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Base on the principle of developing a suitable aquaculture system that will fit the present climate and environmental challenges to enhance breeding and production in aquaculture. Against the backdrop of issues connected to water quality in recirculating aquaculture system which has negative impact on the fish comfort, feeding rate and blood biochemistry, this may later affect its growth performance and general wellbeing. Although, the rate of waste disintegration and the bacteria species present in the filter system determine the physicochemical parameters of the treated water, which further affect the biological characteristics of the fish. This study intends to reveal the effect of biological filtration media (wood coal, rice hulls and wheat hay) on water properties and its further effects on growth performance, plasma biochemistry, liver and gills histopathology of common carp in RAS. After the acclimation interval, 24 tanks were stocked with 8 fish average initial weight of 15.74 g. However, treatments were assigned to each tank at random sampling to make four treatments. The results showed a significant effect on Common carp growth and body biomass, for those with filter media compared to the control. Though, a better growth performance of Common carp culture in water exposed to wheat hay and rice hulls were recorded at significant level with lower FCR. Hence improvement in fish productivity was observed in the treatments compared to the control. Moreover, there are significant changes on cell counts, and plasma biochemistry parameters. In synopsis, the study reveals the benefits in using additional media such as wheat hay and rice hulls as a biological filter media to improve water quality and growth performance of common carp in aquaculture. The use of this new media should be encourage since the installation of this biological filter media is simple, affordable and can be retrofitted into existing systems, to increase water management and aquaculture productivity.

Introduction: COVID-19 has spread globally, thereby contributing to substantial hospitalisation rates and morbidity. However, little or no information is available on the experiences of patients with COVID-19 in an African-setting. The study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with COVID-19. Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone with eleven individuals who were managed and discharged due to COVID-19. A descriptive phenomenological approach to qualitative research was employed and participants were mainly asked about their experiences before, during and after hospitalisation for COVID-19. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: patients' viewpoints were suggestive of community and secondary transmission of COIVD-19 in the study area. A few participants experienced severe symptoms. Most participants tend to resign their condition to fate; while some displayed unfounded conspiracy theories. Nevertheless, precautionary measures to prevent infection were largely observed. COVID-19 also negatively affected activities of daily living of the participants. Furthermore, the participants were generally satisfied with quality of care provided. However, areas of patients' education, isolation centre set-up and caregiver-patient interaction needed further improvements. Lastly, experience of fear and stigma during post-hospitalisation were common. Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted negatively on the lives of the studied population. However, their experience during hospitalisation was generally positive.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a public health crisis that has spread to most regions/countries of the world. In Africa, the disease is believed to be in its early stages, as fewer infectio...

Table drinking water, often called as ‘Pure water’ is generally accepted safe for consumption. The study was aimed at comparatively analyze for microbiological quality of non-registered table water sold in Sokoto Metropolis using microbial culture, microscopic and Biochemical identification. Eight (8) samples each were purchased from nonregistered factories within Sokoto Metropolis. Streak plate method was used for the isolation of bacteria on Nutrient agar (NA) medium and Sabouroud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium for isolation of fungi. Incubation period at 370C for 24 hours, for bacteria and 250C for 72 hours for fungi was considered. All the samples yielded growth for bacteria while only 4 samples were positive to growth of fungi. The bacteria isolated from samples analyzed were species ofBacillusandSalmonellawhile fungal isolates recovered wereAspergillusandPenicilliumspecies. The presence of these bacteria at high levels is a matter of serious concern as some of these organisms are causative agents of many disease of medical importance. It is therefore recommended that regulatory bodies should intensified efforts in the monitoring of non-registered factories of table water and discourage the proliferations and consumption of unhygienic table water in the study area.

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis. Interpretation Our data raise questions about the empirical use of combined ampicillin–gentamicin for neonatal sepsis in LMICs because of its high resistance and high rates of frequency of resistance and low probability of target attainment. Accessibility and affordability need to be considered when advocating antibiotic treatments with variance in economic health structures across LMICs. Funding The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Entrepreneurial activities are important factors in creating and increasing employment opportunities and fuelling economic growth. Entrepreneurship is an important source of job creation and opening career opportunities for both women and men. However, women are less likely to have successful enterprises or businesses than men. This paper is aimed at assessing women entrepreneurship in Nigeria: their present state of involvement in comparison to the male entrepreneurs, their challenges, contributions and performance in the formal and informal business sector of the economy. The paper employed the descriptive method of analysis. An inductive methodology involving observation, collection of secondary data and the analysis of such data was employed. To this end, a lot was devoted to the presentation and analysis of data obtained from the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Office of Statistics. It was discovered that women participate more in the micro business (informal sector) constituting 42.1% of the ownership structure. Their performance constitutes 13.57% in the formal sector as against the male entrepreneurs at 86.43%. Their poor performance and contribution are a result of the constraints they face. It was also discovered that their performance was higher in the Trade and Agricultural Sector in 1997 but higher in the Education and Service Sector by 2012. Among others, it is recommended that good practice in supporting women entrepreneurship should be initiated by the government in the form of training courses, advisory services or creating awareness campaigns.

This study aimed to evaluate the Haematological and Serum biochemical changes in cattle with natural trypanosomosis in North Central Nigeria. Cattle were drawn from cases reported to the State Veterinary Hospital Minna and Area Veterinary Clinics in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) with health problems suggestive of trypanosomosis. A total of 343 cattle were sampled of which 45 (13%) were infected with species of trypanosomes. Trypanosoma (T) vivax (5.5%), T. congolense (5.5%), and T. brucei (2.0%) were detected in the infected animals. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters of the infected and the uninfected were measured and compared. The mean PCV (23.27±6.82%), platelet (93.23±42.02 x103μl), and total leukocyte counts (4.40 ±1.64x103μl) of infected cattle were significantly lower than those of the uninfected (32.47±8.35%, 209.67±55.75 x103μl, and 8.14±3.34 x103μl). Lymphocyte counts (64.64±12.19%) were significantly higher in the infected cattle compared to the uninfected (58.19±15.29%). The mean neutrophil count (32.62±12.25%) of the infected cattle was significantly lower than the uninfected (39.46±15.05%). The biochemical parameters also differed significantly (P