Comparative study of mercury accumulation in some brackish water fishes in a tropical lagoon and its adjacent creek in south western Nigeria

The Hg content of some brackish water fishes, water and sediment in Lagos lagoon and Abule - Agege creek were investigated from February to September, 2004. The pH of the lagoon was neutral however the creek was mildly acidic (6.75) in the dry season. The Hg content of the lagoon ranged from 0.27 - 0.40 mg/l for water and 0.46 - 0.56 μg/g dry wt for sediment lower than the creek range (0.41 - 0.42 mg/l and 0.71 - 0.72 μg/g) for the dry season. For the rainy season high Hg levels were recorded in lagoon water ranged from 0.41 - 0.48 mg/l more than the creek ranged from 0.42 - 0.44 mg/l. However, more mercury was recorded in the creek sediment 0.95 μg/g than that in lagoon sediment 0.71 - 0.81 μg/g. Surface water temperature for the creek was lower than the lagoon. Generally, higher mercury values were recorded in sediment than in the water in both the lagoon and the creek. For the fish species 0.72 ± 0.05 μg/g of Hg was detected in Sarotherodon melanotheron, more than in both Tilapia guineensis and Hemichromis fasciatus, this is related mainly to the mode of feeding. Hg content of the examined fish was below maximum permissible levels (0.5 - 1.5 μg/g) in the food chemical codex.Key words: Biomagnifications, Hg, brackish water, fish, chemical codex

Bismuth-Based Nanoparticles as Photocatalytic Materials

Bismuth-based nanoparticles are a unique category of materials that possess interesting properties such as excellent chemical, electrical, optical and catalytic activities among others. The application of bismuth-based nanoparticles as photocatalytic materials has caught the interest of the scientific community in recent times due to these unique properties. Consequently, a number of data have been generated in relation to the photocatalytic application of these nanoparticles. This chapter intends to organise and provide the recently generated information on the use of bismuth-based nanoparticles in photocatalytic degradation processes. A detailed discussion is provided on bismuth-based nanoparticles including bismuth chalcogenides, bismuth vanadate, bismuth oxyhalides and other bismuth-related nanoparticles. Attention was also paid to the modification of these nanoparticles to improve their photocatalytic activities. The application of the modified nanoparticles in various photocatalytic processes with emphasis on water treatment, waste gas treatment, hydrogen production and air purification has also been thoroughly discussed

The practice of hepatocellular cancer surveillance in Nigeria

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is a disease of global and public health importance due to the widespread distribution of risk factors and associated high case fatality. Hepatocellular Cancer (HCC) in Sub-Saharan Africa is commonly seen among the younger age groups (<45 years) who present mostly in the terminal stage, when the disease is not amenable to any curative therapy. Hepatocellular Carcinoma surveillance employs the use of simple, cheap and readily available investigations, to detect early curable cancer in individuals with risk factors for HCC.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the practice of hepatocellular cancer screening among physicians.Methodolgy:This is a nationwide online survey carried out among physicians who care for patients with HCC. A questionnaire was sent out via a web link to all consenting doctors in Nigeria. The responses were collated in a cloud-based application and data was analysed using Epi-info version 20.Results:Atotal of 218 respondents, 142 were males (65.1 %) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 5.7 years. The modal age group was 31-40 years 153 (69.5%). The main factors considered as a hindrance to surveillance were; the cost of the tests (57.7%), failure of return of patients (50.5%) and not being aware of a surveillance program (45.2 %). The majority of the respondents were Gastroenterologists and Family Physicians. 54% of the gastroenterologists and 64% of the family physicians have never offered HCC surveillance to their patients.Conclusion:This survey highlights a knowledge gap in HCC surveillance among physicians. There is a need to make HCCsurveillance a daily routine among patients at risk by all physicians. Keywords: Surveillance, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HBV, HCV, Cancer screening

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

GIS in environmental monitoring and assessment of dredging activites in a perturbed estuarine Lagoon

The study aimed at mapping and characterizing the benthic communities of Lagos Lagoon based on how the sediment define the distribution of organisms in response to dredging activity of the area. The hydrographic survey of was carried out with the aid of an echo-sounder and side-scan sonar and plotted in ArcGIS 10.3.1. The benthic macroinvertebrate ecology in relation to human activities was defined and studied in ten selected dredged stations. Habitat suitability maps of dominant species were plotted using spatial analyst tool. The removal of organisms with the sediment resulted into increased turbidity, suspended solids and modified sediment characteristics in the study area. The known venus, pachymelania, mangrove, estuarine-amphioplus and estuarine-rock macroinvertebrate communities were intact. However, there were changes in the composition of the communities with Donax acutangulus going into extinction. Multivariate analysis showed that the observed benthic communities and sediment characteristics were sandy in nature. The observed assemblage of organism was mostly dominated by bivalve - Atactodea striata of the family Mesodesmatidae at Ogun river station which was characterised by sand. The results revealed a patchy distribution of organisms having abundant macroinvertebrates with less diversity which may be as a result of the on-going dredging activities in the area. Keywords: Macrobenthos, bathymetry, sediment, dredging, GI

Single and joint action toxicity evaluation of insecticide and laundry detergent against Poecilia reticulata

In laboratory bioassays, single action toxicities of an insecticide (Apicide [A]) and two laundry detergents (Persil [P] and Klin [K]) as well as their joint action toxicity studies in binary (1:1; 1:4) and triple (1:1:1) mixtures were evaluated against Poecilia reticulata (Guppy). Joint action toxicity mortality data was analyzed using Synergistic Ratio (SR), Concentration – Addition (RTU) and Isobolograms models. On the basis of 96hr LC50 mortality data from single action studies, showed that A was the most toxic (0.00137mg/l) followed by P (0.773mg/l) and K (28.841mg/l). The joint action toxicity data showed a synergistic effect in mixtures of insecticide and detergents in all ratios (1:1, 1:4, 1:1:1) than when acting alone. In descending order of toxicity it was revealed that Apicide/persil (1:1; 0.00079mg/l)>Apicide/ Persil/Klin (1:1:1; 0.00093mg/l)>Apicide/Klin (1:1; 0.00094mg/l)>Apicide/ Persil (1:1; 0.00098mg/l)>Apicide/ Klin (1:4; 0.00106mg/l). The subjection of the 96h LC50 values of test compound mixtures based SR and RTU showed that interaction of mixtures in various ratios (1:1, 1:4, 1:1:1) tended towards synergisms (SR>1; RTU>1) respectively. Further analysis based on the isobologram model was in conformity with RTU and SR models. The significance of this study showed the relevance of joint action toxicity studies in setting realistic safe limits in order to protect aquatic organisms. Therefore, proper disposal and management strategies for wastes should be enforced.Keywords: Bioassay, Detergent, Insecticide, Toxicity, Poecilia reticulat