Microbial removal efficiency of a natural wastewater treatment system and the impact of its effluent on receiving waters

The discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater into streams is a huge problem indeveloping countries in that it leads to severe environmental degradation, and, also, poses serious public health challenges to communities which live downstream. The study investigated the microbial removal efficiency of individual ponds of a waste stabilization pond system and the overall performance of the treatment systems in the removal of indicator bacteria and organic matter. The impact of the discharged effluent on the receiving waters was evaluated. The final effluent concentration of BOD and TSS were 1.7±1.2 and 10.1±4.3 mg/l, representing overall removal efficiencies of 98.7 and 98.6 percent, respectively. Overall log removal of faecal coliform (FC) and E. coli were 3.8, and 4.7 log units, representing a percentage removal of 98.4 and 99.8 percent, respectively. The mean diversity upstream was 0.11±0.09 while the downstream was 0.14±0.05, and this was not statistically different. The presence of macro-invertebrate families of Elmidae and Libellulidae downstream the point of discharge is an indication of good water quality

Microbial Water Quality Assessment of Packaged Drinking Water of Pre-School Children in some Parts of Accra

Episodes of Cholera outbreaks are still common in most developing countries and children usually are at the greatest risk. This study assessed the importance of diarrhoea-related illnesses among children five years of age or less at the University Hospital, Legon and the importance of packaged water handling in the contamination of drinking water of pre-school children. Diarrhea-related diseases (DRD) accounted for 6.3% of cases involving children five years and below reporting at the University Hospital, Legon during the period of the study. Generally, greater number of cases (DRD) were reported among males (6.9%) than among females (5.6%). High counts above recommended levels of either Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Pseudomonas or Total Coliforms were observed in 88% of the water samples tested. Inadequate cleaning of water bottles and in some instances the use of inappropriate water bottles (reusing PET mineral water containers) contributed to the poor quality of the drinking water of the preschool children. A greater part of the contamination of the drinking water occurred at home and not at the schools. Parents therefore need to be targeted with water, sanitation and hygiene related health education

Photoreactivation of total heterotrophic bacteria in bottled drinking water after inactivation with pulsed ultra-violet light

Bacteria which cause opportunistic infections such as Pseudomonas can self resuscitate incircumstances where effective UV disinfection is compromised and is exposed to sunlight. The study investigated the effect of sub-lethal doses of pulsed ultra-violet (PUV) light on total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) in three brands of bottled water packed in glass and plastic bottles and how photoreactivation and dark repair occurred. The effect of exposure time on photoreactivation of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa after inactivation with PUV was also investigated. THB in brands 1, 2 and 3 were completely inactivated by 7, 3 and 5 pulses of UV light respectively. Light repair of THB varied in the three brands of bottled water due perhaps to differences in the ionic composition of the three brands. Brands 1, 2 and 3 having 0.4, 0.7 and 1.7 log units of repair. respectively. Evidence of dark repair was not significant. Photo-repair in E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased gradually with continual exposure to irradiating light for a period after which there was a decrease, suggesting that for a particular bacterium and illuminating source, an optimum time of exposure exist during which maximum photo-repair occur

Vitamin D3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor-Cognitive Function in −D2R Parkinsonian Mice Model

Background: fourth generation antipsychotics have been implicated in the blockade of calcium signalling through inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on dopaminergic D2 Receptor (D2R). As a result of the abnormal calcium signalling associated with D2R inhibition, changes occur in the motor and memory neural axis leading to the observed behavioural deficits after prolonged haloperidol. Thus, Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R), a calcium controlling receptor in the striatum can be targeted to relief the neurological symptoms associated with haloperidol (−D2R) induced PD. Aim: This study sets to investigate the role of VD3R activation in vitro and in vivo after haloperidolinduced Dopaminergic (D2R) blockade. In addition, we examined the associated neural activity and behavioural changes in parkinsonian and VDRA intervention mice. Methods: Dopaminergic D2R inhibition was investigated in vitro using Melanocytes isolated from the scale of a Tilapia. In four separate set ups, the cells were cultured in calcium free Ringer’s solution as follows; 300 μM haloperidol, 100 μM VD3, 100 mM calcium chloride and a combination of 300 μM haloperidol and 100 μM VD3. Subsequently, dopaminergic vesicle accumulation and calcium signalling were observed in bright field microscopy using blue and green fluorescence probes. In the second phase, PD was induced in adult BALB/c mice (−D2; n = 8) after 14 days of intraperitoneal haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg). A set of n = 4 mice were untreated (−D2) while the other group (n = 4) received 100 mg/Kg of VD3 for 7 days (−D2/+VDR). The control groups (n = 4 each) were treated with normal saline (NS) and VD3 (+VDR) for 14 days. At the end of the treatment phase, the animals were assessed in Rotarod, parallel bar-, cylinder-, Y-Maze-, one trial place recognition- and novel object recognition-(NOR) tests. Neural activity was measured using chronic electrode implants placed in the M1 (motor cortex), CPu (striatum), CA1 (hippocampus) and PFC (prefrontal cortex). Neural activity was compared with the outcomes of behavioural tests for memory and motor functions and data was expressed as mean ± SEM (analysed using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test, significant level was set at 0.05). Results/Discussion: in vitro outcomes show that VDR increase calcium signalling and reverses the effect of haloperidol; specifically by reducing dopaminergic vesicle accumulation in the cell body. Similarly, in vivo neural recordings suggest an increase in calcium hyperpolarization currents in the CPu and PFC of intervention mice (−D2/+VDR) when compared with the parkinsonian mice (−D2). These animals (−D2/+VDR) also recorded an improvement in spatial working memory and motor function versus the Parkinsonian mice (−D2). These outcomes suggest the role of CPu-PFC corticostriatal outputs in the motor-cognitive decline seen in parkinsonian mice. Similarly, VDRA reduced the neural deficits through restoration of calcium currents (burst activities) in the intervention mice (−D2/+VDR). Conclusion: VDRA treatment reduced the motor-cognitive defects observed in haloperidol induced PD. Our findings suggest the role of VDRA in restoration of calcium currents associated with PFC and CPu corticostriatal outputs seen as burst frequencies in in vivo neural recording

Vitamin D 3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor Function in –D 2 R Tardive Dyskinesia Mice Model

Haloperidol-induced dyskinesia has been linked to a reduction in dopamine activity characterized by the inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on D2-receptor (D2R). As a result of D2R inhibition, calcium-linked neural activity is affected and seen as a decline in motor-cognitive function after prolonged haloperidol use in the treatment of psychotic disorders. In this study, we have elucidated the relationship between haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia and the neural activity in motor cortex (M1), basal nucleus (CPu), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (CA1). Also, we explored the role of Vitamin D3 receptor (VD3R) activation as a therapeutic target in improving motor-cognitive functions in dyskinetic mice. Dyskinesia was induced in adult BALB/c mice after 28 days of haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg; intraperitoneal). We established the presence of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in the haloperidol treated mice (−D2) through assessment of the threshold and amplitude of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) for the Limbs (Li) and Orolingual (Ol) area (Li and Ol AIMs). As a confirmatory test, the dyskinetic mice (−D2) showed high global AIMs score when compared with the VD3RA intervention group (−D2/+VDR) for Li and Ol AIMs. Furthermore, in the behavioral tests, the dyskinetic mice exhibited a decrease in latency of fall (LOF; Rotarod-P < 0.05), climbing attempts (Cylinder test; P < 0.05) and latency of Turning (Parallel bar test; LOT-P < 0.05) when compared with the control. The reduced motor function in dyskinetic mice was associated with a decline in CPu-CA1 burst frequencies and an increase in M1-PFC cortical activity. However, after VD3RA intervention (−D2/+VDR), 100 mg/Kg for 7 days, CPu-CA1 burst activity was restored leading to a decrease in abnormal movement, and an increase in motor function. Ultimately, we deduced that VD3RA activation reduced the threshold of abnormal movement in haloperidol induced dyskinesia

Vitamin D 3 Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor - Cognitive Function in − D 2 R Parkinsonian Mice Model

fourth generation antipsychotics have been implicated in the blockade of calcium signalling through inhibition of dopamine receptive sites on dopaminergic D 2 Receptor (D 2 R). As a result of the abnormal calcium signalling associated with D 2 R inhibition, changes occur in the m o- tor and memory neural axis leading to the observed behavioural deficits after prolonged halope r- idol. Thus, Vitamin D 3 receptor (VD 3 R), a calcium controlling receptor in the striatum can be ta r- geted to relief the neurological symptoms associated with haloperidol ( − D 2 R) induced PD. Aim: This study sets to investigate the role of VD3R activation in vitro and in vivo after haloperidol - induced Dopaminergic (D 2 R) blockade. In addi tion, we examined the associated neural activity and behavioural changes in parkinsonian and VDRA intervention mice. Methods: Dopaminergic D 2 R inhibition was investigated in vitro using Melanocytes isolated from the scale of a Tilapia. In four separate set ups, the cells were cultured in calcium free Ringer’s solution as follows; 300 μM haloperidol, 100 μM VD 3 , 100 mM calcium chloride and a combination of 300 μM haloperidol and 100 μM VD 3 . Subsequently, dopaminergic vesicle accumulation and calcium signalling were observed in bright field microscopy using blue and green fluorescence probes. In the second phase, PD was induced in adult BALB/c mice ( − D 2 ; n = 8) after 14 days of intraperitoneal haloperidol treatment (10 mg/Kg). A set of n = 4 mice were untreated ( − D 2 ) while the other group (n = 4) r e- ceived 100 mg/Kg of VD 3 for 7 days ( − D 2 /+VDR). The control groups (n = 4 each) were treated with normal saline (NS) and VD 3 (+VDR) fo r 14 days. At the end of the treatment phase, the animals were assessed in Rotarod, parallel bar - , cylinder - , Y - Maze - , one trial place recognition - and novel object recognition - (NOR) tests. Neural activity was measured using chronic electrode implants plac ed in the M1 (motor cortex), CPu (striatum), CA1 (hippocampus) and PFC (prefrontal cortex). Neural activity was compared with the outcomes of behavioural tests for memory and motor fun c- tions and data was expressed as mean ± SEM (analysed using ANOVA with T ukey post - hoc test, significant level was set at 0.05). Results/Discussion: in vitro outcomes show that VDR increase calcium signalling and reverses the effect of haloperidol; specifically by reducing dopaminergic vesicle accumulation in the cell body. Sim ilarly, in vivo neural recordings suggest an increase in calcium hyperpolarization currents in the CPu and PFC of intervention mice ( − D 2 /+VDR) when compared with the parkinsonian mice ( − D 2 ). These animals ( − D 2 /+VDR) also recorded an i m- provement in spatial working memory and motor function versus the Parkinsonian mice ( − D 2 ). These outcomes suggest the role of CPu - PFC corticostriatal outputs in the motor - cognitive decline seen in parkinsonian mice. Similarly, VDRA reduced the neural deficits through restorati on of ca l- cium currents (burst activities) in the intervention mice ( − D 2 /+VDR). Conclusion: VDRA treatment reduced the motor - cognitive defects observed in haloperidol induced PD. Our findings suggest the role of VDRA in restoration of calcium currents assoc iated with PFC and CPu corticostriatal ou t- puts seen as burst frequencies in in vivo neural recording

Choice of the initial antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive individuals in the era of integrase inhibitors

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the most frequently prescribed initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens in recent years in HIV-positive persons in the Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) and to investigate factors associated with the choice of each regimen. METHODS: We analyzed initial ART regimens prescribed in adults participating in CoRIS from 2014 to 2017. Only regimens prescribed in >5% of patients were considered. We used multivariable multinomial regression to estimate Relative Risk Ratios (RRRs) for the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the choice of the initial regimen. RESULTS: Among 2874 participants, abacavir(ABC)/lamivudine(3TC)/dolutegavir(DTG) was the most frequently prescribed regimen (32.1%), followed by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC)/elvitegravir(EVG)/cobicistat(COBI) (14.9%), TDF/FTC/rilpivirine (RPV) (14.0%), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC/EVG/COBI (13.7%), TDF/FTC+DTG (10.0%), TDF/FTC+darunavir/ritonavir or darunavir/cobicistat (bDRV) (9.8%) and TDF/FTC+raltegravir (RAL) (5.6%). Compared with ABC/3TC/DTG, starting TDF/FTC/RPV was less likely in patients with CD4100.000 copies/mL. TDF/FTC+DTG was more frequent in those with CD4100.000 copies/mL. TDF/FTC+RAL and TDF/FTC+bDRV were also more frequent among patients with CD4<200 cells//muL and with transmission categories other than men who have sex with men. Compared with ABC/3TC/DTG, the prescription of other initial ART regimens decreased from 2014-2015 to 2016-2017 with the exception of TDF/FTC+DTG. Differences in the choice of the initial ART regimen were observed by hospitals' location. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of initial ART regimens is consistent with Spanish guidelines' recommendations, but is also clearly influenced by physician's perception based on patient's clinical and sociodemographic variables and by the prescribing hospital location

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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