African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2015
ReviewA systematic review and appraisal of methods of developing and validating lifestyle cardiovascular disease risk factors questionnaires.
Well developed and validated lifestyle cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors questionnaires is the key to obtaining accurate information to enable planning of CVD prevention program which is a necessity in developing countries. We conducted this review to assess methods and processes used for development and content validation of lifestyle CVD risk factors questionnaires and possibly develop an evidence based guideline for development and content validation of lifestyle CVD risk factors questionnaires. ⋯ Combination of methods produces questionnaires with good content validity and other psychometric properties which we consider good.
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African health sciences · Sep 2015
Comparative StudyPolymerase chain reaction to search for Herpes viruses in uveitic and healthy eyes: a South African perspective.
To analyse aqueous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results in patients diagnosed with undifferentiated uveitis and determine prevalence of herpesviridae in non-uveitic patients undergoing routine cataract extraction. ⋯ We recommend PCR testing for Herpesviridae as a safe second line test for patients with undifferentiated uveitis. We were unable to establish prevalence and suggest that the idea of a commensal herpes virus is unlikely if the blood-ocular barrier is intact.
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African health sciences · Sep 2015
Variations in antimalarial components of Artemisia annua Linn from three regions of Uganda.
Artemisia annua plant from the family Asteracea is a powerful antimalarial plant introduced to Uganda around 2003. In addition to the artemisinin component, the plant also contains flavonoids which work in synergy to artemisinin against malaria parasites. The plant also contains aromatic oils which repel mosquitoes. In this paper we report the variations in antimalarial components of A. annua samples from the regions cultivating it in Uganda. ⋯ Our findings show that the active components in Artemisia annua cultivated and used in the Uganda vary with geographical regions and this calls for standardisation by source.
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African health sciences · Sep 2015
Triple positivity of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, and HIV and their influence on CD4+ lymphocyte levels in the highly HIV infected population of Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Few studies exist on hospital-based seroprevalence of triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV in Nigeria. ⋯ The study further confirms that triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV infection is common in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Testing of these triple infections should be a big concern in the best choice and commencement of ART. Also, the study showed that consistent and prolonged use of HAART had a positive impact on the CD4 count of HIV-infected individuals.
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African health sciences · Sep 2015
Comparative StudyComparison of the inhibition capability of oleanolic acid and betulinic acid towards drug-metabolizing enzymes.
Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are important membrane proteins located in endoplasmic reticulum, and play important roles in metabolism of a variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds. ⋯ Given that UGT1A6 and UGT1A8 play key role in the the inhibition of oleanolic acid towards UGT1A6 and UGT1A8 will induce drug-drug interaction and the risk of diseases.