Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1946.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1946.

Thesis--University of Michigan, 1946.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1966. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1943. / Typescript (carbon copy). Some plates accompanied with leaf of explanatory text. Most ill. are laid in photographs. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf [29]).

Orientador: Fernando Rogério Pavan / Banca: Mario Hiroyuki Hirata / Banca:Rosilene Fressatti Cardoso / Banca: Jean Leandro dos Santos / Banca: Carla Raquel Fontana / Resumo: A busca por novos fármacos faz-se necessária sob dois principais pontos: a cura/tratamento do paciente pela melhora de qualidade de vida e a importância de tratalo a fim de eliminar focos de propagação das doenças infecto-contagiosas. A tuberculose (TB) se insere neste panorama, visto que é uma doença infecciosa que tem como principal patógeno o Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). A taxa de mortalidade da TB caiu 45% desde 1990 e o mundo estaria a caminho de atingir a meta global de redução de 50% até o ano de 2015. A última pesquisa conduzida no ano de 2015 mostrou 6,3 milhões de casos de TB notificados pelos programas nacionais da doença, dos quais 55% correspondem a casos de co-infecção TB-HIV. Uma recente problemática repercute: a resistência. Fato comprovado pela estimativa de 580.000 novos casos de TB-MDR no ano de 2015 comparados aos 480.000 casos registrados em 2014; e o relato de 9,7% desses casos serem na verdade TB-XDR. Baseado nesses dados epidemiológicos observamos a necessidade da busca de novos fármacos a fim de melhorar a terapia e consequentemente a qualidade de vida e cura dos pacientes. Nesse sentido, essa tese buscou investigar o potencial biológico de vinte e dois novos compostos n-óxidos: derivados furoxânicos, benzofuroxânicos e derivados quinoxalínicos; in vitro e in vivo. Investigamos também a segurança e dados preliminares ao mecanismo de ação. Os compostos demonstraram atividade (CIM90) entre 0,40 - 62 µM. Dentre todos os compostos n-óxidos estudados,... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abtract: The search for new drugs is necessary under two main points: the cure / treatment of the patient for the improvement of quality of life and the importance of treating it in order to eliminate outbreaks of the spread of infecto-contagious diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) is part of this scenario, since TB is an infectious disease with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as its main pathogen. The TB mortality rate has dropped by 45% since 1990 and the world is on track to meet the global 50% reduction target by 2015. The latest survey conducted in 2015 showed 6.3 million TB cases notified by national disease programs, of which 55% correspond to cases of HIV-TB co-infection. A recent problem has repercussions: resistance. This is proven by the estimated 580,000 new cases of MDRTB in 2015 compared to 480,000 cases in 2014; actually 9.7% of these cases are TBXDR. Based on these epidemiological data, we observed the need to search for new drugs in order to improve therapy and consequently the quality of life and cure of patients. In this sense, this thesis sought to investigate the biological potential in vitro and in vivo of twenty-two new n-oxide compounds: furoxanic, benzofuroxanic and quinoxaline derivatives. We also investigated the safety and preliminary data on the mechanism of action of these compounds. The compounds showed activity (MIC90) in a ranging 0.40 to 62 µM. Among all the n-oxide studied, the benzofuroxan (8) was more promising (MIC90 values of 1.10 and 6.62 μM against the active and latent bacteria, respectively; and cytotoxicity against the MRC-5 cell line (IC50) was obtained at the concentration of 519.2 μM). This compound also showed activity against the monoresistant strains of important drugs of the therapy (isoniazid, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, bedaquiline, cycloserine and streptomycin) as well as... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and particularly in Africa, where the health focus, until recently, has been on infectious diseases. The response to this growing burden of NCDs in Africa has been affected owing to a poor understanding of the burden of NCDs, and the relative lack of data and low level of research on NCDs in the continent. Recent estimates on the burden of NCDs in Africa have been mostly derived from modelling based on data from other countries imputed into African countries, and not usually based on data originating from Africa itself. In instances where few data were available, estimates have been characterized by extrapolation and over-modelling of the scarce data. It is therefore believed that underestimation of NCDs burden in many parts of Africa cannot be unexpected. With a gradual increase in average life expectancy across Africa, the region now experiencing the fastest rate of urbanization globally, and an increase adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, the burden of NCDs is expected to rise. This thesis will, therefore, be focussing on understanding the prevalence, and/or where there are available data, the incidence, of four major NCDs in Africa, which have contributed highly to the burden of NCDs, not only in Africa, but also globally. Methods I conducted a systematic search of the literature on three main databases (Medline, EMBASE and Global Health) for epidemiological studies on NCDs conducted in Africa. I retained and extracted data from original population-based (cohort or cross sectional), and/or health service records (hospital or registry-based studies) on prevalence and/or incidence rates of four major NCDs in Africa. These include: cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types (cervical, breast, prostate, ovary, oesophagus, bladder, Kaposi, liver, stomach, colorectal, lung and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma). From extracted crude prevalence and incidence rates, a random effect meta-analysis was conducted and reported for each NCD. An epidemiological model was applied on all extracted data points. The fitted curve explaining the largest proportion of variance (best fit) from the model was further applied. The equation generated from the fitted curve was used to determine the prevalence and cases of the specific NCD in Africa at midpoints of the United Nations (UN) population 5-year age-group population estimates for Africa. Results From the literature search, studies on hypertension had the highest publication output at 7680, 92 of which were selected, spreading across 31 African countries. Cancer had 9762 publications and 39 were selected across 20 countries; diabetes had 3701 publications and 48 were selected across 28 countries; stroke had 1227 publications and 19 were selected across 10 countries; asthma had 790 publications and 45 were selected across 24 countries; and COPD had the lowest output with 243 publications and 13 were selected across 8 countries. From studies reporting prevalence rates, hypertension, with a total sample size of 197734, accounted for 130.2 million cases and a prevalence of 25.9% (23.5, 34.0) in Africa in 2010. This is followed by asthma, with a sample size of 187904, accounting for 58.2 million cases and a prevalence of 6.6% (2.4, 7.9); COPD, with a sample size of 24747, accounting for 26.3 million cases and a prevalence of 13.4% (9.4, 22.1); diabetes, with a sample size of 102517, accounting for 24.5 million cases and a prevalence of 4.0% (2.7, 6.4); and stroke, with a sample size of about 6.3 million, accounting for 1.94 million cases and a prevalence of 317.3 per 100000 population (314.0, 748.2). From studies reporting incidence rates, stroke accounted for 496 thousand new cases in Africa in 2010, with a prevalence of 81.3 per 100000 person years (13.2, 94.9). For the 12 cancer types reviewed, a total of 775 thousand new cases were estimated in Africa in 2010 from registry-based data covering a total population of about 33 million. Among women, cervical cancer and breast cancer had 129 thousand and 81 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 28.2 (22.1, 34.3) and 17.7 (13.0, 22.4) per 100000 person years, respectively. Among men, prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma closely follows with 75 thousand and 74 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 14.5 (10.9, 18.0) and 14.3 (11.9, 16.7) per 100000 person years, respectively. Conclusion This study suggests the prevalence rates of the four major NCDs reviewed (cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types, and chronic respiratory diseases (COPD and asthma) in Africa are high relative to global estimates. Due to the lack of data on many NCDs across the continent, there are still doubts on the true prevalence of these diseases relative to the current African population. There is need for improvement in health information system and overall data management, especially at country level in Africa. Governments of African nations, international organizations, experts and other stakeholders need to invest more on NCDs research, particularly mortality, risk factors, and health determinants to have evidenced-based facts on the drivers of this epidemic in the continent, and prompt better, effective and overall public health response to NCDs in Africa.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007. . / Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are often isolated from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals, but there is very little information documented about the prevalence of NTM in community settings. An increase in NTM infection is also noted in HIV-negative people. Although it is as yet unknown whether the organisms cause desease in HIV-negative individuals or whether they are merely commensal organisms, their affect on HIV-positive individuals is unquestionable.

Master of Public Health - MPH / Background: Namibia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries where diabetes mellitus ranks among the top ten health conditions contributing to the disease burden and among the top 15 in-patient causes of death. An understanding of the population's knowledge, attitudes and perceptions is required to inform health education and interventions targeting diabetes mellitus. Aim: The aim was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about diabetes mellitus among an adult population living in Windhoek, Namibia. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. Data was collected from 300 adult respondents using a structured questionnaire administered by research assistants. Data was analysed using Epi-Info version 7. Descriptive statistics were used primarily to summarise and describe levels of knowledge, perceptions and attitudes. A scoring framework was developed to categorize responses. Analytical statistics was used to describe association between knowledge, attitudes and perceptions scores and demographic and socio-economic variables. A P-value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Of the 300 respondents interviewed, 50.3% were males, 49.3% were females and 0.4 were missing. The majority of the respondents were between 26 – 30 years. With regards to employment, majority (62%) were employed full time. About 10.7% of the respondents had post-graduate degree, while 3.3% had no schooling. Knowledge about diabetes mellitus was higher amongst females (51.2%) compared to males (48.2%) and was associated with age. Only 34.7% of respondents had poor perceptions about diabetes (i.e. diet, curability and distribution). About 49.7% respondents had good knowledge about risk factors for diabetes mellitus while 50.3% had poor knowledge thereof. Conclusion: This study reveals that the general knowledge of respondents regarding diabetes mellitus was poor in Windhoek. Despite the respondents having good knowledge there were still misconceptions about diabetes related complications, risk factors and its treatment. In addition, attitudes and perceptions of respondents about diabetes were favourable and thus suggesting some level of understanding about diabetes in the different communities in Windhoek. This study shows that there is knowledge about diabetes, however lack of diabetes knowledge among some respondents suggests a need for a systematic education programme for diabetes. This study highlighted the areas that diabetes education programmes should focus on aspects or issues such as life style and healthy food intake.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Being overweight or obese are major factors contributing to the increased morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The treatment of obesity with pharmaceutical drugs is plagued by side effects. Plants and their phytochemicals possess a number of beneficial health effects including anti-oxidant,anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anti-cancer effects, mediated by activation of the adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK).AMPK controls many metabolic processes including glucose uptake and utilisation, and adipogenesis, and is often referred to as the master regulator establishing cellular homeostasis.Cyclopia maculata, commonly known as honeybush, is an indigenous South Africa plant possessing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Recently, others in our laboratory have shown that a hot water extract of fermented C. maculata inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, with some evidence of weight regulatory properties in a Wistar rat model of diet-induced obesity. In the rat study, 21 day old weanlings were fed a high fat, high sugar cafeteria diet for 3 months with (n=10) or without (n=10) C. maculata supplementation. This group of rats was referred to as the lean group (n=20). Another group of rats were fed a cafeteria diet for 4 months to induce obesity (obese group, n=20) and thereafter treated as described for the lean rats. The aim of this MSc study was to determine whether C. maculata induces AMPK activation.Proteins were extracted from the liver and muscle tissue of lean and obese Wistar rats using an optimized extraction method with a commercial lysis buffer and the TissueLyser.Treatment with the C. maculata extract had no effect on the protein yield in lean and obese rats. Interestingly, the protein yield in the liver of obese rats was significantly higher than that observed in lean rats. Although C. maculata treatment slightly increased AMPK activation (calculated as the ratio of phosphorylated AMPK to total AMPK) in the liver of lean and obese rats, the difference was not statistical significant. Conversely, C.maculata treatment decreased AMPK activity in muscle of lean and obese rats, with statistical significance observed in the lean group only (2.3-fold, p<0.05). Differences in AMPK activation between the groups were also noted, a 1.3-fold decreased activity observed in obese groups compared to their lean counterparts, although this was not statistically significant. Expression of PPARα, a downstream protein target affected by AMPK activation was reduced in the liver of lean and obese rats after C. maculata treatment. Moreover, PPARα expression was significantly higher in obese compared to lean rats (2.7-fold, p<0.001). PPARα is a transcription factor mediating fat metabolism (β-oxidation) and its expression is induced by circulating free fatty acids, which are increased in obese compared to lean rats. The expression of PPARα in muscle was too low for Western blot analysis and quantification.Cyclopia maculata treatment did not affect hepatic expression of UCP2, another protein important in establishing energy homeostasis. The expression of UCP2 was 2.9-fold higher in the liver of obese rats compared to their lean counterparts, although the difference was not statistically significant. The opposite results were observed in the muscle where C. maculata treatment decreased UCP2 expression in lean rats (2.8-fold,p<0.0001), and UCP2 expression was decreased 1.4-fold in obese rats compared to lean rats, although the difference was not statistically significant.ELISA results for AMPK activation revealed that C. maculata treatment increased AMPK activity, although not statistically significant. Histological analysis of retroperitoneal fat showed that C. maculata did not affect adipocyte size and number, although a slight decrease in adipocyte size was observed after treatment .This study has demonstrated that treatment of the cafeteria diet fed Wistar rats with 300 mg/kg of a hot water extract of fermented C. maculata does activate AMPK. This study revealed important differences between lean and obese rats. In particular, increased hepatic protein content, PPARα and UCP2 expression was observed in obese rats compared to the lean group. This suggests an adaptive response to the increased circulating free fatty acids during obesity and an increase in β-oxidation in these animals.