African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2017
Methodological challenges in a study on falls in an older population of Cape Town, South Africa.
Falls are a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in older persons, but have been under researched in developing countries. ⋯ Studies on falls in the older population of low- to middle-income countries have methodological challenges. Adaptive strategies used in the Cape Town study and the research experience reported may be instructive for investigators planning similar studies in such settings.
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African health sciences · Sep 2017
Onset and duration of cycloplegic action of 1% cyclopentolate - 1% tropicamide combination.
To study the time course (onset, time and duration of maximal cycloplegia, and the full duration) of cycloplegic action of 1% Cyclopentolate - 1% Tropicamide. ⋯ Cyclopentolate -Tropicamide combination was comparable to Cyclopentolate in depth of cycloplegia produced, and clinically superior to 1% Cyclopentolate in rapidity of cycloplegic onset, time of maximal cycloplegia and recovery from cycloplegia.
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African health sciences · Sep 2017
Assessment of policy makers' individual and organizational capacity to acquire, assess, adapt and apply research evidence for maternal and child health policy making in Nigeria: a cross-sectional quantitative survey.
Throughout the world, there is increasing awareness and acknowledgement of the value of research evidence in the development of effective health policy and in quality health care practice and administration. Among the major challenges associated with the lack of uptake of research evidence into policy and practice in Nigeria is the capacity constraints of policymakers to use research evidence in policy making. ⋯ There is need to institute policy makers' capacity development programmes to improve evidence-informed policymaking.
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African health sciences · Sep 2017
Cigarette smoke condensate attenuates phorbol ester-mediated neutrophil extracellular trap formation.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) constitute a network of chromatin fibres containing histone and antimicrobial peptides that are released by activated neutrophils. NETs protect the host against infection by trapping and facilitating phagocytosis of potentially harmful pathogens. ⋯ The inhibition of NETosis observed in the presence of CSC correlated with attenuation of oxygen consumption by PMA-activated neutrophils suggesting a mechanistic relationship between these events. If operative in vivo, smoking-related attenuation of NETosis may impair host immune responses and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
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African health sciences · Sep 2017
Anti-plasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of cyclotide-rich extract and fraction of Oldenlandia affinis (R. & S.) D.C. (Rubiaceae).
Oldenlandia affinis, commonly called 'kalata-kalata', a versatile plant used locally to treat malaria fever in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa was investigated for anti-plasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities. ⋯ These findings could explain, at least in part, the successes reported in the use of the herb, Oldenlandia affinis in the traditional treatment of malaria fever.