Monday 9 March 2015

Mbugua S.N., Oyoo W.S. and Njuguna K.G. receive Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Research Award-2015 in Photocatalysis




Breaking News: Mbugua S.N., Oyoo W.S. and Njuguna K.G. receive Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Research Award-2015 in Photocatalysis

Mbugua S.N., Oyoo W.S. and Njuguna K.G. receive Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Research Award-2015 in Photocatalysis


09 March, 2015, Nairobi, USA NEWS CORP

In a major move in the field of Photocatalysis, Mbugua S.N., Oyoo W.S. and Njuguna K.G. from Nairobi are awarded with Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Research Award-2015 in Photocatalysis. The worldwide competition involved many countries. World’s scientific communities turn their attention to merit of the scientific concept involved in it. It is catalyzing the funding and research enthusiasm. The research findings appeared on world’s prestigious International Journal of Photocatalysis. This work focused on synthesis of Titanium (IV) Oxide and Tungsten (VI) Oxide composite and testing the composite as a photocatalyst in deactivation of Escherichi coli in water. Modified wet chemistry method was used and the synthesized nanoparticles calcined at 575° C, taken through X-Ray Fluorescence and X-Ray Diffraction. The result showed a particle size diameter of 18.99nm. The nanoparticles photocatalytic inactivation efficacy of Escherichia coli in water was tested. 3M Petrifilms from 3M Microbiology Products, U.S.A., was used for Escherichia coli colony forming units’ counts. ATUV 8W G8 T5 lamp from PHILIPS emitting between 350-600nm was used as energy source. The catalyst reduced Escherichia coli count by log 3.415 at an optimum catalyst amount of 0.75 g/L at pH 7.3 using the Chick-Watson model for disinfection kinetics. This work proved that photocatalysis is a promising technology in water purification with possible and practical opportunities existing especially for small-scale point-of-use water purification units where potable water could be treated for disinfection of pathogens or trace priority pollutants remaining in water distribution network after conventional treatment methods. This work proved that nano particles can provide solutions in treatment of drinking water especially for poor communities living in the tropics. Although a lot has been done on photocatalytic decomposition of pollutants in water, this work went further to explore the potential of simple composite synthesized using locally available and abundant resource in Kenya (TiO2). The composite was synthesized using fairly mild conditions and later tested for water purification applications using Escherichia coli in natural water samples collected from the environment as opposed to lab cultured strains. The experiments proved that the titanium (IV) oxide- Tungsten (VI) oxide composite can be effectively used in the removal of microbial pollutants from water. The results indicated a negligible Escherichia coli reduction rate variation to acid conditions. From the data obtained significant disinfection was not observed for the dark control (photocatalyst only with no UV), UVA irradiation alone (in the absence of photocatalyst) or with the sample stirred in the presence of photocatalyst. Process taking place during dark control was explained as adsorption-desorption of the Eschericia coli from the surface of the photocatalyst. Photocatalysis is a promising technology in water purification with possible and practical opportunities existing for small-scale point-of-use water purification units where potable water could be treated for disinfection of pathogens or trace priority pollutants remaining in (or entering) the water distribution network following conventional treatment; for example, chlorine-resistant pathogens, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Our earlier work (unpublished) showed that our photocatalyst composite was effective in removal of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides which are some of the pollutants that are not removed by chlorination. The green reactions of photocatalysis are ideal in energy saving and emission reductions. This work focused on exploring the potential of nanoparticle photocatalysis in use for water purification. Escherichia coli was used as model bacteria to explore disinfection kinetics of the nanocomposites used and the optimum working conditions of pH, initial catalyst amount and time factors. The findings can be applied to point-of-use water purification especially for poor communities living in the tropics where solar energy can be harvested and harnessed to effect pathogen removal. The major limitation in this work was the subsequent requirement to filter the nanoparticles after each test. This was because the tests were performed with dispersed and stirred nanoparticles in water. Anchoring procedure for the nanoparticles on immobilized support will be undertaken later. From the findings of this research work, it is recommended that policy makers take into consideration the potential contributions of scientific research into policy implementation in water purification processes. In Kenya, the right to clean drinking water is embedded in the constitution as a right to every citizen. This can only be realized if clean and energy efficient technologies are adopted and incorporated into policies that guide water purification and distribution. The relevant Kenya Government research funding bodies should work with research institutions through funding water purification research, and coordinate the implementation of research findings to target communities. The authors wish to acknowledge the USAID/National Academy of Science PEER project No. PGA-2000001967 for the support grant. Dr. Vincent Madadi for providing the 3M E. coli plates and Ms Dorice Situma for providing SPE catridges, the Department of Chemistry of the University of Nairobi, ANCAP and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
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Vikhram Ramasubramanian, R. Ponnudurai, P. Soundararajan, K. Balakrishnan and B. Srinivasan receive Franklin D. Roosevelt Research Award-2015 in Psychiatry




Breaking News: Vikhram Ramasubramanian, R. Ponnudurai, P. Soundararajan, K. Balakrishnan and B. Srinivasan receive Franklin D. Roosevelt Research Award-2015 in Psychiatry

Vikhram Ramasubramanian, R. Ponnudurai, P. Soundararajan, K. Balakrishnan and B. Srinivasan receive Franklin D. Roosevelt Research Award-2015 in Psychiatry


09 March, 2015, India, USA NEWS CORP

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Research Award-2015 in Psychiatry goes to Vikhram Ramasubramanian, R. Ponnudurai, P. Soundararajan, K. Balakrishnan and B. Srinivasan from India. This is an excellent global opportunity to recognize the meritorious efforts by individual and organization. The research findings were published on world’s prestigious Journal of Psychiatry. Prevalent mental health problem in end-stage renal disease patients treated with haemodialysis. Our aim is to assess the demographic and psychological factors associated with depression among Haemodialysis patients and elucidated the relationships between depression, anxiety and Life events scale in Psychiatric illness and Diagnosis. This study enrolled 130 end-stage renal disease patients aged >18 years on haemodialysis. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the HAM-D (Hamilton rating scale for Depression) and HAM-A (Hamilton rating scale for anxiety) were used to analyze the models. A total of 46 patients were administered HAM-Din which majority of the patients (n=22, 47.82%) had scored for severe depressive features. HAM-A was administered to 16 patients. One patient from each diagnosis had moderate anxiety and one patient had a severe depressive disorder. Among Hemodialysis patients, depression was associated with a low BMI and an increased number of co morbid physical illnesses. A prospective study would prove helpful in determining whether early detection and early intervention of co morbid depression and anxiety among haemodialysis patients would reduce the illness effects. Depression as a co morbid illness in patients with ESRD has been more extensively studied. Depression appears to be the most frequent psychological complication of haemodialysis patients. Less attention has been paid to anxiety, and hence, the information in the medical literature is sparser with regard to information on practical anxiety screening tools, the potential effects of race/ethnicity on anxiety, and the preferred methods of treatment of anxiety in patients with ESRD. The psychiatric burden experienced by patients with ESRD may have profound effects on their quality of life and response to treatment. Such patients often develop depressive or anxiety disorders in response to these stresses, and of course, they may develop ESRD with underlying psychiatric illnesses that may not be directly related to kidney disease or kidney failure. The management plan for medical treatment as well as for possible psychotherapy of patients with ESRD should take these issues into consideration. In the meanwhile, individualized psychotherapeutic interventions for patients who report depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders and the development of psychiatric services in primary and secondary health care in patients undergoing regular haemodialysis would help those patients. Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing haemodialysis. To assess the demographic and psychological factors associated with depression among Haemodialysis patients and elucidated the relationships between depression, anxiety and Life events scale in Psychiatric illness and Diagnosis. Some conceptual and methodological issues were associated with this study. The study was conducted in a hospital setting and hence cannot be generalised to community. The study was conducted over a period of 12 months, the sample size being too small for generalisation. Further studies with a longer study period with psychiatric intervention and higher sample size may be helpful to assess quality of life outcome in patients with depression and anxiety who are undergoing haemodialysis.
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Tafadzwa Taderera, Lameck Shoriwa Chagonda Gome E. and Shai J.L. receive Stanford Research Award-2015 in Pharmacy




Breaking News: Tafadzwa Taderera, Lameck Shoriwa Chagonda Gome E. and Shai J.L. receive Stanford Research Award-2015 in Pharmacy

Tafadzwa Taderera, Lameck Shoriwa Chagonda Gome E. and Shai J.L. receive Stanford Research Award-2015 in Pharmacy


08 March, 2015, Zimbabwe, USA NEWS CORP

Much awaited award was announced this week. Finally Zimbabwe wins World Stanford Research Award-2015 in Pharmacy. Thousands of nominations from several countries were received for international competition. The noble work is screened which distinguish from the rest, in different aspects of the Pharmacy. The award is introduced to highlight excellent think tanks on global platform. The research findings were published on world’s prestigious International Journal of Pharmacy. DM mellitus has become a worldwide disease. Some local TMPs in Zimbabwe are reported to have hypoglycaemic effects on blood glucose and are used as herbal medicines to treat diabetes. A. stenophylla aqueous root extracts were freeze dried and examined for inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase on KAT reagents in the presence of sucrose and maltose substrates using acarbose as positive control. The IC50 values for the plant extract and acarbose for α-glucosidase in the presence of the sucrose were 0.123 ± 0.009 mg/ml and 0.101± 0.0176 mg/ml respectively. The IC50 values in the presence of maltose were 0.500 ± 0.128 mg/ml and 0.117 ± 0.0563 mg/ml respectively. The plant extract and acarbose showed IC50 values against amylase of 1.26 ± 0.903 mg/ml and 1.199 ± 0.0651 mg/ml respectively. The plant extract displayed mixed type inhibition kinetics for α-glucosidase with sucrose reducing Vmax value of the enzyme from 0.214 to 0.0608 mmoles. min–1 whilst increasing Km from 0.0124 to 0.0580. The results suggest A. stenophylla possesses hypoglycaemic control in diabetes mellitus through inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes and its standardisation could transform herbal practice in treating diabetes. A. stenophylla root extracts inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes in vitro in the presence of carbohydrate substrates. A. stenophylla inhibition for the enzymes was comparable to acarbose, a drug used for the hypoglycaemic control in T2DM. A. stenophylla exhibited mixed inhibition in exerting its antihyperglycaemic activity. The results confirm the use of A. stenophylla in treating DM in traditional medicine and further research should be carried out to standardise its herbal extracts for clinical trials. The results were carried out using plant materials gathered in the wild from a single geographical location in summer. There may be geographical site and seasonal variations in the results. The study should be carried using plants from different geographical locations to determine any variations. The plants should be cultivated to avoid variations in geographical and environmental condition. Studies should be carried out to determine seasonal effects on the results. The plant extracts should be standardised and clinically tested. International finance/collaboration should be encouraged to expand the scope of such promising results. Modern hypoglycaemic drugs used to treat diabetes work by different mechanisms whilst traditional herbs often operate by multiple mechanisms in combating DM. Many developing countries still use traditional herbs alongside Western medicines. We have investigated the hypoglycaemic properties of A. stenophylla as it is used to treat diabetes in our traditional practice. In the present work, we examined its potential to inhibit key metabolic enzymes to determine possible mechanisms of action. Such work would promote its use, standardisation and clinical evaluation of its herbal extracts. The present work demonstrated that A. stenophylla inbibited both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes in order to achieve glycaemic control and confirming its use in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. The extract achieved comparable inhibitory activity for sucrose with acarbose, an effective a-glucosidase used as an antidiabetic drug. It displayed mixed enzyme inhibition. These findings indicate the potential to develop A. stenophylla products for the control of DM. Further studies are underway to explore other relevant multiple mechanisms consistent with findings from traditional practices in India and China on hypoglycaemic herbs. Governments in developing countries should take an active role in exploiting their unique natural products through providing generous research funds. International donors, financiers, collaborating institutions, organisations and interest groups could play a crucial role in providing funds to achieve the goal of ‘Health for All’ in the long run. The experimental work was carried out by Tafadzwa Taderera and is part of ongoing PhD research. Professor Lameck Chagonda is the lead supervisor and corresponding author. I declare there is no competing interest amongst the authors. The authors are grateful for the research funds from Southern African Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE), the University of Zimbabwe Research Board and to the Biomedical Department of Tshwane University of Technology for technical assistance.
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Times of India Reports India pushes Russian 5th-gen fighter aircraft project after Rafale deadlock


ABC News Reports Sauber driver seeks court approval to race in Melbourne Grand Prix

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Delhi government loses Rs 50 lakh a DAY as churches, gurdwaras and temples stand in the path of signal-free corridor



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