Are some Women More at Risk of Obstetric Fistula in Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey

With only four years left for the Millennium Development Goal's 2015 deadline for reducing poor maternal health outcomes; developing countries are still bearing a huge burden of maternal morbidity worldwide. Estimates show that over 2 million women worldwide are suffering from obstetric fistula; the majority of which live in sub-Saharan Africa; Southeast Asia; and the Arab region. The purpose of this study is to shed a light on obstetric fistula by examining risk factors associated with this morbidity in Uganda. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted using data from the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. Older age at first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with a lower risk of obstetric fistula (OR=0.302) compared to younger age at first intercourse (7-14 years). Lack of autonomy was negatively associated with the risk of obstetric fistula; women who have problems securing permission from their husband to go seek care (OR=1.658) were more likely to suffer from this morbidity. Significant differentials in obstetric fistula have also been observed based on the region of residence: women living in Central (OR=4.923); East Central (OR=3.603); West Nile (OR=2.049); and Southwest (1.846) more likely to suffer from obstetric fistula than women living in North Central. Findings demonstrate the importance of improving geographical accessibility to maternal health care services; and emphasize the need to reinforce intervention programs; which seek to address gender inequalities

Histocytological analysis of callogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from cell suspensions of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The date palm is a dioecious perennial species of the Arecaceae for which in vitro micropropagation is essential to ensure the renewal of palm plantations. This study presents a histocytological analysis of the traditional Mauritanian Amsekhsi cultivar beginning from the initial callogenesis and continuing up to the establishment of the cellular embryogenic cell suspensions. The formation of somatic embryos and their development into rooted plants are also described. METHODS: Foliar segments of seedlings cultured in the presence of 2,4-D produced primary calli that were chopped to produce fine friable granular calli that subsequently produced cellular suspensions when transferred to liquid medium. The somatic proembryos that developed after removal of the 2,4-D were plated on agar medium where they developed into rooted plants. Thin sections of tissue fragments taken at each stage of the process were stained using Periodic Acid Schiff and Naphthol Blue-Black. KEY RESULTS: The first cellular divisions were localized close to the vascular vessels of the leaf. The primary calli were obtained within 2 months. Fine friable granular calli grew quickly after the primary calli were chopped. Individual embryogenic cells were identified that rapidly started to divide and developed into globular proembryos. In addition, in the microcalli, breaking zones appeared in the thick pectocellulosic walls which delimited the pluricellular proembryos. The anatomy of somatic embryos is similar to that of zygotic embryos despite a deficit in the accumulation of intracellular proteins. When rooted with NAA, the vitroplants developed a strong orthotropic taproot. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to understanding the whole process of somatic embryogenesis, but two specific questions remain to be answered: what factors are involved in the reactivation of the somatic cells at the beginning of the initial callogenesis, and why do the somatic embryos not accumulate proteins in their tissues during maturation?

Epidemiological and virological influenza survey in Dakar, Senegal: 1996-1998.

An influenza survey was conducted in seven sentinel sites in Dakar, Senegal from June 1996 to December 1998. Throat or nasal swab cultures were randomly collected from 804 patients suffering from influenza-like symptoms. Influenza viruses were isolated at a similar proportion in adults and in children (P = 0.29). Strains of influenza B viruses were isolated from sporadic cases in 1997, whereas type A virus was associated with an isolated peak. Proportions of influenza virus isolation varied from 17.5% to 40.0% between 1996 and 1998 during the peak period (July/September) of acute respiratory infection in Dakar. Rainfall, humidity, and temperatures rose during the same period. Influenza in Dakar seems to be an-all-age groups respiratory infection characterized by high transmission during the hot and rainy season. The antigenic similarity of the A(H3N2) and B viruses to those circulating elsewhere in the world at the same time was confirmed. However, the A(H1N1) strains were found to be more closely related to an Asiatic strain which had not been isolated outside Asia previously. Consequently, the strain close to the A(H1N1)/Wuhan/371/95 strain isolated in Dakar was included in the composition of the 1998/1999 influenza vaccine. This reinforces the importance of setting up a national influenza control strategy in tropical regions.