The influence of sex on the haematological values of apparently healthy adult Nigerian Sahel goats

Blood samples were collected from fifty apparently healthy adult Sahel goats, twenty five each of male and female in Maiduguri to assess the influence of sex on their haematology. The red blood cell (RBC) counts, white blood cell (WBC) counts, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), platelet counts,  neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils counts were determined. The mean  corpuscular volume (MCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin  concentration (MCHC) were also determined. The RBC, WBC, MCH and neutrophil values were higher (P<0.05) in female than male goats. However, the platelet, MCV, eosinophil and monocyte values were higher (P<0.05) in male than female goats. The PCV, Hb, MCHC, lymphocytes and basophil values were comparable (P>0.05) in both sexes. The variations may be due to breed idiosyncrasies or inherent sex differences among male and female Sahel goats. The haematological values obtained in this study were significant, but did not differ from the normal values for caprine species. In conclusion, sex significantly influenced the RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, platelet, neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte values in this study.Keywords: Haemogram, Maiduguri, Nigeria, Sahel Goats, Se

Retinoblastoma: a most unusual presentation – Case report

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumour in children, with the average age at diagnosis varying from 12 months in bilateral cases to 23 months for unilateral tumours. Extraocular disease has a far lower survival rate than the intraocular one. In the developed world, more than 90% of patients with retinoblastoma survive, however in the developing world, where retinoblastoma exists primarily as anextraocular disease, relatively few patients survive because of late presentation and paucity of treatment options. 2 Presented here is the case report of a 41/ -month old male Nigerian baby, who presented with a 2-week history of rapidly progressive painful proptosis of the right eye. Examination revealed a firm fungating mass arising from the right orbitwhich had pushed the globe supero-nasally. There was severe right lower lid oedema and marked conjunctival chemosis inferiorly, but the cornea was clear. The patient also had right leukocoria. The left eye was normal. An ultrasound scan showed a huge right ocular tumour, solid in consistency with heterogeneous architecture, which appeared to be growingfrom the superior margin of the globe; the finding was reported to be consistent with retinoblastoma. Due to the rapidly progressive and necrotic nature of the tumour, a lid-sparing modified exenteration was done. Thehistopathology findings were consistent with a diagnosis of undifferentiated retinoblastoma. About two weeks after surgery there was tumour recurrence but this regressed following commencement of chemotherapy by the paediatric oncology unit.The tumour recurred despite aggressive chemotherapy and the patient eventually died 6 months later. Conclusion: Retinoblastoma in Third World countries is still a fatal disease, unlike in developed countries where it has a survival rate of over 90%. Poverty and non availability ofsophisticated diagnostic tools make early detection difficult thus increasing mortality from the disease.Key words: retinoblastoma, congenital, unilateral, rapidlyprogressiv

Citric acid Production from Agricultural Wastes using Aspergillus niger Isolated from some Locations within Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

This investigation was carried out to assess citric acid production by Aspergillus species isolated in some locations within Kaduna metropolis Nigeria using standard methods. Fungal isolates identified as Aspergillus niger were obtained from samples collected from four (4) different locations.  Isolates were subjected to substrate preference test using local substrates such as wheat straw, rice straw and potato peel powder. Wheat straw supported the highest growth value of 41%. Screening of A. niger isolates for the production of citric acid showed that the isolate from Kawo (Kw) gave the highest yield of citric acid (0.38g/100ml) on basal screening media. Optimization of pH and temperature were carried out and the optimum temperature and pH for citric acid production by isolate Kw was 30OC (0.65g/100ml) and pH 6.0. The wheat straw treated with 5 N HCl produced a high yield of citric acid with a value of 25.60g/kg while the untreated wheat straw produced a yield of 13.3g/kg. Molecular characterization to confirm the identity of the fungal isolates was carried out by the amplification and sequencing of the 5.8S gene of the ribosomal RNA and the two intergenic spacers ITS1 and ITS2 of the strains. By comparison (BLAST) of Aspergillus niger isolate to reference sequence in the gene bank, a sequence similarity of 99% to 100% of other Aspergillus niger strain was obtained. Various methods of strain improvement techniques could be adopted to increase citric acid production by the A. niger isolates obtained from this study

A Study on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Zea mays L.in Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. Extract Treated Medium

Germination and early seedling growth of Zea mays   in  aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces treated medium  was conducted in the laboratory. The concentration levels of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%  were prepared through serial dilutions, while 0% (distilled water) was used as control. Elemental composition of calyces of H. sabdariffa was determined using standard procedures. 10 seeds of the test crop were sown in sterilized Petri dishes containing two sterile What-Man’s filter paper per treatment. Percentage germination and coefficient of velocity of germination counts were recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after sowing all the seeds.  Growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of the seedlings were measured after 20 days. Elemental analysis of  aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa calyces indicated the presence calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and lead in varied concentrations. The values of coefficient of velocity of germination and percentage germination of Zea mays  were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increase in the concentration of H. sabdariffa  extract, except at 20% concentration level of H. sabdariffa  extract where slight stimulations were recorded in comparison with the control treatment. Similarly, the shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of maize seedlings were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increase in the concentration of H. sabdariffa  extract, except at 20% concentration level of H. sabdariffa  extract where the shoot length was slightly stimulated above that of the control treatment. This study suggests that  aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces could negatively affect the germination and early seedling growth of Z. mays

Anxiety and depression in surgeons: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The unique pressures of a surgical career put surgeons at particular risk of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Surgeons have previously been shown to have a high prevalence of psychological distress. This study aimed to systematically review the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst surgeons, and to identify factors that can modify the risk of anxiety and depression in surgeons. METHODS: A 10-year systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines to identify citations related to the keywords "anxiety" OR "depression" AND "surgeon" in PubMed/Medline and ScienceDirect databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to produce a final list of citations. RESULTS: Thirty-one citations were included with a total of 11,399 participants. The median percentage of anxiety in surgeons was 20 with a range of 54.6%. While the median percentage of depression was 24 with a range of 59%. Risk factors associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depression include female gender, younger age, concurrent burnout, and occupational concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective factors include institutional support and a sense of social belonging. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst surgeons over the past decade. It is imperative to develop strategies to mitigate the effect of anxiety and depression in surgeons

Physiological Studies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Medium Irrigated with Different Sources of Water from Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Physiological studies on Phaseolus vulgaris L. in medium irrigated with different sources of water obtained from Otuoke,  Bayelsa State, Nigeria were conducted in the laboratory. Three (3) sources of water; stream water, rain water and tap water were used alongside a control (distilled water). Analysis of water samples for physico-chemical characteristics was conducted using standard procedures. 10 seeds of the test crop were sown in sterilized Petri dishes containing two sterile What-Man’s filter paper per treatment and replicated five (5) times. The experimental set up was maintained in a growth chamber under light condition at 28±1oC for two (2) weeks. Coefficient of velocity of germination, germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of the seedlings were determined. There were marked variations (P < 0.05) in pH value, contents of dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids as well as mineral elements contents of the three water samples. Similarly, the coefficient of velocity of germination, germination percentage and growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of P. vulgaris varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the three treatments, although in most cases the germination and growth responses were comparatively lower than that of the control treatment.   This study suggests that both nutrients and non- nutrients composition of irrigation water can influence the growth performance of the test crop

Uterine rupture at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar; Nigeria: a six-year review

Background: Ruptured uterus is one of the major complications of labour which contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in low-resource and developing countries. Periodic review is necessary to determine the magnitude, risk factors and feto maternal outcomes to aid to plan prevention reduce maternal and fetal mortality are needed. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, management options, and feto-maternal outcomes of uterine rupture in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar.Methods: Records of women with uterine rupture between January 2013 and December 2018 were retrieved. Sociodemographic data, clinical presentations, surgical options, fetal and maternal outcomes were recorded and analysed. Data was presented in frequencies and percentages.Results: During the study period, total number of deliveries was 11,382 with 41 ruptured uterus giving it an incidence of 0.36 percent. Twenty-eight (71.8%) of the patients were unbooked while 11 (28.2%) were booked. The mean age was 28.08 and majority were para 2 and 3 at 10 (25.6%). Obstructed labour was the commonest cause 28 (71.8%). Rupture of scar contributed to 8 cases (20.5%). Commonest presentation was abdominal pain 25 (64.1%). The commonest surgical procedure was uterine repair alone 21 (53.8%), while repair and bilateral tubal ligation was 8 (20.5%) and hysterectomy 9 (23.1%). Maternal mortality was 1 (2.6%) while fetal mortality was 32 (82.05%). The cause of maternal death was anaemic heart failure.Conclusions: Predisposing factors for uterine rupture at UCTH, Calabar are mostly modifiable. As such integrated efforts to prevent occurrence and ensure prompt management to reduce maternal and fetal mortality are needed.

National Trends in Admission and In-Hospital Mortality of Patients With Heart Failure in the United States (2001–2014)

Background-—To investigate heart failure (HF) hospitalization trends in the United States and change in trends after publication of management guidelines. Methods and Results-—Using data from the National Inpatient Sample and the US Census Bureau, annual national estimates in HF admissions and in-hospital mortality were estimated for years 2001 to 2014, during which an estimated 57.4 million HF-associated admissions occurred. Rates (95% confidence intervals) of admissions and in-hospital mortality among primary HF hospitalizations declined by an average annual rate of 3% (2.5%–3.5%) and 3.5% (2.9%–4.0%), respectively. Compared with 2001 to 2005, the average annual rate of decline in primary HF admissions was more in 2006 to 2009 (ie, 3.4% versus 1.1%; P=0.02). In 2010 to 2014, primary HF admission continued to decline by an average annual rate of 4.3% (95% confidence interval, 3.9%–5.1%), but this was not significantly different from 2006 to 2009 (P=0.14). In contrast, there was no further decline in in-hospital mortality trend after the guideline-release years. For hospitalizations with HF as the secondary diagnosis, there was an upward trend in admissions in 2001 to 2005. However, the trend began to decline in 2006 to 2009, with an average annual rate of 2.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.8%–4%). Meanwhile, there was a consistent decline in in-hospital mortality by an average annual rate of 3.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.3%–4.2%) during the study period, but the decline was more in 2006 to 2009 compared with 2001 to 2005 (ie, 5.4% versus 3.4%; P Conclusions-—From 2001 to 2014, HF admission and in-hospital mortality rates declined significantly in the United States; the greatest improvements coincided with the publication of the 2005 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association HF guidelines. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6:e006955. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.117.006955.

Cyclic peptide production using a macrocyclase with enhanced substrate promiscuity and relaxed recognition determinants

This project was supported by grants from the ERC (no. 339367, MJ), BBSRC IBCatalyst (no. BB/M028526/1, MJ, WEH), BBSRC FoF (no. BB/M013669/1, MJ, WEH), IBioIC Exemplar (no. 2014-2-4, MJ, WEH), an AstraZeneca studentship (MJ, WEH, LT, KR), the Academy of Finland (no. 259505, DPF) and the SULSA leaders award (WEH). The authors like to thank the Aberdeen Proteomics Facility and the Aberdeen School of Natural and Computing Sciences MS Facility for LCMS analysis. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental section, Fig. S1–S60 and Tables S1–S3. See DOI: 10.1039/c7cc05913bPeer reviewedPublisher PD