HERITABILITY FOR RESISTANCE TO ROSETTE DISEASE IN EXOTIC VALENCIA GROUNDNUTS

Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most destructive virus disease of Valencia groundnuts ( Arachis hypogaea L.) in sub-Saharan Africa. Cultural, biological and chemical control measures have received limited success due to small scale farmers\u2019 inability to use them. Use of host plant resistance provides the most effective and economically viable management option for the resource poor farmers. This study was conducted to determine heritability for resistance to GRD in Valencia groundnuts. Six crosses; Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 96801(P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801 (P2), and NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), were made to generate F1, F2, BC1P1 and BC1P2 populations. Data on GRD severity were collected on a 1-9 score scale. Genetic Advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) and heritability were estimated using variance components. Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) estimates were high (20.04-70.1%) in the six crosses, except for Valencia C 7 ICGV-SM 96801(18.1%) and NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801(17.1%), which exhibited moderate GCV values. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates for GRD disease score ranged from 64.1 to 73.7% and 31 to 41.9%, respectively, in all the crosses. GAM was high in all the crosses (21-50.7%), except for Valencia C x ICGV-SM 96801 (14.67), M3 x ICGV-SM 99566 (18%) and NuMex-M3 x ICGV-SM 96801 (13.5%) crosses that exhibited moderate GAM. The study revealed the presence of variability of GRD resistance, implying that genetic improvement of these exotic materials is possible.La maladie de rosette chez l\u2019arachide ( Arachis hypogaea L.) est la plus destructive des maladies virales chez les vari\ue9t\ue9s Valencia en Afrique au sud du Sahara. Les moyens de lutte culturale, biologique et chimique pr\ue9sentent des limitations surtout li\ue9es \ue0 l\u2019inhabilit\ue9 des petits producteurs \ue0 les mettre en pratique. L\u2019utilisation de vari\ue9t\ue9s resistantes repr\ue9sente le moyen le plus efficace et \ue9conomiquement viable pour les petits producteurs. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 conduite afin de d\ue9terminer l\u2019h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 de la r\ue9sistance \ue0 la maladie de rosette chez les vari\ue9t\ue9s d\u2019arachide Valencia. Six croisements; Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 96801(P2), Valencia C (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801 (P2), et NuMex-M3 (P1) 7 ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9s afin de g\ue9n\ue9rer F1, F2, BC1P1 et BC1P2 populations. Des donn\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 collect\ue9es sur le degr\ue9 s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 de GRD en se servant d\u2019une \ue9chelle de 1-9. Les param\ue8tres d\u2019avanc\ue9e g\ue9n\ue9tique exprim\ue9e en pourcentage de la moyenne (GAM) et h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 ont \ue9t\ue9 estim\ue9s \ue0 partir de composantes de variance. Le coefficient de variation ph\ue9notypique (PCV) et g\ue9notypique (GCV) estim\ue9s \ue9taient \ue9lev\ue9s (20,04-70,1%) dans les six croisements, sauf pour Valencia C 7 ICGV-SM 96801(18,1%) et NuMex-M3 7 ICGV-SM 96801(17,1%), o\uf9 les valeurs de GCV \ue9taient mod\ue9r\ue9es. Les valeurs de l\u2019h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 au sens large et au sens strict pour la r\ue9sistance \ue0 GRD variaient respectivement de 64,1 \ue0 73,7% et de 31 \ue0 41,9%, au niveau de tous les croisements. Les valeurs de GAM \ue9taient \ue9lev\ue9es au niveau de tous les croisements (21-50,7%), sauf pour les croisements Valencia C x ICGV-SM 96801 (14,67), M3 x ICGV-SM 99566 (18%) et NuMex-M3 x ICGV-SM 96801 (13,5%) o\uf9 les valeurs de GAM \ue9taient mod\ue9r\ue9es. L\u2019\ue9tude a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 l\u2019existence dans la r\ue9sistance au GRD, ceci implique qu\u2019il est possible d\u2019entreprendre l\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique de ces mat\ue9riels

Reproductive health and lifestyle factors associated with health-related quality of life among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda

Background With increased survival of perinatally HIV - infected adolescents due to antiretroviral therapy (ART), the focus of HIV care has shifted to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as a measure of disease progression, effects of ART co-morbidity and prognosis. We assessed factors associated with better HRQoL in perinatally HIV -infected adolescents in Uganda by determining the associations between sexual and reproductive health (SRH) or lifestyle experiences on HRQoL. Methods In a cross-sectional study, data on SRH, lifestyle experiences, socio demographic factors, communication with parents on sexuality and satisfaction of SRH services in ART clinics were collected from 614 HIV perinatally infected adolescents aged 10–19 using an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire. HRQoL data were collected using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey instrument (MOS-HIV). Factors associated with better HRQoL were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results The mean age was 16.2 ± 2.1 years, 362 (58.8 %) were females and 210 (34.2 %) were sexually active. Adolescents on ART were twice likely to present with better physical health (AOR = 2.07, 95 % CI: 1.24–3.46) and four times more likely to present with better mental health (AOR = 3.9, 95 % CI: 2.22–6.92) than those who were not on ART. There were no statistically significant associations between SRH (ever had sex, ever been pregnant, condom use, contraceptive use) or life style factors and physical health or mental health. Those with secondary or tertiary education were more likely to present with a better mental health (AOR = 5.3, 95 % CI: 1.86–15.41) compared those who had attained primary or no education. Participants who desired to have a child in future more likely (AOR 1.7, 95 % CI: 1.05–3.00) to present with a better mental health. Lack of communication with guardians on sexuality (AOR = 0.6, 95 % CI: 0.40–0.89), or dissatisfaction with SRH services (AOR 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.18–0.62) were associated with poorer mental health. Conclusion Among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda, being on ART was associated with better physical and mental health while lack of communication with guardians on sexuality or dissatisfaction with SRH services was associated with poor mental health. Adolescents with pregnancy intentions were more likely to have a better mental health

Dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children with HIV-associated tuberculosis: a pharmacokinetic and safety study within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial

Background: Children with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) have few antiretroviral therapy (ART) options. We aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children receiving rifampicin for HIV-associated TB. Methods: We nested a two-period, fixed-order pharmacokinetic substudy within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial at research centres in South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Children (aged 4 weeks to <18 years) with HIV-associated TB who were receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were eligible for inclusion. We did a 12-h pharmacokinetic profile on rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir and a 24-h profile on once-daily dolutegravir. Geometric mean ratios for trough plasma concentration (Ctrough), area under the plasma concentration time curve from 0 h to 24 h after dosing (AUC0–24 h), and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were used to compare dolutegravir concentrations between substudy days. We assessed rifampicin Cmax on the first substudy day. All children within ODYSSEY with HIV-associated TB who received rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were included in the safety analysis. We described adverse events reported from starting twice-daily dolutegravir to 30 days after returning to once-daily dolutegravir. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02259127), EudraCT (2014–002632-14), and the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN91737921). Findings: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 28, 2021, 37 children with HIV-associated TB (median age 11·9 years [range 0·4–17·6], 19 [51%] were female and 18 [49%] were male, 36 [97%] in Africa and one [3%] in Thailand) received rifampicin with twice-daily dolutegravir and were included in the safety analysis. 20 (54%) of 37 children enrolled in the pharmacokinetic substudy, 14 of whom contributed at least one evaluable pharmacokinetic curve for dolutegravir, including 12 who had within-participant comparisons. Geometric mean ratios for rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir versus once-daily dolutegravir were 1·51 (90% CI 1·08–2·11) for Ctrough, 1·23 (0·99–1·53) for AUC0–24 h, and 0·94 (0·76–1·16) for Cmax. Individual dolutegravir Ctrough concentrations were higher than the 90% effective concentration (ie, 0·32 mg/L) in all children receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir. Of 18 children with evaluable rifampicin concentrations, 15 (83%) had a Cmax of less than the optimal target concentration of 8 mg/L. Rifampicin geometric mean Cmax was 5·1 mg/L (coefficient of variation 71%). During a median follow-up of 31 weeks (IQR 30–40), 15 grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred among 11 (30%) of 37 children, ten serious adverse events occurred among eight (22%) children, including two deaths (one tuberculosis-related death, one death due to traumatic injury); no adverse events, including deaths, were considered related to dolutegravir. Interpretation: Twice-daily dolutegravir was shown to be safe and sufficient to overcome the rifampicin enzyme-inducing effect in children, and could provide a practical ART option for children with HIV-associated TB

Neuropsychiatric manifestations and sleep disturbances with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy versus standard of care in children and adolescents: a secondary analysis of the ODYSSEY trial

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies in adults with HIV showed that dolutegravir was associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events and sleep problems, yet data are scarce in children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment versus alternative antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of ODYSSEY, an open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial, in which adolescents and children initiating first-line or second-line antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to dolutegravir-based treatment or standard-of-care treatment. We assessed neuropsychiatric adverse events (reported by clinicians) and responses to the mood and sleep questionnaires (reported by the participant or their carer) in both groups. We compared the proportions of patients with neuropsychiatric adverse events (neurological, psychiatric, and total), time to first neuropsychiatric adverse event, and participant-reported responses to questionnaires capturing issues with mood, suicidal thoughts, and sleep problems. FINDINGS: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 22, 2018, 707 participants were enrolled, of whom 345 (49%) were female and 362 (51%) were male, and 623 (88%) were Black-African. Of 707 participants, 350 (50%) were randomly assigned to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and 357 (50%) to non-dolutegravir-based standard-of-care. 311 (44%) of 707 participants started first-line antiretroviral therapy (ODYSSEY-A; 145 [92%] of 157 participants had efavirenz-based therapy in the standard-of-care group), and 396 (56%) of 707 started second-line therapy (ODYSSEY-B; 195 [98%] of 200 had protease inhibitor-based therapy in the standard-of-care group). During follow-up (median 142 weeks, IQR 124–159), 23 participants had 31 neuropsychiatric adverse events (15 in the dolutegravir group and eight in the standard-of-care group; difference in proportion of participants with ≥1 event p=0·13). 11 participants had one or more neurological events (six and five; p=0·74) and 14 participants had one or more psychiatric events (ten and four; p=0·097). Among 14 participants with psychiatric events, eight participants in the dolutegravir group and four in standard-of-care group had suicidal ideation or behaviour. More participants in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group reported symptoms of self-harm (eight vs one; p=0·025), life not worth living (17 vs five; p=0·0091), or suicidal thoughts (13 vs none; p=0·0006) at one or more follow-up visits. Most reports were transient. There were no differences by treatment group in low mood or feeling sad, problems concentrating, feeling worried or feeling angry or aggressive, sleep problems, or sleep quality. INTERPRETATION: The numbers of neuropsychiatric adverse events and reported neuropsychiatric symptoms were low. However, numerically more participants had psychiatric events and reported suicidality ideation in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group. These differences should be interpreted with caution in an open-label trial. Clinicians and policy makers should consider including suicidality screening of children or adolescents receiving dolutegravir

Nursing Partnership Activities, Components, and Outcomes: Health Volunteers Overseas in Uganda 2001–2016

Nurses increasingly form global health partnerships through academic and voluntary organizations that are designed to improve health outcomes. Many such partnerships are funded for specific time periods and have short- or long-term goals to achieve during the partnership. Other partnerships are sustained for longer periods of time through the efforts of partners committed to their joint work. The case example of the Health Volunteers Overseas Nursing Education partnership in Kampala, Uganda, demonstrates key components of partnerships that promote sustainability of programs. This case example is analyzed using literature that reports partnership models to identify those factors that have led to sustainability. Additionally, both objective and subjective program outcomes are reported. Recommendations for further evaluation are included

Characterizing thyroid disease and identifying barriers to care and treatment in Uganda

Thyroid disease in Uganda continues to be endemic, despite national salt iodinization. This study describes the local characteristics of thyroid disease and identifies potential barriers to surgical access. A prospective database was established for all patients with suspected thyroid disease who presented to the Endocrine Surgery Clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda in 2008. A cross-sectional study collected and analyzed for presentation, diagnostics and the surgical plan. A total of 89 patients were included, with an average age of 40 years, and 88% were women. The most common presentation was compressive symptoms (39%, n = 35), signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (30%, n = 27) and cosmetic concerns (16%, n = 14). Ultrasound, which is subsidized by the hospital, was performed in 85% of patients (n = 76). Thyroid function tests (TFTs), which are less subsidized, were done in 67% (n = 60). Of these, 27% (n = 16) were hyperthyroid and 7% (n = 4) were hypothyroid. Fine needle aspiration was done in 30% (n = 27) and were suspicious for malignancy in 27% of patients (n = 7). The most common diagnosis was multinodular goiter (n = 55) and tracheal compression or deviation and/or retrosternal extension was seen on imaging in 22 of 75 patients (29%). Thyroid disease in Uganda is more advanced, involves a different population than in Western countries and includes high rates of symptomatic multinodular goiter and cancer. Resource constraints limit the care of these clinically challenging conditions. Further evaluation of these potential barriers to surgical care needs to be conducted

Characterizing thyroid disease and identifying barriers to care and treatment in Uganda

Thyroid disease in Uganda continues to be endemic, despite national salt iodinization. This study describes the local characteristics of thyroid disease and identifies potential barriers to surgical access. A prospective database was established for all patients with suspected thyroid disease who presented to the Endocrine Surgery Clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda in 2008. A cross-sectional study collected and analyzed for presentation, diagnostics and the surgical plan. A total of 89 patients were included, with an average age of 40 years, and 88% were women. The most common presentation was compressive symptoms (39%, n = 35), signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (30%, n = 27) and cosmetic concerns (16%, n = 14). Ultrasound, which is subsidized by the hospital, was performed in 85% of patients (n = 76). Thyroid function tests (TFTs), which are less subsidized, were done in 67% (n = 60). Of these, 27% (n = 16) were hyperthyroid and 7% (n = 4) were hypothyroid. Fine needle aspiration was done in 30% (n = 27) and were suspicious for malignancy in 27% of patients (n = 7). The most common diagnosis was multinodular goiter (n = 55) and tracheal compression or deviation and/or retrosternal extension was seen on imaging in 22 of 75 patients (29%). Thyroid disease in Uganda is more advanced, involves a different population than in Western countries and includes high rates of symptomatic multinodular goiter and cancer. Resource constraints limit the care of these clinically challenging conditions. Further evaluation of these potential barriers to surgical care needs to be conducted

Crinum jagus (J. Thomps. Dandy): Antioxidant and protective properties as a medicinal plant on toluene-induced oxidative stress damages in liver and kidney of rats

Crinum jagus (C. jagus; J. Thomps.) Dandy (Liliaceae) is a pantropical plant known for its medicinal values and pharmacological properties. The study assessed the protective effects and changes in oxidative stress indices due to C. jagus leaf extracts on the toluene-induced liver and kidney injuries in rats. The study was conducted on 8-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 80), weighing 243.3 ± 1.42 g. Group I, 1 ml/kg distilled water for 7 days; Group II, 4.5 ml/kg toluene once, 1 ml/kg distilled water for 7 days; Group III, 4.5 ml/kg toluene once, 500 mg/kg methanolic extract for 7 days; Group IV, 4.5 ml/kg toluene once, 500 mg/kg aqueous extract for 7 days; Group V, 500 mg/kg methanolic extract for 7 days; Group VI, 500 mg/kg aqueous extract for 7 days; Group VII, 500 mg/kg of vitamin C for 7 days; Group, VIII, 4.5 ml/kg toluene once, 500 mg/kg vitamin C for 7 days, all administrations were given by oral gavage. The phytochemical contents, absolute and relative organ weights of liver and kidneys, liver and kidney function tests, antioxidant status, as well as histological tests were analyzed using standard protocols. The tannins, flavonoids, and polyphenols were in highest concentration in both extracts, content in methanol extract (57.04 ± 1.51 mgg−1, 35.43 ± 1.03 mgg−1, 28.2 ± 0.34 mgg−1 respectively) > aqueous extract (18.74 ± 1.01 mgg−1, 13.43 ± 0.47 mgg−1, 19.65 ± 0.21 mgg−1 respectively). In the negative control group (II), bodyweights significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by 22%, liver weight and kidney weight significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 42% and 83% respectively, liver-to-bodyweight and kidney-to-bodyweight ratios increased significantly (P < 0.05); serum liver function tests (LFTs) i.e., bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and serum kidney function tests (creatinine and urea) were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated; oxidant status (tissue malondialdehyde; MDA) was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated, antioxidant status i.e., tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced; with markedly visible renal and hepatic histopathological findings, compared to the normal control group. In C. jagus extract test groups (III and IV), the parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated and reversed to normal/near normal compared to the negative control. The LFTs, kidney function tests, and antioxidant status were significantly (P < 0.05) more improved with the methanol extract test and standard control groups compared to the aqueous extract test group; Also, the methanol extract test group showed better histological features than the aqueous extract test and standard control groups. The methanolic extract shows better antioxidant potential due to the availability of more nonenzymatic antioxidants (tannins, flavonoids, and polyphenols). The findings showed that toluene is a very aggressive xenobiotic due to the promotion of oxidative stress and peroxidation of cellular lipids, but C. jagus leaves provide significant protection through the reducing power of nonenzymatic antioxidants and their ability to induce endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and glutathione reductase or GR) causing reduced cellular lipid peroxidation and tissue damages, quickened tissue repair, and improved cell biology of liver and kidneys during toluene toxicity. The methanol leaf extract provides better protection and should be advanced for more experimental and clinical studies to confirm its efficacy in alleviating oxidative stress tissue injuries, specifically due to toluene

Tycoons and contraband: informal cross-border trade in West Nile, north-western Uganda

This article presents ethnographic evidence on the activities of the "tycoons'' - large-scale cross-border contraband traders in north-western Uganda. It shows how engagement with state officials, but also integration in the broader community are two crucial aspects which explain the functioning of informal cross-border trade or "smuggling'' in north-western Uganda. In doing so, it shows how, although there is a high degree of interaction between the "formal'' and the "informal'', the informal economy still has a distinct regulatory authority rather than simply merging in the state regulatory framework. Secondly, the regulatory authority governing this trade has a distinct plural character: rather than being either a "weapon of the weak'' for marginalised sections of the population or a "weapon of the strong'' for political elites, it has a much more ambiguous character, which influences the behaviour of the tycoons: both of these interactions limit the maneuvering space of these traders