1,123 results match your criteria: "University of Dar Es Salaam[Affiliation]"

Background And Purpose: Cervical cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women in numerous low and middle-income countries. Tandem-based applicator is a widely used technique in High Dose Rate Intercavitary Brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) for treating cervical cancer. For cases where central tandem insertion is not feasible due to patient-specific conditions, a ring-only applicator is used as an alternative.

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Heavy metal pollution and evaluation of health risk of amaranth around Don Bosco wastewater treatment plant, Iringa, Tanzania.

Heliyon

December 2024

Department of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Mkwawa University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 2513, Iringa, Tanzania.

One of the world's most significant sources of environmental pollution is heavy metals contamination of soil, water, and agricultural products. Liver cancer, kidney damage, anaemia, coma, hypertension and sporadic fever are among the illnesses that might result from consuming plants contaminated with heavy metals. This study assesses heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) contamination and associated human health risks in amaranth () grown near Don Bosco wastewater treatment plant in Iringa municipal, Tanzania.

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Background: The World Health Organization recommends dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) as the preferred first-line regimen for HIV treatment. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the long-term virologic outcomes and safety of transitioning from an efavirenz-based regimen (tenofovir, lamivudine, efavirenz [TLE]) to a dolutegravir-based regimen (tenofovir, lamivudine, dolutegravir [TLD]) among adult HIV participants in Mbeya, Tanzania.

Methods: Medical records of 250 adult HIV participants who transitioned from TLE to TLD at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital were reviewed from August 2022 to December 2022.

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Background: Effective vector control interventions, notably insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are indispensable for malaria control in Tanzania and elsewhere. However, the emergence of widespread insecticide resistance threatens the efficacy of these interventions. Monitoring of insecticide resistance is, therefore, critical for the selection and assessment of the programmatic impact of insecticide-based interventions.

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Long-term effects of adding biochar to soils on organic matter content, persistent carbon storage, and moisture content in Karagwe, Tanzania.

Sci Rep

December 2024

Department of Thematic Studies: Environmental Change, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR), Linköping University, SE-58183, Linköping, Sweden.

Soils require the application of biochar to improve degradation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a field experiment on soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil moisture content in Karagwe, Tanzania. Seven years ago, a field experiment was conducted using a Latin rectangle design with four replications.

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Survivin belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and is encoded by the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing, or BIRC5, gene. It is preferentially expressed in cancers with functional complexity in cell signaling cascades such as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), heat shock protein-90 (HSP90), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and others. Survivin plays a role in cell division and cell death, properties that have attracted a large body of research to decipher its therapeutic and prognostic significance in cancer.

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Automated quantitative mineralogy and plastics - A new view of the plastic surface in aquatic environments.

Mar Pollut Bull

December 2024

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Plastics are a ubiquitous pollutant, and are rapidly colonized by biofilms that sorb inorganic and organic components, forming the interface between plastics and the environment. This study provides a proof of concept for the use of automated quantitative mineralogy (AQM) to illuminate and analyse the metal and mineral component of the plastisphere on plastics sampled from temperate and tropical aquatic localities. The method is non-destructive and requires minimal sample preparation, providing a 2-dimensional visualisation and semi-quantitative analysis of the arrangement of biogenic and abiogenic components, highlighting potential interactions between these components.

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Energy is a crucial part of a comprehensive desire to reach any country's long-term economic and social development. Fossil fuels have for a long time been used as the major global cause of energy. However, dependence on fossil fuels contributes to environmental damage.

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Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a global threat to urban and rural environments and can have negative effects on a range of organisms. Mosquito larvae often breed in water contaminated with MPs, and given their important role as disease vectors, understanding the effects of larval exposure to MPs is critical for understanding the potential impact on their life history traits and subsequent methods for their control. Here, we have exposed first instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.

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Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in beer brands from Tanzania market.

Toxicol Rep

December 2024

Department of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Mkwawa University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 2513, Iringa, Tanzania.

Heavy metal contamination in the environment, often resulting from industrial activities, mining, and improper waste disposal, leads to the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, water, air, drinks and food. Prolonged exposure to these metals can cause serious health issues in humans, including neurological damage, kidney failure, respiratory problems, and an increased risk of cancer. High levels of heavy metals in food are hazardous to human health.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A scoping review will investigate current stakeholder engagement practices in NCD IR within LMICs by utilizing a systematic screening process and thematic synthesis, focusing on studies published from 2011 onward.
  • * Ethical considerations are emphasized, including respect for original authors and data integrity, with plans for dissemination through various channels like peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and social media to share findings effectively.
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Computational analysis of Urolithin A as a potential compound for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurodegenerative pathways.

Free Radic Biol Med

December 2024

School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania. Electronic address:

Urolithin A, an active precursor derived from the metabolism of ellagitanins in rats and humans, is known for its potential health benefits, including stimulating mitophagy and promoting muscular skeletal function. While experimental studies have demonstrated Urolithin A's potential to enhance cellular health, the detailed molecular interactions through which Urolithin A exerts its effects are not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidation and neuroprotective abilities of Urolithin A in selected targets using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods.

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Indigenous Knowledge and Quantitative Analysis of Medicinal Plants Used to Remedy Respiratory Tract Disorders in Mid-Western Tanzania.

Biomed Res Int

December 2024

Department of Biological Sciences, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, PO Box 2329, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This study is aimed at documenting the indigenous knowledge and quantitative analysis of medicinal plants (MPs) used by traditional health practitioners (THPs) of Urambo District in mid-western Tanzania to manage respiratory tract disorders (RTDs). The ethnomedicinal data were collected using semistructured interviews with 55 THPs using a snowballing technique in the district. The data were analysed for indigenous knowledge among gender, age groups, education status, and experience.

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Mixed bio-based surfactant-templated mesoporous silica for supporting palladium catalyst.

Heliyon

October 2024

Department of Chemistry, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on creating environmentally friendly mesoporous silica supports for palladium catalysts using bio-based surfactants, specifically a combination of cashew nut shell liquid and castor oil.
  • It involved the co-condensation of specific silane compounds to form porous materials, with varying ratios of the surfactants influencing pore structure and surface area.
  • Characterization techniques confirmed successful synthesis and effective palladium loading, with the most efficient ratios yielding notable improvements in catalyst properties.
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Article Synopsis
  • PfRh5 has shown promise as a malaria vaccine candidate due to its key role in merozoite invasion and overall stability, with recent trials indicating its safety and effectiveness.
  • A study was conducted in Tanzanian regions known for high malaria transmission to assess genetic variation and immune responses to PfRh5 in asymptomatic carriers, revealing some new mutations but overall genetic conservation.
  • Results indicated variable immune response sensitivity tied to age, with the findings highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring of vaccine efficacy and antigenic variation to improve malaria vaccine development.
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The rapid spread and growing number of dengue cases worldwide, alongside the absence of comprehensive vaccines and medications, highlights the critical need for robust tools to monitor, prevent, and control the disease. This review aims to provide an updated overview of important covariates and quantitative modelling techniques used to predict or forecast dengue and/or its vector Aedes mosquitoes in Africa. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, and Scopus, restricted to studies conducted in Africa and published in English.

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Background: Since the 1990s, Tanzania has actively encouraged stakeholder participation in health services through Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to promote social accountability within its broader health system reforms. While previous studies have explored the functionality of the HFGCs, this study aimed to understand whether stakeholder participation in the HFGCs contributes to promoting social accountability in the health system.

Methods: Between July and October 2022, a qualitative study in two districts of Tanzania was carried out.

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Field-Based cDNA-Biosensor for Accurate Detection of Canine Distemper Virus in Tissue Samples.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol

November 2024

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Canine distemper, a viral disease with a global impact on various animals including dogs, foxes, wolves, lions, and leopards, requires early diagnosis for effective treatment and outbreak control. Common laboratory methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and viral isolation, face challenges such as extended turnaround times, high costs, and the expertise required. This study has developed a field-based biosensor for detecting the canine distemper virus (CDV), utilising a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and a computer-assisted portable potentiostat.

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Accuracy of immunological tests on serum and urine for diagnosis of Taenia solium neurocysticercosis: A systematic review.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

November 2024

Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Article Synopsis
  • * A comprehensive review analyzed 169 records, focusing on 53 studies that evaluated the accuracy of various antibody and antigen tests using human serum or urine, revealing challenges in data interpretation due to variability in results.
  • * Notably, a new multi-antigen print immunoassay showed high sensitivity and specificity for detecting both parenchymal and extraparenchymal cysts, while point-of-care tests also showed potential but need additional validation, particularly in resource-limited settings.
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Background: Malaria transmission in Tanzania has declined significantly over the last 2 decades due to scaled-up control interventions. However, recent confirmation of artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R) in Kagera region in northwest Tanzania threatens the ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria in the country. This study was conducted according to the World Health Organization recommendation to generate evidence of malaria burden in areas with confirmed ART-R as the first step before developing a response strategy to the resistance.

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Background: Tanzania has been promoting community participation in health, either directly or through health facility governing committees (HFGCs), as part of its wider, ongoing health system reforms since the 1990s. Although some studies have assessed the functioning of the HFGCs, little is known about community knowledge and involvement in their activities.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey assessing community awareness and participation in HFGCs was conducted between July and October 2022, involving two rural districts of Tanzania, which were selected based on their performance: Handeni, showing low performance and Mbarali, high performance.

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Sugarcane dominates global sugar and bioethanol production, involving extensive cultivation and supply chain activities. The sugarcane development encounters challenges, such as climate change, diseases, pests, and water scarcity, affecting growth and yields. Sugarcane management often involves the use of pesticides, which risk soil and water contamination.

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Two hours of travel time specified by the World Health Organization (WHO) to access quality health services is among the most important criteria for the Universal Health Coverage. However, locations of health facilities (HF) in many developing countries fail to realise this target due to a lack of appropriate models considering the local environment. This work used the central-place theory to explore locations of HF in Kishapu and their accessibility status based on two means of transport in the AccessMod tool: walking only and the combination of walking-and-motor devices.

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Surface Tension of Cu-Ti Alloys and Wettability in a Liquid Alloy-Refractory Material-Gaseous Phase System.

Materials (Basel)

September 2024

Department of Metallurgy and Recycling, Faculty of Materials Science, Silesian University of Technology, Krasinskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland.

The study involved measurements of surface tension of liquid binary copper-titanium alloys with respect to their chemical composition and temperature as well as investigations of the liquid alloy-refractory material-gaseous phase system wettability using usual refractory materials, i.e., graphite, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.

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Background: In Tanzania, ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. However, there is quite a significant variation in cost for numerous ceftriaxone brands, leading to the perception that pricier options are more effective. Yet, limited empirical data support this perception.

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