Molecular typing of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Nigeria

Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant strains [MRSA] are a major concern in densely populated urban areas. Initial studies of S. aureus in Nigeria indicated existence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains in clinical and community settings. 73 biological samples [40 throat, 23 nasal, 10 wound] were collected from patients and healthcare workers in three populations in Nigeria: Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Owerri General Hospital. S. aureus was isolated from 38 of 73 samples [52%]. Of the 38 S. aureus samples, 9 [24%] carried the Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene [PVL] while 16 [42%] possessed methicillin resistance genes [mecA]. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles indicated resistance to several broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant S. aureus isolates were recovered from clinical and community settings in Nigeria. Insight about S. aureus in Nigeria may be used to improve antibiotic prescription methods and minimize the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms in highly populated urban communities similar to Lagos, Nigeria

Mutational pressure drives evolution of synonymous codon usage in genetically distinct oenothera plastomes

Most of the amino acids are encoded by more than one codon, termed as synonymous codons. Synonymous codon usage is not random as it is unique to species. In each amino acid family, some synonymous codons are preferred and this is referred to as synonymous codon usage bias [SCUB]. Trends associated with evolution of SCUB and factors influencing its diversification in plastomes of genetically distinct Oenothera plastomes have not been investigated so far. In the present study, major forces that shape SCUB in Oenothera plastomes and putative preferred codons in the protein coding genes [PCG] of plastomes were identified. To unravel various features of SCUB across selected Oenothera plastomes, commonly used codon usage indices such as relative synonymous codon usage [RSCU], synonymous codon usage order [SCUO], effective number of codons [ENC] and codon adaptation index [CAI] were calculated. Correspondence analysis [COA] on RSCU was performed to identify various characteristics of SCUB across different PCG in Oenothera plastomes. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was adopted to correlate nucleotide contents, codon usage indices and major axes of COA to find out critical parameters in shaping SCUB. Mutational bias due to compositional constraints played crucial role in shaping SCUB as T[3] and GC[3] contents were in strong negative correlation with all axes of COA. Nevertheless, significant negative correlations between axis 1 and 3 with ENC and CAI respectively, in all species, and narrow distribution of GC contents in neutrality plot, indicate the role of natural selection. Hydropathy score of proteins was found to be influencing SCUB in O. glazioviana as it showed strong negative correlation with axis 2. We concluded that mutational pressure coupled with weak selection influenced SCUB in the examined plastomes of Oenothera. In addition, all examined species of Oenothera exist as disjunct populations in different parts of North America and these populations might have experienced genetic drift as random mutations in small populations that have been fixed over a period of time

An innovative educational module: Digital Lecture Series in Dermatology

Abstract not available

Rib exostosis: An incidental finding

We report an 18 year old young man with bronchial asthma presenting with productive cough for one month. His chest radiograph and computed tomography [CT] demonstrated an exostosis of the right first rib, which was an incidental finding not related to his complaint. We report the radiological findings and complications that may accompany rib exostosis

Delirium in the elderly: a review

Delirium is a common disorder, often under diagnosed and mismanaged. It is becoming more prevalent, because of the ageing population. In this clinical review, we summarise the definition, diagnosis and management of delirium

Secondary aorto-duodenal fistulas

Aorto-enteric fistula is a serious and fatal complication of aortic graft surgery. The difficulty in both diagnosis and management amplify the impact and seriousness of this condition. Reports about the value of the use of endoscopy as a diagnostic tool are increasing in the medical field. Here we present our experience with a case of secondary aorto-duodenal fistula [ADF] followed by discussion of the current scientific opinion about this life threatening condition