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Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic upper intestinal tract parasite of humans, domestic and wild animals worldwide, causing diarrhoea in their hosts. Giardiasis is transmitted directly from person to person, animal to animal zoonotic or indirectly through water or food. Diarrhoea accounts for 16% in Nigeria, a country rated as having one of the worst prevalences of diarrhoea in Sub-Saharan Africa. The occurrence of G. duodenalis in cats poses a significant clinical and public health threat to people. This study investigated the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in domestic (companion) cats in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, north-central, Nigeria. Faecal samples of 140 domestic cats were collected between November 2022 and October 2023 and analyzed for Giardia cysts using centrifugation-flotation and Giardia antigen using an immunochromatography assay. The prevalence of Giardia cysts detected was 1.4% while Giardia antigen was detected in 5.0% of the stool of the cats. The prevalence of G. duodenalis antigen in Tom cats was 5.8% and 3.8% in Queen cats while 18.2% of cats with diarrheic stool tested positive compared to the 0.9% of cats that were non-diarrheic. Based on age, the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis antigen was highest (8.0%) in cats that were less than 6 months old, while cats that were sampled in January had a higher prevalence of G. duodenalis (5.6%) than those sampled in December. The result suggests an association between faecal consistency and the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in cats (P = 0.001). This study has confirmed the presence of Giardia duodenalis antigen in domestic cats in Lokoja. The occurrence of Giardia duodenalis in cats is of clinical and public health significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Women represent >50% of people with HIV globally but have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) vs continuing their current antiretroviral regimen (CAR) by sex assigned at birth (female and male) in virologically suppressed adults with HIV‐1 without prior virological failure in a pooled analysis of two randomized controlled trials. Methods: This analysis included 48‐week data from the phase 3 TANGO and SALSA studies. Primary and key secondary endpoints included proportions of participants with HIV‐1 RNA ≥50 and <50 copies/mL at week 48, respectively. Safety was also assessed. Results: Of 1234 participants, 250 (DTG/3TC, n = 133; CAR, n = 117) were female at birth. Week 48 proportions of participants with Snapshot HIV‐1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL were similar regardless of sex at birth (DTG/3TC vs CAR: female, <1% [1/133] vs 2% [2/117]; male, <1% [1/482] vs <1% [3/502]). Proportions with HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL were high across sexes and treatment groups (DTG/3TC vs CAR: female, 91% [121/133] vs 89% [104/117]; male, 94% [455/482] vs 94% [471/502]). Immunological response with DTG/3TC was slightly higher in female participants. Incidences of adverse events leading to withdrawal and serious adverse events were low and comparable between treatment groups and across sexes. Weight gain was higher with DTG/3TC than with CAR among female participants aged ≥50 years (treatment difference 2.08 kg [95% confidence interval 0.40–3.75]). Conclusions: Results confirm the robustness of DTG/3TC as a switch option in virologically suppressed females with HIV‐1, with outcomes similar to those in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing amount of plastic waste generated globally has led to a growing demand for efficient and sustainable methods of disposal. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising technology for converting plastic waste into fuel. This project has designed and fabricated a pyrolysis reactor to convert plastic waste into fuel oil. The reactor was designed to operate at a temperature range of 250-450 °C with a residence time of 30-90 min. The reactor was fabricated using high-quality galvanized steel for the inner chamber and mild steel for the outer chamber to withstand the high temperatures and corrosive environment. The reactor was also equipped with a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) heating system, three condensers, and a collection system to recover the produced fuel. The heating system was designed to provide uniform heating across the reactor to ensure efficient pyrolysis. The performance of the reactor was evaluated by pyrolyzing LPDE type plastic waste; the parameters of pyrolysis reactors like temperature, mass of yield and time of yield were determined. The reactor's high efficiency, low cost, and eco-friendliness make it a promising solution for managing plastic waste, while also providing an alternative source of fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morinda lucida, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Sarcocephalus latifolius are reputable medicinal plants with long history of uses in the treatment of variety of diseases. A combination of the leaves of Morinda lucida, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Sarcocephalus latifolius prepared as a decoction is used in Nigeria as remedy for Lymphatic filariasis, including complicated cases with wounds or sores. Extracts of the leaves of Morinda lucida (ML), Anogeissus leiocarpus (AL), Sarcocephalus latifolius (SL) and a combination of the three plants (mixed) were obtained by decoction. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard methods and high-performance liquid chromatography. The extracts were also evaluated singly and in combination for DPPH antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella puemoniae, Bacillis subtillis, Candida albicans. Phytochemical analysis showed the plants contained saponins, terpenes, sterols, phenolics and tannins. The HPLC spectrum of Morinda lucida showed thirteen peaks with betulinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and ferulic acid predominating. The HPLC spectrum of Anogeissus leiocarpus showed major peaks being gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid. The HPLC spectrum of Sarcocephalus latifolius showed major peaks being betulinic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin. The HPLC spectrum of the combination showed major peaks as betulinic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin. The three plant extracts and the combination therapy had carbohydrates, saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, and sterols. Anogeissus leiocarpus extract had the highest antimicrobial and antioxidant activities followed by the combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contemporary understanding of the pattern of congenital anomalies is both important in its clinical management as well as in improving the overall health of the community. Methodology: All infants presenting from January to December 2102 at the centre were prospectively studied. Results: A total of 5010 infants were screened, of which 108 have congenital anomalies giving a prevalence of 2.2%. Major anomalies were noted in 101 (93.5%) infants. Only two (1.9%) were preterm. Consanguineous relationship was observed in 2 (1.9%) cases. Pre natal Ultrasound scan was done in 33(30.8%), but in only 7 (6.5%) was any anomaly detected Onitsha, a densely populated urban area contributed 45(42%) of the cases. Only 7(6.5%) of the mothers took herbal prescriptions in the first trimester of pregnancy. Risk of anomaly progressively rises, reaching a peak of 48% in the maternal age group of 26-30 years and drops steadily after. Gastrointestinal tract anomalies were most common (no. =28, 25.9%). Residences close to dump sites, telecom masts/base stations, electricity cables, industries and heavy motorised highways contributed to risk factors in 9-12 % of cases. Conclusion: More of younger mothers were affected with gastro intestinal malformations predominating. The location of home environment is a potential risk factor that will require further characterisation.

Background: Diarrhoea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among infants and young children in developing countries. More than half of the deaths due to diarrhoea results from dehydration and/or excessive loss of essential nutrients including micronutrients such as zinc, copper and vitamin A These micronutrients are essential for immunological protection, as well as the proper growth and development of children. Objective: To determine the serum and stool levels of zinc, copper and vitamin A in children presenting with diarrhoea. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Thirty consecutive infants with diarrhoea from the Diarrhoea Training Unit (subjects) and thirty without diarrhoea (controls) from the Infant Welfare clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH], were studied. The feeding practices, diarrhoeal history, and anthropometric measurements of the study and control groups were noted. Their sera and stool samples were analyzed for zinc and copper using Vernox Elmer Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer and for Vitamin A using spectrophotometer Pye Unicain PU 8600. The data obtained were analysed statistically. Results: The age, body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference MUAC] and sex distribution of children in the two groups were similar but their mean weight, and length/ height were significantly different (p

Water is an essential part of human nutrition. It is readily available in sachets with little or no interest in the quality by the producers. This study focused on the isolation and identification of parasites and bacteria contaminating sachet water sold at Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria. Twenty-one sachets of water were collected randomly from seven different brands sold within the community. The parasites were identified using sedimentation technique while bacteria were isolated from water cultured in Nutrient, MacConkey, and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar media. The physicochemical parameters analysed were total dissolved solids, pH, chloride, total hardness, and nitrite. Two-way analysis of variance was employed to analyse the data for bacteria and parasites identified. Of the twenty-one sachet water samples examined, 13(61.9%) were positive for parasites. Two parasite species [Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica 4(19.0%) and Giardia lamblia 9(42.8%)] were identified. The total viable bacteria count ranged from 4(6.5%) to 10(16.1%) colonies in 1ml of water whereas the total Coliform count ranged from 4(6.5%) to 6(9.7%) in 1ml of water with sample F having the highest value of both total viable bacterial count and total Coliform count. The percentage of the total viable bacterial count recorded was 75.8% while the total Coliform count was 24.2%. There was a significant difference in the distribution of bacteria among different brands of water samples (p<0.05) but not in parasite distribution (P<0.05). Bacillus spp 10(29.4%) had the highest occurrence whereas Micrococcus spp 3(8.8%) had the least which was not significant (P>0.05). The physicochemical parameters fell within the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization for drinking water except for the pH value of two brands which was below the stipulated limit. The presence of coliform and other microbes in the samples could have unhealthy implications for consumers when consumed. There is a need for regular and periodic monitoring of the water quality before and after production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight sampling locations in the study area were assessed for some air pollutants, level of noise pollution and some meteorological parameters. Portable handheld air monitor was used to measure air pollutants, a sound level meter and anemometer for level of noise and meteorological parameters respectively. Results showed that the highest concentrations of Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, Hydrogen Sulphide and Suspended particulate matter were recorded in indoor II while those for Carbon monoxide and Chloride were recorded in outdoor I. The outdoor locations recorded higher mean noise level and temperature (76.1 dB (A), 30.05°C) than the indoor locations (70.95 dB (A), 27.03°C). On the other hand, the indoor locations recorded higher mean relative humidity (62.8%) than the outdoor locations (48.25%). Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed only in the mean concentration of Chloride in the two environments. The mean concentrations of NO2, SO2, H2 S, CO and Cl2 were above the permissible limit of Federal Environmental Protection Agency thus posing environmental risks. Appropriate vehicle emission management should be considered; air and noise pollution control agencies should intervene to reduce the risks associate with these pollutants and improve the air quality of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]