Glucose Intolerance Among Apparently Healthy Hausa-Fulani Northern Nigerians

Background: Glucose intolerance has been recently reclassified by the World Health Organization (WHO) incorporating a new class known as impaired fasting glycaemia. Previous studies in this environment looked as diabetes mellitus only but not the other forms of glucose intolerance. Objectives: To study the prevalence of glucose intolerance in apparently Nigerian subjects of Hausa-Fulani ethnicity, who had no known family history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Method: Standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in 39 healthy individuals. Results: Three (7.7%) of the subjects demonstrated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). There was no case of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) noted. All subjects who had IGT were females Conclusions: glucose intolerance appears commoner among females in this study. Factors such as sedentary lifestyles, which are commoner among females in this community, could be the reason for this finding

Cardiovascular risk factors in adult general out-patient clinics in Nigeria: a country analysis of the Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study.

Background: With globalization and rapid urbanization, demographic and epidemiologic transitions have become important determinants for the emergence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).Objective: To estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors in adult out-patients attending general practice and non-specialist clinics in urban and rural Nigeria.Methods: As part of the Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study, a cross-sectional epidemiologic study was undertaken for the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking and abdominal obesity in Nigeria.Results: In total, 303 subjects from 8 out-patient general practice clinics were studied, 184 (60.7%) were female and 119 (39.3%) were male. Mean age was 42.7±13.1 years; 51.8% were aged <45 years; 4% ≥65 years. Over 90% of subjects had ≥1 of 6 selected modifiable cardiovascular risk factors: 138 (45.6%) had 1-2; 65 (21.5%) had 3; 60 (19.8%) had 4; and 11 (3.6%) had 5 concurrent risk factors. Screening identified 206 subjects (68.0%) with dyslipidemia who did not have a prior diagnosis.Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in Nigerian subjects attending out-patient clinics. Moreover, many subjects were undiagnosed and therefore unaware of their cardiovascular risk status. Opportunistic screening alongside intensive national, multisectoral education or risk factor education is needed, should be scaled up nationwide and rolled out in both urban and rural communities in Nigeria.Keywords: Nigeria, cardiovascular risk factors, screening programs, risk factor management, The Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study

Histological staining properties of Khaya senegalensis wood dust extracts: a preliminary study

Crude aqueous and methanol extracts of Khaya senegalensis wood dust were employed as histological stains for the demonstration of general tissue architecture. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts was conducted. Mixtures of the extracts of K. senegalensis in acidic, alkaline and neutral solutions were used to stain tissue sections. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that K. senegalensis extracts contains flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides and reducing sugars. Optimum staining time was 15 minutes for both extracts and they stained the tissues in different shades of red and brown in the various media used. The best and worst stain uptake of tissues was observed with both extracts in alkaline and neutral media respectively. Mordant preparation of the extracts produced no significant staining difference from the non-mordant preparations. Staining solutions of the extracts have better affinity for the cellular cytoplasm and hence gave a good contrast when compared with Hematoxylin and Eosin control sections. In conclusion, Khaya senegalensis wood extract is a promising histological stain for the demonstration of general tissue architecture.Keywords: Khaya senegalensis, wood dust, stain, histology, mordan

Atrial Septal Aneurysm in an 80-year-old Woman

Atrial septal aneurysm usually complicates a patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect. An 80-year-old female presented with two weeks symptoms of chest infection. Examination revealed consolidation in the right lower zone posteriorly in the chest, a third heart sound (S3) and hepatomegaly. Sputum microscopy and culture were unremarkable and the chest radiograph revealed a mild cardiomegaly (CTR 0.53) and consolidation in the right lower zone. Echocardiography revealed an ejection fraction af 36.5% and fractional shortening of 17.6%, displacement of the middle portion of the inter-atrial septum into the left and right atria (the defect was 1.6cm) and the displacement was more than 10 mm. Atrial septal aneurysm is known to be a risk factor for cardiac failure and cerebrovascular events in middle aged and elderly individuals

Extending the SAFT-gamma Mie approach to model benzoic acid, diphenylamine, and mefenamic acid: Solubility prediction and experimental measurement

The prediction of the solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a significant challenge which is of importance in pharmaceutical applications and solvent selection. Here, we extend the table of group interactions (3 like interactions, 47 unlike interactions) of the SAFT-γ Mie group-contribution equation of state to model the phase behaviour and solubility of mefenamic acid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in a range of solvents. In addition to mefenamic acid, we also consider its molecular synthons: benzoic acid and diphenylamine. New experimental solubility data are presented for the three molecules in a range of solvents, and three new SAFT-γ Mie functional groups are defined (aCCOOH, aCNHaC and CH3CO) and characterised, together with their interactions with solvent groups. Literature data for the vapour pressure, single-phase density, saturation density, vapourisation enthalpy, bubble temperature, dew temperature, and bubble pressure are used to characterise the new group interactions. Solubility data are used to characterise the new group-group interactions only if there are no other experimental data available. The transferability and predictive accuracy of the new models are assessed by comparing the theoretical predictions with the experimental solubility data. Our comparison includes alcohols, ketones, and esters as families of solvents and mixed-solvent solubility predictions

The Hookworm Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteases (Ac-TMP-1) Modifies Dendritic Cell Function and Induces Generation of CD4 and CD8 Suppressor T Cells

Hookworm infection is a major cause of disease burden for humans. Recent studies have described hookworm-related immunosuppression in endemic populations and animal models. A Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteases (Ac-TMP-1) has been identified as one of the most abundant proteins released by the adult parasite. We investigated the effect of recombinant Ac-TMP-1 on dendritic cell (DC) and T cell function. Splenic T cells from C57BL/6 mice injected with Ac-TMP-1 showed reduced proliferation to restimulation with anti CD3 or bystander antigens such as OVA. Incubation of bone marrow-derived DCs with Ac-TMP-1 decreased MHC Class I and, especially, Class II expression but increased CD86 and IL-10 expression. Co-incubation of splenic T cells with DCs pulsed with Ac-TMP-1 induced their differentiation into CD4+ and, particularly, CD8+ CD25+Foxp3+ T cells that expressed IL-10. These cells were able to suppress proliferation of naïve and activated CD4+ T cells by TGF-Β-dependent (CD4+ suppressors) or independent (CD8+ suppressors) mechanisms. Priming of DCs with non-hookworm antigens, such as OVA, did not result in the generation of suppressor T cells. These data indicate that Ac-TMP-1 initiates the development of a regulatory response through modifications in DC function and generation of suppressor T cells. This is the first report to propose a role of suppressor CD8+ T cells in gastrointestinal helminthic infections

The role of infections in the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Compelling needs for novel strategies in the developing world

SummaryThe emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) follows multiple aetiological pathways requiring recognition for effective control and prevention. Infections are proving to be conventional, emerging and re-emerging aetiological factors for many NCDs. This review explores the possible mechanisms by which infections induce NCDs citing examples of studies in Africa and elsewhere where NCDs and infections are proposed or confirmed to be causally linked and also discusses the implications and challenges of these observations for science and medicine. The need to re-evaluate and expand early community and individual preventive and control strategies that will lead to reduction and even elimination of NCDs especially in Africa and other developing countries where infections are prevalent is highlighted

Hand hygiene practices and microbial investigation of hand contact swab among physiotherapists in an Ebola endemic region: implications for public health

Background: Hand hygiene practices (HHP), as a critical component of infection prevention/control, were investigated among physiotherapists in an Ebola endemic region. Method: A standardized instrument was administered to 44 randomly selected physiotherapists (23 males and 21 females), from three tertiary hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. Fifteen participants (aged 22–59 years) participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) and comprised 19 participants in a subsequent laboratory study. After treatment, the palms/fingers of physiotherapists were swabbed and cultured, then incubated aerobically overnight at 37°C, and examined for microbial growths. An antibiogram of the bacterial isolates was obtained. Results: The majority (34/77.3%) of physiotherapists were aware of the HHP protocol, yet only 15/44.1% rated self-compliance at 71–100%. FGDs identified forgetfulness/inadequate HHP materials/infrastructure as the major barriers to HHP. Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent organisms, prior to (8/53.33%) and after (4/26.67%) HPP, while Pseudomonas spp. were acquired thereafter. E. coli were the most antibiotic resistant microbes but were completely removed after HHP. Ciprofloxacin and streptomycin were the most effective antibiotics. Conclusion: Poor implementation of HPP was observed due to inadequate materials/infrastructure/poor behavioral orientation. Possibly, some HPP materials were contaminated; hence, new microbes were acquired. Since HPP removed the most antibiotic resistant microbes, it might be more effective in infection control than antibiotic medication

Field Measured Pre-Stress Concrete Losses Versus Design Code Estimates

In Florida, pre-stressed concrete bridges with a hybrid structural configuration, consisting of simply supported girders and continuous deck units providing composite action, are prevalent. In this study, an actual bridge with this configuration is instrumented with embedded vibrating wire strain gages during construction. The axial strain data are utilized to determine the time-dependent pre-stress loss variation and distribution in the pre-tensioned concrete girders used for the bridge. In this paper, however, we discuss the bridge instrumentation and monitoring technique used, and the deduced pre-stress losses obtained from field-measured strains up to 150 days, before placement of the composite slab. A comparison of the measured loss with the estimates of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) indicates that the field-measured pre-stress loss is non-uniform across the girder depth, opposed to a uniform distribution implicitly assumed in most codes. The measured pre-stress variation is used in computing the concrete stress distribution in the girder at different depths within the given cross-section. When compared to the concrete stress from using the PCI and AASHTO suggested losses, the stress distribution resulting from using the field-measured loss is found to be non-linear, and in most cases higher