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Depletion of circ_0001313 suppresses the carcinogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma through miR 512 5p/HMGA1 pathway
No full textPurpose: To probe the influence of circ_0001313 on the occurrence and development of laryngeal carcinoma and the potential molecular mechanism. Methods: 27 cases of laryngeal carcinoma attending health facility from January 2017 to September 2020 were obtained. The contents of circ_0001313, miR-512-5p and HMGA1 in the tissues were detected. Laryngeal carcinoma TU686 cells were randomly divided into different group via assigned transfection, and cell growth and mobility were evaluated. The investigation of the relationship was then determined. Results: Laryngeal carcinoma tissues and TU686 cell lines showed high expressed circ_0001313 and HMGA1, as well as low expressed miR-512-5p. Circ_0001313 deficiency or miR-512-5p overexpression weakened the survival, migration and invasiveness of TU686 cells. Circ_0001313 sponged miR-512-5p, which bound to HMGA1. In TU686 cells, the content of miR-512-5p was markedly increased with circ_0001313 depletion, and HMGA1 protein level was decreased with miR-512-5p upregulation. The deficiency of miR-512-5p weakened the influence of circ_0001313 depletion on the growth and mobility of TU686 cells. Conclusion: Interference of circ_0001313 could impair the migration, proliferation, and invasiveness of laryngeal carcinoma cells and promote cell apoptosis by regulating miR-512-5p/HMGA1 axis
A meta analysis of key risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
No full textPurpose: To examine the risk factors (RFs), associated with Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and the quantitative standards required to measure them Methods: The literature on RFs associated with SUDEP was systematically reviewed up to August 2020 in databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Database and Embase. Revised Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was performed to determine the quality of each study in this meta-analysis (MA), with a score of ≥ 3, indicating good quality. Any controversies in data extraction and quality assessment were resolved through counsel or adjudication with a third researcher. Results: An initial screening of the literature following the search strategy and manual inclusion yielded a total of 767 studies. After excluding duplicates as well as articles that did not match the topic, 112 studies remained. Twenty-nine studies were finally selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After a careful review of the full text, nine studies were included in the MA. Conclusion: The five RFs for SUDEP included age at the onset of epilepsy ≤15 years, generalized-tonic-clonic seizure, seizure frequency ≥50 seizures/year, treatment with a combination of multiple antiepileptic drugs, and history of alcohol abuse
Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents of Fresh Roots Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of the Medicinal Plants of Uvaria chamae, Anthocleista djalonensis and Euadenia eminens
No full textPhytochemicals are bioactive plant chemicals nutrients typically found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods which may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition and can help reduce risks of major chronic diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of fresh roots ethanolic and aqueous extracts of medicinal plants of Uvaria chamae, Anthocleista djalonensis and Euadenia eminens using standard methods of phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Phytochemical screening revealed a diverse array of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, isoprenoids, steroids, phlobatanins and cardiac glycosides. The results of GC-MS analysis of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of U. chamae revealed the presence of four and fourteen compounds respectively. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. djalonensis had ten and seventeen compounds respectively while the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of E. eminens was found to have six and twenty compounds respectively. These results indicate U. chamae, A. djalonensis and E. eminens possess phytochemicals which have potential antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory activity amongst others and as such, can be recommended as plants of phytopharmaceutical importance
Assessment of popular knowledge and uses of Vigna subterranea (L.) for prebreeding programs in Douala (Cameroon)
No full textThe main goal of this study is to assess the endogenous knowledge on the diversity of V. subterranea (L.) and its different habits using an ethnobotanical survey in five (05) districts of Douala in the Littoral region of Cameroon. To achieve this objective, the survey was realised on among 170 households from 18 neighbourhoods and 118 traders working in 12 markets from Douala I, II, III, IV and V. Subsequently, the survey revealed that surveyed originated from nine (09) ethnic groups belonging to the Littoral, West, Centre and North Cameroon Regions, forming a representative sample for the country. The study reveals a variety of local nomenclature from one ethnic group to another, such as “Matobo”, “Matobi” and “Matopi” having dominantly the same radical “Matob” in the coastal area and suggesting the same source of languages. The seed colour (77.08%) appear as the main popular criterion for the recognition of morphotypes (multicolored ~77.66%, white ~14.77%, red ~3.38%, brown ~3.38% and black ~1.27%). The consumption of seeds (fresh or cooked) is ubiquitous but can induce few undesirable effects such as diarrhoea, constipation and allergies. The survey equally reveals therapeutic effects (29.6%) of organs on digestive disorders, cataracts, and infected wounds. These results permit to identify the rich secular knowledge, culinary habits and medicinal virtues linked to morphotypes usable for prebreeding programs of V. subterranea. 
Predictors of Attrition from Care and Treatment Centres among HIV-positive Pregnant and Breastfeeding Adult Women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
No full textIn Tanzania, poor retention rates among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers continue to be a problem, contributing to a mother-to-child HIV transmission rate of 11% in 2019, compared to a global target of 5%. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of retention on clinical outcomes and identifying predictors of attrition among HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women from follow-up care in Dar es Salaam. A retrospective cohort study included HIV-positive women who engaged in PMTCT services in public and private health facilities between January 2016 and December 2019. Secondary data were extracted from databases used for routine follow-up in care and treatment clinics (CTCs). The estimates of cumulative incidences of poor retention from date of enrollment or ART initiation were assessed using Kaplan–Meier method. The Cox regression model was used to identify the predictors of attrition. Among 20,225 HIV-infected pregnant and lactating women enrolled in PMTCT services, 93.35%, 89.07%, and 85.24% were classified as retained in care at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. The attrition rate at the end of the follow-up period was 15.82%, and WHO clinical stages 3 or 4 (aHR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.46–1.89; p-value < 0.001) and unsuppressed viral load (aHR = 3.79, 95% CI: 3.20–4.49; p-value < 0.001) were predictors of increased risks of attrition. The maternal age group 25–34 years (aHR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18–0.32; p-value < 0.001), being married or cohabiting (aHR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.38–0.55; p-value < 0.001), an efavirenz (EFV)-based regimen (aHR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.19–0.35; p-value < 0.001), and good adherence to ART (aHR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.79; p-value < 0.001) were factors associated with reduced risks of attrition. The study shows that a strong tracking system for lost to follow-up (LTFU), that is, patients who miss appointments to the same health facility for more than 3 months after the last scheduled clinical visit, should be prioritised for successive PMTCT programmes for better clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Retention, Attrition, Treatment, Clinics, Loss-to-follow u
Physicochemical and sensory properties of jameed enriched with orange albedo and apple peel powder
No full textJameed is a dried fermented milk product with long shelf life and can be stored for several months at room temperature (15-30⁰ C) without deterioration or affecting its functional, biological and nutritional values. Mansaf contains high amount of fat, which comes from the meat and ghee or oil, which is added to it. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding apple peel powder and orange albedo powder at different percentages (3%, 5% and 7%), as sources of dietary fiber, on physicochemical (protein, fiber, ash content and wettability, and separation layer content), and sensory properties of jameed. This is the first study that addresses adding fiber to jameed to reduce the risk of life-style diseases. The results showed that all treatments of apple peels and orange albedo used for jameed were effective in increasing the protein, fiber, ash content and wettability when compared with the control. The highest treatment that significantly increased these parameters was 7% for both apple peels and orange albedo treatments. All percentage concentrations of orange albedo and apple peel treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased the separation layer when compared to the control. The most effective treatment in decreasing the separation layer (20%) was the 7% apple peel treatment when compared to control. When comparing orange albedo treatments with apple peels treatments of jameed, results showed that orange albedo treatments at all levels increased the wettability better than apple peels. Sensorial characteristics of jameed treated with apple peels and orange albedo as sources of fiber were attractive to the consumers. The sensory attributes of jameed including appearance, color, flavor, taste, texture, consistency and overall acceptability were significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) by adding orange albedo and apple peel at different percentages (3%, 5%, and 7%). When comparing apple peel and orange albedo treatments for jameed in all scores, there were no significant differences in overall acceptability scores between them. 
Factors associated with minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet practices among children 6- 23 months of age in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
No full textThe study assessed infant and young child feeding practices and associated factors among 6–23-month-old children in order to inform ongoing and future programs and projects in Bobo-Dioulasso area, in Burkina Faso. Information on child feeding practices and determinants in urban areas is limited in Burkina Faso. Data of 301children, collected in 2013, were considered in this secondary analysis. Questionnaires were used to collect data on respondents’ socio-demographic and economic situation. In addition to the information on child care practices, food consumption data were also collected using a 24h dietary recall questionnaire. Indicators of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were constructed and proportion of children meeting these indicators calculated. Binary logistic regression was used to see the association between the outcome variables and explanatory variables, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with minimum dietary diversity, meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet. Data cleaning and analysis were done using SPSS version 25. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were computed to measure the strength of association. Almost 3 out of 4 mothers (72.5%) were housewives and 62.4% of them were illiterate. Among the 301 children, 40.2% were aged 18-23 months. About half of the children (45.2%) were born to mothers from high income households. The proportion of children 6–23 months who met the MDD and MMF for breastfed and non-breastfed children was 18.3% and 28.9%, respectively. Less than one fifth of breastfed children (16.1%) received MAD. Girls were more likely to meet the MDD (p=0.02) and MAD (p=0.04) than boys. The proportion of children 6-23 months meeting the three complementary feeding practice indicators in Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso were far below the WHO-recommended standard of 90% coverage. The MDD and MAD were positively associated to the female gender. This finding could be used to better target the children in order to improve the effects of the ongoing or future interventions in increasing appropriate complementary feeding practices. 
Effect of harvest stage and nitrogen fertilization on the postharvest shelf life of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) And collard (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.)
Full text linkLeafy vegetables play a crucial role in the human diet providing numerous nutrients and health benefiting compounds. Leafy vegetables like collard (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum l.) are commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Kenya. However, their high perishability and short shelf life (usually 1-2 days at ambient temperature) limits their utilization resulting in significant high postharvest losses. This study assessed the effect of harvest stage and nitrogen fertilization on the postharvest shelf life of collard and black nightshade. Experiments were conducted at Kabete field station, University of Nairobi, using collard and black nightshade. Field experimental layout was a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Factors were nitrogen levels and harvest stage. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) were applied on black nightshade and (0, 55.5, 111.1 and 166.6 kg N/ha) in collard where 0 kg N/ha was the control. Collard and black night shade were harvested at three harvest stages: 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks after transplanting. The harvested vegetables were kept at ambient room condition (20 °C, 55% relative humidity). Data collection was performed daily for quality related parameters which included color change, wilting index and cumulative weight loss. Results show that there was a progressive deterioration in quality of the collard and black nightshade with storage time regardless of harvest stage and nitrogen level. Harvesting at 8 weeks after transplanting resulted in longer shelf life in collard (three days) and black nightshade (two days) when compared to harvesting at 4 weeks or 6 weeks after transplanting. Collard and black nightshade showed reduced hue angles over storage time at different harvest stages. Black nightshade subjected to 90 kg N/ha and harvested at 4 weeks after transplanting had the highest wilting index of 33%. The highest cumulative weight loss of 29% was recorded in collard that were harvested at 8 weeks after transplanting. Black nightshade subjected to 90 kg N/ha and harvested at 6 weeks after transplanting showed the best color at a hue angle of 145°. Overall, harvesting at 8 weeks after transplanting resulted in the longest shelf life of both black nightshade and collard. These results show that low application of nitrogen fertilizer in black nightshade (30 kg N/ha) and in collard (55.5 kg N/ha) had minimal effects on weight loss and wilting and resulted in good keeping quality
Linkage between nutritional status of children 6-59 months and some socio-demographic and economic characteristics of mothers in Malava sub-county, Kakamega County
Full text linkThe world is currently battling the triple burden of malnutrition across all age groups including children. In Kenya, household socio-demographic and economic characteristics have been shown to contribute to malnutrition among children, but there is little known about the magnitude of their contribution at the sub-county level. This study aimed at determining the association between socio-demographic and economic characteristics of mothers and the nutritional status of their children 6-59 months old. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in November and December of 2021 in Malava Sub-county, Kakamega County, Kenya. Data were collected from households using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 344 randomly selected mothers who had children aged 6-59 months. Nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measurements translated to nutrition indicators using WHO Anthro software. Association between the study variables was determined using Chi-square test. About 53% of the mothers were aged < 25 years. Formal education of mothers was low with 14.5% having no education at all and 46.8% having completed primary level only. Poverty rate was high in the study area with 83.7% of the mothers being unemployed and 77.9% earning less than Ksh. 5,000 (50 USD) per month. Only 14.5% engaged in business as an economic activity. Malnutrition prevalence in Malava Subcounty was high with almost 21% of the children being stunted and 8.1% being severely stunted. The prevalence of wasting and underweight were at 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between the stunting and the age of the mother (p=0.036) and education level (p=0.023). Education was also significantly associated with wasting (p=0.008). Underweight was associated with education level (p=0.014), average household monthly income (p=0.019) and the household economic activity engagement (p=0.01). The study recommends a multisectoral collaboration in addressing the household demographic and economic characteristics that may help in reducing the prevalence of malnutrition in Malava Subcounty, Kakamega County
Southern mullets (Chelon richardsonii) as a potential biological indicator for mercury pollution in the Walvis Bay lagoon, Namibia
No full textSouthern mullet Chelon richardsonii is one of the important fish species found in the Walvis Bay lagoon (WBL) that is commercially exploited for local consumption. The southern mullet is, however, exposed to mercury (Hg) found in sediments, which forms part of its diet. This study evaluated the Hg concentration in muscles, stomach content, liver, and gills of C. richardsonii over two years. The Hg concentration was higher in the liver (0.005 mg kg−1) and relatively lower in the gills (0.001 mg kg−1). There were temporal variations in Hg concentration among the tissues; a positive correlation between mean Hg concentration and fish sizes (total length and total weight) was documented in the gills; and a negative correlation for size versus Hg concentration was recorded in the livers, stomach contents, and the muscles of southern mullets. The Hg concentrations of all tissues were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit for fish (0.5 mg kg−1), which indicates that it does not pose a human health risk at the current levels. This study’s findings form a baseline for using southern mullets as biological indicators of Hg pollution in WBL. The study also highlights the need for regular monitoring programmes to protect and maintain the ecological characteristics of WBL as per Namibia’s mandates under the Ramsar Convention