Relationship between age and white matter integrity in children with phenylketonuria

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has shown poorer microstructural white matter integrity in children with phenylketonuria (PKU), specifically decreases in mean diffusivity (MD), in comparison with healthy children. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the relationship between age and white matter integrity in this population. The present study examined group differences in the relationship between age and MD across a range of brain regions in 31 children with early- and continuously-treated PKU and 51 healthy control children. Relationships among MD, age, and group were explored using hierarchical linear regression and Pearson correlation. Results indicated a stronger age-related decrease in MD for children with PKU in comparison with healthy children in 4 of the 10 brain regions examined, suggesting that the trajectory of white matter development is abnormal in children with PKU. Further research using longitudinal methodology is needed to fully elucidate our understanding of white matter development in children with PKU

Advancing net zero carbon construction: A techno-economic and environmental analysis of onsite microgrids and prosumer energy adoption

Traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, the construction industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions and achieve Net Zero Carbon Construction (NZCC). This study examines the potential for integrating grid-connected microgrids into construction projects, leveraging renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, combined with energy storage systems, as a pathway to transform construction sites into energy prosumers – entities that produce and consume green energy. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to comprehensively analyse the technical, economic, and environmental dimensions of commonly used microgrid configurations across sectors. The findings demonstrate that microgrids can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 % compared to traditional grid-based systems, showcasing their superior environmental performance. The hybrid Grid-Connected Photovoltaic-Wind Turbine (G-PV-WT) configuration achieves up to 91 % emission savings, offering 50 % lower costs and payback periods compared to other alternatives. The study recommends site-specific configurations with G-PV-WT systems for construction sites with abundant wind and solar resources. However, it emphasises the need for a multi-criteria decision-making approach that balances technical, economic, environmental, and policy factors to select optimal microgrid solutions for construction sites. A prosumer energy adoption framework is proposed, positioning construction sites as active producers and consumers of green energy, supporting NZCC goals, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable construction practices

Operationalizing language-based population stratification for widening access to precision genomics in Africa

BackgroundDespite remarkable advancements in genomic technologies, individuals of predominant African-related genetic similarity remain significantly under-represented, accounting for only 2.4% of published genome-wide association studies. This disparity limits our understanding of human biology and hinders equitable translation of genomic advances into healthcare.MethodsWe exploited a quantitative framework using normalized Levenshtein distance (LDN) to analyse lexical similarity patterns across Kenya’s ethnolinguistic landscape, comprising Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic language groups. We compared lexical distance matrices with available genetic population differentiation data and geographic proximity to evaluate their relative efficacy in predicting genetic relationships.ResultsLexical similarity analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns that closely mirror Kenya’s ethnolinguistic diversity. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering clearly separated the three major language families and identified fine-scale relationships within each group. Importantly, lexical distance demonstrated stronger correlation with genetic differentiation [r = 0.91, CI (0.55–0.99)] than geographic proximity [r = 0.29, CI (0.29–0.53)], confirming language as a superior proxy for population genetic structure. Our analysis, demonstrate an objective basis for prioritizing populations in genomic studies.ConclusionThis study establishes lexical similarity analysis as a powerful alternative approach for predicting genetic relationships among diverse African populations. By enabling strategic prioritization of representative populations for genomic sequencing initiatives, this approach offers a practical solution to address the critical under-representation of African genetic diversity in global databases, with potential applications across Africa’s over 3,000 ethnic groups. This methodology provides a systematic, data-driven alternative to convenience sampling in regions where genetic data remains limited

Post-operative complications of stapled versus Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy at Mulago Hospital. A randomized comparative study

Background: Hemorrhoids are a common anorectal condition. New surgical treatments have led to a reappraisal of hemorrhoid disease over the last few decades and despite a range of treatment modalities, the options are limited in their effectiveness and can lead to a number of complications. This study set out to compare post operative complications between stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) and Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy (FH) for patients with Grade III and IV in Mulago National Referral and teaching Hospital.Methods: Following ethical approval 48 consenting participants with Grade III/IV hemorrhoids were randomized to either FH or SH under regional anesthesia on 1:1 allocation. Early and short term post-operative complications were analyzed. .Results: We enrolled 24 participants in each arm with equal sex allocation and mean age of 39 years with 100% follow up. There was largely no difference in early and short term complications between FH and SH save for bleeding in the short term follow up which occurred more frequently in the FH group (p-value 0.045). The bleeding was mild and did not require transfusion.Conclusion: There was no major difference in short term complication rates between SH and FH. SH is a safe alternative to FH in Mulago Hospital.Keywords: Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy. Hemorrhoids.PPH, Mulago Hospital, colorectal surger

Applying Bayesian model averaging for uncertainty estimation of input data in energy modelling

Background Energy scenarios that are used for policy advice have ecological and social impact on society. Policy measures that are based on modelling exercises may lead to far reaching financial and ecological consequences. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness that energy modelling results are accompanied with uncertainties that should be addressed explicitly. Methods With view to existing approaches of uncertainty assessment in energy economics and climate science, relevant requirements for an uncertainty assessment are defined. An uncertainty assessment should be explicit, independent of the assessor’s expertise, applicable to different models, including subjective quantitative and statistical quantitative aspects, intuitively understandable and be reproducible. Bayesian model averaging for input variables of energy models is discussed as method that satisfies these requirements. A definition of uncertainty based on posterior model probabilities of input variables to energy models is presented. Results The main findings are that (1) expert elicitation as predominant assessment method does not satisfy all requirements, (2) Bayesian model averaging for input variable modelling meets the requirements and allows evaluating a vast amount of potentially relevant influences on input variables and (3) posterior model probabilities of input variable models can be translated in uncertainty associated with the input variable. Conclusions An uncertainty assessment of energy scenarios is relevant if policy measures are (partially) based on modelling exercises. Potential implications of these findings include that energy scenarios could be associated with uncertainty that is presently neither assessed explicitly nor communicated adequately

Considerable variation in the 95-95-95 targets accomplishment between children and adults might delay achievement of set targets

Despite a significant reduction in the global HIV disease prevalence in recent years, children under 15 years of age still account for 3% of people living with HIV, 9% of new incidence, and 12% of AIDS-related deaths. Although there is increased access and use of antiretroviral drugs, children under 1 year in resource-poor settings with a high HIV disease burden remain vulnerable due to poor initiation of these critical interventions impeding progress to meet the 95–95–95 targets. There are renewed efforts to ensure that exposed children under 15 years are not left behind by scaling diagnostics and clinical management in the most affected communities. However, gaps remain in the integration of these services into maternal, child, and adolescent healthcare services within these communities, resulting in only 67% of HIV-exposed infants being tested within 2 months of birth, globally in 2023. Consequently, only 29% of all exposed children under 15 years were initiated in antiretroviral treatment before their 5th birthday in 2023. There are successes for adults aged 15 years and above, but children under 15 years risk being left behind in achieving the 95–95–95 targets. In this study, we review efforts made to reduce these substantial regional variations when comparing progress made between children under 15 years and adults and highlight gaps that might impede achievement of the 95–95–95 targets among children

Evaluation of Growth, Yield and Bioactive Compounds of Ethiopian Kale (Brassica carinata A. Braun) Microgreens under Different LED Light Spectra and Substrates

Microgreens are innovative vegetable products whose production and consumption are gaining popularity globally thanks to their recognized nutraceutical properties. To date, the effects of lighting conditions and growing substrate on the performances of Brassica carinata microgreens (indigenous to Africa) remain underexplored. The present study aimed at providing insights into the influence of different lighting treatments provided by LEDs, namely monochromatic blue (B), red (R), cool white (W) and a combination of three color diodes (B + R + W), and substrates (cocopeat, sand and cocopeat–sand mix (v/v) (1:1)) on the growth, yield and bioactive compounds of B. carinata microgreens. Seeds were germinated in dark chambers and cultivated in growth chambers equipped with LED lighting systems for 14 days under a fixed light intensity of 160 ± 2.5 μmol m−2 s−1 and photoperiod of 12 h d−1. The best performances were associated with the spectrum that combined B + R + W LEDs and with substrate resulting from the cocopeat–sand mix, including the highest yield (19.19 g plant−1), plant height (9.94 cm), leaf area (68.11 mm2) and canopy cover (55.9%). Enhanced carotenoid and flavonoid contents were obtained with B + R + W LEDs, while the B LED increased the total amount of chlorophyll (11,880 mg kg−1). For plants grown under B + R + W LEDs in cocopeat, high nitrate levels were observed. Our results demonstrate that substrate and light environment interact to influence the growth, yield and concentration of bioactive compounds of B. carinata microgreens

Daytime Sleepiness Among Young Adult Omani Car Drivers

Objectives: Sleepiness and fatigue play significant roles in exacerbating the occurrence of car crashes. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the prevalence of sleepiness while driving among Omanis. This study aimed to determine the proportion of young Omani adults who confess to daytime sleepiness while driving and to investigate associations between gender, daytime sleepiness and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: This cross-sectional study took place at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between May and July 2014 and included 600 young adult Omani non-commercial drivers. The Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were distributed among the participants, along with additional questions about their sleeping habits. Associations between daytime sleepiness while driving and nocturnal sleep duration, risk of OSAS and gender were determined. Results: A total of 492 private vehicle drivers took part in the study (response rate: 82%), of which 50.4% were male. Overall, 124 Omanis (25.2%) reported experiencing daytime sleepiness while driving at least once per month. There was a significant association between nocturnal sleep duration of 10 on the ESS, indicating a greater propensity for daytime sleepiness (P = 0.006). However, male drivers were significantly more likely to report sleepiness while driving (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Sleepiness while driving was common among young male drivers in Oman and might be due to nocturnal sleep deprivation. Further studies are needed so that preventative measures can be developed. Keywords: Motor Vehicles; Traffic Accidents; Sleep; Fatigue; Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome; Oman

Proceedings of the second horticulture seminar on sustainable horticultural production in the tropics

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method was used to identify seventeen Musa cultivars that were rated highly by the small-scale farmers in Kenya. The cultivars were studied alongside five reference cultivars of genomic groups AA, AB, AAA, AAB, and ABB. This investigation was done to uncover the genomic groups prevalent among the Kenyan cultivars, as well as sort out synonyms to enable in vitro production of true-to-type plants. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers with ten 10-mer primers was used for molecular characterization. The primers generated sixty-nine genetic markers that were used in estimation of genomic groups and cultivar identification. Pairwise RAP Distance analysis of the data and subsequent generation of a genogram using the ‘Neighbor Joining Tree’ programme grouped the cultivars into two major clusters depending on their genomic similarities. One cluster comprised of the Kenya-highland bananas, which grouped with the AAA reference cultivar ‘Poyo’. The other cluster contained the coastal lowland cultivars, which grouped with the ABB, AAB, and AB reference cultivars ‘Saba’, `Kelong Mekindu`, and `Safet Velchi’ respectively. The dissimilarity analysis between the samples did not indicate duplication among the banana accessions. Each cultivar was genotypically different although some were closely related

One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa