Public awareness, knowledge and practice relating to epilepsy amongst adult residents in rural Cameroon--case study of the Fundong health district

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy associated stigma remains a main hindrance to epilepsy care, especially in developing countries. In Africa, anti-epileptic drugs are available, affordable and effective. As of now, no community survey on epilepsy awareness and attitudes has been reported from this area Cameroon with a reported high prevalence of epilepsy. METHODS: To contribute data to the elaboration of the National Epilepsy Control Programme, we carried out a cross-sectional descriptive community survey of 520 households. We had as main objective to obtain baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes and practice of adults towards epilepsy in rural Cameroon, and compare with existing data. RESULTS: Most respondents had heard or read about epilepsy, knew someone who had epilepsy and had seen someone having a seizure. The most frequently cited cause of epilepsy was witchcraft. Most subjects believed epilepsy is contagious. Epilepsy was a form of madness or insanity to 33.5% of them. Only 54.9% of respondents would meet a medical doctor for the treatment. Most respondents would not permit equal employment opportunities, association and child's marriage to someone with epilepsy. Age, female sex and level of education were associated to negative attitudes (p50 years) and those without any formal education should be the main targets during health information, education and communication programmes

CaMYB12-like underlies a major QTL for flavonoid content in pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit

The regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis is only partially explored in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The genetic basis underlying flavonoid variation in pepper fruit was studied.Variation of flavonoids in fruit of a segregating F2 population was studied using LC–MS followed by quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Near-isogenic lines (NILs), BC1S1 populations, virus-induced gene silenced (VIGS) and transgenic overexpression were used to confirm the QTL and the underlying candidate gene.A major QTL for flavonoid content was found in chromosome 5, and a CaMYB12-like transcription factor gene was identified as candidate gene. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) contrasting for CaMYB12-like confirmed its association with the flavonoid content variation. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CaMYB12-like led to a significant decrease in the expression of several flavonoid pathway genes and a drastic decrease in flavonoid levels in silenced fruits. Expression of CaMYB12-like in the tomato slmyb12 mutant led to enhanced levels of several flavonoids in the fruit skin. Introgression of the CaMYB12-like allele into two cultivated varieties also increased flavonoid content in their fruits.A combination of metabolomic, genetic and gene functional analyses led to discovery of CaMYB12-like as a major regulator of flavonoid variation in pepper fruit and demonstrated its potential to breed for high-flavonoid content in cultivated pepper

Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa: burden, causes and prospects

Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths, although it is rarely listed as the direct cause. Contributing to more than half of deaths in children worldwide; child malnutrition was associated with 54% of deaths in children in developing countries in 2001. Poverty remains the major contributor to this ill. The vicious cycle of poverty, disease and illness aggravates this situation. Grooming undernourished children causes children to start life at mentally sub optimal levels. This becomes a serious developmental threat. Lack of education especially amongst women disadvantages children, especially as far as healthy practices like breastfeeding and child healthy foods are concerned. Adverse climatic conditions have also played significant roles like droughts, poor soils and deforestation. Sociocultural barriers are major hindrances in some communities, with female children usually being the most affected. Corruption and lack of government interest and investment are key players that must be addressed to solve this problem. A multisectorial approach is vital in tackling this problem. Improvement in government policy, fight against corruption, adopting a horizontal approach in implementing programmes at community level must be recognized. Genetically modified foods to increase food production and to survive adverse climatic conditions could be gateways in solving these problems. Socio cultural peculiarities of each community are an essential base line consideration for the implementation of any nutrition health promotion programs