Green tea silver nanoparticles improve physiological motor and cognitive function in mice during inflammation.

Information on the basic changes associated with green tea small molecules in acute inflammation is deficient. The purpose of the study was to characterize and establish the effects of green tea silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) following inflammation in male mice. In this study, green tea silver nitrate nanoparticles were characterized and the extract were made up to constitute high (100%), medium (10%), and low (1%) concentrations for administration.

Attenuation of Seizures, Cognitive Deficits, and Brain Histopathology by Phytochemicals of (Poaceae) in Acute and Chronic Mutant Epilepsy Models.

is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but there is a scarcity of robust evidence for its efficacy. The study investigated neuroprotective attributes of root extract on neuropathological features of epilepsy in a mutant model of epilepsy. It was conducted on 10-day-old (at the initiation of study) male post-eclosion bang-senseless paralytic () involved acute (1-3 h) and chronic (6-18 days) experiments; n = 50 flies per group (convulsions tests); n = 100 flies per group (learning/memory tests and histological examination).

Behavioural Response To Self-Medication Practice Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic in Western Uganda.

Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease globally and in Uganda. This may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the differing prevalence and nature from country to country may influence human behavioral responses.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral response to self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID period in Western Uganda.

Cerebral Cortical Activity During Academic Stress Amongst Undergraduate Medical Students at Kampala International University (Uganda).

Background: Stress among medical students is related to their academic lifespan; however, information on brain health among medical students from developing countries continues to be scarce. The objective of this study was to establish perceived academic stress levels, assess the ability to cope with stress, and investigate its effects on the visual reaction time (VRT), audio reaction time (ART), and tactile reaction time (TRT) in the somatosensory cortex among medical students of Uganda.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among preclinical ( = 88) and clinical ( = 96) undergraduate medical students at Kampala International University Western Campus.

(J. Thomps. Dandy): Antioxidant and protective properties as a medicinal plant on toluene-induced oxidative stress damages in liver and kidney of rats.

(; J. Thomps.) Dandy (Liliaceae) is a pantropical plant known for its medicinal values and pharmacological properties.

Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown.

Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold.

COVID-19-Related Mental Health Burdens: Impact of Educational Level and Relationship Status Among Low-Income Earners of Western Uganda.

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health with the level of education, relationship status, and awareness on mental health among low-income earners in Western Uganda. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among 253 participants. Anxiety, anger, and depression were assessed using a modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2, and Beck Depression Inventory item tools, respectively.

The Rise of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and the Role of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Management of Infections.

Novel therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 are continuing to emerge as the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic progresses. PCR remains the standard benchmark for initial diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, while advances in immunological profiling are guiding clinical treatment. The SARS-Cov-2 virus has undergone multiple mutations since its emergence in 2019, resulting in changes in virulence that have impacted on disease severity globally.

A Descriptive-Multivariate Analysis of Community Knowledge, Confidence, and Trust in COVID-19 Clinical Trials among Healthcare Workers in Uganda.

Background-misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods-a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire.

Descriptive Analysis of Heavy Metals Content of Beef From Eastern Uganda and Their Safety for Public Consumption.

In this study, we initiated an effort to generate information about beef safety in Uganda. Our entry point was to assess by atomic absorption spectrophotometry the levels of essential elements copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), and non-essential elements lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in 40 beef samples collected from within and around Soroti (Uganda). The information was used to evaluate the safety of consuming such beef against the World Health Organization (WHO) limits.

Bee Venom-A Potential Complementary Medicine Candidate for SARS-CoV-2 Infections.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by severe cytokine storm syndrome following inflammation. SARS-CoV-2 directly interacts with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors in the human body. Complementary therapies that impact on expression of IgE and IgG antibodies, including administration of bee venom (BV), have efficacy in the management of arthritis, and Parkinson's disease.

Morphometric study of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to the incidence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament.

Background: Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The study aimed to assess morphometry of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to scapulae with completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 50 Ugandan dry scapulae.

Calcium and s100a1 protein balance in the brain-heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.

Objectives Calcium deregulation in diabetes mellitus (DM) is central to the brain-heart axis pathology. This has led to the use of medical plants in complementary medicine such as Amaranthus hypochondriacus (GA). The objective of the study was to establish the effects of grain amaranth feed supplementation on calcium, s100al protein and antioxidant levels on the brain-heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.

Misconceptions on COVID-19 Risk Among Ugandan Men: Results From a Rapid Exploratory Survey, April 2020.

Transmission of COVID-19 in developing countries is expected to surpass that in developed countries; however, information on community perceptions of this new disease is scarce. The aim of the study was to identify possible misconceptions among males and females toward COVID-19 in Uganda using a rapid online survey distributed social media. A cross-sectional survey carried out in early April 2020 was conducted with 161 Ugandans, who purposively participated in the online questionnaire that assessed understandings of COVID-19 risk and infection.

University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda.

Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19.

Community Drivers Affecting Adherence to WHO Guidelines Against COVID-19 Amongst Rural Ugandan Market Vendors.

Market vendors occupy a strategic position in the fight against the spread of SARS CoV-2 in rural Uganda. To successfully contain the spread of the virus, special attention needs to be given to this set of people by assessing the type of information, source of information, and practices they inculcate as regards adherence to WHO guidelines in the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda. The study aimed to assess the role of information sources, education level, and phone internet connectivity in influencing COVID-19 knowledge among the rural market vendors; and the relationship existing between knowledge, attitude, and practices among them.

Consumption of Raw Herbal Medicines Is Associated with Major Public Health Risks amongst Ugandans.

Background: Community consumption of herbal plants in developing countries is a common practice, however, scarcity of information on their physiochemical composition is a major public health concern. In Uganda, is of interest in rural communities due to its therapeutical action on both bacterial and protozoal parasites, however no studies have been conducted to assess the heavy metal concentrations in traditional plants used in alternative medicine. The aim of the study was to establish concentrations of heavy metals in , model the estimated daily intake (EDI), and assess both the non-cancer-related health risk using the target hazard quotient (THQ), and the risk related to cancer through the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the Ugandan population.

Correction to: Antimalarial combination therapies increase gastric ulcers through an imbalance of basic antioxidative-oxidative enzymes in male Wistar rats.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Synergistic action of propolis with levodopa in the management of Parkinsonism in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background The Phosphatase and tensin-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1B9) mutant for Drosophila melanogaster is a key tool that has been used in assessing the pathology of Parkinsonism and its possible remedy. This research was targeted toward determining the effects of ethanolic extract of propolis, with levodopa therapy in the management of Parkinsonism. Method The PINK1B9 flies were divided into groups and fed with the different treatment doses of ethanoic extract of propolis.

Antimalarial combination therapies increase gastric ulcers through an imbalance of basic antioxidative-oxidative enzymes in male Wistar rats.

Objective: Antimalarials are globally used against plasmodium infections, however, information on the safety of new antimalarial combination therapies on the gastric mucosa is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Artesunate-Amodiaquine and Artemether-Lumefantrine on ulcer induction. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and major histological changes in male Wistar rats following ulcer induction using Indomethacin were investigated.

Low concentrations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Yoba) are safe in male Drosophila melanogaster.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to generate information on the safety of probiotics, thus the study objectives were to evaluate the effects of Yoba on basic physiochemical properties. The study assessed male w Drosophila melanogaster which were provided food supplemented with Yoba at 1%, 3%, 6%, and 12% on motor function, total protein, catalase activity, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and lifespan.

Results: Yoba at high concentration (≥ 6%) increased locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster, however, total protein, catalase, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity were significantly higher at 1% Yoba compared to 3%, 6%, and 12% Yoba.

Safety of Drinking Water from Primary Water Sources and Implications for the General Public in Uganda.

Background: There is scarcity of information about the quality and safety of drinking water in Africa. Without such vital information, sustainable development goal number 6 which promotes availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation remains elusive especially in developing countries. The study aimed at determining concentrations of inorganic compounds, estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and identify safe drinking water source sources in Southwestern Uganda.