Managing Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients: Where are We Now?

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, rate of infections and length of hospital stay. For decades, hyperglycemia in critically ill population was considered an adaptive response and interventions were only considered if diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or severe hyperosmolar states developed. Furnary et al published studies showing lower sternal wound infection rates in cardiac surgical patients with control of glucose (180-220 mg/dl). This led to the dissemination of the “Portland Protocol,” but it was not widely accepted.1, 2 Management of hyperglycemia changed with the publication of Van Den Berghe study.3 This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study involving adults admitted to a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) who were receiving mechanical ventilation (MV). A total of 1548 patients were enrolled with patients randomly assigned to two groups. One group received intensive insulin therapy (IIT) with goal blood glucose of 80-110 mg/dl. The second group received conventional treatment whereby insulin was given only if the blood glucose level exceeded 215 mg/dl with goal glucose level of 180-200 mg/dl. Pages: 20-23

Evaluation of Microbiological Safety of Herbal Concoctions Sold in Some Markets in Gabasawa and Nassarawa Local Government Areas in Kano State

A study was carried out on the microbial safety of herbs sourced from some markets in Gabasawa Local Government and Nassarawa Local Government Areas in Kano state. A total of 12 different sample of herbal concoctions were collected from vendors in 2 market from the two Local Government Areas. Enumeration of coliform count, and aerobic bacterial count were carried out using MPN (Most Probable Number) and pour-plate techniques respectively. Enumeration of fungi was also carried out using pour-plate technique. Specific pathogens were also isolated and characterized using standard procedures. The result showed that coliform counts ranged between <3 and >2, 4000 MPN/ML. the mean aerobic viable bacterial count/ml ranged between <3 x 102 cfu/ml and TNC (too numerous to count) cfu/ml, while that of fungal counts ranged from <1x101 to TNC cfu/ml. the occurrence of Escherichia coli is 58.33%, yeast (75%), Aspergillus spps. (41.67%). Penicillium spps. (16.67%), Mucor spps. (33.33%), Rhizopus spps. (41.67%). The findings showed a high microbial contamination among the varieties of concoctions sampled. Adoption of hygiene and good manufacturing practices are therefore recommended as they can improve safety and acceptability of herbal preparations

Screening of Cassia singuaena, Commiphora kerstingii, Khaya senegalensis for brine shrimp lethality and antiplasmodium activity

Extracts of Cassia singueana, (twigs), Commiphora kerstingii (stem) and the bark of Khaya senegalensis were screened for antimalaria activity. Brine shrimp lethality assay was also employed as activity guide. Chloroform extracts of C. singueana was found to be the most active in both brine shrimp lethality (BST) and anti-malaria assay. The aqueous extract of K. senegalensis and Commiphora kerstinigii were found to be in-active against brine shrimp larvae. The phytochemical analysis of crude plants under investigation showed presence of saponins, tannins, glycosides and sterols.Keywords: Screening of Cassia singueana, Commiphora kerstingii, Khaya senegalensis, brine shrimp test

Current trend in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Clostridium tetani isolated from soil samples in Kano

The need for a regular assessment of the antimicrobial sensitivity patterns among tetanus causing as well as infectious members of Clostridia found in soil-human settlement provides a justification for the present study. Accordingly, soil from various locations of Bayero University Campus, Kano was screened for the isolation of C. tetani by anaerobic culturing procedures. The organism was detected in 60% of the soil samples. The isolates were tested against commonly prescribed drugs including sparfloxacin, ciprofloxin, chloramphenicol, cloxacillin and metronidazole by disc diffusion technique. Flouroquinolones; sparfloxacin (30μg), ciprofloxacin (30μg), metronidazole (5μg), gentamycin (10μg) and tetracycline (10μg) showed greater in vitro inhibitory effect. The activity of erythromycin (5μg) and chloramphenicol (30μg) was moderate. However, all penicillin derivatives (augmentin (30μg), amoxicillin (25μg), cloxacillin (5μg) and penicillin V (30μg) as well as cotrimoxazole (25μg) were all inactive against the organism. The flouroquinolones, genta,mycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline remain the drugs of choice against infections due to the organism, while co-trimoxazole and members of the penicillin group of antimicrobials appeared to loose their in vitro potency and effectiveness. Keywords: Clostridium tetani, Soil isolate, Chemotherapy, Antimicrobial Susceptibilit

Isolation and Identification of Postharvest Spoilage Fungi Associated with Sweet Oranges (Citrus sinensis) Traded in Kano Metropolis

Mycological studies on fungi in apparently diseased sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) sampled from retailers at Na'ibawa Yan Lemu market in Kano Metropolis was carried out between August and September 2006. The samples were surface sterilized using 85% ethanol and homogenates were cultured on potato Dextrose Agar and incubated aerobically at room temperature for 7 days at 30°C. Pure cultures of the resulting fungal colonies were obtained from the subcultures of the primary plates. These were identified morphologically and microscopically. The investigation revealed that up to 90% of the samples were infected with one or more fungal species. The most predominant pathogenic fungus isolated from the samples was, Aspergillus sp (32.5%); others include Mucor sp. (25%), Penicillium sp (15%), Rhizopus sp (15%), Fusarium sp, (7.5%), and Alternaria sp. (5%). Proper handling from the farm as well as during storage and the avoidance of mixing of diseased ones with the healthy ones were identified as important factors in preventing loss. The use of suitable chemical treatment of the orange is also recommended as means of reducing economic loss due to fungal pathogens.Key words: Mycological studies, Fungal colonies, Sweet orange, Kan

PENGARUH KOMPETENSI GURU TERHADAP KINERJA GURU DAN PRESTASI BELAJAR SISWA DI KOTA MAKASSAR

This research is to study the competencies of teachers and student achievement. Data sources used in this study are primary and secondary data, with PNS teacher participants in the Makassar City Education and Culture Office, as for the sample of 183 teacher respondents. Analysis of the data used in this study is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Based on the research results obtained positive and significant competence on the performance of high school teachers in Makassar City, while the evaluation of competencies on student achievement has positive and not significant results on the learning achievement of high school students in Makassar City. Intervening variable test results obtained positive and significant assessment competence on student achievement in high school in Makassar through teacher performance, direct competency complaints against student learning achievement when teacher performance is significant on student learning achievement

Evaluation of Critical Control Points (CCPS) in the Production of ‘Daddawa’ (African Locust Bean Cake) in Dawakin –Tofa Local Government area, Kano State, Nigeria

Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) was carried out during the production of African locust bean seeds condiment (Daddawa) in a location that specialized in it’s manufacturing namely Kwanar – yandaddawa (Dawakin – Tofa Local Government Area) Kano State, Nigeria. The analyses consisted of determination of the aerobic, anaerobic mesophilic bacterial, staphylococcal and fungal counts. In addition, detection of E. coli 0157: H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens on the raw seeds before processing and the processed daddawa were also carried out. The raw seeds, processed seeds, production stages and additives had high total microbial count in the range of 109 - 1011cfu/g, which is above the maximum acceptable limit of 105cfu/g. Bacteria isolated and biochemically characterized were Staphylococcus spp, Clostridium perfringens and E. coli 0157: H7. Mucor and Rhizopus were the fungal genera frequently isolated from most of the samples with Aspergillus fumigatus least isolated. Clostridium botulinum was not isolated at Kwanar yandaddawa. The raw seeds, sand used in dehauling, diluents, pawpaw leaves used as additives as well as final molding, comparing (tabletting) and display for sale to consumers are therefore regarded as a critical control points.Keywords: Aerobes, anaerobes, E. coli 0157: H7, Critical Control Points

ESTIMATION OF COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS IN WHEAT

The study used a half-diallel mating fashion to identify combining ability (GCA and SCA) and heterosis of six wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes and their 15 F1 hybrids for morpho-physiological, yield, and yield-contributing traits. The present study was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The studied characters are heading days, maturity days, chlorophyll content, Plant height, Effective tillers plant-1, Total tillers plant-1, Spikes plant-1, Spike length, Filled spikelets spike-1, Unfilled spikelets spike-1, Grains spike-1, Thousand grain weight, Grain yield plant-1, Biological yield plant-1, and Harvest index Highly significant differences were observed among genotypes (parents and F1 hybrids) for all characters studied. The results also showed that the mean squares due to general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities were highly significant for all studied characters except harvest index, indicating the magnitude of both additive and non-additive gene effects in governing these traits. GCA/SCA ratios were greater than one for all characters except filled spikelets spike-1 and harvests index, indicating the dominance of additive gene effects, which play important roles in the inheritance of these characters. While the non-additive effect of the gene predominated in the inheritance of filled spikelets (spike-1) and harvests index, The parent BARI GOM-30 emerged as the best general combiner for total tillers plant-1, filled spikelets spike-1, grains spike-1, thousand-grain weight, grain yield plant-1, and harvest index. Bari Gom-28 was the best general combiner for heading days and maturity days, and Sourav was the best for effective tillers plant-1, spikes plant-1, and biological yield plant-1. The cross BARI GOM-30  SOURAV was the best specific combiner for effective tillers plant-1, total tillers plant-1, spikes plant-1, and PRODIP  SOURAV for filled spikelets spike-1. Bari GOM-33   Sourav emerged as the best specific combiner for grain yield plant-1 and Prodip    Ayt-5 for grain spike-1. Concerning heterotic effects in comparison to the midparent, the F1 hybrid BARI GOM-28  BARI GOM-33 showed maximum significant positive heterosis for chlorophyll content and biological yield plant-1 and BARI GOM-33  SOURAV for effective tillers plant-1, spikes plant-1, and grain yield plant-1. These parents and cross combinations could be used for the breeding program of wheat for potential yield. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2022.v09i12.00