A Review of Stream Regimes Manipulation System Effects on Drainage Basin and Remedies

Naturally, a drainage basin harbours stream flow and channel characteristics in an open system. Urbanization effects on hydrological cycles and on stream morphology and dynamics, as in Anderson (1970) causes naturalized changes in channel characteristics as explained (Mrowka, 1974; Sehumm1977) and flood plain characteristics. These man’s efforts and their consequences draw several attentions to changing channel morphology and hydraulic geometry of stream channels by studies such as in Troxell and Leopold(1971), Hammer(1972), Knox(1977), Knight(1979), Morisawa and Vemure (1976), Morisawa and Laflurem(1979), Ebisemijiu (1989). Such situation reviewed in this paper have disturbed the entire watershed and channels as emaciated in the works of Simon (1992), Simon and Hupp (1992), Oyegun (1994), Church (1992), Pizzuto (1994), Elliot and  Gyetuai (1999)

Bacteraemia Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: Association with Spleen Size and Function

In Sub-Saharan Africa, infections are a leading cause of morbidity among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The causes of the increased risk of infection are poorly documented, but the loss of splenic function is important. Previous studies have documented increased susceptibility to bacterial infections among SCD patients, evidenced by increasing markers of splenic dysfunction (1, 2); however, there are no data on the association between bacterial infections and splenic function among the SCD population in Sub-Saharan Africa, partly because most of the techniques required to assess splenic function are not readily available (3). We recently employed the presence of two red cell containing inclusions - Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB) and argyrophilic (silver staining) inclusion (AI) red cells - to assess splenic dysfunction among our SCD patients (4). In the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of organisms causing bacteraemia among our acutely-ill SCD patients and to describe any association between bacteraemia with splenic status on ultrasound and two markers of splenic dysfunction (i.e HJB and AI red cells

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

The Risk Factors Associated with Rotavirus Gastroenteritis among Children Under Five Years at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, Nigeria

Background: Diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. It remains a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. Rotavirus is a cause of acute watery diarrhea in children under five years of age. The incidence of diarrhea decreases with increasing age. Aim: This study aimed at finding some risk factors associated with rotavirus infection in children <five years of age presenting with acute diarrhea at the university of Maiduguri teaching hospital. Patient, Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Atotal of 173 children <five years presenting with diarrhea of <two weeks were recruited for the study. Stool samples were collected, and rotavirus antigen was detected using immunochromatographic, and the positive sample was then further analyzed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the VP4 and VP7 genotyping. The risk factors were analyzed using multivariate analysis conditional regression model after collecting data using a well‑structured questionnaire. Results: The Source of water supply and presence of persons with gastroenteritis in the household were found to be risk factors for acquiring the infection with statistically significant P < 0.05. Breastfeeding was found to be protective of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Conclusion: Rotaviruses cause morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age. In view of the associated risk factors, making available safe drinking water and encouraging good personal hygiene is important. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and vaccination is advocated. Public health strategies like creating awareness to affected communities are a good strategy

Malaria Infection in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: Association with Markers of Hyposplenism

Malaria is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with sickle cell disease (SCD). This has partly been attributed to the loss of splenic function that occurs early in the disease process. We conducted a cross-sectional study and determined the frequency of malaria infection among SCD patients and explored the association with spleen’s presence on ultrasonography and spleen function assessed using the frequency of Howell-Jolly bodies (HJBs). A total of 395 participants consisting of 119 acutely-ill SCD patients, 168 steady-state SCD controls, and 108 healthy non-SCD controls were studied. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia was 51.3% in acutely-ill SCD patients, 31.7% in steady-state SCD controls, and 11.0% in the healthy non-SCD controls; however, the mean parasite density was significantly higher in the non-SCD controls compared to both SCD groups (p = 0.0001). Among the acutely-ill SCD patients, the prevalence of clinical malaria and severe malaria anemia were highest in children <5 years of age. The prevalence of parasitemia (p = 0.540) and parasite density (p = 0.975) showed no association with spleen presence or absence on ultrasonography. Similarly, the frequency of HJB red cells was not associated with the presence of parasitemia (p = 0.183). Our study highlights the frequency and role of malaria infection in acutely-ill SCD patients, especially in those younger than five years. Although we have found no evidence of an increased risk of malaria parasitemia or parasite density with markers of hyposplenism, the role played by an underlying immunity to malaria among SCD patients in malaria-endemic region is not clear and needs further studies

Etat actuel de santé de la reproduction dans les régions rurales du nord du Nigéria dans le contexte de la poursuite des OMDs: Perspectives à partir d’un programme de formation de recherche à base de la communauté.

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, and most deaths occur in the northern part of the country. Concerns about the persistence of the problem prompted some Nigerian academics to partner with their American colleagues to establish a postgraduate fellowship programme that builds the capacity of Nigerian scholars across disciplines to conduct community-based research in maternal and reproductive health, as a strategy to fast-track the pursuit of the MDGs in northern Nigeria. As part of this unique, hands-on training program, several landmark operations research initiatives have been undertaken with the potential to transform the region. As a final output of the training process, the programme&apos;s fellows have unveiled the findings of their community-based research in this special journal edition that reflects the current state of maternal and reproductive health in rural northern Nigeria.Le Nigéria dispose d&apos;un des rapports de la mortalité maternelle les plus élevés du monde et la plupart des décès se produisent dans la région du nord du pays. Soucieux de la persistence du problème, certains intellectuels nigérians ont été incités d&apos;associer avec leurs collègues américains pour établir un programme des Associés d&apos;études supéieures qui renforce la capacité des intellectuels à travers des disciplines pour entreprendre des recherches à base de la communuaté dans le domaine de santé de la reproduction, comme une stratégie pour faire avancer rapidement la poursuite des OMDs au nord du Nigéria. Comme faisant partie de ce programme de formation pratique, beaucoup d&apos;initiatives de recherche opérationnelles marquantes ont été menées avec le potentiel de transformer la région. Comme le dernier rendement de ce processus de formation, les experts produits par le programme ont révélé les résultats de leur recherche à base de la communauté dans ce numéro spécial qui reflète l&apos;état actuel de la santé maternelle et de santé de la reproduction dans les régions rurales du nord du Nigéri

COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a major public health threat, especially in countries with low vaccination rates. To better understand the biological underpinnings of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity, we formed the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative1. Here we present a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of up to 125,584 cases and over 2.5 million control individuals across 60 studies from 25 countries, adding 11 genome-wide significant loci compared with those previously identified2. Genes at new loci, including SFTPD, MUC5B and ACE2, reveal compelling insights regarding disease susceptibility and severity.</p