The impact of septic systems density and nearness to spring water points, on water quality

Worldwide, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water and as a result, 2 million children die annually due to preventable waterborne diseases. In Uganda, 440 Children die every week of waterborne diseases. High prevalence of this death is reported in the peri urban areas. It is still unclear however the causes of water pollution in the peri-urban areas. The improper use of onsite sanitation facilities such as latrines and septic systems may lead to groundwater contamination. It is true that drain field of septic system located too close to water point, and or over population of the septic systems in a small area can lead to pollution of groundwater. Our study investigated the impact of septic systems density and nearness to water points on spring water quality. Samples from 15 spring wells were analysed for pH, nitrate and faecal coliform contamination. Locations and distances of spring from septic systems were determined using global positioning system (GPS) device and ArcGIS software, respectively. Water samples from all the spring wells had pH value less than 6.5, 66.7% had faecal coliform and 53% had nitrate above 2 mg L-1. While sample from one of the springs had nitrate concentration above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standard of 10 mg L-1. It was also noted that coliform counts and nitrate concentrations increases with increase in number of septic systems surrounding the spring well. In addition, increase in distance between spring wells and septic systems indicated decrease in both  coliform counts and nitrate concentration. It is therefore concluded that improper use of septic systems is one of the causes of groundwater pollution in the peri urban areas. The study recommends treatments of water from groundwater sources,  regular monitoring of groundwater sources and proper design and siting of septic systems using more robust methodologies.Key words: Spring water quality, septic systems density, proximity to spring,  coliform, nitrate

Quality assessment of butter produced using traditional and mechanized churning methods

Traditional butter/ghee-making, predominantly done by women, is labor-intensive. To reduce this labor and/or increase incomes among these women, a hand-operated churner was previously developed with the capacity to reduce labor eight-fold. The present study was carried out to compare the quality of butter/ghee made using traditional churning in locally harvested plant containers (gourds and calabashes) and mechanized churning in the new device. As opposed to shaking the whole vessel, churning in the new device is achieved through a hand-operated crank connected to mixing baffles. Butter samples were aseptically collected from four locations (Kiboga1, Kiboga2, Kotido, and Ngoma) along the cattle corridor of Uganda. A “control” butter sample was made under laboratory conditions following standard procedure. The five samples were analyzed with respect to microbial safety, type and concentration of free fatty acids, and sensory attributes. Total viable count (TVC), Total coliforms (TC), Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, yeasts and molds counts were determined using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. Fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography. Sensory evaluation of aroma, smell, taste, mouth feel, and overall acceptability of the products were also conducted. In the sensory evaluation, two commercially marketed ghee products (Sameer, and Lubega brands) were added. Total viable counts in all the samples were in the range of 102-107 cfu/g. Total coliforms were detected in Kiboga samples in the 101-103cfu/g range while none were detected from other regions’ samples. Yeasts and molds were detected in the 102-105 cfu/g range. Staphylococcus aureus was detected only in butter samples from Kiboga region (102 cfu/g) while Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples. The fatty acid profile consisted of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids, and omega 9 fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids were most dominant in the butter and ghee samples ranging from 70-82% whereas trans-fatty acids were present in the least concentration. From the overall acceptability dimension, the butter/ghee made using traditional churning and the new device scored the highest. However, Student’s t-test analysis showed no significant difference in the organoleptic parameters analyzed in all the samples (p>0.05). Therefore, the butter/ghee produced using mechanized churning is as acceptable and as microbiologically safe as butter/ghee produced using traditional churning and two representative marketed products.Key words: Butter, ghee, microbial safety, churning, traditional processing, human-centered desig

ASSESSMENT OF COMMON BEAN CULTIVAR DIVERSITY IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OFCENTRAL UGANDA

Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. diversity has been nurtured by Uganda\u2019s farming communities and in return it has sustained their livelihoods for over 40 decades. Despite the farmers\u2019 invaluable effort in perpetuating this diversity, there is limited overall understanding of its status and dynamics on-farm. This study assessed the amount and status of the cultivar diversity in selected rural and peri-urban communities of central Uganda. Data were purposefully collected from 120 households through household surveys, focus group discussions and direct field observations. Diversity measures, status of the cultivars and morphological distinctiveness were estimated by Simpson\u2019s index of diversity (1-D), four cell analysis and cluster analysis, respectively. A total of 24 cultivars were observed in the whole study, and both communities had equal cultivar richness.There were no significant differences in the number of cultivars maintained by the farmers in the rural and those in the peri-urban communities. Both communities had substantial cultivar evenness (0.81 and 0.82 in rural and peri-urban, respectively), although only 19% of cultivars were grown on relatively larger areas and by many households. Impressively, at least 30% of the households in each community nurtured different sets of cultivars. We thus recommend the need to put in place incentive mechanisms that can encourage a section of the community to continue conserving P. vulgaris diversity on-farm to ensure its continued evolution and adaptation to changing biotic and abiotic factors.La diversit\ue9 du haricot commun ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. a \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9velopp\ue9 par des communaut\ue9s de fermiers en Ouganda et, en retour, la culture a durablement contribu\ue9 au bien \ueatre familial pendant plus de quarante ans. Malgr\ue9 des efforts consid\ue9rables des fermiers dans la perp\ue9tuation de cette diversit\ue9, la compr\ue9hension de sa situation et dynamique en champ reste limit\ue9e. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9valu\ue9 le nombre et la situation de la diversit\ue9 des cultivars dans des communaut\ue9s s\ue9lectionn\ue9es en milieux rural et p\ue9ri-urbain de l\u2019Ouganda central. Les donn\ue9es d\u2019\ue9taient collect\ue9es de fa\ue7on raisonn\ue9e dans 120 m\ue9nages \ue0 travers une enqu\ueate de m\ue9nage, les groupes de discussions et des observations directes sur terrain. Des mesures de diversit\ue9, la situation des cultivars et la diff\ue9renciation morphologique \ue9taient estim\ue9es par l\u2019index de diversit\ue9 de Simpson (1-D), quatre analyses de cellules et l\u2019analyse de groupes, respectivement. Un total de 24 cultivars \ue9tait observ\ue9 dans toute l\u2019\ue9tude, et toutes les deux communaut\ue9s avaient une richesse \ue9gale de cultivars. Aucune diff\ue9rence significative n\u2019\ue9tait trouv\ue9e dans le nombre de cultivars maintenu par les fermiers ruraux et p\ue9ri-urbains. Les deux communaut\ue9s avaient un nombre substantiellement invariant de cultivars (0.81 et 0.82 en milieu rural et p\ue9ri-urbain, respectivement), malgr\ue9 que 19% seulement des cultivars \ue9taient cultiv\ue9s relativement sur des vastes \ue9tendues et par plusieurs m\ue9nages. De fa\ue7on impressionnante, au moins 30% des m\ue9nages dans chaque communaut\ue9 avaient d\ue9velopp\ue9 diff\ue9rents types de cultivars. Ceci d\ue9montre le besoin de mettre en place des m\ue9canismes d\u2019encouragement des communaut\ue9s afin de continuer la conservation en milieux paysan de la diversit\ue9 du P. vulgaris pour assurer son \ue9volution continue et l\u2019adaptation au changement des facteurs biotiques et abiotiques

Portable PCR field-based detection of sweetpotato viruses

Sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas Lam.) production is greatly constrained by viral infections, especially Sweet potato feathery mottle virus and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus that synergistically cause a severe sweetpotato virus disease. The impact of viruses is aggravated by the vegetative nature of the crop and inaccessibility to dependable diagnostic tools in rural areas where sweetpotato production is done. This makes it hard for seed inspectors to perform quality checks prior to use of vines for planting. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure that allows for detection of sweetpotato viruses on-site. This involved modification of the Lodhi et al. (1994) nucleic acid extraction procedure, by omitting some of the laboratory specific steps and varying the incubation time in liquid nitrogen, instead of the freezer. Incubation in liquid nitrogen for only 1.5 hours yielded as high quality RNA compared to that of the original protocol, when incubation was done at 4\ub0C overnight in a freezer. Reverse transcriptase (RT) was run using a portable miniPCR thermocycler; and the resulting cDNA was amplified using this miniPCR machine instead of using a laboratory stationed conventional PCR thermocycler. The cDNA was efficiently amplified and amplicons were similar to those obtained with the original extraction protocol and subsequent amplification by the conventional RT-PCR. Our protocol reduced extraction time from about 16 hours for the original protocol, to about 2 hours and 45 minutes. If this tool is utilised by the crop protection departments, we believe it will contribute greatly towards sustainable sweetpotato production through making timely recommendations.La production de la patate douce ( Ipomoea batatas Lam.) est fortement limit\ue9e par les infections virales, en particulier le virus de la marbrure plumeuse de la patate douce et le virus du stunt chlorotique de la patate douce qui provoquent en synergie une maladie virale grave de la patate douce. L\u2019impact des virus est aggrav\ue9 par la nature v\ue9g\ue9tative de la culture et l\u2019inaccessibilit\ue9 des outils fiables pour le diagnostic dans les zones rurales o\uf9 la production de patate douce est r\ue9alis\ue9e. Cela rend difficile les inspecteurs des semences d\u2019effectuer des contr\uf4les de qualit\ue9 avant l\u2019utilisation des vignes par les agriculteurs. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9velopper une proc\ue9dure permettant la d\ue9tection des virus de la patate douce sur place. Cela impliquait une modification de Lodhi et al. (1994) proc\ue9dure d\u2019extraction d\u2019acide nucl\ue9ique, en omettant certaines des \ue9tapes sp\ue9cifiques du laboratoire et en faisant la variation de temps d\u2019incubation dans l\u2019azote liquide, au lieu du cong\ue9lateur. L\u2019incubation dans l\u2019azote liquide pendant seulement 1,5 heure a donn\ue9 un ARN de haute qualit\ue9 comme le protocole d\u2019origine, lorsque l\u2019incubation a \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9e \ue0 4 \ub0 C pendant une nuit dans un cong\ue9lateur. La transcriptase inverse (RT) a \ue9t\ue9 faite en utilisant un thermocycleur mini PCR portable et l\u2019ADNc, et r\ue9sultant a \ue9t\ue9 amplifi\ue9 en utilisant cette machine mini PCR au lieu d\u2019utiliser un thermocycleur PCR conventionnel stationn\ue9 en laboratoire. L\u2019ADNc a \ue9t\ue9 efficacement amplifi\ue9 et les amplicons \ue9taient similaires \ue0 ceux obtenus avec le protocole d\u2019extraction original et l\u2019amplification ult\ue9rieure par la RT-PCR conventionnelle. Notre protocole a r\ue9duit le temps d\u2019extraction d\u2019environ 16 heures pour le protocole d\u2019origine, \ue0 environ 2 heures et 45 minutes. Si cet outil est utilis\ue9 par le d\ue9partement de la protection des cultures, nous pensons qu\u2019il contribuera grandement \ue0 la production durable de patate douce en faisant des recommandations en temps opportun

Mise en œuvre de façon 'synergique' des mécanismes d'accès et de partage des avantages dans le cadre du Traité sur les ressources phytogénétiques, de la Convention sur la diversité biologique et du Protocole de Nagoya

Le Traité international sur les ressources phytogénétiques pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (TIRPAA) et la Convention sur la diversité biologique (CDB) engagent leurs Etats-membres à mettre en œuvre des systèmes d'accès et de partage des avantages très différents : d’un côté, le système établi en vertu du TIRPAA vise à renforcer la mise en commun et le partage au niveau international de la diversité génétique ; de l’autre côté, le système de la CDB a pour objectif de maximiser le contrôle souverain de chaque pays sur ses ressources génétiques. La mise en œuvre nationale de ces deux systèmes s'est révélée relativement lente. Ce retard est notamment dû au fait que dans de nombreux pays les décideurs nationaux ne savent pas vraiment comment gérer l'interface entre ces deux systèmes d'accès et de partage des avantages. Sur la base des recherches et des expériences en matière d’élaboration des politiques conduites dans plusieurs pays, les auteurs identifient en premier lieu les questions que les décideurs politiques nationaux doivent aborder et les étapes qu’ils doivent suivre pour la mise en œuvre du Système multilatéral d'accès et de partage des avantages du TIRPAA. En second lieu, les auteurs analysent les points d'intersection, au niveau national, entre le Système multilatéral d'accès et de partage des avantages du TIRPAA et les mécanismes mis en place (ou qui sont actuellement élaborés) en application de la CDB et de son Protocole de Nagoya, récemment adopté. En troisième lieu, les auteurs analysent les facteurs qui contribuent dans de nombreux pays à un manque de coordination entre les institutions publiques nationales chargées de l’environnement et celles chargées de l’agriculture qui ont pour mandat de diriger la mise en œuvre nationale de ces accords internationaux

Outcomes for paediatric Burkitt lymphoma treated with anthracycline-based therapy in Malawi

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is the most common paediatric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Anthracyline-based treatment is standard in resource-rich settings, but has not been described in SSA. Children ≤ 18 years of age with newly diagnosed BL were prospectively enrolled from June 2013 to May 2015 in Malawi. Staging and supportive care were standardized, as was treatment with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) for six cycles. Among 73 children with BL, median age was 9.2 years (interquartile range 7.7–11.8), 48 (66%) were male and two were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Twelve (16%) had stage I/II disease, 36 (49%) stage III and 25 (34%) stage IV. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 17 (25%), and grade 3/4 anaemia in 29 (42%) of 69 evaluable children. Eighteen-month overall survival was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18–41%) overall. Mortality was associated with age >9 years [hazard ratio [HR] 2.13, 95% CI 1.15–3.94], female gender (HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.12–4.03), stage (HR 1.52 per unit, 95% CI 1.07–2.17), lactate dehydrogenase (HR 1.03 per 100 iu/l, 95% CI 1.01–1.05), albumin (HR 0. 96 per g/l, 95% CI 0.93–0.99) and performance status (HR 0.78 per 10-point increase, 95% CI 0.69–0.89). CHOP did not improve outcomes in paediatric BL compared to less intensive regimens in Malawi

Genome‑wide association studies reveal novel loci for resistance to groundnut rosette disease in the African core groundnut collection

Groundnut is cultivated in several African countries where it is a major source of food, feed and income. One of the major constraints to groundnut production in Africa is groundnut rosette disease (GRD), which is caused by a complex of three agents: groundnut rosette assistor luteovirus, groundnut rosette umbravirus and its satellite RNA. Despite several years of breeding for GRD resistance, the genetics of the disease is not fully understood. The objective of the current study was to use the African core collection to establish the level of genetic variation in their response to GRD, and to map genomic regions responsible for the observed resistance. The African groundnut core genotypes were screened across two GRD hotspot locations in Uganda (Nakabango and Serere) for 3 seasons. The Area Under Disease Progress Curve combined with 7523 high quality SNPs were analyzed to establish marker-trait associations (MTAs). Genome-Wide Association Studies based on Enriched Compressed Mixed Linear Model detected 32 MTAs at Nakabango: 21 on chromosome A04, 10 on B04 and 1 on B08. Two of the significant markers were localised on the exons of a putative TIR-NBS-LRR disease resistance gene on chromosome A04. Our results suggest the likely involvement of major genes in the resistance to GRD but will need to be further validated with more comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic datasets. The markers identified in the current study will be developed into routine assays and validated for future genomics-assisted selection for GRD resistance in groundnut

Predictors and outcome of surgical repair of obstetric fistula at a regional referral hospital, Mbarara, western Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obstetric fistula although virtually eliminated in high income countries, still remains a prevalent and debilitating condition in many parts of the developing world. It occurs in areas where access to care at childbirth is limited, or of poor quality and where few hospitals offer the necessary corrective surgery.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a prospective observational study where all women who attended Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in western Uganda with obstetric fistula during the study period were assessed pre-operatively for social demographics, fistula characteristics, classification and outcomes after surgery. Assessment for fistula closure and stress incontinence after surgery was done using a dye test before discharge</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 77 women who were recruited in this study, 60 (77.9%) had successful closure of their fistulae. Unsuccessful fistula closure was significantly associated with large fistula size (Odds Ratio 6 95% Confidential interval 1.46-24.63), circumferential fistulae (Odds ratio 9.33 95% Confidential interval 2.23-39.12) and moderate to severe vaginal scarring (Odds ratio 12.24 95% Confidential interval 1.52-98.30). Vaginal scarring was the only factor independently associated with unsuccessful fistula repair (Odds ratio 10 95% confidential interval 1.12-100.57). Residual stress incontinence after successful fistula closure was associated with type IIb fistulae (Odds ratio 5.56 95% Confidential interval 1.34-23.02), circumferential fistulae (Odds ratio 10.5 95% Confidential interval 1.39-79.13) and previous unsuccessful fistula repair (Odds ratio 4.8 95% Confidential interval 1.27-18.11). Independent predictors for residual stress incontinence after successful fistula closure were urethral involvement (Odds Ratio 4.024 95% Confidential interval 2.77-5.83) and previous unsuccessful fistula repair (Odds ratio 38.69 95% Confidential interval 2.13-703.88).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrated that large fistula size, circumferential fistulae and marked vaginal scarring are predictors for unsuccessful fistula repair while predictors for residual stress incontinence after successful fistula closure were urethral involvement, circumferential fistulae and previous unsuccessful fistula repair.</p

Smoking cessation opportunities in severe mental illness (tobacco intensive motivational and estimate risk — TIMER—): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

There is an increased risk of premature death in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Respiratory disorders and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of increased mortality rates in these patients, and tobacco consumption remains the most preventable risk factor involved. Developing new tools to motivate patients towards cessation of smoking is a high priority. Information on the motivational value of giving the lung age and prevention opportunities is unknown in this high-risk population. In the context of community care, screening and early detection of lung damage could potentially be used, together with mobile technology, in order to produce a prevention message, which may provide patients with SMI with a better chance of quitting smoking.This study receives funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Instituto Carlos III (FIS PI16/00802)