Antibacterial properties of Mangifera indica on Staphylococcus aureus

Antibacterial activity of Mangifera indica stem bark extracts was determined using disk diffusion, agar and broth dilution methods. In disk diffusion method, inhibition zone sizes were used to determine the susceptibility of S. aureus to the extracts. The results showed that the stem-bark extracts of M. indica have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Methanol extracts showed the highest inhibition zone diameter of 25 mm, followed by ethyl acetate, water and hexane extracts with inhibition zone diameter of 22 mm, 14 mm and 10 mm, respectively. The antibacterial activities of different extracts were found to be concentration dependent, in agar and broth dilution methods. The plant extracts were shown to have a MIC range of 0.62 mg/ml to 4.17 mg/ml, in agar dilution method. Results from the broth dilution method had a MIC range of 0.16 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The control (ampicillin) was however, more effective than plant extracts since only a concentration of 0.03 mg/ml in agar dilution and 0.001 mg/ml in broth dilution method were effective to inhibit the growth of S. aureus. The extracts were shown to be bacteriostatic at low concentrations. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of phyto-compounds such as alkaloids and tannins which are known to inhibit bacterial growth by different mechanisms from those of synthetic drugs. These phyto-constituents may be responsible for the M. indica antibacterialactivity.Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, antimicrobial activity, MIC, Phytochemical screening, MBC

Growth strategies and implementation in a higher institution

Abstract: The role played by higher institutions goes beyond education and research, but also procreation of new business ventures and solving current socio-economic problems. These social obligations of tertiary education serve as the underpinning for its actuality and existence. Strategy implementation, particularly in higher institutions, is one of the current areas of research and the importance of dynamic capabilities as a catalyst of growth imperatives is important. The aim of this research was to investigate the process of implementing growth strategies and how higher institutions can overcome inertia by enhancing transformation capacities. This research drew on dynamic capabilities theory, for clues as to how institutions become dynamic through bolstering transformation capacities. The study followed a qualitative approach, with a single case as the research strategy. Furthermore, it preserved the originality of interviewees’ interpretation regarding the catalytic role of dynamic capabilities on strategy implementation. Content analysis was utilised to analyse the rich textual data generated from the semi-structured interviews conducted. The findings of this research seem to resonate with the general problems associated with implementation of growth strategies and it may be prudent for the institution to consider approaches that refine dynamic capabilities; particularly the transformation capacity. The conclusion reached in the study was that dynamic capabilities are catalytic in nature and therefore the implementation of strategy should balance the three capacities namely, sensing, seizing and transforming

The role of dynamic capabilities in strategy implementation at a private college

Abstract: There is a growing sense that tertiary institutions lack the necessary dynamism needed to align and realign assets continuously in order to achieve the necessary congruence with the environment. The aim of this study was to explore the role of dynamic capabilities on strategy implementation at a private college operating in South Africa to overcome capacity issues around strategic change. This study drew on dynamic capabilities theory, for clues as to how organisations become dynamic through bolstering sensing, seizing and transformation capacities. The study followed a qualitative approach, with a single case as the research strategy. An interpretivist role was assumed because it allowed understanding and exploration in a context-specific setting. Content analysis was utilised to analyse the data generated from the interviews conducted. The study revealed the presence of sensing and seizing capacities at the private college. It was established that there were inadequacies in the college’s ability to transform within the context of dynamic capabilities as provided in the framework. The conclusion was that dynamic capabilities were catalytic in nature and therefore the implementation of strategy should balance the three capacities namely, sensing, seizing and transforming. It was recommended that the private college should further investigate the possibilities of refining its transformational capacity to augment the level of dynamic capabilities it already enjoyed

Vitamin D: the role of the sunshine vitamin

The importance of vitamin D in physical disorders has been well documented. Deficiency in this vitamin is associated with a wide range of physical and mental disorders that include, heart problems, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, various cancers, and asthma. In mental health vitamin D deficiency is associated with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease among others. Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include darker skin, lack of adequate sun exposure, autoimmune diseases, influenza, old age and the use of certain medicines like anticonvulsants. Vitamin D is likely to play an important role in the management and prevention of various mental health problems. In particular, adequate vitamin D during the perinatal stage is likely to impact positively on the long term mental health of a person

Causes and consequences of psychological distress among orphans in eastern Zimbabwe.

Substantial resources are invested in psychological support for children orphaned or otherwise made vulnerable in the context of HIV/AIDS (OVC). However, there is still only limited scientific evidence for greater psychological distress amongst orphans and even less evidence for the effectiveness of current support strategies. Furthermore, programmes that address established mechanisms through which orphanhood can lead to greater psychological distress should be more effective. We use quantitative and qualitative data from Eastern Zimbabwe to measure the effects of orphanhood on psychological distress and to test mechanisms for greater distress amongst orphans suggested in a recently published theoretical framework

Randomised controlled trial to improve health and reduce substance use in established psychosis (IMPaCT): cost-effectiveness of integrated psychosocial health promotion

Background: There is mounting evidence that people with severe mental illness have unhealthy lifestyles, high rates of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and greater risk of early mortality. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of a health promotion intervention seeking to improve physical health and reduce substance use in people with psychosis. Methods: Participants with a psychotic disorder, aged 18-65 years old and registered on an enhanced care approach programme or equivalent were recruited from community mental health teams in six mental health trusts in England. Participants were randomisation to either standard community mental health team care (treatment as usual) or treatment as usual with an integrated health promotion intervention (IMPaCT). Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses from health and social care and societal perspectives were conducted alongside a cluster randomised controlled trial. Total health and social care costs and total societal costs at 12 and 15 months were calculated as well as cost-effectiveness (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves) at 15 months based on quality of life (SF-36 mental and physical health components, primary outcome measures) and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) using two measures, EQ-5D-3 L and SF-36. Data were analysed using bootstrapped regressions with covariates for relevant baseline variables. Results: At 12-15 months 301 participants had full data needed to be included in the economic evaluation. There were no differences in adjusted health and social care costs (£95, 95% CI -£1410 to £1599) or societal costs (£675, 95% CI -£1039 to £2388) between the intervention and control arms. Similarly, there were no differences between the groups in the SF-36 mental component (−0.80, 95% CI -3.66 to 2.06), SF-36 physical component (−0.68, 95% CI -3.01 to 1.65), QALYs estimated from the SF-36 (−0.00, −0.01 to 0.00) or QALYs estimated from the EQ-5D-3 L (0.00, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.02). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves for all four outcomes and from both cost perspectives indicate that the probability of the health promotion intervention being cost-effective does not exceed 0.4 for willingness to pay thresholds ranging from £0-£50,000. Conclusions: Alongside no evidence of additional quality of life/clinical benefit, there is also no evidence of cost-effectiveness

Independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene, and improved complementary feeding, on child stunting and anaemia in rural Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Child stunting reduces survival and impairs neurodevelopment. We tested the independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) on stunting and anaemia in in Zimbabwe. METHODS: We did a cluster-randomised, community-based, 2 × 2 factorial trial in two rural districts in Zimbabwe. Clusters were defined as the catchment area of between one and four village health workers employed by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care. Women were eligible for inclusion if they permanently lived in clusters and were confirmed pregnant. Clusters were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to standard of care (52 clusters), IYCF (20 g of a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement per day from age 6 to 18 months plus complementary feeding counselling; 53 clusters), WASH (construction of a ventilated improved pit latrine, provision of two handwashing stations, liquid soap, chlorine, and play space plus hygiene counselling; 53 clusters), or IYCF plus WASH (53 clusters). A constrained randomisation technique was used to achieve balance across the groups for 14 variables related to geography, demography, water access, and community-level sanitation coverage. Masking of participants and fieldworkers was not possible. The primary outcomes were infant length-for-age Z score and haemoglobin concentrations at 18 months of age among children born to mothers who were HIV negative during pregnancy. These outcomes were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. We estimated the effects of the interventions by comparing the two IYCF groups with the two non-IYCF groups and the two WASH groups with the two non-WASH groups, except for outcomes that had an important statistical interaction between the interventions. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01824940. FINDINGS: Between Nov 22, 2012, and March 27, 2015, 5280 pregnant women were enrolled from 211 clusters. 3686 children born to HIV-negative mothers were assessed at age 18 months (884 in the standard of care group from 52 clusters, 893 in the IYCF group from 53 clusters, 918 in the WASH group from 53 clusters, and 991 in the IYCF plus WASH group from 51 clusters). In the IYCF intervention groups, the mean length-for-age Z score was 0·16 (95% CI 0·08-0·23) higher and the mean haemoglobin concentration was 2·03 g/L (1·28-2·79) higher than those in the non-IYCF intervention groups. The IYCF intervention reduced the number of stunted children from 620 (35%) of 1792 to 514 (27%) of 1879, and the number of children with anaemia from 245 (13·9%) of 1759 to 193 (10·5%) of 1845. The WASH intervention had no effect on either primary outcome. Neither intervention reduced the prevalence of diarrhoea at 12 or 18 months. No trial-related serious adverse events, and only three trial-related adverse events, were reported. INTERPRETATION: Household-level elementary WASH interventions implemented in rural areas in low-income countries are unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia and might not reduce diarrhoea. Implementation of these WASH interventions in combination with IYCF interventions is unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia more than implementation of IYCF alone. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust, Swiss Development Cooperation, UNICEF, and US National Institutes of Health.The SHINE trial is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1021542 and OPP113707); UK Department for International Development; Wellcome Trust, UK (093768/Z/10/Z, 108065/Z/15/Z and 203905/Z/16/Z); Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; US National Institutes of Health (2R01HD060338-06); and UNICEF (PCA-2017-0002)

Supporting student mental health nurses in clinical placement through virtual in-practice support (VIPS): Innovation uptake and the 'VIPS' project.

OBJECTIVE: The integration of technology in nurse education has become an essential element of academic practice. Yet innovation uptake between academic institutions across the four countries of the UK and their clinical practice partners has proved problematic, leading to a slow introduction of digitally enhanced teaching and learning innovations, particularly in the area of clinical decision making and leadership. PARTICIPANTS: The Virtual in Practice Support (VIPS) project involved two academic institutions working with the same mental health care service partner aiming to maximise student clinical placement learning. Student nurses in their final year of training were invited to take part in testing the viability of distance e-tutoring (via computer access to academic nurse lecturers) for facilitated critical reflection. DESIGN: An evaluation of the use of video linked conference sessions, set up for students to undertake a group based online (i.e. virtual) group tutorial is presented. METHODS: All participants completed an evaluation data sheet using a five point Likert scale and free text evaluation feedback form completed at the end of each online tutorial session. Students were also invited to a focus group and all tutors were interviewed at the completion of the project. RESULTS: The VIPS project findings highlight; i) the importance of a clear project vision for innovation uptake ii) consequences of working with innovation champions and iii) how technology can be used to maximise student learning across geographical distance through online facilitated group critical discussion. CONCLUSION: VIPS' participants were able to articulate positive outcomes as a result of engaging in a multi-institutional project that capitalised on the richness of nursing clinical practice learning experience for both the students and the academics involved as innovation champions