Detection of Hepatitis B Virus from Inmates in Correctional Facilities in Niger State

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among inmates of selected correctional facilities in Niger state, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from inmates in three correctional facilities (Bida, Kontagora and Minna). Questionnaires were administered to get their bio-data and 5ml of blood sample was collected from a total of 344 inmates. The plasma was separated and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using rapid chromatographic immunoassay test (ICT) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test kits (ELISA) . All the HBsAg positive samples were subjected to further test using 5-panel HBV test card. Out of the 344 samples collected, 75 (22%) were positive by ICT for HBsAg. ELISA gave an overall prevalence rate of 25% (87/344) as additional 12 samples were positive. The result of the 5-panel showed that HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb were present in 87, 19, 20, 47 and 68 plasma respectively. This implies that 87 persons were infected, 19 had immunity against the virus, 20 had active viral replication, 47 with no viral replication and 68 with onset of acute infection. The HBV infection was highest in the age bracket 21-30 years (29.7%) and lowest in 61-70% (0%). Out of the associated risk factors, sharing of objects showed statistically significant association with the high prevalence of the HBV. This study showed the prevalence of HBV among inmates. As such, there is need for constant screening of the inmates for effective prevention measure and proper clinical management strategy

Toxicity test and bacteriophage typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food contact surfaces and foods prepared by families in Zaria, Nigeria

Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from foods prepared in five families in Zaria Local Government Area were screened for enterotoxin production and phage pattern. Toxigenic strains of S. aureus were screened by the cat toxicity (emetic response), coagulase and DNase production tests and later phage typed by group I, II, III and IV phage sets at RTD (routine test dilution). Out of 44 S. aureus strains tested for enterotoxin production, 10 (22.7%) were toxigenic by the cat emetic response, 30 (68.2%) were β-haemolytic, 12 (27.3%)  α-haemolytic while 24 (54.5%) and 20 (45.5%) coagulated human and sheep plasma, respectively. All the 44 strains were DNase positive. Forty two (95.5%) were typable at RTD with 35 (83.3%) and 7 (16.7%) strong and weak lysis, respectively. Most (54.8%) of the typable strains were lysed by group III phages while a small portion 8 (19.1%) were lysed by Group IV phages. About 7 (16.7%) were of mixed phage group. Contamination of foods in the families by toxigenic strains could be said to be low, however, the prevalence of phage group III and  α-haemolytic strains of S. aureus calls for concern since these groups have frequently been implicated in food borne diseases. Effective hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) evaluation is suggested as a means of preventing contamination of products by toxigenic strains of organisms.Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, enterotoxin production, phage typing, haemolysis and food poisonin

Energy intake and anthropometry: A case study of families in Zaria, Nigeria

Energy intake and nutritional status of 44 members of 5 families in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State were evaluated for 6 consecutive days. The socioeconomic activities and health condition of the participants was determined by the administration of questionnaire interviews. Food samples were analyzed by the standard AOAC methods to determine their energy and proximate composition while nutritional status was determined by anthropometric measurements. The mean energy intake (EI) of the subjects from the families were 2435-4558 kj/d for age groups 1-5 years; 4446-4996 kj/d for age groups 6-15 years; 5632-6493 kj/d for age groups 16-35 years and; 5547-10,883 kj/d for age groups 36 years and above. Fifteen (42.9%) of the subjects from the families had a normal body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 kg/m2, 10 (28.6%) were underweight with BMI of 18.4 kg/m2 and below while 5 (14.3%) were of thin weight with BMI of 18.5-19.49 kg/m2. Energy intake contributed approximately 22% (r = 0.22) to the BMI

Nutritional composition, antinutritional factors and elemental analysis of Nymphaea lotus (water lily)

The study is aimed at evaluating nutritional composition, antinutritional factors and elemental analysis of three parts (roots sample RS, seed sample SS and leave sample LS) of Nymphaea lotus (water lily) using standard  methods. The plant parts were analyzed for the content of crude lipid, crude fiber, crude proteins, ash,  moisture and carbohydrate was estimated by difference. Crude lipids and carbohydrate were higher in seeds,  while crude protein was exceptionally higher in the leaves. There are moderate amount of both antinutritional  factors and heavy metals. The vitamin E content was high in the seeds sample while other vitamins  determined were present in all plant parts respectively. Considering the potential nutritive and health benefits  of the underutilized water lily, it is suggested that utilization of water lily should be encouraged so as to  ameliorate the problem of malnutrition, since it is rich in nutrients.Keywords: Nymphaea lotus, Nutritional, antinutritional factors, water lily, elemental analysi

A review on reversible logic gates

In recent years, reversible logic circuits have applications in the emerging field of digital signal processing, optical information processing, quantum computing and nano technology. Reversibility plays an important role when computations with minimal energy dissipation are considered. The main purpose of designing reversible logic is to decrease the number of reversible gates, garbage outputs, constant inputs, quantum cost, area, power, delay and hardware complexity of the reversible circuits. This paper reveals a comparative review on various reversible logic gates. This paper provides some reversible logic gates, which can be used in designing more complex systems having reversible circuits and can execute more complicated operations using quantum computers. Future digital technology will use reversible logic gates in order to reduce the power consumption and propagation delay as it effectively provides negligible loss of information in the circuit.   Keywords: Garbage output, Power dissipation, quantum cost, Reversible Gate, Reversible logic

Serological evaluation of protective immunity against tetanus in pregnant women attending some rural hospitals in Kano state, northern Nigeria

A study on serological evaluation of protective immunity in pregnant women against tetanus was conducted in two rural hospitals in Kano State, northern Nigeria using immuno-electrophoresis and indirect haemmagglutination techniques. A total of sixty (thirty from each hospital) pregnant women (aged 11-45 years) were used to assess their level of protection against tetanus. Details on client’s age, socio-economic status and number of tetanus toxoid injections received during antenatal visits were obtained using structured questionnaire method. Blood samples were collected and analysed for serum and anti-tetanus antibodies as well as the total protein content. The titre values obtained were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA to see the effects of age, socio-economic status and number of tetanus toxoid injections received on the mean percentage and concentration of albumin, Ig-A, Ig-G and the total proteins of the subjects. Results obtained showed that the highest percentage and concentration of serum albumin recorded throughout the study period were 73.05 ± 9.16% and 55.30 ± 4.97 g/dl at Tiga Dam and Gaya General Hospitals respectively. The highest levels of serum Ig-A were 18.50 ± 1.53% and 13.85 ± 1.21 g/dl both at Gaya. Similarly, the highest levels of serum Ig-G were 15.21 ± 25.81% and 11.55 ± 3.57 g/dl both at Gaya while the highest value of the total protein recorded was 80.23 ± 0.83 g/dl at Tiga. Results of the indirect haemmagglutination analysis indicated that the highest and lowest titre values were 1:922 and 1:13 HU/ml respectively. It was generally observed that age, socio-economic status and number of toxoid tetanus injections demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) influence on the levels of serum albumin, Ig-A, Ig-G and the total proteins. Similarly, clients with more than three injections of tetanus toxoid were observed to elicit higher (P < 0.05) antibody response as compared to those who did not receive any injection (P > 0.05)