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African Health Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 4, December, 2009, pp. 211 Editor's Choice James K Tumwine Editor in Chief, African Health Sciences Code Number: hn09054 Welcome to this Christmas edition of African Health Sciences. We bring you very interesting articles ranging from leishmaniasis to immune reconstitution in HIV infected patients. In their seminal paper on leishmaniasis, Indian authors report on activities of inorganic pyrophosphatase in the plasma membrane of L.donovani as putative targets for rational drug design. From Kenya we have a paper on aflatoxin contamination of animal feeds and milk. Contamination of animal feeds and milk with aflatoxin was widespread. Unfortunately most farmers had no knowledge that milk could be contaminated with aflatoxin. In their paper on geographical mapping of fluoride levels in drinking water sources in Nigeria, Akpata and colleagues found that most of the water sources in Nigeria had very low levels of fluoride. A few had vey high concentrations needing de-fluoridation. Makoka's work on regional inequities associated with maternal mortality in Malawi reports that there is a mismatch between utilization antenatal services and skilled attendance at childbirth. They claim that the government services appear to be effective in ensuring that the poor are cushioned from spending a higher proportion of their income on health. Breast cancer is a big issue in Africa. Ntekim's study of breast cancer in Ibadan shows that 1 in 3 of the cases is below 40 years of age. Most have low income and present very late to hospital. Issues of free access and more systematic assessment of the patients are advocated. Still o n the theme of cancer, Nigerian workers report on the diagnosis of childhood cancer in Ibadan. Lag times are much longer than those in developed countries. The authors contend that addressing this might, in the long run, improve prognosis of childhood cancer. Amputation is loathed by the patient, surgeon and community. Nigerian doctors report on the attitude and perception of patients towards amputation as a form of surgical treatment in University of Calabar Teaching hospital. In their study of oral lesions of HIV infected patients, scientists from Uganda report that they did not find any parasites associated with the lesions. Reasons for this are not clear. In the next group of papers scientists from Cameroon Nigeria, and India report on antibacterial agents from leaves of Crinum purpurascens, the ergogenic effect of coffee, and the synthesis, characterization of biological activities of substituted cinnoline sulphonamides. Nigerian authors report on changes in knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian medical students. They assess the effect of an intervention (60 minutes lecture on ECT, viewing a live ECT session) on medical students knowledge and attitude to ECT. The issue concludes with three very interesting case reports: one on mesenteric venous thrombosis; one primary a plastic anaemia and the other on Herpes zoster IRIS in pregnancy. Finally I wish to thank all our authors, reviewers, members of the editorial board and the staff all of whom give freely of their time (without pay) to sustain the high quality of African Health Sciences. As we enter our tenth year, we look forward to your continued support and collaboration. James K Tumwine Editor in Chief, African Health Sciences References
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