Status of clean gene (selection marker-free)technology

The ever-increasing world population has created two major problems: more mouths to feed and less land to farm. While classical breeding has enormously helped in providing more food, a lot still needsto be done. Transformation biotechnology can also help especially where classical breeding lacks solution (e.g. limited availability of stable and durable genetic source of resistance). However, planttransformation technologies require selectable marker genes to produce transgenic plants but such genes are of no value thereafter; in fact, marker genes in transgenic plants are perceived to pose potential bio-safety problems. In all genetic transformation technologies based on direct gene transfer (electroporation of protoplasts, particle bombardment etc) the selectable marker genes generally cointegratewith the gene of interest(s) in one Mendelian locus in the plant genome; hence, their removal is highly desirable. This may also help in the acceptability of transgenic plants by society. Transgenicplants that contain the desired gene of interest but lack the selection marker gene used in its production are termed “clean” and the methods utilized in their production are referred to as “clean gene” technology. There are several proved methods of eliminating selectable marker genes and these include: (A) Marker gene excision consisting of (1) intra-genomic relocation of transgenes via transposable elements, (2) site-specific recombination systems and (3) intra-chromosomalrecombination. (B) Gene replacement or Targeted gene replacement; and (C) transformation with multiple T-DNAs, which could result in linked and/or unlinked co-integration of transgenes. Unlinkedtransgenes are then segregated out during meiosis

Pattern of gynaecological consultations at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital

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Simple, effective and economical explant-surface sterilization protocol for cowpea, rice and sorghum seeds

Three different surface sterilization methods were evaluated using seeds and excised embryos of cowpea, rice and sorghum as explants: Method 1: Ethanol alone in concentrations of 95, 90, 85 and 70% at different time intervals and observed at different days. Method 2: Locally produced bleaching solution (JIK® -Reckitt and Benckiser (Nig) Ltd) containing 3.5% Sodium hypochlorite) at different time intervals, observed at different days. Method 3 (The control): The routinely used two step sterilization procedure using 90% ethanol for 3 min followed by sodium hypochlorite 3.5% for 30 min. This is commonly used in most laboratories. However, neat concentration of the locally produced bleaching solution of JIK® (-Reckitt and Benckiser (Nig) Ltd) containing 3.5% sodium hypochlorite was used instead of the pure sodium hypochlorite solution. Our results showed that Method 2 produced the highest reduction in bacterial and fungal contamination (0%) at time intervals between 20 - 45 min. The search for a simple, rapid and economical method of sterilizing explants for tissues culture, instead of the orthodox two-step -two reagent - technique, necessitated these experiments; we would, therefore recommend this technique due to its simplicity and economy

Reference values of haematological parameters of healthy adults in the north central zone of Nigeria

Background: Haematological parameters differ from one population to another due to several factors. To determine the clinical implication of the blood parameters of an individual in the state of health or disease, we need to have the knowledge of the normal reference range for that locality.Objectives: To determine the reference values of haematological parameters of apparently healthy adults in Ilorin.Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Ilorin, North Central zone of NigeriaSubjects: Nine hundred and ten (443 males and 467 females) randomly selected normal, HIV negative individuals aged 18-65 yearsResults: The red blood cell count, Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCHC were significantly higher among males than females while the platelet count, total WBC count and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher in females than in males. There was however no significant gender difference in the values of MCV, MCH and absolute lymphocyte count. The normal reference values obtained in this study were notably different from those that are used currently in the hospital.Conclusion: The normal reference value obtained in this study was notable different from those that are currently used in the hospital. These findings will have clinical implications regarding the adjustment of our current reference values and definitely add value to the management of patients in this part of the country

Determinants of insecticide-treated net ownership and utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem in Nigeria leading to increase in the risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight and infant mortality. This paper is aimed at highlighting key predictors of the ownership of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and its use among pregnant women in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 2348 pregnant women were selected by a multi-stage probability sampling technique. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, ITN ownership, use, knowledge, behaviour and practices. Logistic regression was used to detect predictors of two indicators: ITN ownership, and ITN use in pregnancy among those who owned ITNs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ITN ownership was low; only 28.8% owned ITNs. Key predictors of ITN ownership included women who knew that ITNs prevent malaria (OR = 3.85; <it>p </it>< 0001); and registration at antenatal clinics (OR = 1.34; <it>p </it>= 0.003). The use of ITNs was equally low with only 7.5% of all pregnant women, and 25.7% of all pregnant women who owned ITNs sleeping under a net. The predictors of ITN use in pregnancy among women who owned ITNs (N = 677) identified by logistic regression were: urban residence (OR = 1.87; <it>p </it>= 0.001); knowledge that ITNs prevent malaria (OR = 2.93; <it>p </it>< 0001) and not holding misconceptions about malaria prevention (OR = 1.56; <it>p </it>= 0.036). Educational level was not significantly related to any of the two outcome variables. Although registration at ANC is significantly associated with ownership of a bednet (perhaps through free ITN distribution) this does not translate to significant use of ITNs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ITN use lagged well behind ITN ownership. This seems to suggest that the current mass distribution of ITNs at antenatal facilities and community levels may not necessarily lead to use unless it is accompanied by behaviour change interventions that address the community level perceptions, misconceptions and positively position ITN as an effective prevention device to prevent malaria</p

Global, regional, and national sex-specific burden and control of the HIV epidemic, 1990-2019, for 204 countries and territories: the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019

Background: The sustainable development goals (SDGs) aim to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Understanding the current state of the HIV epidemic and its change over time is essential to this effort. This study assesses the current sex-specific HIV burden in 204 countries and territories and measures progress in the control of the epidemic. Methods: To estimate age-specific and sex-specific trends in 48 of 204 countries, we extended the Estimation and Projection Package Age-Sex Model to also implement the spectrum paediatric model. We used this model in cases where age and sex specific HIV-seroprevalence surveys and antenatal care-clinic sentinel surveillance data were available. For the remaining 156 of 204 locations, we developed a cohort-incidence bias adjustment to derive incidence as a function of cause-of-death data from vital registration systems. The incidence was input to a custom Spectrum model. To assess progress, we measured the percentage change in incident cases and deaths between 2010 and 2019 (threshold >75% decline), the ratio of incident cases to number of people living with HIV (incidence-to-prevalence ratio threshold <0·03), and the ratio of incident cases to deaths (incidence-to-mortality ratio threshold <1·0). Findings: In 2019, there were 36·8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 35·1–38·9) people living with HIV worldwide. There were 0·84 males (95% UI 0·78–0·91) per female living with HIV in 2019, 0·99 male infections (0·91–1·10) for every female infection, and 1·02 male deaths (0·95–1·10) per female death. Global progress in incident cases and deaths between 2010 and 2019 was driven by sub-Saharan Africa (with a 28·52% decrease in incident cases, 95% UI 19·58–35·43, and a 39·66% decrease in deaths, 36·49–42·36). Elsewhere, the incidence remained stable or increased, whereas deaths generally decreased. In 2019, the global incidence-to-prevalence ratio was 0·05 (95% UI 0·05–0·06) and the global incidence-to-mortality ratio was 1·94 (1·76–2·12). No regions met suggested thresholds for progress. Interpretation: Sub-Saharan Africa had both the highest HIV burden and the greatest progress between 1990 and 2019. The number of incident cases and deaths in males and females approached parity in 2019, although there remained more females with HIV than males with HIV. Globally, the HIV epidemic is far from the UNAIDS benchmarks on progress metrics. Funding: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Institute on Aging of the NIH

Predictors of vaginal delivery in nulliparous mothers

Background: Nulliparity is an obstetric high-risk group whose labor,  compared with multiparae, are more likely to develop labor abnormalities that requires intervention. The aim of this report is todetermine factors that influence vaginal delivery in nulliparae.Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was done on 286 eligible booked nulliparae in labor, to determine factors associated with vaginal delivery. Information about each patient’s social demographic factors, and physical characteristics such as height and weight, events in labor and mode of delivery were recorded in the data sheet. Bivariate analysis was done using Chi square, while multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression. Level of significance was put at P &lt; 0.05.Results: Of a total of 944 primigravidae delivered in the unit during the study period, 286 (30.3%) were eligible for the study. Vaginal delivery was achieved in 214 (74.8%) of the eligible parturient, while 72 (25.2%) had emergency caesarean delivery. Indications for the caesarean delivery were: failure to progress (46; 63.9%), fetal distress (20; 27.8%), maternal distress (5; 8.0%), and rapidly developing pre-eclampsia in labor (1,  0.3%). The birth weight of the baby ranged between 2.0 and 4.5 kg with mean weight of 3.1 ± 0.4 kg. Birth weight (odd ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21-0.78), fetal head engagement in early labor (OR = 10.30, 95% CI = 1.35-78.69), and maternal body mass index(BMI) (odd ratio [OR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-4.20) were found to be predictors of vaginal delivery.Conclusion: Normal range of maternal BMI, fetal head engagement and normal range of fetal birth weight were found to be the factors associated with vaginal delivery in nulliparae. Variations in these three factors may be the underlying reason for failure to progress, which is the most common indication for caesarean section among this population of parturient.Keywords: Emergency caesarean section, labor, nulliparae, primigravidae, vaginal deliver

Performance Evaluation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Computer Simulation

The search for sustainable energy source that can compete with the existing one led to the discovery and acceptance of fuel cell technologies as a perfect replacement for fossil fuel. The ability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) to capture the heat generation during the process of energy generation from electrochemical reactions favoured their recognition as a promising alternative energy source. This study therefore, focuses on the investigation of operating parameters on the SOFC performance through computer simulation of the developed mathematical model. This is achieved by simulating the effects of operating parameters on the SOFC performance. The results of computer simulation obtained reveal that pressure of the fuel, pressure of the oxidant and concentration of the fuel positively affects the SOFC performance. Analyses of these results also show that the operating temperature negatively affects the performance of the cell, for instance as cell temperature increases from 800oC to 1000oC the cell voltage decrease from 0.8402 V to 0.8400 V. The simulation of the cell efficiency also indicates that all the parameters investigated via computer simulation also affect the efficiency of the fuel cell with maximum heat generation of 19000 kJ. The developed model can be employ to predict SOFC performance at different operating conditions.Keywords:Alternative energy, technologies of fuel cells, mathematical modeling, computer simulation and solid oxide fuel cell