Palynology study of some honey samples from lbadan, Nigeria

XV lnternational A.P.L.E. Symposium of Palynolog

Cancer-Related Risk Factors and Incidence of Major Cancers by Race, Gender and Region; Analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Background: Racial disparities in the incidence of major cancers may be attributed to differences in the prevalence of established, modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity and diet. Methods: Data from a prospective cohort of 566,398 adults aged 50–71 years, 19,677 African-American and 450,623 Whites, was analyzed. Baseline data on cancer-related risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, physical activity and dietary patterns were used to create an individual adherence score. Differences in adherence by race, gender and geographic region were assessed using descriptive statistics, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between adherence and cancer incidence. Results: Only 1.5% of study participants were adherent to all five cancer-related risk factor guidelines, with marked race-, gender- and regional differences in adherence overall. Compared with participants who were fully adherent to all five cancer risk factor criteria, those adherent to one or less had a 76% increased risk of any cancer incidence (HR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.70 – 1.82), 38% increased risk of breast cancer (HR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.25 – 1.52), and doubled the risk of colorectal cancer (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.84 – 2.29). However, risk of prostate cancer was lower among participants adherent to one or less compared with those who were fully adherent (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.85). The proportion of cancer incident cases attributable to low adherence was higher among African-Americans compared with Whites for all cancers (21% vs. 19%), and highest for colorectal cancer (25%) regardless of race. Conclusion: Racial differences in the proportion of cancer incidence attributable to low adherence suggests unique opportunities for targeted cancer prevention strategies that may help eliminate racial disparities in cancer burden among older US adults

In-Hospital Mortality and Post-Surgical Complications Among Cancer Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important etiologic and prognostic factor for cancer, but few studies have assessed hospitalization outcomes among patients with both conditions. Methods Data was obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Study variables were assessed using ICD-9 codes on adults aged 40 years and over admitted to a US hospital between 2007 and 2011 with primary diagnosis of either breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. We examined in-hospital mortality, post-surgical complications, and discharge disposition among cancer patients with MetS and compared with non-MetS patients. Results Hospitalized breast (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20–0.46), colorectal (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.35–0.49), and prostate (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.49) cancer patients with MetS had significantly reduced odds of in-hospital mortality. The odds of post-surgical complications among breast (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.39) and prostate (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09–1.37) cancer patients with MetS were higher, but lower by 7% among colorectal cancer patients with MetS. Additionally, breast (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11–1.32) and colorectal (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.11) cancer patients with MetS had significantly higher odds for discharge to a skilled nursing facility compared with those without MetS, but this was not statistically significant among prostate cancer patients. Conclusions Adverse health outcomes were significantly higher among hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer and MetS. Future studies are needed to identify clinical strategies for detecting and managing patients with MetS to reduce the likelihood of poor inpatient outcomes

Assessment of frequency, density and abundance of weed species in different Cropping Systems

This study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria to determine effect of cropping systems on weed diversity  and weed seeds bank at various soil depths. Weed flora composition in different cropping systems were also correlated with land use history. Two broad  cropping systems were considered namely; plantation cropping (cocoa, oil palm and cashew) and arable fields (maize, cassava/maize and a natural fallow which served as control. Twenty six weed families were recorded in all. Out of these 26 families, only two are grasses while the remaining were broadleaves. Oil palm and cashew plantations had the highest weed diversity. Using Shannon index (H>1.0), Panicum maximum (Poaceae) and Vigna gracilis (Papilionaceae) weeds were more frequently encountered across the cropping systems with diversity index H>0.5. Asteraceae, Papilionaceae, Rubiaceae were the broadleaves families widely distributed in the cropping systems. Results on the weed seed bank indicated that the number of weed seeds decreased as soil depth increased, the highest number of seeds was found in the soil layer of 0-8 cm. Keywords: Cropping System, Seed bank, abundance, densit

Availability of Healthcare Resources and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Stage of Diagnosis and Mortality Among Blacks and Whites

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine whether racial disparities in epithelial ovarian cancer stage at diagnosis and survival may be explained by geographic availability of healthcare resources among Blacks and Whites. Methods: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify White and Black women ages 40 years and above diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 2000 and 2010. Data on county-level availability of healthcare resources was obtained from the Area Resource File. Multi-level regression models, overall and stratified by race and age, were used to examine the associations of health care access (HCA) and socioeconomic status (SES) with stage at diagnosis while Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association with survival. Results: Among 46,423 women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, Blacks were more likely to reside in counties with fewer average number of oncology hospitals (p \u3c 0.05) and hospitals with ultrasound (p \u3c 0.001), but higher number of medical doctors (p \u3c 0.0001) and Ob/Gyn (p \u3c 0.001). Black patients had higher odds of late stage diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.25) and higher risk of epithelial ovarian cancer mortality (HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.19–1.32) compared with White patients after accounting for differential availability of healthcare resources. Among Black patients, residing in counties with fewer medical doctors was associated with increased odds of late stage diagnosis (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.10–3.13), and the racial disparity in late stage diagnosis and mortality was larger among patients ages \u3c 65 years compared with older patients. Cconclusion: Racial disparities in availability and utilization of healthcare resources likely contributes to adverse epithelial ovarian cancer outcomes among Black women in the US

Herbicidan control of water hyacinth at Ere, Ogun State: implications for fish production

A brief account is given of a pilot demonstration of the chemical control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) at Ere (a channel) in Nigeria using the herbicide glyphosphate. Results suggest that there was an increase in the nutrient content of the channel after herbicide application. This implied an upsurge of available food for fish and other aquatic organisms within the channel after the herbicide application. The decaying water hyacinth mass which sinks into the medium is likely to boost nutrient content, promoting the growth of fish and other aquatic animals. It is concluded that herbicidal control of water hyacinth is possible, especially under specialists' management with the conservation of fish and other non-target aquatic organisms alongside improved fish productio

Adherence to Cancer Prevention Guidelines in 18 African Countries

Background Cancer rates in Africa are projected to double by 2030 due to aging and increased exposure to cancer risk factors, including modifiable risk factors. We assessed adherence to 5 modifiable cancer risk factors across 18 African countries. Methods Data on adults 18 years and older were obtained from the 2002–2004 World Health Survey. Adherence to current World Cancer Research Fund guidelines on smoking, alcohol, body weight, physical activity, and nutrition was assessed. Adherence scores ranged from 0 (no guideline met) to 5 (all guidelines met). Determinants of adherence were assessed using multivariable linear regression adjusted for individual and country level characteristics. Results Across all countries, adherence to the guidelines among adults was high for smoking (72%–99%) and alcohol (85%–100%), but low for body weight (1.8%–78%), physical activity (3.4%–84%) and nutrition (1.4%–61%). Overall adherence score ranged from 2.32 in Mali to 3.72 in Comoros. In multivariable models, residing in low versus high SES households was associated with reduced adherence by 0.24 and 0.21 points for men and women respectively after adjusting for age, gender, education, and marital status (p<0.001). Every % increase in GDP spent on health was associated with increased adherence by 0.03 in men and 0.09 in women (p<0.001). Conclusions The wide variation in adherence to cancer prevention guidelines observed across countries and between population sub-groups suggests the need for targeted public health efforts to improve behaviors related to body weight, physical activity and nutrition

Screening Mammography Use in Older Women According to Health Status: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The extent to which screening mammography (SM) recommendations in older women incorporate life expectancy factors is not well established. Objective: The objective of this review was to evaluate evidence on SM utilization in older women by life expectancy factors. Data sources: We searched Medline, Embase and Web of Science from January 1991 to March 2016. Study selection: We included studies examining SM utilization in women ages ≥ 65 years that measured life expectancy using comorbidity, functional limitations or health or prognostic status. Data extraction and synthesis: ORs and 95% CIs were extracted and grouped by life expectancy category. Findings were aggregated into pooled ORs and 95% CIs and meta-analyzed by life expectancy category. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was SM utilization within the last 5 years. Life expectancy factors included number of comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, self-reported health status and 5-year prognostic indices. Results: Of 2,606 potential titles, we identified 25 meeting the inclusion criteria (comorbidity: eight studies, functional status: 11 studies and health/prognostic status: 13 studies). Women with higher CCI scores had decreased SM utilization (pooled OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.85), but increased absolute number of comorbidities were weakly associated with increased SM utilization (pooled OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00–1.36). Women with more functional limitations had lower SM use odds than women with no limitations (pooled OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62–0.83). Screening utilization odds were lower among women with poor vs excellent health (pooled OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.96). Conclusion: Greater CCI score, functional limitations and lower perceived health were associated with decreased SM use, whereas higher absolute number of comorbidities was associated with increased SM use. SM guidelines should consider these factors to improve assessments of potential benefits and harms in older women

Demographic, Presentation, and Treatment Factors and Racial Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Hospitalization Outcomes

BACKGROUND: This study examines whether racial disparities in hospitalization outcomes persist between African-American and White women with ovarian cancer after matching on demographic, presentation, and treatment factors. METHODS: Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, 5,164 African-American ovarian cancer patients were sequentially matched with White patients on demographic (e.g., age, income), presentation (e.g., stage, comorbidities), and treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation) factors. Racial differences in-hospital length of stay, post-operative complications, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: White ovarian cancer patients had relatively higher odds of post-operative complications when matched on demographics (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05, 1.74), and presentation (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.00, 1.65) but not when additionally matched on treatment (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.78, 1.35). African-American patients had longer in-hospital length of stay (6.96 ± 7.21 days) compared with White patients when matched on demographics (6.37 ± 7.07 days), presentation (6.48 ± 7.16 days), and treatment (6.53 ± 7.59 days). Compared with African-American patients, White patients experienced lower odds of in-hospital mortality when matched on demographics (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66, 0.92), but this disparity was no longer significant when additionally matched on presentation (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75, 1.04) and treatment (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.81, 1.12). CONCLUSION: Racial disparities in ovarian cancer hospitalization outcomes persisted after adjusting for demographic and presentation factors; however these differences were eliminated after additionally accounting for treatment factors. More studies are needed to determine the factors driving racial differences in ovarian cancer treatment in otherwise similar patient populations