Utility of Repeated Praziquantel Dosing in the Treatment of Schistosomiasis in High-Risk Communities in Africa: A Systematic Review

Infection by Schistosoma worms causes serious disease among people who live in areas of Africa, South America, and Asia where these parasites are regularly transmitted. Although yearly treatment with the drug praziquantel is fairly effective in reducing or eliminating active infection, it does not cure everyone, and reinfection remains a continuing problem in high-risk communities. Studies have suggested that a repeat dose of praziquantel, given 2 to 8 weeks after the first dose, can improve cure rates and reduce remaining intensity of infections in population-based programs. Our systematic review of published research found that, on average, in Africa, such repeated dosing appears to offer particular advantages in the treatment of S. mansoni, the cause of intestinal schistosomiasis, but there was less consistent improvement after double-dosing for S. haematobium, the cause of urogenital schistosomiasis. Based on this evidence, we used a calibrated life-path model to predict the costs and benefits of a single-dose vs. a double-dose strategy in a typical high-risk community. Our projections suggest cost-effective incremental benefits from double dosing in terms of i) limiting a person's total years spent infected and ii) limiting the number of years they spend with heavy infection, with consequent improvements in quality of life

Noise Properties of Rectifying Nanopores

Ion currents through three types of rectifying nanoporous structures are studied and compared for the first time: conically shaped polymer nanopores, glass nanopipettes, and silicon nitride nanopores. Time signals of ion currents are analyzed by power spectrum. We focus on the low-frequency range where the power spectrum magnitude scales with frequency, f, as 1/f. Glass nanopipettes and polymer nanopores exhibit non-equilibrium 1/f noise, thus the normalized power spectrum depends on the voltage polarity and magnitude. In contrast, 1/f noise in rectifying silicon nitride nanopores is of equilibrium character. Various mechanisms underlying the voltage-dependent 1/f noise are explored and discussed, including intrinsic pore wall dynamics, and formation of vortices and non-linear flow patterns in the pore. Experimental data are supported by modeling of ion currents based on the coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck and Navier Stokes equations. We conclude that the voltage-dependent 1/f noise observed in polymer and glass asymmetric nanopores might result from high and asymmetric electric fields inducing secondary effects in the pore such as enhanced water dissociation

Anaemia, Malaria and malnutrition in the first two years of life in Nigeria

No Abstract. Journal of Malaria in Africa and the Tropics Vol. 1 (3) 2005: pp. 15-2

Effect of Enantia chlorantha on various organs of the mouse

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 6 (3) 1996: pp. 196-20

Intercurrent infections during episode of sever falciparum malaria attack in Nigerian children

No Abstract. Journal of Malaria in Africa and the Tropics Vol. 1 (2) 2002: pp. 12-1

POSSIBLE IMPACT OF CO-INFECTIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA ON THE CD4+ CELL COUNTS OF HIV PATIENTS IN NIGERIA

Background: This study focused on evaluating the possible impact of co-infections of tuberculosis and malaria on the CD4+ cell counts in HIV infected subjects. Methods: This is a cross sectional study. The subjects were drawn from three hospitals and a blood bank in LagosState. After due consent, blood samples were obtained from 69 subjects with single infections (HIV, TB, and Malaria), 34 subjects with multiple infections (HIV/Malaria, HIV/TB, Malaria/TB, HIV/TB/Malaria) and 24 blood donors (controls). The CD4+ cell counts of all the 127 blood samples were estimated using a FACS count. Results: Data obtained were analysed and a comparison of the results showed that the median CD4+ counts in all groups of subjects with HIV infections (whether single or co-infection) were similar and significantly lower than the median counts for the healthy control group as well as groups without HIV infection (malaria, TB and malaria/TB). Conclusion: Overall data further confirmed the progressive depletion of CD4+ cells in HIV infection while co-infections with TB and malaria did not have any impact on the CD4+ cells of HIV infected subjects. A larger prospective study is needed