Nabugabo Lakes: A reserve for unique macrophytes

Nabugabo lakes, a complex of wetland systems, are a part of a much bigger ecological system including Sango bay wetlands, Dimo forests and swamps through the Nabugabo area to Nakiga Bay and swamps within the Lake Victoria basin. Because of the unique ecological setting of the Nabugabo lakes (Nabugabo itself, and three smaller lakes) a survey of aquatic macrophytes was undertaken between October 1999 and January 2000. The lakeshore macrophytes were identified from a boat cruising along the shore and transects were established to identify the macrophytes that were far from the lake shore towards the terrestrial areas

Evidence for conservation in antigen gene sequences combined with extensive polymorphism at VNTR loci

Theileria parva is a tick‐transmitted apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects lymphocytes of cattle and African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), causing a frequently fatal disease of cattle in eastern, central and southern Africa. A live vaccination procedure, known as infection and treatment method (ITM), the most frequently used version of which comprises the Muguga, Serengeti‐transformed and Kiambu 5 stocks of T. parva, delivered as a trivalent cocktail, is generally effective. However, it does not always induce 100% protection against heterologous parasite challenge. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of T. parva in target cattle populations is therefore important prior to extensive vaccine deployment. This study investigated the extent of genetic diversity within T. parva field isolates derived from Ankole (Bos taurus) cattle in south‐western Uganda using 14 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) satellite loci and the sequences of two antigen‐encoding genes that are targets of CD8+T‐cell responses induced by ITM, designated Tp1 and Tp2. The findings revealed a T. parva prevalence of 51% confirming endemicity of the parasite in south‐western Uganda. Cattle‐derived T. parva VNTR genotypes revealed a high degree of polymorphism. However, all of the T. parva Tp1 and Tp2 alleles identified in this study have been reported previously, indicating that they are widespread geographically in East Africa and highly conserved

Depressive symptoms, sexual activity, and substance use among adolescents in Kampala, Uganda

Background: Adolescents experience high rates of depression, initiation of sexual activity, and substance use.Objectives: To better understand the demographics of adolescents presenting to an adolescent clinic in Uganda, and to elucidate which factors are associated with depressive symptoms, sexual initiation, and substance use.Methods: A retrospective review was performed on intake forms obtained during interviews with adolescents presenting to the Makerere/Mulago Columbia Adolescent Health Clinic (MMCAH) in Kampala, Uganda.Results: Depressive symptoms in adolescents were correlated with having a chronic illness (p=.026), and reported poor quality of home life (p<.001). Initiation of sexual activity was also correlated with chronic illness (p=.008) and poor quality of home life (p=.006). Substance use was correlated with maternal death (p=.041), chronic illness (p=.038), and substance use among family members (p<.001) and friends (p<.001).Conclusions: Knowing the aforementioned risk factors can help us better understand the needs of adolescents presenting toMMCAH, and allows us to develop targeted interventions aimed at decreasing health risks in Kampala’s adolescent population.Keywords: Depressive symptoms, sexual activity, substance use, adolescents, Uganda

Alpha thalassemia among sickle cell anaemia patients in Kampala, Uganda

Background: Sickle cell anaemia is prevalent in sub Saharan Africa. While \u3b1+-thalassaemia is known to modulate sickle cell anaemia, its magnitude and significance in Uganda have hitherto not been described. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of \u3b1+thalassaemia among sickle cell anaemia patients in Mulago Hospital and to describe the clinical and laboratory findings in these patients. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on patients with sickle cell anaemia in Kampala. Dried blood spots were used to analyze for the deletional \u3b1+ thalassaemia using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 142 patients with sickle cell anaemia, 110 (77.5%) had the \u3b1+thalassaemia deletion. The gene frequency of (-\u3b1) was 0.425. Ninety one percent (100/110) of those with \u3b1+thalassaemia were heterozygous (\u3b1/\u3b1-). Amongst the patients older than 60 months, 15 (83.3%) of those without \u3b1+thalassaemia had significant hepatomegaly of greater than 4 cm compared to 36 (45.6%) of those with \u3b1+thalassaemia (p=0.003). Conclusion: The gene frequency of (-\u3b1) of 0.425 noted in this study is higher than that reported from many places in Africa. Concurrent alpha thalassemia might be a protective trait against significant hepatomegaly in sickle cell anaemia patients more than 60 months of age at Mulago hospital. Keywords: Alpha thalassemia; sickle cell anaemia patient; Kampala; Ugand

Integrating constructive feedback in personalised e-learning

When using e-learning material some students progress readily, others have difficulties. In a traditional classroom the teacher would identify those with difficulties and direct them to additional resources. This support is not easily available within e-learning. A new approach to providing constructive feedback is developed that will enable an e-learning system to identify areas of weakness and provide guidance on further study. The approach is based on the tagging of learning material with appropriate keywords that indicate the contents. Thus if a student performs poorly on an assessment on topic X, there is a need to suggest further study of X and participation in activities related to X such as forums. As well as supporting the learner this type of constructive feedback can also inform other stakeholders. For example a tutor can monitor the progress of a cohort; an instructional designer can monitor the quality of learning objects in facilitating the appropriate knowledge across many learners

Taenia solium cysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa: an emerging problem in agriculture and public health

Pig production has increased tremendously in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), particularly in smallholder rural communities. The increase in pig production has mainly been due to land scarcity, increase in pork consumption in many areas including urban centers, and the recognition by many communities of the fast and greater return of the pig industry, compared with other domesticated livestock industries. Concurrent with the increase in smallholder pig keeping and pork consumption, there have been increasing reports of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs and humans in the ESA region, although the problems are under-recognized by all levels in many ESA countries. Having recognizing this, scientists researching T. solium in ESA formed a regional cysticercosis working group (CWGESA) to increase awareness of the problem and enable effective and sustainable control of T. solium. This article summarizes the status of T. solium infections in humans and pigs in the ESA countries and highlights the formation and progress of the CWGESA

Health Related Quality of Life of Ugandan Children Following Valve Replacement Surgery for Rheumatic Heart Disease

Background: Valve replacement surgery (VRS) improves clinical outcomes in patients with severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD). However, lifelong anticoagulation and frequent monitoring are required, which potentially impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study, we assessed the HRQoL of people with RHD in Uganda following VRS. Methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted between March and August 2021. Eligible participants were individuals who had VRS before the age of 18 years. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory–Cardiac Module (PedsQL-Cardiac module) was used to evaluate HRQoL. A total mean score of ≥ 80% was considered as optimal HRQoL. Results: Of the 83 eligible participants, 52 (60.5%) were female, with a median age of 18 (interquartile range: 14–22) years. Most participants had NYHA I functional status (n = 79, 92%). Most (n = 73, 92.4%) surgeries were performed outside of Uganda, and 61 (72.6%) were single mechanical valve replacement. Almost half (n = 45, 54%) expressed no concern about being on life-long warfarin therapy. However, 24 (29.3%) feared bleeding. The optimal mean score of cardiac-specific HRQoL was achieved in 50 (60.2%) of participants. Factors associated with optimal HRQoL were body mass index (BMI) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.2, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.1–1.3, p = 0.006), being afraid of bleeding or bruising (aOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.21–2.47, p = 0.004), acceptance of having an artificial valve (aOR: 2.7, 95% CI; 1.64–3.81, p < 0.001). Conclusion: HRQoL was optimal in about three in five participants following VRS. Increasing BMI and acceptance of artificial valve were significantly associated with optimal HRQoL

Randomised controlled trial of oxygen therapy and high-flow nasal therapy in African children with pneumonia

Purpose: The life-saving role of oxygen therapy in African children with severe pneumonia is not yet established. / Methods: The open-label fractional-factorial COAST trial randomised eligible Ugandan and Kenyan children aged > 28 days with severe pneumonia and severe hypoxaemia stratum (SpO2  3 h receipt of oxygen were excluded. The primary endpoint was 48 h mortality; secondary endpoints included mortality or neurocognitive sequelae at 28 days. / Results: The trial was stopped early after enrolling 1852/4200 children, including 388 in the severe hypoxaemia stratum (median 7 months; median SpO2 75%) randomised to HFNT (n = 194) or LFO (n = 194) and 1454 in the hypoxaemia stratum (median 9 months; median SpO2 88%) randomised to HFNT (n = 363) vs LFO (n = 364) vs permissive hypoxaemia (n = 727). Per-protocol 15% of patients in the permissive hypoxaemia group received oxygen (when SpO2 < 80%). In the severe hypoxaemia stratum, 48-h mortality was 9.3% for HFNT vs. 13.4% for LFO groups. In the hypoxaemia stratum, 48-h mortality was 1.1% for HFNT vs. 2.5% LFO and 1.4% for permissive hypoxaemia. In the hypoxaemia stratum, adjusted odds ratio for 48-h mortality in liberal vs permissive comparison was 1.16 (0.49–2.74; p = 0.73); HFNT vs LFO comparison was 0.60 (0.33–1.06; p = 0.08). Strata-specific 28 day mortality rates were, respectively: 18.6, 23.4 and 3.3, 4.1, 3.9%. Neurocognitive sequelae were rare. / Conclusions: Respiratory support with HFNT showing potential benefit should prompt further trials

The triplet excited state of the biocative compound thiabendazole. Characterization and suitability as reporter for cyclodextrin complexation

Fluorescence spectroscopy, laser flash photolysis (LPF), and density functional theory calculations have been performed to characterize the photobehavior of thiabendazole (1). Direct LFP of 1 results in the generation of a transient absorbing at λmax = 570 nm identified as the triplet excited state (31∗). The intersystem crossing quantum yield is 0.91, and the triplet energy is 288 kJ mol−1. The singlet–triplet energy gap is 84 kJ mol−1. The behavior of thiabendazole within CDs results in a marked enhancement of the triplet lifetime, this change is attributed to the mobility restrictions of included 1 imposed by the cyclodextrin cavities.Financial support from the MICINN (Grants: CTQ2009-11027/BQU, CTQ2010-19909 and pre-doctoral fellowship to P.B.) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo Program) is gratefully acknowledged.Bartovsky, P.; Domingo, LR.; Jornet Olivé, MD.; Miranda Alonso, MÁ.; Tormos Faus, RE. (2012). The triplet excited state of the biocative compound thiabendazole. Characterization and suitability as reporter for cyclodextrin complexation. Chemical Physics Letters. 525-526:166-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2012.01.001S166170525-52