Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV patients in Benin City, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the presence of intestinal parasites and their correlation with CD4+ T-cell counts and demographics among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Stool specimens from 2,000 HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negative individuals) were examined for ova, cysts, or parasites, using standard procedures. In addition, patient's blood samples were analyzed for CD4 counts by flow cytometry. An overall prevalence rate of 15.3% was observed among HIV-positive patients while 6.2% was noted among non-HIV subjects. HIV status was a significant (P<0.0001) risk factor for acquiring intestinal parasitic infections. Male gender, CD4 count <200cell/µl, and diarrhea were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV-positive patients. The level of education, occupation, and source of water among HIV patients significantly (P<0.0001) affected the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite in both HIV-positive patients and controls. A CD4 count <200 cells/µl was significantly associated with only Isospora belli and Cryptosporidium infections. The presence of pathogenic intestinal parasites such as A. lumbricoides, hookworm, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichuris trichiura, and Taenia species among HIV-infected persons should not be neglected. Cryptosporidium species and I. belli were the opportunistic parasites observed in this study. Routine screening for intestinal parasites in HIV-positive patients is advocated

Optimal strategies for transitions in simulated moving bed chromatography

Simulated moving bed chromatography (SMBC) has emerged as a significant separation technology in the process industry. SMB operating parameters are chosen to satisfy various performance objectives such as maximization of purity or productivity and the choice of the objective is generally guided by process economics. From an industrial perspective, the SMB must be operated flexibly, so that the same unit can be operated to satisfy different objectives. Transiting from one objective to another entails large transition periods, resulting in an economic loss. We propose use of optimal transitions as an approach to minimizing transition time, reducing use of feed and desorbent during transition as well as reduction in off-specification product relative to a non-optimal, step change approach. Optimal transitions can also be used in recovering from feed upset scenarios. The above methods are demonstrated using simulations on a benchmark SMBC process for separation of glucose and fructose using Ca++ exchange resin. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved