African health sciences
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Neurocalcin-delta: a potential memory-related factor in hippocampus of obese rats induced by high-fat diet.
Aberrant protein expression within the hippocampus has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced memory impairment. ⋯ Our data demonstrates that the differential memory-related proteins were a reflection of the HF diet, but not potential factors in obesity proneness or obesity resistance. Furthermore, NCALD is proved to be a potential hippocampus-memory related factor related to obesity.
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Suicidal ideation and associated factors among school going adolescents in Swaziland.
Suicide among children has been a major issue and the statistics are considerably alarming. However, no studies have been conducted in Swaziland on suicidal ideation which is a starting point for committing suicide. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its correlates. ⋯ The rate of suicidal ideation was high among adolescents in Swaziland and intervention considering violence, social support from friends and parents, and drug abuse should be designed to prevent suicidal thoughts.
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Assessing regional variations in the effect of the removal of user fees on facility-based deliveries in rural Zambia.
Maternal health remains a concern in sub-Saharan Africa, where maternal mortality averages 680 per 100,000 live births and almost 50% of the approximately 350,000 annual maternal deaths occur. Improving access to skilled birth assistance is paramount to reducing this average, and user fee reductions could help. ⋯ Although user fees matter, to a degree, service quality is a relatively more important contributor to the promotion of facility-based deliveries. Thus, in the short-term, strengthening and improving community-based interventions could lead to further increases in facility-based deliveries.
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Evaluation and improvement of LAMP assays for detection of Escherichia coli serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157.
Escherichia coli serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157 are the causative agents of human diseases, and LAMP assays have been developed for detection of the seven leading STEC serogroups.
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Hepatitis E (HE) caused by Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging global public health threat. It has been identified as potentially zoonotic and swine act as main reservoirs. ⋯ There is silent HE virus infection in abattoir workers at Wambizi as reflected by presence anti HEV IgM in 13% of the tested serum. However, no single case of HE has ever been reported in swine abattoir workers or general population in Kampala city. This silent maintenance of HEV infection amongst swine abattoir workers is an occupational risk that could challenge public health systems.