Changes in Rift Valley fever neutralizing antibody prevalence among small domestic ruminants following the 1987 outbreak in the Senegal River bassin

Deux séries d'enquêtes sérologiques ont été menées dans la région du bassin versant du fleuve Sénégal où a eu lieu une manifestation épidémoépizootique du virus de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (FVR) en 1987. Deux échantillons de sérums ont été prélevés respectivement en 1988 et en 1989 chez 303 et 331 petits ruminants (chèvres et moutons) pris au hasard et ont été testés pour la mise en évidence d'anticorps neutralisants. Sur les 634 animaux testés au total et respectivement en 1988 et en 1989, la séroprévalence est de 24,4 et 19,3%. La prévalence en anticorps neutralisant contre l'antigène RVF est significativement moins élevée chez les jeunes animaux (7,9%) que chez les adultes (25,3%). Dans la période post-épizootique de 1988 à 1989, une surveillance suivie permet de conclure en faveur d'une absence de circulation active du virus de la FVR chez les ruminants domestiques du Nord-Sénégal. Le renouvellement rapide de la population non immune de petits ruminants représente un risque potentiel épizootique et secondairement épidémique dans cette zone sahélienne d'enzootie connu

Field evaluation of two rapid diagnostic tests for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A during the 2006 outbreak in Niger.

The Pastorex((R)) (BioRad) rapid agglutination test is one of the main rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for meningococcal disease currently in use in the "meningitis belt". Earlier evaluations, performed after heating and centrifugation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, under good laboratory conditions, showed high sensitivity and specificity. However, during an epidemic, the test may be used without prior sample preparation. Recently a new, easy-to-use dipstick RDT for meningococcal disease detection on CSF was developed by the Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire in Niger and the Pasteur Institute in France. We estimate diagnostic accuracy in the field during the 2006 outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A in Maradi, Niger, for the dipstick RDT and Pastorex((R)) on unprepared CSF, (a) by comparing each test's sensitivity and specificity with previously reported values; and (b) by comparing results for each test on paired samples, using McNemar's test. We also (c) estimate diagnostic accuracy of the dipstick RDT on diluted whole blood. We tested unprepared CSF and diluted whole blood from 126 patients with suspected meningococcal disease presenting at four health posts. (a) Pastorex((R)) sensitivity (69%; 95%CI 57-79) was significantly lower than found previously for prepared CSF samples [87% (81-91); or 88% (85-91)], as was specificity [81% (95%CI 68-91) vs 93% (90-95); or 93% (87-96)]. Sensitivity of the dipstick RDT [89% (95%CI 80-95)] was similar to previously reported values for ideal laboratory conditions [89% (84-93) and 94% (90-96)]. Specificity, at 62% (95%CI 48-75), was significantly lower than found previously [94% (92-96) and 97% (94-99)]. (b) McNemar's test for the dipstick RDT vs Pastorex((R)) was statistically significant (p<0.001). (c) The dipstick RDT did not perform satisfactorily on diluted whole blood (sensitivity 73%; specificity 57%).Sensitivity and specificity of Pastorex((R)) without prior CSF preparation were poorer than previously reported results from prepared samples; therefore we caution against using this test during an epidemic if sample preparation is not possible. For the dipstick RDT, sensitivity was similar to, while specificity was not as high as previously reported during a more stable context. Further studies are needed to evaluate its field performance, especially for different populations and other serogroups

Role of lauric acid against prenatal sleep deprivation-induced-stress rise in corticosterone and low birth weight in rat offspring

Prenatal stress is known to affect the offspring later in life. Lauric acid is a known antioxidant shown to play a protective role in experimental animals. This study examines the role of Lauric acid on sleep deprivation-induced stress on serum corticosterone level and birth weight in male rat pups. Pregnant dams were sleep-deprived using the modified multiple water platform for 20hrs daily from gestational day 9-19. Animals in groups 1 and 2 served as normal and stressed controls respectively, groups 3,4 and 5 received Lauric acid of doses 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively while group 6 received Vitamin C 300mg/kg. Male offspring birth weight was recorded and at PND 28-36, were sacrificed and blood was collected for corticosterone assay. Serum corticosterone was significantly higher (p&lt; 0.05) in the sleep-deprivation-induced stress group. Its level was also significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in the LA and vitamin C treated groups. Birth weight was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in the stressed and vitamin C (300mg/kg) groups while being significantly higher (p&lt; 0.05) in LA 125mg/kg group. This finding suggest that Lauric acid protect against rise in serum corticosterone level and improves birth weight in male offspring of dams subjected to sleep deprivation

Real time sonography as an anatomy teaching aid in undergraduate radiography institutions in Northern Nigeria

Background: Real-time ultrasound scanning is increasing in popularity as a teaching tool for human anatomy because it is non-invasive, offers real-time 3-D anatomy and is cheaper than dissections.Objectives: To assess real-time ultrasound scanning as a teaching method of human anatomy, and to determine what teaching methods radiography students consider effective for understanding human anatomy.Materials and methods: One hundred and ten self-administered, structured and pre-tested questionnaires were distributed to Clinical Radiography students (Third, fourth and fifth year)in Northern Nigeria featuring University of Maiduguri and Bayero University Kano. The questionnaire consists of two sections;Demographics and preferred methods of delivery of anatomical information. Participation was voluntary. Comparisons among teaching methods were made using repeated measures ANOVA.Results: A significant difference among the eight delivery methods with 3-D Radiology imaging being as the most preferred method overall (48.17, p&lt;0.0001) and ultrasound the least (32.48, p&lt;0.0001). With Duncan’s multiple Range test, it is clearly shown that 3-D Radiology imaging differ with mean value(5.2522) followed by Computer programs(5.1292), Anatomic models(4.7593), Laboratory videos(4.5815), textbooks(4.5358), animal dissection(4.2568), lectures(3.2568) and finally ultrasound scan (3.6087), (P&lt;0.0001).Conclusion: 3-D Radiology imaging is the most preferred method of delivering anatomical information and ultrasound scanning is the least preferred method.Keywords: Real time sonography, radiography institutions, Northern Nigeria

Reproducing a decision-making network in a virtual visual discrimination task

We reproduced a decision-making network model using the neural simulator software neural simulation tool (NEST), and we embedded the spiking neural network in a virtual robotic agent performing a simulated behavioral task. The present work builds upon the concept of replicability in neuroscience, preserving most of the computational properties in the initial model although employing a different software tool. The proposed implementation successfully obtains equivalent results from the original study, reproducing the salient features of the neural processes underlying a binary decision. Furthermore, the resulting network is able to control a robot performing an in silico visual discrimination task, the implementation of which is openly available on the EBRAINS infrastructure through the neuro robotics platform (NRP)

Implementation of Silage and Biogas Product by Empowerment Village Society in Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province

The livestock group is located in Pasir Makmur Village, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province which has the potential resources in oil palm plantations and cattle populations. The aim of present empowerment study was to utilize and process palm fronds with silage technology as cattle feed and cattle feces as biogas. The service method was the Participatory Action Research and the development of practical knowledge in understanding the social, economic, cultural and environmental conditions of society. The results showed that palm frond silage could be used as ruminant feed due to of its smooth texture and low pH. Additionally, biogas with a capacity of 6 m3 can be produced from cattle with a maximum number of 5-6 cattles. The conclusion of this public service that silage by utilizing palm fronds in the ration can be used cattle feed, as well as cattle feces can be used bio gass to reduce people's living costs especially for ration feed and gass

Real Time Sonography as an anatomy teaching aid in undergraduate radiography institutions in Northern Nigeria

Background: Real-time ultrasound scanning is increasing in popularity as a teaching tool for human anatomy because it is non-invasive, offers real-time 3-D anatomy and is cheaper than dissections. Objectives: To assess real-time ultrasound scanning as a teaching method of human anatomy, and to determine what teaching methods radiography students consider effective for understanding human anatomy. Materials and methods: One hundred and ten self-administered, structured and pre-tested questionnaires were distributed to Clinical Radiography students (Third, fourth and fifth year)in Northern Nigeria featuring University of Maiduguri and Bayero University Kano. The questionnaire consists of two sections;Demographics and preferred methods of delivery of anatomical information. Participation was voluntary. Comparisons among teaching methods were made using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: A significant difference among the eight delivery methods with 3-D Radiology imaging being as the most preferred method overall (48.17, p&lt;0.0001) and ultrasound the least (32.48, p&lt;0.0001). With Duncan\u2019s multiple Range test, it is clearly shown that 3-D Radiology imaging differ with mean value(5.2522) followed by Computer programs(5.1292), Anatomic models(4.7593), Laboratory videos(4.5815), textbooks(4.5358), animal dissection(4.2568), lectures(3.2568) and finally ultrasound scan (3.6087), (P&lt;0.0001). Conclusion: 3-D Radiology imaging is the most preferred method of delivering anatomical information and ultrasound scanning is the least preferred method. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.54 Cite as: Umar MS, Zira JD, Ogenyi PA, Njokwu G, Malgwi FD, Silas MA, Laushongo SS. Real time sonography as an anatomy teaching aid in undergraduate radiography institutions in northern Nigeria. Afri Health Sci.2019;19(2): 2282-2289. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.5

High prevalence of integrase mutation L74I in West African HIV-1 subtypes prior to integrase inhibitor treatment.

OBJECTIVES: HIV-1 integrase inhibitors are recommended as first-line therapy by WHO, though efficacy and resistance data for non-B subtypes are limited. Two recent trials have identified the integrase L74I mutation to be associated with integrase inhibitor treatment failure in HIV-1 non-B subtypes. We sought to define the prevalence of integrase resistance mutations, including L74I, in West Africa. METHODS: We studied a Nigerian cohort of recipients prior to and during receipt of second-line PI-based therapy, who were integrase inhibitor-naive. Illumina next-generation sequencing with target enrichment was used on stored plasma samples. Drug resistance was interpreted using the Stanford Resistance Database and the IAS-USA 2019 mutation lists. RESULTS: Of 115 individuals, 59.1% harboured CRF02_AG HIV-1 and 40.9% harboured subtype G HIV-1. Four participants had major IAS-USA integrase resistance-associated mutations detected at low levels (2%-5% frequency). Two had Q148K minority variants and two had R263K (one of whom also had L74I). L74I was detected in plasma samples at over 2% frequency in 40% (46/115). Twelve (26.1%) had low-level minority variants of between 2% and 20% of the viral population sampled. The remaining 34 (73.9%) had L74I present at >20% frequency. L74I was more common among those with subtype G infection (55.3%, 26/47) than those with CRF02_AG infection (29.4%, 20/68) (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 subtypes circulating in West Africa appear to have very low prevalence of major integrase mutations, but significant prevalence of L74I. A combination of in vitro and clinical studies is warranted to understand the potential implications.K.E.B. is supported by Wellcome Trust award number 170461. N.N. is supported by NIH R01 AI147331-01. R.K.G. is supported by a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship in Clinical Science (WT108082AIA). This study was supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the terms of U2G GH002099-01 and PA GH17-1753 (ACHIEVE)