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.

Causes of acute hospitalization in adolescence: burden and spectrum of HIV-related morbidity in a country with an early-onset and severe HIV epidemic: a prospective survey.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Survival to older childhood with untreated, vertically acquired HIV infection, which was previously considered extremely unusual, is increasingly well described. However, the overall impact on adolescent health in settings with high HIV seroprevalence has not previously been investigated. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Adolescents (aged 10-18 y) systematically recruited from acute admissions to the two public hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, answered a questionnaire and underwent standard investigations including HIV testing, with consent. Pre-set case-definitions defined cause of admission and underlying chronic conditions. Participation was 94%. 139 (46%) of 301 participants were HIV-positive (median age of diagnosis 12 y: interquartile range [IQR] 11-14 y), median CD4 count = 151; IQR 57-328 cells/microl), but only four (1.3%) were herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) positive. Age (median 13 y: IQR 11-16 y) and sex (57% male) did not differ by HIV status, but HIV-infected participants were significantly more likely to be stunted (z-score<-2: 52% versus 23%, p<0.001), have pubertal delay (15% versus 2%, p<0.001), and be maternal orphans or have an HIV-infected mother (73% versus 17%, p<0.001). 69% of HIV-positive and 19% of HIV-negative admissions were for infections, most commonly tuberculosis and pneumonia. 84 (28%) participants had underlying heart, lung, or other chronic diseases. Case fatality rates were significantly higher for HIV-related admissions (22% versus 7%, p<0.001), and significantly associated with advanced HIV, pubertal immaturity, and chronic conditions. CONCLUSION: HIV is the commonest cause of adolescent hospitalisation in Harare, mainly due to adult-spectrum opportunistic infections plus a high burden of chronic complications of paediatric HIV/AIDS. Low HSV-2 prevalence and high maternal orphanhood rates provide further evidence of long-term survival following mother-to-child transmission. Better recognition of this growing phenomenon is needed to promote earlier HIV diagnosis and care.

Starch properties as affected by sorghum grain chemistry

Abstract: To determine the relationship between sorghum grain polyphenol content, grain structure, and starch properties, starch was isolated from 10 sorghum varieties using an alkali steep and wet-milling procedure. SV2, a tannin-free variety with white pericarp, gave a white starch. Varieties having red or white pericarp and higher polyphenol levels gave pink starches. Hunter colour values (L, a, b) of starches were not correlated with grain polyphenol content. Grain appearance in terms of pericarp colour, or presence or absence of pigmented testa, did not relate to the intense pink colouration of sorghum starches. Starch amylose content was significantly negatively correlated (r = −0.88, p < 0.001) to grain floury endosperm texture. Sorghum starches had higher peak viscosity (PV) in pasting than commercial maize starch. The time taken to reach peak viscosity from the initial viscosity rise was less for sorghum starches than maize starch. However, sorghum starches had a higher rate of shear thinning (Rst) than maize starch. There was a significant positive correlation between grain polyphenol content and starch PV (r = 0.75, p < 0.05). Starch gel hardness was negatively correlated to pasting properties of Rst and paste breakdown (r = −0.78 and −0.77 respectively) at p < 0.01. Peak gelatinisation temperature (Tp) occurred over a narrow range from 66 to 69 °C. Tp was negatively correlated to the floury endosperm portion of the grain (r = −0.77) at p < 0.01. It is concluded that sorghum grain polyphenol content and grain characteristics influence its starch properties. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Antiretroviral Therapies in Women after Single-Dose Nevirapine Exposure

Abstract: Background Peripartum administration of single-dose nevirapine reduces mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) but selects for nevirapine-resistant virus. Methods In seven African countries, women infected with HIV-1 whose CD4+ T-cell counts were below 200 per cubic millimeter and who either had or had not taken single-dose nevirapine at least 6 months before enrollment were randomly assigned to receive antiretroviral therapy with tenofovir–emtricitabine plus nevirapine or tenofovir-emtricitabine plus lopinavir boosted by a low dose of ritonavir. The primary end point was the time to confirmed virologic failure or death. Results A total of 241 women who had been exposed to single-dose nevirapine began the study treatments (121 received nevirapine and 120 received ritonavir-boosted lopinavir). Significantly more women in the nevirapine group reached the primary end point than in the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group (26% vs. 8%) (adjusted P=0.001). Virologic failure occu...