The Alpine region of Uvira District in South-Kivu Province faces low agricultural productivity challenges largely due to human population pressure on the natural resource base. During the dry season, conflicts between...The Alpine region of Uvira District in South-Kivu Province faces low agricultural productivity challenges largely due to human population pressure on the natural resource base. During the dry season, conflicts between crop farmers and livestock breeders are common. This region is located 2500 - 3020 m a.s.l. and is almost inaccessible due to poor road infrastructure. To understand the interactions between natural resources (forests, pastures, soils) and sedentary agriculture, and to propose solutions for sustainable natural resource management, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) sessions covering three farmer group interviews were conducted in July 2010 in Marungu, Kitembe and Kahololo location. The livelihoods of the Banyamulenge have been transformed from pastoralism to a sedentary system with the introduction of crop cultivation after 1980. Maize, bush beans and Irish potatoes are cultivated with limited success because of late crop maturity under the prevailing climatic conditions. Livestock, mainly cattle, sheep and goats is managed under extensive system, relying on natural pasture far from the human settlements. Livestock plays an important role to define people’s wealth and is mainly managed by men. There is a real need of forages during the dry season;however, cultivation of forages is unknown. On the other hand, pastures appear to be degenerating due to overgrazing. Access by farmers to efficient and effective agricultural extension services is fundamental in order to promote locally adapted and profitable crop and livestock production while at the same time, sustaining the productive resource base and security.展开更多
Haloperidol-induced dyskinesia has been linked to a reduction in dopamine activity characterized by the inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on D2-receptor (D2R). As a result of D2R inhibition, calcium-linked neural...Haloperidol-induced dyskinesia has been linked to a reduction in dopamine activity characterized by the inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on D2-receptor (D2R). As a result of D2R inhibition, calcium-linked neural activity is affected and seen as a decline in mo-tor-cognitive function after prolonged haloperidol use in the treatment of psychotic disorders. In this study, we have elucidated the relationship between haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia and the neural activity in motor cortex (M1), basal nucleus (CPu), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (CA1). Also, we explored the role of Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R) activation as a therapeutic target in improving motor-cognitive functions in dyskinetic mice. Dyskinesia was induced in adult BALB/c mice after 28 days of haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg;intraperitoneal). We established the presence of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in the haloperidol treated mice (-D2) through assessment of the threshold and amplitude of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) for the Limbs (Li) and Orolingual (Ol) area (Li and Ol AIMs). As a confirmatory test, the dyskinetic mice (-D2) showed high global AIMs score when compared with the VD3RA intervention group (-D2/+VDR) for Li and Ol AIMs. Furthermore, in the behavioral tests, the dyskinetic mice exhibited a decrease in latency of fall (LOF;Rotarod-P 2/+VDR), 100 mg/Kg for 7 days, CPu-CA1 burst activity was restored leading to a decrease in abnormal movement, and an increase in motor function. Ultimately, we deduced that VD3RA activation reduced the threshold of abnormal movement in haloperidol induced dyskinesia.展开更多
文摘The Alpine region of Uvira District in South-Kivu Province faces low agricultural productivity challenges largely due to human population pressure on the natural resource base. During the dry season, conflicts between crop farmers and livestock breeders are common. This region is located 2500 - 3020 m a.s.l. and is almost inaccessible due to poor road infrastructure. To understand the interactions between natural resources (forests, pastures, soils) and sedentary agriculture, and to propose solutions for sustainable natural resource management, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) sessions covering three farmer group interviews were conducted in July 2010 in Marungu, Kitembe and Kahololo location. The livelihoods of the Banyamulenge have been transformed from pastoralism to a sedentary system with the introduction of crop cultivation after 1980. Maize, bush beans and Irish potatoes are cultivated with limited success because of late crop maturity under the prevailing climatic conditions. Livestock, mainly cattle, sheep and goats is managed under extensive system, relying on natural pasture far from the human settlements. Livestock plays an important role to define people’s wealth and is mainly managed by men. There is a real need of forages during the dry season;however, cultivation of forages is unknown. On the other hand, pastures appear to be degenerating due to overgrazing. Access by farmers to efficient and effective agricultural extension services is fundamental in order to promote locally adapted and profitable crop and livestock production while at the same time, sustaining the productive resource base and security.
文摘Haloperidol-induced dyskinesia has been linked to a reduction in dopamine activity characterized by the inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on D2-receptor (D2R). As a result of D2R inhibition, calcium-linked neural activity is affected and seen as a decline in mo-tor-cognitive function after prolonged haloperidol use in the treatment of psychotic disorders. In this study, we have elucidated the relationship between haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia and the neural activity in motor cortex (M1), basal nucleus (CPu), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (CA1). Also, we explored the role of Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R) activation as a therapeutic target in improving motor-cognitive functions in dyskinetic mice. Dyskinesia was induced in adult BALB/c mice after 28 days of haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg;intraperitoneal). We established the presence of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in the haloperidol treated mice (-D2) through assessment of the threshold and amplitude of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) for the Limbs (Li) and Orolingual (Ol) area (Li and Ol AIMs). As a confirmatory test, the dyskinetic mice (-D2) showed high global AIMs score when compared with the VD3RA intervention group (-D2/+VDR) for Li and Ol AIMs. Furthermore, in the behavioral tests, the dyskinetic mice exhibited a decrease in latency of fall (LOF;Rotarod-P 2/+VDR), 100 mg/Kg for 7 days, CPu-CA1 burst activity was restored leading to a decrease in abnormal movement, and an increase in motor function. Ultimately, we deduced that VD3RA activation reduced the threshold of abnormal movement in haloperidol induced dyskinesia.