Browsing by Author "Namayanja, Monica"

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    Grain Amaranth Is Associated with Improved Hepatic and Renal Calcium Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of Male Wistar Rats
    (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Namubiru, Sarah; Safiriyu, Abass Alao; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Nakimbugwe, Dorothy; Namayanja, Monica; Valladares, Miriela Betancourt
    Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties. Information on the mechanism of action of AG on blood, renal, and hepatic tissues is sparse, although it continues to be an important alternative medicinal plant in several developing countries. The objective of the study was to determine key changes in calcium levels and s100a1 protein levels and antioxidant and histopathologic changes in blood, renal, and hepatic tissues of male diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods. This was an experimental study in which 30 male Wistar rats were kept for 5 weeks (6 groups, N =5). Groups 1-IV had T2DM induced using Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin: Group I, Mixtard®; group II, positive control; group III, 25% AG; group IV, 50% AG. Furthermore, group V consisted of normal rats given 50% GA and group VI was negative control. Blood, renal, and hepatic tissues were collected and analyzed for calcium, s100a1 protein levels, and antioxidant and histopathological changes. Results and Discussion. In blood, renal, and hepatic tissue, calcium and s100a1 levels were low during T2DM and these increased following AG supplementation. This was important for improved metabolic processes, thus leading to the low malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the tissues. Efficient antioxidant status was important for improved calcium signaling mechanisms, thus leading to improved tissue function and protection demonstrating the importance of AG as an alternative medicinal source through the calcium signaling pathway. Conclusion. Grain amaranth exerts its antidiabetic properties through improved calcium homeostasis in blood, kidney, and liver.
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    Molecular Epidemiology of Anaplasmosis in Small Ruminants along a Human-Livestock-Wildlife Interface in Uganda
    (Heliyon, 2021) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Welburn, Susan Christina; Nalumenya, David Paul; Namayanja, Monica; Matama, Kevin; Zalwango, Kelly Katenta; Matovu, Wycliff; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ekou, Justine; Kembabazi, Stellamaris; Mugasa, Claire Mack; Kitibwa, Annah; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Mahero, Michael; Ssengendo, Ibrahim; Nanteza, Anne; Matovu, Enock; MacLeod, Ewan Thomas
    Information as regards the epidemiology of the Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants in several low- and middle-income countries is scarce. In this study a total of 712 DNA samples collected from small ruminants were analyzed for Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma ovis using the 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes respectively. Infection risk was assessed by location, sex and age of the animals and qGIS® was used to construct spatial maps. The prevalence of Anaplasmataceae spp was 89.1% (95% CI: 77.5–95.9) and 79.1% (95% CI: 75.9–82.1) in ovines and caprines respectively (RR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3); higher than those previously reported in other eastern African countries. The prevalence of A. ovis was 26.1% and 25.4% for both ovines and caprines respectively with ovines showing significantly higher levels of infection than caprines (P < 0.05). The risk of Anaplasma ovis infections was not affected by age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7) or sex (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6–2.0). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (<0.3 km) showed higher A. ovis prevalence than those found inland with infections present in the midland regions associated with increased agricultural activity. Anaplasma ovis remains a major challenge for small ruminant husbandry in Uganda and infections are under-reported. Policy efforts to prioritize management of Anaplasmataceae for small ruminant health would promote livestock productivity in vulnerable communities, improving livelihoods and ecosystem health.
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    Retrospective in silico mutation profiling of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins circulating in Uganda by July 2021: Towards refinement of COVID-19 disease vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics
    (Plos one, 2022) Odongo, Steven; Okella, Hedmon; Ndekezi, Christian; Okee, Moses; Namayanja, Monica; Mujuni, Brian; Sterckx, Yann G. J.; Kizito, Dennison; Mwiine, Frank Nobert; Lutwama, Julius Julian; Ibingira, Charles
    The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the agent of COVID-19, caused unprecedented loss of lives and economic decline worldwide. Although the introduction of public health measures, vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics disrupted the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, the emergence of variants poses substantial threat. This study traced SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Uganda by July 2021 to inform the necessity for refinement of the intervention medical products. A comprehensive in silico analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes detected in clinical samples collected from COVID-19 patients in Uganda revealed occurrence of structural protein variants with potential of escaping detection, resisting antibody therapy, or increased infectivity. The genome sequence dataset was retrieved from the GISAID database and the open reading frame encoding the spike, envelope, membrane, or nucleocapsid proteins was translated. The obtained protein sequences were aligned and inspected for existence of variants. The variant positions on each of the four alignment sets were mapped on predicted epitopes as well as the 3D structures. Additionally, sequences within each of the sets were clustered by family. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to assess relationship between the encountered spike protein sequences and Wuhan-Hu-1 wild-type, or the Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of concern. Strikingly, the frequency of each of the spike protein point mutations F157L/Del, D614G and P681H/R was over 50%. The furin and the transmembrane serine protease 2 cleavage sites were unaffected by mutation. Whereas the Delta dominated the spike sequences (16.5%, 91/550), Gamma was not detected. The envelope protein was the most conserved with 96.3% (525/545) sequences being wild-type followed by membrane at 68.4% (397/580). Although the nucleocapsid protein sequences varied, the variant residue positions were less concentrated at the RNA binding domains. The dominant nucleocapsid sequence variant was S202N (34.5%, 205/595). These findings offer baseline information required for refining the existing COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
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    Tubulin vaccinated Ankole cattle develop less severe lesions than the non-vaccinated cattle when experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei bru
    (J Vaccines Immunol, 2020) Nanteza, Ann; Nsadha, Zachary; Namayanja, Monica; Lubega, G.William
    Invasion of the Central Nervous System (CNS) by African trypanosomes represents a critical step in the development of human African trypanosomiasis. The study aimed ats assessing the role of tubulin vaccine candidate in protection of cattle against trypanosomiasis using Trypanosoma brucei brucei subspecies that is highly related to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense that cause sleeping sickness in man. The tissue behavior and cerebral fate of T. b. brucei in cattle should mimic the situation in humans and since cattle are also natural hosts for trypanosomes, it was envisaged that the cattle system would be a more suitable model for vaccination studies than the rodent model. Experimental infection of tubulin vaccine candidate vaccinated and non-vaccinated Ankole long horn cattle breed calves was done using a Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasite strain that had been previously isolated from naturally infected cattle in Uganda. Trypanosomiasis disease progression and associated pathology were assessed by clinical and extensive post mortem examinations. Marked organ abnormalities and severe lesions were observed in the non-vaccinated cattle, however, the findings revealed that tubulin vaccination in cattle lowers tissue parasitiasis and ameliorates the inflammatory pathology and clinical signs of trypanosomiasis by Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The trypanosome tissue invasion may be susceptible to immunological attenuation.