Coconut milk - citrate as extender for West African dwarf buck spermatozoa at room temperature

We studied the proportions of coconut milk and sodium citrate buffer suitable for extension of West African dwarf (WAD) buck spermatozoa at room temperature. Semen was collected from clinically healthy buck certified free of obvious andrological defects. Eight trials of semen extension were carried out using 0.1 ml of semen plus 0.5 ml buffer as individual extender. In the extenders D1 to D7, while thebuffer (sodium citrate) was decreasing, the coconut milk was increasing. Statistical analyses from 5 trials showed that D2 containing 20% coconut milk and 80% citrate buffer that supported mean sperm cellmotility of 52.6% was highly significant (p = 0.018) at 2 hours post-extension in preserving motility of extended buck semen un-refrigerated compared to both D3 (40% coconut milk and 60% citrate buffer) and D4 (50% coconut milk and 50% citrate buffer). D2 also maintained mean sperm cell motility of 45% and was highly superior (p = 0.012) to both D3 and D4 at 3 hours post-extension. However, in D2, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.693) between 2 hours and 3 hours storage time in mean motility of extended sperm cells. Similarly, there was no difference (p = 0.106) in mean sperm cell motility between D2 at 3 hours and D3 at 2 hours post extension. We concluded therefore, that D2 was superior to others with which it was compared; and that it preserved extended buck semen for more than 2 hours storage at room temperature

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) specific antibodies among married pregnant women and female commercial sex workers attending voluntary counseling and HIV testing (VCT) centre in Abuja, Nigeria

Generally, married women and commercial sex workers (CSWs) engage in sexual activity - an important risk factor for contracting HIV. We therefore tested a hypothesis that prevalence of HIV-1/2 antibodiesamong married pregnant women (PW) is not different from that of female CSWs. One hundred married PW and 99 female CSWs enrolled in the study. They were consecutively selected as they visited the VCT centre for HIV antibody test. Pertinent data were obtained from each subject using questionnaire forms; venous blood sample was aseptically collected from subjects that gave verbal consent. Plasmaobtained from each sample was tested using parallel testing algorithm with DETERMINE® HIV-1/2 and HIV-1/2 STAT-PAK® test was used for statistical analysis of the data. The overall prevalence of HIV-1/2antibodies was 29.1% (n = 199). Seroprevalence of 39.4 and 19.0% were observed for the CSWs and the PW, respectively. Using various variables, comparison of HIV-1/2 serostatus of the CSWs with that ofthe married PW showed that the CSWs generally had significantly higher seroprevalence. CSWs who were inconsistent in the use of condom with their clients prior to sexual intercourse in the past three months before this study (P = 0.0001, OR = 11.2) and those aged 39 years had significantly (P = 0.004, OR = 2.6) higher seroprevalence. Though both groups recorded seropositivity, inconsistency in the useof condom appeared to be the factor mostly responsible for the significantly higher seropositivity of the female CSWs

HBV infection among HIV-infected cohort and HIV-negative hospital attendees in south western Nigeria

Background: Prevalence, association and probable mode of acquisition of HBV and HIV dual infections have not been fully explored. Thus, HBV intervention plan and services are sometimes exclusively targeted towards HIV-infected population. We investigated HBV infection among HIV-infected cohort in comparison with HIV-negative hospital attendees to ascertain dual infectivity pattern; thereby encouraging appropriate allotment of intervention services.Materials and Methods: A total of 349 (M=141; F=208; Mean=33.98 years; Range= 0.33-80 years) plasma specimens from two virus diagnostic laboratories in south-western Nigeria were analysed. These include 182 HIV-positive and 167 HIV-negative specimens from ART and GDV laboratories respectively. The specimens were initially screened for detectable HIV antigen/antibody, and subsequently HBsAg by ELISA technique.Results: Overall, HBsAg was detected in 20.92% (95% CI: 16.65-25.19%) of the patients. Also, 24.82% (95% CI: 17.69-31.95%) and 18.27% (95% CI: 13.02-23.52%) HBsAg positivity was recorded for males and females respectively. CHI square analysis showed no association (P=0.14) between gender and prevalence of HBsAg. Similarly, comparison of prevalence of HBsAg by age groups shows no significant difference (P=0.24). Overall, no significant difference (P=0.59) was observed in the prevalence of HBsAg among the HIV-infected cohort and HIV-negative hospital attendees.Conclusions: Results of the study confirm endemicity and comparable rates of HBV infection independent of HIV-status.Key words: ART; HBV; HIV; Nigeria; Dual positivit

Plaque And Growth Characteristics Of Different Polioviruses Isolated From Acute Flaccid Paralysis In Northern Nigeria

Objective: To determine some virulent trait-related properties of poliovirus isolates from children with acute flaccid paralysis following vaccination with oral polio vaccine (OPV). Design: Six polioviruses earlier characterised into wild, vaccine-derived and OPV-like were studied using the plaque morphology and growth kinetics at supra-optimal temperature. Setting: Department of Virology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Subjects: Polio isolates from six children who developed acute flaccid paralysis following vaccinations with various doses of OPV were used. All the children were located in the Northern part of the country where poliovirus is still circulating. Main outcome measures: The two vaccine-derived polioviruses acquired wild type characteristics. Results: All the six poliovirus isolates developed different forms of plaques ranging from tiny, small and large. The plaque formed could however not be used to identify the different isolates. Growth of the different isolates at supra-optimal temperature showed that the three wild polioviruses grew to a higher titre when compared with the Sabin 2 control. The two vaccine derived isolates behaved like the wild poliovirus while the OPV-like virus acquired an intermediate characteristics between wild and sabin. Conclusion: The wild polioviruses represented in this study are among the last vestiges of the circulating polioviruses found in the world. It is possible that the observed biological properties of wild types 1 and 3 described in the study are typical of the West African polioviruses. These properties will provide useful previews to the final identification of some important clinical isolates especially type 1 which may grow rapidly in cell culture. East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (3) 2008: pp. 137-14

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Proximate analysis of some dry season vegetables in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Vegetable is a vital component of human diet that should be eaten all year round, but they are scarce during dry season in Anyigba community in Kogi State, Nigeria. Available dry season vegetables suchas the leaves of Manihot esculentum (Cassava), Piper guineese (Oziza), Chromolena odorata (Akintola), Solanum melanogaster (Garden egg) and Voandzeia subteranea (Babara-nut), are either not acceptedas conventional vegetable or they are classified as non edible leaves from neighboring States. This study compared the nutrient content of these vegetables with that of Telfaria occidendalis (Ugwu). Theresult of the sensory evaluation carried out showed that T. occidendalis had sensory evaluation mean value of 6.28, which was statistically significantly different (P = 0.001) when compared with the meanvalue of S. melanogaster (5.64). The highest mean value from the sensory evaluation was recorded in C. odorata (6.44). However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of the sensory evaluation of M. esculentum, P. guineese, C. odorata and V. subteranea (6.02, 6.22, 6.44 and 6.10 mean values respectively) when compared with that of T. occidentalis (6.28). In the proximate chemicalanalyses, it was observed that M. esculentum and C. odorata contained higher protein (29.30 and 32.40%, respectively), than T. occidentalis (13.33%). Also, the Carbohydrate content of P. guineese andV. subteranea (77.17 and 89.42% respectively) was higher than that of T. occidendalis (63.64%). M. esculentum, C. odorata, P. guineese and V. subteranea are recommended as edible vegetables