Development and validation of a simple and economical spectrofluorimetric method for estimation of quinine in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A new simple, sensitive, precise, economic and “green” spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of quinine both as a bulk drug and in tablet formulations was developed and validated using water as solvent. At a predetermined excitation wavelength (330 nm) and emission wavelength (380 nm), it was proved linear in the concentration range of 50-500 ng/mL, exhibited good correlation coefficient (R2= 0.999) and excellent mean recovery (97.5-103%). The results of the recovery studies showed that the method was not affected by the presence of common excipients. The method was applied for the analysis of the drug in the pure, tablet and injectable forms. The method was validated for precision, accuracy and recovery studies. Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification for quinine were found to be 16.6 ng/mL and 19.8 ng/mL respectively. The method has been successfully applied for the analysis of marketed formulations available in Senegal. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Spectrofluorometric analysis, validation, quinine, green method

Imperforate hymen complicated by obstructive acute renal failure

Imperforate hymen is a rare malformation (1/ 1000 female births). It is diagnosed most often during puberty. Early diagnosis of hematocolpos and evacuation is necessary to avoid any consequences. We report a rare case of an imperforate hymen complicated with acute urinary retention,  hydronephrosis and renal failure in a 14-year-old girl to emphasize thepossible misdiagnosis and its possible consequences. This is the firstcase we encounter in our unit

Ureteroscopie Retrograde: Expérience de l’Hôpital Général Grand Yoff de Dakar

But: Présenter les résultats de la pratique de l’urétéroscopie à l’Hôpital Général Grand Yoff (HOGGY) de Dakar (Sénégal).Sujets et méthodes: Il s’agit d’une étude descriptive de 91 urétéroscopies effectuées dans le service d’Urologie de l’Hôpital Général Grand Yoff de janvier 2012 à décembre 2013. Les variables de l’étude étaient l’indication, l’âge, la nature de l’urétéroscopie associées ou non au laser, les résultats de la lithotripsie.Résultats: Sept urétéroscopies diagnostiques et 84 urétéroscopies thérapeutiques ont été effectuées. L’âge moyen des patients était de 44,7 ans + - 13,9 ans. L’urétéroscope semi rigide a été utilisé dans 43 cas, l’urétéroscope souple dans 15 cas, l’urétéroscope rigide dans 9 cas. La topographie du calcul était pyélique dans 30 cas, lombaire dans 28 cas, pelvienne dans 13 cas, calicielle dans 10 cas et iliaque dans 3 cas. Le nombre de calcul fragmenté au laser était de 87 calculs. Les complications étaient dominées par les fausses routes dans 8 cas. Le succès global de l’urétéroscopie était de 85,7%.Conclusion: La pratique courante de l’urétéroscopie constitue un défi pour l’urologue en Afrique subsaharienne. Elle est devenue le traitement de choix de la lithiase de la voie excrétrice supérieure.Mots clés: ithiase; Urétéroscopie; Laser; Sonde JJEnglish AbstractObjective: To present the results of the ureteroscopy at the GrandYoff General Hospital (Hoggy) in Dakar (Senegal).Subjects and methods: This is a descriptive study of 91 ureteroscopy procedures performed at the Urology department of Grand Yoff General Hospital from January 2012 to December 2013. The variables of the study were indication, age, type of ureteroscopy associate or no laser, results of lithotripsy.Results: Seven diagnostic ureteroscopy and 84 therapeutic ureteroscopy were done. The average age of the patients was 44.7 years + - 13,9 years. Semi-rigid ureteroscope was used in 43 cases, flexible ureteroscope in 15 cases and rigid ureteroscope in 9 cases. The location of the stones was renal pelvis in 30 cases, upper ureter in 28 cases, distal ureter in 13 cases, calix in 10 cases and middle ureter in 3 cases. The number of laser (Nd:Yag) fragmented stones was 87. Complications were dominated by false passages in 8 cases. The overall success of endoscopic treatment was 85.7%.Conclusion: The current practice of endoscopic treatment for upper urinary tract stone is quite challenging to the urologist practising in sub- Sahara Africa. The effectiveness and lesser morbidity of laser lithotripsy has made it the treatment of choice for upper urinary tract stones.Keywords: Lithiasis; Ureteroscopy; Laser; JJ sten

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection amongst children in Senegal: current prevalence and seroprotection level

Introduction: hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly endemic in Senegal. HBV vaccine of all children has been introduced in 1999 and included in the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 2004. The aim of this study was to assess the HBV prevalence and immunity status against HBV amongst children in Senegal. Methods: between March and August 2016, consecutive children aged from 6 months to 16 years old were recruited in outpatient department of three main children hospitals in Senegal. Serum samples were analyzed for HBV serology (HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb) using ARCHITECT analyzer. Children with HBsAb levels ≥ 10 IU/l) were considered as seroprotected against HBV. Results: during the study period, 295 children fulfilled the criteria for the study and were further analyzed. Three children were HBsAg positive giving a seroprevalence at 1.1% (95% CI: 0.2-3.3), 12/267 (4.5%, 95% CI=2.3-7.7) had positive HBcAb and 226/295 (76.6%, 71.4-81.3) had positive HBsAb including 191 (77.3%, 71.6-82.4) with isolated HBsAb related to previous active immunization. However only 165 children (56%, CI 50-62) had seroprotective HBsAb levels (HBsAb ≥ 10 UI/L) and 63 (21.4, 16.8-26) had a strong seroprotectiondefined by HBsAb ≥ 100 IU/L. Conclusion: our results suggest that although HBV prevalence has significantly decreased in children in Senegal following a better HBV vaccine coverage, the number of children correctly seroprotected is insufficient (56%). Assessing the levels of HBsAb and providing HBV vaccine boosters should be considered in children in Senegal

Strengthening human genetics research in Africa: report of the 9th meeting of the African Society of Human Genetics in Dakar in May 2016.

The 9th meeting of the African Society of Human Genetics, in partnership with the Senegalese Cancer Research and Study Group and the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium, was held in Dakar, Senegal. The theme was Strengthening Human Genetics Research in Africa. The 210 delegates came from 21 African countries and from France, Switzerland, UK, UAE, Canada and the USA. The goal was to highlight genetic and genomic science across the African continent with the ultimate goal of improving the health of Africans and those across the globe, and to promote the careers of young African scientists in the field. A session on the sustainability of genomic research in Africa brought to light innovative and practical approaches to supporting research in resource-limited settings and the importance of promoting genetics in academic, research funding, governmental and private sectors. This meeting led to the formation of the Senegalese Society for Human Genetics

General Strategy for Broadband Coherent Perfect Absorption and Multi-wavelength All-optical Switching Based on Epsilon-Near-Zero Multilayer Films

We propose a general, easy-to-implement scheme for broadband coherent perfect absorption (CPA) using epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) multilayer films. Specifically, we employ indium tin oxide (ITO) as a tunable ENZ material, and theoretically investigate CPA in the near-infrared region. We first derive general CPA conditions using the scattering matrix and the admittance matching methods. Then, by combining these two methods, we extract analytic expressions for all relevant parameters for CPA. Based on this theoretical framework, we proceed to study ENZ CPA in a single layer ITO film and apply it to all-optical switching. Finally, using an ITO multilayer of different ENZ wavelengths, we implement broadband ENZ CPA structures and investigate multi-wavelength all-optical switching in the technologically important telecommunication window. In our design, the admittance matching diagram was employed to graphically extract not only the structural parameters (the film thicknesses and incident angles), but also the input beam parameters (the irradiance ratio and phase difference between two input beams). We find that the multi-wavelength all-optical switching in our broadband ENZ CPA system can be fully controlled by the phase difference between two input beams. The simple but general design principles and analyses in this work can be widely used in various thin-film devicesopen

Assessing community perspectives of the community based education and service model at Makerere University, Uganda: a qualitative evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Community partnerships are defined as groups working together with shared goals, responsibilities, and power to improve the community. There is growing evidence that these partnerships contribute to the success and sustainability of community-based education and service programs (COBES), facilitating change in community actions and attitudes. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) is forging itself as a transformational institution in Uganda and the region. The College is motivated to improve the health of Ugandans through innovative responsive teaching, provision of service, and community partnerships. Evaluating the COBES program from the community perspective can assist the College in refining an innovative and useful model that has potential to improve the health of Ugandans.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A stratified random sample of 11 COBES sites was selected to examine the community’s perception of the program. Key Informant Interviews of 11 site tutors and 33 community members were completed. The data was manually analyzed and themes developed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Communities stated the students consistently engaged with them with culturally appropriate behaviour. They rated the student’s communication as very good even though translators were frequently needed. Half the community stated they received some feedback from the students, but some communities interpreted any contact after the initial visit as feedback. Communities confirmed and appreciated that the students provided a number of interventions and saw positive changes in health and health seeking behaviours. The community reflected that some programs were more sustainable than others; the projects that needed money to implement were least sustainable. The major challenges from the community included community fatigue, and poor motivation of community leaders to continue to take students without compensation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Communities hosting Makerere students valued the students’ interventions and the COBES model. They reported witnessing health benefits of fewer cases of disease, increased health seeking behavior and sustainable healthcare programs. The evidence suggests that efforts to standardize objectives, implement structural adjustments, and invest in development of the program would yield even more productive community interactions and a healthcare workforce with public health skills needed to work in rural communities.</p

Serogroup W135 meningococcal disease, The Gambia, 2012.

In 2012, an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 occurred in The Gambia. The attack rate was highest among young children. The associated risk factors were male sex, contact with meningitis patients, and difficult breathing. Enhanced surveillance facilitates early epidemic detection, and multiserogroup conjugate vaccine could reduce meningococcal epidemics in The Gambia

Exploring Pathways for Building Trust in Vaccination and Strengthening Health System Resilience

Background: Trust is critical to generate and maintain demand for vaccines in low and middle income countries. However, there is little documentation on how health system insufficiencies affect trust in vaccination and the process of re-building trust once it has been compromised. We reflect on how disruptions to immunizations systems can affect trust in vaccination and can compromise vaccine utilization. We then explore key pathways for overcoming system vulnerabilities in order to restore trust, to strengthen the resilience of health systems and communities, and to promote vaccine utilization. Methods: Utilizing secondary data and a review of the literature, we developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) to map the determinants of building trust in immunizations. Using the CLD, we devised three scenarios to illustrate common vulnerabilities that compromise trust and pathways to strengthen trust and utilization of vaccines, specifically looking at weak health systems, harmful communication channels, and role of social capital. Spill-over effects, interactions and other dynamics in the CLD were then examined to assess leverage points to counter these vulnerabilities. Results: Trust in vaccination arises from the interactions among experiences with the health system, the various forms of communication and social capital – both external and internal to communities. When experiencing system-wide shocks such as the case in Ebola-affected countries, distrust is reinforced by feedback between the health and immunization systems where distrust often lingers even after systems are restored and spills over beyond vaccination in the broader health system. Vaccine myths or anti-vaccine movements reinforce distrust. Social capital – the collective value of social networks of community members – plays a central role in increasing levels of trust. Conclusions: Trust is important, yet underexplored, in the context of vaccine utilization. Using a CLD to illustrate various scenarios helped to explore how common health and vaccine vulnerabilities can reinforce and spill over distrust through vicious, reinforcing feedback. Restoring trust requires a careful balance between eliminating vulnerabilities and strengthening social capital and interactions among communication channels