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Globally, coffee (Coffea spp.) is a major commodity in terms of production and trade. Although Uganda is seventh among the major producing countries, yields remain low at 500 kg/ha. Understanding the biophysical constraining factors is vital to inform efforts toward closing the yield gap. A diagnostic study was conducted in 150 coffee fields to determine the most yield‐limiting factors under varying rainfall thresholds, categorized as low ≤ 1100 mm/year, moderate ≥ 1100 to 1200 mm/year, and high ≥ 1200 mm/year. Robusta yield, soil parameters, pest and disease proportions, and tree and banana intercrop densities were measured under the thresholds. Parametric methods and the boundary line approach were used to analyze limiting factors and yield gaps. The results indicated that yields were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in moderate (960 ± 234 kg ha−1) than low (803 ± 188 kg ha−1) and high (713 ± 193 kg ha−1) rainfall thresholds. The proportion of pests and diseases doubled in high than low rainfall thresholds. Soil parameters and tree or banana intercrop were the main yield‐limiting factors. Magnesium limited yield in 47%, 26%, and 14% of coffee fields, causing 23%, 20%, and 21% yield gaps in high, moderate, and low thresholds, respectively. The maximum yield was 1492 kg ha−1; the explainable yield gap was 32%. A larger yield gap of 42%, 36%, and 32% was observed in high, moderate, and low rainfall thresholds. Therefore, long‐term integrated soil fertility and tree or banana intercrop management are suggested for high thresholds, focusing on pests and diseases in moderate and low rainfall thresholds. Additionally, frequent field monitoring is needed to determine the prevalence of pests and diseases at different times of the year and season. Hence, matching thresholds of rainfall variability to the Robusta coffee yield is critical for closing the yield gap and achieving Uganda's anticipated 20 million 60‐kg bags year−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Fat‐referenced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a promising volumetric technique for measuring muscular volume and fat in neuromuscular disorders, but the experience in inflammatory myopathies remains limited. Therefore, this work aimed at describing how sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) manifests on standardized volumetric fat‐referenced MRI muscle measurements, including within‐scanner repeatability, natural progression rate, and relationship to clinical parameters. Methods: Ten sIBM patients underwent whole‐leg Dixon MRI at baseline (test–retest) and after 12 months. The lean muscle volume (LMV), muscle fat fraction (MFF), and muscle fat infiltration (MFI) of the quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were computed. Clinical assessments of IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFRS) and knee extension strength were also performed. The baseline test–retest MRI measurements were used to estimate the within‐subject standard deviation (sw). 12‐month changes were derived for all parameters. Results: The MRI measurements showed high repeatability in all muscles; sw ranged from 2.7 to 18.0 mL for LMV, 0.7–1.3 percentage points (pp) for MFF, and 0.2–0.7 pp for MFI. Over 12 months, average LMV decreased by 7.4% while MFF and MFI increased by 3.8 pp and 1.8 pp, respectively. Mean IBMFRS decreased by 2.4 and mean knee extension strength decreased by 32.8 N. Discussion: The MRI measurements showed high repeatability and 12‐month changes consistent with muscle atrophy and fat replacement as well as a decrease in both muscle strength and IBMFRS. Our findings suggest that fat‐referenced MRI measurements are suitable for assessing disease progression and treatment response in inflammatory myopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The relevance of several characteristics for the acceptability of steamed East Africa bananas (matooke) was assessed using consumer‐preferred characteristics, the overall liking scores, check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) and the Just About Right scale. The study was conducted in rural and urban locations in three banana growing regions of Uganda. Two landraces and two hybrids were processed into matooke. Twelve trained panellists evaluated color, taste and texture sensory characteristics. RESULTS: Consumers scored matooke from landraces as the most liked. The CATA test showed that the most important characteristics were: smooth mouthfeel, soft to the touch, not sticky, moldable, deep yellow color, attractive, good matooke taste and smell. Principal component analysis confirmed that most of the preferred sensory characteristics were associated with the local genotypes, whereas the less preferred characteristics were associated with hybrids. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between the consumer assessed characteristics, hardness by touch, softness to touch and yellowness, as well as quantitative laboratory characteristics (moldable, hardness by touch, softness and yellowness) of the steamed matooke. Color assessed by consumers was strongly correlated with the laboratory‐assessed color indicators. CONCLUSION: The strong associations observed between laboratory‐assessed and consumer‐based characteristics (moldable by touch and yellowness) suggest the possibility of predicting consumer characteristics using quantitative laboratory sensory assessments. Matooke taste as assessed by consumer panel is strongly associated with smooth texture and deep yellow color, which were the characteristics associated with landraces in the laboratory sensory assessment. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The incidence of Helicobacter pylori‐negative gastric cancer (HPNGC) is increasing worldwide. Recently, metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been reported to be associated with various cancers, but its association with HPNGC has not been reported. We aimed to identify important independent factors associated with HPNGC, including MAFLD. Methods: This multicenter observational cohort study enrolled patients with gastric cancer (n = 1078) and health checkup examinees (n = 17 408). We analyzed patients with HPNGC (n = 26) and healthy participants with no H. pylori infection or any abnormal findings on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (n = 1130). A logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors associated with HPNGC. The priority of the factors associated with HPNGC was evaluated using a decision‐tree algorithm and random forest analysis. Results: Among all patients with gastric cancer, 2.4% (26/1078) were diagnosed with HPNGC (mean age, 64 years; male/female, 13/13). In the logistic regression analysis, age, smoking, and MAFLD (odds ratio, 6.5359; 95% confidence interval, 2.5451–16.7841; p < 0.0001) were identified as independent factors associated with HPNGC. Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease was also identified as the most important classifier for the presence of HPNGC in decision‐tree analyses. Helicobacter pylori‐negative gastric cancer was observed in 5.2% of patients with MAFLD and 0.8% of patients without MAFLD. In the random forest analysis of the HPNGC, MAFLD was identified as the distinguishing factor with the highest variable importance (0.32). Conclusions: Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease was the most influential independent factor associated with HPNGC. These findings suggest that fatty liver and metabolic dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of HPNGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Habits are a common strategy for successfully countering medication non‐adherence, yet existing interventions do not support participants during the long habit formation period, resulting in high attrition. We test a novel intervention combining text messages and incentives with anchoring to support antiretroviral therapy (ART) pill‐taking habits. Methods: In a randomized, parallel controlled trial, a sample of 155 participants 18 years and older who initiated ART within 3 months were recruited at Mildmay Uganda between October 2021 and April 2022. All participants were educated on the anchoring strategy and chose an anchor, that is existing routines, to pair with pill‐taking. Participants were randomized to either usual care (C = 49), daily text message reminders to follow their anchoring plan (Messages group; T1 = 49) or messages and incentives conditional on pill‐taking in line with their anchor (Incentives group; T2 = 57). Assessments occurred at baseline, month 3 (end of intervention) and month 9 (end of observation period). The primary outcomes are electronically measured mean adherence and pill‐taking consistent with participants' anchor time. Results: The primary outcome of pill‐taking in line with the anchoring plan was higher in the Incentives group during the 3‐month intervention (12.2 p.p. [95% CI: 2.2 22.2; p =.02]), and remained significantly higher after the incentives were withdrawn (months 4−6 (14.2 p.p. [95% CI 1.1 27.2; p =.03]); months 7−9 (14.1 p.p. [95% CI −0.2 28.5; p =.05])). Mean adherence was higher in both treatment groups relative to the control group during the intervention (T1 vs. C, p =.06; T2 vs. C, p =.06) but not post‐intervention. Conclusions: The promising approach of using incentives to support habit formation among ART treatment initiators needs to be evaluated in a fully powered study to further our understanding of the habit formation process and to evaluate its cost‐effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of low‐grade isocitrate dehydrogenase‐mutant (IDHmt) gliomas undergo malignant progression (MP), but their underlying mechanism remains unclear. IDHmt gliomas exhibit global DNA methylation, and our previous report suggested that MP could be partly attributed to passive demethylation caused by accelerated cell cycles. However, during MP, there is also active demethylation mediated by ten‐eleven translocation, such as DNA hydroxymethylation. Hydroxymethylation is reported to potentially contribute to gene expression regulation, but its role in MP remains under investigation. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of hydroxymethylation during MP of IDHmt astrocytoma. Five primary/malignantly progressed IDHmt astrocytoma pairs were analyzed with oxidative bisulfite and the Infinium EPIC methylation array, detecting 5‐hydroxymethyl cytosine at over 850,000 locations for region‐specific hydroxymethylation assessment. Notably, we observed significant sharing of hydroxymethylated genomic regions during MP across the samples. Hydroxymethylated CpGs were enriched in open sea and intergenic regions (p < 0.001), and genes undergoing hydroxymethylation were significantly associated with cancer‐related signaling pathways. RNA sequencing data integration identified 91 genes with significant positive/negative hydroxymethylation‐expression correlations. Functional analysis suggested that positively correlated genes are involved in cell‐cycle promotion, while negatively correlated ones are associated with antineoplastic functions. Analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas clinical data on glioma were in line with these findings. Motif‐enrichment analysis suggested the potential involvement of the transcription factor KLF4 in hydroxymethylation‐based gene regulation. Our findings shed light on the significance of region‐specific DNA hydroxymethylation in glioma MP and suggest its potential role in cancer‐related gene expression and IDHmt glioma malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of certified sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) seed (CSS) was reported to unlock the yield potential of the crop leading to an over 80% yield increase. Despite the availability of elements of a formal CSS system, uptake in Uganda has remained dismal. Interdependence between farmer knowledge, perceptions, and purchase behaviors (PBs) is not well understood in a way that could allow the design of meaningful policies and interventions. This study aimed at unveiling factors underlying PB through purchase intention (PI) and willingness to pay (WTP) by interviewing 289 farmers from Omoro and Mpigi districts in Uganda, representing the low and high virus disease pressure zones, respectively. A modified theory of planned behavior (TPB) incorporating awareness as independent and farmer innovativeness as mediating variables expounded the relationships. Data were collected on perceptions, knowledge, innovativeness, and PI using a five‐point Likert scale plus WTP as a price, subjected to descriptive and structural equation modeling analysis. Results indicated significant locational differences in most socioeconomic characteristics. Middle income, CSS information access, and farming experience of 7–30 years conferred more likelihood of high PI. Conversely, high PI, group membership, and being female and middle‐aged increased the likelihood of high WTP. The effects of attitude, perceived behavioral control, and awareness were significant in high disease zone, while subjective norm was significant across disease zones. PI significantly affects WTP in high disease zone (p = 0.000) but its effect is insignificant in low disease zone (p = 0.569). An interplay of socioeconomic, perception, and knowledge attributes influences CSS PB calling for social marketing strategies with location‐specific interventions. Core Ideas: Farmer‐certified sweetpotato seed purchase intentions differ by disease pressure zone.A weak relationship exists between farmers' purchase intentions and their willingness to pay for certified sweetpotato seed.A modified theory of planned behavior predicts purchase decision‐making parameters for certified sweetpotato seed.Perceptions and awareness levels influence farmers' certified sweetpotato seed purchase behaviors.Area‐specific social marketing strategies can be adopted to spur certified sweetpotato seed purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Metabolic dysfunction is a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We investigated the impact of the recently proposed metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its subtypes on ESCC recurrence after endoscopic treatment. Methods: This multicenter observational cohort study enrolled consecutive patients newly diagnosed with ESCC after endoscopic treatment. Patients were classified into MAFLD or non‐MAFLD groups. The MAFLD group was further classified into non‐obese and obese MAFLD groups with a body mass index cutoff value of 25 kg/m2. The impact of MAFLD on the recurrence of ESCC was evaluated using a decision tree algorithm and random forest analysis. Results: A total of 147 patients (average age 69 years; male : female, 127:20; observational period, 2.4 years) were enrolled. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year recurrence rates were 2.0%, 21.1%, and 33.7%, respectively. Independent risk factors for the recurrence of ESCC were MAFLD (HR 2.2812; 95% confidence interval 1.0497–4.9571; p = 0.0373), drinking status, and smoking status. Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease was identified as the second most important classifier for recurrence, followed by drinking status. The cumulative incidence of ESCC recurrence was higher in the MAFLD group than in the non‐MAFLD group. In a subanalysis, the cumulative incidence of recurrence was significantly higher in the non‐obese than in the obese MAFLD group among abstainers/non‐drinkers. Directed acyclic graphs revealed that MAFLD directly contributes to ESCC recurrence. Conclusions: MAFLD was independently and directly associated with ESCC recurrence after endoscopic treatment; a high recurrence rate was observed in patients with non‐obese MAFLD. Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease may identify patients at high risk for ESCC recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions of learning have been disrupted globally with serious implications for clinical teaching for students of health professions. The purpose of our study was to explore the perceptions of students towards online clinical teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic at Fatima College of Health Sciences. This was a descriptive qualitative study conducted on a purposive sample of 25 students from 24 June to 30 August 2020. The sample size was determined by data saturation. These were mainly nursing students in their 2nd to the 4th years of study. Students are required to have experiences, of stipulated nature and duration, in various specialty clinical settings throughout the clinical years of their programs. Approval for the study was granted by the Fatima College Research Ethics Committee (approval number: INTSTF010BSN20). The research was conducted according to the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were collected through online semistructured questionnaires. Prospective participants were sent a soft copy of the informed consent document, and consent was indicated by clicking an "agree" link on the page that took them to the questionnaire. All participants were informed of their freedom to either participate in the study or not, without any penalty and were assured of their confidentiality. The questionnaires were kept in a password-protected file to which the researchers had sole access. Manual thematic analysis was done following the stages of organisation, familiarisation, transcription, coding, developing a thematic framework, indexing, displaying, and reporting. The major themes identified were the unfamiliar experience, challenges of online clinical learning, and possible solutions. Challenges of online clinical learning are multifaceted and require concerted multidisciplinary efforts to resolve. Nursing institutions, ours included, must develop flexible education systems that will be able to thrive in crisis and other unforeseeable circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are usually benign, some are highly invasive and recurrent. Recurrent PitNETs are often treatment‐resistant and there is currently no effective evidence‐based treatment. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor growth in many cancers, but the effect of TAMs on PitNETs remains unclear. This study investigated the role of TAMs in the incidence of recurrent PitNETs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the densities of CD163‐ and CD204‐positive TAMs tended to increase in recurrent PitNETs. Compared with TAMs in primary lesions, those in recurrent lesions were enlarged. To clarify the cell–cell interactions between TAMs and PitNETs, in vitro experiments were performed using a mouse PitNET cell line AtT20 and the mouse macrophage cell line J774. Several cytokines related to macrophage chemotaxis and differentiation, such as M‐CSF, were elevated significantly by stimulation with macrophage conditioned medium. When M‐CSF immunohistochemistry analysis was performed using human PitNET samples, M‐CSF expression increased significantly in recurrent lesions compared with primary lesions. Although no M‐CSF receptor (M‐CSFR) expression was observed in tumor cells of primary and recurrent PitNETs, flow cytometric analysis revealed that the mouse PitNET cell line expressed M‐CSFR. Cellular proliferation in mouse PitNETs was inhibited by high concentrations of M‐CSFR inhibitors, suggesting that cell‐to‐cell communication between PitNETs and macrophages induces M‐CSF expression, which in turn enhances TAM chemotaxis and maturation in the tumor microenvironment. Blocking the M‐CSFR signaling pathway might be a novel therapeutic adjuvant in treating recurrent PitNETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestural animations in the amusement or entertainment field often require rich expressions; however, it is still challenging to synthesize characteristic gestures automatically. Although style transfer based on a neural network model is a potential solution, existing methods mainly focus on cyclic motions such as gaits and require re‐training in adding new motion styles. Moreover, their per‐pose transformation cannot consider the time‐dependent features, and therefore motion styles of different periods and timings are difficult to be transferred. This limitation is fatal for the gestural motions requiring complicated time alignment due to the variety of exaggerated or intentionally performed behaviors. This study introduces a context‐based style transfer of gestural motions with neural networks to ensure stable conversion even for exaggerated, dynamically complicated gestures. We present a model based on a vision transformer for transferring gestures' content and style features by time‐segmenting them to compose tokens in a latent space. We extend this model to yield the probability of swapping gestures' tokens for style‐transferring. A transformer model is suited to semantically consistent matching among gesture tokens, owing to the correlation with spoken words. The compact architecture of our network model requires only a small number of parameters and computational costs, which is suitable for real‐time applications with an ordinary device. We introduce loss functions provided by the restoration error of identically and cyclically transferred gesture tokens and the similarity losses of content and style evaluated by splicing features inside the transformer. This design of losses allows unsupervised and zero‐shot learning, by which the scalability for motion data is obtained. We comparatively evaluated our style transfer method, mainly focusing on expressive gestures using our dataset captured for various scenarios and styles by introducing new error metrics tailored for gestures. Our experiment showed the superiority of our method in numerical accuracy and stability of style transfer against the existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is against this background that the African Development Bank, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, organized its 2021 African Economic Conference from 2 to 4 December 2022 in Cabo Verde to address the timely issue of post-COVID-19 development financing in Africa. At the time this paper was finalized (31 July 2022), close to 12 million COVID-19 cases had been reported in Africa (Figure 1), more than 225,000 people had died from the coronavirus (Figure 2) and the total number of active cases in Africa was about 500,000 (Figure 3). Since 2020, Africa and the entire world have experienced socioeconomic challenges of alarming proportions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many policy responses and stimulus packages designed seem insufficient to address the negative effect of COVID-19, mostly when access to financing was very low and the lending gap very high prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. [Extracted from the article]

Cholesterol is an essential plasma membrane lipid for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and cancer cell proliferation. Free cholesterol is harmful to cells; therefore, excessive free cholesterol must be quickly esterified by acetyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acetyltransferase (ACAT) and exported by scavenger receptor class B member I (SR‐BI) or ATP‐binding cassette protein A1 from specific cells such as macrophage foam cells, which contain cholesteryl ester‐derived vacuoles. Many vacuoles are present in the cytoplasm of Burkitt lymphoma cells. In this study, we observed that these vacuoles are often seen in high‐grade lymphomas. Cell culture study using lymphoma cell lines found that esterified cholesterol is the main component of these vacuoles and the expression of cholesterol metabolism‐related molecules was significantly upregulated in lymphoma cell lines, with SR‐BI and ACAT inhibitors (BLT‐1 and CI‐976, respectively) impeding lymphoma cell proliferation. Cytoplasmic free cholesterol was increased by ACAT and SR‐BI inhibitors, and the accumulation of free cholesterol induced lymphoma cell apoptosis by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, synergistic effects of SR‐BI and ACAT inhibitors were observed in a preclinical study. Treatment with SR‐BI inhibitor suppressed lymphoma progression in a tumor‐bearing mouse model, whereas ACAT inhibitor did not. Therefore, SR‐BI inhibitors are potential new antilymphoma therapeutics that target cholesterol metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the aforementioned 10 cases, melanin-containing cells were immunohistochemically positive for GFAP but negative for HMB-45 in six cases.[[4], [6], [8]] In three cases, neoplastic cells were positive for GFAP, but the positivity of melanin-containing cells was unclear.[[10], [12]] In one ganglioglioma case, immunoelectron microscopy identified GFAP-positive melanin-containing cells.[4] Here, melanin-containing cells were positive for Melan A and HMB-45, two representative immunohistochemical melanocytic markers. Our literature review identified 10 cases of melanotic astrocytic tumors, including four pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, two gangliogliomas (one had a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma component), two glioblastomas, one PA, and one desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma.[[4], [6], [8], [10], [12]] Nine tumors had melanin, and one had neuromelanin. Keywords: central nervous system; glioma; melanin; melanocyte; pilocytic astrocytoma EN central nervous system glioma melanin melanocyte pilocytic astrocytoma 197 199 3 04/04/23 20230401 NES 230401 Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a circumscribed astrocytic tumor typically located in the cerebellum, notably in children, and assigned a central nervous system (CNS) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1,[1] rarely coexists with melanin-containing cells. [Extracted from the article]

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver-related diseases. In Uganda, there is a regional disparity in the HBV burden. Our study was aimed at establishing the circulating genotypes in a low and a high endemic region to give plausible explanations for the differences in regional burden and guide the future management of the disease. Methods. A total of 200 HBsAg-seropositive subjects were recruited into the study by convenience sampling. The HBsAg Rapid Test Strip (Healgen Scientific Limited Liability Company, Houston, TX77047- USA) was used to screen for HBsAg while the Roche machine (Roche, Basel Switzerland/Abbot Technologies (USA)) was used to determine the viral load. The Chemistry Analyzer B120 (Mindray, China) was used for chemistry analysis. For HBV genotyping, total DNA was extracted from whole blood using the QIAamp® DNA extraction kit. Nested PCR amplification was performed using Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase (Invitrogen Corporation, USA) to amplify the 400 bp HBV polymerase gene. Purification of nested PCR products was performed using Purelink PCR product purification kit (Life Technologies, USA). Automated DNA sequencing was performed using BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit on 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, USA). The NCBI HBV genotyping tool (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genotyping/formpage.cgi) was used for determination of genotype for each HBV sequence. Pearson's chi-square, multinomial logistic regression, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for the analysis. All the analyses were done using SPSS version 26.0 and MedCalc software version 19.1.3 at 95% CI. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Majority of our study subjects were female (64.5%), youth (51.0%), and married (62.0%). Overall, genotype A was the most prevalent (46%). Genotype D and the recombinant genotype D/E were proportionately more distributed in the high endemic (38.2%) and low endemic (36.5%) regions, respectively. Genotype D was significantly more prevalent in the high endemic region and among the elderly (p < 0.05). Genotype D was significantly associated with elevated viral load and direct bilirubin (p < 0.05). The recombinant genotype D/E was significantly associated with elevated viral load (p < 0.05). Similarly, genotype A was significantly associated with elevated AST and GGT, lowered viral load, and normal direct bilirubin levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion. There is disproportionate distribution of genotypes A and D and the recombinant genotype D/E in the low and high endemic regions of Uganda. This probably could explain the differences in endemicity of HBV in our country signifying the need for regional specific HBV management and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evidence from low‐resource settings indicates that economic insecurity is a major barrier to HIV treatment adherence. Economic empowerment (EE) interventions have the potential to improve adherence outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) by mitigating the effects of poverty. This study aims to assess the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a savings‐led family‐based EE intervention, Suubi + Adherence, aimed at improving antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence outcomes ALWHIV in Uganda. Methods: Adolescents (mean age 12 years at enrolment; 56% female) receiving ART for HIV at 39 health centres were randomized to Suubi + Adherence intervention (n = 358) or bolstered standard of care (BSOC; n = 344). A difference‐in‐differences analysis was employed to assess the change in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents (HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/mL) over 24 months. The cost‐effectiveness analysis examined how much the intervention cost to virally suppress one additional adolescent relative to BSOC from the healthcare provider perspective. Results: At 24 months, the intervention was associated with an 8.85‐percentage point [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 16.90 percentage points] increase in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents between the study arms (p = 0.032). Per‐participant costs were US$177 and US$263 for the BSOC and intervention groups respectively. The incremental cost of virally suppressing one additional adolescent was estimated at US$970 [95% CI, US$508 to 10,725] over two years. Conclusions: Our results support the integration of family‐based EE interventions into adherence‐support strategies as part of routine HIV care in low‐resource settings to address the underlying economic drivers of poor ART adherence among ALWHIV. Moreover, per‐participant costs to achieve viral suppression do not seem prohibitive compared to other community‐based adherence interventions targeted at ALWHIV in low‐resource settings. Further research on combination interventions at the nexus of economic security and HIV treatment and care is needed to inform the development of feasible and scalable HIV policies and programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studies the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on African economies and household welfare using a top‐down sequential macro‐micro simulation approach. The pandemic is modeled as a supply shock that disrupts economic activities of African countries and then affects households' consumption behavior, the level of their welfare, and businesses' investment decisions. The macroeconomic dynamic general equilibrium model is calibrated to account for informality, a key feature of African economies. We find that COVID‐19 could diminish employment in the formal and informal sectors and contract consumption of non‐savers and, especially, savers. These contractions would lead to an economic recession in Africa and widen both fiscal and current account deficits. Extreme poverty is expected to increase further in Africa, in particular if the welfare of the poorest households grows at lower rates. We also use the macroeconomic model to analyze the effects of different fiscal policy responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of allergy‐related diseases (ARDs), including rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema, is on the increase globally. The causes of this increase are not well established. Objectives: To investigate the risk factors associated with ARDs among schoolchildren in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a large asthma case–control study involving 1700 schoolchildren, 5–17 years, in urban Uganda. ARDs were defined according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Skin prick testing (SPT) was conducted using standard procedures and allergen‐specific IgE (asIgE) using ImmunoCAP®. We employed inverse probability weighted analysis to generate estimated prevalence data and weighted odds ratios. Results: The lifetime estimated weighted prevalence of reported rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema was 43.3%, 39.5% and 13.5%; weighted prevalence in 12 months was 10.1%, 9.1% and 2.3%, respectively. There was overlap of ARDs, with 66.3% of 1193 schoolchildren who reported having ever an ARDs (including asthma) reporting two or more. Risk factors associated with reported rhinitis in the last 12 months were city residence at birth [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.66 (1.42–4.99) compared to rural]; father's [2.62 (1.79–3.83)] and mother's history of allergic disease [2.12 (1.48–3.02)]; frequent de‐worming in the last 12 months [2.01 (1.30–3.11), ≥2 versus none]; current high frequency of 'trucks passing on the street near home' [2.59 (1.48–4.52), 'almost all the time' versus rarely] and positive SPT [1.54 (1.09–2.18)] but not asIgE [1.38 (0.60–3.15)]. The same pattern of risk factors was observed for allergic conjunctivitis and eczema. Conclusion: We found extensive multi‐morbidity of, and overlap in the risk factors for, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and eczema—similar to asthma risk factors—among schoolchildren in urban Uganda. This suggests a similar underlying cause for all ARDs, associated with exposure to urban lifestyles and environment in Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fostering jobs, entrepreneurship and capacity development for African youths is an important development agenda. L'ACCÈS DES JEUNES AU MARCHÉ DU TRAVAIL AU TOGO ET AU BÉNIN: UNE ÉVIDENCE PARAMÉTRIQUE ET SEM... Similar to other African countries, youth unemployment in Togo and Benin is higher than adults'. EFFICACITÉ DU DISPOSITIF D'ACCOMPAGNEMENT À L'INSERTION PROFESSIONNELLE DES JEUNES AU SÉNÉGAL In many African countries, high youth unemployment has pushed policymakers to establish different support programs to help young graduates transition smoothly from the education system to the labor market. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examines the incidence, drivers, and persistence of skill and educational mismatches among employed youths from 10 African countries surveyed between 2012 and 2015. Results indicate that, unlike most findings from developed countries, underskilling and undereducation are more prevalent among the youth than overskilling and overeducation. The levels of education of the youth and their parents, the field of study, the quality of job and the firm size are found to be key predictors of job mismatches. Our results also show that the perspective of unemployment has a scarring effect for underskilled youths but a stepping‐stone effect for overskilled and overeducated. Using a pseudo‐panel approach, skill and educational mismatches of youths are found to be persistent over time and the likelihood of transitioning into education matching jobs is significantly increasing with the levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine volcanism in the western Arctic Ocean, known as Amerasia Basin, is attributed to a mantle plume based on geophysics and meager geochemical evidence. Basaltic samples dredged from Chukchi Borderland within the basin have produced minimum 40Ar/39Ar ages for eruption at circa 118–112, circa 105–100, and circa 90–70 Ma, which we use to constrain tectonic models for basin opening. Major oxide and trace element concentrations and Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopic ratios of the lavas show that the circa 118–112 Ma samples from Northwind Ridge are tholeiites (low‐Ti tholeiite I) with low degrees of rare‐earth element (REE) fractionation, high overall heavy rare‐earth element (HREE), and Mg# (Mg‐number), which suggests magma derivation from a garnet‐free source followed by minor crystal fractionation. Strontium, Nd, and Hf isotope systematics for these lavas and ratios of highly incompatible trace elements point toward a lithospheric source. Eruptions at circa 105–100 and circa 90–70 Ma, both at Healy Spur, produced two types of lavas: low‐Ti tholeiite II—which are generally older than high‐Ti tholeiite—both common in continental flood basalt (CFB) provinces and both with trace element abundance patterns typifying a garnet‐free source and significant crystal fractionation for the high‐Ti tholeiite. The isotope characteristics for both groups are common features of asthenospheric sources. Composition‐time relationships for the lavas suggest inception of melting in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM)—probably due to introduction of a heat source by a plume—followed later (at ca. 105–100 and ca. 90–70 Ma) by asthenospheric melting possibly triggered by plume rise. Plain Language Summary: Using U.S. Coast Guard research icebreaker Healy, we dredged basaltic lava flows from the bathymetrically high Chukchi Borderland on the floor of the western Arctic Ocean—an area known as Amerasia Basin—to determine eruption history using radioactivity thereby providing time constraints on the plate tectonic evolution of the region. We also measured the major oxide and trace element compositions as well as the lead, strontium, neodymium, and hafnium isotopic ratios of the lavas to decipher the geochemical character of the source materials deep inside the Earth. This work is part of the push for data collection in the last decade for Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) purposes under the U.N. Convention for Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 76. Submarine eruptions along Chukchi Borderland occurred at circa 118–112, circa 105–100, and circa 90–70 Ma, producing three geochemically distinct rock types akin to lavas in continental flood basalt (CFB) in other magmatic provinces on Earth. These lava compositions are in stark contrast to the compositions of submarine lavas in the eastern Arctic where oceanic crust of significant width developed and separated previously joined continental landmasses and their continental shelves. Key Points: Submarine volcanism in Amerasia Basin of the western Arctic Ocean produced flows dated by 40Ar/39Ar geochronology at circa 118–112 Ma (low‐Ti tholeiite I of the Northwind Ridge) and circa 105–100 Ma (low‐Ti tholeiite II) and circa 90–70 Ma (high‐Ti tholeiite)—both from Healy SpurThe low‐Ti tholeiites I at Northwind Ridge that erupted at circa 118–112 Ma resulted from melting of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source within the spinel stability field and were precursory to melting and eruption of magmas from isotopically more depleted sources, including the asthenosphereMelting events that produced the circa 105–100 Ma low‐Ti tholeiites II and circa 90–70 Ma high‐Ti tholeiites may be related to ascent of a plume head and the concomitant melting that yielded bimodal distribution of basaltic compositions, typical of plume‐related continental flood basalts (CFB) provinces elsewhere on Earth [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal brain tumor developing in the white matter of the adult brain, contains a small population of GBM stem cells (GSCs), which potentially cause chemotherapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. However, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and maintenance of GSCs remain largely unknown. A recent study reported that incorporation of ribosomes and ribosomal proteins into somatic cells promoted lineage trans‐differentiation toward multipotency. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying stemness acquisition in GBM cells by focusing on 40S ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6). RPS6 was significantly upregulated in high‐grade glioma and localized at perivascular, perinecrotic, and border niches in GBM tissues. siRNA‐mediated RPS6 knock‐down significantly suppressed the characteristics of GSCs, including their tumorsphere potential and GSC marker expression; STAT3 was downregulated in GBM cells. RPS6 overexpression enhanced the tumorsphere potential of GSCs and these effects were attenuated by STAT3 inhibitor (AG490). Moreover, RPS6 expression was significantly correlated with SOX2 expression in different glioma grades. Immunohistochemistry data herein indicated that RPS6 was predominant in GSC niches, concurrent with the data from IVY GAP databases. Furthermore, RPS6 and other ribosomal proteins were upregulated in GSC‐predominant areas in this database. The present results indicate that, in GSC niches, ribosomal proteins play crucial roles in the development and maintenance of GSCs and are clinically associated with chemoradioresistance and GBM recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) caused by hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, the precise clinical course after hypertensive ICH in AD patients is still unknown. In this study, we investigated how striatal ICH, a frequent site for hypertensive ICH, affected the prognosis of AD. We employed 17‐ and 18‐month‐old male 5XFAD (5X) mice and littermate (LT) controls, and striatal ICH was induced by collagenase injection. First, to address the acute effects of ICH on 5X mice, hemorrhagic volume and brain edema were evaluated 3 days after ICH. Next, to address the long‐term effects of ICH on 5X mice, morbidity, mortality, neurological function (beam‐walking and rotarod tests), and cognitive function (Y‐maze and nest‐building tests) were monitored. Twenty‐eight days later, the animals were euthanized, their brains were isolated, and the cytotoxic alterations were investigated. The results revealed that the acute effects of ICH were not significantly different between 5X and LT mice. In contrast, 5X mice showed significantly higher morbidity and mortality in response to ICH, as well as delayed neurological function recovery, compared to LT mice through 28 days. ICH did not affect cognitive function in either group. Infiltrated macrophages in the perihemorrhagic cortex, gp91phox, p67phox, and COX‐2 were significantly increased in 5X mice in response to ICH. We demonstrated that striatal ICH deteriorated prognosis and delayed neurofunctional recovery in 5X mice, which might be associated with enhanced oxidative stress in the presence of AD‐like pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses limit sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production worldwide. Many sweetpotato landraces in East Africa are, however, largely virus‐free. Moreover, some plants infected by the prevalent Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) may be able to revert to virus‐free status. In this study, we analysed reversion from SPFMV, Sweet potato virus C, Sweet potato mild mottle virus, Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) and Sweet potato leaf curl Uganda virus using the indicator plant I. setosa and PCR/reverse‐transcriptase PCR. We also investigated environmental factors (temperature and soil nutrients) that may influence reversion from virus infection. We tested reversion in the East African cultivars New Kawogo, NASPOT 1 and NASPOT 11, and the United States cultivars Resisto and Beauregard. Reverted plants were asymptomatic and virus was undetectable in assayed parts of the plant. After graft inoculation, only the East African cultivars mostly reverted at a high rate and from most viruses though cultivar Beauregard fully reverted following sap inoculation with Sweet potato virus C. None of the tested cultivars fully reverted from single or double infections involving SPCSV, and reversion was only observed in co‐infections involving potyviruses. Root sprouts derived from SPFMV‐reverted plants were also virus free. Reversion generally increased with increasing temperature and by improved soil nutrition. Overall, these results indicate variation in reversion by cultivar and that the natural ability of sweetpotato plants to revert from viruses is malleable, which has implications for both breeding and virus control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Alterations in microenvironments are a hallmark of cancer, and these alterations in germinomas are of particular significance. Germinoma, the most common subtype of central nervous system germ cell tumours, often exhibits massive immune cell infiltration intermingled with tumour cells. The role of these immune cells in germinoma, however, remains unknown. Methods: We investigated the cellular constituents of immune microenvironments and their clinical impacts on prognosis in 100 germinoma cases. Results: Patients with germinomas lower in tumour cell content (i.e. higher immune cell infiltration) had a significantly longer progression‐free survival time than those with higher tumour cell contents (P = 0.03). Transcriptome analyses and RNA in‐situ hybridization indicated that infiltrating immune cells comprised a wide variety of cell types, including lymphocytes and myelocyte‐lineage cells. High expression of CD4 was significantly associated with good prognosis, whereas elevated nitric oxide synthase 2 was associated with poor prognosis. PD1 (PDCD1) was expressed by immune cells present in most germinomas (93.8%), and PD‐L1 (CD274) expression was found in tumour cells in the majority of germinomas examined (73.5%). Conclusions: The collective data strongly suggest that infiltrating immune cells play an important role in predicting treatment response. Further investigation should lead to additional categorization of germinoma to safely reduce treatment intensity depending on tumour/immune cell balance and to develop possible future immunotherapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bony mallet is a common sport injury, but bony mallet thumb is rarely encountered. We performed open reduction and fixation of bony mallet thumb using a hook plate procedure on a 27-year-old man under general anesthesia. The patient began working one day after surgery. Six months postoperatively, the patient had excellent dexterity according to Crawford's evaluation criteria and no difficulties at work or playing softball. Tension band fixation, compression pins, and the extension block technique are commonly used to manage bony mallet. Despite the anatomical reduction, rigid fixation, and early resumption of motion skills offered by the hook plate technique, to our knowledge, no previous reports of its application to bony mallet thumb were found. In this case, the hook plate technique was chosen and made an early return to work possible and brought about a successful result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study isolated and evaluated virulence of fungal entomopathogens of Xylosandrus compactus– an important pest of Robusta coffee in Sub‐Saharan Africa. A survey was conducted in five farming systems in Uganda to isolate entomopathogens associated with X. compactus. Four fungal isolates were screened for virulence against X. compactus in the laboratory at 1 × 107 conidia ml−1 where an atoxigenic L‐strain of A. flavus killed 70%–100% of all stages of X. compactus compared with other unidentified isolates which caused 20%–70% mortalities. The time taken by A. flavus to kill 50% of X. compactus eggs, larvae, pupae and adults in the laboratory was 2–3 days; whereas the other unidentified fungal isolates took 4–7 days. The concentrations of A. flavus that killed 50% of different stages of X. compactus were 5 × 105, 12 × 105, 17 × 105 and 30 × 105 conidia ml−1 for larvae, eggs, pupae and adults respectively. A formulation of A. flavus in oil caused higher mortalities of X. compactus larvae, pupae and adults in the field (71%–79%) than its formulation in water (33%–47%). The atoxigenic strain of A. flavus could therefore be developed into a safe biopesticide against X. compactus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is one of the most devastating human malignancies for which a novel efficient treatment is urgently required. This pre–clinical study shows that eribulin, a specific inhibitor of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT)‐RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, is an effective anticancer agent against glioblastoma. Eribulin inhibited the growth of 4 TERT promoter mutation‐harboring glioblastoma cell lines in vitro at subnanomolar concentrations. In addition, it suppressed the growth of glioblastoma cells transplanted subcutaneously or intracerebrally into mice, and significantly prolonged the survival of mice harboring brain tumors at a clinically equivalent dose. A pharmacokinetics study showed that eribulin quickly penetrated brain tumors and remained at a high concentration even when it was washed away from plasma, kidney or liver 24 hours after intravenous injection. Moreover, a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging analysis revealed that intraperitoneally injected eribulin penetrated the brain tumor and was distributed evenly within the tumor mass at 1 hour after the injection whereas only very low levels of eribulin were detected in surrounding normal brain. Eribulin is an FDA‐approved drug for refractory breast cancer and can be safely repositioned for treatment of glioblastoma patients. Thus, our results suggest that eribulin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for glioblastoma. Based on these data, an investigator‐initiated registration‐directed clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eribulin in patients with recurrent GBM (UMIN000030359) has been initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standard sampling methods to evaluate the proliferative ability of meningioma have not been established. Methods: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative rapid flow cytometry (iFC) using raw samples for the quantitative assessment of proliferative ability in meningioma cells and to investigate intratumoral heterogeneity. Proliferation index (PI) was defined as the ratio of aneuploid cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes to the total cells. Results: From 50 patients, 118 specimens were analyzed. There was a statistically significant correlation between the postoperative MIB‐1 labeling index (LI) and PI (R = 0.59, P < 0.0001). A higher PI was correlated with a higher annual growth rate (AGR, cm3/y) (R = 0.50, P = 0.0002, 26 patients). AGR showed a correlation with the intratumoral distribution of PI. PI was the highest at the center or the peripheral section of the tumor in tumors with high AGR, whereas it was highest at the dural attachment in tumors with low AGR (P = 0.039, n = 20). Pial feeders were more frequently observed when PI was high in the center or in the peripheral section (P = 0.006, n = 37). Conclusions: Rapid iFC may thus become a substitute for MIB‐1 LI. Intratumoral heterogeneity of cellular proliferative potential exists in meningiomas and is related to tumor biological characteristics such as AGR and development of pial feeders. This observation underscores the importance of standardization in the sampling method to accurately estimate the risk of meningioma recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Temple syndrome (TS14) leads to growth failure, precocious puberty, and diabetes mellitus. However, the long‐term prognosis, including the development of social behavior in TS14 patients, remains unclarified. We report the clinical course of a male patient with autism spectrum disorder that received a diagnosis of TS14 at 33 years of age. Temple syndrome (TS14) leads to growth failure, precocious puberty, and diabetes mellitus. However, the long‐term prognosis, including the development of social behavior in TS14 patients, remains unclarified. We report the clinical course of a male patient with autism spectrum disorder that received a diagnosis of TS14 at 33 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to measure pretreatment B cell‐activating factor belonging to the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) and transmembrane activator and CAML‐interactor (TACI) levels in CSF and serum collected from patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and control groups. The decision tree analysis of CSF TACI and BAFF levels for patients with a PCNSL diagnosis showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when we attempted to differentiate PCNSL from glioblastoma and CNS inflammatory diseases. The combination of CSF TACI and BAFF levels may thus be a novel and useful diagnostic biomarker of PCNSL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the relationship between characteristics of coffee shade systems and coffee pest infestation by the black coffee twig borer Xylosandrus compactus Eichhoff. The pest deprives Uganda of $40 millions annually, yet its control remains inadequate. The present study considered three rainfall zones in Central Uganda and 50 coffee plots that were randomly selected from each rainfall zone. Data were collected on X. compactus infestation and key shade indicators: canopy cover, tree‐species densities, diameter at breast height (DBH) and ratio of coffee to banana. Cluster analysis revealed two coffee shade systems: a matured shade tree (MST) system and a young poly‐culture (YPC) system. Xylosandrus compactus infestations were significantly less in the MST system than in the YPC system and significantly less in the low rainfall zone than in the high rainfall zone. An increase in the density of Carica papaya and Albizia chinensis significantly reduced and increased X. compactus infestation, respectively. A higher average DBH of individual trees and a higher density of trees that exude sap significantly lowered X. compactus infestation. Suppressing X. compactus infestation requires bigger trees, a high density of sap‐exuding trees and no Albizia chinensis. Further research should aim to investigate X. compactus flight activity and microclimate influencing X. compactus population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is the most common and devastating type of malignant brain tumor. We recently found that eribulin suppresses glioma growth in vitro and in vivo and that eribulin is efficiently transferred into mouse brain tumors at a high concentration. Eribulin is a non‐taxane microtubule inhibitor approved for breast cancer and liposarcoma. Cells arrested in M‐phase by chemotherapeutic agents such as microtubule inhibitors are highly sensitive to radiation‐induced DNA damage. Several recent case reports have demonstrated the clinical benefits of eribulin combined with radiation therapy for metastatic brain tumors. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a combined eribulin and radiation treatment on human glioblastoma cells. The glioblastoma cell lines U87MG, U251MG and U118MG, and SJ28 cells, a patient‐derived sphere culture cell line, were used to determine the radiosensitizing effect of eribulin using western blotting, flow cytometry and clonogenic assay. Subcutaneous and intracerebral glioma xenografts were generated in mice to assess the efficacy of the combined treatment. The combination of eribulin and radiation enhanced DNA damage in vitro. The clonogenic assay of U87MG demonstrated the radiosensitizing effect of eribulin. The concomitant eribulin and radiation treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice harboring intracerebral glioma xenografts compared with eribulin or radiation alone (P < .0001). In addition, maintenance administration of eribulin after the concomitant treatment further controlled brain tumor growth. Aberrant microvasculature was decreased in these tumors. Concomitant treatment with eribulin and radiation followed by maintenance administration of eribulin may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for glioblastomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IDH‐mutant gliomas are classified into astrocytic or oligodendroglial tumors by 1p/19q status in the WHO 2016 classification, with the latter presenting with characteristic morphology and better prognosis in general. However, the morphological and genetic features within each category are varied, and there might be distinguishable subtypes. We analyzed 170 WHO grade II‐IV gliomas resected in our institution. 1p/19q status was analyzed by microsatellite analysis, and genetic mutations were analyzed by next‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. For validation, the Brain Lower Grade Glioma dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas was analyzed. Of the 42 grade III IDH‐mutated gliomas, 12 were 1p‐intact/19q‐intact (anaplastic astrocytomas [AA]), 7 were 1p‐intact/19q‐loss (AA), and 23 showed 1p/19q‐codeletion (anaplastic oligodendrogliomas). Of the 88 IDH‐wild type glioblastomas (GBMs), 14 showed 1p‐intact/19q‐loss status. All of the seven 1p‐intact/19q‐loss AAs harbored TP53 mutation, but no TERT promotor mutation. All 19q‐loss AAs had regions presenting oligodendroglioma‐like morphology, and were associated with significantly longer overall survival compared to 19q‐intact AAs (P = .001). This tendency was observed in The Cancer Genome Atlas Lower Grade Glioma dataset. In contrast, there was no difference in overall survival between the 19q‐loss GBM and 19q‐intact GBM (P = .4). In a case of 19q‐loss AA, both oligodendroglial morphology and 19q‐loss disappeared after recurrence, possibly indicating correlation between 19q‐loss and oligodendroglial morphology. We showed that there was a subgroup, although small, of IDH‐mutated astrocytomas harboring 19q‐loss that present oligodendroglial morphology, and also were associated with significantly better prognosis compared to other 19q‐intact astrocytomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant forms of cancer, for which no effective targeted therapy has been found. Although The Cancer Genome Atlas has provided a list of fusion genes in glioblastoma, their role in progression of glioblastoma remains largely unknown. To search for novel fusion genes, we obtained RNA‐seq data from TGS‐01 human glioma‐initiating cells, and identified a novel fusion gene (HMGA2‐EGFR), encoding a protein comprising the N‐terminal region of the high‐mobility group AT‐hook protein 2 (HMGA2) fused to the C‐terminal region of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which retained the transmembrane and kinase domains of the EGFR. This fusion gene product showed transforming potential and a high tumor‐forming capacity in cell culture and in vivo. Mechanistically, HMGA2‐EGFR constitutively induced a higher level of phosphorylated STAT5B than EGFRvIII, an in‐frame exon deletion product of the EGFR gene that is commonly found in primary glioblastoma. Forced expression of HMGA2‐EGFR enhanced orthotopic tumor formation of the U87MG human glioma cell line. Furthermore, the EGFR kinase inhibitor erlotinib blocked sphere formation of TGS‐01 cells in culture and inhibited tumor formation in vivo. These findings suggest that, in addition to gene amplification and in‐frame exon deletion, EGFR signaling can also be activated by gene fusion, suggesting a possible avenue for treatment of glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We determined metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence and assessed the agreement between different diagnostic criteria in HIV-infected South Africans. Method. A random sample included 748 HIV-infected adult patients (79% women) across 17 HIV healthcare facilities in the Western Cape Province. MetS was defined using the Joint Interim Statement (JIS 2009), International Diabetes Federation (IDF 2005), and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII 2005) criteria. Results. Median values were 38 years (age), 5 years (diagnosed HIV duration), and 392 cells/mm3 (CD4 count), and 93% of the participants were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). MetS prevalence was 28.2% (95%CI: 25–31.4), 26.5% (23.3–29.6), and 24.1% (21–27.1) by the JIS, IDF, and ATPIII 2005 criteria, respectively. Prevalence was always higher in women than in men (all p<0.001), in participants with longer duration of diagnosed HIV (all p≤0.003), and in ART users not receiving 1st-line regimens (all p≤0.039). The agreement among the three criteria was very good overall and in most subgroups (all kappa≥0.81). Conclusions. The three most popular diagnostic criteria yielded similarly high MetS prevalence in this relatively young population receiving care for HIV infection. Very good levels of agreement between criteria are unaffected by some HIV-specific features highlighting the likely comparable diagnostic utility of those criteria in routine HIV care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synergetic prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infections led to the launch of integrated TB/HIV services, officially coined “collaborative TB/HIV activities”. The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Tanzania works with multiple implementing partners in achieving collaborative TB/HIV goals. This study assessed challenges, best practices and strategies for standardizing Health Information Systems (HIS) for integrated TB/HIV services. A descriptive cross sectional study design employing both qualitative methods was used. Data were collected through key informant interviews, observation of existing practices, and document review. Absence of health information system standards control mechanisms was noted to be the cardinal challenge. The study recommends a need to establish formal mechanisms to control information system standards across partners, reviewing existing national TB/HIV policy guidelines to include adequate aspects of monitoring and evaluation, establishing a functional partner regulatory authority and implementing data quality assurance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Antarctica experienced a complex tectonic history, which is still poorly documented, in part due to extensive ice cover. Here we reconstruct the Cretaceous to present thermotectonic history of Pine Island Bay area and its adjacent coasts, based on a combination of apatite and zircon fission track and apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He thermochronology. In addition, we report petrographic information for the catchments of Pine Island, Thurston Island, and Thwaites glaciers. Our data suggest that the underlying bedrock of the Pine Island and Thwaites Glacier catchments are very different and vary from granitoids to (Cenozoic?) volcanogenic sequences and low-grade metamorphics. Our thermochronology data show that the upper crustal rocks of Pine Island Bay experienced very rapid cooling during the late Cretaceous. We attribute this rapid cooling of basement rocks and associated reduction in mean elevation to tectonic denudation driven by gravitational collapse of the Cretaceous orogen along the proto-Pacific Gondwana margin. Rapid Cretaceous crustal cooling was followed by very slow cooling during the Cenozoic, with no erosional response-within the limits of thermochronological methods-to the onset of glaciation and subsequent climatic changes. Cenozoic rifting within the West Antarctic Rift appears to have had little effect on erosion processes around Pine Island Bay; instead, our data suggest Cenozoic crustal tilting toward Pine Island Trough, a major geomorphic feature previously suggested to be a branch of the rift system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of alpha-thalassaemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked ( ATRX) expression in adult diffuse gliomas, with reference to clinicopathological and genetic features, to determine the utility of this analysis in diagnostic practice. Methods and results A total of 193 adult diffuse gliomas underwent immunohistochemical analysis. In areas in which internal controls, neurones, glia and blood vessels were properly stained, the ATRX immunoreactivity of tumour cells was either almost totally absent or completely retained in all cases. There was perfect concordance between the immunohistochemical results and ATRX mutation status, which was known in 19 cases. ATRX loss was observed in 54.5, 30.8 and 0.0% of grades II/ III astrocytomas, oligoastrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, respectively, and 12.7% of glioblastomas. In grades II/ III gliomas, most ATRX-loss cases (92.3%) had IDH1/2 mutations. ATRX loss was associated significantly with TP53 mutation and p53 overexpression ( P < 0.001), but was never accompanied by 1p/19q co-deletion. IDH1/2 mutation in ATRX-loss tumours was less frequent in glioblastomas than in grades II/ III gliomas ( P < 0.001). Further, there was no significant association between ATRX loss and p53 overexpression in glioblastomas. ATRX-loss glioblastomas affected younger patients ( P < 0.001) and occurred more frequently in locations other than the cerebral hemispheres ( P = 0.006). Most grades II/ III gliomas (93.3%) were categorized into three molecular subtypes based on the status of IDH1/2 mutation, ATRX immunohistochemistry and 1p/19q co-deletion. Conclusions Distinct histological and molecular characteristics of adult diffuse gliomas with and without ATRX immunoreactivity indicate the utility of ATRX immunohistochemistry in diagnostic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato feathery mottle virus ( SPFMV) and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus ( SPCSV) are the most common viruses infecting sweetpotato in Uganda. Field plots planted with graft inoculated plants of virus-free cultivars Beauregard, Dimbuka, Ejumula, Kabode and NASPOT 1 were used to assess the effect of SPFMV and SPCSV on yield and quality of sweetpotatoes in two agro-ecologies. SPFMV spreads rapidly to control plots at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo ( MUARIK), and these plots had similar yields to those singly infected with SPFMV but at the National Semi Arid Resource Research Institute (Na SARRI) where SPFMV spreads slowly, plots infected with SPFMV yielded 40% less than the control. Recovery from SPFMV appeared to be more frequent at Na SARRI than at MUARIK. Infection by SPCSV alone resulted in yield losses of 14-52%, while mixed infections of SPFMV+ SPCSV resulted in yield losses in both locations of 60-95% depending on the cultivar. SPCSV and mixed infections of SPFMV+ SPCSV also reduced the number of roots formed as well as the diameter of the roots, resulting in a greater length to diameter ratio compared to the healthy control. This study, therefore, confirms that both SPFMV and SPCSV, both singly and when mixed, can reduce yield, the extent depending on the cultivar. To mitigate the effect of these viruses, farmers should use clean planting materials of resistant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1997 the WHO has been recommending an integrative strategy to combat malaria including new medicines, vaccines, improvements of health care systems and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). After successful controlled trials with ITNs in the past decade, large-scale interventions and research now focus on operational issues of distribution and financing. In developing a social marketing approach in the Kilombero Valley in south-east Tanzania in 1996, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed to investigate local knowledge and practice relating to malaria. The findings show that the biomedical concept of malaria overlaps with several local illness concepts, one of which is called malaria and refers to mild malaria. Most respondents linked malaria to mosquitoes (76%) and already used mosquito nets (52%). But local understandings of severe malaria differed from the biomedical concept and were not linked to mosquitoes or malaria. A social marketing strategy to promote ITNs was developed on the basis of these findings, which reinforced public health messages and linked them with nets and insecticide. Although we did not directly evaluate the impact of promotional activities, the sharp rise in ownership and use of ITNs by the population (from 10 to > 50%) suggests that they contributed significantly to the success of the programme. Local knowledge and practice is highly relevant for social marketing strategies of ITNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients presenting in major tuberculosis ( TB) centres in two Australian metropolitan hospitals and three central hospitals in Malawi were interviewed for health and other information, including their satisfaction with nursing care. The main objective of the study was to investigate differences in satisfaction rates among ethnically similar and different patients coming from two dissimilar health systems. A multivariable Generalized Estimating Equations model was constructed to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with dissatisfaction, while focusing on ethnic differences between and within each country. The Australian and Malawian patients were similar in age, gender, marital status, and employment. However, the Malawians were mostly inpatients, with recurrent TB episodes, and were more seriously ill with impaired physical and mental wellbeing. Nonetheless, being Australian was more associated with dissatisfaction observed in all components of care. However, Australian ethnic minorities were less dissatisfied than their Anglo- Saxon or European counterparts, being more similar to Malawian patients irrespective of the health care provided. Our study suggests that patients coming from similar ethnic backgrounds may express similar satisfaction irrespective of the health system they belong to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aragonite is easily altered during diagenesis, therefore presumed pristine when present. In effect, beyond polymorphic transformation to calcite, alteration paths of aragonite remain poorly understood despite heavy reliance on such material to produce palaeoenvironmental and chronostratigraphic interpretations. Previous work on core material from Southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, showed that unlike their calcitic counterparts, seemingly unaltered aragonite shell fragments invariably produced older than expected 87Sr/86Sr ages. In this study, we pursued additional analyses of these aragonite shells and of the porewater of the core to understand this discrepancy. Aragonite mineralogy was reconfirmed and elemental mapping of shell fragments revealed growth lines within the middle layer suggestive of good preservation. The outer layer, however, showed anomalously high Sr concentrations (average 4·5 ± 0·6 mole% SrCO3; ca 25 mmol mol−1 Sr/Ca) and was depleted in 18O and 13C compared to the middle layer, both features inconsistent with pristine material. The δ18O values and Sr concentrations of the porewater were used to model outer layer compositions reasonably well. Coincidentally, porewater Sr isotope composition was in general agreement with the age model of the core only at the aragonite‐bearing interval suggesting that Sr‐isotopic disequilibrium between porewater and the carbonates was the rule rather than the exception in the core. The Sr isotope compositions of the aragonite shells are most likely the result of early diagenesis as suggested by the inconsistent O and C isotope compositions between shell layers and the anomalously high Sr concentrations. We conclude that knowledge of Sr concentration and distribution in shells is critical to determine the viability of Sr stratigraphy and the scale at which it may be applied. Reliance on traditional indicators of lack of alteration, such as cathodoluminescence, Mn‐Fe concentration, and the presence of labile mineralogies to assert chronostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental questions may produce erroneous conclusions due to obscurely altered material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous report, we investigated inflammatory responses induced by injecting Listeria monocytogenes into one testis of a mouse. We demonstrated that the contralateral testis also developed an orchitis despite the absence of bacteria, indicating that the inflammation on the uninfected, contralateral side was of autoimmune character. In both infected and autoimmune testes, γδ and αβ T cells infiltrated during the inflammation. In this paper, we present the data of a comparison of the character of γδ T cells of the infected and autoimmune testes. In both testes, γδ T cells appeared to be activated, as assessed by high CD44 and low l-selectin expression. Analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) usage in both inflammation types revealed the same γδ TCR repertoire. Finally, the semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that γδ T cells in both types of inflammation were capable of producing interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). These results imply that γδ T cells present in infected-induced and autoimmunity-induced inflammation have the same characteristics and could work as immunoregulatory cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]