Potential Impacts of Climate Change on UK Potato Production

This study assessed the potential impacts of climate change on potato production in the United Kingdom. Climate change actions are becoming a nightmare for growers worldwide, and the British potato industry is not an exception. Extreme weather conditions were experienced in 2006, 2012, and 2018, respectively. Thus, this study identified the future climate risk associated with major potato producing regions in the UK using the recent climate projection weather data (UKCP18) based on RCP 8.5. In total, the study considered seven (7) regions with a minimum average of 3000 hectares of potato planted area in the past five years. Findings showed that drought, high temperatures, and prolonged precipitation caused significant yield and quality loss in the past, with a likelihood of causing a more harmful impact in the future. The analysis revealed a hotter (Tmax ≥ 25°C, Tmin ≥ 15°C) and drier (1-1.5 mm day-1) summer most especially in the EE, EM, SW, WM, and YH as well as a warmer (Tmax& Tmin 6-10°C) and wetter winter (5 mm day-1 on average) in Scotland and North West England respectively. Future climate is predicted to hinder land preparation and harvesting operation in the Northern regions while the EE, EM, SW, WM, and YH would be faced with drought, with irrigation and water demand increasing by 20-30% as evapotranspiration also increases by 20-30% in 2050-2080. Irrigated potatoes are predicted to double its current spatial coverage in the future. The study identified suitable adaptation measures and strategies required to reduce the impacts of climate change on the British potato industry.

Associated anomalies in cleft lip and palate: Analysis of 811 consecutive patients

Introduction: Clefts are common birth defects and may be associated with oro-facial congenital anomalies. It has not been established if specific types of anomalies are frequently related with clefts, or which organ is most commonly affected. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of associated anomalies in consecutive cleft lip and palate patients treated at two referral centres in Northern Nigeria.Methods: Cleft lip and palate at two referral hospitals in Northern Nigeria from January 2012 to December 2015 were studied. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.Results: A total of 811 cleft lip and palate patients were managed. Fifty-five percent (447) were male and 45% (364) were female while 71% (578) were children and 29% (233) were adults. The prevalence of associated anomalies was 11.5%. The most common associated anomaly among cleft patients was facial anomaly (64% of cleft patients). Associated anomalies were most prevalent in patients with isolated cleft palate. Hypertelorism was the commonest type of facial anomaly recorded.Conclusion: Our study showed a low incidence of associated anomalies with a higher incidence in isolated cleft palate cases

Molluscum contagiosum virus infection amongst PLWHA in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) infection is caused by a pox virus and the virus is probably passed on by direct skin-to-skin contact which may affect any part of the body. There is anecdotal evidence associating facial lesions with HIV-related immunodeficiency. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Molluscum contagiosum infection among PLWHAs attending ART clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 5,207 patients (3519 female and 1688 males) attending ART clinic between January 2006 and December 2007. Physicians performed complete physical and pelvic examinations. Diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum infection was based on the clinical findings of typical lesions on the external genitalia, perianal, trunk, abdominal and facial regions. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.67 yrs. ± 9.16). About 10% (542) had various sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The male to female ratio was 1: 4.2. One hundred and twenty seven subjects (23.4%) had no formal or primary education with 247 (45.6 %) beingtreatment naïve while 295 (54.4 %) were treatment experienced. Of the 542 PLWHAs with STIs, 3.3 % had undetectable viral load (< 200 copies/ ml) while 272 (50.1 %) had low CD4 count (< 200 cells / mm3.) and The Mean log10 viral load was 5.02 + 0.94. Molluscum Contagiosum infection was diagnosed in 13 patients (0.024%; 8 females and 5 males). Vaginal Candidiasis was the commonest genital infection diagnosed in 223 (41.1%) of the patients with STIs. MC patients had higher viral load, lower CD4 count and more likely to be treatment experienced".Conclusions: Molluscum Contagiosum infection is not uncommon among the HIV-infected patients, but underreported. Awareness of this cutaneous manifestation should be known to Physicians in AIDS care

Occupational exposure to municipal solid wastes and development of toxic neuropathies: possible role of nutrient supplementation, complementary and alternative medicines in chemoprevention / 中国结合医学杂志

Achieving effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a major challenge and waste generation and accumulation continue to constitute important environmental and public health concern, particularly in most developing countries. Although the general population is at risk of adverse health consequences and hazards associated with exposure to MSW, the waste management workers (WMWs) are the most vulnerable because of their direct involvement in the disposal of waste, with increasing evidence of work-related health and safety risks among these individuals. Among the numerous work-related health hazards prevalent in WMWs, development of toxic neuropathies following chronic occupational exposure remains poorly recognized. However, the risk or predisposition to toxic neuropathies is becoming evident considering the increasing recognition of large amount of neurotoxic heavy metals and hazardous industrial materials present in MSW in most parts of the world. The present review seeks to draw attention to the continuous vulnerability of the WMWs to developing toxic neuropathies. This is aimed at facilitating conscious efforts by relevant governmental and nongovernmental agencies towards promoting risk reduction and ensuring adequate protection against possible toxic polyneuropathies associated with occupational exposure to solid wastes. While continuous education of the WMWs on the need for adequate compliance to safety regulations and practice remains sacrosanct towards achieving significant reduction in toxic neuropathies and related adverse health consequences of waste handling, it is also our intention in this review to underscore the possible relevance of nutrient supplementation and alternative medicines in chemoprevention.

Optimization of Sweet Potato Starch Hydrolyzate Production and Its Potential Utilization as Substrate for Citric Acid Production.

Aims: The aims of this work was optimization of two-step enzymatic hydrolysis of sweet potato starch using statistical approach and subsequent utilization of the hydrolyzate obtained for citric acid production. Methodology: Box Behnken design was used in this study to generate a total of 17 individual experiments for each step of the hydrolysis (liquefaction and saccharification steps). These were designed to study the effect of temperature, time and pH on the sweet potato starch hydrolyzate (SPSH) concentration. The optimization was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). The SPSH obtained was used to culture Aspergillus niger for citric acid production. Results: A statistically significant quadratic regression model (P<0.05) was obtained for the liquefaction step. Statistical model predicted the highest sweet potato starch hydrolyzate (SPSH) concentration to be 172.23 g/L at optimal condition of temperature 61.05ºC, time 55.02 min and pH 6.5. A statistically significant quadratic regression model was also obtained for the saccharification step. Statistical model predicted the highest SPSH concentration to be 241.92 g/L, established at the optimal condition of temperature 52ºC, time 44 min and pH 4.5. The optimal liquefaction and saccharification conditions were validated with the actual SPSH concentration of 172.00 and 241.01g/L, respectively. The maximum citric acid production of 86g/L was achieved on the 8th day of cultivation when the SPSH was used for the cultivation of A. niger. Conclusion: RSM was successfully applied the two-step enzymatic hydrolysis of sweet potato starch. This work showed that the sweet potato starch hydrolyzate could serve as sole carbon source for citric acid production.

Service uptake and performance of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in Ibadan, Nigeria

The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme in the University College Hospital (UCH); Ibadan has been in existence for more than five years and has scaled up to other sites. The study evaluated the service uptake and performance of the programme using national key indicators. Antenatal and delivery records of women enrolled between July 2002 and June 2007 were reviewed. A total of 51952 women attended first antenatal visits and received HIV pre-test counselling. Of these; 51614 (99.5) accepted HIV test and 49134 (95.2) returned for their results. Out of the tested patients; 2152 (4.2) were identified to be HIV positive. Partners of positive patients accepting HIV testing were 361(16.7) with 87 (18.6) testing positive. There were a total of 942 deliveries out of which 39.2of the mothers and 95.2of the babies respectively received ARV prophylaxis. In all; 85.8(788/918) of the mothers opted for formula as the method of infant feeding. Out of the 303 babies eligible for ELISA testing; 68.3reported for the test and 17(8.7) tested positive. There has been progress in the programme; reflected in the increase in the number of new clients accessing the PMTCT service. However; partner testing and follow up of mother-infant pairs remain formidable challenges that deserve special attention

Comparison of lispro insulin and regular insulin in the management of hyperglycaemic emergencies

This study compared the efficacy and safety of Lispro insulin and regular insulin in the management of hyperglycemic emergencies (HE). Fifty patients who presented in HE to the Emergency unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile Ife participated in the study. Hyperglycaemic emergency was diagnosed when plasma glucose level was >17 mmol/L (300 mg/dl) in the presence of polyuria and polydipsia that warrants emergency hospital admission. Subjects in the Lispro insulin group had a statum dose of 0.3 IU/kg, while those in the regular insulin group had a statum dose of 20 IU equally split between the intravenous and intramuscular routes. Further insulin therapy was by the intramuscular route. Data was analysed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 11. Hyperglycaemia resolved within the first 8 hours in 60 and 40% percent of subjects in the lispro and regular insulin treated groups respectively. The time taken for resolution of hyperglycaemia was similar in both treatment groups, 6.6 +/- 0.8 hours for the lispro insulin group and 7.4 +/- 0.8 hours for the regular insulin group p = 0.51. The number of episodes of hypoglycaemia and hypokalemia in the two treatment groups did not differ statistically (p = 1.0 and 0.38 respectively). Eight (16%) subjects died. Lispro insulin is a safe and efficacious alternative to regular insulin in the treatment of HE

Risk of anaemia in HIV positive pregnant women in Ibadan, south west Nigeria

UNLABELLED: Anaemia in pregnancy is an important cause of maternal and neonatal mortality. It is a recognized co-morbidity of HIV infection. This study aimed to determine the risk of anaemia in HIV positive pregnant women. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross sectional study of healthy pregnant women attending Adeoyo Hospital, a secondary health centre in South-western Nigeria over a 1-month period (January 2007). During the study period, 2737 eligible women presented for antenatal care. About 98% (2682) of these women consented to HIV testing. Over all, their mean (+ S.D) packed cell volume was 30.96% (+/- 4.13). The prevalence of HIV infection was 2.9% (95% CI 2.3% - 3.6%) and the overall prevalence of anaemia was 33.1%. Frequency of anaemia was significantly higher in HIV +ve women (57.3% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.00. OR = 2.81., CI = 1.72-4.58). HIV +ve women presented more frequently with moderate or severe anaemia. In the logistic regression analysis only HIV infection (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.37-4.21) and primigravidity (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04-15.2) remained independently associated with anemia. Anaemia is common in HIV positive pregnant women in this environment. Care providers must endeavor to determine the HIV status of every pregnant woman especially if she presents with anaemia with a view to providing appropriate interventions