Probing the molecules of the mind

The molecular dimension of biology has been finding practical applications in all fields of medicine over the last few decades, but arguably one of the most challenging and exciting areas is that of molecular psychiatry. Much progress has been gained from traditional linkage studies into gene candidates for various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar states, bulimia, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This review outlines basic principles of molecular medicine from the perspective of the human genome project and its role in enabling rapid progress in the understanding of molecular neuro-anatomy, physiology and pathology. These insights have facilitated rather than complicated the diagnostic process, and have paved the way, in what has been termed the “post-genome era”, for a rational approach to therapy in a growing range of disorders. A patient's inherited genetic constitution is but one aspect of molecular medicine, and rich insights are also being gained into the operation of the genome as it interacts with its environment, including its pharmacological environment. From parallel processing technologies and genomic expression profiling, massive knowledge is being gained into the anatomical and physiological patterns of gene expression in different tissues and organs, their derangements in disease and their pharmacological manipulation. The brain is no exception, and an appreciation is being accumulated of the three dimensional anatomical localization of cerebral gene expression patterns, of great relevance to a fundamental understanding of neurobiology. From this new paradigm and others, insights are now being gained into the molecular biology of a variety of topics previously thought to be beyond the scope of molecular dissection, such as language and emotion. Key words: Gene expression, Micro array, Pharmacogenetics, Psychiatric South African Psychiatry Review Vol. 8 (3) 2005: 89-9

Chasing Lions: Co-Designing Human-Drone Interaction in Sub-Saharan Africa

Drones are an exciting technology that is quickly being adopted in the global consumer market. Africa has become a center of deployment with the first drone airport established in Rwanda and drones currently being used for applications such as medical deliveries, agriculture, and wildlife monitoring. Despite this increasing presence of drones, there is a lack of research on stakeholders' perspectives from this region. We ran a human-drone interaction user study (N=15) with experts from several sub-Saharan countries using a co-design methodology. Participants described novel applications and identified important design aspects for the integration of drones in this context. Our results highlight the potential of drones to address real world problems, the need for them to be culturally situated, and the importance of considering the social aspects of their interaction with humans. This research highlights the need for diverse perspectives in the human-drone interaction design process.Comment: To be published in the ACM conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS '20

Development of e-Juba, a preliminary proof of concept UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) designed to facilitate the transportation of microbiological test samples from remote rural clinics to NHLS laboratories.

Abstract The HIV/AIDS pandemic currently ravaging sub-Saharan Africa is placing severe demands on laboratory services in the subcontinent, both in its own right and also in consequence of the attendant epidemic of TB and opportunistic infections. These are all laboratory-intensive diseases, whose optimal treatment is not amenable to the clinical syndromic management approach. These demands are particularly severe in remote rural areas, many of which lack basic infrastructure such as landline telecommunications, ESCOM power supply and adequate roads. Logistics in such areas are usually the rate limiting barriers to effective laboratory service delivery. The e-Juba (electronic pigeon) project is an experimental, joint undertaking between the National Health Laboratory Service and Denel Dynamics (UAV division), to address the afferent, pre-analytical phase of the laboratory logistical loop, viz. specimen transport, in remote areas. Typically, centralized laboratories at the hubs of such areas serve approximately 20 clinics each, which are located approximately 10-30km distant. For a variety of reasons, reliable transportation between such hubs and their spokes has traditionally been refractory to conventional solutions, including courier services, taxis, ambulances, motorcycles and even helicopters. Based on the precedent of carrier pigeons, which have been used with partial success to transport medical samples in rural areas, the concept of the electronic carrier pigeon was developed to overcome the “one way” limitation of natural carrier pigeons. This report describes the specifications and preliminary trials of e-Juba, a mini-UAV designed to transport a payload of up to 500g over a distance of up to 40km via multiple GPS Lat/Long/Alt waypoints to a specified target. The conception and design of the aircraft and its payload have been guided by recent developments in the following; molecular diagnostics, which facilitate reduction in sample size and novel dried spot format to eliminate biological hazard and to bypass the cold chain; lithium polymer chemistry for low weight batteries; brushless electro mechanics which enhance the efficiency and reliability of electric motors; GPS and differential GPS technology to facilitate unmanned navigation; MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technologies for miniaturized inertial guidance systems including 3 dimensional gyros and accelerometers to facilitate autonomous aircraft stability; ultrasound ground detection technologies; multiple other onboard detectors and telemetric devices, and the GSM data wireless networks for post-analytical communication of results

Field evaluation of a novel haemoglobin measuring device designed for use in a rural setting

Objective. To evaluate the use of a robust, cheap method for haemoglobin estimation by non-laboratory-trained personnel in a rural setting.Design. Comparative study.Setting. Tintswalo Hospital. Acomhoek.Participants. 7 nursing sisters, 4 medical students, 2 lay persons.Outcome measures. Haemoglobin estimates obtained with the colour scale were compared with the 'true Hb' values determined by the H*3 Bayer-Technicon automated blood analyser.Results. Although individuals varied in their abilities to use the colour scale, its perfonnance was generally very good when measured against automated haemoglobinometry, as determined by bias and regression analysis and also in terms of its capacity to detect anaemia, as measured by sensitivrty, specificity and positive and negative predictive values.Conclusions. Haemoglobin estimates obtained with the World Heatth Organisation colour scale are generally reliable, although cognisance should be taken of individual variability. While the utility of the device in monitoring response to therapy remains to be seen, it promises to be a suitable method for mass screening for anaemi