An assessment of the levels of phthalate esters and metals in the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This work reports the determination of the levels of phthalate esters (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)) and metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron, calcium) in composite soil samples. The soil samples were collected randomly within the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, South Africa. Control samples were collected about 200 m away from the open dump. The phthalate esters were separated and determined by capillary gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector, whilst the metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Open dump values for the phthalate esters and metals to be generally higher in comparison to control samples for DMP, DEP, DBP and DEHP – the mean values calculated were 0.31 ± 0.12, 0.21 ± 0.05, 0.30 ± 0.07, and 0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively, for the open dump soil samples. Nonetheless, the mean open dump values for lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron and calcium were 0.07 ± 0.04, 0.003 ± 0.001, 5.02 ± 1.92, 0.31 ± 0.02, 11.62 ± 9.48 and 0.12 ± 0.13 mg/kg, respectively. The results were compared statistically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results revealed that the discarding of wastes into the open dump is a potential source of soil contamination in the immediate vicinity and beyond, <it>via </it>dispersal. Increased levels of phthalate esters and metals in the soil pose a risk to public health, plants and animals. Sustained monitoring of these contaminants is recommended, in addition to upgrading the facility to a landfill.</p

Y Chromosome Lineages in Men of West African Descent

The early African experience in the Americas is marked by the transatlantic slave trade from ∼1619 to 1850 and the rise of the plantation system. The origins of enslaved Africans were largely dependent on European preferences as well as the availability of potential laborers within Africa. Rice production was a key industry of many colonial South Carolina low country plantations. Accordingly, rice plantations owners within South Carolina often requested enslaved Africans from the so-called “Grain Coast” of western Africa (Senegal to Sierra Leone). Studies on the African origins of the enslaved within other regions of the Americas have been limited. To address the issue of origins of people of African descent within the Americas and understand more about the genetic heterogeneity present within Africa and the African Diaspora, we typed Y chromosome specific markers in 1,319 men consisting of 508 west and central Africans (from 12 populations), 188 Caribbeans (from 2 islands), 532 African Americans (AAs from Washington, DC and Columbia, SC), and 91 European Americans. Principal component and admixture analyses provide support for significant Grain Coast ancestry among African American men in South Carolina. AA men from DC and the Caribbean showed a closer affinity to populations from the Bight of Biafra. Furthermore, 30–40% of the paternal lineages in African descent populations in the Americas are of European ancestry. Diverse west African ancestries and sex-biased gene flow from EAs has contributed greatly to the genetic heterogeneity of African populations throughout the Americas and has significant implications for gene mapping efforts in these populations

Genetic drivers of heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes pathophysiology.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disease that develops through diverse pathophysiological processes1,2 and molecular mechanisms that are often specific to cell type3,4. Here, to characterize the genetic contribution to these processes across ancestry groups, we aggregate genome-wide association study data from 2,535,601 individuals (39.7% not of European ancestry), including 428,452 cases of T2D. We identify 1,289 independent association signals at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8) that map to 611 loci, of which 145 loci are, to our knowledge, previously unreported. We define eight non-overlapping clusters of T2D signals that are characterized by distinct profiles of cardiometabolic trait associations. These clusters are differentially enriched for cell-type-specific regions of open chromatin, including pancreatic islets, adipocytes, endothelial cells and enteroendocrine cells. We build cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores5 in a further 279,552 individuals of diverse ancestry, including 30,288 cases of T2D, and test their association with T2D-related vascular outcomes. Cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores are associated with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and end-stage diabetic nephropathy across ancestry groups, highlighting the importance of obesity-related processes in the development of vascular outcomes. Our findings show the value of integrating multi-ancestry genome-wide association study data with single-cell epigenomics to disentangle the aetiological heterogeneity that drives the development and progression of T2D. This might offer a route to optimize global access to genetically informed diabetes care

Potentials of ethanolic extracts of (Jatropha curcas) on the gut morphology of broilers

In a study conducted to evaluate the effect of Jatropha curcas leaf extract on the gut morphology of broiler chickens, one hundred and fifty day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five treatments, each replicated five times, with six birds per replicate over a period of forty two days. The birds were allocated to the following treatments (T): T1 (Negative control, no antibiotics), T2 (positive control, with antibiotics), T3 (0.25g/100kg Jatropha curcas leaf extract), T4 (0.50g/100kg J. curcas leaf extract) and T5 (0.75g/100kg J. curcas leaf extract). Samples were collected from the ileum and duodenum for gut morphology assay, with the results of gut morphology revealing that J. curcas supplementation improved villi height in duodenum (p&lt;0.05), while significantly decreasing values for villi height in the ileum (p&lt;0.05). Crypt depth values were also significantly influenced by inclusion of antibiotics and 0.25% J. curcas extract.Keywords: Performance, Jatropha curcas leaf extract, Gut morpholog

Evaluation of genotype x year interaction in extra-early maturing maize hybrids in a typical Southern Guinea Savannah Ecology

In Nigeria, genotype by environment interaction effect on maize grain yield is usually significant due to considerable variation in soil and weather conditions of the growing sites. This also complicates identification and selection of superior genotypes in a particular environment. Consequently a proper understanding of the effects of G x E interactions on varietal evaluation and cultivar recommendations is vital. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate performance of drought tolerant maize hybrids of different maturity groups. The first group comprised twenty-four extraearly yellow and the second comprised seventeen early white QPM hybrids, both obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The genetic materials were evaluated in replicated trials during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ilorin, in a typical Southern Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria. The effects of genotype (G), year (Y) and G × Y were found to be highly significant (P&lt; 0·01) for grain yield in the extra-early yellow hybrids (EEYH) while among the early white QPM hybrids, genotypic (G) effect was significant only for days to silk and plant height. G x Y interactive effect was however significant only for days to silking. Hybrids EEYH 5, EEYH-27 and EWQH-3 were consistent among the top 5 ranking genotypes for both years in terms of grain yield, an indication for stability to this ecology. Correlation between grain yield and associated traits showed that ears per plant and plant height contributed significantly to grain yield in both groups. Regression analysis of grain yield and other associated traits also revealed that ears per plant contributed significantly to grain yield in extra early yellow hybrids while plant height contributed significantly in the early white QPM hybrids. Therefore, selection programme should give attention to ears per plant and plant height in the varieties intended for drought prone ecology of the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.Keywords: Genotype, Maize, Hybrids Early-maturing, Extral-early maturin

Improving Quality of Care in Primary Health-Care Facilities in Rural Nigeria

Background: Nigeria has a high population density but a weak health-care system. To improve the quality of care, 3 organizations carried out a quality improvement pilot intervention at the primary health-care level in selected rural areas. Objective: To assess the change in quality of care in primary health-care facilities in rural Nigeria following the provision of technical governance support and to document the successes and challenges encountered. Method: A total of 6 states were selected across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country. However, assessments were carried out in 40 facilities in only 5 states. Selection was based on location, coverage, and minimum services offered. The facilities were divided randomly into 2 groups. The treatment group received quality-of-care assessment, continuous feedback, and improvement support, whereas the control group received quality assessment and no other support. Data were collected using the SafeCare Healthcare Standards and managed on the SafeCare Data Management System—AfriDB. Eight core areas were assessed at baseline and end line, and compliance to quality health-care standards was compared. Result: Outcomes from 40 facilities were accepted and analyzed. Overall scores increased in the treatment facilities compared to the control facilities, with strong evidence of improvement ( t = 5.28, P = .0004) and 11% average improvement, but no clear pattern of improvement emerged in the control group. Conclusion: The study demonstrated governance support and active community involvement offered potential for quality improvement in primary health-care facilities