Malaria and Hepatitis B co-infection in patients with febrile illnesses attending general outpatient unit of the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, Northwest Nigeria

Malaria and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections are co-endemic throughout much of the tropical and sub-Saharan Africa and both present major threat to public health. A study on the prevalence of HBV and Malaria co-infection was carried out on 200 patients presenting with fever at the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) of the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano using Gold Standard microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). The effect of mono and co-infection on hematological parameters was also investigated. Fifty one (25.5%) out of the 200 patients studied were Malaria  positive. Females had higher prevalence rate(18%) of Malaria infection than males with 7.5%. Age group 15-24 had the highest Malaria prevalence (11%) followed by age group 25-34 with 6.5%. Higher mean  parasite density (1,200/ìl) was recorded among subjects with monoinfection of Malaria than mean parasite density (518/ìl) obtained among the co-infected. Mean parasite density was higher in female than male subjects. Thirteen (6.5%) subjects were HBV positive. Males had higher rate of infection with 4.5% prevalence than females with 2.0%. Nine individuals representing 4.5% of the total population had  co-infection with higher prevalence (3%) among the males. Age groups 25-34 were observed to have high co-infection rate of 1.5% and the least prevalence was observed among the age group 15-24 with 0.5%  prevalence for both males and females. Hematological evaluation carried out on all the categories of  subjects shows significant difference in mean values of PCV (P=0.041), Hb (P=0.018) between the  co-infection group and those with malaria infection and control groups. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the values of WBC, PLT and Red cell indices among the co-infected and other test group. It was concluded that co-infection with the two ailments had no profound effect on hematologic parameters.Keywords: Co-Infection, Hepatitis B, Kano, Malaria, MMSH, Prevalenc

Limitations of osmotic gradient resource and hydraulic pressure on the efficiency of dual stage PRO process

© 2018 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved. A dual stage PRO process has been proposed for power generation from a salinity gradient across a semi-permeable membrane. Both closed-loop and open-loop dual stage PRO system were evaluated using 2 M NaCl and Dead Sea as draw solutions, whereas the feed solution was either fresh water or seawater. The impact of feed salinity gradient resource and feed pressure on the net power generation and water flux were evaluated. The results showed that power density in stage one reached a maximum amount at ΔP = p/2, but the maximum net power generation occurred at ΔP = p/2. This result was mainly attributed to the variation of net driving pressure in stage one and two of the PRO process. The dual stage PRO process was found to perform better at high osmotic pressure gradient across the PRO membrane, for example when Dead Sea brine or highly concentrated NaCl was the draw solution. Total power generation in the dual stage PRO process was up to 40% higher than that in the conventional PRO process. This outcome was achieved through harvesting the rest of the energy remaining in the diluted draw solution. Therefore, a dual stage PRO process has the potential of maximizing power generation from a salinity gradient resource

A review of fouling mechanisms, control strategies and real-time fouling monitoring techniques in forward osmosis

© 2019 by the authors. Forward osmosis has gained tremendous attention in the field of desalination and wastewater treatment. However, membrane fouling is an inevitable issue. Membrane fouling leads to flux decline, can cause operational problems and can result in negative consequences that can damage the membrane. Hereby, we attempt to review the different types of fouling in forward osmosis, cleaning and control strategies for fouling mitigation, and the impact of membrane hydrophilicity, charge and morphology on fouling. The fundamentals of biofouling, organic, colloidal and inorganic fouling are discussed with a focus on recent studies. We also review some of the in-situ real-time online fouling monitoring technologies for real-time fouling monitoring that can be applicable to future research on forward osmosis fouling studies. A brief discussion on critical flux and the coupled effects of fouling and concentration polarization is also provided

Detection of metallo betalactamases among gram negative bacterial isolates from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and Almadina Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria

Over the last few years, the increase in the number of multi-resistant (MR) enterobacteria has become a major clinical problem. This study detects the occurrence and prevalence of Metallo betalactamase production among some clinical bacterial isolates in Murtala Muhammad SpecialistHospital, Kano and Al-Madina Specialist Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 200 clinical isolates comprising of E. coli (83), Klebsiella pneumoniae (52), Pseusomonas aeruginosa (28) and Proteus mirabilis (37) were screened phenotypically for carbapenemase and specifically for Metallo betalactamase using Modified Hodges Test and EDTA Disc Synergy Test respectively. The result showed that 67(33.5%) of the isolates were found to produce carbapenemase. High production occurred in 24(35.8%) and low production occurred in 43(64.2%) of the isolates. Highest prevalence of carbapenemase was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.55%) followed by E. coli (34.8%), Proteus mirabilis. (29.1%) and least prevalence in Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). The prevalence of MBLs in the study was 24.5% with highest prevalence in E. coli (31.32%) followed by Proteus mirabilis. (21.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.2%) and least among Klebsiella pneumoniae. (14.3%). Most of carbapenemase producers produce MBL type. Urine samples were found to be with the highest prevalence of 38.3% when compared with ear swab (12.0%). Prevalence of 67.9% and 76.9% were recorded for Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital Kano and Al-madina hospital Kaduna respectively. This showed that carbapenemase-mediated resistance occurred in the selected hospitals and uncontrolled spread may lead to treatment failure and frustration.Keywords: Metallobetalactamase, Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, prevalence, Hospita

Effect of Common Medications on the Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Receptors in Kidney Tissue

Besides the respiratory system, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was shown to affect other essential organs such as the kidneys. Early kidney involvement during the course of infection was associated with worse outcomes, which could be attributed to the direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of kidney cells. In this study, the effect of commonly used medications on the expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2, and TMPRSS2 protein in kidney tissues was evaluated. This was done by in silico analyses of publicly available transcriptomic databases of kidney tissues of rats treated with multiple doses of commonly used medications. Of 59 tested medications, 56% modified ACE2 expression, whereas 24% modified TMPRSS2 expression. ACE2 was increased with only a few of the tested medication groups, namely the renin-angiotensin inhibitors, such as enalapril, antibacterial agents, such as nitrofurantoin, and the proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole. The majority of the other medications decreased ACE2 expression to variable degrees with allopurinol and cisplatin causing the most noticeable downregulation. The expression level of TMPRSS2 was increased with a number of medications, such as diclofenac, furosemide, and dexamethasone, whereas other medications, such as allopurinol, suppressed the expression of this gene. The prolonged exposure to combinations of these medications could regulate the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in a way that may affect kidney susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data presented here suggest that we should be vigilant about the potential effects of commonly used medications on kidney tissue expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2

Evaluating social sustainability in Jordanian residential neighborhoods: a combined expert-user approach

Neighborhood sustainability has assumed a pole position as a topic of interest in the past years, addressed through dedicated strands of most of the globally adopted sustainability rating tools, such as LEED and BREEAM. Considering sustainability assessment, the social sustainability of neighborhoods assumes a certain particularity, not only in terms of its high context dependence pertaining to its locality, but in its means of assessment as well, with people as a key potential evaluator for matters that are not bound to quantitative aspects. This research focused on developing a framework for rating social sustainability in neighborhoods, utilizing a quantitative approach that builds upon insights obtained by an extended group of experts and end users. It combines the Delphi and AHP techniques along with the case study approach to develop a framework that suits the Jordanian local context, where a particular neighborhood, Dahiyat Al Hussein in Amman, is used for validation. The research revealed that rating the social sustainability of neighborhoods is not only highly guided by the local context it addresses, but is also reliant on the level of understanding and adoption of the concept itself as attained by the people

Effect of Indoor Environment on Occupant Air Comfort and Productivity in Office Buildings: A Response Surface Analysis Approach

Indoor air quality is a significant factor influencing occupant comfort, health and productivity. Indoor air comfort and its relationship to occupant comfort and productivity are widely documented. Statistical correlation between the two has been highlighted in scientific literature. This paper investigates any unique correlations between non-air quality parameters (such as lux level, temperature, and noise level) and indoor air comfort and presents a study investigating the effect of indoor environmental quality on occupant air comfort and productivity. This study was conducted by collecting data on indoor environmental parameters using remote sensors and an online survey for occupant responses for twelve months. Data analysis was performed using Response Surface Analysis to present mathematical relationships between indoor environmental quality parameters and occupant air comfort. Results show that carbon dioxide up to 600 ppm, VOC up to 25% (by volume) and humidity up to 60% have a positive impact on occupant air comfort and productivity. Our research highlighted that some non-air quality parameters, such as outdoor temperature and lux levels, affect occupant air comfort. These results would enable built environment professionals to design and operate offices (subtropical desert climate) conducive to occupant comfort and productivity

Mitochondrial clearance by the STK38 kinase supports oncogenic Ras-induced cell transformation.

Oncogenic Ras signalling occurs frequently in many human cancers. However, no effective targeted therapies are currently available to treat patients suffering from Ras-driven tumours. Therefore, it is imperative to identify downstream effectors of Ras signalling that potentially represent promising new therapeutic options. Particularly, considering that autophagy inhibition can impair the survival of Ras-transformed cells in tissue culture and mouse models, an understanding of factors regulating the balance between autophagy and apoptosis in Ras-transformed human cells is needed. Here, we report critical roles of the STK38 protein kinase in oncogenic Ras transformation. STK38 knockdown impaired anoikis resistance, anchorage-independent soft agar growth, and in vivo xenograft growth of Ras-transformed human cells. Mechanistically, STK38 supports Ras-driven transformation through promoting detachment-induced autophagy. Even more importantly, upon cell detachment STK38 is required to sustain the removal of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy, a selective autophagic process, to prevent excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production that can negatively affect cancer cell survival. Significantly, knockdown of PINK1 or Parkin, two positive regulators of mitophagy, also impaired anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent growth of Ras-transformed human cells, while knockdown of USP30, a negative regulator of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, restored anchorage-independent growth of STK38-depleted Ras-transformed human cells. Therefore, our findings collectively reveal novel molecular players that determine whether Ras-transformed human cells die or survive upon cell detachment, which potentially could be exploited for the development of novel strategies to target Ras-transformed cells