Sero-prevalence and risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in a teaching hospital in Ogun state, Nigeria

Background: Infection with cytomegalo virus is usually asymptomatic however in pregnant women the risk of congenital infection and foetal  abnormalities makes antenatal screening for CMV infection necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors for  CMV infection among pregnant women in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between January and May, 2017 on patients attending the antenatal clinic of  Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kits were used to determine IgM and IgG anti CMV antibody titresinvenous blood samples obtained from study participants.Results: A total of 80 patients were recruited into the study. The mean age was 30 years.All (100%) respondents were sero-positive for anti CMV IgG  antibodies while 28.75% of respondents were seropositive for anti CMV IgM antibodies.Conclusion: There was a highsero-prevalence rate of CMV infection in the study. Screening of pregnant women for CMV infection is necessary due to the  risk of congenital infection and fetal defects

ABO and Rhesus ‘D’ blood type distribution in students admitted into Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2006

All 2000 healthy students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Nigeria (intakes of 2006/2007 academic session) comprising of 1058 females and 942 males were screened for ABO and Rhesus ‘D’blood type. The analysis of the results shows O+ (49.75%), A+ (20.30%), B+ (19.60%), AB+ (3.70%), O- (3.95%), A- (1.10%), B- (1.35%) and AB- (0.25%). These values compares well with what has beenreported in other countries. The high percentage of blood group O (53.70%) in the new intakes population provides an advantage in terms of availability of blood for transfusion especially in emergencies

Faculty Members Weigh In on the Gender Divide in Academia

In 2001, a roundtable on gender disparities for female professors in higher education was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The focus of the roundtable was how best to ensure women professors experience the same opportunities, recognition and rewards as their male counterparts. Some three years later, a few faculty members from various disciplines weigh in with various perspectives on the current state of the gender gap

Formulation and Optimization of Metronidazole and <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. Layered Suppositories via a Three-Variable, Five-Level Central Composite Design for the Management of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, a polymicrobial clinical syndrome characterized by a shift in healthy vaginal microbiota due to bacterial colonization, is characterized by high recurrence rates after conventional treatment with an antimicrobial agent. This has necessitated the need to develop a formulation that has the potential to ensure Lactobacilli viability and bacterial clearance. This study seeks to develop and optimize a layered suppository using a five-level central composite design to ensure optimized metronidazole release and lactic acid viability. Layered suppositories were formulated using the fusion method using polyethylene glycol blend 1500/4000 and Ovucire® as suppository bases. Lactobacillus fermentum was incorporated in the molten mass before molding the solid body suppositories into the cavity of hollow-type suppositories and sealing the molten excipients. Artificial neural network model predictions for product optimization showed high predictive capacity, closely resembling experimental observations. The highest disintegration time recorded was 12.76 ± 0.37 min, with the optimized formulations showing lower times of 5.93 ± 0.98 min and an average weight of 1.17 ± 0.07 g. Histopathological observations determined high compatibility of suppositories with vaginal cells with no distortion or wearing of the vagina epithelium. This optimized formulation provides a safe and promising alternative to conventional suppositories in the treatment and prevention of the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis