Isolation and characterization of synthetic detergentdegraders from wastewater

The biodegradability of the principal component of synthetic detergent products known as linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) has been contentious, hence the need to evaluate its primary biodegradation by indigenous microorganisms in wastewater ecosystem. The native microbial consortium of a wastewater ecosystem found to utilize detergent components were characterized using standard and conventional methods. The organisms identified were Enterococcus majodoratus, Klebsiella liquefasciens, Enterobacter liquefasciens, Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter agglomerans, Staphylococcus albus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus sp., Klebsiella oxytoca, Brevibacterium sp., Myceliophthora thermophila, Geomyces sp., Alternaria alternata, Verticillium alboatrum, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus oryzae. Alkaline pH andmesophilic temperature range (33.9 – 34.3oC) was found to be supportive of the metabolic activities of the detergent-degraders in the tropical wastewater ecosystem. The bacterial detergent-degraders weremore of gram-negative than gram-positive. Fungal detergent-degrader activities were abruptly terminated as the pH shifted to the alkaline range probably due to production of alkaline intermediates.The biodegradation of the synthetic detergent components that occurs in wastewaters, sewage treatment plants and in the ultimate open-water receiving ecosystems is primarily the result of microbial activities

Effect of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria on the outcome of pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinic of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Malaria is a public health problem globally especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa and among the under five children and pregnant women. Malaria in pregnancy is well known to be associated with a lot of maternal and fetal complications. Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine is the currently recommended regimen for prevention of malaria in pregnancy in the endemic areas.Objective: The study was on the effect of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy on the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and the outcome of pregnancy.Method: It was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to women in the lying in ward University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, who booked in the hospital, attended at least two antenatal clinic visits and delivered in the hospital.Results: The study revealed that about 75% of the pregnant women studied had access to intermittent preventive treatment of malaria and also that among the women attending the antenatal clinic that received the IPT, about 78% of them took the recommended dose of the IPT. The prevalence of malaria was statistically higher in women who did not receive intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxinepyrimethamine during pregnancy (44.7% vs 31.3%, p=0.0001) and among women who had one dose of the drug instead of two doses (40.0% vs 28.7%, p= 0.0001). There was no statistical significant difference in the mean age in years (31.53±5.238 vs 31.07±4.751, p= 0.09 and the gestational age at delivery (38.76±1.784 vs 38.85±1.459, p= 0.122) between the women who did not receive IPT and those who had it. There was a statistical significant difference in the outcome of pregnancy among women who had IPT and those who did not viz a viz in the duration of labor (8.6±1.491 vs 8.7 ± 1.634, p= 0.011) and the birth weight of the babies (3.138 ±0.402 vs 3.263± 0.398, p=0.0001)Conclusion: Intermittent preventive of malaria with Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in pregnancy is effective as a prophylaxis against malaria and improves the outcome of pregnancy in malaria's endemic areas.Keywords: Pregnancy, Malaria, Intermittent preventive treatment, sulphadoxine-PyrimethamineTrop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 201

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, fruit yield, nutritional and lycopene contents of three varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out to assess the impact of 100% NPK fertilizer recommendation (300 kg NPK 20:10:10), 100% Tithonia compost (TC), 75% NPK + 25% TC, 50% NPK + 50% TC, 25% NPK + 75% TC and control (non-fertilized plant) on the growth, fruit yield, nutritional and lycopene contents of three tomato varieties (Raoma VF; Ogbomoso local and Califonia wonder). The experiment was a split plot fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data were collected on growth and reproductive parameters, fruit and seed attributes, and fruit proximate and nutritional contents. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance to determine significant means. Significant varietal  differences were observed among the tomato varieties in terms of growth, fruit yield and nutritional  attributes. The plant dry matter yield was highest in Ogbomoso local and least in Roma VF. Fruit yield  obtained with Ogbomoso local was 45 and 56% higher than what was obtained for Roma VF and Califonia  wonder, respectively. In terms of vitamin C content, Roma VF fertilized with 50% NPK + 50% TC gave  the highest value which is 23 to 67% higher than values obtained from the other treatment combinations.  Again, irrespective of variety, organically grown tomato contains higher content of lycopene. It was also observed that the higher the proportion of TC compost in the treatments, the better the lycopene content. It could be concluded that the use of organic fertilizer has potential in improving the growth, fruit yield and nutritional contents of any of the three tomato varieties studied. Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum, compost, inorganic fertilizers, fruit yield, nutritional quality, lycopene content.Abbreviation: TC, Tithonia compost; WAT, week after transplanting; TSS, total soluble solid

B-Lynch Suture-Uterine Artery Ligation in Severe Postpartum Haemorrhage: First Experience at a New Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Postpartum haemorrhage is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Numerous medical and surgical methods have been used to arrest bleeding but none has been uniformly successful. Experience withcombined B-Lynch suture(Brace suture) and bilateral uterine artery  devascularisation procedure is limited in southwestern Nigeria as there is dearth of data on it and most times (especially in our center) hysterectomy is done to secure haemostasis in severe postpartum haemorrhage which could as well, in well selected cases, respond to the procedures being described. A combined B-Lynch suture and bilateral ligation of the uterine vessels(the first experience in the centre of study) was done in the case reported below which was successful and effective with no complications. This is thus highly recommended as alternative to obstetric hysterectomy especially in well selected primipara. (B-Lynch, uterine artery ligation, postpartum haemorrhage, Nigeria

Effects of experimental Neisseria meningitis W135 infection on serotoninergic parameters in mice

This study investigated the effects of Neisseria menigitidis W135 infection via intraperitoneal route on plasma free tryptophan concentration, brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in albino mice fed normal and tryptophan-enriched diets. The kinetics of appearance of viable bacteria in the blood, brain and liver following infection were also investigated. The serotoninergic parameters were determined by colorimetric and HPLC methods while colony counts were measured by plate count technique. Compared to normal diet, the tryptophan-enriched diet resulted in significantly (

Death with functioning kidney transplant: an obituarial analysis

Death with a functioning kidney graft (DWFG) is now a major cause of graft loss after renal transplantation, occurring in up to 40% of cases. Its occurrence provides insight into the medical care of subjects with a functioning kidney transplant. In this study, we used the time to DWFG as an endpoint, to test whether improved medical care has contributed to better kidney transplant outcomes. We used single-center data from the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and Froedtert Hospital, on kidney-only transplants from 1969 through 2005. A total of 3,157 kidney transplants were done at our center during this time. There were 714 deaths with functioning kidney. We also recorded the major causes of DWFG over the time period from 1969 through 2005 divided into 3 epochs. The data were analyzed as a serial collection of yearly obituaries. The time to DWFG has increased to 10 years despite a 20-year increase in the mean age of transplant recipients over the same time period. Better pre-transplant evaluation, improved treatments for hypertension and hyperlipidemia, improved management of acute myocardial infarction, superior immunosuppressive protocols and better prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases have all likely contributed to this trend

Constraints to exclusive breastfeeding practice among breastfeeding mothers in Southwest Nigeria: implications for scaling up

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practice of exclusive breastfeeding is still low despite the associated benefits. Improving the uptake and appropriating the benefits will require an understanding of breastfeeding as an embodied experience within a social context. This study investigates breastfeeding practices and experiences of nursing mothers and the roles of grandmothers, as well as the work-related constraints affecting nurses in providing quality support for breastfeeding mothers in Southwest Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a concurrent mixed method approach, a structured questionnaire was administered to 200 breastfeeding mothers. In-depth interviews were also held with breastfeeding mothers (11), nurses (10) and a focus group discussion session with grandmothers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Breastfeeding was perceived as essential to baby's health. It strengthens the physical and spiritual bond between mothers and their children. Exclusive breastfeeding was considered essential but demanding. Only a small proportion (19%) of the nursing mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The survey showed the major constraints to exclusive breastfeeding to be: the perception that babies continued to be hungry after breastfeeding (29%); maternal health problems (26%); fear of babies becoming addicted to breast milk (26%); pressure from mother-in-law (25%); pains in the breast (25%); and the need to return to work (24%). In addition, the qualitative findings showed that significant others played dual roles with consequences on breastfeeding practices. The desire to practice exclusive breastfeeding was often compromised shortly after child delivery. Poor feeding, inadequate support from husband and conflicting positions from the significant others were dominant constraints. The nurses decried the effects of their workload on providing quality supports for nursing mothers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Breastfeeding mothers are faced with multiple challenges as they strive to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Thus, scaling up of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers requires concerted efforts at the macro, meso and micro levels of the Nigerian society.</p

Dendritic Cells in Chronic Mycobacterial Granulomas Restrict Local Anti-Bacterial T Cell Response in a Murine Model

Background: Mycobacterium-induced granulomas are the interface between bacteria and host immune response. During acute infection dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for mycobacterial dissemination and activation of protective T cells. However, their role during chronic infection in the granuloma is poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report that an inflammatory subset of murine DCs are present in granulomas induced by Mycobacteria bovis strain Bacillus Calmette-guerin (BCG), and both their location in granulomas and costimulatory molecule expression changes throughout infection. By flow cytometric analysis, we found that CD11c + cells in chronic granulomas had lower expression of MHCII and co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86, and higher expression of inhibitory molecules PD-L1 and PD-L2 compared to CD11c + cells from acute granulomas. As a consequence of their phenotype, CD11c + cells from chronic lesions were unable to support the reactivation of newly-recruited, antigen 85Bspecific CD4 + IFNc + T cells or induce an IFNc response from naïve T cells in vivo and ex vivo. The mechanism of this inhibition involves the PD-1:PD-L signaling pathway, as ex vivo blockade of PD-L1 and PD-L2 restored the ability of isolated CD11c + cells from chronic lesions to stimulate a protective IFNc T cell response. Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that DCs in chronic lesions may facilitate latent infection by down-regulating protective T cell responses, ultimately acting as a shield that promotes mycobacterium survival. This DC shield may explai

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer: Underlying Pathophysiology and New Therapeutic Modalities

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are major lung diseases affecting millions worldwide. Both diseases have links to cigarette smoking and exert a considerable societal burden. People suffering from COPD are at higher risk of developing lung cancer than those without, and are more susceptible to poor outcomes after diagnosis and treatment. Lung cancer and COPD are closely associated, possibly sharing common traits such as an underlying genetic predisposition, epithelial and endothelial cell plasticity, dysfunctional inflammatory mechanisms including the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, susceptibility to DNA damage and cellular mutagenesis. In fact, COPD could be the driving factor for lung cancer, providing a conducive environment that propagates its evolution. In the early stages of smoking, body defences provide a combative immune/oxidative response and DNA repair mechanisms are likely to subdue these changes to a certain extent; however, in patients with COPD with lung cancer the consequences could be devastating, potentially contributing to slower postoperative recovery after lung resection and increased resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Vital to the development of new-targeted therapies is an in-depth understanding of various molecular mechanisms that are associated with both pathologies. In this comprehensive review, we provide a detailed overview of possible underlying factors that link COPD and lung cancer, and current therapeutic advances from both human and preclinical animal models that can effectively mitigate this unholy relationship