Improving Quality of Water from Murchison Bay using Clay from Chelel, Kapchorwa District, Ugandao

Pollution resulting from increased human activities is threatening Lake Victoria, its effects are characterized by eutrophication, high turbidity, pH, iron(II) concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this study we have investigated the effect of Fe-montmorillonite clay from Chelel on turbidity, pH, concentration of iron, total suspended soils, total nutrients and COD of water sampled from Murchison bay watershed of Nakivubo channel south of Kampala. Varying amounts of clay powder was vigorously stirred with water samples for 5 minutes, filtered using Whitman paper at ambient temperatures. The optimum concentration of clay of 0.4gl-1 was found to produce 73.5+ 2% fall in COD indicating elimination of microbes and organic waste. The pH of water became 6.3+ 0.2 showing that impurities had been bound to clay. The turbidity of filtrate dropped to 15.7+ 0.3NTUshowing that clarity of water was improved by adsorption of suspended solids to clay minerals. The concentration of iron(II) fell from 3.7 + 0.3 to 2.5+ 0.2mgl-1 indicating fairly high extent of heavy metal removal from Murchison bay (MB) waters. The TSS and nutrients in MB water   also decreased greatly when clay was stirred with water at ambient temperatures. The available data can be relied on to recommend use of this clay in treatment of waste water and/or sewage from Kampala. Further studies on combined use of clays with alums, zeolites and/or lime need to be carried out.&nbsp

How variations in concentrations of metal ions and suspended solids downstream river Rwabakazi in Uganda can be used to study pollution

Pollution is affecting river Rwabakazi in the Nile basin. Its effects are reflected by high turbidity, pH, total suspended solids, (T.S.S.), electrical conductivity, metal ions concentrations, and low concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO5). In this study, we report the variations in selected physicochemical parameters of waters of the Rwabakazi river.  Turbidity, pH, concentrations of selected metal ions, T.S.S., and DO5 of water sampled from three selected sites on the river in Kabale were very high. Mean DO5 fell from 96 ± 2 mg/L to 86± 1.5 mg/L downstream. The mean pH fell from 7.8 ± 0.03 to 7.6 ± 0.04, showing the removal of basic components. The turbidity dropped from370 ± 3 NTU to 305 ± 2 NTU, showing that the haziness of water decreased. The concentration of iron(II) fell from 320 ± 0.3 mg/L to 291 ± 0.2 mgL-1 indicating the fair extent of heavy metal ions downstream. The T.S.S. decreased from 330 ± 5 mg/L to 300± 5 mg/L, and concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions also decreased, providing evidence for self-purification. The available data suggests that river Rwabakazi is polluted as a result of poor agricultural practices, erosion, and flash flooding.  Further studies on nutrient and pesticide pollution of this river need to be carried out, and trees should be planted on steep open surfaces to minimize erosion.

The long-term effects of a family based economic empowerment intervention (Suubi+Adherence) on suppression of HIV viral loads among adolescents living with HIV in southern Uganda: Findings from 5-year cluster randomized trial

BACKGROUND: The rapid scale-up of HIV therapy across Africa has failed to adequately engage adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV). Retention and viral suppression for this group (ALWHIV) is 50% lower than for adults. Indeed, on the African continent, HIV remains the single leading cause of mortality among adolescents. Strategies tailored to the unqiue developmental and social vulnerabilities of this group are urgently needed to enhance successful treatment. METHODS: We carried out a five-year longitudinal cluster randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01790373) with adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) ages 10 to 16 years clustered at health care clinics to test the effect of a family economic empowerment (EE) intervention on viral suppression in five districuts in Uganda. In total, 39 accredited health care clinics from study districts with existing procedures tailored to adolescent adherence were eligible to participate in the trial. We used data from 288 youth with detectable HIV viral loads (VL) at baseline (158 -intervention group from 20 clinics, 130 -non-intervention group from 19 clinics). The primary end point was undetectable plasma HIV RNA levels, defined as \u3c 40 copies/ml. We used Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate intervention effects. FINDINGS: The Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis indicated that an incidence of undetectable VL (0.254) was significantly higher in the intervention condition compared to 0.173 (in non-intervention arm) translated into incidence rate ratio of 1.468 (CI: 1.064-2.038), p = 0.008. Cox regression results showed that along with the family-based EE intervention (adj. HR = 1.446, CI: 1.073-1.949, p = 0.015), higher number of medications per day had significant positive effects on the viral suppression (adj.HR = 1.852, CI: 1.275-2.690, p = 0.001). INTERPRETATION: A family economic empowerment intervention improved treatment success for ALWHIV in Uganda. Analyses of cost effectiveness and scalability are needed to advance incorporation of this intervention into routine practice in low and middle-income countries

KINET: A social marketing programme of treated nets and net treatment for malaria control in Tanzania, with evaluation of child health and long-term survival

We present a large-scale social marketing programme of insecticide-treated nets in 2 rural districts in south-western Tanzania (population 350 000) and describe how the long-term child health and survival impact will be assessed. Formative and market research were conducted in order to understand community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes and practice with respect to the products to be socially marketed. We identified Zuia Mbu (Kiswahili for ‘prevent mosquitoes') as a suitable brand name for both treated nets and single-dose insecticide treatment sachets. A mix of public and private sales outlets is used for distribution. In the first stage of a stepped introduction 31 net agents were appointed and trained in 18 villages: 15 were shop owners, 14 were village leaders, 1 was a parish priest and 1 a health worker. For net treatment 37 young people were appointed in the same villages and trained as agents. Further institutions in both districts such as hospitals, development projects and employers were also involved in distribution. Promotion for both products was intense and used a variety of channels. A total of 22 410 nets and 8072 treatments were sold during the first year: 18 months after launching, 46% of 312 families with children aged under 5 years reported that their children were sleeping under treated nets. A strong evaluation component in over 50 000 people allows assessment of the long-term effects of insecticide-treated nets on child health and survival, anaemia in pregnancy, and the costs of the intervention. This evaluation is based on cross-sectional surveys, and case-control and cohort studie

Structural Controls on Crustal Fluid Circulation and Hot Spring Geochemistry Above a Flat‐Slab Subduction Zone, Peru

Hot spring geochemistry from the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru, reveal the influence of crustal‐scale structures on geothermal fluid circulation in an amagmatic region located above a flat‐slab subduction zone. To test the influence of contrasting modes of faulting in these regions, springs were targeted along the Cordillera Blanca detachment fault, within its hanging wall, in the footwall of the detachment, and in the Cordillera Huayhuash. Hot springs along the Cordillera Blanca detachment fault zone are associated with recent extension and normal faulting, and those in its footwall and the Cordillera Huayhuash are located in the Marañon fold and thrust belt where compressional structures dominate. Springs along and in the hanging wall of the Cordillera Blanca detachment fault yield brackish‐saline, alkaline‐chloride waters, with oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and chlorine stable isotope values that suggest mixing between meteoric groundwater and saline brine affected by high water‐rock interaction. Geothermometry reservoir temperature estimates (RTEs) of 91–226°C indicate maximum flow path depths of 8.7 or 11 km, depending on geothermal gradient, associated with the Cordillera Blanca detachment fault. In contrast, springs in the footwall and in the Cordillera Huayhuash exhibit a wide range of water types with an isotopic affinity to meteoric water, suggesting a greater influence from shallow groundwater and less water‐rock interaction. For these springs, RTEs of 40–98°C correspond to much shallower circulation (1.6–4 km). Results indicate that the Cordillera Blanca detachment system accommodates significantly deeper circulation of crustal fluids compared to other regional compressional structures

Hf- and O-isotope data from detrital and granitoid zircons reveal characteristics of the Permian–Triassic magmatic belt along the Antarctic sector of Gondwana

Permian–Triassic strata in the Transantarctic Mountains and West Antarctica carry a significant detrital component derived from a contemporaneous magmatic belt along the Gondwana margin. Hf- and O-isotope characteristics were determined for near-contemporaneous (as shown by U-Pb zircon geochronology) detrital igneous zircons in Upper Permian and Triassic sandstones. Zircons from six granitoids in the contemporaneous magmatic belt were also analyzed for Hf and O isotopes in order to gain insight into the potential detrital zircon sources. Although the ages of these granitoids only loosely correspond with the depositional ages of the sandstones, the initial εHf and δ18O isotope compositions for these igneous zircon grains, in general, overlap those recorded for the detrital igneous zircon grains. Results demonstrate a range of εHf and δ18O values. Features of particular interest are the very low δ18O values in two of the granitoids, and similar low values also recorded in the detrital igneous zircons in two sandstones. The distribution of Permian–Triassic granitoids must be much greater than is apparent from the existing outcrops in the extensively ice-covered region. The Permian and one of the Triassic granitoids have Hf-isotope characteristics similar to the Cretaceous granites and Devonian–Carboniferous plutons of West Antarctica, whereas the other Triassic granite differs from both. Importantly, the zircon isotopic data from the Permian–Triassic rocks suggest that an Hf-defined Upper Mesoproterozoic lithosphere underlies much of the magmatic belt

A pH sensor based on electric properties of nanotubes on a glass substrate

We fabricated a pH-sensitive device on a glass substrate based on properties of carbon nanotubes. Nanotubes were immobilized specifically on chemically modified areas on a substrate followed by deposition of metallic source and drain electrodes on the area. Some nanotubes connected the source and drain electrodes. A top gate electrode was fabricated on an insulating layer of silane coupling agent on the nanotube. The device showed properties of ann-type field effect transistor when a potential was applied to the nanotube from the top gate electrode. Before fabrication of the insulating layer, the device showed that thep-type field effect transistor and the current through the source and drain electrodes depend on the buffer pH. The current increases with decreasing pH of the CNT solution. This device, which can detect pH, is applicable for use as a biosensor through modification of the CNT surface

Fruit set and plant regeneration in cassava following interspecific pollination with castor bean

The increasing demand for cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) for food and non-food uses in the tropics necessitates that its breeding for increased root productivity be made faster. The characteristic long breeding cycle and heterozygous nature of this crop, pose a major obstacle to its rapid genetic improvement. This study aimed at inter-pollinating cassava with castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), with a purpose of inducing and regenerating cassava doubled haploids (DHs). A total of 3,349 flowers from twelve elite cassava varieties were inter-pollinated with caster bean. A total of 803 fruits were harvested for early embryo rescue and/or ovule culture. Of these, three were dissected to obtain seven unique embryos, while 800 were dissected to obtain 1312 young ovules, all of which were cultured in vitro. Overall, 82 (6.25%) of the cultured ovules formed callus that originated from the embryosac region, which is haploid. Four out of seven rescued embryos (57.1%) regenerated into plantlets. Ploidy analyses of 24 samples using flow cytometry revealed that 23 of the analysed samples were diploid. However, one callus sample was anueploid. Only one sample had an exceptionally high level of homozygosity ( 84.2%). These findings lay a foundation for future research aimed at induction of haploids in cassava.La demande croissante de manioc (\ua0 Manihot esculenta \ua0Crantz\ua0) \ue0 usage alimentaire et non alimentaire dans les tropiques\ua0n\ue9cessite que sa reproduction pour une productivit\ue9 accrue des racines soit faite plus rapidement.\ua0Le long cycle de reproduction et le caract\ue8re h\ue9t\ue9rozygote de cette plante constituent un obstacle majeur dans la rapidit\ue9 de son am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique.\ua0Cette \ue9tude visait \ue0 inter-polliniser le manioc avec le haricot (\ua0 Ricinus communis \ua0), dans le but d\u2019induire et de r\ue9g\ue9n\ue9rer le manioc d\u2019haplo\uefdes doubl\ue9 (HD).\ua0Un total de 3 349 fleurs de douze \ue9lites vari\ue9t\ue9s de manioc ont \ue9t\ue9 inter-pollinis\ue9es avec le haricot.\ua0Un total de 803 fruits ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9colt\ue9s pour les embryons pr\ue9matur\ue9s qui etaient sauves et\ua0/ ou la\ua0culture d\u2019ovules\ua0.\ua0Parmi ceux-ci,\ua0trois ont \ue9t\ue9 diss\ue9qu\ue9s pour obtenir sept embryons uniques\ua0,\ua0tandis que 800 ont \ue9t\ue9 diss\ue9qu\ue9s pour obtenir 1312 jeunes ovules, qui ont tous \ue9t\ue9 cultiv\ue9s\ua0in vitro\ua0.\ua0Un total de 82 (6,25%) des ovules en culture ont form\ue9 des cals provenant de la\ua0r\ue9gion\ua0embryonnaire\ua0, qui est haplo\uefde. Quatre parmi sept embryons sauv\ue9s (57,1%) se sont r\ue9g\ue9n\ue9r\ue9s en plantules.\ua0Les analyses de plo\uefdie de 24 \ue9chantillons par cytom\ue9trie en flux ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que 23 des \ue9chantillons analys\ue9s \ue9taient diplo\uefdes.Cependant, un \ue9chantillon de cals \ue9tait anueplo\uefde.\ua0Un seul \ue9chantillon pr\ue9sentait un niveau d\u2019homozygotie exceptionnellement \ue9lev\ue9\ua0(84,2\ua0%).\ua0Ces r\ue9sultats sont les bases des recherches dans le futur sur la cause des haplo\uefdes dans le manioc

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for Quarter 4: October – December 2017

The monitoring of water quality and biotic communities at Source of the Nile (SON) fish farm area, for quarter 4 (October – December) was undertaken in December 2017. The activity aimed at assessing possible changes in the water environment at SON cage area. The following parameters were assessed: water physico-chemicals and nutrients, algae, zooplankton, benthic macro invertebrates, and fish communities. Total depth was above 5.0 m (range: 5.63 – 9.74 m) at all sampled points and decreased towards the downstream of cages. Water transparency ranged from 1.26 – 1.48 in the cage area and 1.08 to 1.34 m away from the cages. Within the cage area, Dissolved Oxygen ranged from 5.7 – 6.4 mg/L at the surface, and 5.1 – 6.4 mg/L at the bottom, while in the non-cage areas, the range was 5.5 – 7.5 mg/L at the surface and 2.6 – 7.0 mg/L at the bottom. Temperature ranged from 27.0 – 28.0 o C at the surface and 25.5 – 27.5 o C at the bottom waters for all sites, and were within the optimal range (25 – 32 o C). pH in both surface and bottom waters was above 7.0 (range: 7.5 – 9.2) at all sites. Conductivity within cage area ranged from 100.5 – 102.6 μScm-1 in surface water and 101.8 – 112.1 μScm-1 in bottom water. In the non-cage areas conductivity ranged from 11.0 – 104.4 μScm-1 in surface water and 100.2 – 110.0 μScm-1 at the bottom. Ammonium nitrogen concentration during December was less than 0.02 mg/L at all sites (0.007 – 0.018 mg/L within the cage sites, and 0.012 – 0.019 mg/L in the non-cage sites). Nitrite nitrogen ranged from 0.002 – 0.169 mg/L in the cage area, and 0.003 – 0.057 mg/L in the non-cage areas. Similar to previous records of June and September 2017, nitrate nitrogen concentration generally increased towards the downstream site, being lowest at RPT (0.041 mg/L) and highest at DSC (0.204 mg/L). Soluble reactive phosphorus was less than 0.005 mg/L at all sites, and varied within narrow margin (range: 0.003 – 0.0048 mg/L in cage sites, and 0.0032 – 0.0047 mg/L in non-cage sites). The TP concentration ranged from 0.085 – 0.107 mg/L in the cages, and 0.090 – 0.118 mg/L in the non-cage sites and was higher than recorded in September (0.038 – 0.044 mg/L in the cages and 0.04 to 0.109 mg/L away from cages). Total nitrogen concentration was in the range of 0.138 – 0.553 mg/L within cage area and 0.421 – 0.513 mg/L in non-cage areas. The concentration of TSS ranged from 0.76 – 4.33 mg/L in the cage area and 0.57 – 2.76 mg/L in the non-cage areas. The phytoplankton community was composed of blue-green algae, green algae and diatoms, dominated by blue-green algae. The abundance of algae was higher in the non-cage areas (mean:7.20 ± 2.14 mm3L-1, Range: 5.15 – 10.20 mm3L-1) than recorded in the cage areas (mean: 6.0 ± 0.71 mm3L-1, Range: 5.30 – 6.98 mm3L-1), similar to observations of September 2017 (5.6 mm3L-1 in the non-cage sites). At all sampled points, blue-green algae contributed >70% of total abundance. Total zooplankton abundance ranged from 982,213 – 1,310,830 ind.m-2 in the non-cage sites, and 740,601 – 1,503,130 ind.m-2 in the cage areas. Similar to observations of September 2017, the upper cage site (WIC3 and WIC4) presented lower zooplankton abundance (mean: 788,954 ± 68,381 ind.m-2) when compared to the lower cage site with mean abundance of 1,128,232 ± 530,186 ind.m-2. Like in the previous sampling periods, copepods were the numerically dominant group (92.69 – 97.22 % of total zooplankton abundance) at all sampled points, with no major differences between cage and non-cage areas. The high abundance of copepods was attributed to the abundance of the juvenile stages (copepodites and Nauplius larvae) which contributed 83.72 – 92.78% of the total zooplankton abundance and this was mainly due to the Nauplius larvae (66.4 – 83.2 %). Cladocera relative abundance ranged from 0.32 – 3.98% while that of rotifers ranged from 1.55 – 3.74%. The macro-benthic community comprised molluscs, annelids and arthropods. Taxa richness ranged from 5 – 11 taxa in the cage area, and 7 – 9 taxa in the non-cage areas. The abundance of benthic invertebrates within the cage area ranged from 1,134 – 2,416 ind.m-2 and this was higher than previously recorded in September (294 – 1,415 ind.m-2). In the non-cage sites abundance was in the range of 420 – 3,992 ind.m-2. Oligochaete annelids which are reported to be very tolerant to pollution contributed 0 - 28 % of the abundance of benthos at cage sites and 3 - 20% at the non-cage sites. Diptera made the greatest contribution at almost all sites, with the percent abundance being higher in non-cage sites (40 – 86%) than what was recorded in the cage sites (37 – 82%). Chironomus spp. and Chaoborus sp. were the main contributors to the observed Diptera abundance at all sites. Six fish species, including haplochromines (Nkejje) as a single species group, were recorded in the vicinity of the cages during December 2017. Five fish species were recorded from upstream the cage site, four species from within cage area, and two species from downstream the cages. Overall mean catch rates were 1.8 fish/net/night and 148.6g/net/night compared to 1.7 fish/net/night and 175.4g/net/night recorded in September 2017. By weight, catch rates in December 2017 were highest upstream the cage site (312.1g/net/night) and also by numbers (3.1 fish/net/night). Four species of haplochromines were recorded in the vicinity of the cages during the survey of December 2017 compared to six species recorded in September 2017. The overall catch rate for the haplochromines, in December 2017 was 1.7fish/net/night and 27.5g/net/night compared to 3.4 fish/net/night and 62.3g/net/night recorded in the previous survey of September 2017. Among the fish species examined during December 2017 survey, most of the haplochromine cichlids (88.9%) were mature but only 50% breeding. Only one specimen of L. niloticus was mature and breeding. All S. afrofischeri and S. victoriae specimens examined were mature and in breeding condition while M. kannume was immature. The diet of fishes encountered comprised mostly of fish and insects, which are known natural foods of the fish species. Infection by fish parasites during the survey of December 2017 was not noticed in any fish recorded from the experimental gillnets. The overall observation on concentrations of nutrients, levels of physico-chemical variables, and biotic communities indicated minimal impact of cages on water quality. The farm should therefore continue adhering to the best environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices, especially continuing with fallowing or rotation of cages to allow resident organisms maintain their natural population densities, distribution and community structure in the area; reducing excess uneaten feed and other suspended materials which would impact on nutrient status and biota; as well as wise use of any chemicals in the area

Atypical presentation of colon adenocarcinoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Adenocarcinoma of the colon is the most common histopathological type of colorectal cancer. In Western Europe and the United States, it is the third most common type and accounts for 98% of cancers of the large intestine. In Uganda, as elsewhere in Africa, the majority of patients are elderly (at least 60 years old). However, more recently, it has been observed that younger patients (less than 40 years of age) are presenting with the disease. There is also an increase in its incidence and most patients present late, possibly because of the lack of a comprehensive national screening and preventive health-care program. We describe the clinicopathological features of colorectal carcinoma in the case of a young man in Kampala, Uganda.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 27-year-old man from Kampala, Uganda, presented with gross abdominal distension, progressive loss of weight, and fever. He was initially screened for tuberculosis, hepatitis, and lymphoma, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection. After a battery of tests, a diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma was finally established with hematoxylin and eosin staining of a cell block made from the sediment of a liter of cytospun ascitic fluid, which showed atypical glands floating in abundant extracellular mucin, suggestive of adenocarcinoma. Ancillary tests with alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff and mucicarmine staining revealed that it was a mucinous adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity with CDX2, confirming that the origin of the tumor was the colon.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Colorectal carcinoma has been noted to occur with increasing frequency in young adults in Africa. Most patients have mucinous adenocarcinoma, present late, and have rapid disease progression and poor outcome. Therefore, colorectal malignancy should no longer be excluded from consideration only on the basis of a patient's age. A high index of suspicion is important in the diagnosis of colorectal malignancy in young African patients.</p