The Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation on micro-propagated hybrid yam (Dioscorea spp.) growth and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) suppression

Article Purchased; Published online: 12 October 2016The use of commercial inoculants containing non-indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is an emerging technology towards improving crop production in Africa. The present study aims at evaluating the influence of two strains of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) products, based on Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus dussii, on yam growth and on root knot nematodes suppression. Using micropropagated plantlets two cultivars each of Dioscorea alata (TDa98-01183 and TDa98-165), and D. rotundata (TDr97-00551 and TDr 745) were inoculated with the F. mosseae and G. dussii products separately, at transplanting into 2L pots, and then inoculated one month later with 500 infective juveniles of Meloidogyne spp. and grown for further seven months in the greenhouse. Results demonstrated that even with low colonization rates (6%), AMF led to improved yam growth, especially for D. alata. When challenged with Meloidogyne spp., AMF inoculation significantly suppressed galling symptoms across the treatments and led to higher tuber yield. This study indicates the potential of AMF to sustainably improve yam quality and productivity, although further screening should be done in order to identify a suitable combination AMF species/strain x cultivar compatibility to optimise the results

Effect of two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on development of micro-propagated yam plantlets and suppression of Scutellonema bradys (Tylenchideae)

Using two commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) products, one based on Funneliformis mosseae and the other on Glomus dussii, an experiment was conducted to assess their effect on yam growth and ability to suppress nematode damage in pots. Four yam cultivars (cvs) were used: two Dioscorea alata cvs (TDa98-01183 and TDa98-165), and two Dioscorea rotundata cvs (TDr97- 00551 and TDr 745). Micropropagated yam plantlets were inoculated either with F. mosseae or with G. dussii at the stage of transplanting into 2L pots and - one month later - with 500 vermiform Scutellonema bradys. The plantlets were grown for further six months in the greenhouse at IITA-Ibadan. The results showed that the presence of AMF tended to lead to improved growth of yam, especially D. alata cvs, as compared with the non-arbuscular mycorrhizal control plants. When challenged with the yam nematode S. bradys, plantlets of the two D. alata cultivars pre-inoculated with F. mosseae and cv TDr97-00551 pre-inoculated with G. dussii yielded significantly higher tuber weights compared to non- AMF control plantlets. S. bradys densities on yam plantlets pre-inoculated with AMF were generally suppressed, although no differences were observed in visible damage scores, which remained low or absent across treatments

Physico-Chemical Properties of Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) and their effects on the Qualities of Biodiesel

This study investigated the effects of physico-chemical properties of Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) on quality of biodiesel. The seeds were processed and extraction of oil was carried out using solvent extraction method. Biodiesel was produced from the extracted oil using trans esterification process. Physical and chemical properties of Thevetia peruviana biodiesel were determined using the ASTM standard test procedures. Results showed that the biodiesel contained little sulphur (3.0 mg/kg) and exhibited a high cetane number of 55 that exceeded the standard limit of 47 and 51 prescribed for EN 14214 and EN 590 respectively, which is a good indication of fuel’s ignition and combustion quality. Kinematic viscosity of the biodiesel at 40°C was 4.81 mm2/s, which was within the range specified by EN 14214. The density at 15°C was found to be 0.89g/cm3 which was well within the range specified by EN 14214. 0.16 mg/g of acid level was obtained for the bio-diesel, which conformed to the standard set by  Calorific value of the biodiesel produced from Yellow oleander seed oil was obtained as 40.42 kJ/g which indicated good fuel properties such as density, ignition quality, viscosity, cetane number, heating value and flash point. Carbon residue of the biodiesel was 0.14 mass %. Quality of the biodiesel produced conform to biodiesel and petroleum diesel standards of EN14214 and EN590 respectively

GADSA: Decision Support App for Antibiotics Prescribing in Nigeria

GADSA (Gamified Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support App) is a decision support tool to improve evidence-based prescribing, designed to be used at the point-of-care to help clinicians comply with guidelines in their everyday practice. The app represents a novel cross-platform, mobile decision support tool, integrating principles from serious games and gamification, to improve compliance with prescription guidelines of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) in Nigeria. This paper focuses on the decision support component of the mobile application, integrating the World Health Organisation and Sanford guidelines for SAP prescriptions

EFFECT OF TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS ON FEACAL CARRIAGE RATES OF RESISTANT ISOLATES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN HIV-INFECTED ADULT PATIENTS IN LAGOS.

Background: The daily use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but its impact on increasing antimicrobial resistance rates has been of public health concern, globally. This study investigated the effect of daily TMP-SMX prophylaxis on feacal carriage rates of resistant isolates of Escherichia coli in HIV-infected adult patients in Lagos. Methods: A total of 550 HIV-infected patients with CD4-cell counts of less than 350 cells/mm3 who were eligible for TMP-SMX prophylaxis and attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, were recruited for this study. Stool/rectal swab samples were aseptically collected from the patients and processed using standard methods for culture and sensitivity. Results: There was a baseline Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole resistance rate of 54% which increased to 77.9% in first 3 months, rising to 96.1% by 6 months and all isolates were resistant by the 9th month. There was also evidence of cross-resistance to other antibiotics with significance in association with TMP-SMX resistance (

EFFECT OF TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS ON FAECAL CARRIAGE RATES OF RESISTANT ISOLATES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN HIV-INFECTED ADULT PATIENTS IN LAGOS.

Background: The daily use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality among patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) but its impact on increasing antimicrobial resistance rates has been of public concern globally. This study investigated the effect of daily TMP-SMX prophylaxis on faecal carriage rates of resistant isolates of Escherichia coli in HIV-infected adult patients in Lagos. Methods: A total of 550 HIV-infected patients with CD4-cell count of less than 350 cell/mm3 and were eligible for TMP-SMX prophylaxis attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, were recruited. Stool/rectal swab samples were aseptically collected from the patients and processed using standard methods for culture and sensitivity. Results: There was a baseline Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole resistance rate of 54% which increased to 77.9% in first 3 months, rising to 96.1% by 6 months and all isolates were resistant by the 9th month. There was also evidence of crossresistance to other antibiotics with significant association with TMP-SMX resistance (

Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance in Nigeria From 2010 to 2016, Prior to and During the Phased Introduction of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Background: Historically, Nigeria has experienced large bacterial meningitis outbreaks with high mortality in children. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), and Haemophilus influenzae are major causes of this invasive disease. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, we conducted longitudinal surveillance in sentinel hospitals within Nigeria to establish the burden of pediatric bacterial meningitis (PBM). Methods: From 2010 to 2016, cerebrospinal fluid was collected from children <5 years of age, admitted to 5 sentinel hospitals in 5 Nigerian states. Microbiological and latex agglutination techniques were performed to detect the presence of pneumococcus, meningococcus, and H. influenzae. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction and serotyping/grouping were conducted to determine specific causative agents of PBM. Results: A total of 5134 children with suspected meningitis were enrolled at the participating hospitals; of these 153 (2.9%) were confirmed PBM cases. The mortality rate for those infected was 15.0% (23/153). The dominant pathogen was pneumococcus (46.4%: 71/153) followed by meningococcus (34.6%: 53/153) and H. influenzae (19.0%: 29/153). Nearly half the pneumococcal meningitis cases successfully serotyped (46.4%: 13/28) were caused by serotypes that are included in the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The most prevalent meningococcal and H. influenzae strains were serogroup W and serotype b, respectively. Conclusions: Vaccine-type bacterial meningitis continues to be common among children <5 years in Nigeria. Challenges with vaccine introduction and coverage may explain some of these finding. Continued surveillance is needed to determine the distribution of serotypes/groups of meningeal pathogens across Nigeria and help inform and sustain vaccination policies in the countr

Technology for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections; 2017 Geneva IPC-Think Tank (Part 2).

Background: The high burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is partially due to excessive antimicrobial use both in human and animal medicine worldwide. How can technology help to overcome challenges in infection prevention and control (IPC) and to prevent HAI and emerging AMR? Methods: In June 2017, 42 international experts convened in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss four potential domains of technology in IPC and AMR: 1) role and potential contribution of microbiome research; 2) whole genome sequencing; 3) effectiveness and benefit of antimicrobial environmental surfaces; and 4) future research in hand hygiene. Results: Research on the microbiome could expand understanding of antimicrobial use and also the role of probiotics or even faecal transplantation for therapeutic purposes. Whole genome sequencing will provide new insights in modes of transmission of infectious diseases. Although it is a powerful tool for public health epidemiology, some challenges with interpretation and costs still need to be addressed. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of antimicrobially coated or treated environmental high-touch surfaces requires further research before they can be recommended for routine use. Hand hygiene implementation can be advanced, where technological enhancement of surveillance, technique and compliance are coupled with reminders for healthcare professionals. Conclusions: The four domains of technological innovation contribute to the prevention of HAI and AMR at different levels. Microbiome research may offer innovative concepts for future prevention, whole genome sequencing could detect new modes of transmission and become an additional tool for effective public health epidemiology, antimicrobial surfaces might help to decrease the environment as source of transmission but continue to raise more questions than answers, and technological innovation may have a role in improving surveillance approaches and supporting best practice in hand hygiene

γδ T cells control murine skin inflammation and subcutaneous adipose wasting during chronic Trypanosoma brucei infection

African trypanosomes colonise the skin to ensure parasite transmission. However, how the skin responds to trypanosome infection remains unresolved. Here, we investigate the local immune response of the skin in a murine model of infection using spatial and single cell transcriptomics. We detect expansion of dermal IL-17A-producing Vγ6+ cells during infection, which occurs in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In silico cell-cell communication analysis suggests that subcutaneous interstitial preadipocytes trigger T cell activation via Cd40 and Tnfsf18 signalling, amongst others. In vivo, we observe that female mice deficient for IL-17A-producing Vγ6+ cells show extensive inflammation and limit subcutaneous adipose tissue wasting, independently of parasite burden. Based on these observations, we propose that subcutaneous adipocytes and Vγ6+ cells act in concert to limit skin inflammation and adipose tissue wasting. These studies provide new insights into the role of γδ T cell and subcutaneous adipocytes as homeostatic regulators of skin immunity during chronic infection