Microbial Assessment of In-door Air and Equipment Used in Banks within Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Banking activities which involve the use of counting machines, Automated teller machines, and exchange of naira notes play potential roles in the spread of infectious microorganisms. This study aimed at determining the microbial status of banks within Ekiti State University campus. A total of 96 samples were collected from six different banks’ in–door air, ATM, counting tables and Money counting machines in Ekiti State University campus. The samples were collected both in the morning and afternoon. Bacteria and fungi were isolated from the samples using serial dilution and pour plating methods. The isolates were identified based on morphological and biochemical characterization. Susceptibility pattern of the isolates to different classes of antibiotics (Penicillins, Quinolones, Macrolides, Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones and Sulfonamides) were determined using agar disc diffusion method. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in bacteria counts on all the equipment analyzed in all the banks except Heritage bank. Analysis of variance also revealed significant difference in the bacteria counts from the banks in the morning and in the afternoon (p<0.05). Bacteria and fungi isolated from the samples belonged to the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus Bacilllus, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Mucor and Fusarium where bacteria group dominated with 65% while their fungal counterparts were 35% of the total isolates. Escherichia coli had the highest percentage occurrence of 18.6%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (15.2%) while Proteus sp. had the lowest occurrence (1%). The isolates exhibited resistance to Augmentin (100%), Erythromycin (100%), Amoxycillin (96%), Cotrimoxazole (96%), Chloramphenicol (86%), Streptomycin (72%) and Gentamycin (58%) while their growths were inhibited by Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Prefloxacin and Septrin. Plasmid analysis of the resistant strains showed that the isolates lack plasmids. The presence of potential pathogens in the banks and multiple antibiotic resistance displayed by the isolates constitutes risk to the public health. Hence, measures such as thorough hand washing with soap and hand sanitization after using the bank and its facilities should be emphasized.

CD4 decay rate as an indicator of the time interval between initial infection and first diagnosis among drug-naive human immunodeficiency virus seropositive individuals in Lagos, Nigeria

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the time interval between human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection and the first diagnosis among drug-naïve individuals in Badagry, Nigeria

Subjects and Methods: A sample of 213 subjects who tested HIV positive for the first time were enrolled in this study. The HIV diagnosis was performed using Startpak [registered] and Determine [registered] kits, and a CD4 count was carried out using a FACS Count [registered] flow cytometer. The mean CD4 values were determined by gender and age groups. The time interval between initial HIV infection and first testing was calculated based on the average CD4 decay rate per calendar year, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software

Results: At diagnosis, the mean CD4 values showed that females recorded 270 cells/micro l and males 244 cells/micro l. By age range, individuals <25 years recorded 437 cells/micro l, those between 25 and 40 years of age had 237 cells/micro l, and those aged >/= 41 years had 192 cells/micro l. There was a significant difference between CD4 cell categorization and age range [p < 0.001]. Subjects aged between 25 and 40 years recorded the highest distribution of all CD4 cell counts. The time interval between infection and testing for females was 8.1 years and for males 6.7 years. Within the age group <25 years the interval was 5.1 years, whilst it was 8.1 years for those aged >/= 41 years

Conclusion: Most of the population presented for testing during the advanced stages of infection. We suggest an upscaling of HIV voluntary counseling and testing to encourage early detection and better treatment outcomes

Antioxidant properties and in vitro alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory properties of phenolics constituents from different varieties of corchorus spp.

This study investigated the phenolic constituents, antioxidant properties and effect of aqueous extracts from some Corchorus species [C. aestuans, C. bougoudo, C. capsularis, C. olitorius and C. urtifolicus] on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities in vitro. Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector [GC-FID] was used to characterize the phenolic constituents. Aqueous extracts were prepared weight/volume [w/v] and their effects on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities, Fe[2+] induced lipid peroxidation, and 1,1-diphenyl[-2] picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging properties were determined. Fe[2+] chelating abilities and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power [FRAP] properties were also studied. The predominant phenolics detected by GCFID were kaempferol, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid and quercetin. The results showed that all the Corchorus species significantly [P < 0.05] inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities dose-dependently [0-8 micro g/ml]. C. olitorius had the highest alpha-amylase inhibitory ability while C. bougoudo demonstrated the maximum alpha-glucosidase inhibition. However, all the Corchorus species inhibited alpha-glucosidase better than alpha-amylase and also exhibited antioxidant properties. The enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant properties exhibited by the Corchorus species could be attributed to their phenolic constituents and vitamin C content; a possible mechanism by which Corchorus species could elicit therapeutic effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus as obtained in folklore medicine

Inhibitory effect of polyphenolic-rich extract from Cola nitida (Kolanut) seed on key enzyme linked to type 2 diabetes and Fe(2+) induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas in vitro

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effect of phenolic-rich extracts from Cola nitida (C. nitida) seeds on key enzymes linked with type-2 diabetes and Fe(2+) induced oxidative stress in rat pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The phenolic extract was prepared with 80% acetone (v/v). Subsequently, the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of the extract on α - amylase and α - glucosidase as well as on Fe(2+) induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas were determined in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result revealed that C. nitida extract inhibited α-amylase (EC50=0.34 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (EC50=0.32 mg/mL) activities as well as Fe(2+) induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas in a dose dependent manner. In addition, the extract had high DPPH radical scavenging ability (EC50=2.2 mg/mL) and reducing power (8.2 mg AAE/g). Characterization of the main phenolic compounds of the extract using gas chromatography analysis revealed catechin (6.6 mg/100 g), epicatechin (3.6 mg/100 g), apigenin (5.1 mg/100 g) and naringenin (3.6 mg/100 g) were the main compounds in the extract.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This antioxidant and enzyme inhibition could be some of the possible mechanism by which C. nitida is use in folklore for the management/treatment of type-2 diabetes. However, the enzyme inhibitory properties of the extract could be attributed to the presence of catechin, epicatechin, apigenin and naringenin.</p>

Prevalence of Obesity among Adolescents in Ile-Ife; Osun state; Nigeria Using Body Mass Index and Waist Hip Ratio: A Comparative Study

Obesity is a global epidemic not just among adults but also among children and adolescents. This study described the prevalence and pattern of obesity among in-school adolescents in Ile-Ife; Osun State using two standard methods; Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) with a view of comparing the two methods as well as identifying any correlation between the two methods. Materials and Methods: Five hundred male and female respondents; aged 10-19 years; were randomly selected through a multistage sampling technique from private and public schools in Ife Central Local Government Area. Quantitative data were collected with the aid of a pre-tested; semi-structured; self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of respondents; BMI and WHR; were recorded. Chi square and linear regression analyses were used. Statistical significance was tested at the 5 level. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 4.2 using BMI of which 12 (57.1) were females and nine (42.9) were males. There was significant association between sex and BMI; ?2 = 9.490 ( P = 0.020). Using WHR; the prevalence was 37.2 of which 180 (96.8) were females and six (3.2) were males. There was also significant association between sex and WHR ( P 0.001). Weak correlation ( r

Attenuation of oxidative stress and hepatic damage by some fermented tropical legume condiment diets in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the modulatory effect of fermented legume condiments diet on oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups with six animals in each group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg/kg b.w.). After being confirmed diabetic, the rats were fed with fermented Bambara groundnut, Locust bean and Soybean diets for 14 days. The plasma was obtained after 14-day treatment and analyzed for hepatic damage marker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and in vivo antioxidant indices.@*RESULTS@#The diabetic untreated rats showed elevated (P<0.05) levels of AST, ALT, ALP and malondialdehyde with reduced activities of glutathione-S-transferase, catalase as well as plasma reduced glutathione, vitamin C and total protein content. However, treatment of diabetic rats with fermented legume condiments diets for 14 days significantly (P<0.05) reversed the above parameters towards normalcy, suggesting their modulation of oxidative stress, which may be due to their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The attenuation of oxidative stress and protection of hepatic tissue damage by the legume condiment diets in STZ induced diabetic rats compare favourably with that of metformin, a well known oral hypoglycemic drug.

Acute fulminant myocarditis and the 2009 pandemic influenza a virus (H1N1) / Miocarditis fulminante aguda y el virus (H1N1) de la pandemia de la gripe a de 2009

The 2009 Pandemic Novel Influenza A [H1N1] resulted in mild disease mostly but severe cases and death were associated with pneumonia, respiratory failure and multi-organ failure. We present a case of severe disease with acute heart failure and arrhythmia due to fulminant myocarditis in a 50-year old obese man with diabetes mellitus.

La nueva gripe A [H1N1] pandémica resultó ser una enfermedad leve en su mayor parte, pero se produjeron casos graves y muertes asociadas con neumonía, insuficiencia respiratoria y fallo multiorgánico. Presentamos un caso de enfermedad severa con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda y arritmia debido a miocarditis fulminante en un hombre obeso de 50 años de edad con diabetes mellitus.

Yellow nail syndrome in a medical clinic / El síndrome de las uñas amarillas en una clínica médica

Yellow nail syndrome is a very rare clinical entity usually diagnosed from a combination of yellow dystrophic nails, lymphoedema and respiratory diseases. The aetiology is not known though dysfunctional hypoplastic lymphatics is speculated. Most cases occur sporadically but few cases may be associated with systemic diseases or may be inherited. This report documents another case in a 56-year old Caribbean female who presented with a six-year history of recurrent respiratory symptoms and later yellow dystrophic nails and lymphoedema. She responded well to vitamin E and oral fluconazole. We also did a short literature review of yellow nail syndrome.

El síndrome de las uñas amarillas es una entidad clínica muy rara, la cual usualmente se diagnostica a partir de una combinación de uñas amarillas distróficas, linfedemas, y enfermedades respiratorias. Se desconoce la etiología, aunque se especula que se debe a vasos linfáticos hipoplásticos disfuncionales. La mayoría de los casos ocurre esporádicamente pero pocos casos pueden asociarse con las enfermedades sistémicas o pueden ser heredados. Este informe documenta el caso de una mujer caribeña de 56 años, que se presentó con antecedentes de síntomas respiratorios recurrentes y más tarde con uñas amarillas distróficas y linfedemas. Durante el tratamiento, respondió bien a la vitamina E y al fluconazol oral. El trabajo también realiza una breve revisión de la literatura del síndrome de las uñas amarillas.

Microbial flora of six freshwater fish species from Asa river, Ilorin, Nigeria

Se realizó la flora microbiana de piel, pulmones y tracto gastrointestinal en 75 peces de seis géneros. Predominaron los Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aeogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae y Edwardsiella tarda), Aeromonas hydrophila y Acinetobacter sp. Entre las bacterias Gram-positivas las más comunes fueron Staphylococcus y Micrococcus. Los hongos incluyeron Achyla colorata, Saprolegna sp., Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp. y Aspergillus sp. Todas las bacterias mostraron factores de resistencia por lo menos a un antibiótico