Prevalence of Otitis Media in Okada Community, Edo State, Nigeria

Aim. To determine the prevalence of otitis media in Okada, a rural community in Nigeria, and the effect of age and gender on its prevalence as well as susceptibility profile of the bacterial agents in the community.Material and Methods. Ear discharge from 500 (240 males and 260 females) patients with signs and symptoms of otitis media were processed to recover bacterial agents. Susceptibility test was performed on all bacterial isolates. Results. Male gender was a significant (P = 0.011) risk factor for acquiring otitis media (male Vs female; 36.25% Vs 25.38%. OR = 1.671 95 CI = 1.139, 2.454). Age significantly (P < 0.0001) affected the prevalence of otitis media with children within the age range of 0 – 5years having the highest prevalence of 78.41%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant bacteria isolate causing otitis media generally and in both gender. All bacterial isolates showed were poorly susceptible to the antibacterial agents used as less than 50 percent of any bacteria genera were susceptible to any antibacterial agent.Conclusion. An overall prevalence of 30.6% of bacteriologically proven otitis media was observed in this study. The prevalence were higher in males and in children 5 years and younger. Following the high level resistance observed, rational use of antibacterial agents is advocated

Prevalence of malaria and anaemia among HIV infected patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and anaemia in HIV-infected persons and the effect of age, gender and CD4+T cell counts thereon. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 491 patients (240 female) attending an out patient clinic. Malaria parasitaemia was diagnosed by microscopy while anaemia was defi ned as haemoglobin concentration <130g/L in males and <120g/L in females. The CD4 + T cell count was estimated by fl ow cytometry.Results: HIV infection was a risk factor for malaria infection(OR: 16.31; 95% CI: 7.41-35.87; p < 0.0001). CD4+T cell counts was equally a signifi cant risk factor in malaria infection among HIVinfected patients (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28-3.02; p = 0.002). The prevalence of anaemia was signifi cantly affected by HIV-infection (OR: 25.12; 95% CI: 11.42-55.28; p < 0.0001) while age was not associated with increased risk of malaria infection (p=0.13).Conclusions: A prevalence of 46.0% of malaria infection among HIV-infected was observed. HIV-infected patients were more likely to develop malaria and anaemia, while CD4+T cell counts < 200cells/μL was associated with an increased risk of malaria infection among HIV-infected. Age and gender did not affect the prevalence of malaria. HIV status should be considered early in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected malaria and anaemia

Cryptosporidiosis Among HIV-infected Patients with Diarrhea in Edo State, Midwesten Nigeria

To determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among HIV infected and HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea in Edo State, Nigeria, as well as the effect of CD4+ lymphocyte count on the prevalence of cryptosporidial infection among the HIV patients. Stool samples were collected from 300 patients consisting of 200 HIV-infected and 100 HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea. Blood samples were collected from the HIV-infected patients. The stool samples were processed to detect Cryptosporidium species using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, as well as other intestinal parasites using saline and iodine preparations. The blood samples were used to determine CD4+ lymphocyte count. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in HIV-infected patients compared with their HIV non-infected counterparts (39% vs 24% respectively, p=0.0097). Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed only among HIV-infected patients and was the only parasite whose prevalence was significantly different between HIV-infected and HIV non-infected patients. CD4+ lymphocyte count of <200 cells/µL among HIV-infected was a risk factor for acquiring cryptosporidial infection (OR=18.776, 95% CI=6.299, 55.964). A cryptosporidial infection prevalence of 18% among HIV-infected patients was observed and CD4+ count of <200 cells/µL was a risk factor for acquiring the disease. Routine examination of diarrhogenic stools of HIVinfected patients for cryptosporidiosis is advocated

A cross-sectional study on urogenital schistosomiasis in children; haematuria and proteinuria as diagnostic indicators in an endemic rural area of Nigeria

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnosis is necessary for the management of schistosomiasis in endemic areas.Objective: To assess the burden of urogenital schistosomiasis and the diagnostic efficiency of morbidity indicators of the disease in an endemic rural community of Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted. Urine samples of 487 pupils were screened microscopically for S. haematobium and tested for haematuria and proteinuria using chemical reagent strips.Results: The prevalence and intensity of infection were 57.1% and 45.0 eggs/10 mL urine respectively. Prevalence of infection in male (54.1%) and female (60.3%) individuals showed no significant variation (P&gt;0.05). However, prevalence of infection was age dependent with those in age groups 3-5 and 12-14 years having the least and highest prevalence of infection respectively (P&lt;0.05). Microhaematuria and proteinuria varied significantly with ages of the pupils with least (14.0, 40.0%) and highest (60.0, 80.0%) prevalence recorded in age groups 3-5 and 15-19 years respectively (P&lt;0.05). Proteinuria showed higher sensitivity (80.3%) compared to microhaematuria (73.3%).Conclusion: Schistosomiasis is highly endemic in the study area and the use of microhaematuria and proteinuria for mapping the infected  population prior treatment could be adopted.Key words: Schistosomaisis, haematuria, proteinuria, Nigeri

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MIXED-LIGAND NICKEL(II) AND COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF SALICYLALDEHYDE WITH 2,2′-BIPYRIDINE, 1,10-PHENANTHROLINE AND ETHYLENEDIAMINE

Nickel(II) and copper(II) mixed-ligand complexes of Salicylaldehyde with 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylenediamine were synthesised and characterised by molar conductance, spectroscopic measurement, room temperature magnetic measurement and antimicrobial activity. The complexes showed different shades of colour and were non-electrolyte. The infrared spectra of the complexes confirmed the coordination through the lone pair of the carbonyl oxygen of the Salicylaldehyde. The electronic transitions were consistent with the adoption of five-coordinate geometry for the copper complexes and six-coordinate geometry for the nickel complexes. The microbial susceptibility testing showed that the copper complexes had stronger antifungal activity than the antibacterial activity. The antifungal activity was more pronounced at 12.5 – 100 mg/mL, while the antibacterial activity was generally restricted to 100 mg/mL. Notably, [Cu(Sal)2(bipy)] showed no antifungal activity while [Cu(Sal)2(en)] showed neither antifungal nor antibacterial activity. Among the nickel complexes only [Ni(Sal)2(phen)] had both antifungal (except Fusarium) and antibacterial activity. [Ni(Sal)2(en)] was neither antifungal nor antibacterial

Phytochemical analysis and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of Cassia occidentalis L. (whole plant

ABSTRACT: Cassia occidentalis L. whole plant was extracted successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. Another crude extract of aqueous methanol was also carried out. The extracts were tested in vitro for activity against standard strains microbes and clinical isolates. The zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. The in vitro antimicrobial screening revealed that the extract exhibited varying activity against different microbes with zones of inhibition ranging from 14-34mm, MIC ranging from 1.25 -10mg/ml, and MBC/MFC of 2.5-20mg/ml for the sensitive organisms at the tested concentrations. The highest activity was an MIC of 1.25 mg/ml and MBC of 2.5mg/ml. The activities observed could be due to the presence of some of the secondary metabolites like, alkaloids, anthraquinones, sterols, glycosides, saponins, terpenes and flavonoids detected in the plant

Distribution of radionuclides and assessment of risk exposure to the miners on a kaolin field

Mining of kaolin deposits are common in Nigeria without considering the background radiation in such environment and the health risks it might pose on the miners. In this study, in-situ measurements of the naturally occurring radionuclides were carried out with the aim of determining the distribution of these radionuclides on the mining field and estimation of the hazard indices exposure risks (γ- and α-radiation risks) to the miners. The study was achieved with the aid of gamma ray detector Super-Spec (RS-125) and global positioning system. The detector used has ability to measure activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and gamma doses. For the purpose of this study, only the concentrations of the three radionuclides were considered. For each location, measurements were taken four times, while its mean value was estimated for better accuracy. In all, nineteen locations were occupied in order to cover the study area. Basic kriging method was adopted for the production of spatial distribution of these radionuclides and their corresponding γ- and α-radiation hazard indices. The mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 46.7, 71.8 and 108.7 Bq kg-1 , respectively. When compared to the global standard, it was revealed that 238U and 232Th are greater than the global standard, while 40K fall below the permissible limit. The γ- and α-radiation exposure risks estimated revealed that the mean values of Iγ and Iα are 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. Though the estimated γ- and α-radiation indices showed that the kaolin field is safe for the miners, periodic check is required in order to monitor the rate at which these natural primordial radionuclides (238U and 232Th and their progenies) are being enhanced

Methane-carbon flow into the benthic food web at cold seeps – a case study from the Costa Rica subduction zone

Cold seep ecosystems can support enormous biomasses of free-living and symbiotic chemoautotrophic organisms that get their energy from the oxidation of methane or sulfide. Most of this biomass derives from animals that are associated with bacterial symbionts, which are able to metabolize the chemical resources provided by the seeping fluids. Often these systems also harbor dense accumulations of non-symbiotic megafauna, which can be relevant in exporting chemosynthetically fixed carbon from seeps to the surrounding deep sea. Here we investigated the carbon sources of lithodid crabs (Paralomis sp.) feeding on thiotrophic bacterial mats at an active mud volcano at the Costa Rica subduction zone. To evaluate the dietary carbon source of the crabs, we compared the microbial community in stomach contents with surface sediments covered by microbial mats. The stomach content analyses revealed a dominance of epsilonproteobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences related to the free-living and epibiotic sulfur oxidiser Sulfurovum sp. We also found Sulfurovum sp. as well as members of the genera Arcobacter and Sulfurimonas in mat-covered surface sediments where Epsilonproteobacteria were highly abundant constituting 10% of total cells. Furthermore, we detected substantial amounts of bacterial fatty acids such as i-C15:0 and C17:1ω6c with stable carbon isotope compositions as low as −53‰ in the stomach and muscle tissue. These results indicate that the white microbial mats at Mound 12 are comprised of Epsilonproteobacteria and that microbial mat-derived carbon provides an important contribution to the crab's nutrition. In addition, our lipid analyses also suggest that the crabs feed on other 13C-depleted organic matter sources, possibly symbiotic megafauna as well as on photosynthetic carbon sources such as sedimentary detritus

Highway infrastructure and building information modelling in UK

Traditional methods of design are becoming less relevant and prevalent, due to institutionalising of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within statutory regulations and the huge amount of data that BIM presents to practice; especially in 3D models. This can be seen in the A1 Dishforth-to-Barton road infrastructure improvement scheme which comprises the A1 Dishforth-to-Leeming and A1 Leeming-to-Barton schemes. The traditional method of design was central to the A1 Dishforth-to-Leeming scheme and BIM central to the A1 Leeming-to-Barton scheme. So this report presents a comparative study of the traditional and BIM methods in relation to the A1 Dishforth-to-Barton improvement scheme through the perception of key professionals involved in this project. A qualitative research study was conducted through the use of an open-ended questionnaire intended to bridge gaps in perceptions and understanding of both methods. Judgemental sampling technique was used to select experienced respondents who understand and participated in the A1 Dishforth-to-Barton road infrastructure improvement scheme. The study reveals an incontrovertible complementary nature of both methods and that the realisation of the 2016 mandate appears doubtful due to lack of standardization, training and level of awareness. It is highly recommended that a statutory incentivization framework for BIM be conceptualised and considered for implementation to attract and encourage small scale participants. Of high priority is the subsidization of in-house training by local authorities and localized joint ventures by smaller companies for specialist training

Evaluation and optimization of PCR primers for selective and quantitative detection of marine ANME subclusters involved in sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation

Since the discovery that anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) are involved in the anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction in marine sediments, different primers and probes specifically targeting the 16S rRNA gene of these archaea have been developed. Microbial investigation of the different ANME subtypes (ANME-1; ANME-2a, b, and c; and ANME-3) was mainly done in sediments where specific subtypes of ANME were highly enriched and methanogenic cell numbers were low. In different sediments with higher archaeal diversity and abundance, it is important that primers and probes targeting different ANME subtypes are very specific and do not detect other ANME subtypes or methanogens that are also present. In this study, primers and probes that were regularly used in AOM studies were tested in silico on coverage and specificity. Most of the previously developed primers and probes were not specific for the ANME subtypes, thereby not reflecting the actual ANME population in complex samples. Selected primers that showed good coverage and high specificity for the subclades ANME-1, ANME-2a/b, and ANME-2c were thoroughly validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). From these qPCR tests, only certain combinations seemed suitable for selective amplification. After optimization of these primer sets, we obtained valid primer combinations for the selective detection and quantification of ANME-1, ANME-2a/b, and ANME-2c in samples where different ANME subtypes and possibly methanogens could be present. As a result of this work, we propose a standard workflow to facilitate selection of suitable primers for qPCR experiments on novel environmental samples.This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (project 10711), which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Research of AJMS is supported by ERC grant (project 323009). Research of PHATand AJMS is supported by the SIAM Gravitation grant (project 024.002.002) of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Netherlands Science Foundation (NWO).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio