Expression and characterization of α-Amylases from penicillium citrinum with bread as growth substrate

In an attempt to enhance the industrial production of α-amylases in the tropics, sterile fresh bread was inoculated with spore suspensions of Penicillium citrinum at 25 oC. Extracellular α-amylases were produced and subjected to partial purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. Further purification by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography was engaged. The molecular weights of the α-amylase fractions obtained and estimated by gel filtration using Sephadex G-100 were approximately 56,234 Daltons, 53,089 Daltons and 11,885 Daltons. The apparent Michalis-Menten constant (Km) values for the hydrolysis of starch by the purified α-amylase fractions were approximately 8.3 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 7.14 mg/ml respectively. Optimum activities were at 30 oC for one of the fractions and 35 oC for the other two fractions and were at pH 5.5 and pH 6.0. The activities of the α-amylase fractions produced by the fungus were stimulated at varying degrees by NaCl, KCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2 but inhibited by Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA), mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). The α-amylase fractions were sensitive to heat, losing all their activities within twenty minutes of heating at 80 oC. The industrial production of α-amylases should be encouraged in the tropics using bread as a cheap source of substrate.Keywords: α-Amylase, expression, bread, purification, characterization

Bacteriological analysis of potable water in areas with reported cholera outbreaks in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States, Nigeria

Background: Cholera outbreaks, reported yearly in Nigeria, are a public health concern and transmission is attributed to drinking of contaminated water and poor sanitation. Objective: To conduct a bacteriological analysis of potable water in areas with reported cholera outbreaks in Ogun, Lagos and Oyo States. Methods: Water samples collected from the study areas were examined physically, cultured in MacConkey broth and Alkaline peptone water to determine the most probable number (MPN) of Coliforms and isolate Vibro species respectively. Bacteria were cultured from the broths and were identified using standard methods. Results: All the other water samples examined were colourless, odourless, tasteless and lack particles except the well water which had yellowish brown colouration (4; 8%) and contained visible particles (5; 30%). The presumptive total coliform count ranged between < 3 and 1,100 MPN /100ml. Enterobacter gergoviae (34; 47.2%), Escherichia coli (16; 22.2%), Klebsiella pneumonia (7; 9.7%), Sarratia liquefaciens (6; 8.3%), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (5; 6.9%), Citrobacter diversus (2; 2.8), Klebsiella oxytoca (1; 1.4%) and Enterobacter aerogenes (1; 1.4%) were isolated from 33.5% of the water samples. The level of contamination of water sources within the different study areas was significant (p<0.001). Vibrio cholerae was not isolated, but Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from 5 (10%) of the well water samples. Thermo-tolerant Coliforms were also identified from some samples. Conclusion: The well water samples were grossly contaminated with coliform bacteria and Vibrio parahaemolyticus and should be treated before drinking

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Checkpoint kinase1 (CHK1) is an important biomarker in breast cancer having a role in chemotherapy response

Background:Checkpoint kinase1 (CHK1), which is a key component of DNA-damage-activated checkpoint signalling response, may have a role in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis and influence response to chemotherapy. This study investigated the clinicopathological significance of phosphorylated CHK1 (pCHK1) protein in BC.Method:pCHK1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry in a large, well-characterized annotated series of early-stage primary operable invasive BC prepared as tissue microarray (n=1200).Result:pCHK1 showed nuclear and/or cytoplasmic expression. Tumours with nuclear expression showed positive associations with favourable prognostic features such as lower grade, lower mitotic activity, expression of hormone receptor and lack of expression of KI67 and PI3K (

Nutrient Dynamics and Litter Decomposition in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit plantation in the Nigerian Derived Savanna

Nutrient contents and rate of litter decomposition were investigated in Leucaena leucocephala plantation in the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Litter bag technique was used to study the pattern and rate of litter decomposition and nutrient release of Leucaena leucocephala. Fifty grams of oven-dried leaf litter of the species was weighed into 0.2 mm mesh litter bag, 35 cm × 25 cm in size, these bags were closed at all ends. Eighteen litter bags were used for the studies. The litter bags were numbered and placed on the field (above ground) on 26th April 2005. Three bags were retrieved randomly from the field at 20-day intervals for 120 days. The nutrient concentration in L. leucocephala followed the trend N > P > Mg > Ca > K > Na for leaf litter and seed components. Nutrient concentration in twigs and pods ranked N > Mg > P > Ca > K > Na. Among all the litter components, leaf litter contributed more nutrients, especially nitrogen, than other litter components. High potassium concentration during the dry season was due to lack of rainfall to leach out the element. Lower magnesium content in leaf litter was due to chlorophyll decay. High N-flux reflected the quantity and quality of nitrogen in the soil. Mass loss was significantly correlated with calcium (P < 0.05). At 120 days, 80% of the litter had decomposed; this implies that decomposition rate was at 0.6% per day. A net immobilization of all the nutrient elements at 20 days was due to lack of rainfall to leach out the nutrients. High rate of decomposition at the early stage was due to less moisture content in the soil and high temperature. Litter decomposed more during the wet season than the dry season.West African Journal of Applied Ecology Vol. 13 2008: pp. 96-10

Perception of stroke among patients with stroke

The perception of patients to stroke is variable. The aim of this study was to determine the perception of stroke among stroke patients. The study was carried out between January 2004 - December 2004 on all the patients presenting with features of stroke at the Federal Medical Center Ido, Nigeria. Data were collected by administering a set of questionnaire to the patients and/or relations. A total of 68 patients were studied, mean age of the patients was 66+3.5 years. High blood pressure was the most common risk factor for stroke identified. Majority of the patients were able to recognize at least one stroke symptom and presented after 48 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. Patients' perception, lack of transportation, financial constraints and ignorance adversely affected their presentation to the hospital. Delays in patients arriving at hospital with suspected stroke can be reduced by increased awareness. Simple and understandable educational materials should be developed for at risk groups and the entire populace. Keywords: stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 48(2) 2005: 56-5

Chest X-Ray in Family Practice

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