Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Manihot esculenta Root Starch by Alpha-Amylase and Glucoamylase Using Response Surface Methodology

Cassava starch hydrolysis was investigated in this study using alpha amylase and glucoamylase. The effects of process variables, namely: temperature, pH and time were studied and optimized for hydrolysis of cassava (Manihot esculenta) flour to glucose syrup. Three levels of process variables were used for the study. The three levels of process variables were: temperature (60, 67 and 74 oC), time (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 h) and pH (4.5, 5 and 5.5). A polynomial regression model was developed using the experimental data. The results showed that production of reducing sugar was strongly affected by the variation of variables on alpha amylase and glucoamylase hydrolysis of cassava starch. The fit of the model was expressed by the coefficient of determination R2 which was found to be 0.948 indicating that 94.8 % of the variability in the response can be explained by the model. The value also indicates that only 5.2 % of the total variation is not explained by the model. This shows that equation (2) is a suitable model to describe the response of the experiment pertaining to reducing sugar production. The statistical significance of the model was validated by F-test for analysis of variance (p ? 0.05). For alpha amylase and glucoamylase hydrolysis, the optimum value of temperature, time and pH were found to be 74 oC, pH 5.5 and time 1.5 h. The maximum reducing sugar production at optimum condition was 257 g/l representing 73.43 % conversion or 73.43 dextrose equivalent (DE). Key words: cassava starch, hydrolysis, factorial design, glucose syrup, dextrose equivalent

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of COVID-19 guidelines among health care workers in Alex Ekwueme Federal University teaching hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background: COVID-19 is a major Public Health challenge that has affected the world’s economy. Assessment of the knowledge, attitude and practices of Healthcare workers (HCWs) towards COVID-19 can improve or sustain the successes recorded by relevant agencies in the fight against COVID-19.Methods: a cross-sectional survey was done using semi-structured questionnaires and simple sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: Out of the 368 respondents, 205 were doctors while 150 were nurses. Others were clerical workers, administrative officers and maintenance workers. Knowledge of COVID-19 was generally high amongst respondents recording a correct response to questions about knowledge of COVID-19 in more than 90% of the case. However, the attitude and practice of COVID-19 infection, prevention and control protocols were poor. Out of the respondents, 41.8% would not stay at home if they had minor COVID-19 like symptoms; only 39.4% would take responsibility to ensure people around them follow good respiratory hygiene. Respondents who would keep social distancing while talking with co-workers, ensure safe disposal of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and safe waste management of PPEs were 56%, 39.9% and 53.8% respectively.Conclusions: Knowledge of COVID-19 prevention protocols is high but attitude/practice of these laid out protocols still desires a lot of effort from HCWs. There is need for training/retraining of HCWs on COVID-19 infection, prevention and control strategies to ensure the success being recorded against the disease is sustained while preventing the possibility of a second wave of infection

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Knowledge of Occupational Hazards and Post Exposure Prohylaxis by Hospital Cleaners to HIV and Other Blood Borne Pathogens: Findings from Ten Hospitals in Abakaliki, Nigeria "Knowledge of Occupational Hazards and Post Exposure Prohylaxis by Hospital Clean

Abstract Background: Medical wastes unlike other waste products constitute a serious health hazard to its handlers, patients and the community at large. Objective: This study assessed the level of awareness of hospital cleaners on occupational hazards, safety measures and post exposure prophylaxis to HIV in 10 hospitals in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on ninety hospital cleaners working in ten public and privately owned hospitals in Abakaliki. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection and data analysis was done with SPSS version 19. Results: This showed that out of 90 respondents sampled, 68 questionnaires were available for analysis. This gave a response rate of 75.6%. It was observed that knowledge of occupational hazards was fairly high (82.4%) among the participants; this was due to training on hospital waste management and experience from the Job. Safety measures to mitigate occupational hazard was inconsistently and incorrectly used by the respondents. A fairly significant proportion of participants were aware of their HIV (72.1%), Hepatitis B (47.1%) and C viruses (48.5%) status. Only half (50%) were immunized for Hepatitis B virus and as well as had knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Conclusion: Occupational exposure of health care providers to hazardous hospital waste is a significant public health problem. Therefore, healthcare managers and policy makers should institute astute measures to improve the knowledge of occupational hazards, as well as provide personal protective device to hospital waste handlers. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV should be domiciled in healthcare centre for the benefit of exposed individuals

Pregnancy Outcome in Grandmultiparae at a University Teaching Hospital in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract Background: Grandmultiparity has been described as an independent risk factor for a variety of obstetric complications, especially in developing countries with inadequate health facilities. Aim: To compare the pregnancy outcomes of grandmultiparas with that of multiparas at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. Patients and Methods: The antenatal complications and pregnancy outcomes among booked grandmultiparas who delivered in our labour ward were compared with those of booked multiparae who delivered immediately after a grandmultipara. Main outcome measures: These were obstetric factors of maternal age and parity, antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage, foetal malpresentations and malpositions, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery and maternal mortality. Medical complications were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anaemia and heart disease. Foetal outcome measures were birth weight, neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia, congenital malformations and perinatal mortality. Results: The age range of the grandmultiparae was between 23 and 45 years, with a mean of 31.6±2.1 years. The parity range was between 5 and 12, with a mean of 8.6±1.1. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, anaemia, multiple pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, foetal malpositionings and malpresentations, cephalopelvic disproportion, congenital malformations and macrosomia were significantly associated with grandmultiparae. Conclusion: The effects of these complications can be minimized by good antenatal care, adequate counseling to improve patients awareness, efficient social welfare support services and efficient blood banking system. Ultimately, female education and empowerment, acceptance and utilization of modern contraceptive methods will eradicate grandmultiparity

Reasons for Seeking Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV in A Paediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic in Owerri, Nigeria

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) includes amongst others drug intervention to help prevent  infection in a person exposed to the risk of infection. Where indicated PEP should be started  within 72 hours and adherence to a full 28-day course of antiretrovirals is critical to the effectiveness of the intervention. This study  sought to identify the reason(s)  on account of which  patients  presented at the  Paediatric infectious diseases clinic of the Federal medical centre ,Owerri  for HIV  Post exposure prophylaxis. It involved the retrospective analysis of medical  records of  patients who presented for PEP for HIV  between January 2012 and June 2020.  A total of 190 patients presented during the study period for PEP for HIV. Their  ages ranged  from 3 to 18years. Mean Age (Mean ± SD) = 12.23 ± 4. There were 178(92.7%)  females and 12(6.3%) males.  The major reason for seeking PEP by patients was on account of rape , others were human bite and needle prick. About a third of the patients  presented beyond  72 hours after the exposure occurred. There was a statistically significant association between age  of the patient   and  reason for seeking PEP (p = 0.01)  but the relationship between the reason for  seeking PEP  and interval between time of exposure and time of presentation was not statistically significant. (p = 0.394). The major reason for seeking HIV Post exposure prophylaxis  in the  clinic was rape  and a third of the patients presented to the clinic beyond  72 hours  after  exposure to the risk event

The political question and litigating loss and damage: Any hope for victims of climate change induced impacts in Nigeria?

There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions from governments, the private sector and civil societies. This paper conducts an x-ray of political questions relating to climate change issues. This can be achieved by making departure from the provisions of section 6(6)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution by proactive interpretation of sections 13, 14(2), 20 and Item 60(a) of the Exclusive Legislative List of the said Constitution. The philosophical underpinning of this preposition is to enable the courts avoid injustice and absurdity in addressing claims for loss and damages linked to climate change induced impacts

Unconventional Composite Feed Ingredients on Storage and Sensory Attributes of Chicken Meat

Aim: The present study investigated the effect of unconventional (Carica papaya, Manihot esculenta leaf and Brassica oleracea var. capitata leaves) Composite Feed Ingredients on storage and sensory attributes of chicken meat. Study Design: Quasi Experimental Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Production and Health Technology, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo-Ohaji, June 2020-April, 2021.  Methodology: Arbor Acres broiler reared with unconventional composite feed ingredients, consisting of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% proportions of Homogenized Vegetable Meal (HVM) was used. After six weeks, the broilers were slaughtered, cleaned and stored in the freezer at the temperature of 30C. Nutrient Agar (NA), Mac Conkey Agar (MCA) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) were the media used for the determination of bacterial and fungi growth on chicken meats during storage. Sensory evaluation of chicken meats was determined after 14 days of storage. Results: The result revealed low (3.4x 105-8x105) microbial and fungi (2.1 x105-7 x105) growth on the chicken meat samples. There was no significant difference (P=0.05) in the sensory attributes (taste, colour, aroma and general acceptability) tested. The chicken meats were generally (7.6 -7.8) acceptable by the taste panel members after 14 days of storage. Conclusion: The inclusion of unconventional (leave) ingredients in broiler feed did not affect the storage of chicken meat, rather some sensory attributes (aroma and colour) of chicken meat were improved