Investigation of natural radionuclides and radiation shielding potential of some commonly used building materials in Northwestern Nigeria.

This study assessed the gamma-ray shielding potential of clay, sand, gypsum and kaolin commonly used as a building material in Northwestern, Nigeria. The radiological status of the samples was first evaluated by determining the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K using NaI (Tl) detector after which elemental composition and mass density were determined using Neutron Activation Analytical Technique. After which the mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), linear attenuation coefficients (LAC), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were determined experimentally and theoretically using standard point sources of 137Cs and 60Co photon peaks (0.662 and 1.332, 1.173) MeV and Py-MLBUF software. The activity concentrations were found to range from 51 to 59 Bq kg-1 with a mean value of 59 Bq kg-1 for 238U, 24 to 27 Bq kg-1 with a mean value of 29 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, and 219 to 247 Bq kg-1 with a mean value of 247 Bq kg-1 for 40K which were about within the world recommended values of 33, 45 and 420 Bq kg-1 respectively. The results of the elemental compositions show that Si, Al, K, Fe, and Ba in clay and sand samples have concentrations in the range of 36.83-78.48%, 1.92-26.05%, 6.33-21.96%, 2.39-19.09%, and 0.09-1.44%, respectively, while in kaolin and gypsum, results revealed that Si, Al, K, Fe, and Ca range between 0.34 and 65.52%, 1.14-35.82%, 0.00-12.12%, 0.00-5.77%, and 0.00-96.6%, respectively. However, the concentrations of other elements such as Mg, Ti, Mn, Zn, Na, and Ba varied significantly with the samples. The results showed that clay has an average density of 1.96 g/cm3, sand has 2.32 g/cm3, kaolin has 2.63 g/cm3, and gypsum has the highest density with a value of 2.66 g/cm3 compared to other samples. During the measurements, a thallium-activated sodium-iodide NaI (TI) detector was used. A narrow beam transmission geometry condition was adopted for the measurements to ensure minimal scattered radiation. Absorption and attenuation of gamma beams as a function of sample thickness against gamma energy generally exhibit an increasing gamma ray behaviour as the sample thickness increases from 1 to 3 cm. The results showed that the gypsum, kaolin, sand, and clay were capable of attenuating 63.5%, 61.5%, 58.4%, and 44.2 of gamma-ray photons of energy 0.662 MeV at 3 cm thickness %, respectively, and 40.6%, 32.9%, 30.6%, and 27.3% of gamma energy 1.332 MeV at 3 cm thickness, respectively. The results showed that MAC, LAC, and Zeff of all the samples decreased with an increase in photon energy, while those of HVL and TVL increased. The experimental results for all the gamma-ray shielding parameters were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values obtained using Py-MLBUF. The results have shown that all the samples have similar photon attenuation behaviours; however, gypsum has the best shielding potential than kaolin and this is attributed due to its highest density value.

Rice husk silica blended fillers for engine mount application.

The functional properties of engine mounts largely depend on the rubber compound formulation. This study proposes the use of rice husk-derived silica (RHS) blended with carbon black (N772) as an effective and environmentally friendly substitute for fillers used in rubber engine mounts (REMs). CV-60 natural rubber was filled with the blended fillers at various ratios, and their compatibility for use as rubber engine mounts (REMs) was assessed. Grey Relational Analysis was utilised to determine the optimal blend loading levels for use in rubber engine mounts, resulting in 40 phr of N772 and 20 phr of RHS cured at 130 °C and 2.5 MPa for 20 min. The developed REMs and conventional REMs had low vibration data variation during the performance assessment. Their resonance transmissibility was 5.03 and 3.74, corresponding to natural frequencies of 24.27 Hz and 26.94 Hz, respectively. The RHS/N772 REMs had excellent damping characteristics and lower transmissibility in the isolation zone of the vibration isolation curve, which is outside of the resonant frequency region. The efficiency curves showed that the blended fillers are a better and more effective material for REMs at all frequencies, balancing static deflection and vibration isolation.

Effects of anti-retroviral therapy on baseline serum interleukin-18 levels in HIV-I infected patients relative to viral suppression and CD4+ gain: A prospective pilot study.

Background: In HIV infection, dysregulation of cytokines, including interleukin 18 (IL-18), has been linked to poor clinical outcomes in studies mainly conducted in resource-rich countries. This phenomenon has not been well-studied in resource-limited settings where outcomes could be confounded by exposure to endemic infections and genetic factors. Objectives: Therefore, the influence of immunological and virological status of HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients on serum IL-18 levels at baseline (pretreatment) and 24 weeks following initiation of combination ART (cART24) in a resource-limited setting was investigated. Methods: Using the cross-sectional and longitudinal mixed method design, a total of Forty-four (44) newly diagnosed consenting HIV patients were consecutively recruited during routine clinic visits at the Nasara Treatment & Care Centre of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria between December 2016 to January 2018, and followed up for 24 weeks on initiation of first-line cART. Results: Serum IL-18 concentrations, CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4+) counts, and HIV1 RNA levels were determined at baseline and cART24. There was little CD4+ count gain in both <200 and ≥ 200 cell/mm3subgroups despite the high proportion of subjects having virological suppression (n = 35, [80%]) at cART24. However, at cART24 there was a more than a threefold decrease in the level of IL-18 concentration compared to baseline in patients with <200 cells/mm3 and a significant decrease in the median plasma IL-18 concentration in patients with HIV1 RNA <1000 cp/mL at cART24. A multivariate logistic regression model shows IL-18 intermediate quartile to be more related to immunological poor gain as compared to the highest quartile. Conclusion: Our study found high baseline and significantly low levels of IL-18 at cART24 in virologically suppressed subjects but not among virological non-suppressed responders despite comparable IL-18 levels by CD4+ T cell count strata at cART24. These findings have implications for risk stratification and treatment outcomes in HIV-positive persons.

Homing in on Endogenous Badnaviral Elements: Development of Multiplex PCR-DGGE for Detection and Rapid Identification of Badnavirus Sequences in Yam Germplasm.

Viruses of the genus Badnavirus (family Caulimoviridae) are double-stranded DNA-reverse transcribing (dsDNA-RT) plant viruses and have emerged as serious pathogens of tropical and temperate crops globally. Endogenous badnaviral sequences are found integrated in the genomes of several economically important plant species. Infection due to activation of replication-competent integrated copies of the genera Badnavirus, Petuvirus and Cavemovirus has been described. Such endogenous badnaviral elements pose challenges to the development of nucleic acid-based diagnostic methods for episomal virus infections and decisions on health certification for international movement of germplasm and seed. One major food security crop affected is yam (Dioscorea spp.). A diverse range of Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBVs), and endogenous DBV (eDBV) sequences have been found to be widespread in yams cultivated in West Africa and other parts of the world. This study outlines the development of multiplex PCR-dependent denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) to assist in the detection and analysis of eDBVs, through the example of analysing yam germplasm from Nigeria and Ghana. Primers targeting the three most prevalent DBV monophyletic species groups in West Africa were designed to improve DGGE resolution of complex eDBV sequence fingerprints. Multiplex PCR-DGGE with the addition of a tailor-made DGGE sequence marker enables rapid comparison of endogenous badnaviral sequence diversity across germplasm, as illustrated in this study for eDBV diversity in yam.

Light-Driven Water Oxidation with Ligand-Engineered Prussian Blue Analogues.

The elucidation of the ideal coordination environment of a catalytic site has been at the heart of catalytic applications. Herein, we show that the water oxidation activities of catalytic cobalt sites in a Prussian blue (PB) structure could be tuned systematically by decorating its coordination sphere with a combination of cyanide and bidentate pyridyl groups.  K0.1[Co(bpy)]2.9[Fe(CN)6]2 ([Cobpy-Fe]), K0.2[Co(phen)]2.8[Fe(CN)6]2 ([Cophen-Fe]), {[Co(bpy)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2}[Fe(CN)6]1/3 ([Cobpy2-Fe]), and {[Co(phen)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2}[Fe(CN)6]1/3 Cl0.11 ([Cophen2-Fe]) were prepared by introducing bidentate pyridyl groups (phen: 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy: 2,2'-bipyridine) to the common synthetic protocol of Co-Fe Prussian blue analogues. Characterization studies indicate that [Cobpy2-Fe] and [Cophen2-Fe] adopt a pentanuclear molecular structure, while [Cobpy-Fe] and [Cophen-Fe] could be described as cyanide-based coordination polymers with lower-dimensionality and less crystalline nature compared to the regular Co-Fe Prussian blue analogue (PBA), K0.1Co2.9[Fe(CN)6]2 ([Co-Fe]). Photocatalytic studies reveal that the activities of [Cobpy-Fe] and [Cophen-Fe] are significantly enhanced compared to those of [Co-Fe], while molecular [Cobpy2-Fe] and [Cophen2-Fe] are inactive toward water oxidation. [Cobpy-Fe] and [Cophen-Fe] exhibit upper-bound turnover frequencies (TOFs) of 1.3 and 0.7 s-1, respectively, which are ∼50 times higher than that of [Co-Fe] (1.8 × 10-2 s-1). The complete inactivity of [Cobpy2-Fe] and [Cophen2-Fe] confirms the critical role of aqua coordination to the catalytic cobalt sites for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Computational studies show that bidentate pyridyl groups enhance the susceptibility of the rate-determining Co(IV)-oxo species to the nucleophilic water attack during the critical O-O bond formation. This study opens a new route toward increasing the intrinsic water oxidation activity of the catalytic sites in PB coordination polymers.

Knowledge and self-reported food safety practices among meat consumers in Ilorin, Nigeria.

As an imperative source of protein to man, meat could also serve as a source of infections when processed poorly. This research studied consumers' knowledge and self-reported food safety practices among 869 meat consumers of different socioeconomic statuses. We summarized the data obtained using descriptive and inferential statistics. Two outcome variables were developed to determine satisfactory knowledge and practices. The knowledge and practice scores were determined through a numeric scoring system based on the respondents' correct responses to knowledge and practices questions. These outcome variables were further categorized into binary variables based on a cut-off point (mean + 1 SD of the scores) with scores greater and lower than the cut-off points considered satisfactory (acceptable/appropriate) and unsatisfactory, respectively. The respondents are predominantly female (54.9%) within the age range of 19-25 years (54.2%) and were unmarried (71.1%). Less than half (46.4% and 40.0%) of the respondents have adequate knowledge and practice levels of food safety. Most meat consumers have identified various challenges to food safety and hazards related to unsafe food safety practices. Important socioeconomic variables of the meat consumers such as occupation, age, and marital status, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with food safety knowledge. Meat consumers with higher age categories and educational levels were more likely to have good food safety knowledge than those of the 15-18 years age category and primary educational level, respectively. Respondents with higher levels of education were more likely to demonstrate satisfactory food safety practices than those of primary education status, while males (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.76; p = 0.043) were significantly more likely to report satisfactory food safety practices. In conclusion, this study emphasized the need for an improvement in consumers' food safety practices.

The Indications and Findings at Colonoscopy in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria: A Seven-Year Review.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an invaluable tool used in the diagnosis of colorectal diseases. It is also useful in the prevention and treatment of some of these diseases. The knowledge of the prevailing colorectal diseases is key to planning for prevention. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at determining the spectra of indications and findings at colonoscopy in a tertiary health facility. METHODS: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent colonoscopy between March 2013 and February 2020. The patients' biodata, indications and findings at colonoscopy were retrieved from the Endoscopy Register. RESULTS: A total of 385 colonoscopy reports were included in the analysis. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 95 years with a mean age (standard deviation) of 55.9 (15.4) years. There were 219 (57.0%) males and 166 (43.0%) females. The commonest indication for colonoscopy was haematochezia 150 (38.9%) followed by suspected colorectal malignancy 98 (25.5%), abdominal pain 28 (7.3%), altered bowel habit 21 (5.5%), constipation 20 (5.2%), chronic diarrhoea 19 (4.9%), surveillance/ screening 16 (4.2%), occult bleeding and anal pain 7 (1.8%) each, and others 19 (4.9%). The colonoscopy findings were normal findings 116 (30.1%), haemorrhoids 127 (32.9%), colorectal polyps 70 (18.2%), diverticulosis 46 (11.9%), rectal tumour 43 (11.2%), colonic tumour 32 (8.3%), colitis 23 (5.9%), angiodysplasias 6 (1.6), others 12 (3.1%). The findings were not mutually exclusive. Our diagnostic yield was 69.9%. CONCLUSION: The commonest indication and diagnosis for colonoscopy were haematochezia and haemorrhoids respectively. Our diagnostic yield was 69.9%.

CONTEXTE: La coloscopie est un outil précieux utilisé dans le diagnostic des maladies colorectales. Il est également utile dans la prévention et le traitement de certaines de ces maladies. La connaissance des maladies colorectales prédominantes est essentielle à la planification de la prévention. OBJECTIFS: Cette étude visait à déterminer les spectres d'indications et les résultats à la coloscopie dans un établissement de santé tertiaire. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale en milieu hospitalier portant sur tous les patients ayant subi une coloscopie entre mars 2013 et février 2020. Les données biographiques, les indications et les résultats de la coloscopie des patients ont été extraits du registre d'endoscopie. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 385 rapports de coloscopie ont été inclus dans l'analyse. L'âge des patients variait de 14 à 95 ans avec un âge moyen (écart type) de 55,9 (15,4) ans. Il y avait 219 (57,0%) hommes et 166 (43,0 %) femmes. L'indication la plus courante de la coloscopie était l'hématochézie 150 (38,9%) suivie d'une suspicion de malignité colorectale 98 (25,5%), de douleurs abdominales 28 (7,3%), d'altération des habitudes intestinales 21 (5,5%), de constipation 20 (5,2%), de diarrhée chronique 19 (4,9 %), surveillance/dépistage 16 (4,2 %), saignement occulte et douleur anale 7 (1,8 %) chacun, et autres 19 (4,9 %). Les résultats de la coloscopie étaient normaux 116 (30,1%), hémorroïdes 127 (32,9%), polypes colorectaux 70 (18,2%), diverticulose 46 (11,9%), tumeur rectale 43 (11,2%), tumeur colique 32 (8,3%), colite 23 (5,9 %), angiodysplasies 6 (1,6), autres 12 (3,1%). Les résultats n'étaient pas mutuellement exclusifs. Notre rendement diagnostique était de 69,9 %. CONCLUSION: L'indication et le diagnostic les plus courants de la coloscopie étaient respectivement l'hématochézie et les hémorroïdes. Notre rendement diagnostique était de 69,9 %. Mots clés: Maladies colorectales, coloscopie, indications, spectres, rendement diagnostique.

Fatal multiple outbreaks of equine influenza H3N8 in Nigeria, 2019: The first introduction of Florida clade 1 to West Africa.

In December 2018, suspected outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) were observed in donkeys in Sokoto State, in the extreme northwest of Nigeria bordering the Republic of the Niger. Equine influenza virus (EIV) subtype H3N8 was the etiologic agent identified in the outbreaks using real-time RT-qPCR and sequencing of both the partial haemagglutinin (HA) gene and the complete genome. Since then the H3N8 virus spread to 7 of the 19 northern states of Nigeria, where it affected both donkeys and horses. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial and complete HA gene revealed the closest nucleotide similarity (99.7%) with EIVs belonging to the Florida clade 1 (Fc-1) of the American lineage isolated in 2018 from Argentina and Chile. In total, 80 amino acid substitutions were observed in the viral proteins when compared to the OIE-recommended Fc-1 vaccine strains. The HA and neuraminidase proteins respectively had 13 and 16 amino acid substitutions. This study represents the first reported outbreak of EI caused by an Fc-1 virus in Nigeria and in the West Africa sub-region. Based on this report, extensive disease surveillance in equids is required to establish the circulating lineages and design an effective control strategy to protect the considerable population of horses and donkeys in the country.

Assessment of health-related quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients in aminu kano teaching hospital, Kano.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing globally. Recently, the concept of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is receiving attention as a measure of treatment outcome in addition to traditional morbidity and mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: To assess the HRQOL of CKD patients stages 1-5 using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (KDQOL). METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross-sectional study of CKD patients at a teaching hospital in north-western Nigeria during the study period. The quality of life, sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were assessed using a pro forma and the KDQOL questionnaire during regular clinic visits/dialysis sessions. Age and sex-matched healthy volunteers without evidence of renal disease were recruited from the hospital environment into a comparison group. RESULTS: A total of 150 subjects with CKD and 150 individuals in the comparison group completed the study with 77 males and 73 females for both groups. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) ages of the CKD and comparison group was 52.83 ± 14.21 and 52.43 ± 14.50 years, respectively. Subjects in the comparison group had higher physical composite summary (PCS) and mental composite summary (MCS) scores than individuals with CKD (P value < 0.05). Subjects with CKD showed a progressive decline in the scores of all HRQOL domains with advancing CKD stages (P value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that subjects with CKD have worse HRQOL domain scores when compared to the normal population and these scores progressively worsened with advancing CKD stages.

Absence of human leukocyte antigen-B*57:01 amongst patients on antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria: Implications for use of abacavir.

Background: The presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*57:01 allele predicts hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) to abacavir (ABC), a nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor used for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment. However, the prevalence of this allele amongst Nigerians with HIV is yet to be established. We aimed to determine the prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele amongst Nigerians with HIV infection. Methods: We conducted a multicentre cross-sectional epidemiologic survey. Between April 2016 and April 2017, patients were enrolled across five HIV treatment facilities in Nigeria. Participants' demographic information and their history of ABC exposure were obtained, and venous blood was obtained for HLA typing. Results: One thousand five hundred and four (1504) adults were enrolled, with a mean age of 44.6 ± 10.7 years, 1078 (71.7%) were female. 1463 (97.3%) were on antiretroviral therapy. ABC use was reported by 12 (0.8%) participants and none reported HSR. Of 1500 blood samples that were processed, 1458 (97.2%) were successfully typed. Of these, 132 (9.1%) were HLA-B*57 positive using non-specific low-resolution HLA-B*5701 primer mix. On further analysis, none of the 132 samples (0%) had the HLA-B*5701 allele. Conclusion: HLA-B*5701allele is rare amongst Nigerians.

Awareness and Utilization: Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services among Primigravid Women attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria with an estimated population of 193 million is Second to South Africa in the number of people living with Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) worldwide, representing 9% of the global burden of the disease. The objective of this study is to determine the awareness, knowledge and utilization of PMTCT services before first pregnancy in the study population, which is a critical prong 1 PMTCT strategy to prevent and control the vertical transmission of this pandemic infection. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted in February-April 2016 among 300 Primigravid women selected by the cluster sampling technique from six Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities that offered PMTCT services out of a list of 25 PHC facilities in Zaria LGA at the time of the survey. Data were collected using interviewer administered, closed ended questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done using the IBM SPSS version 20 and the Stata Corp STATA SE 14 to determine variables that were significantly associated with respondents' utilization of the PMTCT services. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents and mean gestational age at booking were 21.1+3.54 years and 21.68 + 6.74 weeks, respectively. One-fifth of the respondents were not aware of any HIV preventive method, 81(27%) did not know that HIV can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus, 83 (27.7%) believed that transmission was by witchcraft, while 76%, 64% and 45% opined that use of condom, faithfulness to an HIV negative sexual partner and abstinence respectively were protective measures. Only 62(20.7%) were ever tested for HIV infection and 7(2.3%) of these were HIV positive. There were significant association between respondent age, awareness, perception and knowledge of MTCT, gestational age at booking, family setting and the prior utilization of PMTCT services (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The awareness and utilization of PMTCT services before pregnancy was poor. There was a need to scale up programmes to improve the uptake of PMTCT services before pregnancy toward attaining the sustainable development goal 3.3.

Rolling Circle Amplification to Screen Yam Germplasm for Badnavirus Infections and to Amplify and Characterise Novel Badnavirus Genomes.

Since the first discovery of badnaviruses (family Caulimoviridae, genus Badnavirus) in yam (Dioscorea spp.) germplasm in the 1970s (Harrison and Roberts, 1973), several hundred partial badnavirus reverse transcriptase (RT)-ribonuclease H (RNaseH) sequences have been characterised ( Kenyon et al., 2008 ; Bousalem et al., 2009 ), but only a few complete Dioscorea bacilliform virus (DBV) genome sequences have been reported ( Phillips et al., 1999 ; Seal and Muller, 2007; Bömer et al., 2016 and 2017; Sukal et al., 2017 ; Umber et al., 2017 ). We have optimised a workflow involving total nucleic acid extractions and rolling circle amplification (RCA) combined with restriction enzyme analysis for the detection and amplification of DBVs present in yam germplasm. We have employed this approach successfully revealing three novel episomal yam badnaviruses ( Bömer et al., 2016 ). We proposed this to be a complementary method to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, which enables a rapid indication of badnavirus diversity as well as the identification of potentially integrated badnavirus sequences in the host genome ( Turaki et al., 2017 ). Here, we describe the step-by-step protocol to screen yam germplasm for badnavirus infections using RCA as an efficient research tool in the amplification and characterization of novel badnavirus genomes.

Phosphine poisoning in free-range local chickens: a case report.

Phosphine poisoning is rarely reported in poultry, and its diagnosis is a great challenge for veterinary toxicologists and pathologists. A case of phosphine toxicosis in local, free range chickens is reported. Fourteen dead chickens (age ≥6 months old) were presented to the veterinary clinic for necropsy. The history revealed that the chickens were normally fed with guinea corn grains, but were suspected to have been fed boiled rice laced with poison. The clinical signs observed were ruffled feathers, somnolence, anorexia and high mortality. The disease ran a 2-day course with mortality pattern of four chickens the first day, six overnight and 14 the following day. Necropsy findings showed generalized vascular congestion and haemorrhage in the lungs and visceral organs, with the crop and gizzard filled with guinea corn and rice grains and greenish-yellow faecal material in the intestinal lumen. The presence of widespread congestion and petechial haemorrhages on visceral organs with the microscopic pulmonary congestion, and diffuse intraparabronchial presence of air sac macrophages, strongly suggested an acute toxic cause of death. Chemical tests on the crop contents of the dead chickens were positive for phosphine gas. This report will contribute to a better understanding of the clinical signs and lesions presented in cases of acute phosphide rodenticide exposure in domestic chickens, with a brief review of the forensic literature.

Investigating quantum metrology in noisy channels.

Quantum entanglement lies at the heart of quantum information and quantum metrology. In quantum metrology, with a colossal amount of quantum Fisher information (QFI), entangled systems can be ameliorated to be a better resource scheme. However, noisy channels affect the QFI substantially. This research work seeks to investigate how QFI of N-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state is affected when subjected to decoherence channels: bit-phase flip (BPF) and generalize amplitude damping (GAD) channels, which can be induced experimentally. We determine the evolution under these channels, deduce the eigenvalues, and then derive the QFI. We found that when there is no interaction with the environment, the Heisenberg limit can be achieved via rotations along the z direction. It has been shown that in BPF channel, the maximal mean QFI of the N-qubit GHZ state ([Formula: see text]) dwindles as decoherence rate (p B ) increases due to flow of information from the system to the environment, until p B = 0.5, then revives to form a symmetric around p B = 0.5. Thus, p B > 0.5 leads to a situation where more noise yields more efficiency. We found that in GAD channel, at finite temperature, QFIs decay more rapidly than at zero temperature. Our results also reveal that QFI can be enhanced by adjusting the temperature of the environment.

PCR-DGGE Analysis: Unravelling Complex Mixtures of Badnavirus Sequences Present in Yam Germplasm.

Badnaviruses (family Caulimoviridae, genus Badnavirus) have emerged as serious pathogens especially affecting the cultivation of tropical crops. Badnavirus sequences can be integrated in host genomes, complicating the detection of episomal infections and the assessment of viral genetic diversity in samples containing a complex mixture of sequences. Yam (Dioscorea spp.) plants are hosts to a diverse range of badnavirus species, and recent findings have suggested that mixed infections occur frequently in West African yam germplasm. Historically, the determination of the diversity of badnaviruses present in yam breeding lines has been achieved by cloning and sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. In this study, the molecular diversity of partial reverse transcriptase (RT)-ribonuclease H (RNaseH) sequences from yam badnaviruses was analysed using PCR-dependent denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). This resulted in the identification of complex 'fingerprints' composed of multiple sequences of Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBVs). Many of these sequences show high nucleotide identities to endogenous DBV (eDBV) sequences deposited in GenBank, and fall into six monophyletic species groups. Our findings highlight PCR-DGGE as a powerful tool in badnavirus diversity studies enabling a rapid indication of sequence diversity as well as potential candidate integrated sequences revealed by their conserved nature across germplasm.

Risk factors and spatial distribution of extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing- Escherichia coli at retail poultry meat markets in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The significant role of retail poultry meat as an important exposure pathway for the acquisition and transmission of extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) into the human population warrants understanding concerning those operational practices associated with dissemination of ESBL-EC in poultry meat retailing. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, spatial distribution and potential risk factors associated with the dissemination of ESBL-EC in poultry meat retail at wet-markets in Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS: Poultry meat (breast, wing, thigh, and keel) as well as the contact surfaces of weighing scales and cutting boards were sampled to detect ESBL-EC by using culture and disk combination methods and polymerase chain reaction assays. Besides, questionnaire was used to obtain data and information pertaining to those operational practices that may possibly explain the occurrence of ESBL-EC. The data were analysed using logistic regression analysis at 95 % CI. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ESBL-EC was 48.8 % (95 % CI, 42 - 55 %). Among the risk factors that were explored, type of countertop, sanitation of the stall environment, source of cleaning water, and type of cutting board were found to be significantly associated with the presence of ESBL-EC. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, in order to prevent or reduce the presence of ESBL-EC and other contaminants at the retail-outlet, there is a need to design a process control system based on the current prevailing practices in order to reduce cross contamination, as well as to improve food safety and consumer health.

A Sequence-Independent Strategy for Amplification and Characterisation of Episomal Badnavirus Sequences Reveals Three Previously Uncharacterised Yam Badnaviruses.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) plants are potentially hosts to a diverse range of badnavirus species (genus Badnavirus, family Caulimoviridae), but their detection is complicated by the existence of integrated badnavirus sequences in some yam genomes. To date, only two badnavirus genomes have been characterised, namely, Dioscorea bacilliform AL virus (DBALV) and Dioscorea bacilliform SN virus (DBSNV). A further 10 tentative species in yam have been described based on their partial reverse transcriptase (RT)-ribonuclease H (RNaseH) sequences, generically referred to here as Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBVs). Further characterisation of DBV species is necessary to determine which represent episomal viruses and which are only present as integrated badnavirus sequences in some yam genomes. In this study, a sequence-independent multiply-primed rolling circle amplification (RCA) method was evaluated for selective amplification of episomal DBV genomes. This resulted in the identification and characterisation of nine complete genomic sequences (7.4-7.7 kbp) of existing and previously undescribed DBV phylogenetic groups from Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata accessions. These new yam badnavirus genomes expand our understanding of the diversity and genomic organisation of DBVs, and assist the development of improved diagnostic tools. Our findings also suggest that mixed badnavirus infections occur relatively often in West African yam germplasm.

Nephrotic syndrome among children in Kano: a clinicopathological study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinicopathological features of children with nephrotic syndrome seen in a pediatric nephrology unit in northern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children less than 15 years of age who had nephrotic syndrome and who had been subjected to renal biopsy at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, were studied. Their histologic diagnoses were evaluated alongside clinical and other laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Twenty children, 17 males and three females, were studied. These represented 55% of all children with nephrotic syndrome seen in the pediatric nephrology unit during the study period, the rest of which have never had renal biopsies. Peak age was 7-8 years (range 2.5-13 years). Fourteen of the 20 children (70%) had previously been on steroid treatment. Of these, 11 (55%) were classified to be steroid resistant and three (15%) were frequent relapsers. Six (30%) children were newly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and had not commenced steroid treatment. Hypertension was found in seven (35%) children. Sixteen children (80%) had microscopic hematuria on presentation. The most common histopathological diagnosis was focal glomerulosclerosis in nine (45%) children (segmental = 8; global = 1). Minimal change disease was found in four children (20%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in three children (15%), membranous nephropathy in three children (15%), and diffuse mesangial hypercellularity in one child (5%). Of the six children who had renal biopsy before commencement of steroid treatment, three (50%) were found to have glomerulosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most common histological subtype diagnosed in Kano among children with nephrotic syndrome in this study.

An Epidemiological Study of Needlestick Injury among Healthcare Workers in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Occupationally acquired infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality among health care workers. The study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of health care workers on needle stick injuries in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. METHODS: This was a cross sectional descriptive study in which stratified sampling technique was used to sample respondents. Data was collected using structured, close ended self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 166 respondents completed the questionnaires out of 250 distributed questionnaires. Forty-three (25.9%) were males, 123 (74.1%) were females. The combined mean age was 40.9 ± 9.8 years. All the respondents were aware and knew of transmission of blood borne pathogens. Majority 116 (70.7%) had ever sustained injury while at work and 14 (8.8%) sustained injury in the last 3 months. The incidence of injury increases with work duration (c2= 17.88, p=0.001) and length of practice (c2=10.38, p=0.001). Eighty percent of respondents had received training on universal precautions. The commonest place of exposure was in the wards (65.6%) and circumstances of exposure were respectively sudden patient movements 21(19.3%) and recapping needle 20 (18.3%). Only 52 (43.3%) of respondents took appropriate measure (rinsing and disinfecting) the site after injury. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the high risk health care workers are exposed to at work. There is urgent need to improve the safety of health care workers through continuing education and strict adherence to universal precautions. There is need to establish a surveillance system to monitor such incidents and provision of post-exposure prophylaxis to those accidentally exposed.