Sex estimation using discriminant analysis of hand dimensions among adult population in Ghana

The identification of a person forms a significant aspect of forensic investigations. Hand index derived from hand dimensions plays an important role in determining sex, age and population affinity in forensic and legal sciences. Sex estimation from anonymous body parts has been very important in forensic and legal sciences. Sexual dimorphism has been reported using various body parts including hand dimensions in several countries, but no study using hand dimensions has been conducted among Ghanaians. This study, therefore, is aimed at using discriminant analysis in the estimation of sex from hand dimensions. A sample size of 150 participants was recruited into the study. They were made of 79 females and 71 males aged between 18 and 90 years (as maximum growth of hand is attained from age 18 years onwards). The lengths and breadths of both hands of each participant were measured. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for Windows. The mean right-hand length was 17.42 ± 01. cm (females) and 19.1 ± 1.38 cm (males) while the left-hand length was 17.7 ± 1.18 cm (females) and 19.0 ± 1.38 cm (males). The predominant palmar type was the mesocheri and demonstrated high accuracy for the estimation of sex. The accuracy of sex estimation using the formula derived was 74.0 %. This serves as a preliminary study and further study in larger sample size would be helpful in sex discrimination among Ghanaians

Rapid Determination of Total Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content in Select Canadian Cheeses by ¹H NMR Spectroscopy

The application of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to the measurement of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in the lipid fraction of dairy products is both a novel and inviting alternative to traditional methods such as gas chromatography (GC), which can require time-consuming sample derivatization. In this work, a newly developed, rapid, and reliable lipid extraction protocol was combined with simple, nondestructive ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis to measure the total CLA content in CLA standards and in various Canadian cheeses from conventional, organic, and grass-fed dairy sources. The total CLA concentrations (mg/g cheese) obtained using these new extraction and analysis methods were consistent with amounts found using the modified Folch extraction and GC analysis (correlation coefficient of 0.948). Results showed that cheeses from exclusively grass-fed dairy cows were significantly higher in total CLA content than either conventional or organic cheese

Al/Cu-PILC as a Photo-Fenton Catalyst: Paracetamol Mineralization

ARTICULO EN REVISTA INDIZADAPillared clays have shown to effectively catalyze the photo-Fenton process without the necessity of acidic conditions, which is a very attractive feature from the perspective of environmentally friendly processes, especially when high natural abundance of chemical elements are incorporated. In this work, the catalytic activity of Al/Cu interlayered pillared clays for the degradation and mineralization of paracetamol through a photo-Fenton-like process was investigated. Al/Cu-pillared clays were prepared by adding ane Al/Cu pillaring solution to a bentonite suspension. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the enlargement of the interlayer space of the clay provoked by the pillaring process and Al and Cu species in the prepared samples were verified by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The specific surface area of pure bentonite was 2-fold increased after the Al/Cu pillaring process. A synthetic paracetamol solution with an initial concentration of 100 ppm was prepared for the assessment of the activity of the prepared materials. Different catalyst concentrations were tested (0.2, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 g L–1) and the complete removal of paracetamol was achieved in all cases, but the highest mineralization rate (69.8 mg total organic carbon (TOC) gcat–1 h–1) corresponds to the catalyst loading of 0.5 g L–1. An ultraviolet-C (UVC) light source was employed, and no adjustment of the pH to acidic conditions was needed to achieve these results. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) was employed to identify the reaction intermediates of paracetamol degradation. A proposed pathway for the oxidation of paracetamol molecule is presented. The effect of Cu content in the pillared clay and the stability and reusability of the catalyst were also assessed. The kinetic constants of paracetamol removal were 0.2318 and 0.0698 min–1, under photo-Fenton and UV + H2O2 processes, respectively.COMECYT 02

Antimicrobial resistance in Africa: a systematic review

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely acknowledged as a global problem, yet in many parts of the world its magnitude is still not well understood. This review, using a public health focused approach, aimed to understand and describe the current status of AMR in Africa in relation to common causes of infections and drugs recommended in WHO treatment guidelines. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and other relevant databases were searched for recent articles (2013–2016) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Article retrieval and screening were done using a structured search string and strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median and interquartile ranges of percent resistance were calculated for each antibiotic-bacterium combination. Results: AMR data was not available for 42.6% of the countries in the African continent. A total of 144 articles were included in the final analysis. 13 Gram negative and 5 Gram positive bacteria were tested against 37 different antibiotics. Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported in 14/144studies (median resistance (MR): 26.7%). Further 18/53 (34.0%) of Haemophilus influenza isolates were resistant to amoxicillin. MR of Escherichia coli to amoxicillin, trimethoprim and gentamicin was 88.1%, 80.7% and 29.8% respectively. Ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella Typhi was rare. No documented ceftriaxone resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae was reported, while the MR for quinolone was 37.5%. Carbapenem resistance was common in Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but uncommon in Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion: Our review highlights three important findings. First, recent AMR data is not available for more than 40% of the countries. Second, the level of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics was significant. Third, the quality of microbiological data is of serious concern. Our findings underline that to conserve our current arsenal of antibiotics it is imperative to address the gaps in AMR diagnostic standardization and reporting and use available information to optimize treatment guidelines.</p