Browsing by Author "Mpondo, Feziwe"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A comparative genomics approach towards classifying immunity-related proteins in the tsetse fly
    (2009) Mpondo, Feziwe; Hide, Winston; Christoffels, Alan
    Tsetse flies (Glossina spp) are vectors of African trypanosome (Trypanosoma spp) parasites, causative agents of Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and Nagana in livestock. Research suggests that tsetse fly immunity factors are key determinants in the success and failure of infection and the maturation process of parasites. An analysis of tsetse fly immunity factors is limited by the paucity of genomic data for Glossina spp. Nevertheless, completely sequenced and assembled genomes of Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti provide an opportunity to characterize protein families in species such as Glossina by using a comparative genomics approach. In this study we characterize thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), a sub-family of immunity-related proteins, in Glossina by leveraging the EST data for G.morsitans and the genomic resources of D. melanogaster, A. gambiae as well as A.aegypti.A total of 17 TEPs corresponding to Drosophila (four TEPs), Anopheles (eleven TEPs) and Aedes aegypti (two TEPs) were collected from published data supplemented with Genbank searches. In the absence of genome data for G. morsitans, 124 000 G.morsitans ESTs were clustered and assembled into 18 413 transcripts (contigs and singletons). Five Glossina contigs (Gmcn1115, Gmcn1116, Gmcn2398, Gmcn2281 and Gmcn4297) were identified as putative TEPs by BLAST searches. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to determine the relationship of collected TEP proteins.Gmcn1115 clustered with DmtepI and DmtepII while Gmcn2398 is placed in a separate branch, suggesting that it is specific to G. morsitans.The TEPs are highly conserved within D. melanogaster as reflected in the conservation of the thioester domain, while only two and one TEPs in A. gambiae and A. aegypti thioester domain show conservation of the thioester domain suggesting that these proteins are subjected to high levels of selection. Despite the absence of a sequenced genome for G. morsitans, at least two putative TEPs where identified from EST data.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A comparative genomics approach towards classifying immunity-related proteins in the tsetse fly
    (University of the western cape, 2009) Mpondo, Feziwe; Hide, Winston; Christoffels, Alan
    Tsetse flies (Glossina spp) are vectors of African trypanosome (Trypanosoma spp) parasites, causative agents of Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and Nagana in livestock. Research suggests that tsetse fly immunity factors are key determinants in the success and failure of infection and the maturation process of parasites. An analysis of tsetse fly immunity factors is limited by the paucity of genomic data for Glossina spp. Nevertheless, completely sequenced and assembled genomes Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti provide an opportunity to characterize protein families in species such as G/ossiza by using a comparative genomics approach. In this study, we characterize thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), a sub-family of immunity-related proteins, in Glossinaby leveraging the EST data for G. morsitans and the genomic resources of D. melanogaster, A. gambiae as well as A. aegypti
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Intimate partner violence and its association with self-determination needs and gender-power constructs among rural South African women
    (SAGE Publications, 2019) Mpondo, Feziwe; Ruiter, Robert A. C.; Reddy, Priscilla S.
    This study aimed to identify psychosocial correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) by using constructs derived from the self-determination theory (SDT) and gender-power scales. Cross-sectional data (N = 238) were collected from women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and were used to test a structural equation model (SEM). The majority (87%) of the participants reported having sexual partners in the past 3 months, and in terms of IPV victimization, 36% and 26% of women had ever experienced verbal and physical abuse, respectively. Bivariate correlations showed that autonomy and beliefs about gender equality (BGE) were strongly associated with IPV.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Understanding the role played by parents, culture and the school curriculum in socializing young women on sexual health issues in rural South African communities
    (Taylor & Francis Open, 2018) Mpondo, Feziwe; Ruiter, Robert A.C.; Schaafsma, Dilana; van den Borne, Bart; Reddy, Priscilla S.
    BACKGROUND: the decline in South Africa’s HIV infection rates especially among young women is encouraging. However, studies show that the 15–24-year-old cohort remains vulnerable. As they still report early sexual debut, being involved in sexual partnerships with older men as well as having unprotected sex. These risky sexual behaviors may be linked to factors such as the parent–child sexual health communication and the timing of the first talk. The quality of sexual health information received in school may also be important for enhancing healthier sexual behaviors. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: to investigate the what, when and how sexual health communication occurs in rural South African families and to determine whether such communication patterns have changed over time. We also wanted to get an in-depth understanding of the roles played by culture, sexual health education and peers in the socialization of young women on sexual matters. METHODS: a purposive sample of (n = 55) women who were 18–35 years old was selected and interviewed in focus group discussions (FGDs). Results: the FGD findings show that parent–child communication on sexual matters in rural communities is limited to messages that warn against pregnancy. It is also laden with cultural idioms that are not well explained. The school sexual health curriculum also fails to adequately equip adolescents to make informed decisions regarding sexual matters. All this seems to leave room for reception of misguided information from peers. CONCLUSIONS: findings highlight a need for designing interventions that can create awareness for parents on the current developmental needs and sexual behavior of adolescents. For adolescents programs would need to focus on providing skills on personal responsibility, and how to change behavior to enhance sexual health.