Clinicopathological presentation and management outcome of appendicitis in Gombe, north-east Nigeria: A 7-year retrospective audit

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdomen and right iliac fossa pain in the study centre with attendant negative appendicectomies.Aim: To study the demographic pattern,aetiology,clinical presentation and management outcome of appendicitis.Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out on patients, who had appendicectomies between January 2007 and December 2014.A total of two hundred and thirteen (213) cases were operated during the study period. Only one hundred and forty one (141) folders retrieved. Relevant clinical information were entered in to a proforma designed for the study. Statistical analysis was done using Epi info (version 3.5.1). Quantitative data were presented in frequencies and percentages,mean and standard deviations were calculated.Result: Out of the 141 patients, 55(39.0%) were males while 86(61.0%) were females giving a M:F= 1: 1.6 .Their ages range from 8 to 65 years .The peak age group was 21-30 years.Acute inflammation was seen in 69 (48.9%) patients,lymphoid hyperplasia in 39 (27.7%) patients while parasitic appendicitis was seen in one (0.7%) patient. Post-operative complications observed include surgical site infection in 7 (5.0%) patients, delayed wound healing in 11( 7.8%) patients and enterocutaneous fistula in one( 0.7%) patient.Conclusion: The diagnosis of appendicitis still rests on the pillars of thorough clinical evaluation.The judicious use of modern diagnostic equipment will reduce the rate of negative appendicectomies.Keywords: Appendicitis,demography,aetiology,management outcom

Molecular characterization of early blight disease resistant and susceptible potato cultivars using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers

Potato early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani is one of the major factors limiting potato production worldwide. Developing highly resistant cultivars is the most effective way to control the disease. In this study, 20 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 6 simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers were applied to assess the genetic diversity and to identify molecular markers associated with resistance to early blight disease in resistant (Cara, Spunta and Valor), moderately resistant (Hermes and Atlantic) and susceptible (Atlas, Desiree and Lady-Rosetta) potato cultivars. The results showed that 296 and 29 clear fragments were amplified by RAPD and SSR, respectively. SSR revealed higher frequency of polymorphic bands (93.1%) than RAPD (57.4%). The clustering pattern obtained from the analyses of two marker systems showed a similar distribution of the tested potato cultivars. Interestingly, the resistant potato cultivars were grouped together in the dendrograms generated from RAPD and SSR clustering analyses. RAPD primers OPY-07, OPG-05, OPA-10 and OPA- 18 generated five unique fragments (OPY-07880bp, OPG-05949bp, OPA-101000bp, OPA-182030bp and OPA- 181128bp) presented only in resistant cultivars. In addition, all resistant cultivars and moderate resistant cultivar (Hermes) shared two markers; one RAPD (OPA-181070bp) and the other SSR (STI57209bp). On the other hand, RAPD primer UBC-17 generated specific fragment UBC-17720bp presented only in susceptible cultivars and moderate resistant cultivar (Atlantic). This study demonstrate that RAPD and SSR markers can be effectively used to assess the genetic variation among potato cultivars in order to develop molecular markers associated with early blight disease to improve potato breeding programs.Key words: Alternaria solani, cluster analysis, resistance, Solanum tuberosum

Report of Bufo tihamicus karyotype from Saudi Arabia

This study gives a description of the Karyotype of the Tihama toad Bufo tihamicus from Saudi Arabia. Samples of males and females of Bufo tihamicus Parker were collected from Gazan Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The karyotype consists of a diploid number 2n = 22 and the fundamental number NF = 44 in both of the sexes. No heteromorphism in relation to sex chromosome pair was found.Keywords: Amphibian, karyotype, chromosome, Bufo tihamicusAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(16), pp. 2120-212

Comparative analysis of diversity based on morphoagronomic traits and molecular markers in durum wheat under heat stress

The objectives of this study were to compare the application and utility of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) techniques for the analysis of genetic diversity among durum wheat genotypes under heat stress and to compare genetic diversity estimated using molecular markers with morpho-agronomic performance under heat stress. Six durum wheat genotypes were used in this study. They were evaluated phenotypically for heat tolerance. The dendrogram generated from standardized morpho-agronomic data separated the six durum wheat genotypes into three main groups. The dendrogram generated from the standardized morpho-agronomic data separated the six durum wheat genotypes into three clusters, which diverged at similarity index of 0.72. The dendrogram based on SRAP markers differed from that based on TRAP markers. The combined dendrogram (SRAP, TRAP and morpho-agronomic data) agrees better with the grouping of these durum wheat genotypes depending on pedigree and the dendrogram generated by morpho-agronomic data alone.Key words: Durum wheat, genetic diversity, heat tolerance, morpho-agronomic, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers, target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) markers

Development of a 3D Printed Coating Shell to Control the Drug Release of Encapsulated Immediate-Release Tablets

The use of 3D printing techniques to control drug release has flourished in the past decade, although there is no generic solution that can be applied to the full range of drugs or solid dosage forms. The present study provides a new concept, using the 3D printing technique to print a coating system in the form of shells with various designs to control/modify drug release in immediate-release tablets. A coating system of cellulose acetate in the form of an encapsulating shell was printed through extrusion-based 3D printing technology, where an immediate-release propranolol HCl tablet was placed inside to achieve a sustained drug release profile. The current work investigated the influence of shell composition by using different excipients and also by exploring the impact of shell size on the drug release from the encapsulated tablet. Three-dimensional printed shells with different ratios of rate-controlling polymer (cellulose acetate) and pore-forming agent (D-mannitol) showed the ability to control the amount and the rate of propranolol HCl release from the encapsulated tablet model. The shell-print approach also showed that space/gap available for drug dissolution between the shell wall and the enclosed tablet significantly influenced the release of propranolol HCl. The modified release profile of propranolol HCl achieved through enclosing the tablet in a 3D printed controlled-release shell followed Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion. This approach could be utilized to tailor the release profile of a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class I drug tablet (characterized by high solubility and high permeability) to improve patient compliance and promote personalized medicine

Evaluation Of The Essential Oil Of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill (Fennel) Fruits Extracted By Three Different Extraction Methods By Gc/Ms

Background: Hydrodistillation (HD) and steam-distillation, or solvent extraction methods of essential oils have some disadvantages like thermal decomposition of extracts, its contamination with solvent or solvent residues and the pollution of residual vegetal material with solvent which can be also an environmental problem. Thus, new green techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction and microwave assisted techniques, are potential solutions to overcome these disadvantages.Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare subsp. Piperitum fruits extracted by three different extraction methods viz. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using CO2, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and hydro-distillation (HD) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Results: The results revealed that both MAE and SFE enhanced the extraction efficiency of the interested components. MAE gave the highest yield of oil as well as higher percentage of Fenchone (28%), whereas SFE gave the highest percentage of anethol (72%).Conclusion: Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) not only enhanced the essential oil extraction but also saved time, reduced the solvents use and produced, ecologically, green technologies.Keywords: Foeniculum vulgare subsp. Piperitum, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), Essential Oils,Anethol, Fenchone, Limonene, Pinene, GC/MS

Evaluation of Histologic Changes of Facet Joint Cartilage and Nerve at the Sheep Postradiofrequency 60 and 120 Seconds After Exposure for Immediate, Three and Six Weeks

Introduction. Facet joint, also known as zygapophyseal joint, is considered as an important structure to play role as one of source of pain in the back that had been recognized since fifth decade ago. Radio frequency is one of treatment modality based on minimal invasive technique for back pain due to pathology of facet joint. Unfortunately, radiofrequency does not give permanent result, so it must be repeated in certain time. The radiofrequency works by producing heat thus it denervates nerve at facet joint. This heat can also destroy surrounding tissues, such as cartilage of facet joint that will further lead to source of back pain. The purpose of this research to evaluate and compare histology changes of facet joint nerve and cartilage of sheep that performed radiofrequency for different time and exposure. Material and methods. This is an experimental study that uses six sheeps as animal trial test. Radiofrequency was applied for 60 and 120 seconds for immediate, three and six weeks. Towards euthanasia, these sheep were given good care and observed for the effect of radiofrequency. After six weeks, these sheep were performed euthanasia then was evaluated histologically using neuropathology score for the nerve and modified-mankins score for the cartilage. Results. This experimental study showed that neuropathology score differed significantly between groups but for modified-mankin score, no difference was found. Besides, there is no negative effect of radiofrequency to six sheeps such as infection and paralysis of extremity. Conclusions. Radiofrequency does not give rise in infection, paralysis of extremity and death either for exposure 60 and 120 seconds clinically. Radiofrequency does not influence facet joint cartilage, only nerve histologically

Transcriptomic profiling disclosed the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets in colorectal cancer

Increased numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are positively correlated with poor prognosis and reduced survivals of cancer patients. They play central roles in tumor immune evasion and tumor metastasis. However, limited data are available on phenotypic/transcriptomic characteristics of the different MDSCs subsets in cancer. These cells include immature (I-MDSCs), monocytic (M-MDSCs), and polymorphonuclear/granulocytic (PMN-MDSCs). Phenotypic characterization of myeloid subsets from 27 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients was assessed by flow cytometric analyses. RNA-sequencing of sorted I-MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs, and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was also performed. We found that the levels of I-MDSCs and PMN-MDSCs were increased in tumor tissues (TT), compared with normal tissues (NT) in colorectal cancer. Our functional annotation analyses showed that genes associated with histone deacetylase (HDAC) activation- and DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing were upregulated, and histone acetyl transferase (HAT)-related genes were downregulated in tumor-infiltrating I-MDSCs. Moreover, pathways implicated in cell trafficking and immune suppression, including Wnt, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, were upregulated in I-MDSCs. Notably, PMN-MDSCs showed downregulation in genes related to DNA methylation and HDAC binding. Using an ex vivo model, we found that inhibition of HDAC activation or neutralization of IL-6 in CRC tumor tissues downregulates the expression of genes associated with immunosuppression and myeloid cell chemotaxis, confirming the importance of HDAC activation and IL-6 signaling pathway in MDSC function and chemotaxis. This study provides novel insights into the epigenetic regulations and other molecular pathways in different myeloid cell subsets within the CRC tumor microenvironment (TME), giving opportunities to potential targets for therapeutic benefits

Reducing Interanalyst Variability in Photovoltaic Degradation Rate Assessments

The economic return on investment of a commercial photovoltaic system depends greatly on its performance over the long term and, hence, its degradation rate. Many methods have been proposed for assessing system degradation rates from outdoor performance data. However, comparing reported values from one analyst and research group to another requires a common baseline of performance; consistency between methods and analysts can be a challenge. An interlaboratory study was conducted involving different volunteer analysts reporting on the same photovoltaic performance data using different methodologies. Initial variability of the reported degradation rates was so high that analysts could not come to a consensus whether a system degraded or not. More consistent values are received when written guidance is provided to each analyst. Further improvements in analyst variance was accomplished by using the free open-source software RdTools, allowing a reduction in variance between analysts by more than two orders of magnitude over the first round, where multiple analysis methods are allowed. This article highlights many pitfalls in conducting 'routine' degradation analysis, and it addresses some of the factors that must be considered when comparing degradation results reported by different analysts or methods

Systems impact of zinc chelation by the epipolythiodioxopiperazine dithiol gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus: a new direction in natural product functionality.

The non-ribosomal peptide gliotoxin, which autoinduces its own biosynthesis, has potent anti-fungal activity, especially in the combined absence of the gliotoxin oxidoreductase GliT and bis-thiomethyltransferase GtmA. Dithiol gliotoxin (DTG) is a substrate for both of these enzymes. Herein we demonstrate that DTG chelates Zn2+ (m/z 424.94), rapidly chelates Zn2+ from Zn(4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol) (Zn(PAR)2) and also inhibits a Zn2+-dependent alkaline phosphatase (AP). Zn2+ addition rescues AP function following DTG-associated inhibition, and pre-incubation of DTG with Zn2+ completely protects AP activity. Zn2+ (1-50 μM) also significantly relieves the potent gliotoxin-mediated inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus ΔgliT::ΔgtmA (p < 0.05), which infers in vivo dithiol gliotoxin-mediated sequestration of free Zn2+ or chelation from intracellular metalloenzymes as inhibitory mechanisms. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that excess Zn2+ alters the effect of gliotoxin on A. fumigatus ΔgliT, with differential abundance of secondary metabolism-associated proteins in the combinatorial condition. GtmA abundance increased 18.8 fold upon co-addition of gliotoxin and Zn2+ compared to gliotoxin alone, possibly to compensate for disruption to GtmA activity, as seen in in vitro assays. Furthermore, DTG effected significant in vitro aggregation of a number of protein classes, including Zn2+-dependent enzymes, while proteins were protected from aggregation by pre-incubating DTG with Zn2+. We conclude that DTG can act in vivo as a Zn2+ chelator, which can significantly impede A. fumigatus growth in the absence of GliT and GtmA