Comparison of absolute neutrophil to CD4 lymphocyte values as a marker of immunosuppression in cancer patients on cytotoxic chemotherapy

Background: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is currently used to assess immune status of patients on cytotoxic therapy. The CD4 lymphocytes have also been shown to be of importance in protection against opportunistic infections. In people of African descent a low baseline ANC has been recorded and the currently accepted neutropaenic threshold may not be appropriate.Objective: This study was aimed at comparing the change in ANC to CD4 lymphocyte count in adult cancer patients following chemotherapy.Patients and methods: Eighty chemotherapy-naive patients with various malignancies had their ANC and CD4 lymphocyte counts done at days 0 and 12 of the first cycle of various chemotherapeutic regimens. The paired sample t-test was done to assess the significance between these values. Socio-demographic data was obtained using questionnaires.Results: ANC and CD4 pre-chemotherapy differed significantly from their post-chemotherapy values (p=0.001) for both parameters). The CD4 count showed significant reduction in patients with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (p=0.043), colorectal carcinoma (p=0.037) and other malignancies (p=0.030), while the ANC did not. Patients who had received COPP for Hodgkin’s lymphoma also had significant CD4 depletion (p=0.037).Conclusion: The CD4 lymphocyte count may be a more suitable parameter than ANC, for monitoring immuno-depletion in cancer patients on cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further studies are required to validate these findings, especially in the Negroid population.Keywords: cancer, chemotherapy, immunosuppression, absolute neutrophil count, CD4 lymphocyte

Evaluations off heavy metals in fish from Lake Geriyo Yola, Nigeria using x-ray fluorescence technique

The evaluation of Cr. Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn,As and Pb concentrations in Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus from Lake Geriyo Yola,Adamawa, Nigeria using X - ray fluorescence (XRF) technique is discussed. The analytical samples are irradiated with high energy electrons of 109Cd to produce fluorescent X-rays was produced which passes to the Silicon-lithium detector through Mo target as a source of monochromatic X-rays. The spectrum of energy generated on the detector was processed by a Multi- Channel Analyzer to obtain analytical data. The intensity of the fluorescent X-rays on the detector is proportional to the concentration of the individual element of interest in the sample. This method can identify up to 30 or more elements at the same time. The results showed varying levels of heavy metals in the fishes. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Cu, and Ni in the fishes were much higher than WHO and PEPA maximum permissible limits, while the concentrations of Zn and Pb were lower than the standards. The results suggest that the lake is polluted with Cr, Mn, Cu and Ni and the consumption of fishes of the lake is life threatening to man

Investigation on the safety and probiotic potentials of yoghurts sold in Owerri metropolis in Imo State Nigeria

Investigation on the microbial safety and probiotic potentials of different yoghurt brands sold in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria, was carried out using standard microbiological procedures. Ten each, of five different brands of commercially available yoghurt packaged in plastic containers were purchased from the street vendors and shopping malls in Owerri metropolis. The mean total count of samples on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) and De Mann Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) agar media ranged from 2.0×107 to 6.0×108 and 1.0×108 to 5.4 × 108 cfu/ml respectively. The yoghurt isolates were identified as Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species; these isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics and inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical samples. No viable growth of isolates was observed in simulated gastric fluid of pH 1.5 to 2.5. Slight decrease in viable count of Lactobacillus spp. from 4.0×107 to 3.0×107 cfu/ml and Streptococcus spp. from 3.0×108 to 2.0×108 cfu/ml was observed in bile of pH 8.28 to 8.30. The isolates were recovered from faecal samples two weeks after ingestion with mean count ranging from no growth (zero) to 5.8×108 cfu/ml on MRS agar media. The isolates were found to exhibit some probiotic potentials and no pathogen was isolated from samples. It is recommended that strains of microorganisms that can deliver full probiotic potentials to consumers be used in commercial yoghurt productio

Analisis Regresi Logistik Ordinal terhadap Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Predikat Kelulusan Mahasiswa S1 di ITS Surabaya

—Setiap perguruan tinggi memilikikewajiban dalam mengontrol prestasi mahasiswanya untuk menghasilkan lulusanyang berkualitas. Ukuran prestasi mahasiswa diantaranya adalah indeks prestasidan lama studi yang menghasilkan predikat kelulusan. Predikat kelulusandipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor tertentu. Dalam penelitian ini, variabelrespon adalah predikat kelulusan yang terdiri dari dengan pujian, sangatmemuaskan, dan memuaskan. Analisis regresi logistik ordinal merupakan salahsatu metode yang tepat karena variabel respon mempunyai skala ordinal(bertingkat). Terdapat beberapa variabel prediktor yang diduga berpengaruh padapredikat kelulusan antara lain fakultas, jenis kelamin, asal daerah, jalurmasuk ITS, status SMA, pekerjaan ayah, pekerjaan ibu, dan pendapatan orang tua.Data merupakan data sekunder dari Badan Akademik ITS. Mayoritas lulusanmahasiswa mempunyai predikat sangat memuaskan. Predikat kelulusan denganpujian telah menunjukkan angka sebesar 23%, hal ini berarti jumlah lulusan mahasiswadengan mudah mencapai predikat tersebut. Secara pengujian serentak, faktor yang berpengaruh adalahfakultas, jenis kelamin, jalur penerimaan, pekerjaan ayah, peker­jaan ibu danpendapatan

Multiple myeloma in Nigeria: An insight to the clinical, laboratory features, and outcomes

Aim: In developing African nations, late presentation and occurrence of complications adversely affects survival. This study aims at identifying initial clinical and basic laboratory features of multiple myeloma (MM), which will aid the physician to entertain a high index of suspicion and therefore target his investigations in order to prevent late presentation and avert complications.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 32 patients diagnosed and managed in Nigeria, West Africa was done. Information on the clinical, laboratory, and radiological data as well as response to treatment was obtained at presentation, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and analyzed.Results: The median age at diagnosis was 62 years, 17 (53.1%) males and 15 (46.9%) females. The median duration of follow‑up was 24 weeks (range, 2-288 weeks). The average percentage of bone marrow plasmacytosis at diagnosis was 38%. Clinical features at presentation were anemia (71.9%) and bone pains (78.1%), while pathological fractures were found in 69%, and nephropathy in 13.8%. The longest duration of survival of 288 and 252 weeks were recorded in patients on melphalan and prednisolone with or without thalidomide.Conclusion: Presence of bone pain and anemia in elderly patients should alert the clinician to investigate along the lines of MM. Majority of patients have osteolytic lesions on X‑ray and pathological fractures, and benefit from melphalan based combinations in situations where facilities for transplant are not available.Key words: Clinical features, chemotherapy, laboratory features, multiple myeloma, Nigeria, treatmen

Role of smartphone devices in motivation to study in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Aims The sudden COVID-19 pandemic experienced globally has caused many schools and institutions of higher learning to resort to fully online teaching and learning throughout the world. Since online teaching is essentially a student-centered learning approach, students’ motivational level plays an important role in making teaching protocols effective. This study aimed to know the level of motivation to study using a smartphone in the COVID-19 pandemic. Instrument & Methods This descriptive study was carried out in 2020 on 75 Indonesian Academy of Administrative Management College students who have smartphones. These students were selected by random sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher�made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 17 software using Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression test. Findings There was a positive and significant correlation between the mean score of smartphone usage and the mean score of study motivation (r=0.84; p=0.0001). The effect of smartphone uses on the study motivation in the Covid-19 pandemic was 61.7% (R2=0.617). Conclusion With the increasing use of smartphones, the motivation to learn during pandemic COVID-19 also increased

Physicochemical and microbiological evaluation of acidmodified native starch derived from Borassus aethiopum (Arecaceae) shoot

Purpose: To evaluate the physicochemical properties and microbiological quality of Borassus aethiopum shoot acid-modified starch (AMS) for potential pharmaceutical applications.Methods: Modification of Borassus aethiopum native starch (NS) was carried out using 6 % w/v HCl at 37 ± 2 oC for 192 h. The AMS was characterised for their morphological, micromeritics, rheological, thermal properties as well as their microbiological quality using standard protocols.Results: AMS demonstrated increased aqueous solubility, crystallinity and slight increase in flow properties. There was a reduction in swelling and hydration capacities, amylose content as well as viscosity of the modified starch. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the integrity of the modified starch granules were maintained and there was no disruption of the granular structure. Fourier transform infrared spectrophometer data confirmed the hydrolysis of NS with the increase in the intensity of the O-H stretch. AMS met United States Pharmacopoeia requirements in terms of microbiological quality, however, there was presence of Aspergillus niger.Conclusion: Modification of Borassus aethiopum shoot starch by acid treatment led to desirable improvement in some of its physicochemical properties which could improve its functional properties in pharmaceutical industries.Keywords: Native starch, Acid-modified starch, Borassus aethiopum, Microbiological quality, Physicochemical propertie

Development of a Small Scale Okro Slicing Machine

The technique of slicing Okro using kitchen knife often exposes users to the danger of knife cut and the output of the technique has been found to be low due to the drudgery involved in the process. It was in recognition of the need to reduce drudgery, injury and associated rigors to the user and to enhance quality, hygiene and efficiency in Okro processing that the research of developing a suitable Okro slicing machine was initiated. A simple motorized device was developed for slicing okra using locally available materials which include: bearings, shaft, pulleys, electric motor, cutting blade, rail, bolts and nuts. The slicing mechanism was based on the high shear stress that is generated when a blade edge is brought into contact with fibrous material causing the blade to move in rotary motion and to the direction of the applied force. After coupling and testing the machine, results obtained showed that it takes 3 seconds to slice one Okro using machine while in the case of manual slicing, it takes 8.22 seconds. The device has a slicing efficiency of 66.67%.  The machine has shown to enhance processing of okra in small scale industry application. The machine therefore is of great importance to the industries within the country and beyond where preservation of Okro in sliced and dried form is important

Investigating the mineral composition of proceessed cheese, soy and nunu milks consumed in Abuja and Keffi metropolises of Nigeria

Milk and its products are needed for proper body building. Processed cheese, nunu and soy milk consumed within Abuja and Keffi metropolises were analyzed for their mineral contents. X1, Y1, Z1 represents soy milk, nunu and cheese from Abuja metropolis while X2, Y2, Z2 represents sample from Keffi metropolis respectively. Calcium (265.53±0.25 mg/mL), iron (1.19±0.92 mg/mL), potassium (162.77±0.02 mg/mL) were found to be higher in cheese milk (Z1) from Abuja than that (225.82±0.13 mg/mL, 1.05±0.60mg/mL and 130.41±0.04 mg/mL) found in Keffi (Z2) examined respectively, though the amount of sodium present (151.0±0.08 mg/mL) in cheese (Z2) from Keffi is slightly higher than that (150.08±0.01 mg/mL) from Abuja (Z1). Also, Soya milk from Abuja (X1) had highest amount of zinc (0.76±0.00 mg/mL) while that of Keffi (X2) was 0.65±0.3 mg/mL, for magnesium and copper, higher values 18.40±010 mg/mL and 0.25±0.02 mg/mL were recorded for soy milk (X2) from Keffi while soy milk from Abuja (X1) had 17.97±0.20 mg/mL and 0.16±0.01 mg/mL respectively. Chromium was dictated in both cheese samples but not dictated in soya and nunu milks from both metropolises. It is seen from the investigation that cheese had more minerals followed by soya milk. Nunu milk sample had the least quantity of minerals; also all the samples analyzed have minerals present in them. Therefore, they are needed for the proper functioning of the body system Keywords: Analysis, Concentration, Milk, Mineral, Metropolis, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscop

Change in Lipid Quality of Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) After Different Heat Treatments

Tilapia fish (Oreochomis niloticus) has been considered to be popular among the freshwater fishes, economically cheap and more abundant in Nigeria. For this reason, a study was conducted on the effect of traditional processing methods on fatty acid composition of Oreochomis niloticus using electric oven (control), sawdust, melon husk and rice bran as different heat treatments. Fatty acid composition was determined using standard analytical technique. The result showed that palmitic and oleic acids had the highest concentrations among saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in all the processed samples, respectively. It was also revealed that samples of Oreochomis niloticus recorded decrease in total saturated fatty acid (TSFA) with various heat treatments whereas the same heat treatments enhanced the components of total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA) and total essential fatty acid (TEFA). It was found that levels of ratio of n–6 PUFA to n–3 PUFA and oleic to linoleic which are used as biomedical index are desirable in all the processed samples of Oreochomis niloticus oils. However, heat treatment using sawdust was proven to be of good economic potential. Keywords: Oreochomis niloticus, agricultural wastes, fatty acids