Nigerian Mushrooms: Underutilized Non-Wood Forest Resources

Mushroom resources have been exploited in most developed economies because of their huge agro-industrial, medicinal and commercial benefits. Nigerians utilized mushroom-forming fungi only for food and folk medicine for many decades. Auricularia auricular Judae (Bull.) Quél, Lentinus squarrosulus Mont., Pleurotus tuberregium (Fr.) Singer and Volvariella volvacea (Bull.) Singer was some of the common edible mushrooms that were successfully cultivated in Nigeria on small-scale basis. The mushroom resources in Nigeria are grossly under-studied and their attractive potentials under-exploited for addressing economic and industrial development. Resourceful biotechnological approach in the application of mushrooms in agriculture, medicine, industry and environment is inchoate and uncommon in the country

Status Update and Interim Results from the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-2 (ACST-2)

Objectives: ACST-2 is currently the largest trial ever conducted to compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis requiring revascularization. Methods: Patients are entered into ACST-2 when revascularization is felt to be clearly indicated, when CEA and CAS are both possible, but where there is substantial uncertainty as to which is most appropriate. Trial surgeons and interventionalists are expected to use their usual techniques and CE-approved devices. We report baseline characteristics and blinded combined interim results for 30-day mortality and major morbidity for 986 patients in the ongoing trial up to September 2012. Results: A total of 986 patients (687 men, 299 women), mean age 68.7 years (SD ± 8.1) were randomized equally to CEA or CAS. Most (96%) had ipsilateral stenosis of 70-99% (median 80%) with contralateral stenoses of 50-99% in 30% and contralateral occlusion in 8%. Patients were on appropriate medical treatment. For 691 patients undergoing intervention with at least 1-month follow-up and Rankin scoring at 6 months for any stroke, the overall serious cardiovascular event rate of periprocedural (within 30 days) disabling stroke, fatal myocardial infarction, and death at 30 days was 1.0%. Conclusions: Early ACST-2 results suggest contemporary carotid intervention for asymptomatic stenosis has a low risk of serious morbidity and mortality, on par with other recent trials. The trial continues to recruit, to monitor periprocedural events and all types of stroke, aiming to randomize up to 5,000 patients to determine any differential outcomes between interventions. Clinical trial: ISRCTN21144362. © 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86–1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91–1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and Health Technology Assessment Programme

Adjunctive rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (ARREST): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a common cause of severe community-acquired and hospital-acquired infection worldwide. We tested the hypothesis that adjunctive rifampicin would reduce bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death, by enhancing early S aureus killing, sterilising infected foci and blood faster, and reducing risks of dissemination and metastatic infection. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults (≥18 years) with S aureus bacteraemia who had received ≤96 h of active antibiotic therapy were recruited from 29 UK hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated sequential randomisation list to receive 2 weeks of adjunctive rifampicin (600 mg or 900 mg per day according to weight, oral or intravenous) versus identical placebo, together with standard antibiotic therapy. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Patients, investigators, and those caring for the patients were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was time to bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death (all-cause), from randomisation to 12 weeks, adjudicated by an independent review committee masked to the treatment. Analysis was intention to treat. This trial was registered, number ISRCTN37666216, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between Dec 10, 2012, and Oct 25, 2016, 758 eligible participants were randomly assigned: 370 to rifampicin and 388 to placebo. 485 (64%) participants had community-acquired S aureus infections, and 132 (17%) had nosocomial S aureus infections. 47 (6%) had meticillin-resistant infections. 301 (40%) participants had an initial deep infection focus. Standard antibiotics were given for 29 (IQR 18-45) days; 619 (82%) participants received flucloxacillin. By week 12, 62 (17%) of participants who received rifampicin versus 71 (18%) who received placebo experienced treatment failure or disease recurrence, or died (absolute risk difference -1·4%, 95% CI -7·0 to 4·3; hazard ratio 0·96, 0·68-1·35, p=0·81). From randomisation to 12 weeks, no evidence of differences in serious (p=0·17) or grade 3-4 (p=0·36) adverse events were observed; however, 63 (17%) participants in the rifampicin group versus 39 (10%) in the placebo group had antibiotic or trial drug-modifying adverse events (p=0·004), and 24 (6%) versus six (2%) had drug interactions (p=0·0005). INTERPRETATION: Adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with S aureus bacteraemia. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment

Vegetative growth studies of Osathyrella atroumbonata Pegler, an indigenous edible mushroom in Nigeria

No Abstract. IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 184-18

Nutritional and phytochemical evaluation of cultivated Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler, a Nigerian edible mushroom

A nutritional and phytochemical evaluation of cultivated Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler was carried out at the immature and mature stages of the mushroom. The cultivated mushroom is very rich in protein and fibres compared with the wild species, and has a low lipid and sugar content. The nutrient composition is dependent upon the stage of its development and nutrient content was at a maximum at immature stage and decreased during further development. Alkaloids were detected in the mature fruit body, but not in the immature stage. However, saponins and tannins were present in both immature and mature stages. Flavonoids and anthraquinones were absent in the mushroom. The importance of these findings is discussed

Cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curtis: Fr.) P. Karst on sawdust of Brachystagia nigerica Hoyle & A.P.D.Jones.

This study examines the growth and cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.) P. Karst. to fructification stage. G.lucidum is a white rot polypore mushrooms popular in the oriental traditional cultures for its pharmacological and health modulating values.   Isolates of Ganoderma sp were collected from ten different locations in the tropical rainforest zone of Southern Nigeria and cultured in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Guinea corn (Sorgum bicolor) grains were used as the spawn medium while the substrate was  non-supplemented sawdust of Brachystagia   nigerica Hoyle & A.P.D Jones. Petri dishes were colonized by Ganoderma sp in 8 days, reaching a maximum mycelium diameter of 8.40 ± 0.00cm (n= 5). Guinea corn spawn attained full mycelium colonization in 5 days. Substrate bags were colonized after 62 days of inoculation with the spawn while primordial initiation of Ganoderma sp. appeared 5 days after the bags were fully colonized. The cropping cycle was approximately 110 days with a biological yield and biological efficiency of 19.93g/bag and 9.97% respectively. Isolates (1, 4, 5) from the rural communities of Iguikhinwin (Edo State) and Oghara (Delta State) produced heavier mycelium biomass in both culture and substrates. The successful cultivation of indigenous Ganoderma and their potential for domestic as well as commercial production in Nigeria is reported.Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, Sawdust, Pin head, Mycelium, Substrate.Cultivation de Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curtis: Fr.) P. Karst sur la sciure de bois de Brachystagia nigerica Hoyle & A.P.D.Jones.Cette étude examine la croissance et la culture de Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.) P. Karst. à l étape de la fructification. G.lucidum est un champignon blanc polypore en poudre populaire dans les cultures traditionnelles orientales pour ses valeurs pharmacologique et de modulation sanitaire. Les isolats de Ganoderma sp ont été recueillis dans dix endroits différents dans la zone de forêt tropicale du sud du Nigeria et cultivés dans l'Agar de Dextrose de Pomme de Terre (PDA). Les grains de maïs (Sorgum bicolor) ont été utilisés comme milieu de germination alors que le substrat était la sciure de bois non complétée de Brachystagia nigerica Hoyle et A.P.D Jones. boîtes de Petri ont été colonisées par Ganoderma sp en 8 jours, atteignant un diamètre maximal de mycélium de 8,40 ± 0,00 cm (n = 5). La génétique du maïs a atteint la colonisation complète du mycélium en 5 jours. Les sacs de substrat ont été colonisés après 62 jours d'inoculation avec le génome alors que l'initiation primordiale de Ganoderma sp. est apparu 5 jours après la colonisation totale des sacs. Le cycle de culture était environ 110 jours avec un rendement biologique et un rendement éfficace de 19,93g/sac et de 9,97% respectivement. Les isolats (1, 4, 5) issu des communautés rurales d'Iguikhinwin (L'état d'Edo) et Oghara (L'état de Delta) ont produit une biomasse de mycélium plus lourde à la fois dans la culture et les substrats. La cultivation réussie de Ganoderma indigène et leur potentiel pour la production domestique et commerciale au Nigeria sont rapportés. Mots-clés: Ganoderma, la sciure de bois, épingle, Mycelium, Substrat, Champignon