Epidermiology of Hand Injuries Seen at Two Teaching Hospitals in Sothern Nigeria

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Hygiene Practices among Workers in Local Eateries of Orolu Community in South Western Nigeria

Background: Activities of local food premises and monitoring of food handlers are usually not regulated.Aim: The objective of this study was to determine food hygiene (FH) practices among food handlers in rural communities in South Western Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: Descriptive cross‑sectional study was carried out among 235 food handlers; data collection was by interviewer administered questionnaires. Using the SPSS software, multivariate analysis in two separate models was done to explore the predictors of correct knowledge and good hygiene practices. The model fit was assessed as good using the Hosmer and Lemeshow test.Results: Mean age of respondents was 31.8 (10.8) years. Of the respondents (134) that had training, 17.2% (23/134) had formal training, and 82.8% (111/134) had apprenticeship; about 31.5% (74/235) of respondents maintained a good level of hygiene in their practices. Significant predictors of correct knowledge were found to be being trained (significant 0.01, odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.8) and receiving the training as an apprentice (significant 0.01, OR – referent group); or in a formal setting (significant 0.01, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6–7.0) and having no formal education (significant 0.04, OR – reference group).Conclusion: Good knowledge and attitude but low level of good practices toward FH characterized food handlers under study.Keywords: Attitude and practice, Food handlers, Food hygiene, Knowledge, Local eaterie

Nutritional and microbiological quality of tiger nut tubers (Cyperus esculentus), derived plant-based and lactic fermented beverages

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) is a tuber that can be consumed raw or processed into beverages. Its nutritional composition shows a high content of lipid and dietary fiber, close to those of nuts, and a high content of starch, like in other tubers. Tiger nuts also contain high levels of phosphorus, calcium, and phenolic compounds, which contribute to their antioxidant activity. From those characteristics, tiger nuts and derived beverages are particularly relevant to limit food insecurity in regions where the plant can grow. In Europe and United States, the tiger nut derived beverages are of high interest as alternatives to milk and for gluten-free diets. Fermentation or addition of probiotic cultures to tiger nut beverages has proven the ability of lactic acid bacteria to acidify the beverages. Preliminary sensory assays concluded that acceptable products are obtained. In the absence of pasteurization, the safety of tiger nut-based beverages is not warranted. In spite of fermentation, some foodborne pathogens or mycotoxigenic fungi have been observed in fermented beverages. Further studies are required to select a tailored bacterial cocktail which would effectively dominate endogenous flora, preserve bioactive compounds and result in a well-accepted beverage

Effect of Calcium (Hardness of Water) on the Uptake of Ciprofloxacin in Bath-Medicated African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Seventy -two catfishes weighing between 200 and 250g (and distributed into 3 groups) were subjected to bath medication with ciprofloxacin at 25mg/litre of water. Medicated water of each group (24 catfishes/group) had the same pH of 6.6, after adjustment using sodium carbonate, but different levels of calcium hardness .Group A water had 12.5mg/litre of calcium hardness, while for groups B and C, the levels of the calciumhardness were adjusted to 212.5mg/litre and 412.5mg/litre respectively using calcium chloride. Samples (blood, liver, kidney and muscle) were taken from two randomly selected fishes in each group within 8hours of exposure to ciprofloxacin. These were taken at 0 h, 0.5h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h and were preserved at - 0.5°C, prior to processing and drug extraction. Ciprofloxacin level was quantified by ELISA. The seraarea under the curve (AUC) values of groups A, B and C were 17,938.13 ìg.hr./L, 18,883.75 ìg.hr./L and 12,273.75 ìg.hr./L respectively, showing that at the highest concentration of calcium ions in medicated water (as seen in group c ) level of the absorption .of ciprofloxacin will be reduced , hence reduced bioavailability There was also a direct linear relationship between the AUC values for tissue and the level of calcium hardness of water. This study therefore suggests a need to strongly consider the influence of corechemical parameters of fish culture water such as hardness, alkalinity and pH, as these can reduce efficacy or increase toxicity of drugs that are administered to fish by bath method

Seroprevalence of avian influenza in free-range domestic ducks in some selected households in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria

Since the report of the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Nigeria, surveillance of the disease has mostly been in chickens, with minimal focus on ducks. This work aimed to conduct a longitudinal study to determine the prevalence and temporal patterns of antibodies against Avian Influenza viruses (AIV) in healthy, unvaccinated scavenging ducks in some Local Governments Areas (LGAs) in Oyo State. We used a competitive ELISA to identify AI virus antibodies in a total of 200 duck sera collected from different households in Akinyele, Iseyin and Ibarapa Central Local government areas (LGAs) during dry and wet seasons as part of ongoing research on AI in the southwest, Nigeria. The overall seroprevalence obtained by ELISA was 42.5% (85/200). A significantly higher seroprevalence of 60% (60/100) of AI was found in the dry season than in the wet season with 25% (25/100). This study provides evidence of ongoing circulation of Avian influenza in the indigenous duck population in some selected local government areas in Oyo State, which may be a risk factor for future outbreaks of AI in chickens and possibly humans. Proper biosecurity and continuous surveillance are hereby advocated for effective prevention and control. Additionally, keeping ducks and chickens together should be discouraged both on farms and in households, particularly during the dry season

In-ovo evaluation of the antiviral activity of methanolic root-bark extract of the African Baobab (Adansonia digitata Lin)

Application of ethnoveterinary medicine in the control of poultry diseases is being embraced in many parts of the world for more profitable production. This study investigated the antiviral property of the root-bark extract of the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata Lin) against Newcastle disease virus. One hundred and seventy five specific antibody negative embryonated chicken eggs and a field strain of Newcastle disease virus were used to test for the antiviral activity of the methanolic root bark extract of the tree. Following a 2-h exposure of the virus to eight graded concentrations of the extract, it was incubated at 37°C and observed 12-hourly for mortality. Dead embryos were spot tested for haemagglutinating activity. The 100EID50 concentration of the virus and the highest concentration of the extract were inoculated as positive and negative controls, respectively. All eggs inoculated with the virus alone as well as 5 and 2 mg/ml extract/virus suspensions, died by 72 h post inoculation, while no mortality was observed amongst those inoculated with 250 and 200 mg/ml virus/extract suspensions as well as those inoculated with the pure extract. Mortalities of 40, 40 and 20%, due to viral activity were recorded for 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml suspensions, respectively. This study showed that methanolic rootbark extract of A. digitata has antiviral activity against Newcastle disease virus in ovo, particularly when used at dose rates of 200 and 250 mg/ml.Key words: Ethnoveterinary, African Baobab, antiviral activity, Newcastle disease virus

DESIGN AND OPERATIONS CHALLENGES OF A SINGLE TOGGLE JAW CRUSHER: A REVIEW

A review on the design and operations challenges of a single toggle jaw crusher is presented. Strength and fracture toughness of the material to be crushed are intrinsic properties that determine the time and energy required to crush the material. Economy of the crushing process is partly dependent on the angle of nip. Productivity of the crusher can be improved upon by increasing the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft, use of reversible jaws, bush bearing and easily adjustable toggle plate. Vibrations and fatigue cracks in the crusher frame will be nipped in the bud through structural analysis at design stage. Determination of the optimal angle of inclination of the toggle plate, development of jaws with varying wear rate along the crushing chamber, and development of comminution energy models that take into cognizance relevant crushing parameters for simulation and optimization of the crushing process are some areas that require close attention.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Review of its Pathology, Immune Response and Current Treatment Options.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common parasites of man and other warm-blooded animals. Humans are infected through contaminated food, water, and blood transfusion, organ transplantation or from mother to foetus through the placenta. Severe congenital infections occur as a result of primary T. gondii infection in early pregnancy. Transmission of T.gondii to the foetus can result in serious health problems, including mental retardation, seizures, blindness and death. Frequency of foetal infection is higher when maternal infection occurs later in pregnancy and sequelae are more severe when maternal infections occur early in the first trimester of pregnancy. The ability of the parasite to survive intracellularly largely depends on the blocking of different proapoptotic signaling cascades of the host cells. During pregnancy, however, alterations in the incidence of apoptosis are associated with abnormal placental morphology and function. Both cellular and humoral immune responses control T.gondii infection. Toxoplasma is asymptomatic, infected women can only be detected by serological testing. In many instances, congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented by educating pregnant women and women of childbearing age about the route of transmission. The need for screening suspected cases of T. gondii will help reduce transmission to the foetus. Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Congenital toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasmosis and immunosuppression. Toxoplasma gondii

Novel functional insights into ischemic stroke biology provided by the first genome-wide association study of stroke in indigenous Africans

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. Background: African ancestry populations have the highest burden of stroke worldwide, yet the genetic basis of stroke in these populations is obscure. The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) is a multicenter study involving 16 sites in West Africa. We conducted the first-ever genome-wide association study (GWAS) of stroke in indigenous Africans. Methods: Cases were consecutively recruited consenting adults (aged > 18 years) with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. Stroke-free controls were ascertained using a locally validated Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status. DNA genotyping with the H3Africa array was performed, and following initial quality control, GWAS datasets were imputed into the NIH Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) release2 from BioData Catalyst. Furthermore, we performed fine-mapping, trans-ethnic meta-analysis, and in silico functional characterization to identify likely causal variants with a functional interpretation. Results: We observed genome-wide significant (P-value < 5.0E−8) SNPs associations near AADACL2 and miRNA (MIR5186) genes in chromosome 3 after adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiac status in the base model as covariates. SNPs near the miRNA (MIR4458) gene in chromosome 5 were also associated with stroke (P-value < 1.0E−6). The putative genes near AADACL2, MIR5186, and MIR4458 genes were protective and novel. SNPs associations with stroke in chromosome 2 were more than 77 kb from the closest gene LINC01854 and SNPs in chromosome 7 were more than 116 kb to the closest gene LINC01446 (P-value < 1.0E−6). In addition, we observed SNPs in genes STXBP5-AS1 (chromosome 6), GALTN9 (chromosome 12), FANCA (chromosome 16), and DLGAP1 (chromosome 18) (P-value < 1.0E−6). Both genomic regions near genes AADACL2 and MIR4458 remained significant following fine mapping. Conclusions: Our findings identify potential roles of regulatory miRNA, intergenic non-coding DNA, and intronic non-coding RNA in the biology of ischemic stroke. These findings reveal new molecular targets that promise to help close the current gaps in accurate African ancestry-based genetic stroke’s risk prediction and development of new targeted interventions to prevent or treat stroke

Unintended consequences of arable crop technology within farming systems in Oyo state, Nigeria

429-435To improve farmers’ production, researchers have developed some agricultural technology, which however produces several consequences, in the usage by farmers. Hence, an attempt was made to study the farmer’s perception of the consequences of arable crops technology in Oyo state. This was achieved through multistage random sampling (using questionnaire). PPMC was used to test the relationship between unintended consequences and some independent variables. It was discovered that benefits, adoption, social participation and contact with extension agents are significant while age and farm size are not significant. Multiple regression analysis of unintended consequences and independent variables shows that there is significant relationship between unintended consequences and independent variables. The most important predictor is adoption, frequency of meetings and cassava productivity