Date: Fri, 02/09/2024 - 09:09

In the lecture of 48 minutes, entitled "Classification of Headache Disorders" by Dr. Sara Sacco from Carolinas Headache Clinic, USA, the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) is systematically explored. Dr. Sacco introduces the general organization of ICHD-3, highlighting its division into three main parts. The most crucial aspect in diagnosing headache disorders is emphasized to be a thorough understanding of the patient's medical history. Part 1 focuses on primary headaches, covering various types such as migraine (with and without aura), tension-type headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, including cluster headaches and paroxysmal hemicrania. The lecture delves into complications, auras, and other primary headache disorders. Part 2 addresses secondary headaches attributed to trauma, vascular disorders, intracranial hemorrhage, arteritis, and other non-vascular intracranial conditions. Part 3 explores painful cranial neuropathies, facial pain, and other headaches, featuring conditions like occipital neuralgia. Dr. Sacco provides a concise overview of the classification system, aiding in the understanding and diagnosis of diverse headache disorders. 

Date: Fri, 02/09/2024 - 08:32

In the enlightening 23-minute multimedia lecture titled "Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Ageing Nervous and Neuromuscular Systems" by Dr. Amy Vincent from Newcastle University, UK, various intricate facets of mitochondrial biology are explored. The lecture explains the intricacies of mitochondria, elucidating topics such as mitochondrial genetics, OXPHOS deficiency, and the clonal expansion of mtDNA variants and deletions. This Lecture distinctly compares the phenomenon of clonal expansion in neurons versus muscle fibers, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of these cell types. The lecture further touches upon the driving factors behind clonal expansion of mtDNA deletions in muscle, emphasizing key signaling proteins in skeletal muscle and shedding light on mtDNA maintenance disorders. A comprehensive overview of 3D mitochondrial morphology is provided across three segments, offering insights into how mitochondrial dysfunction spreads. Dr. Vincent's exploration extends to the distribution of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons versus muscle fibers and the unique mitochondrial network observed in the aging mouse hippocampus, examining both dendrites and axons. This multimedia lecture, accessible through HS Talks under The Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection, provides a valuable resource for understanding the intricate dynamics of mitochondrial dysfunction in the aging nervous and neuromuscular systems.

Date: Wed, 02/07/2024 - 08:57

The "Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast" titled by Prof. S. P. Banumathy from Madurai Medical College, India is exeplained in a 42 minute presentation. She  intricate details of breast anatomy and lymphatic drainage are systematically explored. The presentation covers the structure of the breast, including the skin, fascia, and suspensory ligaments, and emphasizes the significance of lymphatic pathways. Prof. Banumathy delves into the complexities of axillary lymph nodes, discussing their various groups and clinical implications, particularly in relation to breast carcinoma and associated conditions. The lecture provides a brief summary, highlighting key points about lymphatic drainage, nodes, and the crucial role they play in maintaining breast health..For further details, Play a video

Date: Wed, 02/07/2024 - 05:41

In the 36-minute lecture titled "Rare Glutamate Receptor Variants Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders" by Dr. Ian Coombs from University College London, UK, the discussion revolves around rare diseases and their research, with a specific focus on diagnosing and understanding neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). The lecture covers the intricate functions of iGluRs, particularly the collaborative roles of AMPARs and NMDARs. Dr. Coombs delves into GRI disorder, emphasizing the diverse symptoms resulting from de novo variations and detailing the assessment of the effects of GRI variants. The lecture explores the classification of variants as 'loss-of-function' or 'gain-of-function,' paving the way for discussions on potential treatments for GRI disorder. Furthermore, Dr. Coombs addresses the broader implications of GRI receptor defects in other diseases and concludes by contemplating the potential role of gene therapy as a therapeutic approach for these rare neurodevelopmental disorders.For further details,Play a video

Date: Sat, 01/27/2024 - 15:55

As the examination period for final year students approaches, the Engineering Library at Busitema University is gearing up to offer the necessary resources for the students to excel and as such Library Management has announced extended weekend closing hours during the examination period.

Starting from the 27th of January and throughout the examination period from the 29th of January to the 9th of February 2024, the Engineering library will be open for extended hours on weekends from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This decision was made with the aim of providing students with the extra time and resources they need to succeed in their exams.

The Engineering library is committed to providing students with the best possible resources and support throughout their academic journey. With the increasing demands of modern education, it is imperative that students have access to the functional spaces, latest resources and technologies to aid in their studies. By extending the library's hours during the examination period, is a testmony to the Library's commitment to signifying excellence and a demonstration of quality and value in our services and programmes, as well as exceeding the users' expectations. 

The library team extends their best wishes to all students during this examination period. We understand the dedication and hard work that goes into preparing for exams and wish all our students the best of luck. May your hard work and dedication yield the results you deserve.

Date: Fri, 01/26/2024 - 11:48

Dr. Fredrick Kiwuwa Lugya , the University Librarian at Busitema University, has been awarded a one-year 10,425 Euros grant from the DataCite Global Access Fund to promote open scholarship and open science among Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL) member institutions.

The DataCite Global Access Fund (GAF) was launched in 2023 with the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative . Its goal is to enable organizations worldwide to make their research outputs discoverable and connect to global open infrastructure. In January 2024, GAF announced the first cohort of organizations and projects that were successfully selected to receive GAF funding, and Dr. Lugya's project was among them.

Dr. Lugya's project aims to develop and deliver a five-day train-the-trainer workshop to librarians, ICT professionals, and research administrators selected from the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries. (CUUL) member institutions. The workshop will ignite a countrywide conversation on the benefits of open scholarship and open science and increase awareness of integrating DataCite infrastructure services to make research discoverable. 

The project also aims to create a publically available educational resource kit consisting of a training curriculum, guidelines for facilitating the training, training materials, and assessments on open scholarship, open science, and DataCite open infrastructure services. Each of the participating institutions in the training will be asked to prepare and deliver two similar trainings at their respective institutions annually.

This is a visionary project that will have a significant impact on increasing access to knowledge and promoting open scholarship and open science in Uganda. It is also a testament to Dr. Lugya's commitment to advancing the cause of open research and his expertise and research interest in open access.

The DataCite Global Access Fund is an essential initiative that is helping to democratize access to knowledge and promote open research worldwide. We congratulate Dr. Lugya on his achievement and wish him success in his efforts to promote open scholarship and open science in Uganda.

Date: Fri, 01/26/2024 - 09:50

As the saying goes, "failure to plan is planning to fail." This statement holds especially true when it comes to achieving success in any field, including academics and careers. Planning is an essential step towards achieving any goal, and having a work plan is crucial in ensuring that you stay on track towards achieving the desired results.

Recently, a team of ten Library Graduate Fellows held a Work Plan Training following this very same proverb. The training aimed to provide the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to create a work plan. Ms. Fortunate Ainemukama, an expert in Monitoring and Evaluation, guided the fellows on how to create a work plan, and the importance of having one.

The training was a great success, and the participants appreciated the importance of having a work plan to guide their daily activities. They learned about the best components, elements, and guidelines for creating a work plan, and Ms. Ainemukama shared easier methods for creating a work schedule, such as starting from scratch to divide their jobs, resources, and challenges.

But why is having a work plan so crucial for success? Here are a few reasons:

  1. Helps to stay on track: A work plan helps you to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and by when. It helps you to prioritize tasks and stay focused on achieving your goals.
  2. Provides a sense of direction: A work plan gives you a clear direction on what you need to do to achieve your goals. It helps to minimize distractions and ensures that you're always moving forward.
  3. Increases productivity: When you have a work plan, you're more likely to be productive. You know what needs to be done and when, and you're less likely to waste time on tasks that don't contribute to your goals.
  4. Enables you to measure progress: A work plan helps you to track your progress towards your goals. It allows you to see what's working and what's not, and make necessary adjustments along the way.

In conclusion, having a work plan is crucial for success. It helps you to stay on track, provides a sense of direction, increases productivity, and enables you to measure progress. So, if you're looking to achieve your goals, creating a work plan should be your first step.

Date: Tue, 01/23/2024 - 15:06

Busitema University Library has embarked on a year long strategic plan review exercise to assess the quality and value of its services and programs. The review exercise, which began with a two-day planning meeting on Monday, January 22, and ended on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, took place at the E-Learning Center, Engineering Library,  Busitema Campus.

The University Librarian Dr. Fredrick Kiwuwa Lugya opened the event, giving a detailed background of the library's strategic plan implementation, what has been achieved, the challenges faced, and the objectives of the exercise. The meeting was attended by the Campus librarians and a few selected Graduate Fellows and was facilitated by Ms. Fortunate Ainemukama, a monitoring and evaluation Graduate Fellow.

The Strategic Review Committee was formulated during the meeting and will be headed by Mr. Isala Abdul Karim - the Maritime Institute Librarian, and will include Mr. Ntage Eriya - Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Librarian, and Mr. Wejuli Joseph - Management Sciences Librarian. The meeting developed a set of questions to measure each outcome under the objectives and strategic goals of the library.

"By reviewing our Strategic Plan, we aim to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our users and providing them with quality services and programs," said Dr. Lugya. "We want to continue to be a vital resource for the Busitema University community and the wider public."

The review will help the library identify areas that need improvement and opportunities for growth. The library is committed to providing excellent resources and services to its users and looks forward to the final report that will guide the implementation of the reviewed Strategic Plan in the next two and half years.

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Date: Sun, 01/21/2024 - 12:30

Importance of Nutrition and Weight Loss in Motor Neuron Disease", is explained in a 21 minute presentation by Dr. Luc Dupuis from the Université de Strasbourg, France, the metabolic component of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is thoroughly explored. Dr. Dupuis highlights that ALS exhibits a significant metabolic aspect, evident in weight loss and impaired energy metabolism associated with ALS mutations. Notably, weight loss is observed years before the onset of motor symptoms, and this phenomenon is replicated in ALS mouse models. The lecture raises critical questions regarding the potential targeting of weight loss and metabolic abnormalities for ALS treatment, emphasizing the predictive value of weight loss for survival. Investigating dietary interventions, Dr. Dupuis discusses how a high-calorie diet can increase the survival of ALS mice and introduces the concept of LIPCAL-ALS. The progression of ALS is closely linked to weight loss, prompting a focus on understanding the key cell types driving this phenomenon. The lecture explores into the hypothalamus and its nuclei, correlating hypothalamic volume alterations, especially in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), with body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, Dr. Dupuis explores the degeneration of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons in the LHA and its impact on food intake in mutant SOD1 mice. The presentation concludes with a discussion on potential pharmacological strategies to address the metabolic aspects of ALS.For further details, watch a video

Date: Sat, 01/20/2024 - 08:02

In a (35) thirty-five-minute lecture delivered by Dr. Luc Dupuis elucidates on the implications of FUS mutations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), emphasizing the autosomal dominant nature and rapid progression, particularly in juvenile cases. The discussion focuses on the clustering of mutations in the C-terminal NLS part of FUS, leading to impaired nuclear import. The Dormann & Haass working model is explored, with rigorous testing through homologous recombination, gene expression studies, and knockout mice experiments. Dr. Dupuis investigates the toxic effects of Fus mutations in motor neurons, revealing detrimental impacts on both motor phenotype and muscle function in Fus knock-in mice. Beyond ALS, the lecture explores the potential involvement of FUS in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), highlighting FUS inclusions in FTD and exploring transcriptional effects in the CNS. The presentation extends to systems biology, identifying co-regulated genes in Fus∆NLS/+ mice cortex, with a focus on mRNA processing and synaptic genes. Dr. Dupuis demonstrates how FUS mislocalization leads to cortical hyperexcitability and abnormal behavior, linking synaptic physiology to altered activity and social defects. The lecture concludes by addressing outstanding questions regarding therapeutic targeting of FUS mutations, exploring FUS autoregulation and innovative approaches like hijacking FUS autoregulation to generate genotypes of interest and test their effects on behavior and physiology.For further details, Watch a video