Synthesis, spectroscopic and antimicrobial properties of Co(II), Ni (II) and Cu(II) complexes of (E)-N’-(2-hydroxy -5-nitrobenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide)

The objective of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of novel Schiff base metal complexes. The resistance of micro-organisms to classical antimicrobial compounds poses a challenge to effective management and treatment of some diseases. In line with this, copper (II), nickel (II) and cobalt (II) complexes of the Schiff base ligand (E)-N’-(2- hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene) isonicotinohydrazide) were synthesized and characterized based on elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The results suggest a 1:2 [M:L] stoichiometry for the copper and cobalt complexes and a 1:1 [M:L] ratio for the nickel complex. The electronic absorption spectral data support octahedral geometry for cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes and square planar for nickel (II). In-vitro antimicrobial properties of the compounds evaluated against five pathogenic bacteria using the agar-well diffusion method revealed that the activity was in the order Ni>Co>Cu. These compounds can be used as substrates for development of new antimicrobial agents.Keywords: isonicotinohydrazide, Schiff base metal complexes, in-vitro, antimicrobial activity, electronic spectra, 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyd

Global point-of-care ultrasound education and training in the age of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional global point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education and training, as a result of travel restrictions. It has also provided an opportunity for innovation using a virtual platform. Tele-ultrasound and video-conferencing are alternative and supportive tools to augment global POCUS education and training. There is a need to support learners and experts to ensure that maximum benefit is gained from the use of these innovative modalities

Systematic review and meta-analysis of tuberculosis in animals in Nigeria

Animal tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious and chronic disease caused by mycobacteria belonging to theMycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in domestic and wild animals. MTBC strains infection has been confirmed in many animal species in Nigeria, including captive wildlife, cattle, dromedary camels, goats, and pigs. Despite widespread infection and the potential impact of the disease on public health, active surveillance and control strategies are absent in Nigeria. This study aimed to conduct the first comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the distribution of tuberculosis and analyze the potential moderators of infection in animals in Nigeria. Eligible studies (sixty-one (Cadmus et al., 2014) [61] prevalence and seven (Menzies and Neill, 2000) [7] case reports) were retrieved and included in the analysis. The analyses showed an overall pooled TB prevalence of 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0-8.0) comprising of infection distributed in cattle (8.0%, 95% CI: 7.0-8.0), goats (0.47%, 95% CI: 0-1.2), sheep (0.27%, 95% CI: 0.14-0.46), camels (13.0%, 95% CI: 0-47), and wildlife (13.0%, 95% CI: 9-16) respectively. The occurrence of infection was significantly moderated by the publication periods, geographical location, sample size, and detection methods. TB prevalence was heterogeneous across several predictors, with the year of publication exhibiting a higher rate (46%) of the detected heterogeneity. These findings should provide policy-relevant information to guide the design and establishment of prevention and control measures amenable to the local situations in Nigeria. © 2023 The Author(s

Risk factors associated with the occurrence of Brucella canis seropositivity in dogs within selected provinces of South Africa

The growing population of free-roaming dogs in informal communities in South Africa may increasingly place humans at risk of possible zoonotic infections including, but not limited to, Brucella canis. Worldwide, the prevalence of B. canis infection has increased during the last two centuries, resulting in increased reports of dog and human infections. This study investigated the risk factors associated with B. canis infection in dogs in three predefined areas: Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces, of South Africa. Dogs aged 7 months and older presented to welfare organisations and breeders in the study areas were selected for sampling. A comprehensive questionnaire on dog ownership, general health and vaccination status was completed prior to sampling. One blood sample of 8 mL was collected aseptically per dog. Then, equal amounts (4 mL) were transferred to the different vacutainer tubes. The 2-mercaptoethanol-tube agglutination tests were used after validation. Fifty-two dogs out of the combined sample of 1191 dogs from the three study areas tested positive for B. canis, representing an overall occurrence of 4.4%. A binomial logistic regression model was fitted to identify risk factors associated with B. canis in dogs within the study areas. Dog age (0.371; p < 0.05) and external parasite infestation (0.311; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with the B. canis infection. Ownership and sterilisation need to be further investigated as possible risk factors because both had odds ratios of 1684 and 1107, respectively, in the univariate model.https://jsava.co.zapm2020Veterinary Tropical Disease

Electricity Consumption and Human Capital Development in Nigeria: Exploring the Implications for Economic Growth

This study examined the multiplier effect of human capital development through the usage of electricity power for maximum productivity to enhance economic growth in Nigeria. The study engaged data sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) for the period 1981-2016, and the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) econometric method was engaged for the analysis. Results from the study showed that, human capital development is insignificantly related to the economic growth in Nigeria, while electricity consumption is significantly linked with economic growth. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for the government to develop human capital via the improvement of the educational and health facilities in the country as well as provide electricity in the rural and urban areas for maximum productivity. Keywords: Human Capital, Electricity Consumption, Economic Growth. JEL Classifications: F63, I15; I25; L94 https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.675

Electricity Consumption and Human Capital Development in Nigeria: Exploring the Implications for Economic Growth

This study examined the multiplier effect of human capital development through the usage of electricity power for maximum productivity to enhance economic growth in Nigeria. The study engaged data sourced from the World Development Indicators for the period 1981-2016, and the fully modified ordinary least squares econometric method was engaged for the analysis. Results from the study showed that, human capital development is insignificantly related to the economic growth in Nigeria, while electricity consumption is significantly linked with economic growth. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for the government to develop human capital via the improvement of the educational and health facilities in the country as well as provide electricity in the rural and urban areas for maximum productivity. Keywords: Human Capital, Electricity Consumption, Economic Growt

Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of pathogenic Escherichia coli from commercial swine and poultry abattoirs and farms in South Africa : a One Health approach

DATA AVAILABILITY : The data presented in this study are included in the article and supplementary material. Additional information can be requested from the corresponding author.Pathogenic Escherichia coli (PEC) are important foodborne bacteria that can cause severe illness in humans. The PECs thrive within the intestines of humans as well as animals and may contaminate multiple ecosystems, including food and water, via faecal transmission. Abattoir and farm employees are at high risk of PEC exposure, which could translate to community risk through person-to-person contact. To determine the epidemiology and resistome of PECs in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, 198 swine faecal samples, 220 poultry cloacal swabs, 108 human hand swabs, 11 run-off water samples from abattoirs and farms were collected from four swine and five poultry commercial abattoirs and two swine farms. One effluent sample each was collected from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and a tertiary hospital setting. Phenotypic and genotypic techniques were used including polymerase chain reaction, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results showed EHEC and EPEC prevalence was 4.1 % (22/542) and 20.8 % (113/542), respectively, with the O26 serogroup detected the most in PEC isolates. According to the PFGE dendrogram, isolates from poultry, human hand swabs and run-off water clustered together. Diverse virulence factors such as the novel stx2k subtype and eae genes were detected among the 36 representative PEC isolates according to WGS. The results showed that 66.7 % (24/36) of sequenced PECs presented with multi-drug resistance (MDR) to β-lactamase 13.9 % (5/36), aminoglycoside 61.1 % (22/36), tetracycline 41.7 % (15/36) and quinolones 38.9 % (14/36). No colistin nor carbapenem resistance was detected. Sequence types (STs) associated with MDR in this study were: ST752, ST189, ST206, ST10, ST48 and ST38. The findings highlight the threat of zoonotic pathogens to close human contacts and the need for enhanced surveillance to mitigate the spread of MDR foodborne PECs.The National Health Laboratory Service Trust, the University of Pretoria and the National Research Foundation. Whole genome sequencing was made possible by support from the SEQAFRICA project which is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care's Fleming Fund using UK aid.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenvhj2024Medical MicrobiologyVeterinary Tropical DiseasesSDG-02:Zero HungerSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-06:Clean water and sanitatio

Dietary Supplementation with Soluble Plantain Non-Starch Polysaccharides Inhibits Intestinal Invasion of Salmonella Typhimurium in the Chicken

Soluble fibres (non-starch polysaccharides, NSP) from edible plants but particularly plantain banana (Musa spp.), have been shown in vitro and ex vivo to prevent various enteric pathogens from adhering to, or translocating across, the human intestinal epithelium, a property that we have termed contrabiotic. Here we report that dietary plantain fibre prevents invasion of the chicken intestinal mucosa by Salmonella. In vivo experiments were performed with chicks fed from hatch on a pellet diet containing soluble plantain NSP (0 to 200 mg/d) and orally infected with S.Typhimurium 4/74 at 8 d of age. Birds were sacrificed 3, 6 and 10 d post-infection. Bacteria were enumerated from liver, spleen and caecal contents. In vitro studies were performed using chicken caecal crypts and porcine intestinal epithelial cells infected with Salmonella enterica serovars following pre-treatment separately with soluble plantain NSP and acidic or neutral polysaccharide fractions of plantain NSP, each compared with saline vehicle. Bacterial adherence and invasion were assessed by gentamicin protection assay. In vivo dietary supplementation with plantain NSP 50 mg/d reduced invasion by S.Typhimurium, as reflected by viable bacterial counts from splenic tissue, by 98.9% (95% CI, 98.1–99.7; P<0.0001). In vitro studies confirmed that plantain NSP (5–10 mg/ml) inhibited adhesion of S.Typhimurium 4/74 to a porcine epithelial cell-line (73% mean inhibition (95% CI, 64–81); P<0.001) and to primary chick caecal crypts (82% mean inhibition (95% CI, 75–90); P<0.001). Adherence inhibition was shown to be mediated via an effect on the epithelial cells and Ussing chamber experiments with ex-vivo human ileal mucosa showed that this effect was associated with increased short circuit current but no change in electrical resistance. The inhibitory activity of plantain NSP lay mainly within the acidic/pectic (homogalacturonan-rich) component. Supplementation of chick feed with plantain NSP was well tolerated and shows promise as a simple approach for reducing invasive salmonellosis