ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4442-5508
Current Organisations
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
,
Makerere University
,
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
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Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 02-11-2019
DOI: 10.1515/PP-2019-0023
Abstract: The exposure of the peritoneum to desiccation during surgery generates lasting damage to the mesothelial lining which impacts inflammation and tissue repair. We have previously explored open abdominal surgery in mice subjected to passive airflow however, operating theatres employ active airflow. Therefore, we sought an engineering solution to recapitulate the active airflow in mice. Similarly, to the passive airflow studies we investigated the influence of humidified-warm carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) on this damage in the context of active airflow. Additionally, we addressed the controversial role of surgery in exacerbating desmoidogenesis in a mouse model of familial adenomatous polyposis. An active airflow mouse-operating module manufactured to produce the equivalent downdraft airflow to that of a modern operating theatre was employed. We quantified mesothelial cell integrity by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) s led from the peritoneal wall that was subjected to mechanical damage or not, with and without the delivery of humidified-warm CO 2 . To explore the role of open and laparoscopic surgery in the process of desmoidogenesis we crossed Apc min/ + C57Bl/6 mice with p53 +/− mice to generate animals that developed desmoid tumors with 100% penetrance. One hour of active airflow generates substantial damage to peritoneal mesothelial cells and their microvilli as measured at 24 h post intervention, which is significantly greater than that generated by passive airflow. Use of humidified-warm CO 2 mostly protects the mesothelium that had not experienced additional mechanical (surgical) damage at 24 h. Maximal damage was evident in all treatment groups regardless of flow or use of gas. At day 10 mechanically-damaged peritoneum remains in mice but is essentially repaired in the gas-treated groups. Regarding desmoidogenesis, operating procedures did not increase the frequency of desmoid tumors but their frequency correlated with time following surgery but not age of mice. Active airflow generates more peritoneal damage than passive airflow and is reduced significantly by the use of humidified-warm CO 2 . Introduced peritoneal damage is largely repaired in mice by day 10 with gas. Desmoid tumor incidence is not increased substantially by surgery itself but rises over time following surgery compared to non-surgery mice.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/SU13063259
Abstract: Increasingly common methods for financing public infrastructure in developing economies are Resources-for-Infrastructure (R4I) and Resource-Financed Infrastructure (RFI), usually involving Chinese financial institutions and Chinese construction companies. Although there are advantages to the borrowing country from these project financing arrangements, there are also various issues and governance challenges. In Uganda, expectations around future revenue from oil extraction have led to many infrastructure projects being commissioned, mostly funded by RFI arrangements. To consider the appropriateness of these arrangements and to reflect on whether they are likely to contribute to positive development outcomes or be ex les of the resource curse, we examined four public infrastructure projects: K ala–Entebbe Expressway Karuma Hydroelectric Dam Isimba Hydroelectric Dam and the Malaba to K ala section of the East Africa Standard Gauge Railway. Although R4I/RFI arrangements are viewed positively by some commentators, others (especially local companies) consider they lack transparency, create unsustainable debt, promote China’s interests over the borrowing country, increase unemployment, unfairly compete with local business, deal in corruption, have poor working conditions, and result in substandard construction. Nevertheless, we conclude that Uganda and other developing countries have generally benefited from Chinese-funded infrastructure, and there is more myth trap than debt trap. However, to ensure positive development outcomes, governments and construction companies should ensure compliance with international standards, especially relating to: environmental and social impact assessment human rights benefit-sharing arrangements livelihood restoration and project-induced displacement and resettlement.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-03-2019
DOI: 10.3390/LAND8040053
Abstract: We consider the different types of rent-seeking practices in emerging oil economies, and discuss how they contribute to social conflict and a local resource curse in the Albertine Graben region of Uganda. The rent-seeking activities have contributed to speculative behavior, competition for limited social services, land grabbing, land scarcity, land fragmentation, food insecurity, corruption, and ethnic polarization. Local people have interpreted the experience of the consequent social impacts as a local resource curse. The impacts have led to social conflicts among the affected communities. Our research used a range of methods, including 40 in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and document analysis. We argue there is an urgent need by all stakeholders—including local and central governments, oil companies, local communities, and civil society organizations—to address the challenges before the construction of oil infrastructure. Stakeholders must work hard to create the conditions that are needed to avoid the resource curse otherwise, Uganda could end up suffering from the Dutch Disease and Nigerian Disease, as has befallen other African countries.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-10-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41419-021-04141-5
Abstract: Anal cancer is a rare disease that has doubled in incidence over the last four decades. Current treatment and survival of patients with this disease has not changed substantially over this period of time, due, in part, to a paucity of preclinical models to assess new therapeutic options. To address this hiatus, we set-out to establish, validate and characterise a panel of human anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) cell lines by employing an explant technique using fresh human ASCC tumour tissue. The panel of five human ASCC cell lines were validated to confirm their origin, squamous features and tumourigenicity, followed by molecular and genomic (whole-exome sequencing) characterisation. This panel recapitulates the genetic and molecular characteristics previously described in ASCC including phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) mutations in three of the human papillomavirus (HPV) positive lines and TP53 mutations in the HPV negative line. The cell lines demonstrate the ability to form tumouroids and retain their tumourigenic potential upon xenotransplantation, with varied inducible expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) and Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). We observed differential responses to standard chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a PI3K specific molecular targeted agent in vitro, which correlated with the clinical response of the patient tumours from which they were derived. We anticipate this novel panel of human ASCC cell lines will form a valuable resource for future studies into the biology and therapeutics of this rare disease.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-10-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S00464-019-07213-Y
Abstract: Insufflation with CO Sixteen pigs were subjected to rectal resection, insufflated with dry-cold CO DC-CO DC-CO
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-07-2019
DOI: 10.3390/LAND8070109
Abstract: Uganda’s oil and gas sector has transitioned from the exploration phase to the development phase in preparation for oil production (the operations phase). The extraction, processing, and distribution of oil require a great deal of infrastructure, which demands considerable acquisition of land from communities surrounding project sites. Here, we examine the social impacts of project land acquisition associated with oil production in the Albertine Graben region of Uganda. We specifically consider five major oil related projects that have or will displace people, and we discuss the consequences of this actual or future displacement on the lives and livelihoods of local people. The projects are: Tilenga Kingfisher the East African Crude Oil Pipeline the Kabaale Industrial Park and the Hoima–K ala Petroleum Products Pipeline. Our findings reveal both positive and negative outcomes for local communities. People with qualifications have benefited or will benefit from the job opportunities arising from the projects and from the much-needed infrastructure (i.e., roads, health centres, airport) that has been or will be built. However, many people have been displaced, causing food insecurity, the disintegration of social and cultural cohesion, and reduced access to social services. The influx of immigrants has increased tensions because of increasing competition for jobs. Crime and social issues such as prostitution have also increased and are expected to increase.
Location: Uganda
No related grants have been discovered for Shienny Sampurno.