Microbiological Properties of Stored Freeze Dried Cow Milk Cheese and Soy Cheese

The microbiological properties of stored freeze dried cow milk cheese and soy cheese were investigated. Cow milk cheese and soy milk cheese were prepared using appropriate standard procedures. The microbial qualities of the stored freeze dried samples were determined using standard  methods as prescribed by Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods and Bacteriological Analytical Manual. Data obtained were analyzed statistically to determine the effect of the packaging materials and storage duration on the microbial qualities of freeze dried cheese samples. Result of the microbial composition for the fresh cow milk and soy cheese for bacterial and fungi count are 3.00x103±0.01, 2.54x106±0.05 and 2.76x103±0.02, 2.60x106±0.10 while the result for the freeze dried cow milk and soy cheese before storage are 2.72x103±0.02, 2.35x106±0.30 and 2.54x103±0.03, 2.38x106±0.50. This indicates that all the packaging material types used have the ability to minimize the microbial growth of stored freeze dried cheese. Polythene film is recommended to be more suitable in terms of cost, availability, compactibility and weight. Keywords: cheese, freeze drying, microbial qualities, packaging materials

Refractive ocular conditions and reasons for spectacles renewal in a resource-limited economy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although a leading cause of visual impairment and a treatable cause of blindness globally, the pattern of refractive errors in many populations is unknown. This study determined the pattern of refractive ocular conditions, reasons for spectacles renewal and the effect of correction on refractive errors in a resource-limited community.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective review of case records of 1,413 consecutive patients seen in a private optometry practice, Nigeria between January 2006 and July 2007.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total number of 1,216 (86.1%) patients comprising of (486, 40%) males and (730, 60%) females with a mean age of 41.02 years SD 14.19 were analyzed. The age distribution peaked at peri-adolescent and the middle age years. The main ocular complaints were spectacles loss and discomfort (412, 33.9%), blurred near vision (399, 32.8%) and asthenopia (255, 20.9%). The mean duration of ocular symptoms before consultation was 2.05 years SD 1.92. The most common refractive errors include presbyopia (431, 35.3%), hyperopic astigmatism (240, 19.7%) and presbyopia with hyperopia (276, 22.7%). Only (59, 4.9%) had myopia. Following correction, there were reductions in magnitudes of the blind (VA<3/60) and visually impaired (VA<6/18-3/60) patients by (18, 58.1%) and (89, 81.7%) respectively. The main reasons for renewal of spectacles were broken lenses/frame/scratched lenses/lenses' falling off (47, 63.4%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Adequate correction of refractive errors reduces visual impairment and avoidable blindness and to achieve optimal control of refractive errors in the community, services should be targeted at individuals in the peri-adolescent and the middle age years.</p

Association of Genetic Variants With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Among Individuals With African Ancestry.

Importance:Primary open-angle glaucoma presents with increased prevalence and a higher degree of clinical severity in populations of African ancestry compared with European or Asian ancestry. Despite this, individuals of African ancestry remain understudied in genomic research for blinding disorders. Objectives:To perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of African ancestry populations and evaluate potential mechanisms of pathogenesis for loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Design, Settings, and Participants:A 2-stage GWAS with a discovery data set of 2320 individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma and 2121 control individuals without primary open-angle glaucoma. The validation stage included an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14 917 unaffected individuals using multicenter clinic- and population-based participant recruitment approaches. Study participants were recruited from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, Tanzania, Britain, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Peru, and Mali from 2003 to 2018. Individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma had open iridocorneal angles and displayed glaucomatous optic neuropathy with visual field defects. Elevated intraocular pressure was not included in the case definition. Control individuals had no elevated intraocular pressure and no signs of glaucoma. Exposures:Genetic variants associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Main Outcomes and Measures:Presence of primary open-angle glaucoma. Genome-wide significance was defined as P &lt; 5 × 10-8 in the discovery stage and in the meta-analysis of combined discovery and validation data. Results:A total of 2320 individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma (mean [interquartile range] age, 64.6 [56-74] years; 1055 [45.5%] women) and 2121 individuals without primary open-angle glaucoma (mean [interquartile range] age, 63.4 [55-71] years; 1025 [48.3%] women) were included in the discovery GWAS. The GWAS discovery meta-analysis demonstrated association of variants at amyloid-β A4 precursor protein-binding family B member 2 (APBB2; chromosome 4, rs59892895T&gt;C) with primary open-angle glaucoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.20-1.46]; P = 2 × 10-8). The association was validated in an analysis of an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14 917 unaffected individuals (OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.09-1.21]; P &lt; .001). Each copy of the rs59892895*C risk allele was associated with increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma when all data were included in a meta-analysis (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.14-1.25]; P = 4 × 10-13). The rs59892895*C risk allele was present at appreciable frequency only in African ancestry populations. In contrast, the rs59892895*C risk allele had a frequency of less than 0.1% in individuals of European or Asian ancestry. Conclusions and Relevance:In this genome-wide association study, variants at the APBB2 locus demonstrated differential association with primary open-angle glaucoma by ancestry. If validated in additional populations this finding may have implications for risk assessment and therapeutic strategies

Efekti aktivne filtracije tretmanom sa ugljem na procenu kvaliteta vode

Activated carbon has been identified as one of the major favoured water treatment technique because of its multifunctional nature without further detriment to the treated water. In this study, varying masses of the activated carbon from palm kernel (PK) shells were weighed at intervals to treat the water samples obtained at different locations. Location A is Otamiri River, in FUTO community while location B is Umuariagha River, in Ikwuano Local Government area of Abia state. The water samples collected were then analyzed using standard equipments. Results of the analyses revealed that the water quality parameters in the samples were highly reduced after treatment except for parameters like Nitrate ,with values 24.17 mg/L to 27.3 mg/L in location A; 4.73 mg/L to 7.9 mg/L in location B, Iron with values 1.0 mg/L to 0.42 mg/L in location A; 0.75 mg/L to 0.38mg/L in location B, and total bacteria coliform count with values 30 to 26 cfu/ml in location A; 28 to 24 cfu/ml in location B, showed little effect but confirm to standard for agricultural uses. Furthermore, these values are within the ranges recommended by FAO for irrigation uses. In conclusion, these water samples should be subjected to further treatment processes such as boiling before being used for drinking.Aktivni ugalj je identifikovan kao jedna od glavnih tehnika prečišćavanja vode zbog svoje multifunkcionalne prirode bez daljnjeg oštećenja tretirane vode. U ovoj studiji su izmerene mase aktivnog uglja dobijenog od ljuski palminog ploda (PK) u intervalima da bi se tretirali uzorci vode dobijeni na različitim lokacijama. Lokacija A je reka Otamiri, u zajednici FUTO, dok je lokacija B reka Umuariagha, u oblasti lokalne samouprave IKVUANO u državi Abia, Nigerija. Uzorci vode su analizirani standardnom opremom. Rezultati analiza pokazuju da su parametri kvaliteta vode u uzorcima posle tretmana visoko smanjeni, osim za parametre poput nitrata, sa vrednostima od 24,17 mg/L do 27,3 mg/L na lokaciji A; 4,73 mg/L do 7,9 mg/L na mestu B, i sadržaj gvožđa ima vrednosti od 1,0 mg/L do 0,42 mg/L na lokaciji A; 0,75 mg / L do 0,38 mg / L na mestu B. Ukupan broj koliformnih bakterija sa vrednostima 30 do 26 cfu/ml na lokaciji A; 28 do 24 cfu / ml na lokaciji B, pokazuje male efekte filtracije, ali potvrđuje kao standard za poljoprivrednu upotrebu. Pored toga, ove vrednosti su u granicama koje preporučuje FAO za upotrebu za potrebe korišćenja kod navodnjavanja. Zaključno je, da ove uzorke vode, treba podvrgnuti daljim postupcima obrade filtracije, i zagrevanja (ključanja), pre upotrebe za piće

Material Resources For Eye Care Delivery In Urban South-Eastern Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the availability and distribution of material resources for primary and secondary level eye care delivery in Enugu-North Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State. Methods: A survey of Public (State and Local Government administered) health care facilities in Enugu North LGA was done. The health map of Enugu North Local Government Area was read to identify available health care facilities. Each facility was visited. A pre-tested, observer–administered questionnaire was used to interview the administrative heads of all the health care facilities in the LGA. The population of the Local Government Area was obtained from the Enugu office of the National Population Commission (NPC). Results: The population of the area is 522,926. These persons are distributed in the three health districts as follows: Coal Camp – 157,179, Asata/Ogui – 157,577 and New Haven – 208,170. There are fourteen public primary and secondary level health care facilities in the Enugu North LGA. These are unevenly distributed in the three health districts of Coal Camp (64.29%), Asata/Ogui (28.59%) and New Haven (7.14%). Altogether primary level health care facilities made-up 13 (92.9%) of the facilities while there is only one (7.1%) secondary level health care facility in the LGA. Materials for eye care are available in only the secondary level health care facility. The materials for basic eye care in the primary level health care facilities were limited and were only found in 61.54% of such centres. Basic drugs for eye care delivery were always available in 4 (28.97%) centres; occasionally available in 4 (28.97) centres; and unavailable in 6 (42.86%) centres. Conclusion: The materials available for eye care delivery in Enugu North LGA are inadequate. The available materials are unevenly distributed. The possible reasons for the uneven distribution are, historical, political and geographic. These findings constitute barriers to uptake of eye care services Key Words: Eye care, material resources, availability and distribution of material resource. Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 13-1

Association of Genetic Variants With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Among Individuals With African Ancestry

Item does not contain fulltextImportance: Primary open-angle glaucoma presents with increased prevalence and a higher degree of clinical severity in populations of African ancestry compared with European or Asian ancestry. Despite this, individuals of African ancestry remain understudied in genomic research for blinding disorders. Objectives: To perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of African ancestry populations and evaluate potential mechanisms of pathogenesis for loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Design, Settings, and Participants: A 2-stage GWAS with a discovery data set of 2320 individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma and 2121 control individuals without primary open-angle glaucoma. The validation stage included an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14917 unaffected individuals using multicenter clinic- and population-based participant recruitment approaches. Study participants were recruited from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, Tanzania, Britain, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Peru, and Mali from 2003 to 2018. Individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma had open iridocorneal angles and displayed glaucomatous optic neuropathy with visual field defects. Elevated intraocular pressure was not included in the case definition. Control individuals had no elevated intraocular pressure and no signs of glaucoma. Exposures: Genetic variants associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Main Outcomes and Measures: Presence of primary open-angle glaucoma. Genome-wide significance was defined as P C) with primary open-angle glaucoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.20-1.46]; P = 2 x 10-8). The association was validated in an analysis of an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14917 unaffected individuals (OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.09-1.21]; P < .001). Each copy of the rs59892895*C risk allele was associated with increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma when all data were included in a meta-analysis (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.14-1.25]; P = 4 x 10-13). The rs59892895*C risk allele was present at appreciable frequency only in African ancestry populations. In contrast, the rs59892895*C risk allele had a frequency of less than 0.1% in individuals of European or Asian ancestry. Conclusions and Relevance: In this genome-wide association study, variants at the APBB2 locus demonstrated differential association with primary open-angle glaucoma by ancestry. If validated in additional populations this finding may have implications for risk assessment and therapeutic strategies

Association of genetic variants with primary open-angle glaucoma among individuals with african ancestry

Are there differences in genetic risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma based on ancestry? FindingsIn this multistage, case-control, genome-wide association study that included 26295 participants, the amyloid-beta A4 precursor protein-binding family B member 2 (APBB2) locus was significantly associated with primary open-angle glaucoma among individuals of African ancestry (odds ratio, 1.19 per copy of the risk allele for single-nucleotide polymorphism rs59892895T>C), but not of European or Asian ancestry. MeaningThis study identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism that demonstrated differential association with primary open-angle glaucoma by ancestry. ImportancePrimary open-angle glaucoma presents with increased prevalence and a higher degree of clinical severity in populations of African ancestry compared with European or Asian ancestry. Despite this, individuals of African ancestry remain understudied in genomic research for blinding disorders. ObjectivesTo perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of African ancestry populations and evaluate potential mechanisms of pathogenesis for loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Design, Settings, and ParticipantsA 2-stage GWAS with a discovery data set of 2320 individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma and 2121 control individuals without primary open-angle glaucoma. The validation stage included an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14917 unaffected individuals using multicenter clinic- and population-based participant recruitment approaches. Study participants were recruited from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, Tanzania, Britain, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Peru, and Mali from 2003 to 2018. Individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma had open iridocorneal angles and displayed glaucomatous optic neuropathy with visual field defects. Elevated intraocular pressure was not included in the case definition. Control individuals had no elevated intraocular pressure and no signs of glaucoma. ExposuresGenetic variants associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. Main Outcomes and MeasuresPresence of primary open-angle glaucoma. Genome-wide significance was defined as PC) with primary open-angle glaucoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.20-1.46]; P=2x10(-8)). The association was validated in an analysis of an additional 6937 affected individuals and 14917 unaffected individuals (OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.09-1.21]; P<.001). Each copy of the rs59892895*C risk allele was associated with increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma when all data were included in a meta-analysis (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.14-1.25]; P=4x10(-13)). The rs59892895*C risk allele was present at appreciable frequency only in African ancestry populations. In contrast, the rs59892895*C risk allele had a frequency of less than 0.1% in individuals of European or Asian ancestry. Conclusions and RelevanceIn this genome-wide association study, variants at the APBB2 locus demonstrated differential association with primary open-angle glaucoma by ancestry. If validated in additional populations this finding may have implications for risk assessment and therapeutic strategies. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) investigates genetic loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma in individuals in Africa and in the United States with African ancestry.3221716821691FAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulo10/18353-9; 02/11575-