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A Celiac Disease Marker: Serum Immunoglobulin A Anti‑Tissue Transglutaminase in Vitiligo Cases and Controls in a Hospital in South‑West Nigeria
Get PDFBackground: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder resulting from the destruction of melanocytes of affected patients. Celiac disease (CD) is characterised by autoimmune inflammation of small intestinal mucosa specifically triggered by the gluten consumption in susceptible individuals. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti‑tissue transglutaminase (anti‑tTG) serology is recommended as an initial test for the diagnosis of CD prior to confirmation with intestinal biopsy. Aim: We aimed to compare the serum IgA anti‑tTG levels in vitiligo patients and controls without vitiligo in a hospital in South‑West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a case–control study of 33 vitiligo cases and 33 controls. IgA anti‑tTG was assayed in participants’ sera using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay protocol employing recombinant human tTG. Results: A total of 66 participants were recruited into the study; 33 cases with vitiligo and 33 controls. The median age for cases was 50 years (range: 4–82). The median age for the controls was 55 years (range: 23–76). Generalised vitiligo accounted for 13 (40%) of vitiligo cases with the others consisting of various forms of segmental vitiligo. Anti‑tTG levels were higher in cases at 6.1U/ml (8.8, 0.6–20.0) (med [interquartile range (IQR), min‑max]), compared to controls 5.2 U/ml (3.7, 0.7–22.4). Difference between groups estimated using the Mann‑Whitney U‑test was not significant, u = 408.0, P = 0.08 (α = 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in serum IgA anti‑tTG in vitiligo cases and controls in this study. Further studies are required to clarify the nature of the association between vitiligo and CD
Extraction and Characterization of Vegetable Oil from 20 Accessions of Allanblackia parviflora Seeds in Ghana
Get PDFThe benefits derived from the forest estate in Ghana include Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). NTFPs such as vegetable oil produced from seed of forest trees have been used for centuries. The oil from the seed kernel of Allanblackia parviflora (Allanblackia) is investigated for differences in the yield and quality between accessions. Vegetable oil from twenty (20) accessions of Allanblackia were extracted and characterized. The oil yields from the different accessions were all above 60% and no significant differences were detected amongst the accessions. The iodine value was very low indicating a very saturated oil whilst the refractive index, specific gravity and acid values were all within the range of most edible oils. The vegetable oil contains over 60% saturated fatty acids in the form of stearic acid (C18:0) and over 30% unsaturated fatty acid in the form of oleic acid (C18:1), and this may be the reason for the oil been solid at ambient room temperature
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Annual Malaria Incidence in Rivers State, Nigeria
No full textRivers State is the centre of Nigeria's oil industry and has the presence of oil prospectors including expatriates who are at risk of malaria infection. Periodic analysis of epidemiological data will enable malaria control programmers to appraise the interventions carried out over the years and assist in the development of sustainable and adaptive strategies directed from an informed local level. This study, therefore, examined spatiotemporal variations in malaria incidence in the State using Annual Parasite Incidence (API) as an indicator. Monthly reported malaria cases from 2007-2017 at the local government area (LGA) level were retrieved from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR) system of Rivers State Ministry of Health while projected population data for the same period were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. API of the LGAs from 2007 to 2017 were computed, integrated into GIS, and subjected to weighted overlay analysis to delineate the risk zones. The eleven-year retrospective study of malaria in Rivers State displayed geographical variations which were statistically significant between the LGAs. Malaria incidence fluctuated throughout the study period. API values increased from 13.746 in 2007 to 34.067 in 2013 and dropped to 8.721 in 2017. All the LGAs recorded API values below 100, indicating a very low malaria burden in a controlled setting. However, none of the LGAs has reached the WHO standard level for the elimination of transmission. Ikwerre, Eleme, Ogu-Bolo and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs were assigned to the very high malaria risk stratum (362.615 to 490.005) whereas Abua-Odual, Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs were assigned to very low-risk malaria stratum (103.281 to 113.897). The findings of this research will aid stakeholders in evaluating the impact of control strategies employed over the years and possibly, revisit malaria extant interventions for improved malaria control outcomes.  
Prevalence of Giardia lamblia Infection among Pupils and Students from Selected Schools in Nsukka Metropolis, Enugu State
No full textGlobally, Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal protozoa parasite with about 200 million yearly infections in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The parasite is common in third-world countries with poor living conditions. The current surge in terrorism across Nigeria has forced people to migrate into relatively peaceful regions and Nsukka has been one of the cities in Nigeria that have witnessed the influx of migrants. This migration aids the spread of G. lamblia and thus puts the public health of the inhabitants of Nsukka metropolis at risk. The current state of G. lamblia infection in Nsukka metropolis is not known and this knowledge gap hampers effective planning by public health officers and policymakers to safeguard the public health of the inhabitants. The objectives of this study were to provide information on the prevalence of G. lamblia infection among pupils and students from selected schools within Nsukka metropolis and to provide data on the age group that is more vulnerable to the parasitic infection among the studied population for public health campaign against the parasite. Faecal samples were collected from 170 individuals from five different schools. The faecal samples were examined for G. lamblia under the microscope using formol-ether concentration and direct smear methods. The prevalence of G. lamblia is 38.2%. The prevalence is higher in males (40.3%) than in females (36.7%). El-Shaddai Nursery and Primary School (ENPS) and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) recorded the highest prevalence of 53.3% each. Children in the age groups 3 - 7 years had the highest prevalence of 66.7%. Giardia lamblia is widespread among children and university students in Nsukka metropolis. 
Awareness of Final-Year Medical Students of Omdurman Islamic University on Their Career Choices
Get PDFBackground: Medical students undergo a complex process as a student to make a career decision and pursue further specialization. This study explores the factors that influence the career choices of the two genders studying in the final year of medicine at Omdurman Islamic University.Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 194 male and female fifth-year medical students studying at Omdurman Islamic University. The questionnaire contains 15 multiple-choice questions to determine the factors affecting students’ career choices – lifestyle, income, family impact,…etc. – and the association between gender and the specialties they choose to pursue.Results: The specialties were preferred in the following order: surgery by 22.9%, internal medicine by 18.3%, obstetric gynecology by 13.8%, and pediatric by 10% (limited to the four major specialties). The least chosen specialties were histopathology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesia (all were 0.9%). Family medicine and forensics were not chosen by any participant. Females significantly preferred dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, otolaryngology, and pediatrics compared to their male counterparts. Whereas, males compared to females significantly preferred orthopedics and surgery. The factors influencing change in students’ specialties based on their gender were family views and family obligations. Nearly 80% of students choose a career based on personal interest; lifestyle and financial reward were also seen to play an important role in choosing a specialty. About 91% of participants agreed that there is a need for guidance. A great proportion of final-year students (62%) preferred to specialize abroad and related it to a good lifestyle and financial stability.Conclusion: This study showed that the students’ awareness about specialty choices was limited to certain specialties as seen in the literature. The most preferred specialties were surgery (22.9%), internal medicine (18.3%), obstetrics and gynecology (13.8%), and pediatric (10%). There are many factors influencing the selection of specialties, however, the most common one is personal interest followed by lifestyle issues and financial reward. Additionally, there is a significant gender difference in career-choice decisions
Review of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in a General Hospital Setting: Experience from a Developing Country
Get PDFBackground: Plastic and reconstructive surgery in developing countries and underserved areas are significantly limited and face changes to start a proper service. This study presents a review of plastic surgery services and experiences in a district hospital located in an underserved area.Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, hospital-based study was conducted to review patients who presented to the plastic and reconstruction departments from January 2014 to January 2015. All patients seen in the outpatient clinic or emergency departments for plastic surgical consultation or management were included in the study.Results: The total of 403 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The emergency surgical operation performed in our unit were distributed in the following descending order; fingertip injury (32%), cut wrist (12.7%), cut extensor tendon (9.9%), gunshot injuries (9.4%), fracture of a small bone of the hand (8.3%), and lower limb trauma. Surgery for congenital deformities constituted the most elective operation done in our unit (31.6%), followed by tumor surgery (18.7%), burn surgery (17.3%), aesthetic surgery procedure (12.2%), and other miscellaneous cases (12.2%).Conclusion: This report demonstrates the efficacy of secondary hospital setting to accommodate a large volume of patients during the first year of establishment, and further predicting development needs, staff training, and governmental support
Morphometric parameters, cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nuts germination and graft plant production time in Côte d’Ivoire
Get PDFThe production of grafted cashew seedlings in Côte d'Ivoire lasts from four to six months. This causes late transplanting in the field. This study aimed at reducing the production time of grafted cashew plants. The effect of cashew nut morphometric parameters on germination, rootstock vigour and production time of grafted cashew seedlings was evaluated. Four genotypes, characterized by different nut sizes, were used as rootstocks. For sowing, 160 cashew nuts were used. Apical grafting, with semi-woody scions taken from trees of genotype LAX3264, was carried out on the rootstocks. Little variability was found in the length, width and thickness of the nut. On the contrary, the nut weight showed a high variability. Seed germination time was on average 5-8 days after sowing (DAS). The small nuts, from the PK23 genotype, had a long germination time. The production time of the grafted plants, on average 72 days after sowing, for all the genotypes, was shorter than the former production time which was 90 and 120 days. No significant differences were observed between the genotypes
Nursery germination trial of Tali seeds, Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan
Get PDFThe current low recruitment rate of the exploitable tree species arouses silvicultural interventions for long-term management of their populations. This study evaluated the germination of the Erythrophleum suaveolens seeds in nursery following different pretreatments. The seeds have been collected under seed trees of E. suaveolens chosen in a range from 30 to 155 cm North Congo in the Celtis forest within a plot of 400 ha on clay-sandy to sandy-clay soils. A complete design randomized of two blocks has been establish in the greenhouse at respective average temperature and humidity of 24°C and 60%. The seed lot (350 seeds) has been divided into seven treatments for to test the modalities of breaking dormancy, at the rate of 50 seeds per treatment. The dormancy of the collected seeds was lifted by germination tests after treatment with sulfuric acid (H2SO4), in an oven at 140°C and in the boiling water. The seeds have been individually and immediately sowed after treatments. The germination rates were 68-76%, 36-56%, 16% and 12-28%, respectively for the T2, T1, T5 and T6 treatments, with germination times of 6 days for T1 and T2, 15 days for T5 and 15-20 days for T6. Treatments T3, T4 and T7 presented zero germination rates. The factors that can influence seeds variations of germination are discussed and recommendations inherent in the considerable efforts of assisted regeneration of this species which occupies a preponderant place in logging in Central Africa are formulated
Socio-economic indigenous drivers of soils and water conservation practices use to cope with climate change in the region of Plateau Central in Burkina Faso
Get PDFContinuous soil degradation and recurrent droughts caused by climate change are challenging agricultural production in the Central Plateau region of Burkina Faso. Some management techniques were developed and disseminated to farmers, in order to reduce the effects of drought and restore degraded soils. However, the adoption rate of these techniques is still low. The present study aimed at identifying and analysing the indigenous determinants of the adoption of zaï and stone rows techniques by farmers. Zaï is a small planting pit of about 20–30 cm in width, 10–20 cm deep, and filled with organic matter (manure, compost or dry biomass). Stone row is an anti-erosive device built of blocks of rubble assembled by a series of two to three. Data were collected through a survey carried out on 135 heads of households in four municipalities in the provinces of Kourwéogo and Oubritenga. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the factors determining the adoption of zaï and stone rows practices. The results showed that the level of education, membership to a local organization and cattle ownership positively influenced the adoption of zaï. In addition, membership to a local organization positively affected the adoption of stone rows. In contrast, the practice of small trading negatively affected the adoption of zaï. Therefore, it is essential for institutions, policymakers and NGOs to consider these factors in order to make their interventions more efficient in a global change context
Assessment of Marketing and Distribution Channels of Bushmeat in Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFMarketing and consumption of bushmeat has been part of rural livelihoods. This study therefore assessed the marketing of bushmeat in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, Nigeria. The respondents targeted include the hunters, wholesalers and retailers of bushmeat. Purposive sampling technique was employed for selection of 15 wholesalers and 20 retailers of bushmeat, while snowball method was adopted for sampling of 20 hunters making 55 respondents. Majority of the bushmeat hunters were male (90.0%), while 80.0% and 85.0% of the retailers and wholesalers respectively were female. The people that engaged in hunting were local farmers and full-time local hunters. About 63.3% of the hunters processed their kills to prevent decay (46.6%) and for value addition (36.7%). From estimation, the increase in the average seasonal selling prices for the bushmeat was as high as 100% between the middlemen in some cases, while some was just about 10% or below. Marketing of the bushmeat is mainly driven by the final consumers, hence there is the need for proper public education and awareness creation on the implication of killing animals in the wild. Training on domestication of wild animals should be organized among the hunters, marketers and consumers with incentive provided for their establishment