Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms within the OCT2 gene in the South African black population

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016.The Organic Cation Transporter 2 (OCT2) gene is responsible for facilitating the transport of cationic compounds, which include both endogenous substrates and clinical drugs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene were extensively explored in the South African black population as little research has been conducted on these individuals so far. We sequenced the OCT2 promoter region of 10 DNA samples from the South African black population and identified four SNPs and one INDEL. We performed a luciferase assay to determine their effects on gene expression and we found two variants (rs59695691 and rs138765638) that showed a statistically significant change in luciferase expression suggesting that they may be associated with a change in OCT2 regulatory function. We also indentified thirteen SNPs and two INDELs within the OCT2 promoter region, and nine SNPs within the OCT2 coding region through analysing various South African population studies. These variations could affect both gene expression and protein function. These findings help contribute to filling the gap pertaining to OCT variation in South African populations.LG201

Reimagining anthropology: towards an anti-racist, feminist ethnography

The aim of this thesis is to address ethnographic research methods and its uses in the discipline of anthropology to reimagine an accountable and collaborative ethnography. The standard of ethnographic research methods relies on neo-colonial and exploitative practices to create knowledge and data. This thesis reinserts the work of many researchers of color identifying that the discipline’s antecedents practiced anti-racist, anti-colonial research methods. Through critical literature analysis and historicization, the research interrogates the complexities of insider/outsider research, collaborative research methods, and the politics of studying up to reimagine ethnography for liberation

The Challenge Of Creating And Maintaining Respected Country-Of-Origin Assets: The Irish Linen Story

The idea that country images and brand images can be strongly linked is well accepted in international marketing (Paswan et al, 2003; Al-Sulaiti and Baker, 1998; Li and Murray, 2000; Zhang, 1997). A country image projected to the rest of the world is very complex (O’Shaughnessy and O’Shaughnessy, 2000; Insch and McBride, 2002) and multidimensional (Papadopoulos and Heslop, 2002). Some products and their countries are linked so strongly that the brand images include their country of origin (COO).  Certain Irish products have such a linkage.  A Chicago Tribune article observes that when tourists go to Ireland they often are unable to resist buying fine handmade products that are known worldwide for their quality, such as Aran sweaters, Irish linen and lace, tweeds, Waterford crystal, Belleek china, and Celtic motif jewelry and pewter (Merin, 1991).  Of those fine products, linen is inseparably linked with the nation as Irish linen.  Irish linen is now a brand name that yields the benefits and problems inherent with brand status and subject to the influences of country of image effects

Differential Prepartum and Postpartum Growth Patterns of Yorkshire and Meishan Piglets Gestated in the Same Uterine Environment

While Yorkshire fetal growth appears to depend on increasing placental size, more extensive vascularization of a smaller placenta appears to support Meishan fetal growth. Further studies are needed to extend our knowledge of the mechanisms controlling placental growth and vascularization. The ability to manipulate conceptus size may allow producers the opportunity to increase litter size in domestic pigs. More piglets farrowed per sow per year combined with the effects of fetal genotype on postpartum growth rate, as confirmed by the current study, would allow more efficient pork production

The Effect of Uterine Environment on Meishan and Yorkshire Fetal Development and Placental Size and Vascularity

When Meishan (M) and Yorkshire (Y) embryos were cotransferred to Y recipients that were then allowed to farrow, it was observed that the birth weights of M and Y littermates were similar averaging 1.15 ± .06 kg. In contrast, placentae matched to M piglets were markedly smaller (.70% lighter) and more vascular (.two-fold) than Y placentae. To investigate the effect of uterine environment on conceptus development to term, M and Y embryos were cotransferred to M recipients (n=3) that were slaughtered one day before expected parturition (day 113). Fetal weight, placental weight, and placental surface area were recorded. Additionally, a section of the intact maternal placental interface was excised, fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained to allow quantitation of the placental vascular density (PVD). As observed when M and Y fetuses were cogestated by Y recipients, littermate M and Y fetuses gestated in M uteri were similar in weight (1.04 ± .03 vs. 1.03 ± .05 kg) at term. Further, M conceptuses exhibited markedly reduced (P\u3c.03) placental weights (170 ± 19 vs. 249 ± 10 g) and surface areas (1017 ± 70 vs. 1506 ± 96 cm 2 ) compared with their Y littermates. As was the case for conceptuses gestated in Y uteri, the similarity in fetal weight between the two breeds with very different placental sizes appears to result from an increased (P\u3c.09) M PVD compared with littermate Y fetuses (2.5 ± .3 vs. 1.4 ± .4%). These data indicate that in both the M and Y uterine environment, the reduced size of the M compared with Y placenta is compensated for by an increase in PVD. Currently it is unknown whether M placentae contain a greater amount of vasculature (total volume) or a similar amount of vasculature simply squeezed into a smaller space. To investigate breed differences in total placental vasculature we have perfused placentae of M and Y conceptuses cogestated in M uteri on d 113 of gestation with vascular casting material and will compare the volumes of the corrosion casts

A Decreased Placental Size and Increased Vascular Density Results in Increased Prolificacy in the Meishan Pig

The Chinese Meishan pig farrows 3 to 5 more pigs per litter than U.S. pig breeds. When Meishan and Yorkshire embryos are co-transferred to a Yorkshire recipient, Meishan fetuses and placentae are smaller than Yorkshire fetuses and placentae through day 90 of gestation. At farrowing, Meishan placentae are still smaller than Yorkshire placentae; however, Meishan fetuses are born at the same weight as their Yorkshire littermates. This tremendous growth of the Meishan fetus between day 90 and term is the result of an increased vascularization of the Meishan placenta. In this experiment we investigated the time course of placental vascular development of Meishan and Yorkshire conceptuses during late gestation. Our results demonstrate that Yorkshire fetuses increase the potential for nutrient extraction from the maternal blood by increasing the size of their placentae; however, Meishan fetuses achieve the same end by increasing the density of placental blood vessels while maintaining a constant placental size. The increased vascular density of the Meishan placenta then allows the conceptus to occupy less space in the uterus, allowing more fetuses to survive to term

Demokratisierungs- und Entwicklungsprozesse in Gambia

Diese Diplomarbeit widmet sich der Frage, wie sich das Verhältnis von Demokratie und Entwicklung im allgemeinen Diskurs zwischen den zwei zeitlichen Abschnitten 1960-1975 und 1990-2007 gewandelt hat. Die dazugehörige These lautet: „Der Diskurs über das Verhältnis von Demokratie und Entwicklung hat sich konträr verändert, nämlich vom anfänglichen ‚Development first, democracy second’ zum späteren ‚Democracy first, development second’“. Zentrale Elemente der Analyse sind auf der Demokratieebene u.a. freie Wahlen, Parteien, Gewaltenteilung und Rechtsstaatlichkeit und auf der Ebene der Entwicklung wirtschaftliche und sozioökonomische Aspekte. Am Länderbeispiel Gambia wird die Stichhaltigkeit des vorherrschenden Diskurses geprüft. Der erste Teil der Arbeit konzentriert sich auf Theorien, Konzepte und Definitionen von Demokratie und Entwicklung auf allgemeiner Ebene und im afrikanischen Kontext. Das Verhältnis von Demokratie und Entwicklung hat sich im Diskurs erheblich verändert: im Sinne der These wurde in den 1960er und 1970er Jahren die Ansicht vertreten, Entwicklung sei eine Voraussetzung für Demokratie; ab den 1990er Jahren hat sich diese Vorstellung in der vorherrschenden Literatur umgekehrt. Es wird jedoch in diesem Zusammenhang hinterfragt, ob die Aufoktroyierung der Vorstellungen des Nordens ohne hinreichende Berücksichtigung der afrikanischen Entwicklungsgeschichte und Standpunkte nicht ihrerseits demokratie- und entwicklungshemmend ist. Der zweite Teil der Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Entwicklungs- und Demokratisierungsprozessen in der heutigen Republik Gambia in den untersuchten Zeitabschnitten. In der Geschichte Gambias gab es seit der Unabhängigkeit durch die Machtkonzentration auf die jeweiligen Präsidenten keinen Machtwechsel auf der Basis von freien Wahlen. Es wurden in Gambia, vor allem in der Phase der Zweiten Republik, demokratische Grundprinzipien verletzt bzw. untergraben. Aus wirtschaftlicher Perspektive gab es in Gambia seit der Unabhängigkeit keine signifikanten Veränderungen. Es konnte festgestellt werden, dass es weder zwischen 1960 und 1975 noch zwischen 1990 und 2007 ein kontinuierlich ansteigendes Wirtschaftswachstum und insofern auch keine längerfristige positive Entwicklung gab. In Bezug auf die soziale Entwicklung kam es zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Vergleichszeitraum zu Verbesserungen im Bildungs- und Gesundheitsbereich, die aber als unzureichend bezeichnet werden müssen. Bezieht man sich auf einen weit gefassten, menschen- und freiheitszentrierten Entwicklungsbegriff, muss festgestellt werden, dass die Bevölkerung Gambias in den Jahren nach der Unabhängigkeit (1965-1975) mehr Freiheiten und Selbstverwirklichungsmöglichkeiten hatten als zwischen 1990 und 2007. Seit Mitte der 1990er Jahre ist sowohl die wirtschaftliche als auch politische Partizipation durch die repressive Politik stark eingeschränkt. In den 1960er Jahren, in denen der Diskurs Entwicklung als Vorbedingung für Demokratie sah, galt Gambia im Vergleich zu anderen afrikanischen Staaten als vorbildhafter demokratischer Staat. Gleichzeitig zählte es zu einem der ärmsten Länder weltweit. Trotz der schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Lage hielt das Mehrparteiensystem und der demokratische Ruf des Landes über mehrere Jahrzehnte an. Die These, dass Entwicklung Demokratie bedinge, konnte also anhand des Länderbeispiels Gambias nicht belegt werden. Ebenso konnte aufgrund dieser Situation die Annahme des Diskurses der 1990er Jahre, Demokratie stelle eine Voraussetzung für Entwicklung dar, keine Bestätigung finden. Überdies kam es in Gambia nach dem Militärputsch 1994 zum Zusammenbruch der demokratischen Strukturen und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung verschlechterte sich. Dies zeigt, dass der Verlust der Demokratie in Gambia mit einer signifikanten Verschlechterung der wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Situation einherging. Es scheint daher, dass der Entwicklungsprozess in einem politisch stabilen, demokratischen Umfeld selbst auch stabiler ist, während der Zerfall demokratischer Strukturen sich negativ auf die Entwicklung auswirkt.This study is devoted to the changes of the discourse on the relationship between development and democracy between the years 1960-1975 and 1990-2007. The respective hypothesis is as follows: „The discourse on the relationship between democracy and development has changed into the contrary, namely from the initial ‚Development first, Democracy second’ to the later ‚Democracy first, development second’“. Central elements of the analyses are with respect to democracy free elections, political parties and rule of law, and with regard to development econmica and social aspects. The Gambia, a small country in West Africa, is taken as an example for the validity of the mainstream discourse. The first part of this thesis focusses on theories, concepts and definitions of democracy and development in general and in the African context. The relationship between democracy and development has changed significantly in the discourse. In line with the hypothesis, development was seen as a prerequisite for democracy in the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1990s onward, this view has reversed. However, the question is raised if the imposition of the views of the North without taking adequate account of the African history and views might not have to be regarded as inhibiting democratisation and development. The second part of this thesis deals with the democracy and development in the Republic The Gambia during the mentioned periods of time. In its history, due to the concentration of political power around its Presidents, The Gambia has not witnessed changes in power through free elections. Especially during the 2nd Republic democratic principles were undermined. From the economic perspective, there were no changes in The Gambia since its independence. Neither from 1960-1975 nor from 1990-2007 was there a significant or continuous economic growth and thus there was no long-term positive development. While there were some improvements in educational and health regards, these must be seen as insufficient. Focussing on human rights and freedom of the people of The Gambia, these evolved more positively after independence from 1965-1975 than from 1990-2007. Since the mid 1990s, the repressive politics restrict both economic and political participation. In the 1960s, in which the discourse saw development as prerequisite for democracy, The Gambia was a positive example of democracy when compared with other African states. Nevertheless it was one of the poorest countries worldwide. Despite its difficult economic situation, The Gambia maintained its system of multiple political parties and its democratic character over decades. Thus, the hypothesis that development leads to democracy cannot be confirmed using The Gambia as example. Likewise, based on the mentioned situation in the Gambia, the discourse of the 1990s that democracy leads to development does not find support. Moreover, after the military coup in 1994 which led to the collapse of the democratic structures, the economic development deteriorated. This suggests that loss of democracy in The Gambia was associated with a significant impairment of the population’s economic and social situation. It appears that the process of development stabilizes in a democratic surrounding, while the collapse of democratic structures impacts development negatively

Prevalencia y Factores de Riesgo que Inciden en la Mortalidad en Embarazadas de la Zona 3- 2014-2015

La muerte materna es una tragedia familiar y comunitaria que tiene profundas consecuencias sociales y económicas, que a pesar de los ingentes esfuerzos que realiza el país persisten elevadas tasas de morbimortalidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo que inciden en la mortalidad de las embarazadas de la zona 3 en los años 2014 y 2015 mediante el estudio de variables epidemiológicas con el fin de identificar las variables de mayor impacto y plantear intervenciones que puedan disminuir la muerte materna en la zona 3. Metodología: Se trata de una investigación de tipo no experimental, retrospectivo, observacional, descriptiva, de corte transversal de prevalencia, correlacional. Se analizó 33 casos de muerte materna los cuales cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión el análisis se lo realizó con la metodología del Protocolo de Londres de los expedientes clínicos y de los informes de muerte materna, el método estadístico utilizado fue en base a hoja de datos procesados en Excel y SPSS. Con los resultados obtenidos se comprobó los factores de riesgo en base al método de Ch2, asumiendo un nivel de significancia estadística p< 0.05. Resultados: Se evidencia una significativa disminución de la muerte materna desde el año 1990 hasta el año 2015. En el país para el año 1990 se tenía una razón de muerte materna de 156 por 100.000 nacidos vivos para el año 2015 se tuvo una razón de 49,4 por cada 100.00 nacidos vivos. La variable de mayor impacto identificada es la variable periodo de ocurrencia del fallecimiento de las muertes maternas siendo el postparto con el 51,5% seguido por el período del embarazo con el 27,3%, información que será de mucha utilidad para la propuesta de intervención. Otros resultados de importancia son el acceso a la utilización de métodos de planificación familiar, el 81,8% no utilizaron algún método para planificar su familia. Conclusiones.- La iimplementación de un plan de Intervención de Auditoria de Calidad en los Servicios de Salud Materno Neonatales en atención del parto, dando énfasis también a la capacitación en terreno y seguimiento de las normas materno neonatales sobre todo en el postparto ya que la mayor causa de muerte materna se da en postparto con el 51,5% de casos seguido de 21,2 % en el parto. El fortalecimiento en las intervenciones en el sector rural que constituye el 72.7% de acuerdo al área de residencia provienen del sector rural y que la metodología de las acciones se piense que el nivel de instrucción de las fallecidas (60.6%) están con primaria y ninguna instrucció

Opposite environmental and genetic influences on body size in North American Drosophila pseudoobscura.

Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tBACKGROUND: Populations of a species often differ in key traits. However, it is rarely known whether these differences are associated with genetic variation and evolved differences between populations, or are instead simply a plastic response to environmental differences experienced by the populations. Here we examine the interplay of plasticity and direct genetic control by investigating temperature-size relationships in populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura from North America. We used 27 isolines from three populations and exposed them to four temperature regimes (16°C, 20°C, 23°C, 26°C) to examine environmental, genetic and genotype-by-environment sources of variance in wing size. RESULTS: By far the largest contribution to variation in wing size came from rearing temperature, with the largest flies emerging from the coolest temperatures. However, we also found a genetic signature that was counter to this pattern as flies originating from the northern, cooler population were consistently smaller than conspecifics from more southern, warmer populations when reared under the same laboratory conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that local selection on body size appears to be acting counter to the environmental effect of temperature. We find no evidence that local adaptation in phenotypic plasticity can explain this result, and suggest indirect selection on traits closely linked with body size, or patterns of chromosome inversion may instead be driving this relationship.NERCBBSR