Germplasm Bred for Resistance to Striga hermonthica Exhibited High Resistance Levels to Striga asiatica Compared to Commercial Checks

Parasitic weeds belonging to the Orobanchaceae family are a menace in Sub-Saharan African (SSA). Specifically, the two witchweeds from the genus Striga, S. hermonthica and S. asiatica, are jointly responsible for land abandonments and cereal yield reductions in the SSA. Factorial experiments involving fourteen maize genotypes and two levels of Striga asiatica infestation (infested and noninfested) were conducted under pot and laboratory experiments at the Department of Plant Production Sciences and Technologies, University of Zimbabwe, during the 2014/2015 season. A 14 × 2 factorial pot experiment was arranged in a 7 × 4 α-lattice design replicated four times, whereas the laboratory agar gel was arranged in a complete randomized design with four replications. Results revealed significant differences ( p < 0.05) for S. asiatica and genotype main effects for the recorded traits. S. asiatica-infested genotypes had lower biomasses than noninfested ones. However, the University of Zimbabwe bred hybrids such as Ax31, Ax28, Ax7, and Ax32 had similar plant heights and stem, leaf, and cob biomass across the two Striga levels unlike the local checks, particularly SC513, SC537, and SC637, under Striga infestation. Moreover, these genotypes also had the least Striga germination percentage and furthest germination distance indicating that they are resistant/tolerant to Striga asiatica. The University of Zimbabwe bred hybrids, using Striga hermonthica resistance from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, exhibited resistance/tolerance to Striga asiatica compared to local checks. Therefore, these varieties could offer a better and viable Striga spp. control option to farmers in both S. hermonthica and S. asiatica endemic areas.

Cross-validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography nevirapine plasma assay in a resource-limited setting in Zimbabwe

An international HIV pharmacology specialty laboratory (PSL) was established at the University of Zimbabwe to increase bioanalytical and investigator capacities. Quantitation of plasma nevirapine in samples from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 5279 was compared between the University of Nebraska Medical Center PSL and the University of Zimbabwe PSL. Both PSLs employed internally developed methods utilising reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Eighty-seven percent of the cross-validation results exhibited ± 20% difference.

The role of Education 5.0 in accelerating the implementation of SDGs and challenges encountered at the University of Zimbabwe

Purpose Higher education can play a role in the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, there are steps and structures which are necessary for this to be possible. This paper aims to establish how the University of Zimbabwe (UZ)’s innovation hub is implementing SDGs for water, energy and food, resources which are in critical shortage in Harare; as part of its mandate to implement the newly introduced Education 5.0. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on qualitative research. Interview guides were used to gather information from Harare residents, university staff and students. Observations were undertaken and review of secondary data was done. The data was collated into a narrative and content analysis was used to analyse it. Findings The UZ innovation hub is aimed to deliver Education 5.0. It houses research projects on energy and food. Water-related projects are still in the pipeline. The research revealed challenges that call for mobilisation of funding to support the projects, to protect researchers’ intellectual property rights and to strengthen interdisciplinary research and information flows between the university and the community. The paper argues for higher and tertiary education institutions to work directly with policymakers and societies in implementing SDGs. Originality/value Education 5.0 is relatively new and not much research has been done to establish how it intends to deliver its objectives. The innovation hub model has the potential to yield positive results in SDGs implementation. This research can motivate other universities to work with policymakers and communities in implementing SDGs for urban transformative adaptation.

Incorporated Sorghum Residues Reduce Emergence and Seedling Growth of Some Crops

Allelochemicals from sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] residues may inhibit the emergence and growth of other crops. We examined the effects of residues from two sorghum landraces, IS9456, a high sorgoleone producer, and IS22320, a zero sorgoleone producer. Residues were applied at 7.2 g, 14.4 g and 21.6 g kg-1 of soil. Emergence and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were tested in three glasshouse pot experiments at the University of Zimbabwe in 2017. The 2×3 factorial experiments were laid as a randomized complete block design with six replications. Residues from IS22320 significantly (P<0.05) reduced the emergence of maize by 22.2% compared to residues from IS9456. Sorghum variety as a source of residue did not significantly (P>0.05) reduce the emergence, height, chlorophyll content or dry weight of soybean. Increasing the residue rate significantly (P<0.05) reduced the percent emergence, height, chlorophyll content and dry weight of soybean. There was a significant sorghum variety × residue application rate interaction on the percent emergence (P<0.001) and chlorophyll content (P<0.05) of wheat. Increasing the IS9456 residue application rate from 7.2 to 14.4 g kg-1 soil increased the chlorophyll content of wheat. The timing of maize and wheat planting after sorghum residue incorporation may be critical.

IAU President Walter Kamba (1990–1995): A Man of Conscience

In June 1983, I participated, as representative of the University of Mauritius, in a training course on improving teaching and learning for academics from different African universities. It took place at the Roma campus of the National University of Lesotho. One afternoon, we were introduced to a distinguished guest speaker, Professor Walter Kamba, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe.

A Cadaveric Morphometric Study of Lumbar Vertebrae in Zimbabwean Adult Males

Background: The occurrence of vertebral fractures and spinal cord injuries in developing countries in Africa is high with an annual incidence rate of 12.1 to 57.8 per million; 82.8% of these occurring in males and the most common causes being vehicle crushes (41.4%) and falls (34.9%)1. Treatment of vertebral fractures is aimed at stabilising a segment and then restoring its mobility thereby preventing nerve damage2. Violation of the pedicle walls during transpedicular screw fixation may occur if the screw diameter is too large or there is wrong placement3. Prevalence of pedicle wall violation using the “free hand” technique was reported to be 1.4%4. Objective: To document the dimensions of the pedicles of lumbar vertebrae in the Zimbabwean population. Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare. The duration of study was 6 months (from June 2019 to December 2019). Material and Methods: A total of 15 adult male cadaveric specimens were taken from the Department of Anatomy at University of Zimbabwe. The lumbar vertebrae were dissected and their Pedicle Transverse Diameter (PTD), Pedicle Vertical Diameter (PVD) and the chord length were measured using a vernier calliper. Statistical calculations were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: There was no significant difference between the pedicle dimensions of the right and left sides (P > 0.05). PTD steadily increases from vertebral level L1 to L4 followed by an abrupt increase at L5. PVD gradually decreases from L1 to L5 level. The chord length increases from a minimum at L1 to reach a maximum at L3 and then again decreases to L5 level. Conclusion: Pedicle dimensions for the Zimbabwean population differ from those reported in previous studies for other population groups. Key words: Chord length, Lumbar vertebrae, Pedicle dimensions.

The University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (UZ-CHS) BIRTH COHORT study: rationale, design and methods

Background Commencing lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately following HIV diagnosis (Option B+), has greatly improved maternal-infant health. Thus, large and increasing numbers of HIV-infected women are on ART during pregnancy, a situation concurrently increasing numbers of HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) infants. Compared to their HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) counterparts, HEU infants show higher rates of adverse birth outcomes, mortality, infectious/non-communicable diseases including impaired growth and neurocognitive development. There is an urgent need to understand the impact of HIV and early life ART exposures, immune-metabolic dysregulation, comorbidities and environmental confounders on adverse paediatric outcomes. Methods Six hundred (600) HIV-infected and 600 HIV-uninfected pregnant women ≥20 weeks of gestation will be enrolled from four primary health centres in high density residential areas of Harare. Participants will be followed up as mother-infant-pairs at delivery, week(s) 1, 6, 10, 14, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 after birth. Clinical, socio-economic, nutritional and environmental data will be assessed for adverse birth outcomes, impaired growth, immune/neurodevelopment, vertical transmission of HIV, hepatitis-B/C viruses, cytomegalovirus and syphilis. Maternal urine, stool, plasma, cord blood, amniotic fluid, placenta and milk including infant plasma, dried blood spot and stool will be collected at enrolment and follow-up visits. The composite primary endpoint is stillbirth and infant mortality within the first two years of life in HEU versus HUU infants. Maternal mortality in HIV-infected versus -uninfected women is another primary outcome. Secondary endpoints include a range of maternal and infant outcomes. Sub-studies will address maternal stress and malnutrition, maternal-infant latent tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori infections, immune-metabolomic dysregulation including gut, breast milk and amniotic fluid dysbiosis. Discussion The University of Zimbabwe-College of Health-Sciences-Birth-Cohort study will provide a comprehensive assessment of risk factors and biomarkers for HEU infants’ adverse outcomes. This will ultimately help developing strategies to mitigate effects of maternal HIV, early-life ART exposures and comorbidities on infants’ mortality and morbidity. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT04087239. Registered 12 September 2019.

Developing a Post- Graduate Curriculum In Forensic Psychiatry In Zimbabawe

In the practice of forensic psychiatry in Zimbabwe, there have been problems in bringing psychiatric offenders to justice due to delays in assessment. This has been caused by a shortage of psychiatrists with the relevant skills. Practitioners need to be equipped with the required competencies to deal with both the civil and criminal domains of forensic psychiatry. They also need neuropsychological tools for the evaluation of offenders and victims, and knowledge of the appropriate tests to be used in each case. To date, the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Zimbabwe has had no formal curriculum in forensic psychiatry. To meet these needs, a forensic psychiatry curriculum was developed. The goals for the curriculum were for the students to: 1) acquire knowledge in the assessment and management of psychiatric conditions and their relation to criminal and civil legal issues; 2) attain attitudes that foster a focus on assessment of the patients’ mental health, not their innocence or guilt; 3) write court reports that facilitate the justice process. In addition to improving the current shortage of qualified physicians in forensic psychiatry, this curriculum aims to increase awareness among psychiatry students of forensic psychiatry as a career path.

Crisis and “Hustler” Identities in Zimbabwe: A Critical Analysis of the Complexities of Survival in Panashe Chigumadzi’s Sweet Medicine (2015)

This article critically interrogates the complexities of modes of survival embraced by ordinary Zimbabweans in response to the post-2000 economic crisis as portrayed in Panashe Chigumadzi’s Sweet Medicine. The political-economic crisis that rocked Zimbabwe in the post-2000 period affected citizens in all spheres of life. The protagonist in Chigumadzi’s novel, Tsitsi, is a young woman who grows up in a deeply religious family that teaches her to trust in God and work hard in order to be successful. She embraces these teachings and successfully completes her economics degree at the University of Zimbabwe. However, when she graduates, she realises through experience in the marketplace that nothing she has learnt formally and informally has prepared her sufficiently for the new realities of the economic crisis. Contrary to the teachings of her mother and the Catholic Church, Tsitsi ends up in an illicit affair with a married man in order to access financial resources that she desperately needs for survival. She is confronted with a moral/faith crisis in which she must reconcile the realities of her present life of “living in sin” and the beliefs and values of her Catholic upbringing. In view of this, the article draws on Mbembe’s theorisation of the postcolony and Bhabha’s notion of the “third space” to investigate how ordinary citizens navigate the economic crisis of post-2000 Zimbabwe, and interrogate the complexities (and contradictions) of survival in a crisis as portrayed in Chigumadzi’s Sweet Medicine.