The impact of control of diarrhoeal diseases at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe

No Abstrac

Effects of cannabinoids on IL-1alpha-induced bovine chrondrocyte metabolism and cartilage resorption.

Cannabinoids reported to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects were also shown to reduce joint damage in animal models of arthritis, suggesting that they have a potential as anti-arthritic agents. Therefore in this thesis, the effects of cannabinoids were studied to determine the mechanisms involved in their joint protective effects by making use of IL-1alpha-induced bovine articular chondrocytes and nasal cartilage explants. IL-1alpha induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX) pathways and effects of cannabinoids on these was studied using immunofluorescence, immunoblotting as well as ELISAs. Effects of cannabinoids on IL-1-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) as well as p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by immunofluorescence and fast activated cell-based ELISA (FACE). Cartilage explant cultures were stimulated with IL-1alpha to resorb and effects of cannabinoids on the release of collagen (using hydroxyproline assay), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) (using an ELISA) and proteoglycan (using dimethylmethylene blue assay) were studied as well. Expression of cannabinoid receptors in chondrocytes was also determined by immublotting and immunofluorescence. Cannabinoids inhibited IL-1alpha-induced iNOS, COX-2 expression, NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK activation in chondrocytes. They also protected the explants from resorption stimulated by IL-1. Chondrocytes were also shown for the first time to express cannabinoid receptors. The results suggested that cannabinoids protected cartilage from cytokine-induced degradation, in part, by inhibiting NO and PGE2 production and their pathways. These effects were possibly receptor mediated. Cannabinoids appear to have a significant potential as anti-arthritic therapeutics

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in Central Africans

A CAJM article on leukaemia.Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a haematological malignancy characterized by monoclonal proliferation and accumulation of mature looking small lymphocytes particularly in the marrow, blood, lymph nodes and spleen.1-3 In 90 to 95% of cases, the cells are monoclonal B lymphocytes.3 Although in Europe and America CLL of B-cell origin is the commonest type of leukaemia, it is extremely rare before the age of 50 years, after which its incidence increases progressively with age. The male to female (M:F) ratio is 2:l.2,3 In contradistinction to these findings, CLL is rare throughout Southern, South Eastern and Eastern Asia as well as in Asians who;, migrated to North: America and Europe. This suggests genetic determinants as they usually suffer from the CLL of T-cell origin

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor regulates susceptibility to osteoarthritis in mice

SummaryObjectiveCannabinoid receptors and their ligands have been implicated in the regulation of various physiological processes but their role in osteoarthritis has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (Cnr2) in regulating susceptibility to osteoarthritis in mice.MethodsWe analysed the severity of knee osteoarthritis as assessed by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system in mice with targeted deletion of Cnr2 (Cnr2−/−) and wild type (WT) littermates. Studies were conducted in mice subjected to surgical destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM) and in those with spontaneous age-related osteoarthritis (OA).ResultsOsteoarthritis was more severe following DMM in the medial compartment of the knee in Cnr2−/− compared with WT mice (mean ± sem score = 4.9 ± 0.5 vs 3.6 ± 0.3; P = 0.017). Treatment of WT mice with the CB2-selective agonist HU308 following DMM reduced the severity of OA in the whole joint (HU308 = 8.4 ± 0.2 vs vehicle = 10.4 ± 0.6; P = 0.007). Spontaneous age related osteoarthritis was also more severe in the medial compartment of the knee in 12-month old Cnr2−/− mice compared with WT (5.6 ± 0.5 vs 3.5 ± 0.3, P = 0.008). Cultured articular chondrocytes from Cnr2−/− mice produced less proteoglycans in vitro than wild type chondrocytes.ConclusionThese studies demonstrate that the Cnr2 pathway plays a role in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis in mice and shows that pharmacological activation of CB2 has a protective effect. Further studies of the role of cannabinoid receptors in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in man are warranted

E-business adoption in supply chain as a source of competitive advantage: a case of WFP Malawi.

E-business has transformed many organizations on how business is conducted by streamlining processes, reducing time in operations, accessing global markets, fast sharing of information within and outside the organizations and increasing efficiency and transparency. E-business further, has the capability to improve access to information and transparency and accountability (Ndou, 2004). Many organizations have not fully exploited the use of e-business technologies, hence this research. The research looked at the enablers, benefits, challenges and the role of government in e-business adoption using available literature and applying it on WFP Malawi case analysis. The research utilized epistemological paradigm and data was collected using primary and secondary data sources such as questionnaires and in-depth interviews and journals, reports and books. Fifteen questionnaires were sent to participants for the study but only 12 were received and analysed. The study reveals the available of several technologies in WFP Malawi supply chain which need to be evaluated and standardized, while at the same time there is need for leadership role in enhancing e-business adoption. The researcher recommends participatory leadership, standardization of technologies in procurement for both non-food and food items procurement and training of staff in using various supply chain software. Small traders and FOs must also be considered to get relevant software to trade efficiently with the agency. These findings have an implication on WFP Malawi to achieve competitive advantage. Efficient procurement, logistics and distribution of food commodities to the vulnerable communities will be achieved once the recommendations above have been taken on board

Effects of cannabinoids on IL-α-induced bovine chondrocyte metabolism and cartilage resorption

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

E-business adoption in supply chain as a source of competitive advantage: a case of WFP Malawi.

E-business has transformed many organizations on how business is conducted by streamlining processes, reducing time in operations, accessing global markets, fast sharing of information within and outside the organizations and increasing efficiency and transparency. E-business further, has the capability to improve access to information and transparency and accountability (Ndou, 2004). Many organizations have not fully exploited the use of e-business technologies, hence this research. The research looked at the enablers, benefits, challenges and the role of government in e-business adoption using available literature and applying it on WFP Malawi case analysis. The research utilized epistemological paradigm and data was collected using primary and secondary data sources such as questionnaires and in-depth interviews and journals, reports and books. Fifteen questionnaires were sent to participants for the study but only 12 were received and analysed. The study reveals the available of several technologies in WFP Malawi supply chain which need to be evaluated and standardized, while at the same time there is need for leadership role in enhancing e-business adoption. The researcher recommends participatory leadership, standardization of technologies in procurement for both non-food and food items procurement and training of staff in using various supply chain software. Small traders and FOs must also be considered to get relevant software to trade efficiently with the agency. These findings have an implication on WFP Malawi to achieve competitive advantage. Efficient procurement, logistics and distribution of food commodities to the vulnerable communities will be achieved once the recommendations above have been taken on board

Breeding approach and progress made in the SADC/CIAT Bean Program in Malawi

The SADC/CIAT bean program to serve the more southern latitudes started in 1991 in Malawi with the arrival of a bean breeder. A large number of germplasm lines introduced from CIAT, Colombia and from the national programs in the region were evaluated at Bunda and Dedza for disease resistance, general adaptation and yield. A wide variation in yield and resistance to diseases was observed. Promising lines have been selected for inclusion in a zonal nursery to be sent to participating national programs in the 1992-93 crop season. A program to screen germplasm for tolerance to Al toxicity was initiated at the Lunyangwa research station in Malawi. Aluminium toxicity was modified in field trials by adjusting soil pH with lime. A contrasting response to varying levels of acidity was observed. Crosses have been initiated to improve the locally adapted varieties for resistance to diseases, high yield and tolerance to Al toxicity. Several regional activities were undertaken that included a zonal yield trial distributed to seven countries, a breeders` travelling workshop, and visits to several countries in the region to interact with other national program