ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of and perception of the psychostimulant, khat (catha edulis) in three towns in south-western Uganda. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Mbarara, Kabale and Fort Portal. SUBJECTS: Three categories of respondents prone to khat chewing habit were selected; One hundred and thirty students, thirty five law enforcement officials and sixteen transporters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Khat chewers existed within the sampled population. The relationship between tobacco smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and the khat chewing habit was established. RESULTS: Out of 181 respondents, 164(90.6%) had heard of khat, 126(69.6%) had seen it and 57(31.5%) had chewed khat before. As at the time of this study, 37(20.4%) still chewed khat. Within the three categories of subjects, the use of khat was highest among law enforcement officials (97.1%), followed by transporters (68.8%) and students (9.2%). The majority of khat chewers were in the age range of 16-25 years. There was a clear correlation between khat chewing and the use of stimulants such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco smoking. Those who smoked cigarettes were twenty-eight times more likely to chew khat (OR=28.95% CI=9.6,83.7). Euphoria, suppressed sleep and increased sexual desire were the most predominant effects experienced by khat chewers. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of khat is widespread and its consumption is on the increase among students, law enforcement officials and transporters in south-western Uganda. This calls for attention considering the public health implications.
Subject(s)
Catha , Central Nervous System Stimulants/administration & dosage , Occupations , Adolescent , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Mastication , Plant Leaves , Smoking/epidemiology , Uganda/epidemiologyABSTRACT
An ovary from a syngenic newborn donor was grafted into each ear of 9 ovariectomized and 3 intact adult female DA strain rats. Cycling resumed in ovariectomized animals after an average interval of 24 days. The average duration of the resumed cycles was 6 days. The histology and ultrastructure of grafted ovaries are compared with those of normal ones. Thecal cells became luteinized in grafted ovaries. The ultrastructure of interstitial tissue cells from grafted ovaries reflects increased specialization for steroidogenesis.
Subject(s)
Ovary/ultrastructure , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Corpus Luteum/ultrastructure , Ear, External/surgery , Estrus , Female , Granulosa Cells/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron , Organoids/ultrastructure , Ovary/transplantation , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Theca Cells/ultrastructure , Transplantation, IsogeneicABSTRACT
Investigations of the ovary of Heterohyrax collected from Lukenya in Kanya over a period of one year are reported. The seasonal nature of breeding in this population is confirmed. The histology and ultrastructure of the ovary are described. The ovary of Heterohyrax shows general similarities to that of Procavia.
Subject(s)
Hyraxes/anatomy & histology , Mammals/anatomy & histology , Ovary/ultrastructure , Animals , Female , Microscopy, ElectronABSTRACT
The ultrastructure of the placenta was investigated at various stages of gestation. The nonplacental areas of the maternal epithelium continue to show considerable secretory activity long after implantation. The placental barrier is of the epithelio-chorial type.
Subject(s)
Antelopes/anatomy & histology , Artiodactyla/anatomy & histology , Placenta/ultrastructure , Animals , Embryonic Development , Epithelial Cells , Epithelium/ultrastructure , Female , Maternal-Fetal Exchange , Pregnancy , Trophoblasts/ultrastructureABSTRACT
The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium is described in Tilapia grahami. The intestine is divisible into cranial, middle and caudal portions. The cranial intestine is involved in water anp ion transport as well as in lipid absorption. The caudal intestine is important in protein digestion and adsorption. There is likely to be some functional overlap in the intermediate middle intestine.
Subject(s)
Fishes/anatomy & histology , Intestinal Mucosa/ultrastructure , Animals , Biological Transport, Active , Cell Membrane/ultrastructure , Endoplasmic Reticulum/ultrastructure , Epithelial Cells , Epithelium/ultrastructure , Gastric Mucosa/ultrastructure , Intestinal Absorption , Intestinal Mucosa/physiology , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Organoids/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Ovaries from 30 bats were investigated. The left ovary is atrophic in Otomops martiensseni. The histology and ultrastructure of the right ovary are described. The corpus luteum degenerates during early pregnancy. The interstitial gland tissue is well developed.
