| 1 |
Author(s):
Mukhtar G.L., Mukhtar M.D., Magashi A.M.
Page No : 1-11
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Antimicrobial Resistance Among Bacterial Strains Recovered from Non-Sterile Pharmaceutical Products
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance happens to be the main clinical and public health problem within the life time of most people living today, and the sources of antibiotic resistance bacteria is increasing in addition to the clinical and environmental sources. In this study, the presence of antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains previously recovered from non-sterile pharmaceutical products was evaluated using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and PCR detection of antibiotic resistance genes; bla-SHV, bla-CTX-M, bla-TEM and class 1, 2 and 3 integrase genes. The bacterial strains were also screened for the presence of plasmids. The tested bacterial strains exhibit high-level resistance to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (89.5%), amoxycillin/clavunanic (68.4%), and cefixime (52.6%). However, they were highly susceptible to norfloxacin (74%). Resistant bacterial strains habours one or more of the ESBL, integrase genes and plasmids. š¯‘¸š¯‘™š¯‘ˇTEM, š¯‘¸š¯‘™š¯‘ˇCTX, class 1 integron and plasmids were present in 10 (52.6%), 03 (15.8%), 09 (47.4%) and 11 (57.9%) of the tested bacterial strains respectively. Findings of the study have shown that contaminated non-sterile pharmaceutical products are a potential source for propagation and dissemination of resistant bacterial strains and genes in the environment.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Georg Authried (MD, DMSc), Mathias Tiedemann Svendsen (MD, PhD).
Page No : 12-14
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Patient Neglect Resulting in Rapidly Progressing Carcinoma Cuniculatum
Abstract
Carcinoma cuniculatum is a high differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. It is diffuse and local destructive growing pattern can sometimes lead to impressive tissue destruction and subsequent mortality. Clinically it can be mistaken for benign entities like Pyoderma vegetans. For correct diagnosis and good treatment outcome, a correct and early diagnosis is urgent. A patient case is presented, where patient delay and insufficient patient history resulted in misdiagnosis and a fatal treatment outcome.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Ewansiha J.U., Tilon G., Kolawole I.D., Orji S.L..
Page No : 15-21
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Inhibitory Potential of Coconut and Carrot Oil Extracts on Some Bacterial Skin Microflora
Abstract
In response to the chemically harmful effects of commercially sold body creams on the skin due to the presence of steroids, hydroquinone and kojic acid, natural oil extracts from medicinal plants and fruits are seen as alternative. The use of natural oil extract is not without some intricacies too as its effect against skin microflora has been reported. Therefore, the inhibitory potentials of coconut and carrot oil extracts on some bacterial skin microflora were determined using standard laboratory identification and agar well diffusion methods for identification of bacteria from human skin swab and antibacterial susceptibility test, respectively. The isolated organisms include, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The result obtained shows that carrot oil extract inhibits all the test isolates with mean zones of inhibition (MZI) ranged from 6.00Ā±1.00 to 12.15Ā±0.55 while coconut oil extract was only active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MZI of 12.50Ā±0.55. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) result also shows that carrot oil extract was significantly (p Ė‚ 0.05) more active than coconut oil with MIC of 50% while the test isolates were still viable at 100% use of coconut oil extract. There was no minimum inhibitory concentration (MBC) obtained as all the test organisms were still viable at 100% of both oil extracts. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that carrot oil extract possesses inhibitory potentials against skin microflora as opposed to coconut oil extract. Therefore, it is safer to apply coconut oil on human skin since it has less inhibitory effect on skin microflora.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Morakinyo A.E., Fasakin W.O., Fajobi A.O., Akinpelu B.A., Oyedapo O.O.
Page No : 22-31
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Effects of Aframomum Melegueta Leaf Extract on the Antioxidant Status of Obese Rats
Abstract
The study evaluated the possible effects of aqueous leaf extract of Aframomum melegueta on the antioxidant status of obese rats induced by using three models: monosodium glutamate (MSG), high fat diet (HFD) and MSG +HFD in rats with a view to employing the plant as a new class of anti-obesity agent. The study involved the preparation of aqueous leaf extract of Aframomum melegueta. Obesity was induced in rats as follows: sixty-five healthy albino rats were randomly divided into 13 groups of 5 rats each and obesity was induced by the subcutaneous injection of MSG (2 and 4 mg/g bwt) and HFD, treated with the extract of A. melegueta (200 and 400 mg/kgbwt) and standard drug, orlistat (50 mg /kg bwt). The activities of enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione) were evaluated. In the MSG model, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the activities of GPx, SOD, (CAT) and reduced glutathione in the obese rats when compared to the control group. Administration of aqueous extract of A. melegueta at 400 mg/kg bwt significantly increase (p < 0.05) the GPx level. In the MSG+HFD model, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the activities of SOD and reduced glutathione concentration in the obese rats when compared to the control group. Treatment with the extract (200 mg/kg bwt and 400 mg/kg bwt) significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of SOD. In the HFD model, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the activities of SOD, catalase and reduced glutathione concentration in obese rats when compared to the control group. However, administration of the extract at 400 mg/kg bwt significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione concentration. The study concluded that extract of A. melegueta possesses antioxidant activities at 400 mg/kg bwt with the most apparent effect in HFD-induced obesity. The plant could be employed in the treatment and management of oxidative stress implicated in obesity and related disorders.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Zulkiflu Musa Argungu, Ado Shehu, Deborah J.Y.
Page No : 32-42
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Psychological Predictors of Quality of Life among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria
Abstract
Background: In high-income countries, psychological trauma is much more common in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than the general population, and trauma is associated with worse current health and functioning. there is a dearth of research on the subject matter that has investigate the trends of psychological challenges facing PLWHAs in Nigeria and to compare their self-efficacy, depression, psychosocial well-being and quality of life among women people living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHAs) and men people living with HIV/AIDS (MLWHAs) in a developing country lie Nigeria. Objectives. This study examined and compared self-efficacy, depression, well-being, and quality of life among PLWHA in a developing country like Nigeria. Method. The cross-sectional predictive correlational design was used to select a final sample of 133 participants. Result. Compared to MLWHAs and WLWHAs reported lower levels of well-being (6.2 versus 10.3), higher levels of depression (17.9 versus 14.6), and poorer quality of life. Self-efficacy was similar among women (21.1) and men (22.4) LWHAs. A higher level of depression among WLWHAs was associated with much lower levels of subjective well-being and quality of life (physical health and psychological health). Conclusion. The findings suggest that WLWHAs face psychological problems and mental health challenges beyond those experienced by MLWHAs. Intervention programs dedicated to improving mental health and quality of life are greatly needed for HIV infected women.
| 6 |
Author(s):
E. A. Babeker.
Page No : 43-66
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Correlation Between Some Climatic Factors and COVID-19 Epidemic in Two Cities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to explore the relations between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case counts and meteorological factors in two capital cities of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A). Meteorological data on daily average (high, low and mean) barometer (atmospheric pressure) (hpa - hectoPascals), relative humidity (%), temperature (oc), wind gust (km/h), wind speed (km/h) and drew point (oc) during the study period, which was 35 days. The finding showed the person correlation coefficients between Daily number of infected cases of COVID-19 and weather factors in Al Riyad and Mecca cities in K.S.A. The results in Al Riayd and Mecca cities were: Daily number of infected cases of COVID-19 had obvious linear positive correlations significantly (p<0.01) with daily average temperature (r = 0.72; 0.72), daily average high temperature (r = 0.70; 0.65) and daily average low temperature (r = 0.67; 0.71); respectively, and significantly (p<0.01) negative correlations with daily average barometer (r = - 0.72; - 0.50), daily average high barometer (r = - 0.63; - 0.53), daily average low barometer (r = - 0.67; - 0.52); respectively. Also, in Al Riayd city the confirmed COVID-19 correlated significantly (p<0.01) with daily average humidity (r = - 0.59), daily average high humidity (r = - 0.60) and daily average low humidity (r = - 0.52) and in Mecca city was lower significant (p<0.5) with daily average humidity (r = - 0.38).
| 7 |
Author(s):
Emmanuel Israel Edache, Shafiu Saidu.
Page No : 67-89
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Docking and QSAR Studies of New Imidazo [1,2-a] Quinoxaline Derivatives using Genetic Function Approximation (GFA) against Human Melanoma
Abstract
In this paper, to comprehend the chemical-biological interactions governing their activities toward antitumor activity, QSAR models of 31 derivatives of New imidazo [1, 2-a] quinoxaline derivatives with inhibitory tumor were developed. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was built by using the genetic function algorithm (GFA) technique, and the best GFA model has SEE = 0.51748, R2 = 0.73038 cross-validated, R2adjusted = 0.63234, F = 7.44967 (DF: 4, 11), and Q2 = 0.51664 non-cross-validated. The predictive ability of the GFA model was further validated by a test set of 8 compounds, giving R2pred = 0.73038. Docking studies were used to discover the real conformations of chemicals in the active site, as well as the binding mode shape to the binding site in enzyme. Ligand with PubChem_CID number 44561182 has the least binding affinity with the enzyme. The information provided by the 2D-QSAR model and docking may lead to a better understanding of the structural requirements of 31 New imidazo [1, 2-a] quinoxaline derivatives and help to design potential anti-tumor molecules.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Georg Authried , Mathias Tiedemann Svendsen (PhD).
Page No : 90-95
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Patient Neglect Resulting in Fatal Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) represents 4% of skin cancers, but accounts for 80% of all skin cancer deaths. MM is one of the only cancers which neither incidence nor mortality are decreasing. This suggest there is a need to improve early detection and early referral when symptoms appear. A patient case is presented, where patient neglect due to a patientā€™s fear of consulting the doctor with a potential fatal disease resulted in delayed diagnosis of MM and a fatal disease outcome.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Adenike Ogunshe, Yetunde Ekanola, Maryam Omolaja, Tiwalade Adewale.
Page No : 96-110
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Revolving Laboratory-Stewardship for Phenotypic Resistance Profiles of Combined Antifungal Agents on Human Clinical Candida Species in a Developing Country and CoviD-19 Indications
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial stewardship has always revolved round prudent antimicrobial regimens, including combined antimicrobial therapy, to curb antimicrobial resistance. But there is dearth of local microbiological data on combination antifungal therapy. Materials and Methods: 129 strains of human oral and vulvo-vaginal Candida species were assayed for phenotypic susceptibility / resistance profiles to 12 commonly-available-in-country antifungal drugs and 12 antifungal creams. Results: When tested singly, C. albicans strains were totally resistant to Primpex and Flucamed. Resistance rates of 46.6-95.2% were exhibited to remaining antifungal drugs, with multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) of 41.7-100%. All C. glabrata strains were resistant to Fesovin; 55.7-96.2% strains exhibited resistance to other antifungals, and MAR was 41.7-100%. C. pseudotropicalis strains were totally resistant to Fesovin, Ketoconazole, Primpex and Flucamed; 36.8-84.2% strains resisted other antifungals, while MAR was 41.7-100%. C. tropicalis, exhibited resistance rates of 37.5-100% and MAR of 50.0-100%. The Candida species were resistant to all antifungal creams. Combined phenotypic assays of five most-resisted antifungal drugs and six most-resisted antifungal creams, on 40 most-resistant Candida strains gave 37.5% and 27.5% resistance (or 62.5% and 72.5% susceptibility) instead of 100% resistance (0.0% susceptibility) recorded during single antifungal drug and cream susceptibility assays. Conclusion: Appropriate laboratory-based direct-antifungal-drugs assay can serve as antimicrobial stewardship intervention, which can enhance ideal antifungal prescriptions that translates to better treatment regimens of mycotic infections, and confirm non-potent antifungals, including adulterated, fake, substandard or expired antifungals, common in some developing countries, including Nigeria.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Gbenga Festus Babarinde.
Page No : 111-126
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Coronavirus and Stock Prices in Nigeria: A Vector Autoregressive Multivariate Time Series Analysis
Abstract
Stock market is said to be information-driven. Thus, information on health pandemic such as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID ā€“ 19) is perceived to impact stock market indicators such as the stock price index. In view of this, this study explored the effects of positive, discharged and fatal cases of COVID ā€“ 19 on stock prices in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). This study adopts event study research design and employed Granger causality and Vector Autoregression (VAR) techniques in analyzing the weekly time series data sourced from the websites of NSE and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. This research covered a period of 30 weeks, beginning from Monday, March 2, 2020 and ending Friday September 25, 2020. Empirical findings suggest no evidence of causality between coronavirus and stock prices in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study found that COVID-19 discharged and fatal cases have positive effects on stock prices in Nigeria while the effect of the confirmed cases is negative. None of the measures of coronavirus was statistically significant in explaining stock prices in Nigeria. It can therefore be concluded that coronavirus does not constitute a significant determinant of stock price movement in Nigeria in the study period. It is suggested that future studies should interact coronavirus measures with other variables and examine their effects on stock market performance.
| 11 |
Author(s):
Friday Emeakpor Ogbetere, Gad Ohiogbauan Erhuanga.
Page No : 127-132
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Onychocryptosis Affecting the Lateral and Medial Folds of Both Big Toes: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature
Abstract
Onychocryptosis, otherwise known as ingrown toenails, is a disease of the nail apparatus frequently found in young adults characterized by pain, inflammation, and functional disability. It commonly affects the hallux and often associated with congenital anomalies of the nail folds and nail plates, medial rotation of the nail plates, and wearing of tight shoes. Though it is a common pathology among teenagers and young adults, onychocryptosis involving the medial and lateral folds of both big toes is very rare.
Reported herein is a case of a 17-year-old undergraduate who presented to our facility with neglected chronically inflamed and infected ingrown toenails of both big toes of four years duration. On physical examination, he had hypertrophy of both lateral and medial nail folds of the two big toes with discharging purulent exudates. The right hallux was significantly bigger with bilateral hallux valgus deformity. He subsequently had partial nail resection and matricectomy after antibiotics treatment.
This case report brings to the fore a very rare occurrence of onychocryptosis affecting both lateral and medial folds of both big toes and re-awakens the surgeonsā€™ interest in their prevention and management.
| 12 |
Author(s):
Jonah U.E., Anyanwu E.D., Nkpondion N.N., Okoboshi A.C., Avoaja D.A..
Page No : 132-145
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Water Quality Parameters and Macrobenthic Fauna of Brackish Water System, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Abstract
A study on water quality and macro-benthic fauna of a brackish water system in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was carried out between May 2019 and February 2020. The samples were collected monthly, from three sampling stations across the water body. Standard methods were used to analyze water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), hydrogen ion (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and turbidity in-situ and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphate and nitrate in the laboratory. Van-veen grab and standard hand net were used to collect the macro-benthos fauna. Ranges of physico-chemical parameters were Water temperature (24.9-25.3 ĀŗC), EC (62.3-70.9 mS/m), pH (6.5-6.7), Turb. (12.0-28.2 NTU), DO (3.8-4.7 mg/L), BOD (2.3-3.2 mg/L), PO4- (3.2ā€“5.2 mg/L), NO3- (3.0-6.3 mg/L). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the mean values of turbidity, DO, PO4- and NO3-(P<0.05). Eighteen (18) taxa, 284 individual species of macro-benthic fauna, comprising three (3) phyla and seven (7) taxonomic groups were recorded. Arthropoda was the highest recorded phylum (73.94%); Annelida and Mollusca each accounted for 13.03% of taxonomic group recorded. The dominant taxonomic group was Diptera, accounting 23.9%. Shannon-Wiener index ranged between 1.997 and 2.530, Margalefā€™s index ranged from 1.865 - 3.309, Simpson index ranged between 0.846 and 0.905 and species evenness ranged from 0.908 ā€“ 0.923 indicating that the environment has gone through some level of perturbation. Most of the macrobenthic invertebrate species recorded were pollution tolerant species and physico-chemical parameters analyzed revealed that the estuary was polluted due to anthropogenic activities in the watershed.
