A barcode of multilocus nuclear DNA identifies genetic relatedness in pre- and post-Artemether/Lumefantrine treated Plasmodium falciparum in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The decline in the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT) in some endemic regions threatens the progress towards global elimination of malaria. Molecular surveillance of drug resistance in malaria-endemic regions is vital to detect the emergence and spread of mutant strains. METHODS: We observed 89 malaria patients for the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections in Lagos, Nigeria and determined the prevalence of drug resistant strains in the population. Parasite clearance rates were determined by microscopy and the highly sensitive var gene acidic terminal sequence (varATS) polymerase chain reaction for 65 patients with samples on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after commencement of treatment. The genomic finger print of parasite DNA from pre- and post-treatment samples were determined using 24 nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) barcode for P. falciparum. Drug resistance associated alleles in chloroquine resistance transporter gene (crt-76), multidrug resistance genes (mdr1-86 and mdr1-184), dihydropteroate synthase (dhps-540), dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr-108) and kelch domain (K-13580) were genotyped by high resolution melt analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments. RESULTS: By varATS qPCR, 12 (18.5%) of the participants had detectable parasite DNA in their blood three days after treatment, while eight (12.3%) individuals presented with genotypable day 28 parasitaemia. Complexity of infection (CoI) was 1.30 on day 0 and 1.34 on day 28, the mean expected heterozygosity (HE) values across all barcodes were 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.56 ± 0.05 on days 0 and 28 respectively. Barcode (π) pairwise comparisons showed high genetic relatedness of day 0 and day 28 parasite isolates in three (37.5%) of the eight individuals who presented with re-appearing infections. Crt-76 mutant allele was present in 38 (58.5%) isolates. The mdr1-86 mutant allele was found in 56 (86.2%) isolates. No mutation in the K-13580 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of DNA-detectable parasitaemia in more than 18% of cases after treatment and indications of genetic relatedness between pre- and post-treatment infections warrants further investigation of a larger population for signs of reduced ACT efficacy in Nigeria

Growth performance and cost implication of broiler chickens fed fortified composite cassava stump meal based diets

This study investigated fortifying cassava stump and leaf meals on general performance and cost implication of broiler chickens. Cassava stumps were collected, crushed, subjected to heat treatment and milled (CCSM). Cassava leaves were obtained air-dried and milled (CLM). CLM and CCSM were mixed in ratio 1:9 to produce fortified composite cassava stump meal (FCCSM). The FCCSM was used as feed ingredient. Five starter diets were formulated using FCCSM at the graded levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % and designated diets I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. The same procedure was followed for the finisher phase. 150 broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments replicated thrice with 10 chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. The respective diets were fed to the chicks ad libitum from 1 – 49 days. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS version 17 package. Results showed that highest total weight gain (2477 ± 159.10 g/bird) and best FCR (2.12 ± 0.01) were obtained with birds fed diet I, the lowest total weight gain (2040.28 ± 159.59 g/bird) was obtained from bird fed diet V. The poorest FCR (2.68 ± 0.05) was observed in bird fed diet IV. Bird fed diet V yielded the highest profit/bird produced (N 807.35 ± 12.88). From the results, it is recommended that up to 15 % FCCSM be included in broiler diet without adverse effect on growth performance and up to 20 % level of FCCSM inclusion improved the profit/bird produced. Keywords: Broiler chicks, Cassava leaf and stump, Fortified composite meal, Growth performance, Cost benefi

Application of Shunt Capacitor Compensation Technique on Electrical Power Distribution System: A Review

The performance and quality of service of the electrical power distribution system are one of the utmost issues bothering the power system operator. This matter is important in order to fulfil load demands, which increase significantly. The progress in enhancing the efficiency of the system is plagued by high real power losses and poor voltage profile especially in the conventional radial distribution system. Hence, researchers have adopted a variety of different approaches to solve these problems in electrical power distribution system. One of the techniques employed is installation of shunt capacitor (using Capacitor Switching Compensation). Studies have shown that when Capacitor Switching Compensation is incorporated into the distribution system, the system losses can be minimized by reducing the reactive power component. Capacitor Switching Compensation is a widely used technique in electric power distribution system to improve the power system performance. This study therefore, reviews some of the applications of Capacitor Switching Compensation in electrical distribution system based on voltage and reactive power control. Thus, the usage of Capacitor Switching Compensation help to control the reactive power on a distribution system, maintenance of the flat voltage profile, improve the system efficiency and the stability of the electrical power distribution system. Keywords:Electrical Power Distribution System, Reactive Power, Voltage Control, Capacitor Switching Compensation, System Losses, Load Demand. DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-5-03 Publication date:August 31st 202

Gaps and strategies in developing health research capacity: experience from the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance

Abstract Background Despite being disproportionately burdened by preventable diseases than more advanced countries, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to trail behind other parts of the world in the number, quality and impact of scholarly activities by their health researchers. Our strategy at the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance (NISA) is to utilise innovative platforms that catalyse collaboration, enhance communication between different stakeholders, and promote the uptake of evidence-based interventions in improving healthcare delivery. This article reports on findings from a structured group exercise conducted at the 2016 NISA Conference to identify (1) gaps in developing research capacity and (2) potential strategies to address these gaps. Methods A 1-hour structured group exercise was conducted with 15 groups of 2–9 individuals (n = 94) to brainstorm gaps for implementation, strategies to address gaps and to rank their top 3 in each category. Qualitative thematic analysis was used. First, duplicate responses were merged and analyses identified emerging themes. Each of the gaps and strategies identified were categorised as falling into the purview of policy-makers, researchers, implementing partners or multiple groups. Results Participating stakeholders identified 98 gaps and 91 strategies related to increasing research capacity in Nigeria. A total of 45 gaps and an equal number of strategies were ranked; 39 gaps and 43 strategies were then analysed, from which 8 recurring themes emerged for gaps (lack of sufficient funding, poor research focus in education, inadequate mentorship and training, inadequate research infrastructure, lack of collaboration between researchers, research-policy dissonance, lack of motivation for research, lack of leadership buy-in for research) and 7 themes emerged for strategies (increased funding for research, improved research education, improved mentorship and training, improved infrastructure for research, increased collaboration between academic/research institutions, greater engagement between researchers and policy-makers, greater leadership buy-in for research). Conclusions The gaps and strategies identified in this study represent pathways judged to be important in increasing research and implementation science capacity in Nigeria. The inclusion of perspectives and involvement of stakeholders who play different roles in policy, research and implementation activities makes these findings comprehensive, relevant and actionable, not only in Nigeria but in other similar LMICs