SEROPROTECTION RATE OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B CONJUGATE VACCINE AND ASSOCIATED CLINICAL OUTCOMES AMONG NIGERIAN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 23 MONTHS.

Introduction: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) causes invasive infections almost exclusively in under- fives with those aged 6-23 months being the most vulnerable. In Nigeria, it is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 annual infections and another 30,000 under-five mortality attributable to pneumonia and meningitis alone. The Hib Conjugate Vaccine (HCV) is in widespread use to combat these devastating infections. Data on its impact in Nigeria is grossly scanty. This study evaluated the seroprotection rates (SPR) of HCV and associated clinical outcomes among children aged 6-23 months in Obi L.G.A. of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 267 children aged 6-23 months who had completed three doses of HCV. They were enrolled via a two-staged household-level cluster sampling. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained using structured questionnaires and serum samples collected were analysed serologically for antipolyribosylribitol phosphate (anti-PRP) antibodies using ELISA. Results: The overall SPRs against invasive Hib disease and Hib nasopharyngeal colonization were 74.2% and 26.2%, respectively. The overall geometric mean titre (GMT) of anti-PRP was 1.85 µg/mL (95%CI: 1.60-2.14) and across age groups, GMTs were >1 µg/mL-the threshold for long-term protection against invasive Hib disease. Rates/duration of healthcare admissions and average episodes of probable Hib disease syndromes were lower in seroprotected but not statistically different from non-seroprotected children. Conclusion: The demonstrated anti-PRP titres and Seroprotection Rates infer a very good HCV efficacy in Nigerian children. The lack of significant difference in clinical outcomes may be attributable to nonspecificity.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ANTI-POLYRIBOSYLRIBITOL PHOSPHATE TITRES IN YOUNG NIGERIAN CHILDREN PRIMED WITH DTWP-HEPB-HIB VACCINE.

Introduction: Recent research suggests that variation in vaccine-induced immune responses is influenced by genetic, nutritional, environmental, and vaccine-related factors, with significant vaccine design and programmatic policy implications. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccine (HCV) stimulates the production of antiPolyribosylribitol phosphate (anti-PRP) antibodies, which confer long-term protection against invasive Hib disease and nasopharyngeal colonization by Hib at titre levels ≥1µg/mL and ≥5µg/mL respectively. This study investigated the influence of these factors on the protective anti-PRP levels in children aged 6-23 months in Obi L.G.A. of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, two-stage household-level cluster survey involving 267 children who had completed the E.P.I. schedule of HCV-containing DTwP-HepB-Hib. Validated questionnaires were used for enrolment and relevant clinical and laboratory evaluations including anti-PRP, ABO/Rhesus antigens, and Haemoglobin genotype assays were conducted. Regression analyses were performed using Stata to explore the correlation between sociodemographic/vaccine-related factors, nutritional status, genotype, ABO/Rhesus antigens, and protective anti-PRP titres. Results: Bivariate analysis showed that age, breastfeeding practice, household size/under-five number, nutritional, socioeconomic, Measles/Yellow fever vaccination, and Rhesus statuses were significantly associated with anti-PRP titre. However, multivariate analysis revealed that age between 6-11 months (AOR=3.12,95%CI=1.15-8.50), households with less than three under-fives (AOR=2.33,95%CI=1.14-4.78), middle socioeconomic class (AOR=3.15,95%CI=1.42-6.98), wasting (AOR=2.27,95%CI=1.23-4.22) and Measles/Yellow fever vaccination (AOR=2.90,95%CI=1.38-6.07) were significantly correlated with protective anti-PRP titres. Conclusion: Results indicate that the family and socioeconomic milieu influence anti-PRP titre, and Measles/Yellow fever vaccines may have a beneficial non-specific effect on HCV-induced seroprotection in Nigerian children.

METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors that may predispose to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These risk factors include hypertension, central obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The presence of at least three of these risks factors defines MetS. Globally, MetS now affects children and adolescents with increasing obesity prevalence. This study determined the prevalence of MetS and associated risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Gombe Local Government Area(LGA), Northeast Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study; 688 participants from 12 secondary schools in Gombe LGA, Northeast Nigeria. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose, serum triglyceride and HDL-C were determined. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Result: The prevalence of MetS was 1.3%. Low serum HDL-C was the commonest risk factor. MetS was significantly higher in upper socio-economic class and private school participants. Lifestyle and family medical history were not significantly associated with MetS. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was low in the overall study population but high among centrally obese adolescents. Metabolic syndrome occurred in normal weight and underweight participants. Low HDL-C was the commonest risk factor for metabolic syndrome and lifestyle and family medical history were not associated with metabolic syndrome.

A Review on Heat Treatment of Cast Iron: Phase Evolution and Mechanical Characterization.

The isothermal heat treatment process has been identified as a unique process of fabricating exceptional graphite cast iron due to its remarkable mechanical properties, such as excellent machinability, toughness, and high level of ultimate tensile strength. Austempered ductile iron (ADI), ductile iron (DI), and gray cast iron (GCI), known as spheroidal cast irons, are viable alternative materials compared to traditional steel casting, as well as aluminum casting. The graphite nodules from the microstructures of DI, ADI, and GCI are consistently encompassed by acicular ferrite and carbon-saturated austenite in the matrix, forming a distinctive ausferritic structure. All these materials are extensively used in the fabrication of engine sleeves, engine blocks, valves, gears, and camshafts in the automobile sector. With relative motion and outward loads, these components are regularly exposed to surface contact. In this project, it was observed that austempering temperature and a shorter holding period could also be used to manufacture needle-like ferrite platelets for austempered ductile iron (ADI) and other graphite cast irons. To overcome the brittleness challenges and catastrophic failures encountered by applied loads in present-day applications, it is essential to comprehend the isothermal treatments, morphological behaviors, phase analyses, processing techniques, and mechanical properties needed to properly incorporate these materials into future designs. This review article provides detailed information on the characterization and relevant potential mechanisms of ADI, DI, and GCI.