Genetic Resolution of the Enigmatic Lesser Antillean Distribution of the Frog \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus Validus\u3c/em\u3e (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Leptodactylus validus has an unusual distribution, inhabiting Trinidad, Tobago, and the Lesser Antilles, but not the mainland of South America. This distribution is inconsistent with other distribution patterns observed for these islands. Although slight variation in adult morphology has been observed among the different island populations of L. validus, call data suggest the presence of a single species. Calls of L. pallidirostris from Venezuela and Brazil suggested that this taxon might be conspecific with L. validus. Sequence data from the 12S and 16S mt rDNA genes indicate that L. validus represents a single species throughout its distribution and is conspecific with L. pallidirostris. Dispersal of L. validus from Trinidad and Tobago to the Lesser Antilles was likely mediated by human activities

The Contribution of Nigeria Health Sector Recurrent Spending on Its Output (1961-2012)

Health sector in any country has been recognized as the primary engine of growth and development. This study makes a modest contribution to the debates by empirically analyzing the contribution of Nigeria Health sector recurrent spending on its output using time series data from 1961 to 2012, obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria. It employs the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique and Pair wise Granger Causality tests. The estimation reviews that Political Stability (PSB) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Nigeria have positive effect on Total health output (HGDP) while Total Government Recurrent Expenditure on Health (TGREH) has a negative effect on Total health output (HGDP). On the contrary, rising Government recurrent expenditure on health does not results to an increase in Total health output. Based on the result of granger causality, the paper concludes that a very weak causality exist between the two main variables used in this study. The authors therefore advised that there should be a reduction in government recurrent expenditure in the health sector. Also there should be a high degree of transparency and accountability in government spending

A study on visual, audio and tactile reaction time among medical students at Kampala International University in Uganda

Background: Reaction time (RT) is an indicator of neural activity, however, its variation due to visual (VRT), audio (ART) and tactile (TRT) in African medical students has not been investigated. The aim of the study was to determine relationships between VRT, ART and TRT amongst medical students in Uganda.Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study, the body mass index (BMI) and RT (i.e. VRT, ART and TRT) were determined using weighing scale with standiometer and the catch a ruler experiment respectively. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on participant’s lifestyle patterns and analysis was done using SPSS Version 20.Results: The mean (± SEM) VRT, ART and TRT in the study were found to be 0.148 ± 0.002s, 0.141 ± 0.002s and 0.139 ± 0.003s respectively. A strong correlation between TRT and ART was found to exist in the youthful Ugandan medical student’s population. Furthermore, significant differences in ART and VRT were observed with sex, although these were absent amongst preclinical and clinical students, showing the importance of sex in RT.Conclusion: The low VRT and ART in Ugandan medical students is indicative of a healthy somatosensory connectivity, thus of academic importance.Keywords: Reaction time, cognitive performance, neural health, medical education

Epidemiologic review of Zika virus disease

Zika virus disease has resonated great concern globally. The World Health Organization declared it “a public health emergency of International concern” on 1st February, 2016. The recent outbreaks have become a major challenge due to a drift from its earlier known benign exanthematous spectrum to a causal link to microcephaly. Historically, the name Zika virus comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda. It was first identified in 1947 among Rhesus Macaque sub-population. Two genetically distinct isolates have been well characterized; the Asian and African strains. This virus is spread by bites of day-time-active Aedes mosquitoes; the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Zika Virus appears to spread along a narrow equatorial belt of Africa to Asia through the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, New Caledonia (southwest Pacific Ocean), the Cook Islands (south Pacific), and Easter Island (a Chilean territory in Polynesia), and most recently to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where today has assumed a pandemic proportion.Up to eighty percent of infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic infections are characterized by a self-limiting febrile illness and maculopapular rash, arthralgia, conjunctivitis, back pain and mild headaches. Maternal Zika viral load is thought to be a significant risk factor to fetal infection leading to invasion of either trophoblasts or placental cells or both through maternal decidua. Zika viral RNA proteins and associated extensive selective tissue injuries have been demonstrated in the brains and spinal cords of abortuses. Diagnosis of Zika virus is essentially based on viral RNA detection from clinical specimens. Currently, licensed preventive medicines or vaccines are unavailable. With the wide spate of recent outbreaks and consequent neurologic morbidity and mortality, there is need for deployment of point-of-care equipment for screening of pregnant women in our environment. This is an ambitious call for advocacy by all relevant health care providers.Keywords: Zika Virus, disease outbreaks, microcephaly, Aedes mosquitoe

A study on visual, audio and tactile reaction time among medical students at Kampala International University in Uganda

Background: Reaction time (RT) is an indicator of neural activity, however, its variation due to visual (VRT), audio (ART) and tactile (TRT) in African medical students has not been investigated. The aim of the study was to determine relationships between VRT, ART and TRT amongst medical students in Uganda. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study, the body mass index (BMI) and RT (i.e. VRT, ART and TRT) were determined using weighing scale with standiometer and the catch a ruler experiment respectively. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on participant\u2019s lifestyle patterns and analysis was done using SPSS Version 20. Results: The mean (\ub1 SEM) VRT, ART and TRT in the study were found to be 0.148 \ub1 0.002s, 0.141 \ub1 0.002s and 0.139 \ub1 0.003s respectively. A strong correlation between TRT and ART was found to exist in the youthful Ugandan medical student\u2019s population. Furthermore, significant differences in ART and VRT were observed with sex, although these were absent amongst preclinical and clinical students, showing the importance of sex in RT. Conclusion: The low VRT and ART in Ugandan medical students is indicative of a healthy somatosensory connectivity, thus of academic importance

Emerging Anthelmintic Resistance in Poultry: Can ethnopharmacological approaches offer a solution?

Limited pharmacological studies have been conducted on plant species used against poultry helminths. The objective of this study was to provide a basis for plant based anthelmintics as possible alternatives against poultry anthelmintic resistance. The study justified the need for alternative anthelmintics. The study places emphasis on the increasing anthelmintic resistance, mechanism of resistance, and preparational protocols for plant anthelmintics and their associated mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical studies on plants as alternative therapies for the control of helminth parasites have not been fully explored especially in several developing countries. Plants from a broad range of species produce a wide variety of compounds that are potential anthelmintics candidates. Important phenolic acids have been found in Brassica rapa L. and Terminalia avicenniodes Guill. and Perri that affect the cell signaling pathways and gene expression. Benzo (c) phenanthridine and isoquinoline alkaloids are neurotoxic to helminths. Steroidal saponins (polyphyllin D and dioscin) interact with helminthic mitochondrial activity, alter cell membrane permeability, vacuolation and membrane damage. Benzyl isothiocyanate glucosinolates interfere with DNA replication and protein expression, while isoflavones from Acacia oxyphylla cause helminth flaccid paralysis, inhibit energy generation, and affect calcium utilization. Condensed tannins have been shown to cause the death of nematodes and paralysis leading to expulsion from the gastro-intestinal tract. Flavonoids from Chenopodium album L and Mangifera indica L act through the action of phosphodiesterase and Ca(2+)-ATPase, and flavonoids and tannins have been shown to act synergistically and are complementary to praziquantel. Artemisinins from Artemisia cina O. Berg are known to disrupt mitochondrial ATP production. Terpenoids from Cucurbita moschata L disrupt neurotransmission leading to paralysis as well as disruption of egg hatching. Yeast particle encapsulated terpenes are effective for the control of albendazole-resistant helminths

Interactive Simulation on Modern Physics: A Systematic Review

Physics is a theoretical science, understanding the concepts requires actual visual representations and models. Physics instructors should teach physics using inquiry, discovery, demonstration, simulation, practical work, lab-based activities, and other practical experiences. The current status of knowledge and practice regarding interactive simulation in the teaching of modern physics is presented in this systematic literature review. By methodically evaluating and summarizing the most pertinent previous research publications published from December 2002 to January 2022, it offers guidance for instructional designers and scholars. After careful consideration and screening, a total of eleven studies were chosen for a thorough analysis and synthesis. The results showed that the objective of the research studies on using interactive simulation in modern physics is to enhance students' critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving skills.   It has been demonstrated that interactive simulation technologies like Java applets and Physics Education Technology (PhET) are successful at teaching modern physics. The success or failure of employing interactive simulation is influenced by teachers, school staff, students, simulation design, and technology used. The findings imply that educational institutions should provide teachers and administrators with tutorials and training, and this review recommend that the interactive simulation should be available and that a gadget-friendly simulation must be developed