Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Accessing diabetes care in rural Uganda: Economic and social resources.

Abstract: Non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D) are increasing rapidly in most Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries like Uganda. Little attention has been given to how patients with T2D try to achieve treatment when the availability of public health care for their disease is limited, as is the case in most SSA countries. In this paper we focus on the landscape of availability of care and the therapeutic journeys of patients within that landscape. Based on fieldwork in south-western Uganda including 10 case studies, we explore the diabetes treatment options in the area and what it takes to access the available treatment. We analyse the resources patients need to use the available treatment options, and demonstrate that the patients' journeys to access and maintain treatment are facilitated by the knowledge and support of their therapy management groups. Patients access treatment more effectively, if they and their family have money, useful social relations, and knowledge, together with the capacity to communicate with health staff. Patients coming from households with high socio-economic status (SES) are more likely to have all of these resources, while for patients with low or medium SES, lack of economic resources increases the importance of connections within the health system.

Transgenic mice expressing selected insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 fragments do not exhibit enhanced bone formation

Abstract: Skeletal cells synthesize insulin like growth factors (IGF) and six IGF binding proteins (IGFBP). IGFBP-5 and fragments were reported to stimulate bone cell growth and parameters of osteoblastic function. We investigated the effects of IGFBP-5 1-162 and 1-193 on bone remodeling in transgenic mice overexpressing these fragments under the control of the osteocalcin promoter. Transgenic mice had normal appearance, weight, and bone mineral density. Static and dynamic histomorphometry revealed that transgenic mice overexpressing IGFBP-5 1-162 or 1-193 had normal trabecular bone volume, osteoblast and osteoclast number, and normal bone formation rate. MC3T3 cells transduced with retroviral vectors overexpressing IGFBP-5 1-235, 1-193, and 1-162 fragments displayed normal cell growth and maturation, and failed to enhance the expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and type I collagen mRNA when compared to cells transduced with vector alone. In conclusion, transgenic mice expressing IGFBP-5 1-162 and 1-193 in the bone microenvironment do not exhibit an obvious skeletal phenotype.

Removal of Less Commonly Addressed Metals via Passive Cotreatment

Abstract: The viability of removing less commonly addressed metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb) in a passive cotreatment concept was tested using a microcosm-scale, three-stage batch reactor system in which acid mine drainage from an abandoned adit on Cerro Rico de Potosi and raw municipal wastewater from Potosi, Bolivia, were introduced at a 5:1 ratio. The acid mine drainage had pH 3.58, acidity 1080 mg L as CaCO equivalent, and elevated concentrations of dissolved Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb, among other metals/metalloids. The municipal wastewater had pH 9.05 and alkalinity 418 mg L as CaCO equivalent, with 5.6 and 38 mg L of nitrate and phosphate, respectively. Previous analyses noted substantial pH increase, phosphate removal, denitrification, and removal of Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Prompted by these results, subsequent analyses were conducted for the current study, which noted that dissolved concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb decreased by 78.5, 18.3, 25.5, and 45.9%, respectively. Additionally, concentrations of Ce, Cr, Gd, and La decreased throughout the system. The study revealed the broader applicability of passive cotreatment of acid mine drainage and municipal wastewater, specifically for removing metals that are often difficult to address with conventional passive treatment approaches, such as Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb. Results could be applicable for treatment alternatives in developing and developed countries where these waste streams occur in close proximity.