Browsing by Author "Bock, Ronnie A."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cancer
    (University of Namibia Press, 2015) Dushimemaria, Florence; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.; Bock, Ronnie A.
    The global burden of cancer continues to increase in both developed and developing countries. This is largely attributed to a growing aged population as both the numbers of people and life expectancies increase. Another important factor is the adoption of lifestyles that increase the risk of developing cancer (Jemal et al., 2011). Lifestyle choices, such as smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, being physically inactive and eating unhealthily, contribute to the upsurge in cancer cases. Siegel, Naishadham and Jemal (2012) estimated that about 1,638,910 new incidences of cancer and about 577,190 deaths due to cancer occurred worldwide in 2012. They further estimated that 56% of the cancer cases and 64% of cancer-related deaths occurred in developing countries (Jemal et al., 2011), indicating that the developing world is gradually having to shoulder more of the burden and where cancer survival rates tend to be lower.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Isolation and Genus identification of bacteria from urine contaminated soils of Windhoek
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Haindongo, Erastus H.; Bock, Ronnie A.; Nafuka, Sylvia N.; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.
    Public urination is a common sight in the vicinity of drinking establishments in Katutura, as well as other open spaces around Windhoek. A study was conducted to determine if there was a shift in the balance of the microflora in urine contaminated soils. It was hypothesized that, given soils from the same geographic region but under distinct urine conditions, the identity and counts of the pathogenic and actinobacteria communities would vary. For the purpose of this study, pathogenic microorganisms were limited to those known to cause infections of the urinary tract. Soil samples from 4 contaminated locations (Ara-Dorado, Hakahana, Eveline and Greenwell Matongo suburbs) and controls were qualitatively tested for urease activity. Selective media was used for the isolation and enumeration of pathogenic and beneficial actinobacterial colonies. Dorado showed the greatest extend of urease activity>>>Hakahana and Eveline>>Green well matongo. There is a significant difference between the colony counts at a contaminated and non-contaminated (control) site, p = 0.019(= 0.05). The results indicated that public urination introduces pathogenic bacteria, causing a shift in the balance of the normal flora.