Assessment of Preservative Ability of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Onion (Allium cepa L ) on Soybean Daddawa- A Condiment

Reports have indicated that lipid peroxidation is a key factor in soybean daddawa deterioration and Alliums are rich in antioxidants. The present study was carried out to investigate the preservative abilities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Onion (Allium cepa L) on stored soybean daddawa compared with Sodium Chloride treated samples. Soybean (Glycine max (L). Merr.) seeds fermented into soybean daddawa was preserved with both extracts (at 3, 5 and 7% concentration) and NaCl (at the concentrations of 0, 3 and 5%). The samples stored at 30±2°C for up to 14 days were analyzed for peroxide value (POV), free fatty acid (FFA), pH, titratable acidity (TTA), water absorption capacity (WAC) and fat absorption capacity (FAC). Type of solvent used in extraction did not have significant effect on all the storage indices. Extracts of Onion significantly lowered the POV, FFA and TTA generated in stored soybean daddawa. The pH of stored soybean daddawa samples treated with the NaCl and aqueous extract was not significantly affected while the ethanolic extract significantly reduced the pH from 8.26 – 8.34 to 5.72 – 5.89. The tested extracts lowered the WAC significantly while the FAC of treated soybean daddawa was not significantly affected compared to those treated with NaCl. Results of this study indicate that both extracts of Onion are more effective in lowering peroxidation in stored soybean daddawa and thus could be exploited for soybean daddawa preservation

Elimination of Aflatoxins from Two Selected Nigerian Vegetable Oils using Magnetic Chitosan Nanoparticles

Abstract Activated charcoal and imarsil (local adsorbent) had shown significant Aflatoxin (AF) decontamination potentials in vegetable oil at a low AF contamination level of ≤ 9 ng/L. AF contamination in vegetable oils can be more than a hundred-fold of this. Therefore, it is needed to investigate the potential of other adsorbents at higher AF contamination levels. Magnetic Chitosan Nanoparticle (MCNP) was synthesized, and its aflatoxins extraction efficiency from two edible vegetable oils was investigated. MCNP exhibited extraction efficiencies of 82.80 – 100% and 94.87 – 100% in palm kernel oil and palm oil at the contamination levels of 579.6 and 964.6 ng/L respectively. Total aflatoxins cleanup of the palm oil and palm kernel oil was possible at 30 °C within 30 and 60 minutes, respectively, at the optimized condition of 4.4 mg/L MCNP. MCNP concentration, temperature of extraction, and contact time were significant (p < 0.05) in palm kernel oil, while these conditions were not significant (p > 0.05) in palm oil. The results of the present investigation depict that the AF extraction efficiency of MCNP depends on the type of vegetable oil and that MCNP could be a credible alternative for AF decontamination of the investigated vegetable oil.Keywords: aflatoxins, chitosan, contamination, nanoparticles, vegetable oils AbstrakArang aktif dan imarsil (adsorben lokal) mempunyai potensi dekontaminasi aflatoksin (AF) yang signifikan dalam minyak nabati dengan tingkat kontaminasi AF rendah, yaitu ≤ 9 ng/L. AF dalam minyak nabati dapat lebih dari seratus kali lipat tingkat kontaminasi tersebut. Oleh karena itu, penelitian potensi adsorben lain perlu dilakukan pada tingkat kontaminasi AF yang lebih tinggi. Penelitian ini menganalisis sintesis Magnetic Chitosan Nanoparticle (MCNP) dan efisiensi ekstraksi aflatoksin dari dua minyak nabati konsumsi (minyak inti sawit dan minyak sawit). Efisiensi ekstraksi minyak inti sawit dan minyak sawit pada tingkat pencemaran 579,6 dan 964,6 ng/L, MCNP masing-masing sebesar 82,80 - 100% dan 94,87 - 100%. Pembersihan aflatoksin total pada minyak sawit dan minyak inti sawit dapat terjadi pada suhu 30 °C dalam waktu masing-masing 30 dan 60 menit, pada kondisi optimal MCNP, yaitu 4,4 mg/L. Konsentrasi MCNP, suhu ekstraksi, dan waktu kontak signifikan (p < 0,05) pada minyak inti sawit, tetapi kondisi ini tidak signifikan (p > 0,05) pada minyak kelapa sawit. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa efisiensi ekstraksi AF MCNP tergantung pada jenis minyak nabati dan MCNP dapat menjadi alternatif untuk dekontaminasi AF dari minyak nabati yang diteliti.Kata kunci: aflatoksin, kitosan, kontaminasi, minyak nabati, nano partike

Qualitative Exploration of factors affecting Uptake and Demand for Contraception and other Family Planning Services in North-West Nigeria

In spite of the improvements in knowledge about family planning (FP), the contraceptive prevalence rate and unmet need for FP remain poor in most parts of Northern Nigeria. This study sought to explore specific factors that influence contraceptive uptake and demand in North-West Nigeria. Key Informant and In-depth Interviews were conducted using guides among stakeholders in two selected states in North-West Nigeria, Kebbi and Sokoto States. Interviewees were selected purposively to include Reproductive  Health Focal Persons at the local government level, service providers,  Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) and FP coordinators. Factors inhibiting contraceptive uptake included lack of health education, religion, fear of spousal rejection and side effects. Poor government funding and  inadequate number of health workers were also identified as systemic factors. Suggested methods of overcoming identified challenges include; task-shifting, increased stakeholder participation and political will.Keywords: Contraceptive demand, North-West Nigeria, factors affecting FP demandMalgré l'amélioration des connaissances sur la planification familiale (PF), le taux de la prévalence contraceptive et les besoins non satisfaits en PF restent pauvres dans la plupart des régions du nord du Nigéria. Cette étude a cherché à explorer des facteurs spécifiques qui influencent l'adoption et la demande des contraceptifs dans le nord-ouest du Nigéria. Des entretiens avec des informateurs clés et approfondis ont été menés à l'aide de guides parmi les parties prenantes de deux États sélectionnés du nordouest du Nigéria, les États de Kebbi et de Sokoto. Les personnes interrogées ont été choisies à dessein pour inclure les personnes focales en santé de la reproduction au niveau du gouvernement local, les prestataires de services, les femmes en âge de procréer (FAP) et les  coordinateurs de PF. Les facteurs inhibant l'adoption des contraceptifs comprenaient le manque d'éducation  sanitaire, la religion, la peur du rejet du conjoint et les effets secondaires. Le financement insuffisant du  gouvernement et le nombre insuffisant d'agents de santé ont également été identifiés comme des facteurs  systémiques. Les méthodes suggérées pour surmonter les défis identifiés comprennent: le transfert de tâches, la participation accrue des parties prenantes et la volonté politique.Mots-clés: Demande des contraceptifs, nord-ouest du Nigéria, facteurs affectant la demande de P

Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Tri-Nano Additives on Wear Rate of Mild Steel during Machining

Wear is an indispensable and recurring problem in engineering materials and it depicts its function on the long run. However, alternative method of retooling the materials at reduce cost was the main focus in this research work. Nano additives of 50 kg each palm kernel, coconut and egg shells were used as carburizer and energizer. Sixty (60) pieces of 100 x 20 mm AISI 5130 mild steel and four (4) boxes of 200 x 150 x 100 mm were charged into furnance of about 2,500oC max capacity. The tri-nano additives of palm kernel, coconut and egg shells were mixed at percentage ratio of 40:40:20. The elemental compositional analyses of the samples were checked before and after the case-hardening using spectrometric analysis machine. Each of the samples was soaked at a temperature of 950, 1000, 1050, and 1100oC for 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes holding time. The obtained treated samples were subjected to elemental analysis, hardness and wear test using the spectrometer, vicker hardness tester and Rotopol-V wear testing machine. The best core and the surface hardness obtained were 117.9 and 140.9 HR compare to the control with 103.6 and 110.9 HR. The minimum wear rate of the sample was 1.22× while that of the control was 2.03× . The results gave a clear distinction decrease in wear rate and increase in hardness. This showed best economical and environmental friendly way to optimize the property of AISI 5130 steel which can be applied to any other grade of steels

Investigation of mobile genetic elements and their association with antibiotic resistance genes in clinical pathogens worldwide

Objectives: Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are a major global health threat. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) have been crucial for spreading resistance to new bacterial species, including human pathogens. Understanding how MGEs promote resistance could be essential for prevention. Here we present an investigation of MGEs and their association with resistance genes in pathogenic bacteria collected from 59 diagnostic units during 2020, representing a snapshot of clinical infections from 35 counties worldwide. Methods: We analysed 3,095 whole-genome sequenced clinical bacterial isolates from over 100 species to study the relationship between resistance genes and MGEs. The mobiliome of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were further examined for geographic differences, as these species were prevalent in all countries. Genes potentially mobilized by MGEs were identified by finding DNA segments containing MGEs and ARGs preserved in multiple species. Network analysis was used to investigate potential MGE interactions, host range, and transmission pathways. Results: The prevalence and diversity of MGEs and resistance genes varied among species, with E. coli and S. aureus carrying more diverse elements. MGE composition differed between bacterial lineages, indicating strong vertical inheritance. 102 MGEs associated with resistance were found in multiple species, and four of these elements seemed to be highly transmissible as they were found in different phyla. We identified 21 genomic regions containing resistance genes potentially mobilized by MGEs, highlighting their importance in transmitting genes to clinically significant bacteria. Conclusion: Resistance genes are spread through various MGEs, including plasmids and transposons. Our findings suggest that multiple factors influence MGE prevalence and their transposability, thereby shaping the MGE population and transmission pathways. Some MGEs have a wider host range, which could make them more important for mobilizing genes. We also identified 103 resistance genes potentially mobilised by MGEs, which could increase their transmissibility to unrelated bacteria

The HPAfrica protocol: Assessment of health behaviour and population-based socioeconomic, hygiene behavioural factors - a standardised repeated cross-sectional study in multiple cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the Health Population Africa (HPAfrica) study is to determine health behaviour and population-based factors, including socioeconomic, ethnographic, hygiene and sanitation factors, at sites of the Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) programme. SETA aims to investigate healthcare facility-based fever surveillance in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar and Nigeria. Meaningful disease burden estimates require adjustment for health behaviour patterns, which are assumed to vary among a study population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: For the minimum sample size of household interviews required, the assumptions of an infinite population, a design effect and age-stratification and sex-stratification are considered. In the absence of a population sampling frame or household list, a spatial approach will be used to generate geographic random points with an Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System tool. Printouts of Google Earth Pro satellite imagery visualise these points. Data of interest will be assessed in different seasons by applying population-weighted stratified sampling. An Android-based application and a web service will be developed for electronic data capturing and synchronisation with the database server in real time. Sampling weights will be computed to adjust for possible differences in selection probabilities. Descriptive data analyses will be performed in order to assess baseline information of each study population and age-stratified and sex-stratified health behaviour. This will allow adjusting disease burden estimates. In addition, multivariate analyses will be applied to look into associations between health behaviour, population-based factors and the disease burden as determined in the SETA study. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethic approvals for this protocol were obtained by the Institutional Review Board of the International Vaccine Institute (No. 2016-0003) and by all collaborating institutions of participating countries. It is anticipated to disseminate findings from this study through publication on a peer-reviewed journal

The HPAfrica protocol : assessment of health behaviour and population-based socioeconomic, hygiene behavioural factors - a standardised repeated cross-sectional study in multiple cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa

The objective of the Health Population Africa (HPAfrica) study is to determine health behaviour and population-based factors, including socioeconomic, ethnographic, hygiene and sanitation factors, at sites of the Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) programme. SETA aims to investigate healthcare facility-based fever surveillance in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar and Nigeria. Meaningful disease burden estimates require adjustment for health behaviour patterns, which are assumed to vary among a study population.; For the minimum sample size of household interviews required, the assumptions of an infinite population, a design effect and age-stratification and sex-stratification are considered. In the absence of a population sampling frame or household list, a spatial approach will be used to generate geographic random points with an Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System tool. Printouts of Google Earth Pro satellite imagery visualise these points. Data of interest will be assessed in different seasons by applying population-weighted stratified sampling. An Android-based application and a web service will be developed for electronic data capturing and synchronisation with the database server in real time. Sampling weights will be computed to adjust for possible differences in selection probabilities. Descriptive data analyses will be performed in order to assess baseline information of each study population and age-stratified and sex-stratified health behaviour. This will allow adjusting disease burden estimates. In addition, multivariate analyses will be applied to look into associations between health behaviour, population-based factors and the disease burden as determined in the SETA study.; Ethic approvals for this protocol were obtained by the Institutional Review Board of the International Vaccine Institute (No. 2016-0003) and by all collaborating institutions of participating countries. It is anticipated to disseminate findings from this study through publication on a peer-reviewed journal

The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa Program: Study Design and Methodology to Assess Disease Severity, Host Immunity, and Carriage Associated With Invasive Salmonellosis

Background. Invasive salmonellosis is a common community-acquired bacteremia in persons residing in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of data on severe typhoid fever and its associated acute and chronic host immune response and carriage. The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) program, a multicountry surveillance study, aimed to address these research gaps and contribute to the control and prevention of invasive salmonellosis. Methods. A prospective healthcare facility-based surveillance with active screening of enteric fever and clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with complications was performed using a standardized protocol across the study sites in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria. Defined inclusion criteria were used for screening of eligible patients for enrollment into the study. Enrolled patients with confirmed invasive salmonellosis by blood culture or patients with clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with perforation were eligible for clinical follow-up. Asymptomatic neighborhood controls and immediate household contacts of each case were enrolled as a comparison group to assess the level of Salmonella-specific antibodies and shedding patterns. Healthcare utilization surveys were performed to permit adjustment of incidence estimations. Postmortem questionnaires were conducted in medically underserved areas to assess death attributed to invasive Salmonella infections in selected sites. Results. Research data generated through SETA aimed to address scientific knowledge gaps concerning the severe typhoid fever and mortality, long-term host immune responses, and bacterial shedding and carriage associated with natural infection by invasive salmonellae. Conclusions. SETA supports public health policy on typhoid immunization strategy in Africa

Behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among undergraduates in south western Nigeria: knowledge, prevalence and correlates: a comparative cross-sectional study: Behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among undergraduates in south western Nigeria

Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a transition from a preponderance of infectious to Non-Communicable Dis- eases (NCDs). Many of the behaviours that produce these risks often commence in late adolescence. The study assessed the prev- alence and knowledge of the major risk factors for NCDs among undergraduates in Ibadan Metropolis. This was a comparative cross-sectional study using a systematic random sampling tech- nique. Data were collected using the WHO STEPs questionnaire and were entered and analysed using SPSS version 21. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regression at p < 0.05. Of 1,200 undergraduates, 646 (53.8%) were male and 1062 (88.5%) were aged 15-24 years; mean age was 20.4 (+/-3.5) years; 673 (56.1%) lived on campus. Only 3.1% of the respondents were current tobacco smokers. Also, 51.3% of respondents currently take alcohol with 11.2% classified as hav- ing excess alcohol use (> 6 standard drinks in one sitting in the last 30 days). About three quarters (70.6%) of respondents were classified as having unhealthy diets based on fruit/vegetable serv- ings per day. Only 29.3% had adequate physical activity. Moreo- ver, 48.3% were classified as having poor knowledge of the risk factors for NCDs. Overall, 99.3% of respondents had at least one behavioural risk factor. Public university undergraduates were more likely to have good knowledge of these risk factors OR 1.485 (95% CI: 1.485-2.398, p < 0.001). Behavioural risk factors for NCDs were prevalent among these undergraduates. Knowledge of NCD risk factors was average and those who attended public universities were more likely to have good knowledge of the risk factors for NCDs