Imagining an Imperial Modernity: Universities and the West African Roots of Colonial Development

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupThis article takes the formation and work of the ‘Elliot’ Commission on Higher Education in West Africa (1943–45) to reconsider the roots of British colonial development. Late colonial universities were major development projects, although they have rarely been considered as such. Focusing particularly on the Nigerian experience and the controversy over Yaba Higher College (founded 1934), the article contends that late colonial plans for universities were not produced in Britain and then exported to West African colonies. Rather, they were formed through interactions between agendas and ideas with roots in West Africa, Britain and elsewhere. These debates exhibited asymmetries of power but produced some consensus about university development. African and British actors conceptualised modern education by combining their local concerns with a variety of supra-local geographical frames for development, which included the British Empire and the individual colony. The British Empire did not in this case forestall development, but shaped the ways in which development was conceived

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Reading tea leaves worldwide: decoupled drivers of initial litter decomposition mass‐loss rate and stabilization

The breakdown of plant material fuels soil functioning and biodiversity. Currently, process understanding of global decomposition patterns and the drivers of such patterns are hampered by the lack of coherent large‐scale datasets. We buried 36,000 individual litterbags (tea bags) worldwide and found an overall negative correlation between initial mass‐loss rates and stabilization factors of plant‐derived carbon, using the Tea Bag Index (TBI). The stabilization factor quantifies the degree to which easy‐to‐degrade components accumulate during early‐stage decomposition (e.g. by environmental limitations). However, agriculture and an interaction between moisture and temperature led to a decoupling between initial mass‐loss rates and stabilization, notably in colder locations. Using TBI improved mass‐loss estimates of natural litter compared to models that ignored stabilization. Ignoring the transformation of dead plant material to more recalcitrant substances during early‐stage decomposition, and the environmental control of this transformation, could overestimate carbon losses during early decomposition in carbon cycle models

Diet-mediated immune optimization as a preventive and therapeutic adjunct for management of multiple endocrine neoplasia

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) occurs throughout the body with an array of symptoms. Its management is challenging. Diet-mediated immune dysfunction may provoke their pathogenesis and clinical symptoms. Hence, diet-mediated immune optimization strategies may be useful for their management and prevention. Objective: The objective of this study was to discuss our putative diet-mediated immune dysfunction model of cancers using MEN as a classic disease paradigm. Materials and Methods: Online searches on databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Biomed Central, Directorate of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), and SciELO were carried out. An attempt was made to review articles with keywords such as cancer, tumor immunology, MEN, diet and immune system, T lymphocyte activation/dysfunction, and cytokines in cancers. Results: Putative diet-mediated immune dysfunction mechanisms in MEN and diet-mediated immune optimization strategies were found to be useful in preventing MEN, and as effective therapeutic adjuncts for management of MEN. Conclusion: Diet-mediated immune optimization could serve as a preventive and therapeutic adjunct for the management of MEN and other cancers

Prescription pattern and adverse effects profile of drugs used for breast, cervical & prostate cancers in Enugu, Nigeria

SummaryBackground: Breast, cervical and prostate malignancies are the most common cancers in Enugu, Nigeria. Supportive therapies are given with anticancer drug treatments to mitigate adverse effects. The objectives of this study were to characterize the prescription pattern of anticancer drugs, their adverse effects, and the supportive therapies used to manage these malignancies in Enugu, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective questionnaire-based study. Data relating to breast, cervical and prostate cancer patients in the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital (UNTH), Parklane State Teaching hospital and Annunciation Specialist hospital, Emene, Enugu were collected for 7 months. Data were analysed using SPSS versions 22 and 23. Results: Anti-cancer agents commonly used in managing these cancers include anti-metabolites, mitotic inhibitors, anti-androgens, alkylating agents and anti-tumor anti-biotics. Conclusion: Anti-androgens, anti-metabolites and alkylating agents were the most prescribed anticancer drugs. Vitamin supplements, anti-emetics and analgesics were used to manage some side effects from prescribed anticancer drugs. Failure to document common side effects associated with use of some anticancer drugs in this study suggest a low index of suspicion on the part of the clinicians. AbstraitContexte: Les tumeurs malignes du sein, du col utérin et de la prostate sont les cancers les plus courants à Enugu, au Nigéria. Des traitements de soutien sont administrés avec des médicaments anticancéreux afin d'atténuer les effets indésirables. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de caractériser le schéma de prescription des médicaments anticancéreux, leurs effets indésirables et les thérapies de soutien utilisées pour gérer ces tumeurs malignes à Enugu, au Nigéria. Matériels et méthodes: Une étude descriptive transversale et rétrospective par questionnaire. Les données relatives aux patients atteints de cancer du sein, du col de l'utérus et de la prostate à l'hôpital universitaire de l'Université du Nigéria (UNTH), à l'hôpital universitaire Parklane State et à l'hôpital spécialisé dans l'annonciation, à Emene (Enugu), ont été recueillies pendant 7 mois. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide des versions 22 et 23 de SPSS. Résultats: Les agents anticancéreux couramment utilisés dans la prise en charge de ces cancers incluent: les anti-métabolites, les inhibiteurs de la mitose, les anti-androgènes, les agents alkylants et les anti-biotiques. Conclusion: les anti-androgènes, les anti-métabolites et les agents alkylants étaient les médicaments anticancéreux les plus prescrits. Des suppléments de vitamines, des anti-émétiques et des analgésiques ont été utilisés pour gérer certains effets secondaires des médicaments anticancéreux prescrits. Aucune documentation sur des effets secondaires courants associés à l'utilisation de certains médicaments anticancéreux dans cette étude suggère un faible indice de suspicion de la part des cliniciens. West Afr. J. Pharmacol. Drug Res. Vol. 32 January – December 2017; 46-6

Toxicity study of DHFCOP-A, chemical derived from empty oil palm bunch ash in mice

Background: Deseeded Fruit Head Chemical of the Oil Palm – Fractionate A (DFHCOP-A) an anhydrous chemical, has a remarkable high pH 12-14 hence an alkali. DFHCOP-A is commonly used to prepare food delicacies native to the South-East part of Nigeria. Reports has shown cancer thrives in low pH. Cancer aggressiveness has been linked to the acidic extracellular microenvironment of tumour. The high pH of DFHCOP-A may have potentials to inhibit cancer growth. Objective: In this study we investigated the LD50 of DFHCOP-A in mice which will suggest doses for subsequent studies on its effect on tumour microenvironment. Methods: Two methods were used, Lorke's method and the up and down procedure (UDP). The tests were carried out in male and female mice which involved subcutaneous and oral administration. In the Lorke's method, female and male mice were divided in groups of three (n=3) for subcutaneous and oral administration. Varying doses 10mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 1000mg/kg were given. In the second phase, two groups (n=3), were administered 2000mg/kg and 5000mg/kg subcutaneously and Orally. For UDP, 5000mg/kg was administered subcutaneously (sc) to each male and female mouse in the limit test. In the main test, 7 and 12 male mice; 7 and 8 female mice were respectively treated subcutaneously and orally with up and down doses of 550mg/kg, 1750mg/kg, 2000mg/ and 5000mg/kg. Results: By Lorke's method, LD50 of 3,162mg/kg was obtained for both female and male mice by both routes. UDP estimated LD50 is 2000mg/kg for female and LD50 is greater than 2000mg/kg for male mice administered subcutaneously. LD50 for the orally administered female and male mice gave 5000mg/kg. Conclusion: UDP appears better than Lorkes methods because it highlighted the differential sensitivities of the male and female mice to DFHCOP-A, where female mice are more sensitive which reflected in LD50sc

A review of current and future prospects in cancer prevention and chemotherapy

The worldwide burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, continues to increase. There has been an increasing pace of research and progress globally in the development of treatments, cures and preventive strategies against cancers. The modalities employed include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal agents and dietary interventions. This update and review will discuss these modalities, their mode of action, safety and efficacy, as well as strategies to reduce toxicities arising from their use, such as personalized immuno-targeting. Optimizing immune functionality by addressing the gene - environment interaction will become an important preventive strategy. This review is based on references from online searches conducted on the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Biomed Central and SciELO, using “cancer chemotherapy” as keywords

Association between self-reported marijuana use and incident diabetes in women and men with and at risk for HIV

•Marijuana use is common in persons with HIV.•Prior research indicates that marijuana use is associated with prevalent diabetes.•Men and women with and at-risk for HIV were followed for nearly 20 years.•Marijuana use was not statistically associated with risk of type 2 diabetes.•Studies with biological measures of marijuana use is warranted. Marijuana use is common among persons living with HIV, but whether it’s use increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in this population has not been explored. To determine whether self-reported marijuana use is associated with incident type 2 diabetes in women and men living with and at risk for HIV. We analyzed data from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), between 2000–2017 (WIHS) and 1999–2017 MACS. The association between self-reported marijuana use and incident type 2 diabetes was analyzed using time-dependent Cox regression models among 3578 and 2682 participants in the WIHS and MACS respectively. Over the follow-up period, 452 (WIHS) and 326 (MACS) incident type 2 diabetes cases occurred. In multivariable models, the hazard ratios, collectively indicate a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, in marijuana users compared to none users, although all associations were not statistically significant. The results were similar for HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants in both cohorts. In this prospective analysis of nearly 20 years of data for women and men with and at risk for HIV in the WIHS and MACS, although we found a pattern of reduced risk of type 2 diabetes among self-reported marijuana users, the associations were not statistically significant. To better inform clinical decisions and legal policy regarding marijuana use in this population, further longitudinal investigations that biologically quantify marijuana use to assess risk for incident diabetes is warranted

Association between self-reported marijuana use and incident diabetes in women and men with and at risk for HIV

IntroductionMarijuana use is common among persons living with HIV, but whether it's use increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in this population has not been explored.ObjectiveTo determine whether self-reported marijuana use is associated with incident type 2 diabetes in women and men living with and at risk for HIV.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), between 2000-2017 (WIHS) and 1999-2017 MACS. The association between self-reported marijuana use and incident type 2 diabetes was analyzed using time-dependent Cox regression models among 3578 and 2682 participants in the WIHS and MACS respectively.ResultsOver the follow-up period, 452 (WIHS) and 326 (MACS) incident type 2 diabetes cases occurred. In multivariable models, the hazard ratios, collectively indicate a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, in marijuana users compared to none users, although all associations were not statistically significant. The results were similar for HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants in both cohorts.ConclusionsIn this prospective analysis of nearly 20 years of data for women and men with and at risk for HIV in the WIHS and MACS, although we found a pattern of reduced risk of type 2 diabetes among self-reported marijuana users, the associations were not statistically significant. To better inform clinical decisions and legal policy regarding marijuana use in this population, further longitudinal investigations that biologically quantify marijuana use to assess risk for incident diabetes is warranted