Opportunities and barriers to effective operation and maintenance of public toilets in informal settlements: perspectives from toilet operators in Kampala

Although classified by the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) as unimproved sanitation facilities, public toilets still play a critical role in eliminating open defecation in informal settlements. We explored perspectives of toilet operators on opportunities and barriers to operation and maintenance (O&M) of public toilets in informal settlements. A cross-sectional study design was used. Up to 20 in-depth interviews were used to obtain data on the experiences of public toilet operators. Thematic content analysis was used.

Ressults show that opportunities for improving O&M include; operation of public toilets is a source of livelihood; operators are knowledgeable on occupational risks, and the community is involvedin sanitation activities. Barriers to effective O&M include; high operation costs, failure to break even and a lack of investments in occupational health Therefore, there is need to recognise the significance of public toilets as a viable alternative to open defecation in areas where ownership of private sanitation facilities is difficult. Failure to observe the health and safety of toilet operators may further compromise O&M.     

Nonselective cation channels activated by the stimulation of muscarinic receptors in mammalian gastric smooth muscle.

Muscarinic receptors play key roles in the control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle activity. However, specific physiological functions of each subtype remain to be determined. Single cell RT-PCR experiments showed that all five subtypes of muscarinic receptors were present in circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig gastric antrum. Nonselective cation channels (NSCC) activated by ACh or CCh are coupled to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Go protein through m4 subtype as well as m2 and m3 subtypes in guinea-pig stomach. CCh-activated currents (I(CCh)), especially the steady-state I-V relationship of I(CCh) showed a chracteristic U-shaped curve; reversal potential of around 0 mV and inward rectification at around +15 mV and a negative slope conductance at negative potential range. Under physiological conditions, the measured single channel conductance of NSCC was approximately 25 pS. The single channel conductance was modulated by external monovalent and divalent cations including Na+, Cs+, Li+, and Ca2+ through changing both the open probability and unitary conductance. Through the NSCC, Ca2+ can move into the cell from extracellular solution as well as Na+. Calculated fractional Ca2+ current of I(CCh) (f(Ca)) was around 1% at the 2 mM [Ca2+]o and at the 4 mM [Ca2+]o, f(Ca) was 2.3%. Quinidine blocked I(CCh) potently in a reversible manner; IC50 was 0.25 microM. There were two kinds of I(CCh) modulations through Ca(2+)-dependent pathways in guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle cells; 1) Facilitation of I(CCh) via Ca2+/CaM-dependent MLCK pathway, 2) Desensitization of I(CCh) via Ca(2+)-dependent PKC pathway. In the mouse stomach, all seven types of TRPC mRNA were detected with RT-PCR. On the basis of electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular biological experiments, we reported the mTRPC5 as a candidate for the NSCC activated by muscarinic stimulation in mouse stomach.     

Human Renal Allograft Rejection Despite the Absence of Allogeneic Passenger Leukocytes

Passenger leukocytes have been suggested to be both pro-tolerant and immunogenic. The opportunity to evaluate the role of allogeneic passenger leukocytes in humans was presented by a 47-year-old man who donated bone marrow to his HLA-identical leukemic sister. Eleven years later he developed renal failure. The sister's marrow was noted to be 100% XY karyotype and free of malignancy. She donated a kidney to her brother. Immunosuppression was tapered following transplantation. After 6 months, the recipient was on monotherapy sirolimus, 1 mg every third day. A surveillance biopsy was normal and sirolimus was stopped. Eight weeks later, he presented with severe rejection that reversed with Thymoglobulin. Renal function returned to baseline and has been stable on conventional immunosuppression.     

Ethanol and nicotine consumption and preference in transgenic mice overexpressing the bovine growth hormone gene

Transgenic mice overexpressing the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase/bovine growth hormone (PEPCK/ bGH) hybrid gene and normal (nontransgenic) littermate controls (10 males + 10 females/group) were given access to tapwater and an ascending series of concentrations of ethanol (1.0–22.0%), then a similar ascending series of concentrations of nicotine (1.0–40.0 μg/ml), in a two-bottle choice test. Male transgenic mice consumed more and exhibited greater preferences for ethanol and nicotine than control males; transgenic females consumed less and showed lower preferences for ethanol, but not nicotine, than control females. These results suggest that chronic exposure to high levels of bGH may modulate the rewarding effects of ethanol and nicotine in mice in a gender-specific fashion.