Governance in co-management on the Lake Victoria fisheries, Uganda

In September 2007, the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute carried out a socio-economic survey on Governance in Co- Management in the fisheries of Lake Victoria. The purpose of the study was to determine the nature and performance of governance of the fisheries resources through co-management structures and systems

Effects of sewage sludge biosolid amendments on the potential of maize (Zea mays L.) in phytoremediation of trace metals in chromated copper arsenate contaminated soils

The effect of sewage sludge amendment (5-25% w/w) on the potential of maize (MM3 variety) to phytoextract trace metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA) contaminated soils was investigated. The metal content of fresh soils, and soils, maize roots and shoots after 80 days of planting were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of chromium, copper and arsenic in fresh CCA soils were 365.8 ± 6.18, 109.72 ± 14.04 and 28.22 ± 3.8 mg/kg respectively. The MM3 maize variety could be used to phytoextract or phytostabilize the trace metals in the CCA contaminated soils without or with 5-25% sewage sludge amendment

Contribution of Lake Victoria fisheries to economic growth, poverty reduction and development: literature review and data

This is a report of the study on the contribution of Lake Victoria fisheries to economic growth, poverty reduction and development in Uganda. Tl1e purpose of the study was to establish the existing knowledge and data on fisheries contribution to Uganda's economy at the national and household levels and asses gaps that would be addressed through further research and data collection. The study was conducted using two methods: A review of literature was done by reviewing documents, references, reports and published statistics at NaFIRRI, Makerere university, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Depart1nent of Fisheries Resources Entebbe (DFR), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and Ministry of Trade and Industry and to UFPEA. This provided infor1nation about Lake Victoria stakeholders covering their incomes, 1narketing chain and revenue data. Secondly, key Informant Interviews (IZIIs) were l1eld with staff at Makerere University, Ministry of Finance, Planning and conomic Development, Depart1nent of Fisheries Resources Entebbe (DFR), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), and Ministry of Trade and Industry The report covers fisheries contribution in the areas of production and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), emploY1nent, incomes, artisanal and industrial processing, domestic, regional and international1narketing, consumption and public revenues

Effects of Customer Service on Tourist Satisfaction at Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam Region.

This dissertation focused on effects of customer services on tourist satisfaction in Julius Nyerere International Airport Dar es salaam Region. The key objectives of this study were; to identify effects of customer services on tourism satisfaction at Julius Nyerere International Airport, to examine challenges facing customer services on tourism satisfaction at Julius Nyerere International Airport and to propose measure to improve customer services on tourism satisfaction at Julius International Airport. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, direct observation and documentary literature review. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistics Packages for Social Science version 20. The findings of this study showed that, customer service in Julius Nyerere International Airport does not attract much tourist to come in Tanzania and this is due to the fact that, officials are not responsive, language barriers, lack of feedback, less information and time wasting. The study revealed that understanding customer expectations, training Airport staffs, placement of Airport equipment, maintaining good communication and timely service delivery are the most measures applied in Julius Nyerere International Airport to improve customer service provision. The challenges encountered by the airport manager and port authority in helping to good customer service are officials themselves being not responsive, language barriers, lack of feedback from top leadership, less information and time wasting. This dissertation recommends that, the government should have training of different languages to all airport staff in order to overcome the language barrier. Keywords: Customer Service, Tourist, Satisfaction, JKU Airpo

Distribution and Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) Among MDRO-Positive Individuals at Dr. Kariadi Hospital

Background: Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) pose a significant challenge to healthcare facilities globally, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Understanding the distribution and prevalence of MDRO is crucial for effective infection control and prevention strategies. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and prevalence of MDROs, among MDRO-positive individuals at Dr. Kariadi Hospital.Methods: A retrospective analysis of secondary data was conducted, encompassing a diverse range of MDROs, including ESBL, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA). The study population consisted of individuals who tested positive for MDRO within the hospital.Results: A total of 100 MDRO-positive cases were identified during the study period. The most prevalent MDRO identified was ESBL-producing organisms, accounting for 59% of all cases. Other significant findings included the presence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and MRSA, which constituted 4% and 3% of the MDRO-positive cases, respectively. Notably, a diverse range of MDRO species, such as MRCoNS (methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci), was also detected.Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of MDRO at Dr. Kariadi Hospital. The findings underscore the urgent need for robust infection control measures and targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of MDRO. Implementing effective surveillance, promoting antibiotic stewardship, and enhancing preventive strategies are crucial for controlling MDRO infections. Future research should focus on exploring the molecular characteristics and resistance mechanisms of the identified MDRO to inform tailored prevention and treatment approaches.

Physicochemical Quality of Water from Chuho Springs, Kisoro District, Uganda

In the current study, water from Chuho springs used as the main water source in Kisoro municipality, Uganda were assessed for their suitability as drinking water. The temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, total alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphates, iron, copper, arsenic, chlorides and the fluoride content of the water samples were determined. Not all the parameters met World Health Organizations’ guidelines for drinking water. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and fluorides were outside the recommended limits of 15 ℃, 10-12 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. Further studies should assess the microbiological and sanitary profile of the springs

Activation of Human Stearoyl-Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Contributes to the Lipogenic Effect of PXR in HepG2 Cells

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) was previously known as a xenobiotic receptor. Several recent studies suggested that PXR also played an important role in lipid homeostasis but the underlying mechanism remains to be clearly defined. In this study, we found that rifampicin, an agonist of human PXR, induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Lipid analysis showed the total cholesterol level increased. However, the free cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not changed. Treatment of HepG2 cells with rifampicin induced the expression of the free fatty acid transporter CD36 and ABCG1, as well as several lipogenic enzymes, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), long chain free fatty acid elongase (FAE), and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), while the expression of acyl:cholesterol acetyltransferase(ACAT1) was not affected. Moreover, in PXR over-expressing HepG2 cells (HepG2-PXR), the SCD1 expression was significantly higher than in HepG2-Vector cells, even in the absence of rifampicin. Down-regulation of PXR by shRNA abolished the rifampicin-induced SCD1 gene expression in HepG2 cells. Promoter analysis showed that the human SCD1 gene promoter is activated by PXR and a novel DR-7 type PXR response element (PXRE) response element was located at -338 bp of the SCD1 gene promoter. Taken together, these results indicated that PXR activation promoted lipid synthesis in HepG2 cells and SCD1 is a novel PXR target gene. © 2013 Zhang et al

EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF THE AFRICAN VEGETABLES (CLERODENDRUM VOLUBILE LEAF AND IRVINGIA GABONENSIS SEED EXTRACTS) IN TRASTUZUMAB-MEDIATED HEPATO-RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: The use of trastuzumab (TZM) in the clinical management of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive metastatic breast and gastric cancers, gastro-esophageal adenocarcinoma, and colorectal carcinoma has been limited by its off-target cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities which till date have no effective therapies in either their prevention or amelioration. Thus, the present study is designed at investigating the protective and therapeutic potentials of 400 mg/kg/day Clerodendrum volubile ethanol leaf extract (CVE) and Irvingia gabonensis ethanol seed extract (IGE) pretreatments in TZM-intoxicated Wistar rats based on their reported folkloric use in the local management of kidney and liver diseases and the previously reported therapeutic potential of these African vegetables in TZM cardiotoxicity. Methods: Forty-nine male Wistar rats were randomly allotted into seven groups of seven rats per group. Group I rats were treated with 10 ml/kg/day of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) sterile water p.o. and 1 ml/kg/day 5% DMSO sterile water i.p.; Groups II and III rats were orally pretreated with 400 mg/kg/day CVE and IGE, respectively, 3 h before 1 ml/kg/day/i.p. 5% DMSO sterile water; Group IV rats were orally pretreated with 10 ml/kg/day 5% DMSO sterile water 3 h before 2.25 mg/kg/day/i.p. TZM; and Groups V-VII rats were pretreated with 20 mg/kg/day Vit. C, 400 mg/kg/day CVE, and 400 mg/kg/day IGE all dissolved in 5% DMSO sterile water, respectively, 3 h before i.p. injections of 2.25 mg/kg/day TZM, all for 7 days. Liver function parameters, renal function parameters, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological investigations were the study measuring endpoints. Results: Oral pretreatment with 20 mg/kg/day Vit. C, 400 mg/kg/day CVE and IGE significantly ameliorated TZM-mediated hepatic and renal toxicities by effectively lowering the serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea levels. CVE and IGE pretreatments also significantly reversed TZM-induced decreases in the hepatic and renal tissue catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione- S-transferase activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels. CVE and IGE pretreatments also improved TZM-induced hepatic and renal histological lesions. Conclusions: Overall, the chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive potentials of CVE and IGE in TZM-induced hepatorenal dysfunction were either wholly or partly mediated through free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activities

The role of fatty acid desaturases in epidermal metabolism

The lipid composition of skin is important to a variety of functions served by this organ. Therefore, skin expresses multiple enzymes that synthesize and metabolize lipids. An important class of lipid metabolism enzymes expressed in skin is the lipid desaturases. Various isoforms of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, a delta-9 desaturase, as well as a delta-6 desaturase alter the lipid composition of the skin, thereby affecting skin barrier homeostasis and consequently, whole body energy balance. This review will focus on the role of fatty acid desaturases in maintaining epidermal metabolism

The evolutionary history of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene family in vertebrates

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p>Stearoyl-CoA desaturases (SCDs) are key enzymes involved in <it>de novo </it>monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis. They catalyze the desaturation of saturated fatty acyl-CoA substrates at the delta-9 position, generating essential components of phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters and wax esters. Despite being crucial for interpreting SCDs roles across species, the evolutionary history of the SCD gene family in vertebrates has yet to be elucidated, in particular their isoform diversity, origin and function. This work aims to contribute to this fundamental effort.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show here, through comparative genomics and phylogenetics that the SCD gene family underwent an unexpectedly complex history of duplication and loss events. Paralogy analysis hints that SCD1 and SCD5 genes emerged as part of the whole genome duplications (2R) that occurred at the stem of the vertebrate lineage. The SCD1 gene family expanded in rodents with the parallel loss of SCD5 in the Muridae family. The SCD1 gene expansion is also observed in the Lagomorpha although without the SCD5 loss. In the amphibian <it>Xenopus tropicalis </it>we find a single SCD1 gene but not SCD5, though this could be due to genome incompleteness. In the analysed teleost species no SCD5 is found, while the surrounding SCD5-less locus is conserved in comparison to tetrapods. In addition, the teleost SCD1 gene repertoire expanded to two copies as a result of the teleost specific genome duplication (3R). Finally, we describe clear orthologues of SCD1 and SCD5 in the chondrichthian, <it>Scyliorhinus canicula</it>, a representative of the oldest extant jawed vertebrate clade. Expression analysis in <it>S. canicula </it>shows that whilst SCD1 is ubiquitous, SCD5 is mainly expressed in the brain, a pattern which might indicate an evolutionary conserved function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the SCD1 and SCD5 genes emerged as part of the 2R genome duplications. We propose that the evolutionary conserved gene expression between distinct lineages underpins the importance of SCD activity in the brain (and probably the pancreas), in a yet to be defined role. We argue that an expression independent of an external stimulus, such as diet induced activity, emerged as a novel function in vertebrate ancestry allocated to the SCD5 isoform in various tissues (e.g. brain and pancreas), and it was selectively maintained throughout vertebrate evolution.</p