IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SOLID WASTE ON GROUNDWATER: A CASE STUDY OF AARADA DUMPSITE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT A research on the impact of waste disposal site on groundwater resources was conducted around Aarada refuse dumpsite, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria using electrical resistivity (Vertical Electrical Sounding) and hydrophysicochemical methods. World Health Organization (WHO) standard was used as yard stick for the hydrophysicochemical method. A total of seven VES were carried out with electrode spacing ranging between 80 to 130m. The hydro-physicochemical analysis was conducted at the peak of the dry season on nine water samples taken from nine different hand-dug wells in the research area. The result obtained from the interpreted VES data revealed leachate plumes at the subsurface in the study area

In Silico Evaluation of Inhibitors of Plasmodium Falciparum AP2-I Transcription Factor and Plasmodium Falciparum Bromodomain Protein 1

Recent treatment failures observed for Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) have raised concerns about the efficacy of the front-line drug to treat malaria and the need to develop a new antimalarial drug regimen. Plasmodium falciparum Apicomplexan Apetala 2 Invasion (PfAP2-I) transcription factor (TF) is a protein that regulates the expression of a subset of gene families involved in Plasmodium falciparum red blood cell (RBC) invasion. PfAP2-I associates with several chromatin proteins, including the Plasmodium falciparum bromodomain protein 1 (PfBDP1) and that complex formation is associated with transcriptional regulation. Inhibiting PfAP2-I TF and PfBDP1 with small molecules represents a potential new antimalarial therapeutic target to combat drug resistance, which this study aims to achieve

Cassava trait preferences of men and women farmers in Nigeria: implications for breeding

Nigeria is the world’s largest cassava producer, hosting a diverse array of cassava farmers and processors. Cassava breeding programs prioritize “common denominator” 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

Evaluation of Plasmodium falciparum K13 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to dihydroartemisinin in an endemic area

Asia, and its reduced sensitivity has been reported in other regions. This study aims to determine parasite susceptibility to the bioactive form of artemisinin derivatives- dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-, and to detect the K13 polymorphism in isolates from an endemic area of Nigeria. Methods: Ex-vivo response in 55 parasites isolates obtained from malaria-positive patients were exposed to pulseDHA concentration and cultured for 66 hours ex-vivo. Parasite ring stage survival (RSAex-vivo) relative to unexposed matched control was determined by microscopy, and parasite growth was compared using Mann-Whitney U-test at a significance level of P<0.05. The Kelch propeller gene was amplified using specific primers, then sequenced and analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were compared to reference PF3D7_1343700. Results: Overall, 151 of 375 (40.2%) individuals were positive during the study period. In 55 selected isolates, there was increased growth in unexposed wells but growth was inhibited in DHA-exposed wells, with growth rate between 14.9 – 96.7%. The mean RSAex-vivo value was 0.18 � 0.09%, 95% CI (0.15-0.20). There was no significant mutation of the K13 gene in the parasite isolates evaluated. Conclusions: Plasmodium falciparum isolates from this endemic area show high sensitivity to dihydroartemisinin ex-vivo, with no mutations conferring artemisinin resistance. Continuous monitoring of parasite susceptibility to artemisinin combination drugs should be intensified to reduce chances of artemisinin resistance in endemic area

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 February–8 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 ≥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

Women’s beliefs about medicines and adherence to pharmacotherapy in pregnancy: Opportunities for community pharmacists?

Background During pregnancy women might weigh benefits of treatment against potential risks to the unborn child. However, non-adherence to necessary treatment can adversely affect both mother and child. To optimize pregnant women’s beliefs and medication adherence, community pharmacists are ideally positioned to play an important role in primary care. Objective This narrative review aimed to summarize the evidence on 1) pregnant women’s beliefs, 2) medication adherence in pregnancy, and 3) community pharmacists’ counselling during pregnancy. Method Three search strategies were used in Medline and Embase to find original studies evaluating women’s beliefs, medication adherence and community pharmacists’ counselling during pregnancy. All original descriptive and analytic epidemiological studies performed in Europe, North America and Australia, written in English and published from 2000 onwards were included. Results We included 14 studies reporting on women’s beliefs, 11 studies on medication adherence and 9 on community pharmacists’ counselling during pregnancy. Women are more reluctant to use medicines during pregnancy and tend to overestimate the teratogenic risk of medicines. Risk perception varies with type of medicine, level of health literacy, education level and occupation. Furthermore, low medication adherence during pregnancy is common. Finally, limited evidence showed current community pharmacists’ counselling is insufficient. Barriers hindering pharmacists are insufficient knowledge and limited access to reliable information. Conclusion Concerns about medication use and non-adherence are widespread among pregnant women. Community pharmacists’ counselling during pregnancy is insufficient. Further education, training and research are required to support community pharmacists in fulfilling all the opportunities they have when counselling pregnant women