8 research outputs found
Antenatal HIV Screening and Treatment in South Africa: Social Norms and Policy Options
South Africa has one of the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the world, with mother-to-child transmission being an important route for spread of the infection. For years, AIDS scientists and activists locally and internationally have been working desperately for the people of South Africa to have access to treatment for HIV and AIDS. Policymakers in South Africa have consistently maintained that HIV infection is not responsible for AIDS, thus creating the biggest obstacle to implementation of appropriate prevention and therapeutic programmes, including antiretroviral therapy for HIV positive persons. Only recently, people within the government and ruling party, defying previous policy, have agreed that antiretroviral drugs should be given to pregnant women with HIV. The social fabric of South African society is markedly different from that of Western countries. In this paper, the author analyses the likely implications of antenatal testing and treatment of pregnant women in South Africa, in light of the socio-economic and cultural status of women in that society. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[2]: 77-85
Antenatal HIV Screening and Treatment in South Africa: Social Norms and Policy Options
South Africa has one of the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the world, with mother-to-child transmission being an important route for spread of the infection. For years, AIDS scientists and activists locally and internationally have been working desperately for the people of South Africa to have access to treatment for HIV and AIDS. Policymakers in South Africa have consistently maintained that HIV infection is not responsible for AIDS, thus creating the biggest obstacle to implementation of appropriate prevention and therapeutic programmes, including antiretroviral therapy for HIV positive persons. Only recently, people within the government and ruling party, defying previous policy, have agreed that antiretroviral drugs should be given to pregnant women with HIV. The social fabric of South African society is markedly different from that of Western countries. In this paper, the author analyses the likely implications of antenatal testing and treatment of pregnant women in South Africa, in light of the socio-economic and cultural status of women in that society. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[2]: 77-85 )
KEY WORDS: HIV screening, South Africa, pregnant women
Dépistage et traitement prénatals du VIH en Afrique du Sud: normes sociales et options des politiques.
L\'Afrique du Sud a une des plus hautes prévalences du VIH et SIDA du monde, dont la transmission de la mère à l\'enfant est une voie importante pour la propagation de l\'infection. Depuis des années, les scientifiques et des activistes du SIDA sur le plan local et international, travaillent désespéremment pour que les gens d\'Afrique du Sud aient un accès au traitement pour le VIH et le SIDA. Les décisionnaires en Afrique du Sud ont systématiquement insisté sur le fait que l\'infection du VIH n\'est pas responsable du SIDA, créant ainsi le plus grand obstacle à la réalisation de la prévention appropriée et des programmes thérapeutiques, y compris la thérapie antirétrovirale pour les personnes séropositives. Très récemment, les fonctionnaires et les membres du parti politique au pouvoir, au mépris de l\'ancienne politique, ont accepté que les médicaments antirétroviraux soient donnés aux femmes enceintes séropositives. Le tissu social de la société sud africaine est remarquablement différent de celui des pays occidentaux. Dans cet article, l\'auteur fait une analyse des implications probables du dépistage et traitement prénatals des femmes enceintes en Afrique du Sud, à la lumière de la situation socio-économique et culturelle des femmes dans cette société-là. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2004; 8[2]: 77-85
فکر اقبال کے چند زوایے اور معاصر عہد
Allama Iqbal's poetry and his thoughts present a perfect cure for the present-day unfortunate cultural and social environment predominant at both the national and international level. If we want to progress like the forward-looking countries and live according to our Islamic identity and cultural values as a respectable nation, we will have to make Allama Iqbal's message a part of our national character. In the following research paper, the author has tried to emphasize this central theme
Exome sequencing identifies novel and known mutations in families with intellectual disability
Abstract Background Intellectual disability (ID) is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Methods In this study, genome wide SNP microarray and whole exome sequencing are used for the variant identification in eight Pakistani families with ID. Beside ID, most of the affected individuals had speech delay, facial dysmorphism and impaired cognitive abilities. Repetitive behavior was observed in MRID143, while seizures were reported in affected individuals belonging to MRID137 and MRID175. Results In two families (MRID137b and MRID175), we identified variants in the genes CCS and ELFN1, which have not previously been reported to cause ID. In four families, variants were identified in ARX, C5orf42, GNE and METTL4. A copy number variation (CNV) was identified in IL1RAPL1 gene in MRID165. Conclusion These findings expand the existing knowledge of variants and genes implicated in autosomal recessive and X linked ID
Secure big data ecosystem architecture : challenges and solutions
Big data ecosystems are complex data-intensive, digital–physical systems. Data-intensive ecosystems offer a number of benefits; however, they present challenges as well. One major challenge is related to the privacy and security. A number of privacy and security models, techniques and algorithms have been proposed over a period of time. The limitation is that these solutions are primarily focused on an individual or on an isolated organizational context. There is a need to study and provide complete end-to-end solutions that ensure security and privacy throughout the data lifecycle across the ecosystem beyond the boundary of an individual system or organizational context. The results of current study provide a review of the existing privacy and security challenges and solutions using the systematic literature review (SLR) approach. Based on the SLR approach, 79 applicable articles were selected and analyzed. The information from these articles was extracted to compile a catalogue of security and privacy challenges in big data ecosystems and to highlight their interdependencies. The results were categorized from theoretical viewpoint using adaptive enterprise architecture and practical viewpoint using DAMA framework as guiding lens. The findings of this research will help to identify the research gaps and draw novel research directions in the context of privacy and security in big data-intensive ecosystems. © 2021, The Author(s)
Additional file 1 of Exome sequencing identifies novel and known mutations in families with intellectual disability
Additional file 1: Fig. S1. Raw agarose gel electrophoresis image showing the results of IL1RAPL1 Deletion mapping in MRID165. D1 represents the PCR product (~ 2000 bp) obtained with primers flanking the deleted region while D2 represents PCR product obtained with primers located within the deleted region. Individual showing only D1 band (IV-4, IV-5) are hemizygous for deletion and individuals with D2 band (III-1, IV-3) are homozygous for normal allele. Individuals (III-2, IV-6) with both bands are heterozygous for deletion
The Dynamics of Islamic Finance in Kazakhstan: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Challenges
Introduction: This paper explores the burgeoning field of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Islamic finance, which adheres to Sharia law, provides a distinct alternative to conventional banking systems. As Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its financial sector and attract investments from Muslim-majority countries, understanding the dynamics of Islamic finance becomes crucial. This study examines the legislative framework, market potential, key players, and the socio-economic implications of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan. The case study of existing Islamic banks is given, and their financial performance is examined. Methods: This research employed a qualitative approach, incorporating a literature review and descriptive-exploratory analysis. Primary data were obtained from academic literature, official reports from international financial institutions, Kazakh government regulations, and publications related to the development of Islamic finance in Central Asia. Data analysis techniques included reduction, categorization, and thematic interpretation to identify the dynamics, opportunities, and challenges associated with the implementation of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan. This approach was chosen to provide an in-depth understanding of the actual conditions and prospects of Islamic finance, while also generating strategic recommendations for the development of the industry at the national and regional levels. Results: The research paper also highlights the obstacles faced by the Islamic finance sector and the potential for expanding its implementation. Conclusion and suggestion: The paper further recommends solutions for integrating Islamic finance into Kazakhstan’s economy
Biallelic missense variants in ZBTB11 can cause intellectual disability in humans
Exploring genes and pathways underlying intellectual disability (ID) provides insight into brain development and function, clarifying the complex puzzle of how cognition develops. As part of ongoing systematic studies to identify candidate ID genes, linkage analysis and next-generation sequencing revealed Zinc Finger and BTB Domain Containing 11 (ZBTB11) as a novel candidate ID gene. ZBTB11 encodes a little-studied transcription regulator, and the two identified missense variants in this study are predicted to disrupt canonical Zn2+-binding residues of its C2H2 zinc finger domain, leading to possible altered DNA binding. Using HEK293T cells transfected with wild-type and mutant GFP-ZBTB11 constructs, we found the ZBTB11 mutants being excluded from the nucleolus, where the wild-type recombinant protein is predominantly localized. Pathway analysis applied to ChIP-seq data deposited in the ENCODE database supports the localization of ZBTB11 in nucleoli, highlighting associated pathways such as ribosomal RNA synthesis, ribosomal assembly, RNA modification and stress sensing, and provides a direct link between subcellular ZBTB11 location and its function. Furthermore, given the report of prominent brain and spinal cord degeneration in a zebrafish Zbtb11 mutant, we investigated ZBTB11-ortholog knockdown in Drosophila melanogaster brain by targeting RNAi using the UAS/Gal4 system. The observed approximate reduction to a third of the mushroom body size-possibly through neuronal reduction or degeneration-may affect neuronal circuits in the brain that are required for adaptive behavior, specifying the role of this gene in the nervous system. In conclusion, we report two ID families segregating ZBTB11 biallelic mutations disrupting Zn2+-binding motifs and provide functional evidence linking ZBTB11 dysfunction to this phenotype
