Insect vectors of pathogens in selected undisposed refuse dumps in Kaduna town, northern Nigeria

Eleven species of insects were collected in three orders and seven families, namely Blattidae, Serabidae, Muscidae, Fannidae, Culicidae, Calliphoridae and Psychodidae. Of the three orders, Diptera was represented by five families (Muscidae, Fannidae, Culicidae and Psychodidae) followed by the order Dictyoptera and Coleoptera with one family each (Blattidae and Serabidae respectively). The Family Muscidae had three genera represented by the species Musca domestica, Ophyra leucostoma, and Stomoxys calcitrans while the Families Caliphoridae and Serabidae were represented by two species each. Muscoid flies had the highest abundance of 70.3% (457/650), followed by mosquitos with 6.8% (94/650) and Drain flies 4.9% (32/650). The most abundant species was the house fly Muscadomestica within the muscoid family with 47.7% while Onthophagusobliquus from the family Serabaediae had the least abundance with 6 individuals. The occurrence and abundance of these vectors suggests that vector-borne disease transmission is prevalent in Kaduna metropolis. The health implications of the presence of these insects and their role in disease transmission are highlighted. Proper disposal of refuse dumps is recommended to avoid public health problems associated with filth transmitted insects

A Preliminary Study for Ant Colony Optimization with a new Reinforcement Strategy

Different Ants Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms use pheromone information differently in an attempt to improve their relative performance. In this paper, we describe a new systematic reinforcement strategy as a means to improve the pheromone update rules of existing ACO algorithms. We examine the proposed strategy and compare it with other improvement strategies using the well - known Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). The results indicate that the performance of both the AntSystem (AS) and the Ant Colony System (ACS) algorithms is improved by applying the proposed strategy. We postulate that the proposed strategy allows the ants, in some sense, to both refine the search in promising regions, and escape explored areas of the search space more consistently and effectively than other reinforcement strategies

Cost evaluation of therapeutic drug monitoring of gentamicin at a teaching hospital in Malaysia

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) makes use of serum drug concentrations as an adjunct to decision-making. Preliminary data in our hospital showed that approximately one-fifth of all drugs monitored by TDM service were gentamicin. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the costs associated with providing the service in patients with bronchopneumonia and treated with gentamicin. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from medical records of patients admitted to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 5-year period. These patients were diagnosed with bronchopneumonia and were on gentamicin as part of their treatment. Five hospitalisation costs were calculated; (i) cost of laboratory and clinical investigations, (ii) cost associated with each gentamicin dose, (iii) fixed and operating costs of TDM service, (iv) cost of providing medical care, and (v) cost of hospital stay during gentamicin treatment. Results: There were 1920 patients admitted with bronchopneumonia of which 67 (3.5%) had TDM service for gentamicin. Seventy-three percent (49/67) patients were eligible for final analysis. The duration of gentamicin therapy ranged from 3 to 15 days. The cost of providing one gentamicin assay was MYR25, and the average cost of TDM service for each patient was MYR104. The average total hospitalisation cost during gentamicin treatment for each patient was MYR442 (1EUR approx. MYR4.02). Conclusion: Based on the hospital perspective, in patients with bronchopneumonia and treated with gentamicin, the provision of TDM service contributes to less than 25% of the total cost of hospitalization

Enhancement of In Vitro Skin Transport and In Vivo Hypoglycemic Efficacy of Glimepiride Transdermal Patches

Purpose: To utilize hydroxybutyl-β-cyclodextrin (HB-β-CD) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) for the enhancement of the transdermal delivery of glimepiride (GMD).Methods: Matrix-type transdermal patches containing GMD, drug  coprecipitate or its inclusion complex were prepared using different gelling agents, viz, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), carbopol and chitosan. In vitro skin permeation evaluation of the formulations was conducted using automated diffusion system. Selected patch formulations were assessed for hypoglycemic activity as well as for GMD plasma concentration in rats.Results: GMD- hydroxybutyl-β-cyclodextrin (HB-β-CD) binary systems (1:2 molar ratio) enhanced GMD aqueous solubility by > 10-fold. Diffusion test showed improved release of GMD-HB-β-CD inclusion complex compared with GMD alone. Maximum cumulative amounts of GMD- HB-β-CD that permeated through rat skin was 26.97 and 14.28 µg/cm2 for patches prepared with fchitosan and HPMC, respectively. Thus, GMD-chitosan  patches showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) drug permeation than GMD-HPMC after 6 h. Both chitosan and HPMC patches of GMD-HB-β-CD demonstrated substantial reduction (p < 0.05) in blood glucose level (192.67 ± 21.18 and 201 ± 15.11 mg/ dl, respectively), compared with the baseline value of 240 mg/ dl.Conclusion: Application of chitosan and HPMC transdermal patches of GMD-HB-β-CD can serve as a potential alternative to peroral GMD with improved bioavailability and patient compliance.Keywords: Glimepiride, Transdermal patch, Coprecipitate, Inclusion complex, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Chitosan, Skin permeatio

Soluble TWEAK and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney patients (CKD). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) as a marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CKD patients.Methods: The study included 75 CKD patients classified according to eGFR into three groups; group-1 included 15 patients with stage-1 CKD, group-2 included 30 patients with stage-2 and stage-3 CKD, and group-3 included 30 patients with stage-4 and stage-5 CKD. The three groups were compared to 20 matched controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sTWEAK were measured using ELISA and chemiluminescent techniques respectively. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was also measured.Results: We found that IL-6 showed significant difference between patient groups and controls, being highest in stage 4 and 5 CKD patients and lowest in controls. Soluble TWEAK showed significant difference between patient groups and controls, being lowest in stage 4 and 5 CKD patients and highest in controls. Soluble TWEAK level showed significant negative correlation with IL-6 (r = -0.68; P<0.01) and carotid IMT (r = -0.95; P<0.01). After two years follow up, nine out of 75 CKD patients developed ischemic heart disease (IHD). Two patients developed cerebrovascular stroke and another patient developed peripheral arterial disease. These patients had significantly lower levels of sTWEAK at baseline compared to other patients (160.5± 60.2 versus 274.8±90 pg/mL; P < 0.05).Conclusion: Soluble TWEAK can be a novel biomarker of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction as well as cardiovascular outcome in CKD patients

Use of zeolite in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus uptake and use efficiency.

Concerns about unbalanced use of fertilizers leading to environmental pollution have been globally expressed. As a result, studies on how to use efficient methods to reduce nutrient applications at the same time increasing or maintaining crop yield, reducing nutrient losses and improving nutrient use efficiency are imperative. Nutrient loss due to leaching, volatilization and fixation upon fertilizer application to soils may be reduced through the use of slow-release fertilizers. A pot study was conducted to investigate if the use of inorganic fertilizers together with zeolite will improve nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake and efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on Nyalau series (Typic Paleudalts). Maize hybrid no. 5 variety was used as test crop. Treatments evaluated were: (i) Unfertilized condition (T1), (ii) normal N, P and K application (7.4 g urea + 11.3 g Christmas Island rock phosphate (CIRP) + 3.8 g muriate of potash (MOP)) (T2), (iii) 135 g zeolite + 5.92 g urea+9.0 g CIRP + 3.0 g MOP (T3), (iv) 270 g zeolite + 4.44 g urea + 6.8 g CIRP + 2.3 g MOP (T4), (v) 405 g zeolite+3.0 g urea+4.5 g CIRP+1.5 g MOP (T5) and (vi) 540 g zeolite + 1.5 g urea + 2.3 g CIRP + 0.8 g MOP (T6). The effect of T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 on soil N, P and Mg at harvest was not significantly different compared with T1. However, treatments with zeolite significantly increased K and Ca contents of soil compared to T1. Irrespective of treatment, dry matter production was not different. However, nutrient concentrations determined in plant tissues were clearly affected by the addition of zeolite. N, P and K uptake varied significantly but T6 significantly affected N, P and K use efficiency. The use of inorganic fertilizers mixed with zeolite remarkably increased N, P and K uptake, and their use efficiency in leaves, stem and roots. The use of zeolite could be beneficial with respect to nutrient retention in soil and their use efficiency

Utilization of activated carbon produced from Sago hampas (Metroxylon sagu) to reduce ammonia loss from urea.

Surface-applied urea contributes to NH3 loss of N through ammonia volatilization, especially in warm and humid regions. Ammonia loss has been a major problem confronting farmers because additional urea is applied to compensate for the loss which increases cost of fertilization. Activated carbon (AC) produced from Sago hampas (SH) could be capable of absorbing N in the form of NH4+ to minimize ammonia volatilization. The objective of this study was to determine if AC produced from SH could be used to retain ammonium as well as minimizing ammonia loss from urea. Activated carbon was produced from SH by using concentrated H2SO4 and (NH4)2S2O8. There were three types of AC produced using different volumes of H2SO4 (AC30, AC40 and AC50). The charred product was used as a treatment together with the raw material in order to observe the reduction of ammonia loss using closed-dynamic air flow system for 7 days. The daily loss of NH3was observed and the NH4+ and NO3- retention in the soil were determined using standard procedures. Activated carbon produced from SH had a higher CEC and it increased from AC30 to AC50. The treatments did not contribute to the reduction of ammonia loss; however, there was a significant increase in the retention of NH4+ in the soil compared to urea alone. The AC was observed to be a better absorbent than SH. AC50 was a better absorbent compared to other treatments due to high acidity and CEC. However, the treatment did not contribute to reduction of ammonia loss, but there was a significant increase of NH4 + retention in the soil

Effect of the method of processing on quality and oxidative stability of anhydrous butter fat (samn)

In this study four samn samples prepared from cow milk using two processing methods (traditional T1, T2 and factory processed T3, T4) were investigated for their physico-chemical properties, fatty acids composition, oxidative stability and sensory properties. The traditionally processed samples showed a significance difference (p < 0.05) in peroxide value and acid value in comparison to factory processed ones. The peroxide value was 2.5 meq O2/kg of samn for both T3 and T4 samples, which was higherthan the peroxide value of T1 and T2, which was 1.5 and 2.0, respectively. The acid value of T3, T4, T1 and T2 are 2.58, 2.54, 1.122 and 1.121, respectively. The results showed that the FFA% of T3, T4, T1 andT2 are 1.29, 1.27, 0.6 and 0.6, respectively. The major fatty acids of the four samn samples were palmitic, oleic, stearic, myristic and capric acid. T3 and T4 contain high percentage of palmitc acid 37.29 and 39.23%, respectively. Traditionally processed sample T1 contains high amount of oleic acid (26.1%) in comparison with the other three samples. Method of processing affects samn properties, quality and oxidative stability, where traditionally processed samples were significantly preferred (P 0.05) by the panelists for their color, odor, taste and overall acceptability to the factory processed samples

Changes over time in HIV testing and counselling uptake and associated factors among youth in Zambia: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys from 2007 to 2018

Introduction: Zambia is among the countries with the highest HIV burden and where youth remain disproportionally affected. Access to HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a crucial step to ensure the reduction of HIV transmission. This study examines the changes that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in access to HTC, inequities in testing uptake, and determinants of HTC uptake among youth. Methods: We carried out repeated cross-sectional analyses using three Zambian Demographic and Health Surveys (2007, 2013–14, and 2018). We calculated the percentage of women and men ages 15–24 years old who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months. We analysed inequity in HTC coverage using indicators of absolute inequality. We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of HTC uptake in the last 12 months. Results: HIV testing uptake increased between 2007 and 2018, from 45 to 92% among pregnant women, 10 to 58% among non-pregnant women, and from 10 to 49% among men. By 2018 roughly 60% of youth tested in the past 12 months used a government health centre. Mobile clinics were the second most common source reaching up to 32% among adolescent boys by 2018. Multivariate analysis conducted among men and non-pregnant women showed higher odds of testing among 20–24 year-olds than adolescents (aOR = 1.55 [95%CI:1.30–1.84], among men; and aOR = 1.74 [1.40–2.15] among women). Among men, being circumcised (aOR = 1.57 [1.32–1.88]) and in a union (aOR = 2.44 [1.83–3.25]) were associated with increased odds of testing. For women greater odds of testing were associated with higher levels of education (aOR = 6.97 [2.82–17.19]). Education-based inequity was considerably widened among women than men by 2018. Conclusion: HTC uptake among Zambian youth improved considerably by 2018 and reached 65 and 49% tested in the last 12 months for women and men, respectively. However, achieving the goal of 95% envisioned by 2020 will require sustaining the success gained through government health centres, and scaling up the community-led approaches that have proven acceptable and effective in reaching young men and adolescent girls who are less easy to reach through the government facilities