Ludwig’s Angina Following Self Application of an Acidic Chemical

Ludwig’s angina is a potentially life threatening diffuse cellulitis usually resulting from odontogenic infection. We report a case of Ludwig’s angina resulting from self administration of an acidic chemical to treat toothache.Keywords: Toothache, Acid chemical, Ludwig’s angin

Antibiotic resistance profile of staphylococci from clinical sources recovered from infants

Infants, children and the aged are among the groups most vulnerable to microbial infections more so when these microbial agents become resistant to antimicrobials. The antibiotic resistant profile of Staphylococcus aureus and selected coagulase negative staphylococci were determined by standard methods. Of the 178 staphylococcal isolates evaluated, 122 were S. aureus and the rest coagulase negative staphylococci. 68% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, 69.8% to cloxacillin, 51% to augmentin and 71% to tetracycline. However, only 2.6% of the 116 S aureus isolates tested were resistant to gentamycin making the drug a reliable therapeutic agent in the event of failure of other antimicrobials in treating staphylococcal infections at least in this community. Resistance to the penicillin drugs was mediated by the elaboration of &#946-lactamase by both pathogenic and non-pathogenic staphylococci. The study shows a high rate of cloxacillin resistance and possibly the existence of methicillin resistance among these strains. 80% of the S aureus strains were multi-resistant with 25% of these resistant to three different antibiotics, 21% to 4 and 6.8% to 6 different drugs. Only 1.2% of these S aureus strains were resistant to 7 different antimicrobials underscoring the need to reduce the high incidence of multi-resistance in this community in the event of an epidemic caused by these strains. The study reveals prevalence of multi-resistance among both pathogenic and non-pathogenic staphylococci in the community.Key words: Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotics, multi-resistance.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 810-82

A Study of the Organisational Input into the Industrial Design Postgraduate Programme of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This paper attempted to examine the organisational input into the Industrial Design Postgraduate Programme of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The specific input variables studied include the staff situation, enrolment of candidates, communications policies, plans, facilities and funding of the Postgraduate Programme. The paper attempted to find out if the quality of input into the Postgraduate Programme has helped it to achieve the development of its communications mechanisms and successes in its internal and external operations.  All the staff and students on the programme were included in the study. The data was collected using questionnaires and content analysis. Content analysis and descriptive statistics such as percentages and sums were used for computing the data. The data revealed inadequate staffing, lack of enrolment plans, non participation of staff and other stakeholders in enrolment of candidates, absence of cohesive internal and external communications policies and organisational plans, very poor state of facilities for training and research as well as dearth of funds. These conditions have adversely affected the development of relevant plausible organisational communications channels that could have directly fostered internal consistency, encouraged viability and sustained effective marketing approaches by the PG Programme to its targeted external environments. The study recommends a total overhaul of the input variables and regular auditing of all the formal communications mechanisms in order to increase relevant variety as well as eliminate conflicts emanating from scarcity of resources and the flourishing of the grapevine in the Postgraduate Programme. Keywords: Organisational input, Communication, Organisational viability, Internal environment, External environment, Innovation

Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer on maize root infectivity in three soil series

An experiment was carried out to examine the influence of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer on maize root infectivity in three soil series at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The treatments included three soil series (Gambari, Itagunmodi and Iwo series), three levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5/ha) and three levels of mycorrhizal inoculation (0, 10 and 20 g per 15 kg soil). The experimental design used was a 3×3×3 factorial trial in a completely randomized design with three replications. Root infectivity was evaluated by the grid line intersect method. After harvesting, the phosphorus (P) uptake was determined by multiplying the P concentration in the plant by the total dry weight. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and the significant means of the treatment were compared using the Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% significance level. The results revealed that P uptake was influenced significantly (p < 0.05) by the soil series. The order of decrease in P uptake across the soil series was as follows: Itagunmodi (0.54 mg/kg) < Iwo (0.90 mg/kg) < Gambari (2.52 mg/kg). Root infectivity significantly enhanced the uptake of P. The highest root infectivity and the highest P uptake were achieved at 20 g inoculation. Mycorrhizal infection levels were reduced by moderate to high rates of soluble phosphorus fertilizer. Thus, increasing levels of phosphate fertilizer stimulate maize root growth but significantly reduce root infection levels

A systematic review of healthcare-associated infections in Africa: An antimicrobial resistance perspective

Background: Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) is a global health challenge, not only as an issue of patient safety but also as a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality with economic consequences. Objective: This review provides an update on the occurrence of HCAI, as well as the contribution of emerging AMR on healthcare delivery in Africa. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane database, African Journals Online and Google Scholar for relevant articles on HCAI in Africa between 2010 and 2017. Preferred reporting items of systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were followed for selection. Thirty-five eligible articles were considered for the qualitative synthesis. Results: Of the 35 eligible articles, more than half (n = 21, 60%) were from East Africa. Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. were the common pathogens reported in bloodstream infection, (catheter-associated) urinary tract infection, surgical site infection and healthcare-associated pneumonia. Among these various subtypes of HCAI, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (3.9% – 56.8%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacilli (1.9% – 53.0%) were the most reported antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Conclusion: This review shows a paucity of HCAI surveillance in Africa and an emergence of AMR priority pathogens. Hence, there is a need for a coordinated national and regional surveillance of both HCAI and AMR in Africa

Lectins, Mitogenicity and Seed Germination: A Comparative Study with the Seeds of Telfairia occidentalis (Hook, F.) (Curcurbitaceae), Carica papaya (Linn) (Caricaceae) and Artocarpus communis (J.R. &amp; G. Forst) (Moraceae)

The fate of lectins contained in the seeds of T. occidentalis, C. papaya and A. communis have been followed during the germinative process. Under the same culture conditions, the emergence of both the radicle and the plumule (the 3rd and 5th day; 18th and 20th and 12th and the 15th day respectively for T. occidentalis, C. papaya and A. communis) was preceded, 24 hours earlier, by the appearance of lectin in the developing tissues. The data suggest that the mitogenic lectins: Telfairia occidentalis Agglutinin (TOA) and Artocarpin accelerates the process of germination relative to that observed for seeds (C. papaya) containing the non-mitogenic lectins, Carici

Health-seeking behaviours of older black women living with non-communicable diseases in an urban township in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Various studies have shown that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially diabetes and hypertension are prevalent among older women living in South African urban areas, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to understand the health-seeking behaviour, healthcare practices and prevalence of traditional herbal medicine (THM) use among older women self-reporting NCDs from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study (PURE). METHOD: A homogenous purposive sampling of PURE participants was used to recruit women who were 50 years or older (n = 250). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the number of NCDs reported by the study sample, health seeking behaviour and practices as well as THM use. Logistic regression was also employed to investigate possible associations between reported conditions and THM use or medical pluralism. RESULTS: Within the study sample, 72 % self-reported an NCD. Of those with self-reported NCDs, 46 % had one, and 54 % had two or more NCDs. Those with NCDs usually visited public clinics (80 %), relied on doctors (90 %) and nurses (85 %) for health information, and mostly used conventional medicine (CM) to manage high blood pressure (81 %). About 30 % of those with NCDs indicated using THM, of whom 29 (53 %) reported practicing medical pluralism. Participants with dental problems (OR: 3.24, 95 % CI: 1.30–8.20), headaches (OR: 2.42, 95 % CI: 1.24–4.94), heart burn (OR: 2.30, 95 % CI: 1.18–4.48) and severe tiredness (OR: 2.05, 95 % CI: 1.08–3.99) were more likely to use THM. Anxiety and allergies increased the likelihood to practise medical pluralism by five and 20 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Self-reported NCD with co-morbidities was prevalent among the participants in the study. Most of the study participants utilized state-owned clinics and hospitals for the management of their chronic conditions. THM use was not very common. However, among those who used THM, medical pluralism was prevalent. Family history was the most common reason for THM use, with many THM patrons utilizing these for treatment of a health condition. Older black women with anxiety and allergies were more likely to practise medical pluralism

High Incidence of Forest Fires and Preventive Measures in Cocoa Research Institute Plantations Ibadan, Oyo State

This study was carried out to ascertain the high incidence of forest fire and its preventive measures in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria(CRIN) plantations Ibadan, Oyo state. Fire is used as work tool by rural population, it serves as land clearing method for agricultural land, flushes management for livestock, wastes disposal, honey gathering, animal tracking and hunting. A multistage sampling approach was used to select 120 respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule on socioeconomics characteristics, perceived causes of forest fire, effect of forest fire and preventive measures to forest fire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic. The result revealed that the mean age was 44.9 years and majority (72.7%) were male, 83.0% of them were married. Also a very good number of respondents (97.7%) has various level of education. Bush burning to eradicate weed as a perceived cause of forest fire was ranked 1st with the mean value of 1.36. Destruction of CRIN mandate crops parent materials as the effect of forest fire was ranked 1st with the mean value of 1.42 and controlled bush burning was ranked 1st with mean value of 1.64 among the preventive measure of forest fire. It was revealed that significant relationships were observed between sex (?2= 6.000, p = 0.014), Religion (?2= 8.693, p= 0.013) on the preventive measures of forest in CRIN plantations

Occult Hepatitis B virus infection in previously screened, blood donors in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: implications for blood transfusion and stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through blood transfusion is reduced by screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However this method cannot detect the presence of occult hepatitis B virus infection. This study sought to determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. For the first time in Nigeria we employed an automated real-time PCR- method to investigate the prevalence of occult HBV in blood donors. METHODS: Blood donors screened with HBsAg immunochromatographic rapid test kits at the blood transfusion units of two hospitals and found to be negative were recruited into the study. Questionnaires to elicit risk factors for HBV infection were administered and then 10 ml of blood was collected from each donor. Plasma samples obtained from these HBsAg negative blood donors were screened again for HBsAg using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and those found negative were screened for the presence of total antibody to the HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) using ELISA method. Those positive to anti-HBc were then tested for HBV DNA, using an automated real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Five hundred and seven blood donors found HBsAg negative by immunochromatographic rapid test kits at both blood transfusion units, were tested for HBsAg using ELISA and 5 (1 %) were HBsAg positive. The 502 found negative were tested for anti-HBc and 354 (70.5 %) were found positive implying previous exposure to HBV and 19 (5.4 %) of the 354 anti-HBc positive had HBV DNA signifying occult HBV infection. No risk factors were found to be associated with the presence of HBV DNA among those who tested positive. CONCLUSION: Occult HBV infection exists in blood donors in Ile-Ife, Nigeria and the use of HBsAg alone for screening prospective donors will not eliminate the risk of HBV transmission in blood transfusion or stem cell transplantation

Features of home and neighbourhood and the liveability of older South Africans

While older people live in developing countries, little is known about the relative importance of features of their communities in influencing their liveability. We examinecomponents of home and neighbourhood among older South Africans. Linear regression analyses revealed that features of home (basic amenities, household composition, financial status and safety) and neighbourhood (ability to shop for groceries, participate in organizations and feel safe from crime) are significantly associated with life satisfaction. Approaches to liveability that are person-centred and also set within contexts beyond home and neighbourhood are needed to addressboundaries between home and neighbourhood; incorporate personal resources into liveability models and import broader environmental contexts such as health and social policy