Maternally Orphaned Children and Intergenerational Concerns Associated with Breast Cancer Deaths among Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Importance: Low breast cancer survival in sub-Saharan Africa's young population increases the likelihood that breast cancer deaths result in maternal orphans, ie, children (<18 years) losing their mother. Objective: To estimate the number of maternal orphans and their ages for every 100 breast cancer deaths in sub-Saharan African settings during 2014-2019 and to describe family concerns about the orphaned children. Design, Setting, and Participants: Deaths occurring between September 1, 2014, and July 1, 2019, in the African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) were examined in a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer during 2014-2017 at major cancer treatment hospitals in Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia. The cohort was actively followed up for vital status via a trimonthly mobile phone call to each woman or her next of kin (typically a partner, husband, or child). Main Outcomes and Measures: The number (Poisson counts) and ages of new orphans at the time of maternal death. Results: This cohort study found that a total of 795 deaths resulted in 964 new maternal orphans, with deaths occurring in women younger than 50 years accounting for 85% of the orphans. For every 100 deaths in women younger than 50 years, there were 210 new orphans (95% CI, 196-225) overall, with country-specific estimates of 189 in Nigerian, 180 in Namibian, 222 in Ugandan, and 247 in Zambian Black women. For every 100 deaths of the women at any age, there were 121 maternal orphans, 17% of whom were younger than 5 years, 32% aged 5 to 9 years, and 51% aged 10 to 17 years at the time of maternal death. In follow-up interviews, families' concerns for children's education and childcare were reported to be exacerbated by the financial expenses associated with cancer treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides evidence that the number of maternal orphans due to breast cancer exceeds the number of breast cancer deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The intergenerational consequences associated with cancer deaths in sub-Saharan Africa appear to be large and support the need for continued action to improve survival

Data in brief A survey of the literature on energy consumption and economic growth

Thomson Odongo, Nathan Francis Okurut , Vicent BagireTHIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Somatic embryogenesis from immature male inflorescences of East African highland banana CV ‘ Nakyetengu'

The East African highland bananas (Musa spp. cv. EA-AAA), the most important staple food in Uganda, are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases. This has been attributed to a low genetic base of this banana group and thus the need to create a wide genetic base through development of resistant cultivars. The use of genetic transformation (engineering) approach has been identified as a potential option that could be utilised to facilitate and/or enhance the process of developing resistance cultivars. The objective is to establish an In vitro regeneration system for East African (EA-AAA) highland bananas. Cell suspensions are the material of choice for genetic transformation because of their regeneration capacity through somatic embryogenesis. In this study, immature male flowers of cultivar ‘Nakyetengu' were isolated and initiated on callus induction media designated M1, M2, M4, M6, M7 on petri-dishes. Cultures were placed under controlled light and temperature conditions and monitored for embryogenic callus formation. Embryogenic callus composed of somatic embryos was obtained on medium M1 only, after a culture period of 3.5 to 4 months. Direct somatic embryo germination was achieved on embryo germination medium. Somatic embryo germination was recorded at a rate of 66.7%. Plant recovery was achieved on standard MS hormone free medium, all being normal plants with root and shoot at weaning. With regard to the pest and disease problems of the East African highland banana, these findings underscore the fact that somatic embryogenesis is essential in the development of an In vitro regeneration system and is a critical step for development of resistant varieties through genetic transformation. Key Words: Cell suspensions, embryogenic callus, medium, regeneration, somatic embryos RESUME Les bananas de région de montagne de l'Afrique de l'est (Musa spp.cv. EA-AAA), le plus important aliment de base en Ouganda, sont susceptibles à une gamme des maladies et des pestes. Ceci a été attribué à une faible base génétique de ce groupe de bananes et ainsi le besoin de créer une large base génétique à travers le développement des variétés résistantes. L'usage de l'approche de transformation génétique (inginerie) a été identifié comme une option potentielle qui pourrait être utilisée pour faciliter et/ou améliorer le processus de développement des variétés résistantes. L'objectif est d'établir une regénération In vitro du système pour les bananas de région de montagne de l'Afrique de l'est (EA-AAA). Les suspensions des cellules sont les matériels de choix pour la transformation génétique à cause de leur capacité de regénération à travers l'embryogenèse somatique. Dans cette étude, les fleurs mâles immatures de variété ‘Nakyetendu' étaient isolées et initiées sur le media induction durillon classées sur les boites de petri M1, M2, M4, M6, M7. Les cultures étaient placées sous les conditions contrôlées de température et lumière et surveillées pour la formation de durillon embryogenèse. Le durillon d'embryogenèse composé des embryons somatiques était obtenu sur seulement la moyenne M1, après une période de culture de 3,5 à 4 mois. La germination de l'embryon somatique direct était atteinte sur la germination moyenne de l'embryon. La germination de l'embryon somatique était enregistrée à un taux de 66,7%. Le recouvrement de plante était atteint sur l'hormone libre moyen standard MS, tout étant normal pour les plantes avec racines et rejeton au sevrage. Avec regard aux problèmes des maladies et pestes des bananas de région de montagne de l'Afrique de l'est, ces résultats soulignent le fait que l'embryogenèse somatique est essentielle dans le développement d'un système de régénération In vitro et est une étape critique pour le développement des variétés résistantes à travers la transformation génétique. Mots Clés: Suspensions des cellules, durillon embryogénique, moyen, regénération, embryons somatiques African Crop Science Journal Vol.12(1) 2004: 43-4

Somatic embryogenesis from immature male inflorescences of East African highland banana CV ‘ Nakyetengu&apos;

The East African highland bananas (Musa spp. cv. EA-AAA), the most important staple food in Uganda, are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases. This has been attributed to a low genetic base of this banana group and thus the need to create a wide genetic base through development of resistant cultivars. The use of genetic transformation (engineering) approach has been identified as a potential option that could be utilised to facilitate and/or enhance the process of developing resistance cultivars. The objective is to establish an In vitro regeneration system for East African (EA-AAA) highland bananas. Cell suspensions are the material of choice for genetic transformation because of their regeneration capacity through somatic embryogenesis. In this study, immature male flowers of cultivar ‘Nakyetengu&apos; were isolated and initiated on callus induction media designated M1, M2, M4, M6, M7 on petri-dishes. Cultures were placed under controlled light and temperature conditions and monitored for embryogenic callus formation. Embryogenic callus composed of somatic embryos was obtained on medium M1 only, after a culture period of 3.5 to 4 months. Direct somatic embryo germination was achieved on embryo germination medium. Somatic embryo germination was recorded at a rate of 66.7%. Plant recovery was achieved on standard MS hormone free medium, all being normal plants with root and shoot at weaning. With regard to the pest and disease problems of the East African highland banana, these findings underscore the fact that somatic embryogenesis is essential in the development of an In vitro regeneration system and is a critical step for development of resistant varieties through genetic transformation.Les bananas de région de montagne de l&apos;Afrique de l&apos;est (Musa spp.cv. EA-AAA), le plus important aliment de base en Ouganda, sont susceptibles à une gamme des maladies et des pestes. Ceci a été attribué à une faible base génétique de ce groupe de bananes et ainsi le besoin de créer une large base génétique à travers le développement des variétés résistantes. L&apos;usage de l&apos;approche de transformation génétique (inginerie) a été identifié comme une option potentielle qui pourrait être utilisée pour faciliter et/ou améliorer le processus de développement des variétés résistantes. L&apos;objectif est d&apos;établir une regénération In vitro du système pour les bananas de région de montagne de l&apos;Afrique de l&apos;est (EA-AAA). Les suspensions des cellules sont les matériels de choix pour la transformation génétique à cause de leur capacité de regénération à travers l&apos;embryogenèse somatique. Dans cette étude, les fleurs mâles immatures de variété ‘Nakyetendu&apos; étaient isolées et initiées sur le media induction durillon classées sur les boites de petri M1, M2, M4, M6, M7. Les cultures étaient placées sous les conditions contrôlées de température et lumière et surveillées pour la formation de durillon embryogenèse. Le durillon d&apos;embryogenèse composé des embryons somatiques était obtenu sur seulement la moyenne M1, après une période de culture de 3,5 à 4 mois. La germination de l&apos;embryon somatique direct était atteinte sur la germination moyenne de l&apos;embryon. La germination de l&apos;embryon somatique était enregistrée à un taux de 66,7%. Le recouvrement de plante était atteint sur l&apos;hormone libre moyen standard MS, tout étant normal pour les plantes avec racines et rejeton au sevrage. Avec regard aux problèmes des maladies et pestes des bananas de région de montagne de l&apos;Afrique de l&apos;est, ces résultats soulignent le fait que l&apos;embryogenèse somatique est essentielle dans le développement d&apos;un système de régénération In vitro et est une étape critique pour le développement des variétés résistantes à travers la transformation génétique

Application of algae in biomonitoring and phytoextraction of heavy metals contamination in urban stream water

Biological technologies for wastewater remediation techniques employed to remove contaminants in urban stream water are increasingly receiving attention worldwide. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron in algal biomass and establish the feasibility of using algae in phytoextraction and bio-monitoring of environmental quality. Analysis of algal biomass samples in the Nakivubo urban stream ecosystem, Kampala, Uganda, showed that there was contamination by lead, cadmium, copper and zinc as indicated by enrichment factor and pollution load index values. It is suspected that industrial and vehicular emissions are the major sources of these pollutants. Calculated bio-concentration factor was = 1000 but with low concentration thresholds in each element, suggesting that algal biomass was a very good heavy metal accumulator. The bio-concentration values in algal biomass were found to be in the order of copper > zinc > lead > cadmium in the Nakivubo Channelized stream. In conclusion, algae can be a promising aquatic bio-filter plant for phytoextraction and bio-monitoring of polluted urban stream ecosystems and wastewater

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the urban stream sediments and its tributaries

Globally, aquatic ecosystems are highly polluted with heavy metals arising from anthropogenic and terrigenous sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the pollution of stream sediments and possible sources of pollutants in Nakivubo Channel Kampala, Uganda. Stream sediments were collected and analysed for heavy metal concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The degree of pollution in Nakivubo channelized stream sediments for lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron was assessed using enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index and pollution load index. The results indicated that (1) the sediments have been polluted with lead, cadmium and zinc and have high anthropogenic influences; (2) the calculation of geo-accumulation index suggest that Nakivubo stream sediments have background concentration for copper, manganese and Fe (Igeo ≤ 0); (3) factor analysis results reveal three sources of pollutants as explained by three factors (75.0 %); (i) mixed origin or retention phenomena of industrial and vehicular emissions; (ii) terrigenous and (iii) dual origin of zinc (vehicular and industrial). In conclusion, the co-precipitation (inclusion, occlusion and adsorption) of lead, cadmium and zinc with manganese and iron hydroxides, scavenging ability of other metals, very low dissolved oxygen and slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH in stream water could account for the active accumulation of heavy metals in Nakivubo stream sediments. These phenomena may pose a risk of secondary water pollution under sediment disturbance and/or changes in the geo-chemistry of sediments

Heavy metal assessment and water quality values in urban stream and rain water

Water quality monitoring in developing countries is inadequate, especially in stream water affected by urban effluents and runoff. The purpose of this study was to investigate heavy metal contaminants in the Nakivubo Stream water in Kampala, Uganda. Water samples Nakivubo Channelized Stream, tributaries and industrial effluents that drain into the stream were collected and analysed for the total elemental concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that: 1) the wastewater was highly enriched with lead and manganese above the maximum permissible limit; 2) the levels of dissolved oxygen were below the maximum permissible limit, while the biological oxygen demand was above the maximum permissible limit. All industrial effluents/wastewater were classified as strong (> 220 mg/L). Factor analysis results reveal two sources of pollutants; 1) mixed origin or chemical phenomena of industrial and vehicular emissions and 2) multiple origin of lead (vehicular, commercial establishment and industrial). In conclusion, Nakivubo Channelized Stream water is not enriched with heavy metals. These heavy metals (lead, cadmium and zinc) were rapidly removed by co-precipitation with manganese and iron hydroxides and total dissolved solids into stream sediments. This phenomena is controlled by pH in water