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Mbabazi R, Wendt OF, Allan Nyanzi S, Naziriwo B, Tebandeke E. Advances in carbon dioxide and propylene oxide copolymerization to form poly(propylene carbonate) over heterogeneous catalysts. Results in Chemistry 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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Ghimire RP, Maredia KM, Adeyemo M, Mbabazi R. Participants' evaluation of an online international food safety short course. Eval Program Plann 2022; 92:102089. [PMID: 35489120 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Food safety system is a complex process involving multi-stakeholders. Knowledge and skills gaps among these stakeholders are noted as the most critical factors affecting food safety systems in developing countries. Competent professionals who can help identify and address those gaps either by themselves or by informing and educating others are critical to improve food safety situations. Within these contexts, Michigan State University (MSU) held a week-long food safety short course virtually in November 2020. A descriptive study employing web surveys was administered to study the effectiveness of and lessons-learned from this course. Thirty-seven out of 42 participants attending the food safety short course filled out pre-and post-course surveys. The findings revealed a significantly higher level of knowledge of participants on the topics taught compared to their knowledge prior to the course. Participants appreciated the course management, course contents, and course offering, however, they preferred this course to be offered in person providing opportunities for hands-on learning and interactions with faculty and professionals and visits to the food processing industries. If it is to be offered online, they suggested making it more interactive and participatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramjee P Ghimire
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 12 474 S Shaw Ln #1290, East Lansing, MI 4882490, United States.
| | - Karim M Maredia
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Plant and Soil Sciences, 1066 Bogue St., Room 416, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
| | - Modupe Adeyemo
- The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), AUDA-NEPAD Regional Office West Africa, BP 17204 Hann Maristes 2, Rue HB 350, Lot No 25 R, Dakar, Senegal.
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Atwiine B, Busingye I, Kyarisiima R, Baluku E, Mbabazi R, Bamwine B, Ankunda S, Libes J, Weinstein H, Schwartz K, Kiwanuka G. "Money was the problem": Caregivers' self-reported reasons for abandoning their children's cancer treatment in southwest Uganda. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29311. [PMID: 34459106 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment abandonment contributes significantly to poor survival of children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In order to inform an approach to this problem, we investigated why caregivers withdraw their children from treatment. METHODS In a qualitative study, carried out in October and November 2020, in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers of children who had abandoned cancer treatment at the Pediatric Cancer Unit of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in south-western Uganda. Recorded in-depth interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes of caregivers' self-reported reasons for treatment abandonment. The study was approved by the Review and Ethics Committee of Mbarara University of Science and Technology. RESULTS Seventy-seven out of 343 (22.4%) children diagnosed with cancer abandoned treatment during the study period; 20 contactable and consenting caregivers participated in the study. The median age of the caregivers was 37 years and most (65%) were mothers. At the time of this study, eight (40%) children were alive and five (62.5%) were males; with a median age of 6.5 years. Financial difficulty, other obligations, the child falsely appearing cured, preference for alternative treatments, belief that cancer was incurable, fear that the child's death was imminent and chemotherapy side effects were the caregivers' reasons for treatment abandonment. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION Seeking cancer treatment for children in Uganda is an expensive venture and treatment abandonment is mainly caused by caregivers' difficult socio-economic circumstances. This problem needs to be approached with empathy and support rather than blame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas Atwiine
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Imelda Busingye
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rose Kyarisiima
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Baluku
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Ruth Mbabazi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Brian Bamwine
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Siyadora Ankunda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Jaime Libes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois, USA
| | - Howard Weinstein
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Schwartz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gertrude Kiwanuka
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Akinbo O, Obukosia S, Ouedraogo J, Sinebo W, Savadogo M, Timpo S, Mbabazi R, Maredia K, Makinde D, Ambali A. Commercial Release of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: Interface Between Biosafety Regulatory Systems and Varietal Release Systems. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:605937. [PMID: 33828569 PMCID: PMC8020716 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.605937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
African countries face key challenges in the deployment of GM crops due to incongruities in the processes for effective and efficient commercial release while simultaneously ensuring food and environmental safety. Against the backdrop of the preceding scenario, and for the effective and efficient commercial release of GM crops for cultivation by farmers, while simultaneously ensuring food and environmental safety, there is a need for the close collaboration of and the interplay between the biosafety competent authorities and the variety release authorities. The commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops for cultivation requires the approval of biosafety regulatory packages. The evaluation and approval of lead events fall under the jurisdiction of competent national authorities for biosafety (which may be ministries, autonomous authorities, or agencies). The evaluation of lead events fundamentally comprises a review of environmental, food, and feed safety data as provided for in the Biosafety Acts, implementing regulations, and, in some cases, the involvement of other relevant legal instruments. Although the lead GM event may be commercially released for farmers to cultivate, it is often introgressed into locally adapted and farmer preferred non-GM cultivars that are already released and grown by the farmers. The introduction of new biotechnology products to farmers is a process that includes comprehensive testing in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field over some time. The process provides answers to questions about the safety of the products before being introduced into the environment and marketplace. This is the first step in regulatory approvals. The output of the research and development phase of the product development cycle is the identification of a safe and best performing event for advancement to regulatory testing, likely commercialization, and general release. The process of the commercial release of new crop varieties in countries with established formal seed systems is guided by well-defined procedures and approval systems and regulated by the Seed Acts and implemented regulations. In countries with seed laws, no crop varieties are approved for commercial cultivation prior to the fulfillment of the national performance trials and the distinctness, uniformity, and stability tests, as well as prior to the approval by the National Variety Release Committee. This review outlines key challenges faced by African countries in the deployment of GM crops and cites lessons learned as well as best practices from countries that have successfully commercialized genetically engineered crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan Akinbo
- Centre of Excellence for Rural Resources and Food Systems, Diran Makinde Center, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Silas Obukosia
- Centre of Excellence for Human Capital Institutions Development, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jeremy Ouedraogo
- Centre of Excellence for Rural Resources and Food Systems, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Woldeyesus Sinebo
- Centre of Excellence for Human Capital Institutions Development, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Moussa Savadogo
- Centre of Excellence for Rural Resources and Food Systems, Diran Makinde Center, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Samuel Timpo
- Centre of Excellence for Rural Resources and Food Systems, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ruth Mbabazi
- College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Karim Maredia
- College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Diran Makinde
- African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Aggrey Ambali
- African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Midrand, South Africa
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Abstract
Agricultural biotechnology is enhancing agricultural productivity, food security, and livelihoods globally. Some developing countries have established functional biosafety regulatory systems and have commercialized genetically modified (GM) crops. Release of GM crops requires enhanced capacity for regulatory compliance and product stewardship to help ensure sustainable use of biotechnology products. We conducted a survey of 66 stakeholders, mostly from Africa and Asia, in two-week international agricultural biotechnology short courses. Respondents showed knowledge of biotechnology benefits and expressed potential barriers to commercialization. They identified 16 crops in the “pipeline for commercialization.” Stakeholders also shared ideas about how to build capacity for product stewardship. Product stewardship is a concept which requires each person in the product life cycle – innovators, scientists, and technology users, to share responsibility. This paper focuses on adoption of product stewardship for post-release management of GM crops which encompasses trait performance, resistance management, integrated pest management (IPM), good agricultural practices, high-quality seeds and planting material, intellectual property management, labeling, identity preservation, consumer acceptance, and effective marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Mbabazi
- Professor and Director of International Programs, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
| | - Muffy Koch
- Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager, Simplot Plant Sciences, J. R. Simplot Company , Boise, ID, USA
| | - Karim Maredia
- Professor and Director of International Programs, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
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Mbabazi R, Harding R, Khanna H, Namanya P, Arinaitwe G, Tushemereirwe W, Dale J, Paul J. Pro-vitamin A carotenoids in East African highland banana and other Musa cultivars grown in Uganda. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:311-321. [PMID: 31993157 PMCID: PMC6977416 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) are an important staple and food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, where the consumption of East African highland banana (EAHB) is the highest in the world, the population suffers from a high incidence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Since the consumption of pro-vitamin A carotenoids (pVAC) made available through the food staple can help alleviate these ailments, we set out to identify the most suitable banana variety to use in future biofortification strategies through genetic engineering. The study focussed on eight popular Musa cultivars grown in the heart of banana farming communities and across the three major agricultural zones of Uganda. The fruit pVAC concentration varied considerably within and across the cultivars tested. These variations could not be explained by the altitude nor the geographical location where these fruits were grown. More than 50% of the total carotenoids present in EAHB cultivars was found to comprise of α- and β-carotene, while the retention of these compounds following traditional processing methods was at least 70%. Storage up to 14 days postharvest improved carotenoid accumulation up to 2.4-fold in the cultivar Nakitembe. The technical challenge for a successful biofortification approach in Uganda using genetically modified EAHB lies in guaranteeing that the fruit pVAC content will invariably provide at least 50% of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A regardless of the growing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Mbabazi
- National Agricultural Research Organisation, NARLWakisoUganda
- Present address:
Plant and Soil Science BuildingMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Robert Harding
- Centre for Tropical Crops and BiocommoditiesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Harjeet Khanna
- Centre for Tropical Crops and BiocommoditiesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Present address:
Sugar Research AustraliaIndooroopillyQLDAustralia
| | - Priver Namanya
- National Agricultural Research Organisation, NARLWakisoUganda
| | - Geofrey Arinaitwe
- National Agricultural Research Organisation, NARLWakisoUganda
- National Agricultural Research Organisation, National Coffee Research InstituteMukonoUganda
| | | | - James Dale
- Centre for Tropical Crops and BiocommoditiesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Jean‐Yves Paul
- Centre for Tropical Crops and BiocommoditiesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
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Martin J, Wenger M, Busakhala N, Buziba N, Bwana M, Muyindike W, Mbabazi R, Amerson E, Yiannoutsos C, Musick B, LeBoit P, McCalmont T, Ruben B, Maurer T, Wools-Kaloustian K. Prospective evaluation of the impact of potent antiretroviral therapy on the incidence of Kaposi’s Sarcoma in East Africa: findings from the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Consortium. Infect Agent Cancer 2012. [PMCID: PMC3330081 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-7-s1-o19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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