Patterns of ichthyofaunal diversity and distribution across Jebba Hydro-Electric Power (HEP) dam, Jebba, north-central Nigeria / Padrões de diversidade e distribuição da ictiofauna na barragem de hidroelétricas (HEP) de Jebba, Jebba, Nigéria norte-central

The ichthyofauna diversity of the Jebba Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Dam, Jebba, North-central Nigeria was studied. Fishes were sampled for 24 months using gill net, hook and line, and cast net. Individuals were identified using morphological and molecular (mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I) data. A total of 9605 freshwater fishes were recorded during the sampling period. The use of an integrative taxonomic approach enabled the identification of 83 species belonging to 42 genera. Additionally, the study recorded three unidentified species ­ Ctenopoma sp, Malapterurus sp., and Protopterus sp. Analyses showed that individuals belonging to families Cichlidae and Mochokidae dominated the dam. The diversity analyses revealed relatively high fish diversity during the rainy season at the downstream section of Jebba HEP dam compared to the upstream section. The study, therefore, showed the presence of a diverse fish community comprising high species richness and diversity across the Jebba HEP dam. Finally, we recommend proper biodiversity monitoring and assessment of freshwater fish diversity across Nigeria. In addition, the use of an integrated taxonomic approach is recommended for appropriate species' identification and studies of freshwater fishes from Nigeria.

A diversidade da ictiofauna da hidrelétrica de Jebba (HEP), Jebba, centro-norte da Nigéria foi estudada. Os peixes foram amostrados por 24 meses, utilizando rede de emalhar, anzol e linha, e rede de arrasto. Os indivíduos foram identificados usando a abordagem combinada morfológica e molecular (citocromo c Oxidase mitocondrial subunidade I). Um total de 9605 peixes de água doce foram registrados durante o período de amostragem. A identificação das espécies utilizando a abordagem taxonômica integrada possibilitou a identificação de 83 espécies pertencentes a 42 gêneros. Além disso, o estudo registrou três espécies não identificadas - Ctenopoma sp, Malapterurus sp e Protopterus sp. Análises mostraram que indivíduos pertencentes às famílias Cichlidae e Mochokidae dominaram a barragem. As análises dos índices de diversidade revelaram uma diversidade de peixes relativamente alta durante a estação chuvosa na seção a jusante da barragem Jebba HEP em comparação com a seção a montante. O estudo mostrou, portanto, a presença de diversas comunidades de peixes, que incluem alta riqueza e diversidade de espécies através da barragem Jebba HEP. Finalmente, recomendamos o monitoramento adequado da biodiversidade e a avaliação da diversidade de peixes de água doce em toda a Nigéria. Além disso, recomenda-se o uso de abordagem taxonômica integrada para a identificação adequada das espécies e estudos de peixes de água doce da Nigéria.

Efficacy of influenza vaccine (Fluvax) in cancer patients on treatment: a prospective single arm, open-label study.

PURPOSE: Influenza virus infection has significant morbidity and mortality in patients with medical co-morbidities who are also immunosuppressed. The efficacy of the seasonal influenza vaccine has not been well studied in patients receiving chemotherapy. We assessed the efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccine in patients with non-haematological malignancy on active treatment (chemotherapy and targeted therapy). METHODS: A prospective single arm, open label study with 53 patients with non-haematological cancers recruited during the 2011 and 2012 influenza seasons. Participants had one dose of 2011/2012 trivalent vaccine containing strains A/California/7/2009(H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) and B/Brisbane/60/2008 (Fluvax) prior to or in-between treatment cycles. Haemagglutination inhibition antibody (HIA) titres in serum were measured at baseline 3, 6 and 24 weeks. Primary endpoint: seroconversion rate (SCR) at 3 weeks. Secondary endpoints: late SCR at 6 weeks. rate of sustained sero-protection titres (SPR) at 24 weeks. Seroconversion was defined as postvaccination ≥ 4-fold increase in HIA titre and sero-protection defined as a HIA ≥ 1:40. RESULTS: The SCR at 3 weeks were 35%, 30% and 22.5% to the H1N1, H3N2 and B/Bris strains, respectively. There were no new cases of late SC at 6 weeks or 24 weeks. The SPR at 3 weeks were 72.5%, 65% and 40%, respectively, to H1N1, H3N2 and B/Bris. The SPR at 24 weeks to H1N1, H3N2 and B/Bris were 40%, 52.5% and 17.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on various solid tumour treatments achieve sero-protection rate congruent with the general population. The sero-protection HIA titres were not sustained at 24 weeks postvaccination.

Treatment of colorectal cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: Results from a prospective Nigerian hospital registry.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Mortality for CRC is improving in high income countries, but in low and middle income countries, rates of disease and death from disease are rising. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the ratio of CRC mortality to incidence is the highest in the world. This study investigated the nature of CRC treatment currently being offered and received in Nigeria. METHODS: Between April 2013 and October 2017, a prospective study of consecutively diagnosed cases of CRC was conducted. Patient demographics, clinical features, and treatment recommended and received was recorded for each case. Patients were followed during the study period every 3 months or until death. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were included in our analysis. Seventy-one percent of patients received a recommended surgical operation. Of those that didn't undergo surgery as recommended, 37% cited cost as the main reason, 30% declined due to personal reasons, and less than 5% absconded or were lost to follow up. Approximately half of patients (50.5%) received a chemotherapy regimen when it was recommended, and 4.1% received radiotherapy when this was advised as optimal treatment. With therapy, the median overall survival for patients diagnosed with stage III and stage IV CRC was 24 and 10.5 months respectively. Overall, we found significantly better median survival for patients that received the recommended treatment (25 vs 7 months; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: A number of patients were unable to receive the recommended treatment, reflecting some of the burden of untreated CRC in the region. Receiving the recommended treatment was associated with a significant difference in outcome. Improved healthcare financing, literacy, training, access, and a better understanding of tumor biology will be necessary to address this discrepancy.

Data on inhibitive performance of chloraphenicol drug on A315 mild steel in acidic medium.

The inhibitive characteristics of A315 mild steel in 0.1 M solution of Hydrochloric Acid with varied concentrations of the inhibitor (chloramphenicol drug) was studied using weight loss (gravimetry) technique, open circuit potential (OCP) and linear polarization method. The experimental data obtained from the methods used shows that an increase in inhibition efficiency of the inhibitor is characterized by a decrease in corrosion rate. Hence, chloramphenicol drug is an efficient corrosion inhibitor for Mild Steel in Hydrochloric acid medium.

Patterns of ichthyofaunal diversity and distribution across Jebba Hydro-Electric Power (HEP) dam, Jebba, north-central Nigeria

Abstract The ichthyofauna diversity of the Jebba Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Dam, Jebba, North-central Nigeria was studied. Fishes were sampled for 24 months using gill net, hook and line, and cast net. Individuals were identified using morphological and molecular (mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I) data. A total of 9605 freshwater fishes were recorded during the sampling period. The use of an integrative taxonomic approach enabled the identification of 83 species belonging to 42 genera. Additionally, the study recorded three unidentified species Ctenopoma sp, Malapterurus sp., and Protopterus sp. Analyses showed that individuals belonging to families Cichlidae and Mochokidae dominated the dam. The diversity analyses revealed relatively high fish diversity during the rainy season at the downstream section of Jebba HEP dam compared to the upstream section. The study, therefore, showed the presence of a diverse fish community comprising high species richness and diversity across the Jebba HEP dam. Finally, we recommend proper biodiversity monitoring and assessment of freshwater fish diversity across Nigeria. In addition, the use of an integrated taxonomic approach is recommended for appropriate species identification and studies of freshwater fishes from Nigeria.

Resumo A diversidade da ictiofauna da hidrelétrica de Jebba (HEP), Jebba, centro-norte da Nigéria foi estudada. Os peixes foram amostrados por 24 meses, utilizando rede de emalhar, anzol e linha, e rede de arrasto. Os indivíduos foram identificados usando a abordagem combinada morfológica e molecular (citocromo c Oxidase mitocondrial subunidade I). Um total de 9605 peixes de água doce foram registrados durante o período de amostragem. A identificação das espécies utilizando a abordagem taxonômica integrada possibilitou a identificação de 83 espécies pertencentes a 42 gêneros. Além disso, o estudo registrou três espécies não identificadas - Ctenopoma sp, Malapterurus sp e Protopterus sp. Análises mostraram que indivíduos pertencentes às famílias Cichlidae e Mochokidae dominaram a barragem. As análises dos índices de diversidade revelaram uma diversidade de peixes relativamente alta durante a estação chuvosa na seção a jusante da barragem Jebba HEP em comparação com a seção a montante. O estudo mostrou, portanto, a presença de diversas comunidades de peixes, que incluem alta riqueza e diversidade de espécies através da barragem Jebba HEP. Finalmente, recomendamos o monitoramento adequado da biodiversidade e a avaliação da diversidade de peixes de água doce em toda a Nigéria. Além disso, recomenda-se o uso de abordagem taxonômica integrada para a identificação adequada das espécies e estudos de peixes de água doce da Nigéria.

Serological profile of sporadic acute viral hepatitis in an area of hyper-endemic hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Located in the south western part of Saudi Arabia, the Gizan region is largely a rural community in which hepatitis B and chronic liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma are highly prevalent. AIM OF STUDY: To determine the relative frequencies of acute hepatitis A, B, C and E in acute viral hepatitis in an area of hyperendemic hepatitis B infection. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a prospective study 246 consecutive patients (179 males and 67 females) diagnosed in a 2-year period were tested for markers of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). RESULTS: Of the patients tested, 131 (53.3%) were children ( < 10 years), and 42 (17%) were 11 - 20 years in age. Ig M anti -HAV, IgM anti-HBV, anti- HCV and IgM anti-HEV were positive in 37%, 19.1%, 3.7% and 13.7% respectively. Markers of these viruses were absent in 24.4%. Among 131 children (< 10 years) the commonest cause of AVH was HAV occurring in 57.3% of the cases. In adults (> 21 years) HBV was found in 35.6% and IgM anti -HAV was detected in only 6.8%. In contrast to the age- related decline in the frequency of acute HA, the proportion of acute HE were similar in all age groups (13.7% in children, 16.7% in adolescents and 11.0% in adults). CONCLUSION: The study indicated that HAV is still a common cause of AVH particularly among children in Gizan. Acute 1-113 had a low occurrence among the children, evidently as a consequence of the integration of HB vaccine into the Saudi Arabian national EPI, 10 years ago. With the availability of combined HB and HA vaccines, It should be possible to graft the vaccination against HAV on to the existing program in Saudi Arabia. Affecting 13.4% of the group studied, sporadic HEV constitute a significant cause of AVH in this population. Until HEV vaccine becomes widely available, its prevention would be mainly by the improvement of socio - economic and hygienic standards of the population.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Saudi children 8 years after a mass hepatitis B vaccination programme.

OBJECTIVES: On October 1 1989, a programme was begun in Saudi Arabia in which the HBV vaccine was added as the 'seventh' primary immunogen of the Extended Programme of Immunization (EPI). In 1990, another programme was launched by the Ministry of Health to vaccinate all school children. Eight years after this mass vaccination programme, the efficacy of HBV vaccine was evaluated in a community-based study. METHODS: A community-based study was carried out in Saudi children in urban and rural areas, covering all the regions of Saudi Arabia. After informed consent, blood samples were obtained and tested for HBV markers. RESULTS: Among 4791 vaccinated Saudi children aged 1-12 years, only 15 were found to be HbsAg-positive (0.31%). HbsAg-positivity was 0.16% in children vaccinated at birth compared with 0.7% in those vaccinated at school entry. The overall HbsAg carrier rate dropped from 6.7% in 1989 to 0.3% in 1997 (P<0.00001). Similarly, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of anti-HBc from 4.2% in 1989 to 0.46% in 1997 (P<0.00001). The overall seroconversion rate to HB vaccine among 4087 Saudi children up to 12 years of age was about 77%. Seroconversion rate in those vaccinated at birth was 77% compared with 71% in those vaccinated at school entry. After 8 years of receiving the third vaccine dose, close to 65% of the children had an anti-HBs titre of more than 10 IU/l compared with about 28% who had an anti-HBs titre of more than 100 IU/l after the same period. CONCLUSION: The result of this study demonstrates the tremendous impact of the mass HB vaccination programme on the seroepidemiology of HBV infection in Saudi Arabia. The ultimate goal of preventing HBV-related chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in Saudi Arabia is foreseeable in the near future.

Correlation between serum enzymes and serum unsaturated vitamin B12 binding proteins in primary liver carcinoma.

The serum unsaturated vitamin B12-binding capacity (UBBC), unsaturated transcobalamin (UTC) I, UTC II, UTC III levels, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activities and bilirubin concentration were estimated in 61 patients with liver diseases (31 with hepatoma, 30 with viral hepatitis). The levels of serum cobalamin, UTC I, UTC III, UBBC, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, and bilirubin were raised in both hepatoma and viral hepatitis patients. Serum UTC II was reduced in both conditions. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in hepatoma. Four significant correlations were observed among these parameters in the hepatoma patients while only one significant correlation was observed in viral hepatitis.