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.

Evaluation of Nitrite Radical Scavenging Properties of Selected Zimbabwean Plant Extracts and Their Phytoconstituents

Abstract: Oxidative stress resulting from accumulation of reactive oxygen species has been associated with disease. The search for natural antioxidants of plant origin is necessitated by the side effects associated with synthetic antioxidants currently available. The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity of Combretum zeyheri, Combretum platypetalum, and Parinari curatellifolia extracts by determining nitrite radical scavenging ability. The nitrite radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extracts. The total flavonoid content of P. curatellifolia methanol extract was determined by the aluminium calorimetric method. The aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of C. zeyheri, C. platypetalum, and P. curatellifolia extracts exhibited nitrite radical scavenging activity. The results show the scavenging activity in the order of potency: P. curatellifolia > C. platypetalum > C. zeyheri with concentration values of 103 µg/mL, 158 µg/mL, and 188 µg/mL for the ethanol extracts and 92.5 µg/mL, 97.5 µg/mL, and 198 µg/mL for the water extracts, respectively. P. curatellifolia ethanol extract was the most potent and the total flavonoid content was estimated to be 0.4 ± 0.05 mg/g quercetin and could account for the activity. Thus, our findings provide evidence that C. zeyheri, C. platypetalum, and P. curatellifolia leaf extracts could be potential sources of natural antioxidants.

Pregnancy and infant outcomes among HIV-infected women taking long-term ART with and without tenofovir in the DART trial.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Few data have described long-term outcomes for infants born to HIV-infected African women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy. This is particularly true for World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended tenofovir-containing first-line regimens, which are increasingly used and known to cause renal and bone toxicities; concerns have been raised about potential toxicity in babies due to in utero tenofovir exposure. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Pregnancy outcome and maternal/infant ART were collected in Ugandan/Zimbabwean HIV-infected women initiating ART during The Development of AntiRetroviral Therapy in Africa (DART) trial, which compared routine laboratory monitoring (CD4; toxicity) versus clinically driven monitoring. Women were followed 15 January 2003 to 28 September 2009. Infant feeding, clinical status, and biochemistry/haematology results were collected in a separate infant study. Effect of in utero ART exposure on infant growth was analysed using random effects models. 382 pregnancies occurred in 302/1,867 (16%) women (4.4/100 woman-years [95% CI 4.0-4.9]). 226/390 (58%) outcomes were live-births, 27 (7%) stillbirths (≥22 wk), and 137 (35%) terminations/miscarriages ( 0.4). Of 219 surviving infants, 182 (83%) enrolled in the follow-up study; median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at last visit was 25 (12-38) months. From mothers' ART, 62/9/111 infants had no/20%-89%/≥90% in utero tenofovir exposure; most were also zidovudine/lamivudine exposed. All 172 infants tested were HIV-negative (ten untested). Only 73/182(40%) infants were breast-fed for median 94 (IQR 75-212) days. Overall, 14 infants died at median (IQR) age 9 (3-23) months, giving 5% 12-month mortality; six of 14 were HIV-uninfected; eight untested infants died of respiratory infection (three), sepsis (two), burns (one), measles (one), unknown (one). During follow-up, no bone fractures were reported to have occurred; 12/368 creatinines and seven out of 305 phosphates were grade one (16) or two (three) in 14 children with no effect of in utero tenofovir (p>0.1). There was no evidence that in utero tenofovir affected growth after 2 years (p = 0.38). Attained height- and weight for age were similar to general (HIV-uninfected) Ugandan populations. Study limitations included relatively small size and lack of randomisation to maternal ART regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Overall 1-year 5% infant mortality was similar to the 2%-4% post-neonatal mortality observed in this region. No increase in congenital, renal, or growth abnormalities was observed with in utero tenofovir exposure. Although some infants died untested, absence of recorded HIV infection with combination ART in pregnancy is encouraging. Detailed safety of tenofovir for pre-exposure prophylaxis will need confirmation from longer term follow-up of larger numbers of exposed children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.controlled-trials.com ISRCTN13968779

A microcontroller-based data acquisition system for solar radiation and environmental monitoring

Abstract: The hardware design and operation of a battery-powered microcontroller-based data acquisition system (DAS) for unattended remote measurements are presented. The system was designed around the ST62E20 8-bit microcontroller and applied for solar radiation monitoring. The measurement system uses the SolData silicon-cell pyranometer as the solar radiation sensor. The data from the sensor is collected by means of on-chip A/D converter and stored in a serial EEPROM until uploaded to a portable computer. Keeping the DAS in a low-power mode, which is only interrupted when measurements are to be taken or when a computer is connected to retrieve the stored data, minimizes power consumption. An on-chip timer provides an interrupt to awaken the system from its low-power wait mode at 10-min intervals to sample and store the data. At the end of each data collection period, the acquired data will be transmitted to the computer through the RS232 serial port for subsequent analysis. Only unprocessed data is stored in EEPROM. Quality control and data analysis is done off-line in the laboratory to minimize system cost, complexity and system downtime. Field tests and comparisons of this measurement system against the standard Eppley precision spectral pyranometer (PSP) have shown a slightly nonlinear correlation and that the accuracy of this measurement system as applied to solar radiation monitoring is fairly good, typically /spl plusmn/13 W/m/sup 2/.

The use of wild fruits in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Most peasant households in Zimbabwe use edible fruits of indigenous woody plants. Deforestation does not significantly affect availability of selected fruits, because people tend not to cut selected trees when clearing land for cultivation. A different range of species is used in the different natural regions of Zimbabwe. Fruit use mainly occurs in the periods of seasonal food stress, even though these seasons are not necessarily the periods of maximum fruit abundance. Wild fruits, often the only source of fruit for households, are used mostly by children. There is a significant trade in wild fruits.

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: review of thirty-two cases☆

Abstract: I have reviewed aetiology, sex, age at time of treatment, clinical features, radiographic findings, anaesthetic techniques, surgical treatment, complications, and results in 32 patients with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. Trauma and infection were the commonest causes of ankylosis: 50% and 41%, (n = 13), respectively. The 21-30 year age group had the most trauma cases. Twenty (63%) of the patients presented with bilateral ankylosis. Failing to do jaw-opening exercises was the main cause of relapse.