Prevalence of Parasitic Infections among Students in a Large Rural Community Secondary School in Esssien Udim L. G. A. of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was investigated in a largecommunity secondary school in the rural community of Essien Udim LocalGovernment Area. Faecal specimens were collected from 400 students,randomly selected from the school and examined microscopically for thepresence of intestinal parasites. Direct wet smear and formol-etherconcentration techniques were applied in the examination of the stoolspecimens. Of the 400 specimens examined, 143 (13.35%), were positive for parasites. The prevalence of parasites found were as follows: Ascaris sp 50 (12.50%), Trichuris 37 (9.25%), Hookworm 27 (6.75%), Enterobius sp 11 (2.75), Hymenolepis sp 13 (3.25%), Taenia sp 5 (1.25%). Male students had higher, 84 (21.00%) prevalence than females, 59 (14.75%). Males in the 12-14 and 15-17 age groups and females in the 15-17 years age group were the most infected. More females have infections than males. The differences between male and female infections was significant at p>0.05. The general effects of the parasites on the infected students was constant absenteeism reduced mental ability, general weakness resulting in low grades in school examinations. Health education conducted included advice on the provision of modern toilet facilities and borehole water in the study area and immediate surrounding communities

Vectors of Paragonimus Uterobilateralis a Causative Fluke for Paragonimiasis in Cross River State-Nigeria

Investigation into suggested vectors of Paragonimus uterobilateralis acausative agent of Paragonimiasis was carried out. The investigation wasinformed by the need to ascertain vectors of the lung fluke-paragonimus to enhance health education of the inhabitant of the affected village for control purpose. Dissected Pseudanautes Africanus, Astacus sp, Potedema freethii and Onchomelina sp were examined for intermediate stages of Paragonimus. Samples of crustaceans and gastropods examined for larvae of Paragonimus showed Pseudanautes Africanus, Astacus sp, Potedema freethii and Onchomelina sp as carriers of larvae of Paragonimus. Ninety three (93%) of P. africanus were incriminated with 30.5% of all isolated eggs, 33.9% of cercaria and 39.7% of rediae. Ninety six (96%) of Astacus were incriminated with 39.4% of all eggs, 66.1% cercaria and 60.3% of Rediae. Sixty (60) percent of P. freethii were incriminated with 11% of all eggs and 67% of miracidium and sporocysts while eighty eight (88%) of Onchomelina sp were incriminated with 19.2% of all eggs and 33% of miracidium. The hosts were wide spread along Cross River tributaries suggesting the possibility of infection along the course of the river. The examined crustaceans and gastropods are vectors of P. uterobilateralis in Cross River state of Nigeria. Since metacercaria was isolated only from P. africanus, infections was suggested to be mainly through consumption of this crab host

Variations in virulence of three (3) Escherichia coli serotypes confirmed in experimental mammary gland infections

An experiment was conducted to confirm the pathogenicity of three (3) serotypes of Escherichia coli (E. coli 037, 02a and 109) in mammary glands of experimental cows (cow 105, 107 and 102 respectively). Pathogenicity ofthe E. coli which is a measure of virulence was observed to vary in the cows. Following inoculation bacterial number peak at 160,000 CFU/ml, 7,6000,000 CFU/ml and 3,600 CFU/ml respectively. Also milk somatic cell count (SCC) were observed to peak at 15,000 x 103 cell/ml, 58,700 x 103 cell/ml and 360 x 103 cells/ml respectively. The time taken for maximum bacterial number and somatic cell count to reach varied. There was leukemia with relative neutropenia in all cases. Typical responses included fever, painful inflammation of glands and gradual weakness of the experimental cows. Time to peak rectal temperature, also varies. The control quarter of teat of each cow infused with 1.0ml of saline showed little or no response. Milk SCC never exceeded 100,000 cells/ml in the control quarter. Systemic effects were little and cows appeared normal externally. E. Coli serotypes varied in virulence with the degree of variation highlydetermined by the organism tried

Parasites of crayfish (P. clarki) and lobsters (Macrobrachium vollenhovenic) as indicators of metallic pollution in great, Kwa river, Nigeria

Studies on parasites of crayfish and lobsters as indicators of metal pollution in Great Kwa River, Nigeria was evaluated using appropriate instruments for determination of Physicochemical parameters and detection of metals. Formol ether centrifugation method was used for isolation of parasites. A total of 150 crayfish and lobsters were analyzed for metals and tested for parasites. All samples of crayfish (100%) and 136 (90.66%) lobsters were positive with parasites. The distribution of parasitic infection in crayfish from the 5 sampling zones showed Paragonfmus uterobilateralis prevalence 6.0%, 8.7%, 15.3%, and 10.0% from zones 1-4 respectively and crayfish leech prevalence of 10.3%, 16.0% and 20.0% from zones 3-5 respectively. The distribution of parasites in Lobsters showed Polymorphus botulus, 3.3%, 6.0%, 3.6%, and 8.7% prevalence from zones 1-4 respectively. Nicothoic astaci, prevalence was 2.0%, 15.3% and 5.0% from zones 2-4 respectively. Prevalence of Hysterothylacium sp of 2.0% was observed in zone 3 while that of Porospora gigantic was 3.7% in zone 5. Parasite intensity ranged from 2 to 6. Metals detected included Lead (Pb). Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Asenium (As) and Zinc (Zn) with Iron being the commonest. Some parasites with high prevalence in zones where certain metals had high concentration were detected. These parasites can be used as indicators of pollution in the study area.KEYWORDS: Physicochemical, detected, pollution, concentration, indicator and prevalence

Prevalence of Henneguya Chrysichthys (Flagellated Protozoa: Cyst) and Haematological Changes Due to the Infection in Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus

Four Hundred (400) samples of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were examined for Henneguya chrysichthys using methods described for gills examination and haemopatholgy. 135 (33.8%), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were infected by Henneguya chrysichthys. The infection was seen on the gill filament as an oval cyst somewhat white and visible to the naked eyes. 27 (20%), 88 (65.2%) and 20 (14.8%) were recorded for low, moderate and high infection respectively. Lowest (22.7%) and highest (45.5%) prevalence were observed in the months of December and May respectively. Prevalence was higher in wet season (54.1%) than in dry season (45.9,%) More female fish (51.1%) had infection than the male fish (48.8%).Haematological examination revealed changes in blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentary rate and Haematocrit counts. Hemoglobin (per 100mI) remains the same in infected and uninfected fish. Erythrccyte count (X106/mm3) was 1.28�1.11 and 1.0�0.53 while leucocytes count (per mm3) was 2.36�1.0 and 43200�0.60 foruninfected and infected fish respectively. Leucocytosis in infected fish was marked by lymphocytes (35.11�0.32), Neutrophils (26.32�1.65), plasmocytes (23.06�0.9 1) and monocytes (16.0�0.21). Corresponding values of these classes of Leucocytes are 7.38�0.69, 21,86 � 1.71, 6.90� 1.12 and 7.24� 1.09 respectively in uninfected fish. Infected fish appeared weak and emaciated

Survey of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Chimpanzees and Drill Monkeys in Drill Ranch, Calabar, Cross River State-Nigeria

An investigation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in chimpanzees and drill monkeys in Drill ranch Calabar, cross river state, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 300 faecal specimens were collected from chimpanzees and drill monkeys respectively, processed and examined microscopically. Parasites, their developmental stages and prevalence, recovered from drill monkeys were; Strongyloides sp, larvae, 66 (22%), Prosther sp, ova, 48 (16%), Entamoeba sp, larval, 120 (40%), Necator sp, eggs, 33 (11%) and Hymenolepis sp, segment, 30(11%). From chimpazees, Strongyloides sp, larvae, 33(11%), Entamoeba sp, larval, 198(66%), Dipylidium sp, segments, 27(9%) and Hymenolepis sp, segment, 33 (11%) were recovered. Though no sign or symptom of infection was observed, the  investigation confirmed the presence of parasites in these primates and call for regular checkup and application of control measures to avoid endemicity

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition blocks mucosal fibrosis in human and mouse ocular scarring

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a systemic mucosal scarring disease, commonly causing blindness, for which there is no antifibrotic therapy. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family 1 is upregulated in both ocular MMP (OMMP) conjunctiva and cultured fibroblasts. Application of the ALDH metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), to normal human conjunctival fibroblasts in vitro induced a diseased phenotype. Conversely, application of ALDH inhibitors, including disulfiram, to OMMP fibroblasts in vitro restored their functionality to that of normal controls. ALDH1 is also upregulated in the mucosa of the mouse model of scarring allergic eye disease, used here as a surrogate for OMMP, in which topical application of disulfiram decreased fibrosis in vivo. These data suggest that progressive scarring in OMMP results from ALDH/RA fibroblast autoregulation, that the ALDH1 subfamily has a central role in immune-mediated ocular mucosal scarring, and that ALDH inhibition with disulfiram is a potential, and readily translatable, antifibrotic therapy

Connective tissue growth factor causes EMT-like cell fate changes in vivo and in vitro

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic fibrotic diseases. However, the mechanism by which paracrine effects of CTGF control the cell fate of neighboring epithelial cells is not known. In this study, we investigated the paracrine effects of CTGF overexpressed in fibroblasts of Col1a2-CTGF transgenic mice on epithelial cells of skin and lung. The skin and lungs of Col1a2-CTGF transgenic mice were examined for phenotypic markers of epithelial activation and differentiation and stimulation of signal transduction pathways. In addition to an expansion of the dermal compartment in Col1a2-CTGF transgenic mice, the epidermis was characterized by focal hyperplasia, and basal cells stained positive for aSMA, Snail, S100A4 and Sox9, indicating that these cells had undergone a change in their genetic program. Activation of phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated Erk1/2 was observed in the granular and cornified layers of the skin. Lung fibrosis was associated with a marked increase in cells coexpressing epithelial and mesenchymal markers in the lesional and unaffected lung tissue of Col1a2-CTGF mice. In epithelial cells treated with TGFb, CTGF-specific siRNA-mediated knockdown suppressed Snail, Sox9, S100A4 protein levels and restored E-cadherin levels. Both adenoviral expression of CTGF in epithelial cells and treatment with recombinant CTGF induced EMT-like morphological changes and expression of a-SMA. Our in vivo and in vitro data supports the notion that CTGF expression in mesenchymal cells in the skin and lungs can cause changes in the differentiation program of adjacent epithelial cells. We speculate that these changes might contribute to fibrogenesis

Exposure and impact of a mass media campaign targeting sexual health amongst Scottish men who have sex with men: an outcome evaluation

Background: This paper explores the exposure and impact of a Scottish mass media campaign: Make Your Position Clear. It ran from October 2009 to July 2010, targeted gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and had two key aims: to promote regular sexual health and HIV testing every 6 months, and to promote the use of appropriate condoms and water-based lubricant with each episode of anal intercourse. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (anonymous and self-report) was conducted 10 months after the campaign was launched (July 2010). Men were recruited from commercial venues. Outcome measures included use of lubricant, testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and intentions to seek HIV testing within the following six months. Linear-by-linear chi-square analysis and binary logistic regressions were conducted to explore the associations between the outcome measures and campaign exposure. Results: The total sample was 822 men (62.6% response rate). Men self-identifying as HIV positive were excluded from the analysis (n = 38). Binary logistic analysis indicated that those with mid or high campaign exposure were more likely to have been tested for HIV in the previous six months when adjusted for age, area of residence and use of the “gay scene” (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.26 to 3.06, p = .003), but were not more likely to be tested for STIs (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.88 to 2.16, p = .167). When adjusted for previous HIV testing, those with mid or high campaign exposure were not more likely to indicate intention to be tested for HIV in the following six months (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.73 to 2.32, p = .367). Those with no campaign exposure were less likely than those with low exposure to have used appropriate lubricant with anal sex partners in the previous year (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.77, p = .005). Conclusions: The campaign had demonstrable reach. The analysis showed partial support for the role of mass media campaigns in improving sexual health outcomes. This suggests that a role for mass media campaigns remains within combination HIV prevention

A reduced integer programming model for the ferry scheduling problem

We present an integer programming model for the ferry scheduling problem, improving existing models in various ways. In particular, our model has reduced size in terms of the number of variables and constraints compared to existing models by a factor of approximately O(n), where n being the number of ports. The model also handles efficiently load/unload time constraints, crew scheduling and passenger transfers. Experiments using real world data produced high quality solutions in 12 hours using CPLEX 12.4 with a performance guarantee of within 15% of optimality, on average. This establishes that using a general purpose integer programming solver is a viable alternative in solving the ferry scheduling problem of moderate size.Comment: To appear in Public Transpor