Prevalence of dementia in Nigeria: a systematic review of the evidence

Background The burden of dementia is poorly understood in Nigeria. We sought to gather available epidemiologic evidence on dementia in Nigeria to provide country-wide estimates of its prevalence and associated risks. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Africa Journals Online (AJOL) and Google Scholar for epidemiologic studies on dementia in Nigeria from 1990 to 2018. We pooled crude estimates using random effects meta-analysis. A meta-regression epidemiologic model, using the United Nations demographics for Nigeria, was used to estimate the absolute number of people living with dementia in Nigeria in 1995 and 2015. Results Our searches returned 835 studies, of which nine were selected. These included 10,820 individuals with a median age of 74.4 years. Heterogeneity ( I2 =98.8%, P<0.001) was high across studies. Five studies were conducted in the South-west, and four studies were rated as high quality. The pooled crude prevalence of dementia in Nigeria was 4.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0-6.9) with prevalence significantly higher in women (6.7%, 3.6-9.9) compared to men (3.1%, 1.2-5.0). Age 80+ (odds ratio (OR) 1.6, 1.3-1.9), female sex (OR 2.2, 1.4-3.4) and BMI ≤18.5 (OR 3.5, 1.2-10.1) were significant risks for dementia in Nigeria. Using our epidemiologic model, we estimated that the number of dementia cases increased by over 400% over a 20-year period, increasing from 63,512 in 1995 to 318,011 in 2015 among persons aged ≥60 years. Conclusion Our findings suggest the prevalence and cases of dementia have increased in Nigeria over the last two decades. Population-wide response to dementia is lacking

Combating A36 mild steel corrosion in 1 M H2SO4 medium using watermelon seed oil inhibitor

Corrosion inhibitive performance of the extracted watermelon seed oil on A36 mild steel in 1 M H2SO4 medium, at 305 and 319 K corrosion reaction temperatures, was investigated. Weight loss and inhibition efficiency were determined using gravimetric method while corrosion rate and inhibitoion efficiency were evaluated using potentiodynamic tests. Gravimetric tests showed that watermelon seed oil inhibitor attained a better corrosion inhibition efficiency of 50% at the operating temperature of 305 K compared to an efficiency of 48% obtained at the operating temperature of 319 K. Electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization tests showed that 3 vol/vol% inhibitor concentration gave the most promising corrosion inhibiting results at the operating temperature of 305 K, while 4 vol/vol% inhibitor concentration gave the most reliable corrosion resisting one at the operating temperature of 319 K. Langmuir adsorption isotherm correctly predicted the adsorption behaviour of the watermelon seed oil on A36 mild steel surface in 1 M H2SO4 medium. the negative values of ΔGads revealed the spontaneous adsorption nature of the inhibitor on the mild steel surface and the electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization results showed that the watermelon seed oil acted as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor. The optical image analysis revealed both the potency level of watermelon seed oil as an inhibitor as well as the optimum inhibitor concentrations of 3 vol/vol% (at 305 K) and 4 vol/vol% (at 319 K)

Genome-wide DNA methylation map of human neutrophils reveals widespread inter-individual epigenetic variation

The extent of variation in DNA methylation patterns in healthy individuals is not yet well documented. Identification of inter-individual epigenetic variation is important for understanding phenotypic variation and disease susceptibility. Using neutrophils from a cohort of healthy individuals, we generated base-resolution DNA methylation maps to document inter-individual epigenetic variation. We identified 12851 autosomal inter-individual variably methylated fragments (iVMFs). Gene promoters were the least variable, whereas gene body and upstream regions showed higher variation in DNA methylation. The iVMFs were relatively enriched in repetitive elements compared to non-iVMFs, and were associated with genome regulation and chromatin function elements. Further, variably methylated genes were disproportionately associated with regulation of transcription, responsive function and signal transduction pathways. Transcriptome analysis indicates that iVMF methylation at differentially expressed exons has a positive correlation and local effect on the inclusion of that exon in the mRNA transcript

Understanding How Microplastics Affect Marine Biota on the Cellular Level Is Important for Assessing Ecosystem Function: A Review

Plastic has become indispensable for human life. When plastic debris is discarded into waterways, these items can interact with organisms. Of particular concern are microscopic plastic particles (microplastics) which are subject to ingestion by several taxa. This review summarizes the results of cutting-edge research about the interactions between a range of aquatic species and microplastics, including effects on biota physiology and secondary ingestion. Uptake pathways via digestive or ventilatory systems are discussed, including (1) the physical penetration of microplastic particles into cellular structures, (2) leaching of chemical additives or adsorbed persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and (3) consequences of bacterial or viral microbiota contamination associated with microplastic ingestion. Following uptake, a number of individual-level effects have been observed, including reduction of feeding activities, reduced growth and reproduction through cellular modifications, and oxidative stress. Microplastic-associated effects on marine biota have become increasingly investigated with growing concerns regarding human health through trophic transfer. We argue that research on the cellular interactions with microplastics provide an understanding of their impact to the organisms’ fitness and, therefore, its ability to sustain their functional role in the ecosystem. The review summarizes information from 236 scientific publications. Of those, only 4.6% extrapolate their research of microplastic intake on individual species to the impact on ecosystem functioning. We emphasize the need for risk evaluation from organismal effects to an ecosystem level to effectively evaluate the effect of microplastic pollution on marine environments. Further studies are encouraged to investigate sublethal effects in the context of environmentally relevant microplastic pollution conditions

Rural-urban differences on the rates and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria: further analysis of the Nigeria demographic and health survey, 2013

Background This study investigates and compares the rates and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) within one hour of birth in rural and urban Nigeria. Methods Data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analyzed. The rates of EIBF were reported using frequency tabulation. Associated factors were examined using Chi-Square test and further assessed on multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results The rates of EIBF were 30.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.0, 32.6) and 41.9% (95% CI 39.6, 44.3) in rural and urban residences, respectively (p < 0.001). The North-Central region had the highest EIBF rates both in rural (43.5%) and urban (63.5%) residences. Greater odds of EIBF in rural residence were significantly associated with higher birth order (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.10, 1.60), large birth size (AOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10, 1.60), and health facility delivery (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.23, 1.72). Rural mothers in the rich wealth index, not working and whose husbands obtained at least a secondary school education had significantly higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Regardless of residence, greater odds of EIBF were significantly associated with non-cesarean delivery (Rural AOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.84, 6.62; Urban AOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.60, 3.80) and living in North-Central (Rural AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.34, 2.52; Urban AOR 4.40, 95% CI 3.15, 6.15) region. Also, higher odds of EIBF were significantly associated with living in North-East (Rural AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05, 2.08; Urban AOR 3.50, 95% CI 2.55, 4.83), South-South (Rural AOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.11, 2.10; Urban AOR 2.84, 95% CI 2.03, 3.97) and North-West (Urban residence only AOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.54, 2.80) regions. Conclusions Rural-urban differences in the rates and factors associated with EIBF exist in Nigeria with rural residence having significantly lower rates. Intervention efforts which address the risk factors identified in this study may contribute to improved EIBF rates. Efforts need to prioritize rural mothers generally, (particularly, those in rural North-West region) as well as mothers in urban South-West region of Nigeria

Knowledge and practice of pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

There is a global strategy to improve health through prompt identification and treatment of diseases. The pharmacy profession has remodelled its roles in an attempt to meet these global expectations through pharmaceutical care. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge and practice of pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists in Jos metropolis. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 42 community pharmacists in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State in October 2012 using a self-administered questionnaire as the data collection tool. Completed questionnaires were analysed descriptively and relationship between variables were tested by chi-square test using SPSS version 17. Thirty six questionnaires were completed and returned representing a response rate of 85.7%. All respondents (100%) reported they are knowledgeable about pharmaceutical care while 81% of them practice it. Availability of a private consultation room and number of prescriptions attended to per day were found to positively influence counselling time (p=0.008) and (p=0.026) respectively. Years of experience in practice was found to influence pharmacists’ view on confidentiality of patient information (p=0.031). There was a positive knowledge of pharmaceutical care among community pharmacists in the Jos metropolis with 81% of them reported to be practicing it. Keywords: Pharmaceutical care, Knowledge, practice, community pharmacists, JosJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 10 No. 3 (2013

Comparative Study of the Inhibitive properties of Ethanolic Extract of Gmelina arboreaon Corrosion of Aluminium in Different Media

Inhibition of aluminium corrosion in NaOH and HCl solutions in the absence and presence of Gmelina arborea extract was studied using thermometric method of analysis. Gmelina arborea extract acts as a better inhibitor in the acidic environment than in alkaline environment. The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration but decreased with increase in HClor NaOH corrodent concentration. The inhibiting effect of the Gmelina arborea extract could be attributed to the presence of some phytochemical constituents in the extract which may be adsorbed on the surface of the aluminium. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) of the four isolates obtained from the bulk Gmelina arborea extract proves the inhibition efficacy of the compounds through the process of back donation. Adsorption and/or binding energy data calculated from molecular dynamic simulations shows all the compounds to obey the mechanism of physical mechanism. Fukui indices showed oxygen atoms present in the phytochemical substituents as the active sites for nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks. Quantum chemical parameters and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the spontaneity and adsorption stability of the molecules on aluminium surface respectively

BRIQUETTING OF PALM KERNEL SHELL BIOCHAR OBTAINED VIA MILD PYROLYTIC PROCESS

The production of Palm kernel shell (PKS) fuel briquette via mild pyrolysis is the focus of this paper.&nbsp; The operating temperature was kept constant at 280 0C during carbonization at 30, 60, and 90 minute residence time. Proximate analyses and elemental composition of the char were determined, and also the calorific value of the briquette was obtained to be 20.27 MJ/kg. The briquette specific fuel consumption and the burning rate determined during the water boil test were 0.021kg/l and 1.18g/min respectively. The use of PKS briquette as high grade solid fuel can reduce considerably both environmental pollution emanating from wastes as well the energy crises in most developing countries