29 research outputs found
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF GENOTYPING AND CULTURE-BASED TECHNIQUES FOR FUNGAL KERATITIS DETECTION
The study aims to compare the direct polymerase chain reaction with microbial culture for the detection and fungal pathogens in infectious keratitis. A total of 81 corneal ulcers were culture and analyzed prospectively. PCR was performed with all corneal scrapping with fungal and bacteria specific primers. PCR products were analysed and compared with the culture results using standard methods. Of the 81 samples, 80 were positive by PCR, 51 for fungi and 29 for bacteria. Out of 51 PCR positive samples, 22 samples were culture positive and 29 were culture negative. The majority of PCR genotyped samples matched the positive culture results. The positive detection rate of 80/81 (98.8%) with high suspicion of fungal keratitis and positive detection rate of direct PCR 50/51(98.0%) were observed. The sensitivities for the diagnosis of fungal keratitis with direct PCR and culture were 98.0% (50/51) and 43.1% (22/51) (p< 0.001) whereas the specificities were 100.0% (2/2) and 100.0% (1/1) respectively. The time required to complete the direct PCR was only 3 hours. The direct PCR assay is a rapid diagnostic technique with high sensitivity and specificity for infectious keratitis and it is expected to have impact on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious keratitis.
 
MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPROVED INDIGENOUS CHICKENS (FUNAAB-ALPHA) FED TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) OR CLOVE (Syzygium aromaticum) AS FEED ADDITIVES
The experiment was conducted to investigate meat quality of improved indigenous chickens (FUNAAB alpha) fed diet containing turmeric (Curcuma longa) and clove (Syzigium aromaticum) powders. One hundred and thirty-five (135) mixed sexed day-old improved indigenous FUNAAB alpha chicks were brooded collectively for two weeks, and assigned into three (3) treatment groups. Each treatment was replicated three times, consisting of fifteen (15) birds. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum through the duration of experiment. The control group was fed the basal diet at starter and finisher phases (T1), while the other groups were fed clove (Syzygium aromaticum) powder at 3 g/kg (T2) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) (T3) powder at 4 g/kg respectively as additives. Data obtained were subjected to a One ā Way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomised Design. Muscle obtained after evisceration was subjected to quality analysis. Proximate composition of meat obtained from chickens fed the basal diet had the highest (p<0.05) moisture content value of 75.45% compared to other treatments. Water absorptive capacity and cook loss of meat obtained from chickens fed 4 g/kg dietary turmeric showed (p<0.05) values of 3% and 16.4% respectively. Meat sensory properties analysed revealed (p<0.05) score in groups fed 3g/kg and 4 g/kg clove and turmeric powders respectively, for tenderness (6.14) and overall acceptability (7.19). Meanwhile (p<0.05) lipoprotein profile was observed in group fed 4 g/kg turmeric powder. Inclusion, turmeric and clove had beneficial effects on FUNAAB Alpha.
 
Groundwater Contaminats' Investigation at Aarada Waste Disposal Site Using Geophysical and Hydro-Physicochemical Approach
Distribution of radionuclides and assessment of risk exposure to the miners on a kaolin field
Mining of kaolin deposits are common in Nigeria without considering the background radiation in such environment and the health risks it might pose on the miners. In this study, in-situ measurements of the naturally occurring radionuclides were carried out with the aim of determining the distribution of these radionuclides on the mining field and estimation of the hazard indices exposure risks (Ī³- and Ī±-radiation risks) to the miners. The study was achieved with the aid of gamma ray detector Super-Spec (RS-125) and global positioning system. The detector used has ability to measure activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and gamma doses. For the purpose of this study, only the concentrations of the three radionuclides were considered. For each location, measurements were taken four times, while its mean value was estimated for better accuracy. In all, nineteen locations were occupied in order to cover the study area. Basic kriging method was adopted for the production of spatial distribution of these radionuclides and their corresponding Ī³- and Ī±-radiation hazard indices. The mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 46.7, 71.8 and 108.7 Bq kg-1 , respectively. When compared to the global standard, it was revealed that 238U and 232Th are greater than the global standard, while 40K fall below the permissible limit. The Ī³- and Ī±-radiation exposure risks estimated revealed that the mean values of IĪ³ and IĪ± are 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. Though the estimated Ī³- and Ī±-radiation indices showed that the kaolin field is safe for the miners, periodic check is required in order to monitor the rate at which these natural primordial radionuclides (238U and 232Th and their progenies) are being enhanced
Patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 positivity and fatality in Nigeria: retrospective cohort study
Objective: Despite the increasing disease burden, there is
a dearth of context-specific evidence on the risk factors for
COVID-19 positivity and subsequent death in Nigeria. Thus,
the study objective was to identify context-specific factors
associated with testing positive for COVID-19 and fatality
in Nigeria.
Design Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: COVID-19 surveillance and laboratory centres in
36 states and the Federal Capital Territory reporting data to
the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Participants: Individuals who were investigated for SARSCoV-2 using real-time PCR testing during the study period
27 Februaryā8 June 2020.
Methods: COVID-19 positivity and subsequent mortality.
Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed
to identify factors independently associated with both
outcome variables, and findings are presented as adjusted
ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs.
Results: A total of 36 496 patients were tested for
COVID-19, with 10 517 confirmed cases. Of 3215
confirmed cases with available clinical outcomes, 295
died. Factors independently associated with COVID-19
positivity were older age (p value for trend<0.0001), male
sex (aOR 1.11, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.18) and the following
presenting symptoms: cough (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13 to
1.32), fever (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.71), loss of smell
(aOR 7.78, 95% CI 5.19 to 11.66) and loss of taste (aOR
2.50, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.90). An increased risk of mortality
following COVID-19 was observed in those aged ā„51
years, patients in farming occupation (aOR 7.56, 95% CI
1.70 to 33.53) and those presenting with cough (aOR 2.06,
95% CI 1.41 to 3.01), breathing difficulties (aOR 5.68, 95%
CI 3.77 to 8.58) and vomiting (aOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.33 to
4.84).
Conclusion: The significant risk factors associated with
COVID-19 positivity and subsequent mortality in the
Nigerian population are similar to those reported in studies
from other countries and should guide clinical decisions for
COVID-19 testing and specialist care referrals
Cassava trait preferences of men and women farmers in Nigeria: implications for breeding
Nigeria is the worldās largest cassava producer, hosting a diverse array of cassava farmers and processors. Cassava breeding programs prioritize ācommon denominatorā traits in setting breeding agendas, to impact the largest possible number of people through improved varieties. This approach has been successful, but cassava adoption rates are less than expected, with room for improvement by integrating traits in demand by farmers and processors. This paper aims to inform breeding priority setting, by examining trait and varietal preferences of men and women cassava farmer/processors. Men and women in eight communities in Southwest and Southeast Nigeria were consulted using mixed methods. Women and men had significantly different patterns of cassava use in the Southwest. Fifty-five variety names were recorded from the communities demonstrating high genetic diversity maintained by growers, especially in the Southeast. High yield, early maturity, and root size were most important traits across both regions, while traits women and men preferred followed gender roles: women prioritized product quality/cooking traits, while men placed higher priority on agronomic traits. Trait preference patterns differed significantly between the Southeast and Southwest, and showed differentiation based on gender. Patterns of access to stem sources were determined more by region and religion than gender
Partial ordering of weak mutually unbiased bases
YesA quantum system (n) with variables in Z(n), where n = Qpi (with pi prime numbers), is
considered. The non-near-linear geometry G(n) of the phase space Z(n) Ć Z(n), is studied. The
lines through the origin are factorized in terms of āprime factor linesā in Z(pi)ĆZ(pi). Weak mutually
unbiased bases (WMUB) which are products of the mutually unbiased bases in the āprime factor
Hilbert spacesā H(pi), are also considered. The factorization of both lines and WMUB is analogous
to the factorization of integers in terms of prime numbers. The duality between lines and WMUB is
discussed. It is shown that there is a partial order in the set of subgeometries of G(n), isomorphic
to the partial order in the set of subsystems of (n)
Inflammatory biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease plasma
Introduction: Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis/stratification are a \u201cHoly Grail\u201d of AD research and intensively sought; however, there are no well-established plasma markers. Methods: A hypothesis-led plasma biomarker search was conducted in the context of international multicenter studies. The discovery phase measured 53 inflammatory proteins in elderly control (CTL; 259), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; 199), and AD (262) subjects from AddNeuroMed. Results: Ten analytes showed significant intergroup differences. Logistic regression identified five (FB, FH, sCR1, MCP-1, eotaxin-1) that, age/APO\u3b54 adjusted, optimally differentiated AD and CTL (AUC: 0.79), and three (sCR1, MCP-1, eotaxin-1) that optimally differentiated AD and MCI (AUC: 0.74). These models replicated in an independent cohort (EMIF; AUC 0.81 and 0.67). Two analytes (FB, FH) plus age predicted MCI progression to AD (AUC: 0.71). Discussion: Plasma markers of inflammation and complement dysregulation support diagnosis and outcome prediction in AD and MCI. Further replication is needed before clinical translation
CSF1R inhibitor JNJ-40346527 attenuates microglial proliferation and neurodegeneration in P301S mice
Neuroinflammation and microglial activation are significant processes in Alzheimer's disease pathology. Recent genome-wide association studies have highlighted multiple immune-related genes in association with Alzheimer's disease, and experimental data have demonstrated microglial proliferation as a significant component of the neuropathology. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the selective CSF1R inhibitor JNJ-40346527 (JNJ-527) in the P301S mouse tauopathy model. We first demonstrated the anti-proliferative effects of JNJ-527 on microglia in the ME7 prion model, and its impact on the inflammatory profile, and provided potential CNS biomarkers for clinical investigation with the compound, including pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics and efficacy assessment by TSPO autoradiography and CSF proteomics. Then, we showed for the first time that blockade of microglial proliferation and modification of microglial phenotype leads to an attenuation of tau-induced neurodegeneration and results in functional improvement in P301S mice. Overall, this work strongly supports the potential for inhibition of CSF1R as a target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other tau-mediated neurodegenerative diseases