Nutritional Profile of Three Different Mushroom Varieties Consumed in Amaifeke, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

The proximate and mineral composition of three varieties of mushroom consumed in Amaifeke, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State were evaluated. The mushroom species include white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), Crimini mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The mushroom varieties were harvested and dried, then taken to the laboratory for proximate, mineral and vitamin analysis. Standard assay methods were used to analyze for proximate and mineral composition. Proximate composition of the mushroom was found to be in the range of 3.29 – 5.24% for moisture content, 8.60 – 22.60% for protein, 6.85 – 7.54% for fat, 7.94 – 18.63% for fibre, 2.99 – 4.74% for ash and 59.67 – 60.60% for carbohydrate. Six mineral elements were analysed: selenium, iron, zinc, iodine, potassium and copper, having values of 3.04 -6.56mg/100g, 1.532 – 2.378mg/100g, 2.70 – 3.90mg/100g, 0.348 – 0.425mg/100g, 0.8079 – 2.4615% and 0.586 – 0.784mg/100g respectively. Based on the result the mushroom have high nutrient potentials hence it will serve as a good means of reducing the incidence and high prevalence of malnutrition in Nigeria since it is a cheap food source that is within the reach of the poor

Cotrimoxazole Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Sputum of HIV-positive Patients

The prevalence and cotrimoxazole susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of 100 HIV-positive patients attending the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research clinic was investigated using standard microbiological methods. Eleven of the sputum specimens grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all the isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin, augmentin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Continuous surveillance of S pneumoniae in sputum samples of HIV-positive subjects in this environment is necessary in order to regulate treatment regimen, considering that cotrimoxazole is the drug recommended by WHO for respiratory infections in HIV patients

Assessment of the nutritional status of school-aged children in internally displaced persons' camps in Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Nutritional status is one of the most important public health indicators among the displaced populations. High death rate of children in IDP camps in Nigeria have been attributed to poor nutritional status. Objective: The study investigated the nutritional status of school-aged children in IDPs' camps in Plateau State. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design with a population of 948 school-aged children in the two IDPs' camps in Plateau State. Simple random sampling was used to select 474 children who served as sample for the study and forty-seven children as sub-sample for the biochemical analysis. Instruments for data collection were structured questionnaire, microtoise meter, Hanson's bathroom scale and non-stretchable tape. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Results: Findings showed that there was high prevalence of stunting (74.50%), wasting (61.70%) and 28.1% of the children were underweight. Severe and moderate acute malnutrition were seen in 9.70% and 31.20% of the children respectively. Majority (79.10%) of the children skipped meals especially due unavailability of food to eat. Vitamin A deficiency was seen in 66.00% of the children, 21.30% were iodine deficient, 70.20% were calcium deficient, 40.40% and 70.20% were zinc and iron deficient respectively while 85.10% were anemic. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight amongst the children. The poor nutritional status of the children was attributed to the fact that majority of the children skipped meals especially due to unavailability of food to eat

Elucidation of the Role of 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acids in Cryptococcus-amoeba Interactions

We previously reported that 3-hydroxy fatty acids promoted the survival of cryptococcal cells when acted upon by amoebae. To expand on this, the current study sought to explain how these molecules may protect cells. Our data suggest that 3-hydroxy fatty acids may subvert the internalization of cryptococcal cells via suppression of the levels of a fetuin A-like amoebal protein, which may be important for enhancing phagocytosis. Additionally, we show that an acapsular strain (that is devoid of 3-hydroxy fatty acids) was protected against the effects of hydrogen peroxide when exogenous 3-hydroxy fatty acids were present, but not in the absence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids. A similar response profile was noted when a strain with a capsule was challenged with hydrogen peroxide. We also show that cryptococcal cells that naturally produce 3-hydroxy fatty acids were more resistant to the effects of amoebapore (an amoeba-specific hydrolytic enzyme), compared to cells that do not produce these molecules. Taken together, our findings suggest that 3-hydroxy fatty acids possess an anti-phagocytic activity that may be expressed when cells interact with macrophages. This may allow the yeast cells to evade immuno-processing

The Repurposing of the Antimalaria Drug, Primaquine, as a Photosensitizer to Inactivate Cryptococcal Cells

Cryptococcal cells can manifest skin infections in immunocompromised persons. While it may be easy to diagnose cryptococcal infection, treatment often fails due to the ineffectiveness of current antifungal agents. To this end, the present study explored the repurposing of primaquine (PQ), as a photosensitizer. PDT was carried out using a germicidal ultraviolet (UV) lamp, which has a radiation output of approximately 625 µW/cm2 at a distance of 20 cm. When compared to the non-treated cells, the metabolic activity of cryptococcal cells was significantly (p < 0.05) limited. The photolytic products of PQ were observed to alter the ultrastructure of treated cells. The latter was not incidental, as the same cells were also documented to lose their selective permeability. Importantly, PDT also improved the efficiency of macrophages to kill internalized cryptococcal cells (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to non-treated macrophages. Equally importantly, PDT was not detrimental to macrophages, as their metabolic activity was not significantly (p > 0.05) limited, even when exposed to 20× the MIC (determined for cryptococcal cells) and an exposure time that was 4× longer. Taken together, the results suggest PQ has the potential to control the growth of cryptococcal cells and limit their survival inside the macrophage

Meralgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment

# Purpose of Review Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition characterized by paresthesias, neuropathic pain, and alterations in sensorium of the anterolateral thigh secondary to impingement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). MP is generally diagnosed by clinical history and is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When diagnosis remains a challenge, diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies have been utilized as an adjunct. This review summarizes the most recent medical literature regarding MP, its pathophysiology, presentation, and current treatment options. # Recent Findings Treatment options for patients with MP range from lifestyle modifications and conservative management to surgical procedures. Initial management is often conservative with symptoms managed with medications. When conservative management fails, the next step is regional blocks followed by surgical management. The conflicting data for treatment options for MP highlight how the evidence available does not point to a single approach that's universally effective for treating all patients with MP. # Summary Despite the apparent success at treating MP with regional blocks and surgical interventions, much remains to be known about the dosing, frequency, and optimal interventions due to the inconclusive results of current studies. Further research including randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the most optimal treatment options for MP including studies with a larger number of participants