1358 research outputs found
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Characterisation of signalling cascade by HBV genotypes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma progression
No full textBackground
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have different clinical outcomes in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. The HBV encodes two regulatory proteins, the LHBs and the HBx.
Methods
We analysed the impact of the HBV genotypes A-D and G (GTA-GTG) regulatory proteins on the activation and induction of the Raf-MEK-MEK, Nrf2, NF‐κB and -taxilin pathways.
Results
We observed a genotype-specific activation and induction of the signalling pathways by the HBV genotypes regulatory proteins, which reflects differences in the impact of the HBV genotypes regulatory proteins and the progression of HCC in respect to the HBV genotypes. The cellular compartmentalization of the HBV regulatory proteins differs among the genotypes, which case impacts on the nuclei and cytosolic signals which are activated and induced. While reconstitution of HBVΔHBx with HBx revives the wildtype nature of HBV to produce viral particles, the produced viral particles of the reconstituted HBVΔHBx are not infective.
Conclusion:
Differences in the activation and induction of signalling pathways may result in the observed genotype-specific immunogenicity and pathogenesis of HBV genotypes.The DAAD In-Country Zimbabwe Scholarshi
Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Zim VAc )2018 Rural Livelihoods Assessment Report
No full textNational Implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative 2017
No full textWorld Health Organisatio
The relationship of patient participation in mobilization on length of hospital stay in hospitalized adult patients with fractured tibia and fibula at two central hospitals in Harare Zimbabwe
No full textLength of hospital stay is an area of concern in medical- surgical nursing. Length of hospital stay determines the Financial cost incurred by the patient and the potential complications the patient may deveolp (Marchette & Holloman 1986). The World Development Report, (1993) stated that, Government hospitals in developing countries, including Zimbabwe, keep patients longer than is necessary.
The purpose of the study was to describe patient participation in mobilization of hospitalized adult patients, identify the length of hospital stay and examine the
relationship of patient participation in mobilization on length of hospital stay. A descriptive correlational design using a convenience sampling method was used to select 50 patients comprising 37 males and 13 females with fractured tibia and fibula. Roy's Adaptation Model provided the foundation for the study. The study sites were two referral Central Hospitals in Zimbabwe. The instruments used for collecting data were
structured interview questionnaires, developed by the investigator for measuring demographic characteristics, patient participation in mobilization and length of hospital stay. The average length of hospital stay was 16 days. The total score of patient participation was 147. The majority of the patients, constituting 58% scored below the mean score of 73.5 whilst 42% scored above the mean score. The Pearson correlation (r) coefficient identified that there was no relationship of patient participation in mobilization on length of hospital stay, (r =.0028 ) ( p = > .05 ). Although the results were
insignificant, there is a need for medical- surgical nurses to provide adequate information to the patients so as to improve their perception on participation in
mobilization.This study could be used as a pilot project for conducting further research studies with larger sample sizes employing the concept of patient participation especially in reducing length of hospital stay
Teaching environmental and economic consciousness in the English language classroom: A concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
No full textOccasional PaperThis paper reports on a study that focused on how environmental and economic consciousness can be taught through the English language subject area. Environmental and economic consciousness is a competence that is often associated with geography or science subjects, and is also often incorporated when dealing with the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD). A teacher of English language, therefore, may not automatically think of a project linked with either that competence or the ESD concept. This study sets out to change that. Research work was done through a graduate diploma in education (Grad DE) programme with one of the student teachers on attachment (also called teaching practice) at an urban suburban school in Harare. It was during the teaching practice (TP) session, between May and August 2015, that this research was carried out with the student teacher and 51 students in form one. The methodology used was qualitative research with a project approach design. The results showed that the English language classroom is an ideal space for inculcating environmental and economic consciousness as a competence, and as an ESD concept. The learning process and experience led to a number of positive outcomes which were life-changing for the pupils and the student-teacher. Pupils started improving proficiency in English. Assessment of the student teacher’s teaching practice also indicated a transformation in her approach to teaching English language and she developed into a very confident teacher over-night. Teaching English language was no longer routine, but a vehicle through which knowledge on environmental and economic consciousness, as a concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) could be gained. Practical projects could be done with students to make them practise the language more, and contextually. Attitudes towards the environment started changing and skills were gained by both the student teacher and pupils and this would lead to sustained activities that promote the environment. Information was supplied by students who, with the assistance of the student teacher, evaluated the impact of their work on their lives and its influence on their education. A sample of what they said is included in this paper. The transformation was evident in the
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Occasional Papers May 2017
student teacher who continued to promote education for sustainable development, and raising awareness on environmental and economic consciousness after completion of the diploma programme.
Introduction
This paper reports on a study that focused on how environmental and economic consciousness can be taught through the English language subject. Studying environmental and economic consciousness is often associated with geography or science subjects. It is also often incorporated when dealing with the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD). This author strongly believes that environmental and economic consciousness is a competence that can be taught and learned through the English language subject. The competence also incorporates the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) in that once one is environmentally conscious, they may work hard to preserve it by the way they control behaviour that is likely to erode any environmental space. In addition, one would work hard to make that space economically viable through entrepreneurship to empower oneself. It was considered feasible to impart all these ideas through the English language classroom because that language is a vehicle of communication studied by every school learner in Zimbabwe.
Therefore, it was thought logically possible for learners to be able to use this vehicle to study that competence (i.e., environmental and economic consciousness), and the ESD concept which is one of the ―cross-curricular themes‖ listed in the Handbook on Teacher Professional Standards, p. 6). In order to prove the veracity and workability of this idea, work was carried out with a pre-service teacher on a Graduate Diploma in Education (Grad DE) programme at the University of Zimbabwe. The author was the supervisor, overseeing the facilitation of learning by a form one class that the student teacher was teaching English language, incorporating the competence and the ESD concept
Design of a sawdust pelleting machine
No full textConference paperThis paper seeks to carry out the design of a pelleting machine with a capacity of 900kg per hour for the Company X. Apparently the boilers at the plant are using wood chips, a by-product from the milling operations as their source of fuel but off late the plant has been experiencing a serious fuel shortage. The fuel crisis emanated from low plant availability caused by old and dilapidated machinery. Major breakdowns that brings the plant to a halt for long hours are abrupt and rampant and during that time no wood chips are produced resulting in a fuel shortage. Following this fuel shortage the boiler operators have resorted to rationing the fuel input into the boiler as it has to run continuously regardless of whether the plant is moving or not. This rationing has resulted in poor boiler performance and low efficiency which has in turn affected the timber drying kilns. The boilers are producing poor quality steam which has had the effect of doubling the timber drying cycles. As a result of doubled timber drying cycles half of the timber produced is sold as wet off sawn at a relatively low price which is a loss to the company. The management and the engineering team in a bid to do away with this problem proposed the use of sawdust as additional boiler fuel. After a consideration of the type of boiler fire grates at the plant it was found that raw sawdust cannot be used as it has a tendency of choking the grates blowing out combustion so it has to be pelletized. With this problem at hand this project zeroed in at the design and development of a pelleting machine that will specifically meet the pellets need at the wattle company. Literature review was done on several types of pelleting machines’ operating mechanisms and from this literature three possible concepts were generated. These concepts were evaluated and the best was chosen and developed into a finished design ready for fabrication with all working drawings available for each component. The machine was designed with a constraint budget of USD $10 000 and it will provide a backup and additional boiler fuel to the already being used wood chips
The effects of weighting in the regression analysis of survey data collected using non-probabilistic sampling methods: A secondary data analysis
No full textIntroduction
When surveys are conducted especially for hidden populations, data is rarely collected using random sampling which is the ideal way to collect representative data. However, it is common practice to analyse this data as if it was collected through random sampling
ignoring the sampling design. We sought to determine the effects of including weights in the analysis of survey data collected through non-probabilistic sampling methods.
Broad objective
To assess the effects of weighting on risk taking behaviours associated with STIs
among female sex workers (FSW) and long distance truck drivers (LDTD) in Beitbridge using weighted and unweighted logistic regression models.
Methods
Both inverse probability weighted and unweighted forward selection multivariate logistic modelling techniques were used to determine significant risk taking behaviours
associated with STIs in FSW and LDTD. Final models compared magnitude of the difference between odds ratios, the selection of final variables, standard errors,statistical significance of selected variables and the overall fit of the models to determine whether or not we believed weighted models were more appropriate for the analysis of the survey data for FSW and LDTD.
Results
For risk taking behaviours associated with STIs, inclusion of weights resulted in an
increase in the odds ratios, a decrease in the standard errors and narrowing of theconfidence intervals for the parameters in the weighted model for FSW. In the
weighted model for LDTD, the odds ratios were higher than in the unweighted model
and the confidence intervals were slightly narrow. However, the standard errors were
higher in the weighted models.
Conclusion
Based on the results, we concluded that weighting in the regression analysis of survey data collected using non probabilistic sampling methods helps to improve the precision of the regression estimates; hence weighted models should be used
Prevalance and associated risk factors of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in adult( 18years and above) HIV positive patients registered at Mpilo OI clinic
No full textObjectives: To determine prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and
associated risk factors among adult (=18 years) HIV positive patients registered at Mpilo
Opportunistic Infection (OI) clinic. To assess the association of CD4 count and MDR-TB.
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health disease, affecting one third of the world’s population and killing approximately two million people yearly. The
emergence of resistance to anti -tuberculosis drugs, particularly MDR-TB has become a global threat .Its association with HIV positivity has been reported. It is estimated that
approximately 3.6% of all incident TB cases are MDR-TB. In Zimbabwe there are no clear
guidelines for MDR-TB case finding in new TB patients. This may lead to mis-treatment as all new TB cases are initiated on first line drugs. Of late Zimbabwe has undergone serious economic hardships which together with its very high burden of HIV could have a negative impact on MDR-TB. Despite the high risk of MDR-TB in HIV positive patients, little has been done to investigate the burden of MDR-TB in these patients. This study determined prevalence of MDR-TB in adult HIV positive patients
Methods:A health facility based cross-sectional study was carried out at Mpilo OI Clinic
between 01March and 31July 2012. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 275 adult HIV positive patients into the study on a daily basis. A single sample for MDR-TB was collected from each one of these participants. A total of 275 sputum and aspirate(Bone marrow, Aspirates, pus Cerebrospinal fluid) samples were collected and cultured for MDR-TB using both the Liquid using BACTEC Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube 960 (MGIT) and the Conventional Solid Lowenstein Jensen (LJ )culture methods. Whole blood for CD4 count was collected from each participant and tested
using BD FACS Calibur Flow Cytometry CD4 count machine. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of MDR-TB prevalence.
Results: The prevalence of MDR-TB was 2.6% among adult HIV patients registered at Mpilo OI Clinic and attended the clinic between 01 March and 31July 2012.In the multivariate analysis, MDR-TB prevalence was associated with CD4 count (OR 0.14 p=0.043)
Conclusion: A prevalence of 2.6% of MDR-TB among HIV positive patients was found. This is very high considering this high MDR-TB risk group. A CD4 count of >200 cells/ul was found to be protective of high MDR-TB prevalence. Targeted interventions of MDR
-TB are necessary to reduce incident MDR-TB cases among HIV positive patients.Increased MDR-TB case finding through culture and Drug Susceptibility testing
before initiation of First line drugs is necessary to reduce mistreatment. Infection control
measures need to be put in place to reduce transmission of MDR-TB