice. This calls for urgent action to launch culturally sound HIV interventions to mitigate further spread of HIV infection in Borana

Héroe o traidor : visiones complementarias de diversos cronistas e historiógrafos sobre Skanderbeg (¿c.1405?-1468)

Tras la conquista de Constantinopla (1453), los focos de resistencia contra los turcos eran prácticamente residuales en los Balcanes. Tan solo el albanés Gjergj Kastrioti (¿c. 1405?-1468) (Skanderbeg) mantuvo una resistencia notable frente al turco. A lo largo de su vida ayudó a forjar también la identidad nacional albanesa. En este artículo estudiamos y contraponemos la imagen contrapuesta y contradictoria que ofrecieron sobre el líder albanés los cronistas e historiógrafos albaneses, bizantinos y un cronista turco. Tras la lectura de esas fuentes, contextualizadas con la bibliografía secundaria que ha generado Skanderbeg, se concluye que el personaje fue descrito según los intereses apriorísticos de sus autores: desde el elogio a la crítica, y también algunos silencios reveladores.Després de la conquesta de Constantinoble (1453), els focus de resistència contra els turcs eren pràcticament residuals als Balcans. Tan sols l'albanès Gjergj Kastrioti (c. 1405?-1468) (Skanderbeg) va mantenir una resistència notable enfront del turc. Al llarg de la seva vida va ajudar a forjar també la identitat nacional albanesa. En aquest article estudiem i contraposem la imatge contraposada i contradictòria que van oferir sobre el líder albanès els cronistes i historiògrafs albanesos, bizantins i un cronista turc. Després de la lectura d'aquestes fonts, contextualitzades amb la bibliografia secundària que ha generat Skanderbeg, es conclou que el personatge va ser descrit segons els interessos apriorístics dels seus autors: des de l'elogi a la crítica, i també alguns silencis reveladors.After the conquest of Constantinople (1453), the pockets of resistance against the Turks were practically residual in the Balkans. Only the Albanian Gjergj Kastrioti (c. 1405?-1468) (Skanderbeg) maintained a notable resistance against the Turk. Throughout his life he helped forge the Albanian national identity as well. In this article we study and oppose the conflicting and contradictory image that the Albanian and Byzantine chroniclers and historiographers and a Turkish chronicler offered about the Albanian leader. After reading these sources, contextualized with the secondary bibliography that Skanderbeg has generated, it is concluded that the character was described according to the a priori interests of its authors: from praise to criticism, and also some revealing silences

Endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation, for pancreatic cystic neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors

AIM: To outline the feasibility, safety, adverse events and early results of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in pancreatic neoplasms using a novel probe. METHODS: This is a multi-center, pilot safety feasibility study. The intervention described was radiofrequency ablation (RF) which was applied with an innovative monopolar RF probe (1.2 mm Habib EUS-RFA catheter) placed through a 19 or 22 gauge fine needle aspiration (FNA) needle once FNA was performed in patients with a tumor in the head of the pancreas. The Habib™ EUS-RFA is a 1 Fr wire (0.33 mm, 0.013") with a working length of 190 cm, which can be inserted through the biopsy channel of an echoendoscope. RF power is applied to the electrode at the end of the wire to coagulate tissue in the liver and pancreas. RESULTS: Eight patients [median age of 65 (range 27-82) years; 7 female and 1 male] were recruited in a prospective multicenter trial. Six had a pancreatic cystic neoplasm (four a mucinous cyst, one had intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and one a microcystic adenoma) and two had a neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in the head of pancreas. The mean size of the cystic neoplasm and NET were 36.5 mm (SD ± 17.9 mm) and 27.5 mm (SD ± 17.7 mm) respectively. The EUS-RFA was successfully completed in all cases. Among the 6 patients with a cystic neoplasm, post procedure imaging in 3-6 mo showed complete resolution of the cysts in 2 cases, whilst in three more there was a 48.4% reduction [mean pre RF 38.8 mm (SD ± 21.7 mm) vs mean post RF 20 mm (SD ± 17.1 mm)] in size. In regards to the NET patients, there was a change in vascularity and central necrosis after EUS-RFA. No major complications were observed within 48 h of the procedure. Two patients had mild abdominal pain that resolved within 3 d. CONCLUSION: EUS-RFA of pancreatic neoplasms with a novel monopolar RF probe was well tolerated in all cases. Our preliminary data suggest that the procedure is straightforward and safe. The response ranged from complete resolution to a 50% reduction in size

Production of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) pulp powder by foam-mat drying: analysis of physicochemical and antioxidant properties

This is the final version, Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordAvailability of data and materials: Data available within the article or its supplementary materialsCornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a rich source of (poly)phenols such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that are known for their bioactivity. This study aimed to enhance the industrial applications of this cherry’s pulp as a potential functional food ingredient. Foam-mat drying was used to produce cherry powder from cherry pulp. The convective drying process was performed at different temperatures (50, 60, 70, and 80°C) to study the effect of drying temperature on the physical properties, flow properties, microstructure, (poly)phenol content, antioxidant properties, and bioaccessibility of foam-dried cherry pulp, in comparison to freeze-dried sample. Different drying temperatures did not affect color properties. The highest gloss was determined at high temperatures (70–80°C). According to the Carr index, the fluidity increased between 18 and 22% as the temperature increased. The total phenolic content was higher at elevated temperatures (70–80°C), yet the anthocyanin content was the highest at 60°C. The flavonoid content was not affected by different drying temperatures, as well as compared to lyophilized samples. The antioxidant activity was higher in samples dried at elevated temperatures, with no significant difference in comparison to lyophilized samples. The bioaccessibility experiment showed that the lyophilized samples had significantly greater bioaccessibility in comparison to the convective dried samples, yet further investigation is required to understand the differences in bioaccessibility and bioavailability of individual polyphenols. Overall, foam-mat drying using a convective drying system could be an economic choice to preserve acceptable amounts of phenolics and antioxidants

A neglected source of household air pollution: a preliminary, mixed methods study of purposely produced household smoke in Wollo, Ethiopia

Background: Ill health associated with household air pollution (HAP) is increasingly recognized as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, attempts to reduce HAP have focussed on smoke from cooking fires and have ignored traditional cultural practices which generate purposely produced smoke (PPS). This study aimed to investigate PPS prevalence, reasons for use and safety perceptions. Methods: The study was conducted in Wollo, Ethiopia, and used a mixed methods approach of quantitative surveys (analysed descriptively) and qualitative interviews with householders and healthcare workers (analysed thematically). Results: PPS use was reported by 99% of survey respondents and it was considered a fundamental part of life. Although reasons for use included housekeeping, culture/religion and well-being, coffee ceremony was most commonly cited (44% of respondents). Both householders and healthcare workers appeared to assume PPS is safe, except for people with certain underlying conditions. Healthcare workers felt the lack of evidence of harm from PPS meant there was no justification for intervention. Conclusion: This study, the first in-depth study of PPS, has shown its use to be widespread, with many perceived benefits and thus a very important part of local culture in this sample Ethiopian community. Consequently, any public health interventions aimed at reducing HAP in this setting need to consider PPS

Prospects for the development of odour baits to control the tsetse flies Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis s.l.

Field studies were done of the responses of Glossina palpalis palpalis in Côte d'Ivoire, and G. p. gambiensis and G. tachinoides in Burkina Faso, to odours from humans, cattle and pigs. Responses were measured either by baiting (1.) biconical traps or (2.) electrocuting black targets with natural host odours. The catch of G. tachinoides from traps was significantly enhanced (~5×) by odour from cattle but not humans. In contrast, catches from electric targets showed inconsistent results. For G. p. gambiensis both human and cattle odour increased (>2×) the trap catch significantly but not the catch from electric targets. For G. p. palpalis, odours from pigs and humans increased (~5×) the numbers of tsetse attracted to the vicinity of the odour source but had little effect on landing or trap-entry. For G. tachinoides a blend of POCA (P = 3-n-propylphenol; O = 1-octen-3-ol; C = 4-methylphenol; A = acetone) alone or synthetic cattle odour (acetone, 1-octen-3-ol, 4-methylphenol and 3-n-propylphenol with carbon dioxide) consistently caught more tsetse than natural cattle odour. For G. p. gambiensis, POCA consistently increased catches from both traps and targets. For G. p. palpalis, doses of carbon dioxide similar to those produced by a host resulted in similar increases in attraction. Baiting traps with super-normal (~500 mg/h) doses of acetone also consistently produced significant but slight (~1.6×) increases in catches of male flies. The results suggest that odour-baited traps and insecticide-treated targets could assist the AU-Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) in its current efforts to monitor and control Palpalis group tsetse in West Africa. For all three species, only ~50% of the flies attracted to the vicinity of the trap were actually caught by it, suggesting that better traps might be developed by an analysis of the visual responses and identification of any semiochemicals involved in short-range interaction

Pulpal sequelae after trauma to anterior teeth among adult Nigerian dental patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemiological studies show that about 11.6% to 33.0% of all boys and about 3.6% to 19.3% of all girls suffer dental trauma of varying severity before the age of 12 years. Moderate injuries to the periodontium such as concussion and subluxation are usually associated with relatively minor symptoms and hence may go unnoticed by the patient or the dentist, if consulted. Patients with these kinds of injuries present years after a traumatic accident most of the time with a single discoloured tooth. This study sets out to document the incidence of various posttraumatic sequelae of discoloured anterior teeth among adult Nigerian dental patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and sixty eight (168) traumatized discoloured anterior teeth in 165 patients were studied. Teeth with root canal treatment were excluded from the study. Partial obliteration was recorded when the pulp chamber or root canal was not discernible or reduced in size on radiographs, total obliteration was recorded when pulp chamber and root canal were not discernible. A retrospective diagnosis of concussion was made from patient's history of trauma to the tooth without abnormal loosening, while subluxation was made from patient's history of trauma to the tooth with abnormal loosening.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 168 traumatized discoloured anterior teeth, 47.6% and 31.6% had partial and total obliteration of the pulp canal spaces respectively, 20.8% had pulpal necrosis. Concussion and subluxation injuries resulted more in obliteration of the pulp canal space, while fracture of the teeth resulted in more pulpal necrosis (p < 0.001). Injuries sustained during the 1^stand 2^nddecade of life resulted more in obliteration of the pulp canal space, while injuries sustained in the 3^rddecade resulted in more pulpal necrosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Calcific metamorphosis developed more in teeth with concussion and subluxation injuries. Pulpal necrosis occurred more often in traumatized teeth including fractures.</p

Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's disease brains : evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors

Porphyromonas gingivalis, the keystone pathogen in chronic periodontitis, was identified in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Toxic proteases from the bacterium called gingipains were also identified in the brain of Alzheimer's patients, and levels correlated with tau and ubiquitin pathology. Oral P. gingivalis infection in mice resulted in brain colonization and increased production of Aβ1-42, a component of amyloid plaques. Further, gingipains were neurotoxic in vivo and in vitro, exerting detrimental effects on tau, a protein needed for normal neuronal function. To block this neurotoxicity, we designed and synthesized small-molecule inhibitors targeting gingipains. Gingipain inhibition reduced the bacterial load of an established P. gingivalis brain infection, blocked Aβ1-42 production, reduced neuroinflammation, and rescued neurons in the hippocampus. These data suggest that gingipain inhibitors could be valuable for treating P. gingivalis brain colonization and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease