Review of prostate cancer research in Nigeria

Prostate cancer (CaP) disparities in the black man calls for concerted research efforts. This review explores the trend and focus of CaP research activities in Nigeria, one of the ancestral nations for black men. It seeks to locate the place of the Nigerian research environment in the global progress on CaP disparities. Literature was reviewed mainly through a Pubmed search with the terms “prostate cancer”and “Nigeria”, as well as from internet and hard copies of journal pages

A Field Guide to Pandemic, Epidemic and Sporadic Clones of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern. In order to provide an overview of pandemic, epidemic and sporadic strains, more than 3,000 clinical and veterinary isolates of MRSA mainly from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Malta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as some reference strains from the United States have been genotyped by DNA microarray analysis. This technique allowed the assignment of the MRSA isolates to 34 distinct lineages which can be clearly defined based on non-mobile genes. The results were in accordance with data from multilocus sequence typing. More than 100 different strains were distinguished based on affiliation to these lineages, SCCmec type and the presence or absence of PVL. These strains are described here mainly with regard to clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance- and virulence-associated markers, but also in relation to epidemiology and geographic distribution. The findings of the study show a high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements. The data also indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements

A Field Guide to Pandemic, Epidemic and Sporadic Clones of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern. In order to provide an overview of pandemic, epidemic and sporadic strains, more than 3,000 clinical and veterinary isolates of MRSA mainly from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Malta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as some reference strains from the United States have been genotyped by DNA microarray analysis. This technique allowed the assignment of the MRSA isolates to 34 distinct lineages which can be clearly defined based on non-mobile genes. The results were in accordance with data from multilocus sequence typing. More than 100 different strains were distinguished based on affiliation to these lineages, SCCmec type and the presence or absence of PVL. These strains are described here mainly with regard to clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance- and virulence-associated markers, but also in relation to epidemiology and geographic distribution. The findings of the study show a high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements. The data also indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements

Responses of leaf yield and chemical composition of Amaranthus cruentus L. and Celosia argentea L. to land use types and fertilizer regimes.

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Soil Sciences Vol. 16 (1) 2006: pp. 90-9

Effect of prolonged birth spacing on maternal and perinatal outcome

Background: Researchers have held varied opinions on the effect of prolonged birth spacing on maternal and perinatal outcome. Objectives: To determine the reasons for prolonged birth spacing and to compare the maternal and perinatal outcome compared to shorter normal birth spacing. Design: Comparative case - controlled study between January 1st, 2001 to December 31st, 2002. Setting: Obstetric Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile- Ife, Nigeria. Subjects: Fifty cases consisted of multiparae with prolonged birth spacing (³6 years) and controls consists of similar number of multiparae with shorter normal birth spacing (2 - 5 years) matched for age, parity and socio-economic status. Main Outcome Measures: Labour outcome, Apgar scores, operative and vaginal delivery rates, perinatal and maternal outcome, reasons for prolonged birth spacing. Results: There was no significant difference observed with respect to spontaneous onset of labour, induction or argumentation of labour, duration of labour, spontaneous vaginal delivery rates, Caesarean section rates, instrumental vaginal deliveries, analgesic requirement, postpartum haemorrhage, and Apgar scores in both groups. There were no perinatal or maternal deaths. The commonest reason adduced for prolonged birth spacing is failed contraception (56%), followed by secondary infertility (24%) and to a lesser extent re-marriage, improved income and sheer desire. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy between women with prolonged birth spacing and those with normal shorter birth spacing. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(8) 2004: 388-39

Effect of Honey as Partial Sugar Substitute on Pasting Properties, Consumer Preference and Shelf Stability of Cassava-Wheat Composite Bread

The effect of partial substitution of sugar with liquid honey on the pasting properties of cooked dough made from cassava-wheat composite (10:90) flour as well as the sensory preference and shelf stability of its bread wasinvestigated. Sucrose (S) in the bread recipe formulation was substituted with honey (H) at levels 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, respectively to give 6 treatments, namely 0H:100S, 10H:90S, 20H:80S, 30H:70S, 40H:60S and 50H:50S. Amylograph pasting properties of the dried crumbs were determined using standard analytical procedures. Fresh bread samples were subjected to sensory evaluation and fungal count during storage (6 days). Peak, final and setback viscosities of bread crumb decreased (32.29 to 25.33, 58.54 to 43.00 and 30.96 to 23.66 RVU), respectively as the level of honey inclusion increased. Honey substitution levels used did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect aroma and texture of the bread samples but composite bread with 20% level of honey substitution was most preferred in terms of colour while composite bread with 30% level of honey substitution was most acceptable in terms of taste and overall acceptability. Fungal count in stored honey-cassava-wheat bread varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.6 to 4.0 × 102, 1.0 to 6.9 × 102, 2.2 to 57.0×102, 32.0 to 135.7×102, 34.0 to 140.0×102 and 42.0 to 159.3 ×102) cfu/ml from day 1 to day 6, respectively. From the study, it was concluded that substitution of sugar with honey in dough formulations significantly (p < 0.05) affects dough pasting properties, improves acceptability of the composite bread and reduces staling rate.Keywords: Honey, sucrose sugar, cassava-wheat bread, dough, pasting properties

Prevalence Of Anaemia Among Pregnant Women At Antenatal Care Booking In Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Anaemia is a global health problem which commonly affects women and children most especially in the developing countries. Anaemia in pregnancy is the most common haematological condition encountered among pregnant women in most developing countries including Nigeria. This prospective study was carried out to determine the red blood cell indices (PCV, Hb, RBC, MCH, MCV, MCHC) and the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. A total of 298 women who presented for booking at the antenatal clinic at different trimesters of pregnancy were enrolled in the study. There were 64 (21.5%) women in first trimester, 146 (49.0%) women in second trimester and 88 (29.5%) in third trimester. The mean age of the women was 25.8±3.2 years, and their ages ranged between 18-42 years. One hundred and eighty pregnant women had haemoglobin concentration < 11.0g/dl giving a prevalence rate of anaemia of 60.4%. Mild anaemia was found in 105 (58.3%), moderate anaemia in 72 (40.0%) and severe anaemia in 3(1.7%) of the pregnant women. There was significant correlation between anaemia and gestational age, parity and level of education at booking. This study indicated presence of high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and there is need for appropriate interventional strategies to be put in place so as to reduce prevalence of anaemia and improve pregnancy outcome in our environment.Keywords: Prevalence, Anaemia, Pregnancy, Booking, Antenata

Prevalence of hepatitis- B virus infection among HIV patients in Ikole Ekiti, South – Western, Nigeria

Infections from HIV, Hepatitis B virus constitute a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, and there are evidences to suggest that there is faster progression of HIV in those co-infected with either HBV. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infections among HIV-infected patients, and describe the sociodemographic features and correlates of HIV and HBV co-infected patients at Specialists Hospital, Ekiti, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty eight (158) HIV individuals who consented to the study were tested for HBV using Diaspot HBsAg kit (Screening test) and Biorex Diagnostic ELISA kit (Confirmatory test) between November 2012 and April, 2013. CD4 counts were also analysed with Aldrich Sigma kit and flow cytometery respectively. P value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Prevalence rates of Hepatitis B infections among HIV obtained were 5.7%. Individuals who were 51 years or younger were the most affected HBV co-infection was more common among females than males (3.8%: 1.8%, res, P = 0.0004). Out of 9 patients, 8 patients (88.9%) fell within the age range 30- 49 years which implies the high prevalence of HIV among labour force while 1 patient (11.1%) fell within the range of 50-60 years .Mean serum ALT and AST among participants with HIV alone were (42.0, 38.3) International Units (IU), but were significantly higher (57.6, 43.7) International Units (IU) for those with HIV/HBV co-infection, P = (0.048, 0.032).Mean CD 4 count for HIV/HBV co-infected participants (389 cell/mm 3 ) was significantly higher than that for participants with HIV alone (230 cell/mm 3 ), P = 0.024 Conclusion: Co-infection with hepatitis B virus is common among HIV-infected patients in our setting and this further reaffirms the need for routine baseline screening for this marker, as it is a major consideration in the initiation and choice of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, those found to be negative should be immunized with HBV vaccine to improve the prognosis of their HIV status

Clinico-Pathologic Features and Outcome of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia In Ilorin, North Central Nigeria.

A retrospective analysis of all patients that were diagnosed and managed for Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in the Department of Haematology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2018 was carried out with the aim of characterizing the clinical, haematological and prognostic features as well as outcome in the patients. A total of 39 patients were reviewed consisting 25 (64.1%) males and 14 (35.9%) females giving a M:F ratio of 1.6:1. The median age of patients at diagnosis was 65.5 years and the highest prevalence was found in the 60 – 69 years age group. The commonest symptoms at presentation were night sweats (59.0%), Body weakness (51.3%), fever (41.0%), and weight loss (41.0%) while the commonest signs included lymphadenopathy in all patients (100%), splenomegaly (87.2%), pallor (53.9%) and hepatomegaly (46.2%). The mean values of haematological parameters were: Packed cell volume (28.6%), Haemoglobin concentration (9.4g/dL), Total white blood cell count (87.6 x 109/L), Absolute lymphocyte count (55.8 x 109/L) and platelet count (134.8 x 109/L). The majority of the patients (94.9%) were diagnosed with advanced disease (Rai stage III and IV) while only 2(5.1%) had Rai stage II and none in Rai stage 0 – I. Chlorambucil-based regimen was used in 71.8% of patients, and only 2 patients had Rituximab as part of their treatment regimen. The clinical presentation, haematological features and disease outcome observed in our study was similar to what had been reported in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Keywords: Clinical, Haematological, Features, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Ilori