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Recent Submissions

Coastal Communities’ Tsunami Preparedness: Examining the Utility of Social Network Analysis and Social Capital
(Springer, 2026) Acanga, Alfred; Murale, Venugopalan; Arlikatti, Sudha
This study investigates the role of social network analysis (SNA) and social capital (SC) in enhancing tsunami preparedness among coastal communities, particularly in the Global South. The catastrophic impacts of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami highlighted significant gaps in disaster preparedness, emphasizing the need for improved community resilience through local resources such as SC. Despite advancements in early warning systems, deficiencies in community engagement and the integration of indigenous knowledge into disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies persist. Utilizing a bibliometric analysis of literature from 2013 to 2024, this research addresses two primary questions: the utility of SNA in community tsunami preparedness and the significance of SC in managing tsunami disasters. Findings reveal that while SNA can elucidate community interactions and resource allocation, its application in tsunami contexts remains underexplored. The study underscores the importance of incorporating local knowledge and fostering community participation in disaster management planning. It concludes that leveraging SC and community networks is vital for reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience in tsunami-prone areas, advocating for policy and practice that prioritize these elements in future DRR efforts.
Identification of Upland Rice Genotypes Resistant to Neck Blast Disease: A Systematic Review of Field and Greenhouse Studies
(Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland., 2026) Ojuka, Jonathan; Joao, Bila; Arsenio, Ndeve; Lamo, Jimmy
This systematic review synthesizes evidence on upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes resistant to neck blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, focusing on resistant lines, screening methods, and genetic factors underlying resistance. Empirical studies published in English between 1980 and 2025 were identified through searches of PubMed, ScienceDi-rect, Google Scholar, and grey literature, with final searches completed on 31 October 2025. Eligible studies evaluated upland rice under upland or rainfed conditions. The risk of bias was assessed using a customized framework adapted from the ROBINS-I tool, and findings were synthesized narratively due to substantial methodological heterogeneity. Six studies from Asia and Africa, encompassing 248 genotypes, met the inclusion criteria. Twenty genotypes—including Kahei, Barkhe 1032, Barkhe 1035, Barkhe 2014, several NE-RICA lines, and BC1F4 backcross derivatives—demonstrated moderate to high resistance based on the IRRI 0–9 Standard Evaluation System. Two studies reported quantitative trait loci (qBFR4-1, qBl1, and qBl2) associated with durable resistance, highlighting the potential of QTL-based breeding. Despite limitations related to small sample sizes, heter-ogeneous methodologies, and limited molecular characterization, particularly for neck blast-specific resistance, this review underscores the promise of marker-assisted selection. Future research should prioritize neck blast-focused QTL validation, expanded genomic screening, harmonized screening protocols, and multi-location field trials to confirm re-sistance durability and agronomic performance across diverse upland environments.
Evaluating the scope and impact of pre-diagnostic manipulative therapy in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma: A retrospective study in Uganda
(PLoS One, 2025) Nyeko, Richard; Geriga, Fadhil; Angom, Racheal; Kambugu, Joyce Balagadde; Heerden, Jaques van
Background Pre-diagnosis manipulative therapies in patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma can compromise patients’ outcomes. Limited literature exists on the pre-diagnosis non-oncological management of osteosarcoma, especially in resource-limited settings. We described and characterized the practice of pre-diagnosis manipulative therapy at the reference cancer treatment center in Uganda as a first step to improving the quality along the osteosarcoma treatment pathway. Methods We reviewed the demographic and clinical characteristics, pre-referral management, and outcome of children under 18 years treated for osteosarcoma at the Uganda Cancer Institute between January 2016 and December 2020. Data on pre-diagnosis management were extracted, as well as clinical and disease characteristics and outcome. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. Results Nineteen (25.7%) of the 74 children with osteosarcoma in the current study had undergone prior manipulative therapy. The main forms of manipulative therapy were local therapeutic cuttings with the application of local herbs in 6 (31.5%) patients, massaging in 5 (26.3%), attempted incision and drainage in 4 (21.1%), and treatment as a local infection (osteomyelitis or arthritis) in 4 (21.2%). The majority, 15 (78.9%), of the patients who had manipulative therapy were males (X² = 5.73; p = 0.031). PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329688 August 4, 2025 2 / 14 Children who underwent manipulative therapy were referred after a median of 45 days (range 11–139) compared to their counterparts, who were referred after a median of 28 days (range 1–147) (p = 0.012). Patients with manipulative therapy had a metastatic rate of 77.8%, while the rate was 60.4% for those who did not have manipulative therapy. The serum lactate dehydrogenase level was higher in patients who had manipulative therapy compared to those who did not have manipulative therapy (X2 = 3.98; p = 0.046). The median survival was 1.0 year (95% CI 0.8–1.3) for patients who underwent prior manipulative therapy and 1.8 years (95% CI 1.4–2.2) for those who did not report any form of manipulative therapy (p = 0.961). Conclusion Pre-diagnosis manipulative therapies lead to poorer outcomes in patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma, underscoring the need for bridging the quality gap in the osteosarcoma treatment pathway. This should include sensitization of the community and healthcare provider’s, strengthening patient referral pathways, and improved accessibility to can
Predictors of survival among children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma treated in a single resource-limited centre — Uganda
(BMC cancer, 2025) Nyeko, Richard; Geriga, Fadhil; Angom, Racheal; Kambugu, Joyce Balagadde; Heerden, Jaques van
Background The treatment outcomes for children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in low-income countries are poor. However, there is a paucity of literature on RMS and its management outcomes in low-resource settings. We evaluated the treatment of RMS with the aim of identifying prognostic factors during management to improve outcomes. Methods We sourced data on children under 18 years treated for rhabdomyosarcoma at the Uganda Cancer Institute between January 2016 and December 2020. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox’s proportional hazards model were used for five-year survival analysis. Results One hundred twenty-eight RMS cases were identified, with a median age of 6.0 years (IQR 3.6–10.0). The most common primary tumour site was the head and neck region, comprising non-parameingeal sites, 37 (28.9%); parameingeal sites, 32 (25.0%); and orbital tumours, 17 (13.3%). Overall, 68 (53.1%) of the primary tumour sites were unfavourable sites. Seventeen (13.3%) patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis, primarily to the lungs, 11 (64.8%). Embryonal and alveolar RMS accounted for 50.0% and 20.3% of the cases, respectively. Only 31 (24.2%) of the patients underwent surgery, and 36 (28.1%) were irradiated. The treatment completion rate was 33.6%, while 46.1% abandoned treatment. Only 25 (19.5%) patients were alive at the time of the study, 65 (50.8%) had died, and 38 (29.7%) had an unknown status. The five-year overall and event-free survival rates were 35% and 30%, respectively. Orbital primary tumour site (HR = 2.86; 95% CI 1.12–7.31; p = 0.028), metastatic disease (HR = 4.09; 95% CI 2.01–8.31; p < 0.001), elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase at diagnosis above 400 U/L (HR = 2.80; 95% CI 1.46–5.33; p = 0.002), and lack of local control (HR = 3.33; 95% CI 1.34–8.29; p = 0.010) were significant factors for poor survival. Conclusion Rhabdomyosarcoma outcomes in Ugandan children are largely poor, with high treatment abandonment and mortality. Concerted, multidisciplinary efforts are needed to improve outcomes in this setting. Keywords Rhabdomyosarcoma, Children, Adolescents, Outcomes, Resource-limited contexts
Clinicopathological profile and survival in children with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma in resource-limited settings: A single-center experience from Uganda
(Plos one, 2025) Nyeko, Richard; Geriga, Fadhil; Angom, Racheal; Kambugu, Joyce Balagadde; Heerden, Jaques van
Background Parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (PM-RMS) represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), given its location and its propensity for local and intracranial extension. This study determined the clinical and pathological profile and survival in children with PM-RMS treated at a single tertiary cancer treatment facility in Uganda. Methods This was a retrospective study involving a review of records of children and adolescents aged below 18 years with rhabdomyosarcoma treated at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) between January 2016 and December 2020. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox’s proportional hazards model were used for five-year survival analysis. Results We identified 32 PM-RMS cases with a median age of 4.8 years (range 1–15 years). The most common tumor sites were the infratemporal region (25.0%), middle ear (21.8%), and nasopharynx (18.8%). Most patients (90.6%) were IRS group III, and 34.4% had regional lymph node involvement. Embryonal and alveolar histologies represented 46.9% and 21.8%, respectively, with 31.3% unclassified. Nearly all patients (90.6%) received chemotherapy, but only 43.8% underwent radiotherapy for local control. One- and five-year overall survival rates were 65% and 12%, respectively. PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334140 October 9, 2025 2 / 15 Regional nodal involvement and receipt of local control were the significant predictors of survival (adjusted HR 4.61 and 6.07, respectively). Conclusion Our study demonstrates a low survival rate among children with PM-RMS among the patient cohort, and treatment abandonment remains high. Regional nodal involvement and local control significantly predicted survival.