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Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are central to the development of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus. AGE may alter cellular function through cross-linking of cellular proteins or by activating the AGE receptor (RAGE). However, the signalling molecules involved during AGE stimulation in cardiomyocytes remain unclear. Here we investigated the effects of AGE treatment on intracellular calcium homeostasis of isolated cardiomyocytes and studied the activation of signalling molecules involved in this process. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with AGE for 24 hours resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of calcium transient amplitude, reaching a maximum 50% reduction at a dose of 1 mg/ml. This was accompanied with a 32% reduction in sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content but without any detectable changes in the expression of major calcium channels. Mechanistically, we observed a significant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in AGE-treated cardiomyocytes and enhancement of NADPH oxidase activity. This was accompanied with activation of p38 kinase and nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and subsequently induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression, leading to excessive nitric oxide production. Overall, our data reveal the molecular signalling that may underlie the alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis in cardiac myocytes due to AGE stimulation. This may provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The WHO recommendation for parasitological diagnosis of malaria wherever possible is challenged by evidence of poor-quality microscopy in African hospitals but the reasons are not clear.All 12 of the busier district hospital laboratories from three regions of Tanzania were assessed for quality of the working environment and slide readers read 10 reference slides under exam conditions. Slides that had been routinely read were removed for expert reading.Of 44 slide readers in the study, 39 (88.6%) correctly read90% of the reference slides. Of 206 slides that had been routinely read, 33 (16%) were judged to be unreadable, 104 (51%) were readable with difficulty, and 69 (34%) were easily readable. Compared to expert reading of the same slide, the sensitivity of routine slide results of easily readable slides was 85.7% (95% confidence interval: 77.4-94.0), falling to 44.4% (95% confidence interval: 34.5-54.4) for slides that were 'readable with difficulty'.The commonest cause of inaccurate results was the quality of the slide itself, correction of which is likely to be achievable within existing resources. A minority of slide readers were unable to read slides even under ideal conditions, suggesting the need for a 'slide reading licence' scheme.

In Tanzania, reproductive health and HIV services are coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in two separate units namely Reproductive and Child Health Section and the National AIDS Control Programme. The importance of integrating the two services that are vertically run is expected to improve access to and uptake of key essential services and extend coverage to underserved and vulnerable populations and thus minimizing missed opportunities. Experts around the world recognize the central role of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in preventing HIV infection. Evidence suggests that improving access to contraception for women to prevent pregnancy is an important and cost-effective way to prevent HIV-positive births. Integrating SRH and HIV services therefore verifies its importance for improving maternal and child health as well as leading to prevention of HIV infection. The primary objective of this review was to gain an understanding of the current linkages between SRH and HIV within Tanzania’s policies, programmes, systems and services. Policy documents, guidelines, national laws, and published reports on SRH and HIV were reviewed. The majority of the reviewed documents mentioned fundamentals of integration between SRH and HIV. Majority of policies and guidelines both in family planning (FP) and HIV documents mandate bi-directional linkages. This review suggests that there are linkages between the two services and can be operationalised together. However, policies and guidelines only specify services to be integrated without due consideration of resources and structural orientation for linked services.

An entomological survey to determine resting behaviour and species composition of malaria vectors was carried out in Uyui District in western Tanzania in May 2009. Mosquitoes were collected using indoor resting catch, window exit trap and outdoor “ bed-net” techniques. They mosquitoes were identified using morphological key and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 672 Anopheles gambiae sensu lato were collected. Of these, 661 (98.4%) were collected outdoor whereas few (1.6%) were collected indoor. The exit trap catch: mechanical aspirator catch ratio was 1:1.75. The overall indoor resting density of An. gambiae s.l. as determined by mechanical aspirator and exit trap was 0.7 and 0.5 mosquitoes per room, respectively. The overall density of the host-seeking as determined by bed net trap outdoor was 44.1 mosquitoes per person. A sample of 44 specimens taken randomly from morphologically identified An.gambiae s.l . population was further analyzed to species level using PCR techniques. Of these 44 specimens 26 (59%) and 18 (41%) were Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto respectively. This study contributes to the understanding of the distribution of malaria vectors with respect to species composition and their resting behaviour that could contribute to vector control operations in western Tanzania. A longitudinal study considering dry and wet seasons is recommended to provide more information on the seasonal distribution, abundance and biting behaviour of malaria vectors in the study area.