Characterizing the airway epithelium following chemical exposure: molecular alterations and their potential utility in the treatment of lung disease

The human body encounters a number of chemical exposures on a daily basis, which may have short- or long-term health implications. Previously it has been demonstrated that the entire respiratory tract of an individual reacts to exposures like tobacco smoke in a similar manner, and that common molecular changes can be measured in airway epithelium. I propose that cataloguing the exposure of airway epithelial cells to tobacco cigarette (TCIG) smoke and its constituents, electronic cigarette (ECIG) aerosol and other drugs and small molecules can significantly increase the understanding of chemical exposure and identify common gene expression alterations. First, I determined the molecular impact of ECIG aerosol exposure on human airway epithelium in vitro, including alterations in genes related to xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, and ciliated cells. These changes were generally less pronounced than the effects of TCIG exposure, and were more pronounced in ECIG products containing nicotine than those without nicotine. Furthermore, gene expression differences observed in vitro were concordant with differences observed in airway epithelium collected from ECIG users. Second, I examined the impact of TCIG exposure and TCIG constituents on premalignant airway cells, to better understand the progression or regression of precancerous lesions. These data could also identify the constituents of TCIGs and the precancerous mutations that increase the risk for malignancy. Third, in an effort to build a high-throughput methodology for chemical exposures, I exposed primary lung cell lines to small molecule therapeutics and identified lung-specific and lung cell-type-specific effects of exposure, suggesting that profiling additional cell lines would further inform airway gene expression in response to exposure and that organ-specific exposure profiling may provide valuable insight into drug discovery for common diseases. Overall, transcriptomic profiles from the airway epithelium reflect exposure to various inhaled and chemical perturbations. These gene expression profiles indicate common changes across a multitude of airway exposures as well as unique alterations specific to a given perturbation. Gene expression profiling can therefore be used to detail the potential response to a compendium of chemical exposures including those that are either well-established or potential risk factors for chronic lung diseases.2019-07-09T00:00:00

COVID-19 information dissemination in Uganda: perspectives from sub-national health workers

Background: In many places, health workers at the sub-national level are on the frontlines of disseminating information about coronavirus (COVID-19) to communities. To ensure communities are receiving timely and accurate information, it is vital health workers are kept abreast of the most recent recommendations, and guidance. Methods: An electronic survey was implemented to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the COVID-19 pandemic by health workers engaged at sub-national levels of the Ugandan health system. The aim of this survey was to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by individuals engaged at sub-national levels of the health system. Results: Mass media and public health campaigns and outreach activities were deemed the most suitable means to reach communities with COVID-19 information. Given the reported disruption to public outreach campaigns, this is a particularly important consideration for the provision of information to communities. All materials should be adapted to the local context. The need for information on homecare of COVID-19 patients was highlighted, along with the need for updated local statistics as to COVID-19 cases to be relayed for health workers at sub-national levels. Conclusions: Understanding the sources of information used by health workers can facilitate the transfer of relevant and timely information, which in turn increases the use of such information by the Ugandan population. It is vital that these issues are continued to be monitored, and communication modes and content are actively responsive to the time- and place-specific needs of health workers and community members

Effect of Open Field and Open Shade Conditions on the Growth and Phytochemical Constituents of Amaranthus cruentus

The growth and phytochemical constituents of Amaranthus cruentus plants under open shade and open field conditions were studied. Plants grown under open field had significantly higher plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area throughout the period of the analysis than those grown under open shade.  Plants grown under open field condition had significantly higher (p = 0.05) amount of total flavonoids and total tannin and total antioxidant capacity.  Nevertheless, the total phenol was significantly higher in plants grown under open shade condition.  Leaf extracts of plants grown under open field condition also had significantly higher DPPH scavenging activity based on the IC50 value (38.31 ?g/ml) than those of plants grown under open shade (52.35 ?g/ml).  The results of this study show that Amaranthus cruentus plants should be grown under open field to obtain better vegetative growth as well as higher phytochemical and antioxidant capabilities. KEY WORDS: Amaranthus cruentus, open field, open shade, growth, antioxidan

Factors Influencing Effective Community Participation in Water Projects: A Survey of Water Mission Funded Projects in West Pokot County-Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing effective community participation on water project. The study was guided by The following objective; to establish the effect of socio-economic factors on effective community participation The study was guided by community participation theory. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study included management committee and the local community members.The sample size for the study comprised of 164 community members and eighteen management committee members. The study used stratified random sampling technique and purposive sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedule. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. It is assumed that the findings of the study would significantly contribute towards rural development by acting as a benchmark for identifying loopholes and corrective measures at policy level on water projects to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of provision of safe and clean water to all by the year 2030. The study findings indicated that socio-economic factors influenced effective community participation of funded water projects in West Pokot.The study findings showed that a significant number of the respondents 57.8 percent agreed thatlanguage barrier during project discussion forums hindered effective community participation, 63.8 percent agreed that nomadism among the Pokots affected effective community participation, 61.8 percent agreed that education level of the community members determined the level of community participation, 74.4 percent agreed that there was proper and effective community leadership that promoted community participation, 71.0 percent agreed that majority of the active community members were economically challenged and 85.8 percent agreed that water project had positively transformed health, water and sanitation practices in the region while 81.8 percent agreed that the level of community awareness on the importance of water projects influenced effective community participation. Results from testing the hypothesis indicated that p-value of 0.000and the null hypothesis was rejected. Pearson Correlation coefficient (r-value) is 0.544, which represented a positive but average relationship between socio-economic factors and effective community participation. Therefore, the study concluded that socio-economic factors had a significant effect on effective community participation in water funded projects in West Pokot.The study found out socio-economic Keywords: Community Participation, Socio-economic factors

Quality of Antenatal care services in eastern Uganda: implications for interventions

Introduction More efforts need to be directed to improving the quality of maternal health in developing countries if we are to keep on track with meeting the fifth millennium development goal. The World Health Organization says developing countries account for over 90% of maternal deaths of which three fifths occur in Sub-Saharan African countries like Uganda. Abortion, obstetric complications such as hemorrhage, dystocia, eclampsia, and sepsis are major causes of maternal deaths here. Good quality Antenatal Care (ANC) provides opportunity to detect and respond to risky maternal conditions. This study assessed quality of ANC services in eastern Uganda with a goal of benchmarking implications for interventions. Methods Data was collected from 15 health facilities in Eastern Uganda to establish capacity of delivering ANC services. Observation checklists were used to assess structural components and completeness of the ANC consultation process among 291 women attending it. Lastly, structured exit-interviews were conducted to assess satisfaction of patients. Data analysis was done in STATA Version 10. Results There was an overall staffing gap of over 40%, while infection control facilities, drugs and supplies were inadequate. However, there was good existence of physical infrastructure and diagnostic equipment for ANC services. It was observed that counseling for risk factors and birth preparedness was poorly done; in addition essential tests were not done for the majority of clients. Conclusion To improve the quality of ANC, interventions need to improve staffing, infection control facilities and drug-supplies. In addition to better counseling for risk factor-recognition and birth preparedness.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 13:2

Community oriented hygiene and sanitation

Community oriented hygiene and sanitatio

Virulence-Marker Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Tertiary Health Care Facility in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The virulence factors and antibiotic-resistance in enterococci isolated from the clinical samples and hospital environment were determined using standard microbiological methods. A total of 81 clinical samples and 35 environmental samples from a tertiary hospital in Ekiti State, Nigeria, were examined for the presence of Enterococcus spp. Species isolated were identified to include: Enterococcus faecalis (110), Enterococcus faecium (75), Enterococcus gallinarum (39), Enterococcus durans (37) and Enterococcus hirae (33). Enterococccus faecalis has the highest occurrence followed by E. faecium, while E. hirae had the least occurrence. The percentage prevalence of cytolysin (Cyt) was highest in E. gallinarum (74.4%) followed by E. faecalis (68.5%). A total of 49 (44.1%), 19 (48.7%) and 13 (17.3%) among E. faecalis, E. gallinarum and E. faecium, respectively, were positive for the combination of cytolysin (Cyt) and gelatinase (Gel). The presence of Gel with haemaglutinin (Hea) in the isolates was comparably lower than the Cyt and Gel combination. The occurrence of the three pathogenic factors is in this decreasing order: E. faecalis 20 (18.0%), E. faecium 8 (10.7%) and E. gallinarum 2 (5.1%). The susceptibility of isolates was tested against nine antibiotics. All the E. faecium isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole, ampicillin and chloramphenicol while none was resistant to vancomycin. The highest resistance was observed against cotrimoxazole followed by erythromycin while the least was observed in vancomycin. The highest vancomycin resistance was found among E. faecalis (30.6%) followed by E. durans (18.2%). The resistance of Enterococcus spp. was minimal to vancomycin, ofloxacin and nitrofurantoin, in increasing order, among the tested antibiotics

Third-Order Nonlinearity Measurement Techniques

To measure the degenerate (single-frequency) optical nonlinearities, third-order nonlinearity measurement and their related techniques were employed. When a laser beam is induced on a nonlinear (NL) medium, a phase change is easily identified using third-order nonlinearity measurement techniques (Z-scan). When the sample material is scanned on Z-axis, the phase change is denoted by sign and magnitude, the refractive index which is directly related to the change in the index of refraction. The nonlinear absorption from the absorption coefficient is independent of the index of refraction which is a required parameter for calculating nonlinear refraction. Further, the change in transmission caused by nonlinear absorption of the subjected material is related to the change in absorption coefficient which is easily determined by the Z-scan technique. From Z-scan responses, real and imaginary parts of third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ3) can be determined. The Z-scan technique is an interesting process that leads to optical power limiting and nonlinear optical propagation