Antifungal Potential of Four Aloe Species

Increase in the use of biologically based fungicides for controlling plant and human pathogens in the recent years have led to this research to determine the efficacy of solvent type, to determine the best species of aloe for breeding new variety with more potent biocides for controlling these fungal pathogens under reducing the use of synthetic fungicides which have long term adverse effect on the environment, plant and the end users. The biocides of the leaves and the roots of four species of aloe (Aloe keayi, Aloe macrocarpa var. major, Aloe schwenfurthii and Aloe vera) were extracted with four different solvents (i.e. acetone, ethanol, methanol and hot water) while their fungicidal properties were investigated against three fungal pathogens of crops (Sclerotium rolfsii, Trichoderma rubrum and Colletotrichum lindemuthiamum). The result shows that A. macrocarpa var. major and A. schwenfurthii are the most suitable parental genotypes for the breeding of an aloe with more potent biocides

Tackling COVID-19 through the One Health Approach

The Covid-19 pandemic is currently ravaging the globe with enormous morbidity and mortality. This pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 started from China and has spread across the globe. Initial reports indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 initially emerged among animals from where they transfer to humans. Different strategies deployed to curtail the pandemic have yielded little result. Therefore, the One-Health concept may compliment existing strategies. The One Health places emphasis on the between the animal-human-ecosystem interface and how this can be used to tackle public health problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic. One Health Surveillance will involve tracking viral pathogens in animals to access risk of transfer to humans. It will also stimulate targeted approaches for prevention and treatment of viral zoonotic infections. There should be an integrated and interdisciplinary One-Health surveillance that should incorporate veterinary, medical or public health and environmental scientists to synergise surveillance effort to track emergence of infectious diseases in the future

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan.

This study investigated the awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample for the study was drawn from the population through simple Random sampling technique, and a total of 131 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple percentage, mean, mean ratings and standard deviation. Findings showed that 66.4% of the postgraduate students were generally aware of electronic databases but very few of the students were aware of each of the electronic databases that were available in the university. It was discovered that majority of the respondents used electronic databases to a high extent for carrying research work, literature searching, generate new information and to update knowledge. Results from the analysis also showed that the frequent use of the electronic databases by postgraduate students was low. The major hindrances to using electronic databases were found to be slow internet connectivity, incessant power outrage, no access to full text of citation/abstracts and inadequate infrastructure for accessing electronic resources It was recommended that librarians should make these electronic databases known to postgraduate students by educating them on its uses and benefits and to develop their information retrieval skills

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan

Globalisation through modern information and communication technology (ICT) is revolutionising the conduct of teaching and research in universities all over the world, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria. One significant impact of globalisation, information and communication technology on teaching and research in developing countries is access to global information resources by researchers and postgraduate students of the universities. The university remains a centre of excellence, a citadel of learning, and more importantly the epitome of research

Antibiotic resistance and Molecular characterization of Salmonella in diarrhoeal patients’ faeces in south-western Nigeria

The study reports the prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) and molecular chacterization of resistance (BlaCTX and GyrA) genes in Salmonella recovered from stool samples of diarrhoeal patients in Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. Salmonella was cultured on molten Salmonella and Shigella agar (Oxoid, Ltd, Bashingstoke, Hampshire, England) plate at 370C. Susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics was done on Mueller Hinton (Himedia lab Ltd, Vadhani) by disk diffusion technique. Detection of plasmid DNA in multiple antibiotic resistant isolates was carried out by alkali lysis (TENS) method and resistance genes (BlaCTX and GyrA) were detected by the polymerase chain reaction. A total of 69 Salmonella (S.Typhimurium(82.6 %), S.Typhi(10.1 %) and S.ParatyphiA (7.3 %)) were cultured from 187 diarrhoeal stool samples analysed. Resistance was mostly to nitrofurantoin (100%), ceftriazone (97.2 %), and gentamicin (94.2 %) among others.  Sixty seven (97.1 %) of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least two different classes of antibiotics with 32 antibiotypes. Multiple plasmids of molecular weights (1.46 - 23.13 kbp) and resistance genes (GyrA-282 bp, blaCTX-480 bp) were detected in the representative MAR isolates. The prevalence of MAR Salmonella in diarrhoeal patients’ stool samples is high in the study area with attendant public health and economic loss consequences. Keywords:Salmonella, diarrhoea, antibiotic resistance, plasmid, resistance gene

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Elevated serum β2-microglobulin in individuals coinfected with hepatitis B and hepatitis D virus in a rural settings in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Objective Coinfection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with hepatitis D virus (HDV) has being reported to increase severity of progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Beta microglobulin (2βM) which is present on the surfaces of blood cells in acceptable levels is a tumor marker which may become elevated in disease conditions. This study hence observed the prevalence of HBV and HDV coinfection in a rural population and their 2βM concentration. Results Of the 368 samples, 66 (17.9%) were positive to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 33 (50%) were coinfected with HDV, 8 (2.1%) were monoinfected with HDV. 2βM concentration increased beyond the normal level in individuals coinfected with HBV and HDV as compared with the monoinfected individuals. Coinfection resulted in the increased concentration of 2βM in HBV and HDV coinfection and the likelihood of progression to HCC and LC may not be ruled out. Monoinfection with HDV also had high 2βM concentration but this is due to having being infected with a non-detected HBV or chronic infection in which HBV is clearing

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan.

This study investigated the awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample for the study was drawn from the population through simple Random sampling technique, and a total of 131 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple percentage, mean, mean ratings and standard deviation. Findings showed that 66.4% of the postgraduate students were generally aware of electronic databases but very few of the students were aware of each of the electronic databases that were available in the university. It was discovered that majority of the respondents used electronic databases to a high extent for carrying research work, literature searching, generate new information and to update knowledge. Results from the analysis also showed that the frequent use of the electronic databases by postgraduate students was low. The major hindrances to using electronic databases were found to be slow internet connectivity, incessant power outrage, no access to full text of citation/abstracts and inadequate infrastructure for accessing electronic resources It was recommended that librarians should make these electronic databases known to postgraduate students by educating them on its uses and benefits and to develop their information retrieval skills

Asymptomatic Candiduria among Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Risk and Sociodemographic Factors, Prevalence, Virulence Markers and Antifungal Susceptibility

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been considered as one of the predisposing factors for candiduria and Candida urinary tract infections. The study determined the socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors of DM patients with asymptomatic candiduria and ascertained the prevalence, virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility of Candida isolated. Socio-demographic and risk factors were obtained via questionnaires. Microscopic, macroscopic and chemical analysis of mid-stream urine (MSU) samples were determined by microbiological method and dipsticks. The characterization, virulence factors, antibiotic susceptibility of Candida isolates were determined by conventional, mycological media and disc diffusion techniques, respectively. Of the 51 MSU samples, ≥ 31.4% were amber and clear in colour, contained yeast cells and leukocytes; between 5.9 to 25.5% had hyaline casts, urobilinogen, epithelial cells, red blood cells, pus cells and nitrite, while the specific gravity was ≥ 1.015. The prevalence of candiduria among subjects with respect to age, types and duration of diabetes, gender, tobacco and alcohol consumption were not significant (p ≥ 0.005). Candida dubliniensis and C. parapsilosis prevalence was highest in subjects with random blood sugar (mg/dL) of ≥ 400 and 300-399, respectively. Of the 39 isolates, 64.1% were Fluconazole sensitive, 10.3% were dose dependent susceptible to Ketoconazole, 74.4% exhibited Voriconazole sensitivity, 100% C. dubliniensis were Clotrimazole sensitive, ≤ 28.6% C. tropicalis and C. glabrata were resistant to Amphotericin B and Itraconazole, while between 23.1% and 71.8% isolates produced hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm. This study revealed the socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors among subjects and the necessity to continuously investigate pathogenic Candida against antifungal agents for effective treatments of asymptomatic candiduria in diabetes mellitus patients

Anti-craving Property of Chlorpromazine in Pentazocine addiction among sickle cell disease patients: A Case Series

Background: Opioids are useful in the management of vaso-occlusive crisis among Sickle Cell Disease patients; however, there is a need to search for drugs that can ameliorate the withdrawal symptoms without causing further dependence. Case presentations: Three patients living with Sickle cell disease abusing Pentazocine were managed with Tab Chlorpromazine 100mg twice daily for three weeks and had a significant reduction in the level of craving and also experienced improved sleep. Chlorpromazine demonstrates a high affinity for dopamine (DA) receptors and acts as a receptor antagonist by inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity.  Conclusion: Chlorpromazine was found to be useful in the management of cravings associated with Pentazocine addiction