13 research outputs found
Musculoskeletal disorder risk factors among nursing professionals in low resource settings: a cross-sectional study in Uganda
No full textNodding syndrome is unlikely to be an autoimmune reaction to leiomodin-1 after infection by Onchocerca volvulus
No full textNodding syndrome is a neurological disease of children in northern Uganda. Infection with the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus has been epidemiologically implicated as the cause of the disease. It has been proposed that an autoantibody directed against the human protein leiomodin-1 cross reacts with a tropomyosin-like nematode protein, thus suggesting that nodding syndrome is an autoimmune brain disease due to extra-cerebral parasitism. This hypothesis is dependent on constitutive neuronal expression of leiomodin-1. We tested this hypothesis by studying the distribution of leiomodin-1 in the normal human brain and other human tissues using immunohistochemistry. We found that immunostaining for leiomodin-1 follows a smooth muscle cell specific pattern. In the brain, it is confined to the smooth muscle cells of cerebral blood vessels and is not generally present in neurons or glia. However, immunoreactivity was identified in human Purkinje cell membrane and the body wall of C. elegans (as a proxy for Onchocerca volvulus) but only when immunostained with an antibody recognizing the N-terminal of leiomodin-1. Homology between leiomodin-1 and tropomodulin, specifically at the N-terminus, could explain why leiomodin-1 antibody cross reactivity between human Purkinje cells and C. elegans. However, we cannot provide proof confirming that the immunoreactivity in the membranes of Purkinje cells is specifically caused by the expression of tropomodulin. To overcome this limitation, further investigations using additional immunohistochemical and biochemical studies are required to corroborate our findings and provide more comprehensive evidence. Nevertheless, our findings do not support to the autoimmunity hypothesis involving Onchocerca volvulus and leiomodin-1. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the cause and pathogenesis of NS, it is essential to explore alternative hypotheses
Survey data collected per week and per village across the 12-week study period.
No full textCoding: Red—Incomplete number of households (n = 30) surveyed that week. When nNumber—Outliers or values not included in the average ± SD due to incomplete number of households surveyed or household replacement; (*)—Households replaced from one week to another due to relocation, poor road access, or death. (DOCX)</p
Environmental, dietary and case-control study of Nodding Syndrome in Uganda: A post-measles brain disorder triggered by malnutrition?
No full textAbstractNodding Syndrome (NS) is an epileptic encephalopathy characterized by involuntary vertical head nodding, other types of seizures, and progressive neurological deficits. The etiology of the east African NS epidemic is unknown. In March 2014, we conducted a case-control study of medical, nutritional and other risk factors associated with NS among children (aged 5–18years) of Kitgum District, northern Uganda (Acholiland). Data on food availability, rainfall, and prevalent disease temporally related to the NS epidemic were also analyzed. In NS Cases, the mean age of reported head nodding onset was 7.6years (range 1–17years). The epidemiologic curve of NS incidence spanned 2000–2013, with peaks in 2003 and 2008. Month of onset of head nodding was non-uniform, with all-year-aggregated peaks in April and June when food availability was low. Families with one or more NS Cases had been significantly more dependent on emergency food and, immediately prior to head nodding onset in the child, subsistence on moldy plant materials, specifically moldy maize. Medical history revealed a single significant association with NS, namely prior measles infection. NS is compared with the post-measles disorder subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, with clinical expression triggered by factors associated with poor nutrition
Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet (2007)
No full textThis video titled, "Black Excellence Awards Banquet: Making the Grade" was held in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center on April 28, 2007. The mission of the Black Excellence Awards Banquet is to recognize, celebrate, and affirm the presence of black students at Elon University. The Multicultural Center remains committed to this mission by helping students become active participants in their personal growth and in the achievement of their educational objectives." Gerald (Gerry) Francis, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs provided the "Welcome." Francis" comments included: be proud of the students" accomplishments; welcome all honored guests; and welcome family and friends of those guests. The "Invocation" was given by Michael Williams, Director of Campus Center Operations and Conferences (not on the video). The "Musical Selection" was sung by Maurice Whitfield (Class of 2007) and Haidee Dollak (University Accompanist). The Keynote Address was given by Candyce March (Class of 2004), Founder and Driver Candyce Marsh Racing. March"s remarks included: discussed her drag racing; talked about making history in October of 2006 as the first African-American female to become a professional drag racer; discussed the team who was assisting her in making drag racing history; stated that there is no "I" in the word "team"; talked about understanding history as to understand what has happened in our past to guide us in our future; asked the students what will they do to fulfill their dreams and make history; supported the students by saying that they are on their way to fulfilling their dreams; stated Elon provided the foundation for the dreams; stated the Elon education has provided the students with options and opportunities; and addressed three concepts " do not be afraid to fail, take time to enjoy life, go after your dreams and become part of history. The "Presentation of Awards" were presented by Smith Jackson, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students; Nancy Midgette, Associate Provost; and Richard McBride, University Chaplain and Director of Church Relations. The "Charge to Students" was given by L"Tanya Richmond, Multicultural Center Director. The "Benediction" was given by Melissa Jordan, Assistant Director of Residence Life. Some names included: Shavon D. Algee, Ashley D. Battier, Lauren T. Beckham, Yakira C. Bristol, Tierra D. Bumbrey, Brittany S. Chambers, Whitney R. Chambers, Karolyn L. Cook, Brenton C. Davis, Tiffany C. Davis, Martina C. Dent, Mykel L. Dudson, Tracey M.Evans, James Michael E. Foreman(pre-decreased), Frances L. Gee, Sherita L,. Hamilton, Sabrina L. Harris, Brandon M. Helton, Shenee C. Howard, Ahren M. Hoy, Anita R. Jackson, Darren M. LaFrenier, Manuel N. Maccou, Ashley N. Marshall, Manuel A. McGrinson, Kitara A. McMoore, David L. Morrow II, Jonathan B. Ogolo, Ghenet B. Pinderhughes, Schuntel A. Reddock, Rachel Shaw, Laura M. Spencer, Mark A. St. Cyr, Jr., Alice R. Turner, Casondra R. Turner, Monique A. Vines, Maurice L. Whitfield, Maxine A.D. Williams, Cherisse A. Armour, Joy D. Baxter, Michael C. Blake, Kellie C. Bland, Michael E. Brandon, James A. Brewer, III, Diamond D. Bridges, Tifffany S. Brooks, Erick J. Brown, Ashley M. Burrell, Angela M. Carlberg, Aundrea D. Carter, Alexia E. Cliney, Dominique M. Derbigny, Breanna C. Detwiler, Emily A. Dillard, Danielle C. Durst, Eden A. Esters, Kelci C. Flowers, Elizabeth D. Foggie, Marsha R. Fuller, Ebone R. Gaskins, Reginald E. Hall, Whitney J. Hamilton, Whitney A. Harris, April R. Holloway, Grace A. Hevbare, Lauren M. Ireland, Felicia M. Lyn-Shue, Michelle A. Massie, Maximillian J. Matthews, Joi A. Mayo9, Jacquelyn D. McKinney, Robin N. Newton, Clement E. Ogbomo, Damon F. Ogburn, Jessica D. Peschon, and Nicole M. Quarles.
The Black Excellence Award Banquet was officially named the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet in 2006 in honor of Elon’s first black student, Glenda Phillips, and the first black graduate, Eugene Perry. Videos created before 2006 are labeled as "Black Excellence Award Banquet (YEAR)" and videos made after 2005 are labeled "Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet (YEAR)"
Screenshot of the <i>Magpi</i> web-interface.
No full textThe image shows a) the user name associated with the mHealth reporter sending the survey record, b) the survey record start and end times, c) the time the record was submitted/uploaded to the Magpi server and d) the GPS stamp.</p
Pie charts, one for each village of study, displaying different NS health-related data across the 12-week study period.
No full textColor coding: Red- Proportion of children with NS; Black- Proportion of children with nodding spells reported for the first time; Yellow- Proportion of children with NS who were injured; Green- Proportion of children with NS who died; Blue- Proportion of children with NS who did not have anti-seizure medication. For comparison purposes, the number of children with NS monitored per village was normalized to 100%. Percentages above 100% are indicative of repeated outcomes. The pie chart corresponding to Ludok and Olam villages (bottom right) should be taken only for reader orientation because values summarize data collected for only 4 weeks (S1 Tables).</p
Perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine among different adult age group populations in Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
No full text# Background
At the time when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, its spread in the African continent was slow. However, confirmed cases of the virus have since risen steadily over the years in the African continent for many reasons. This study aimed to determine factors associated with perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among adult age-group populations in northern Uganda.
# Methods
We conducted this study as part of a larger study to determine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy/acceptance among 723 adult age-group populations selected by stratified and systematic sampling approaches from northern Uganda. We used a questionnaire with an internal validity of Cronbach's α= 0.772. A five-point Likert scale, with responses categorized as strongly agree "SA", agree "A", neutral "N", disagree "DA", and strongly disagree "SD", was used to assess participants' perceptions on COVID-19 vaccines. A multivariable regression analysis was conducted with P-value set at <0.05.
# Results
Overall, 723 participated in the study with a mean age of 31.4 years (standard deviation, SD, +10.1). The majority 54.5% (n=394) were males. There were no significant differences in perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among age-group populations (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=0.99, 95% confidence interval, CI=0.98-1.01). Key finding include: (i) it was important to take a COVID-19 vaccine (aOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.04); (ii) vaccines have unlikely unforeseen side effects (aOR=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-0.99); (iii) vaccines were unlikely being promoted for commercial gains (aOR=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-0.99); and children could take COVID-19 vaccines (aOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.03). Stratified by age-groups, the 20–29-year-old perceived COVID-19 vaccines developed in Uganda as unlikely safe and effective (aOR=0.59, 95% CI=0.35-0.97), and COVID-19 vaccines have likely unforeseen side-effects (aOR=2.1, 95% CI=1.3-3.6). While the ≥50-year-old group perceived that COVID-19 vaccines were unlikely being promoted for commercial gains (aOR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1-0.6).
# Conclusions
There were no substantial differences in perceptions on COVID-19 vaccines in adult age-group populations in northern Uganda. The determinants of COVID-19 vaccine perceptions were its importance against the virus; vaccines have unlikely unforeseen side-effects, and children could take it. Stratified by age-groups, some age-groups perceived COVID-19 vaccines developed in Uganda as unlikely safe and unlikely being promoted for commercial gains
Districts, sub-counties, parishes and villages participating in the mHealth-based community surveillance study.
No full textDistricts, sub-counties, parishes and villages participating in the mHealth-based community surveillance study.</p
