Impact of differential occupational LPG exposure on cardiopulmonary indices, liver function, and oxidative stress in Northwestern city of Nigeria.

Exposure to hydrocarbon products has been associated with numerous health risks and toxicities. Outdoor or indoor occupational exposure to highly volatile and lipid-soluble hydrocarbons has been linked to impairment of respiratory, cardiovascular, and liver functions. This study is aimed at determining the potential impact of occupational exposure to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in varying work environments. Respiratory symptoms, oxidative stress, cardio-pulmonary, and liver function parameters were assessed among LPG workers in the Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Study subjects were recruited from LPG filling stations and street LPG retail shops. Results of the study showed that the forced vital capacity (FVC) of LPG station workers was significantly lower (2.81 L/min; H = 22.473, p < 0.001) relative to the values recorded among LPG retail shop workers and the controls (3.54 L/min and 4.24 L/min respectively). A similar reduction was seen in the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the forced expiratory flow in 25-75 % of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) obtained from the filling station workers (H = 32.722, p < 0.001 & H = 15.655, p <0.001 respectively). Furthermore, exposure to non-combusted LPG increased systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and serum liver enzymes. Findings from this study revealed that despite the high amount of coarse particulate matter in LPG retail shops, the filling station workers are more susceptible to the impairment of lung function possibly due to the high quantity of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) in the filling station environment.

High prevalence of serological weak D phenotype and preponderance of weak D type 4.0.1. genetic variant in a Nigerian population: implications for transfusion practice in a resource-limited setting

ABSTRACT Introduction: Prevalence of RhD negative phenotype in Nigeria is low; this leads to scarcity of RhD negative red cells for transfusion. Serological and molecular genotyping of RhD negative individuals for weak D types could reduce this scarcity. The aim of this study was to determine the serological prevalence and molecular types of weak D phenotypes among blood donors and pregnant women in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 4482 blood donors and pregnant women from three hospitals in Kano were recruited. An indirect antiglobulin test was used to determine weak D phenotypes. Molecular genotyping was performed on genomic DNA from whole blood amplified by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) with agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.50 ±5.79 years. The prevalence of the RhD negative phenotype was 4.2% (189/4482). Of the 189 RhD negative phenotypes, 20 (10.6%) were weak D positive. Molecular genotyping of the 20 Weak D positive phenotypes revealed 15 (75%) weak D type 4, of which 11 were due to the RHD*09.03 and RHD*DAR3 (T201R, F223V) polymorphisms and 4, due to RHD* 08.01 and RHD* DFV polymorphisms; 2 (10%) were due to the 602 C>G polymorphism, while the remaining 3 (15%) constituted partial D or other rare weak D types. Conclusion: The prevalence of weak D positive phenotypes is high in this study; weak D type 4 is the most common RhD genetic variant. Routine serologic weak D testing of RhD negative blood and molecular genotyping should be encouraged in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano Nigeria: A need for action.

Objective: Early adulthood is a period characterised by many lifestyle choices that could predispose an individual to cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. However, data on CVD risk factors among young adults in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. We aim to determine the prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and fifty undergraduate students were recruited for this descriptive cross-sectional study. Blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and height were measured using standard protocols. The body mass index was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height in square metre. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were determined via an enzymatic method. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was calculated using the Friedewald equation. Results: The mean age of the participants was 23.12 ± 2.97 (17-31) years. Notably, 90% of the participants had at least one CVD risk factor and 65% had at least one abnormal lipid parameter. The prevalence of elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and reduced HDL-c were 7.33%, 50%, 0.67%, 7.33%, 0.67%, and 58.67%, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of general and truncal obesity were 0.67% and 4%, respectively, while the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes were 4% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions: There is high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. Thus, appropriate policies for screening, early detection, and treatment of these risk factors should be developed.

High prevalence of serological weak D phenotype and preponderance of weak D type 4.0.1. genetic variant in a Nigerian population: implications for transfusion practice in a resource-limited setting.

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of RhD negative phenotype in Nigeria is low; this leads to scarcity of RhD negative red cells for transfusion. Serological and molecular genotyping of RhD negative individuals for weak D types could reduce this scarcity. The aim of this study was to determine the serological prevalence and molecular types of weak D phenotypes among blood donors and pregnant women in Kano, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 4482 blood donors and pregnant women from three hospitals in Kano were recruited. An indirect antiglobulin test was used to determine weak D phenotypes. Molecular genotyping was performed on genomic DNA from whole blood amplified by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) with agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 26.50 ±â€¯5.79 years. The prevalence of the RhD negative phenotype was 4.2% (189/4482). Of the 189 RhD negative phenotypes, 20 (10.6%) were weak D positive. Molecular genotyping of the 20 Weak D positive phenotypes revealed 15 (75%) weak D type 4, of which 11 were due to the RHD*09.03 and RHD*DAR3 (T201R, F223V) polymorphisms and 4, due to RHD* 08.01 and RHD* DFV polymorphisms; 2 (10%) were due to the 602 C>G polymorphism, while the remaining 3 (15%) constituted partial D or other rare weak D types. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of weak D positive phenotypes is high in this study; weak D type 4 is the most common RhD genetic variant. Routine serologic weak D testing of RhD negative blood and molecular genotyping should be encouraged in resource-limited settings.

A REVIEW ON EMERGING PATHOGENESIS OF COVID-19 AND POINTS OF CONCERN FOR RESEARCH COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 remains an emerging pandemic that continuously poses an alarming threat and challenge to economic, social and well-being of the people throughout the world. It also remains an evolving disease which complete pathogenesis that translates into clinical features is only just emerging by each second of the day. There have been observations about the emerging trends of the disease in Nigeria like in any other country in the world where there is outbreak. This study examined from evidence-based literature the emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern of the disease in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The paper reviewed published articles in PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms 'COVID-19" and "SARS-CoV-2", as well as searched for general COVID-19 information on internet. RESULTS: The result summarized literature on emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern as well as research questions as to the peculiar trends of the disease in Nigeria. CONCLUSION: Pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains an emerging knowledge and there are many important research questions that need to be scientifically answered for a successful containment of COVID-19 in Nigeria. It is recommended that all members of intellectual research communities should join the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Agarose- and alginate-based biopolymers for sample preparation: Excellent green extraction tools for this century.

Recently, there has been considerable interest in the use of miniaturized sample preparation techniques before the chromatographic monitoring of the analytes in unknown complex compositions. The use of biopolymer-based sorbents in solid-phase microextraction techniques has achieved a good reputation. A great variety of polysaccharides can be extracted from marine plants or microorganisms. Seaweeds are the major sources of polysaccharides such as alginate, agar, agarose, as well as carrageenans. Agarose and alginate (green biopolymers) have been manipulated for different microextraction approaches. The present review is focused on the classification of biopolymer and their applications in multidisciplinary research. Besides, efforts have been made to discuss the state-of-the-art of the new microextraction techniques that utilize commercial biopolymer interfaces such as agarose in liquid-phase microextraction and solid-phase microextraction.