Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria.

Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 (Eta) variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave in Nigeria emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Data from this study show how regional connectivity of Nigeria drove the spread of these variants of interest to surrounding countries and those connected by air-traffic. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission, as bidirectional transmission within and between African nations are grossly underestimated as seen in our import risk index estimates

Targeting the pains of food insecurity and malnutrition among internally displaced persons with nutrient synergy and analgesics in organ meat

Living with pain is one of the distressing effects of food insecurity and malnutrition among millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide. Vulnerability to emotional pain, metabolic imbalance, chronic illnesses and non-communicable diseases by IDPs are associated with stressed livelihood and restricted access to balanced diets in their camps. Tackling the complexity of issues related to internal displacement is challenging as 45% are globally trapped in protracted conditions. In this review, a diet-based intervention is proposed considering the potential benefits of nutrient synergy and analgesic constituents in organ meat. Providing an affordable, value added and well packaged nutrient dense diet is suggested to meet daily protein and micronutrient requirements from organ meat Also, unlocking health-promoting bioactive substances and analgesics in restructured organ meat product is proposed as personalized dietary remedy to exert opioid bioactivity in food matrix. Exploiting the nutrient synergy of this animal by-product will not only improve the nutritional status or wellbeing but also raise the composite score of dietary diversity or food security index among IDPs by 2030. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Quantitation of Proteinuria in Women With Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: Is it Time to Abandon Use of Dipstick Strips for the Spot Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio?

Context: The presence of significant proteinuria in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension is associated with worse maternal and fetal outcome. Unfortunately, Dipstick strips, currently used widely for detection and quantitation of proteinuria, have been shown to be unreliable. This creates the need for a more accurate method for early detection and quantitation of proteinuria. Objective:To compare the accuracy of the Spot urine Protein to Creatinine ratio with that of Dipstick Tests in the quantitation of proteinuria in Nigerian women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional survey over a 6-month period involving 86 Nigerian women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Outcome measures: False Positive rates, False Negative rates, Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive value, Negative Predictive value, and Accuracy. Result: The Spot urine Protein to Creatinine ratio showed better correlation with 24-hour urine protein measurement than Dipstick Tests. Comparatively, the False positive rates were 16.2% versus 53.7%, False Negative rates 6.1% versus 28.1%, Sensitivity 91.2% versus 73.5%, Specificity 88.5% versus 44.4%, Negative predictive values 93.9% versus 71.9%, and Accuracy 89.5% versus 55.8% respectively for the Spot urine Protein to Creatinine ratio and Dipstick Tests. Conclusion: The Spot Urine Protein to Creatinine ratio is much more accurate in the quantitation of proteinuria in Nigerian women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension than the widely used Dipstick Tests. Key Words: Quantitation, Proteinuria, Pregnancy, Hypertension. [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:136, 137, 140, 141

Antibacterial and ciprofloxacin modulating activity of Ptaeroxylon obliquum (Thunb.) Radlk leaf used by the Xhosa people of South Africa for the treatment of wound infections

The present work investigated the antibacterial activity of Ptaeroxylon obliquum leaves (POL) extracts in the presence or absence of ciprofloxacin by the broth microdilution method and time–kill assay against bacterial strains associated with wound infections. Free-radical–scavenging activity (FRSA) was determined using the stable 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) bioassay method. The chemical composition of the most active antioxidant extract was analysed using a gas chromatograph interfaced with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). All POL extracts showed good antibacterial activity against the bacterial strains, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 4 to 128 µg/mL. The exposure of bacterial strains to POL extracts resulted in 2–64-fold reductions in the MIC of ciprofloxacin. Correspondingly, the time–kill curves showed that combined POL extracts and ciprofloxacin treatment inhibited bacterial growth below the lowest detectable limit after 24 h of incubation. Furthermore, the ethanol extract from P. obliquum (POE) had the highest total flavonoids content (TFC: 62.7 mg/quercetin equivalent/g), while the methanol extract of P. obliquum (POM) had the best total phenolic content (TPC: 275 mg/quercetin equivalent/g) and DPPH*-scavenging activity having 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.125 mg/mL. The chemical composition indicated the presence of aromatic and aliphatic compounds that are known to have a wide biological effect. The findings from this study suggest that POL extracts could be a source of pharmaceutical agents for treatment of skin diseases, wound infections and as putative candidates to modulate the multidrug resistance mechanism

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of Callistemon citrinus flowers and leaves against Listeria monocytogenes in beef burger

This study compared the antibacterial activities of freeze-dried extracts of Callistemon leaves (CL) and flowers (CF) against the growth of cryopreserved Listeria monocytogenes. Agar well diffusion method was used to monitor inhibitory effects of the extracts on the L. monocytogenes in vitro conditions. The extracts were added to the formulation of beef burgers to test their antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes at 1 and 2% concentrations. After the preparation, the beef burgers were stored at +4 A degrees C and -18 A degrees C for 6 days and 3 months, respectively. Results showed a dose-response inhibitory pattern against L. monocytogenes from methanolic extract of CL and hydromethanolic extract of CF. For example, the highest concentration (10%) of CF yielded an inhibition zone of 35.0 mm, while the lowest concentration (1%) of CL gave an inhibition zone of 21.0 mm against the growth of L. monocytogenes in vitro conditions. Control group (without extracts) had the highest L. monocytogenes counts within a month in refrigerated conditions, and those treated with 2% CL had the least L. monocytogenes counts after the three months of frozen storage. In comparison with CF, the greatest reduction in L. monocytogenes counts were observed in the groups treated with the highest concentration of CL in vitro conditions. The growth of L. monocytogenes in both refrigerated and frozen beef burgers was highly inhibited by 2% of methanolic extract of CL after a week of refrigeration and 3 months of frozen storage. As a result, it might be concluded that the extracts of Callistemon could be used as an antimicrobial agent for meat preservation purposes

Utilization of fermented soybeans paste as flavoring lamination for Turkish dry-cured meat

The effects of utilizing fermented soybeans paste (miso) as an alternative flavor-coating material for eliminating unpleasant odor of sulphuric and sotolone compounds from cemen in commercial pastirma were investigated. Results showed that miso-pastirma (MP) and commercial pastirma (CP) had higher L* values in comparison with the fresh meat. While no pathogen was detected in all the meat samples, statistically significant stearic acid was increased (P < 0.05) and also oleic and arachidic acids were observed in MP. SDS-PAGE patterns indicated that miso had higher impacts on muscle proteins than cemen suggesting that miso can generate proteins and peptides with better technological or nutritional properties. None of the sulphur containing compounds responsible for unpleasant odor was detected in MP. Limonene, 5 esters, beta-pinene and saponins in MP contributed to citrus fruit aroma with smoother, roasty flavor and delicious taste. These findings suggest that miso contain good flavoring molecules for enhancing fruity smell and quality of pastirma. Thus, laminating cured meat with miso can be used as an alternative to cemen for producing healthier pastirma with extended shelf life and better flavor. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved