University of Zimbabwe

About: University of Zimbabwe is a education organization based out in Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 4378 authors who have published 6800 publications receiving 160720 citations. The organization is also known as: UZ & University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Total iron binding capacity and transferrin concentration in the assessment of iron status.

Abstract: Transferrin concentration and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) are currently used to assess iron status. Although correlation between TIBC and transferrin is generally considered as good, conversion factors between the two analytes found in literature show large differences. Although the price per test is lower for TIBC, there are a number of analytical advantages of serum transferrin. Due to binding of iron to other plasma proteins (mainly albumin), TIBC methods generally overestimate the iron binding capacity of transferrin. Moreover, no generic reference values are available for TIBC. In contrast to TIBC, internationally accepted interim reference ranges are available for serum transferrin. The introduction of the international CRM 470 protein standard material has lead to a significant reduction in interlaboratory variation for transferring measurements. In view of these observations, determination of transferrin concentration, rather than TIBC, is recommended. However, in non-European populations characterized by a marked genetic variation in transferrin (TF BC and TF CD variants), in certain cases, immunochemical determination of transferrin may lead to errors. In these populations, TIBC measurements may be preferred.

Hydrograph separation using hydrochemical tracers in the Makanya catchment, Tanzania

Abstract: Hydrochemical tracers were used to separate and quantify different runoff components in the semi-arid Makanya catchment in the South Pare Mountains of Tanzania. One flood event was investigated during the rainy season of October–December 2005 and analysed for electrical conductivity, dissolved silica and major anions and cations. The event on 9 November 2005 showed two peaks, each originating from one of two sub-catchments, upper-Vudee and Ndolwa, each with a distinct water quality signature. Hydrograph separation indicated that the two peaks in the hydrograph originated from a delay in response between the two catchments. The hydrograph separation indicated that, for this event, over 95% of the discharge could be attributed to sub-surface runoff, while the remainder was due to faster surface runoff processes. The dominance of sub-surface processes was also indicated by the lack of suspended sediments in the samples, which is a clear indication that no surface runoff took place.

Decomposition and nutrient release from mango and miombo woodland litter in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Litter inputs from trees are potentially important in agroforestry systems as sources of nutrients and organic matter. In the smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe, litter from trees in natural woodlands (miombo) is applied to croplands as a soil amendment. Soils in smallholder areas are generally sandy and contain low amounts of C, N, P and S. Mango trees are planted widely on smallholder farms, but miombo litter is a preferred soil amendment to mango litter. Leaf litter from mango (Mangifera indica L.) and miombo woodland were assessed as soil amendments through decomposition and nutrient release studies in Zimbabwe. Mass loss was assessed in 7 mm mesh litter bags. Changes in lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, polyphenols and nutrient release were also assessed. Miombo litter had higher initial concentrations of N, P, S, Mg and lignin, and lower polyphenol contents than mango litter. Mass loss was faster in miombo than mango litter, with miombo litter losing 72% of the initial mass over 18 months in comparison with a 55% mass loss for mango litter under the same conditions. Initial litter N, lignin content, and Lignin–N ratios were correlated strongly with mass loss. The rate of lignin loss was higher in miombo than in mango litter. Total polyphenols could not be detected in either litter type after 2 months. There was less N immobilization in miombo litter than in mango during the 18-month study. Net N mobilization in miombo litter accounted for 66% of the initial nitrogen. N immobilization and release correlated strongly with initial litter N, lignin content and Lignin–N. Miombo litter also released more P and S than mango litter over 18 months. More rapid nutrient release by miombo litter may be the reason for its being a preferred soil amendment to mango litter, but mango litter could be used to maintain or enhance soil C.

Herd dynamics and contribution of indigenous pigs to the livelihoods of rural farmers in a semi-arid area of Zimbabwe

Abstract: Herd dynamics of indigenous pigs were determined in a semi-arid farming area of Chirumanzu, Zimbabwe. Thirty-two pig herds were monitored once every month for 12 months. Consequently, pig production potential (PPP) and pig production efficiency (PPE) were computed for each month. Incidences of farrowing were higher in times of pig confinement (57%) than in times when the pigs were free ranging (43%). About 23% of the farmers interviewed had access to irrigation. The mean pig herd size per household was 3.3. The average litter size per farrowing was 7.7. Pigs were free ranging for most of the year and penned during the rainy season. Herd sizes changed with month (P 0.05). It can be concluded that pig production efficiencies were low and intervention strategies to improve them need to be developed.

Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries

Abstract: Background. Studies have demonstrated that self-testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly acceptable among individuals and could allow cost savings, compared with provider-delivered HIV testing and counseling (PHTC), although the longer-term population-level effects are uncertain. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of introducing self-testing in 2015 over a 20-year time frame in a country such as Zimbabwe. Methods. The HIV synthesis model was used. Two scenarios were considered. In the reference scenario, selftesting is not available, and the rate of first-time and repeat PHTC is assumed to increase from 2015 onward, in line with past trends. In the intervention scenario, self-testing is introduced at a unit cost of $3. Results. We predict that the introduction of self-testing would lead to modest savings in healthcare costs of $75 million, while averting around 7000 disability-adjusted life-years over 20 years. Findings were robust to most variations in assumptions; however, higher cost of self-testing, lower linkage to care for people whose diagnosis is a consequence of a positive self-test result, and lower threshold for antiretroviral therapy eligibility criteria could lead to situations in which self-testing is not cost-effective. Conclusions. Thisanalysis suggeststhat introducingself-testingoffers some healthbenefits and may wellsave costs.