| 1 |
Author(s):
Possible Popoola, Rasheedat Oniyangi, Oluwanifemi Ogunleye, Oluwatobi Ojediran, Christian Agyei-Acheampong, Tosin Olaniran, Chinedum Okafor, Mercy Opateye.
Page No : 1-28
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Research Advances on the Adverse Effects of Antibiotics on Male Fertility
Abstract
With the widespread use of antibiotics, bacterial infection-related morbidity and mortality have significantly declined, revolutionizing modern medicine. However, concerns have been raised concerning the negative effects of antibiotics on a number of physiological systems, including the health of male reproductive systems. The purpose of this in-depth review is to investigate and summarize the body of knowledge about the effects of antibiotics on male fertility. Antibiotics may have negative impacts on male reproductive characteristics, according to a growing body of studies over the past few decades. Several antibiotic groups, including fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides, have been linked to altered sperm quality, lower sperm count, impaired sperm motility, altered DNA integrity and morphology of sperm. Male reproductive health is thought to be negatively impacted by antibiotics in a multifactorial manner. It has been suggested that hormonal imbalances, oxidative stress, and disturbances of the delicate male reproductive system's balance may be the underlying mechanisms for the effects that have been observed. Additionally, changes brought on by antibiotics to the gut microbiota, which is known to be extremely important for overall health, may indirectly affect male fertility by altering systemic inflammation and hormone regulation. Additionally, the timing and length of antibiotic exposure appear to be important variables in determining their effect on male fertility, of which there is proof that repetitive or continued drug use may have more severe side effects. The possible negative effects of antibiotics on male fertility are highlighted in this review. Although the available data support a logical relationship between antibiotic usage and male reproductive health, more, well conducted research on humans are still required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and determine the clinical relevance of these results. Future studies in this field might open the door to stronger protections for male fertility while ensuring efficient control of bacterial infections.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Kastali Mourad, Benkacimi Nouara, Saad Djaballah Djihad, Boudlal Malika, Rahim Abd-El-Kader, Bellatache Hanane, Mameri Imane.
Page No : 29-39
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COVID-19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Study
Abstract
Introduction : Renal transplant recipients receiving chronic immunosuppression have been considered a population at high risk for infections, complications and death related to COVID-19 infection. Results: The average age of the patients was 37.3 ± 12.1 years, with a male predominance (65.9%). At least one comorbidity was observed in 41% of patients; obese (27.3%), diabetics (20.5%), cardiovascular diseases (6.8%), and cancers (2.2%). 90.1% of patients were hospitalized, of which 10% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of the hospitalized patients, 10% died. Antimetabolites were reduced in 91% and stopped in 9% of patients. Calcineurin inhibitors were discontinued in 11.3% of patients. Hydroxychloroquine was administered in 23 patients (52.3%), antivirals in one patient (2.3%) and antibiotics in 56.8% of cases. Conclusion: Close monitoring of kidney transplant recipients is required during a pandemic due to a high mortality rate. The management of kidney transplant recipients has been difficult for clinicians and strategies are not based on high quality evidence.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Ndjouondo Gildas Parfait, Nwamo Roland Didier, Muyang Rosaline Fosah, Ache Neh Teke, Kouadio Atto Delphin.
Page No : 40-55
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Influence of Some Abiotic Factors on the Diatom Densities in the Mezam River (Bamenda, North-West Cameroon)
Abstract
Wetlands of the city of Bamenda are characterized by intense agricultural activities. The resulting consequences are aquatic pollution. The management of these wetlands requires the study of the animal and plant communities found there. Diatoms are known to be good markers of environmental change. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of some abiotic parameters on the diatom densities of the Mezam river. The study was conducted from January to December 2022. Some physicochemical parameters were measured in situ. Water samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for the measurement of nitrates, total phosphorus, carbon dioxide and biological oxygen demand. The diatoms were sampled and analyzed in the laboratory. Factorial axis 2 (0.47%) of correspondence factor analysis opposed the positive variables (conductivity, total dissolved solids and salinity) to the negative variables (water temperature, pH, nitrates, total phosphorus, oxidability, carbon dioxide and alkalinity). Study sites showed a mineralization gradient going from upstream (Site 1) to downstream (Site 3). Total species richness amounted to 4 classes divided in 18 families, 21 genera and 43 species. The most dominating family was Naviculaceae with 10 species. Multiple component analysis showed, in different study sites, the correlation between chemical parameters and density of different genera. The more the site was polluted, the more the density of Navicula, Tabellaria, Melosira and Coscinodiscus increased. On the contrary, the less the site was polluted, the more the density of Cyclotella, Gomphonema, Cocconeis, Gyrosigma, Synedra increased. These results showed that the distribution of diatoms in the different study sites was influenced by a set of conditions related to physicochemical parameters, but more on their densities.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Okorie O. M., Iwuoha G., Amadi A. N., Nwoke E. A., Okorie M. E., Ekeleme U. G., Iwuala C. C., Iwuagwu U. O., Innocent D. C., Njoku A. B., Akpevba E..
Page No : 56-62
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The Usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Among Quarry Workers in Abia and Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Personal protective equipment is a lifesaving equipment which helps in protecting the health of workers. Quarrying activity which is an economic/money marking activity requires workers to be well protected due to the various activities in the quarry sites. Aim: The aim of this work is to assess the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among quarry workers in Abia and Ebonyi States, South East, Nigeria. Method: A cross sectional study on the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among the quarry workers in Abia and Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria was conducted between May 2019 to June 2021 with the aim of determining the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among the quarry workers and to know if their level of education influences their use of PPE. Interviewing of workers with well-structured questionnaires was used for the study. The study population consists of seven registered quarries in both states. The multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in the study. The first stage was the selection of quarry sites, in which seven quarry sites were randomly selected through balloting. In the second stage, a total number of 406 quarry workers were selected for the study. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20, percentages and mean were also used. Results: On the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) by respondents, the result shows that 20.1% (49) out of 246 quarry workers in Ebonyi state use their PPE while 13.0% (21) out of 162 workers use theirs in Abia State. 61.2% (30) in Ebonyi and 7.4% (15) in Abia always used PPE regularly, 38.8% (19) and 28.6% (6) said “sometimes.” 46.9% (23) and 42.9% (9) in both states used nose masks, 22.5% (11) and 9.5% (2) helmets, 18.4% (9) and 19.1% (4) boots, glove users amounted to 8.2% (4) and 4.3% (3) in both states, 4.1% (3) and 4.3% (13) in Abia used body overall respectively. On the usage of PPE based on the level of education, it was found that among those with no formal education, 11.4% used PPE while working and 19.6% do not use it, 25.7% of those with primary education did while 48.8% did not. Among those with secondary and tertiary education 34.6% and 24.3% utilized PPE while 28.3% and 3.3% did not use PPE. This study found a statistically significant association between level of education and usage of personal protective equipment in both States (p= 0.0231). Conclusion: Information obtained from the study revealed that the majority of quarry workers in Abia and Ebonyi state knew that their job exposes them to health hazards. But there was a low turnout of usage among them. Despite these varying levels of compliance, intensive health education campaigns and provision of adequately subsidized safety protective devices for the workers by the relevant authorities will go a long way in improving awareness and compliance with use of safety protective devices and reduction of hazards.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Nwamo Roland Didier, Ndjouondo Gildas Parfait, Essiane Obono Anne Emeline, Tchogom Manga Josué Junior.
Page No : 63-71
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Inventory and Spatial Distribution of Invasive Aquatic Plants in the Lower Part of the Nyong River at Lokoundje in the Ocean Department (South-Cameroon)
Abstract
The study, conducted from February to June 2020, presents a specific inventory of aquatic invasive plants and a mapping of their distribution gained from field observations and data collection campaigns on the lower part of the Nyong River. Specifically, it was a question of inventorying plant species and geo-referencing their biotopes. Through the results obtained, 12 taxa of aquatic invasive species are present (10 species upstream, 08 in transition, and 02 downstream). Of the 12 species, 10 have an ornamental mode of introduction and 01 is endemic to the environment. In addition, it also emerges from this study that the spatial distribution of the species of aquatic plants designated in the study area presents clusters mainly around the islets represented and on certain parts of the banks of the river.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Hani Bendib, Abdelkrim Anou.
Page No : 72-80
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Retrospective Clinico-pathological and Morphological Analysis of Appendicular Tumors on Appendectomy Specimens for Acute Appendicitis
Abstract
Background and Study Aims: Appendiceal Tumors are rare. Difficult to diagnose, these tumors are often accidentally discovered following acute appendicitis. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, pathological and morphologic characteristics of these tumors in order to define an appropriate management. Patients and Methods: From a pathological database, all appendiceal tumors found on appendectomy specimens performed between January 2017 and July 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Results: Among the 1480 appendectomies performed, 15 cases of appendiceal tumors were collected (1.01%). The mean age was estimated at 44.7 ± 21.5 years (17-80). Pain in the right iliac fossa was present in all patients. Abdominal ultrasonography coupled with computed tomography (CT) scan led to the diagnosis of appendiceal tumors in 40% of cases (6/15). All patients underwent emergency surgery. An appendectomy was performed in 13 patients (86%). A mucinous tumor was found in 9 patients (60%). In 40% of the cases (6/15), it was a neuroendocrine tumor. Conclusion: Appendiceal tumors are often discovered incidentally on appendectomy specimens for acute appendicitis. They can be seen at any age and their diagnosis is not easy, even with the support of imaging. Ideally, the diagnosis of these tumors should be made preoperatively; this can change the surgical approach and avoid the need for additional surgery. All appendectomy specimens should be examined in histopathology.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Ebidor Lawani-Luwaji, Tolulope Alade, Balaraba Ubanyero John.
Page No : 81-98
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Notable variants of SARS COV 2 Virus – A Mini-Review
Abstract
Viruses undergo mutations over time, and sometimes these changes do not have any significant impact on the virus's properties. However, certain mutations can alter the way the virus interacts with the host's major components, leading to modifications in the host's machinery within the cell. These modifications can affect the virus's properties, such as its transmissibility, severity of the disease, effectiveness of therapeutic medications, vaccines, and other social and public measures related to health. This review paper aims to discuss the different variants of SARS-CoV-2 that have emerged since the first documented case of the virus. We searched for keywords such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and variants on websites like the World Health Organization and databases like PubMed, Medline, and blogs. We examined these sources to find relevant materials published on the topic. The variants are classified based on ancestry and segment mutations, and they are grouped into distinct categories based on their potential for causing severe disease. The identification of five notable variants since December 2020, namely the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants, has blown up the virus lineages. These variants have added complexity to COVID-19 research and have required extra epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical research avenues.
