Sorghum Forage Farming for Crisis Resolution and Food Security in a Changing World: A Preliminary Study of Taraba State Nigeria Sorghum Production, Prospects and Problems

Taraba State is endowed with natural resources; vast lands, water resources, animal resources and human resources. However, amidst plenty, food insecurity and incessant crisis ravage the government efforts to sustainable agricultural and economic development. This paper discusses the nexus between Climate vagaries and skirmish leading to shift in crop yields. It assesses grain yield variation, problems and prospect across the local governments in Taraba State. Apart from personal observation and focus group discussion, the paper relied mainly on secondary data that were generated through the analysis of relevant data from government and non-governmental agencies. Rainfall and agronomic data were collected from Upper Benue River Basin and Ministry of Taraba Agricultural Development Program (TADP) respectively. These were collated and analyzed using standardized anomaly index and linear regression in SPSS environment. The study fails to reject the null hypotheses that no relationship exists between the average annual rainfall and quantity of sorghum produced annually. It recommends application of biotechnology using (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) for animal feeds and food crop diversification to cushion the ever increasing demand for forage that often vortex crisis in the state. SFF can stand heavy grazing reduce roaming encourage ranching eliminate crisis.

Prothrombotic state in HIV: A study on protein C, protein S, homocysteine and correlation with CD4 counts

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may result in variable haematological manifestations. Thrombotic events are more common among HIV-infected persons than the general population, possibly due to the increased inflammatory/hypercoagulable state and presence of concurrent comorbidities. Aims and Objectives: (1) Screen for coagulation abnormalities in HIV-infected patients. (2) Detect certain prothrombotic factors such as deficiency of protein C and protein S and elevation of homocysteine as possible precursors of coagulation defects in HIV patients. (3) Correlation of coagulation abnormalities with CD4 counts. Methods: A pilot study of 1-year duration conducted in the Department of Pathology in collaboration with ART centre, KGMU Lucknow. All diagnosed HIV-seropositive patients (n = 30) who were not taking Vitamin K, antithrombotic and antiplatelet drugs including aspirin, oral contraceptives and not having known protein C/S deficiency were included in the present study as cases. Apart from this, 30 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were also included in the present study. Assessment of the bleeding time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, complete blood count was done. Protein C and S were measured by calorimetric assay. Serum homocysteine was measured by the semi-automated method. CD4 count was done by flow cytometry. Results: The findings of the present study suggest a relationship between HIV, its complications and thrombosis. The HIV-seropositive patients have reduced levels of haemoglobin, CD4 counts, platelet counts, mean platelet volume, protein C and S activity as compared to the healthy individuals. Thrombophilic abnormality in the form of hyperhomocysteinaemia is more frequent in HIV-infected patients. All these parameters have a definite correlation with CD4 count.

Comparative Studies of Therapeutic Effect of Leaves, Stem Bark and Root Bark Extracts of Afzelia africana (Smith) in Mice Challenged with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Background: Traditional and complimentary health care is inarguably the system most close to homes, accessible and affordable. It is also culturally acceptable and trusted by large numbers of people. The affordability of most traditional medicines makes them all the more attractive at a time of soaring health-care costs, neglect of orphaned/non profitable diseases and nearly universal austerity. Aim: Aqueous leaf, stem bark and root bark extracts were evaluated for their anti trypanosomal effect in experimental trypanosomiasis with a view to come up with a phytomedicine that is efficacious, available, accessible and non-toxic to both humans and animals. Study Design: Complete randomized clinical trial design was used in the experiment. Methodology: Ninety five (95) mice were grouped into three (I, II, III) of thirty mice each (with sub groups A, B, C, D, E, and F consisting of five mice each) to which the leaf, stem bark and root bark extracts were administered at a dose of 100, 200, 300, 400 mg/Kgbw, while the remaining five mice served as the control for all the groups. Results: The aqueous leaves extract at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/Kg bw portrayed very low activities except for the 400 mg/Kg bw that displayed a sustained Trypanostatic effect. The aqueous stem bark extract, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/Kg bw portrayed trypanostatic effect while doses of 300 and 400 mg/Kg bw effectively cleared the parasites from circulation on the 13th and 17th days into the treatment respectively. Three and two of treated mice survived and remained apparasitaemic for up to 120 days and beyond in the group treated with 300 and 400 mg/kg bw respectively. In the group treated with the root bark extract, the mice on a dose of 100 mg/Kg bw died some few days into the experiment (6th day) while the dose of 200 mg/Kgbw sustained the animals until the 19th day. Doses of 300 and 400 mg/Kg bw were observed to clear the parasites in circulation after sustained administration for 23 and 16 days respectively. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the potency of the stem bark and root bark crude extracts of Afzelia africana in treating experimental trypanosomiasis and can thus be further purified and packaged as phytomedicine against this dreaded but neglected disease.

Establishing the cholinesterase levels in jordan: an investigation and monitoring model for pesticides outbreak

Background Aims: To establish and validate the method used to analyze cholinesterase in blood and to establish a baseline level among Jordanians living in a heavy agricultural activity area and as well as among those living in an urban non-agricultural area

Materials and Methods: Modified Ellman procedure was used to analyze 851 and 1033 blood samples from heavy agricultural activity and urban area for cholinesterase activity in erythrocytes and Plasma

Results: sample collected from heavy agricultural activity showed low cholinesterase level average 1037U/L +/- 279 and 23 U/gHb +/- 7.9 compared with urban area average 1616 U/L +/- 662 and 31 U/gHb +/- 13 for plasma and erythrocyte respectively. The levels in workers living in heavy agriculture activity showed 52% inhibition in plasma and 41.1% in erythrocyte when compared to the established normal levels that were observed in urban area

Conclusions: Clinicians using cholinesterase for clinical diagnosis and management should be aware that baseline levels are different according to the residence of their patients

Clinical and Diagnostic Significance of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is essential for the clinician. In Bangladesh MRSA creates a great problem for the treatment of infection. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to observe the clinical and diagnostic significance of MRSA infection in Bangladesh. Design: Systematic review of published articles in Bangladesh. Data Sources: PubMed (Medline), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Databases (African, eastern Mediterranean, Latin American and Caribbean, western Pacific, and southeast Asian regions) as well as Google Scholar, Banglajol, Asiajol. Review Methods: The search was restricted to full articles published from January 2000 (publication date of the first study identified by the research) to December 2013. Studies were excluded that did not provide appropriate data on the prevalence of MRSA. Only English language was applied. Result: A total number of 125 studies were identified during systematic review which were relevant to the present research question and among these only 14 studies were met the criteria for analysis. The level of evidence and freedom from bias of these studies were generally low. MRSA was diagnosed phenotypic in most of the articles. Majority were isolated from skin wound. The isolation rate of MRSA among all culture isolates ranged from 4.8-78.7%. From all studies diagnosis of MRSA infection was done from hospital setting; however, only two studies had been reported from community settings though the CDC definition was not followed in either study. Conclusion: Significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in Bangladesh is very high leading to a huge clinical as well as laboratory burden in the heath care facilities as well as in the community settings of Bangladesh.

Bacteriological Spectrum of Different Infections and their Antibiogram at NICVD, Dhaka.

Background: One of the major causes of death in the current era is the infectious diseases. Aerobic bacteria are one of the most commonly isolated organisms from hospitalised patients. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to observe the infections caused by aerobic bacteria and their antibiotics susceptibility pattern. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) from January 2012 to December 2012 for a period of one year. Patients who were admitted in medical wards and medical ICU suffering from different infections were undertaken for this study. Proper thoroughly clinical examination, routine and specific investigations were done in each case. Microbiological samplings were tried on day 1, after completion of antibiotic therapy or in between as required. Aerobic bacterial culture and sensitivity tests were done according to clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) standard. Result: A total of 660 samples were studied of which male (70.0%) were predominant than female (30.0%). The highest number of patients was in the age group of 30-60 years (54.0%) followed by 15-30 years (21.5%) and less than 15 years (13.0%). The mean age with standard deviation was 38.61±19.236 years. The most common isolated bacteria was Escherichia coli (40.1%) followed by Pseudomonas species (30.4%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (19.0%) and coagulase positive Staphylococcus (5.9%); however, beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (4.2%) was detected. Urine culture has yielded Pseudomonas species (13.3%), E. coli (71.1%) and CNS (15.0%). From pus Pseudomonas species (37.3%) was isolated mostly which was 62 cases followed by E. coli (31.3%), CNS (19.3%) and CPS (7.2%). Pseudomonas species was resistant to penicillin, amoxycillin and vancomycin and ~50% resistant to cotrimoxazole, cefuroxim, ceftriaxone, piperacillin, azythromycin, cephalexin, netelmycin and pfloxacillin. Conclusion: In the conclusion, majority bacteria are resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Synergism and efficacy of some naturally occurring D-amino acids against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal species

Amino acids are predominantly synthesized and used in their L-enantiomeric form in all three kingdoms of life. However, bacteria produce diverse D-amino acids that are involved in the synthesis and cross-linking of peptidoglycan. Several studies reported possible antimicrobial activities of selected D-amino acids against Escherichia coli. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility patterns and growth inhibitory effects of certain D-amino acids, including D-alanine, D-lysine, D-serine, and D-proline. Our findings indicate that D-lysine is the most potent antibacterial and antifungal, among the examined D-amino acids, followed by D-alanine, whereas D-serine and D-proline had insignificant antimicrobial activities. Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible to the antibacterial effects of D-amino acids than Gram negative bacteria. Growth kinetic studies revealed that D-lysine and D-alanine resulted in extended lag phases, suggesting that the D-amino acids successfully influenced the microorganisms' ability to use nutrients efficiently and disrupted their normal biological functions. Additionally, synergism was evident between D-alanine and D-lysine when combined with either Ampicillin or Amphotericin B. These results suggest a new avenue for D-amino acids' potential as naturally occurring antimicrobial reagents for the treatment and prevention of microbial growth in food and agriculture applications

Analysis and evaluation of hydroxytyrosol in olive leaf extract

There is a group of phenolic compounds and their glycosidic forms responsible of antioxidant effect in the olive leaf extract. Hydroxytyrosol is one of these compounds considered as building unit for the other phenolic molecules in the extract. A normal phase chromatographic methodwas established for analysis of hydroxytyrosol. It generates clean chromatograms suitable for analytical and preparative purposes and better resolved than those obtained from reversed phase systems. Mobile phase of [1:1] acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid aqueous solution was used. Flow rate was kept constant at 0.5 mL/min. Injection volume was 20 uL and UV detector was set at A=280 nm. The developed HPLC method was found linear within the range of 0.82-4.12 mg%, precise with RSD less than 2% and accurate with a range of 97.6-101.2%. LOQ and LOD of the method were calculated to be 8 and 0.8 jig/ml respectively.Furthermore, antioxidant degree of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives in the extract was evaluated by Follin-ciocalteu'sreagent and found equivalent to 40 mg gallic acid

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Bacterial Isolates from Different Clinical Specimens: Experience at NICVD, Dhaka.

Background: Infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death and sometimes curable. Bacteria are the most common etiology in hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of bacterial infections and their pattern of susceptibility to antibiotics in moderate and severe infections in patients admitted at NICVD hospital. Methodology: The study was performed in the apical teaching hospital of Bangladesh situated at Dhaka in the first half of 2012. Patients admitted in medical wards and medical ICU, suffering from moderate and severe infections were studied. Clinical evaluation, routine and specific investigations were done in each case. Microbiological samplings were tried on day 1, after completion of antibiotic therapy or in between as required. Aerobic bacterial culture and sensitivity tests were done. Result: A total of 274 cases were studied of which male (67.5%) were predominant than female (32.5%). The highest number of patients were in the age group of 30-60 years (53.6%) followed by 10- 30 years (24.5%) and more than 60 years (12.8%). The mean age with standard deviation was 39.15±19.07 years (range 1-90 years). Most common isolated bacteria was the Pseudomonas species (14.2%) followed by Escherichia coli (13.5%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (6.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (2.2%). From these specimens Pseudomonas species (31.5%) was isolated mostly from pus. E. coli was found most commonly in pus (16.3%) and urine (14.1%). Staph saprophyticus (13.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (4.3%) were both found most commonly in pus. Pseudomonas species was 100% resistant to Penicillin, Amoxycillin and Vancomycin. It was found that Pseudomonas species was still more than 90% sensitive only to Imipenem. Escherichia coli was more than 80% sensitive to only Imipenem and Amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to only Imipenem and Cephalexin. Conclusion: In this study Pseudomonas species and Escherichia coli are the most common isolated bacteria in this Institution. Most of the antibiotics are resistant to these two bacteria.

On-column approach in the HPLC-UV analysis of non-chromophoric compounds using azelaic acid as a model

The manuscript introduces a detection solution of compounds lacking chromophoric properties [e.g. azelaic acid] by implementing a HPLC-UV analysis with on-column derivatisation of the analyte. Azelaic acid was used to test the feasibility of the method at Lamda [max] = 265 nm. Its chromatographic analysis shows linear [R = 0.999], precise [RSD < 2.0%] and accurate [97.0 - 103.5%] behavior. Furthermore, the method was found selective for azelaic acid in a prepared cream which contains other ingredients such as triethanolamine, vaseline and stearic acid. The limit of detection [LOD] and limit of quantification [LOQ] of azelaic acid were 9 and 30 micro g/ml, respectively

Comparison of ketorolac tromethamine and prednisolone acetate in preventing surgically induced miosis during cataract surgery

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of topical prednisolone acetate 1% and topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in the maintenance of pupillary mydriasis during cataract surgery. Fifty patients were enrolled in this prospective, partially masked and randomised study. They were assigned to receive topical treatment with either prednisolone acetate [n=25] or ketorolac tromethamine [n=25], starting 24 hours before cataract extraction [either routine extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification]. One drop of the study medication was instilled every 6 hours for a total of 4 drops. No epinephrine was used in the intraoperative irrigation solution. Pupil diameter was measured three different times during surgery. To ensure participant safety, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, intraocular pressure, adverse events and visual acuity were also monitored. The mean pupil diameter change from the time of the pre-incision until after cortical irrigation and aspiration and lens implantation was significantly less with ketorolac than with prednisolone [P=0.003]. Consequently, mean pupil diameter after cortical irrigation and aspiration and lens implantation was significantly greater with ketorolac than with prednisolone [P<0.0001]. No significant differences between groups were observed in the pupil diameter before the first incision [P=0.244], nor after administration of a miotic agent [P=0.505]. Safety variables were comparable and no drug-related adverse events were reported. Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% and prednisolone acetate 1% solutions were equally well tolerated without related adverse events, but ketorolac was better in preventing surgically induced miosis

PCR for mecA Gene of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.

The study was under taken to detect mecA gene of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by PCR. It was carried out in the department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College in collaboration with the Department of Medicine under the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh between the periods from July 2006 to June 2007. A total of 40 S. aureus strains were used in this study. Isolates of S. aureus were identified by standard microbiology technique and their antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by disk diffusion method according to NCCLS. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin was determined for all isolates by standard agar plate dilution method. All strains were tested for mecA gene by PCR. Out of 40 S. aureus strains 15(37.5%) were detected as MRSA by disk diffusion and agar dilution method but 10(25%) yielded mecA gene by PCR. Detection rate of MRSA by disk diffusion and agar dilution test showed significant difference to that by PCR (p<0.001).

Inflammatory bowel disease: medical management

Various papers have been published on inflammatory bowel disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States during last decade. Apparently, the published data contradict previous belief and indicate that, we might deal here with a medical problem. However, data on the magnitude of this disease in our community remains uncertain. Could we attribute this possible change to the improvement in diagnostic procedure or to the change in life style