DETERMINANTS OF OUTCOME OF NEONATAL SURGICAL EMERGENCIES IN GOMBE: A 3-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW.

Background: Mortality associated with neonatal surgical emergencies is high, due to late presentation and delayed surgical intervention in developing countries. The aim of this study is to determine factors associated with poor outcome of neonatal surgical emergencies at a Federal Teaching Hospital Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective study of 85 neonates aged 1-28 days was carried between June 2019-May 2022. Records of the neonates with surgical emergencies were retrieved and analyzed with the SPSS Version 20. Results: A total of 85 neonates, 55 (64.8%) males and 30(35.3%) females were analyzed. The average duration of symptoms at presentation is about 5.3-day range 1-10days. About 51(60.0%) neonates presented after 24 hours of life 34(40.0%) within 24 hours of life, out of which were 12(35.3%) neonates with gastroschisis presenting after 8hours with severe hypothermia axillary temperature of 32.1o Celsius. The 46 (90.2%) neonates presenting after 24hours of life had travelled distances of 50-100Kms to get to the hospital, out of which about 31(67.4%) arriving the following day, with about 9(29.0%) who had gastroschisis noticed to be lifeless at presentation. Overall, about 26(30.6%) died due to late presentation, delayed surgical intervention and lack radiant warmers. Conclusion: Late presentation delayed surgical intervention are common causes of mortality in neonates with surgical emergencies in Gombe.

A Roadmap from Functional Materials to Plant Health Monitoring (PHM).

Soft bioelectronics have great potential for the early diagnosis of plant diseases and the mitigation of adverse outcomes such as reduced crop yields and stunted growth. Over the past decade, bioelectronic interfaces have evolved into miniaturized conformal electronic devices that integrate flexible monitoring systems with advanced electronic functionality. This development is largely attributable to advances in materials science, and micro/nanofabrication technology. The approach uses the mechanical and electronic properties of functional materials (polymer substrates and sensing elements) to create interfaces for plant monitoring. In addition to ensuring biocompatibility, several other factors need to be considered when developing these interfaces. These include the choice of materials, fabrication techniques, precision, electrical performance, and mechanical stability. In this review, some of the benefits plants can derive from several of the materials used to develop soft bioelectronic interfaces are discussed. The article describes how they can be used to create biocompatible monitoring devices that can enhance plant growth and health. Evaluation of these devices also takes into account features that ensure their long-term durability, sensitivity, and reliability. This article concludes with a discussion of the development of reliable soft bioelectronic systems for plants, which has the potential to advance the field of bioelectronics.

Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Burn Injuries in Nigeria: A Tertiary Hospital Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Burn injuries account for 4.8% of trauma deaths in Nigeria and annually for 20,000 deaths. AIM: This study was to catalogue the demographics of patient who presented at a referral center in Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we reviewed the records of all burn patients who presented over a 36-month period (January 2018 to December 2020). The clinical and demographic data was extracted using a self-designed questionnaire. Information obtained included biodata, etiology, time of presentation, first aid used, TBSA, length of hospital stay (LOHS), and outcome which was analyzed with SPSS version 28. RESULTS: A total of 112 burn patients presented at our facility, 87 male and 25 female (m: f = 3.5:1). Forty-four percent were children 10 years old and below. Though scalding with hot liquids was the commonest cause of injury in children, flame burn was the commonest etiology (57.1%). Inhalational injuries occurred in 14.2%. Raw eggs and pap were used as first aid by 23%. Most patients were discharged home, and 19.6% died. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of burn injuries remains high in developing countries. Most causes of burns are preventable. Dangerous traditional practices add to patient morbidity. Education on effective prevention strategies is important in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Knowledge and sexual behaviors: A path towards HIV/AIDS prevention among university students.

Despite the world's commitment to end HIV/AIDS by 2030, the disease is still prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Although awareness is high among the youth, they are the most vulnerable because of their susceptibility to risky behaviors. This cross-sectional correlational study examined HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual behaviors among university students. Nine hundred and ten (910) students, attending an annual health screening exercise, were conveniently sampled to participate in the study by completing a structured questionnaire (Behavioral Surveillance Survey) in addition to socio-demographic information. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 to obtain descriptive statistics. Results indicated that HIV/AIDS awareness is very high however, a sizable number of participants engaged in risky sexual behaviors inconsistent with their knowledge. There was a significant positive relationship between students' awareness of HIV/AIDS and their perception of the influence of the awareness on sexual behaviors. Yet, there was no relationship between awareness and actual sexual behaviors and HIV/AIDS attitudes. While students believed that their awareness positively influenced their sexual choices, the actual behaviors and attitudes were inconsistent with the awareness. Implications of findings for HIV/AIDS prevention are discussed.

Malgré l'engagement mondial à mettre fin au VIH/SIDA d'ici 2030, la maladie reste répandue en Afrique subsaharienne. Même si les jeunes sont très sensibilisés, ils sont les plus vulnérables en raison de leur susceptibilité aux comportements à risque. Cette étude corrélationnelle transversale a examiné la sensibilisation au VIH/SIDA et les comportements sexuels parmi les étudiants universitaires. Neuf cent dix (910) étudiants, participant à un exercice annuel de dépistage de santé, ont été échantillonnés pour participer à l'étude en remplissant un questionnaire structuré (Enquête de surveillance comportementale) en plus des informations sociodémographiques. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du progiciel statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS) version 25 pour obtenir des statistiques descriptives. Les résultats ont indiqué que la sensibilisation au VIH/SIDA est très élevée, mais qu'un nombre important de participants se sont livrés à des comportements sexuels à risque incompatibles avec leurs connaissances. Il existe une relation positive significative entre la sensibilisation des élèves au VIH/SIDA et leur perception de l'influence de cette sensibilisation sur les comportements sexuels. Pourtant, il n'y avait aucune relation entre la sensibilisation et les comportements sexuels réels et les attitudes face au VIH/SIDA. Alors que les étudiants pensaient que leur conscience influençait positivement leurs choix sexuels, les comportements et attitudes réels étaient incompatibles avec cette conscience. Les implications des résultats pour la prévention du VIH/SIDA sont discutées.

Impact of a visiting consultant neurosurgeon: The Nigerian experience.

Objective: To study the impact of a visiting consultant neurosurgeon on the management and outcome of neurosurgical patients in a hospital with no resident neurosurgeon. Methods: This is a 5-year retrospective study of neurosurgical conditions and their management outcomes by a visiting consultant neurosurgeon in a Nigerian Tertiary institution from January 2016 to December 2020. Results: Thousand two hundred and four (1,204) patients were reviewed. Patients' ages were between 1 h and to 86-year-olds, with a mean of 23 years and a mode of 32 ± 4 years. Children were 423 (35.1%), with 781(64.9%) adults. Males were 862 (71.6%), and Females were 342 (28.4%), with a Male to Female ratio of 5:2. Congenital problems were 170 (14.1% of 1204): meningocoeles (38, 22.4%), myelomeningocoeles (61, 35.9%), encephalocoeles (24, 14.1%), anencephaly (6, 3.5%), and hydrocephalus (41, 24.1%). Acquired conditions were 1034 (85.9% of 1204): Head injuries (486, 47%), spinal cord injuries (51, 5%), Pyogenic brain Abscess (3, 0.3%), Pott's disease (2, 0.2%), Hydrocephalus (63, 6.1%), brain tumour (5, 0.5%), degenerative spine (421, 40.7%), vascular (3, 0.3%). Surgery was indicated in 348(28.9%) patients. Two hundred and twenty-six (18.8% of 1204) had surgeries, while 978 (81.2% of 1204) had no surgeries. Referred to other facilities were 122 (10.1%). Overall, surgical intervention was 64.9% (226 of 348), with mortality of 13.5% (18 patients) among those who had surgical interventions. Conclusions: In countries with very few medical specialists, particularly neurosurgeons, such a regular visit can impact the care of neurosurgical patients in their environment.

Appraisal of trimester-specific fetal heart rate and its role in gestational age prediction.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and report normal sonographic FHR values among low-risk singleton women across the three trimesters of pregnancy and determine FHR role in gestational age prediction. METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional study of 2727 low-risk singleton pregnant women was undertaken. FHR measurements were obtained by a consultant radiologist and three experienced sonographers using transabdominal approach from January 2019 to December 2020. Two FHR measurements were taken for each participant. The fetal lie and presentation were also documented in the first trimester. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULT: The maternal mean ± SD age was 25.8 ± 6.5 years and mean FHR for first, second and third trimesters were 151 ± 16, 145 ± 6 and 125±6 bpm respectively. The mean ± SD gestational age were 10 ± 2, 19 ± 3 and 34 ± 2 weeks for the first, second and third trimester respectively. Using ANOVA, there were statistically significant differences in FHR across the three trimesters (p ≤ 0.05). A positive correlation existed between maternal age and FHR (r = 0.57, p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has established normal values for FHR in first, second and third trimester respectively. Referring physicians, radiologists, sonographers, obstetricians and gynaecologists may consider FHR of (135-167) bpm (139-151) bpm and (119-131) bpm as normal FHR ranges for the first, second and third trimester respectively. This study has also revealed the possibility of gestational age prediction using FHR with the equation [Gestational Age = 87.8 - (0.47) FHR]. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This paper provides the most up-to-date sonographic FHR recommendations for fetal management. More importantly, findings from this study also suggests that ultrasound practitioners can use FHR measurements as a reliable alternative for fetal dating.

FIRST CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY TYPICAL RADIATION DOSE VALUES FROM A SINGLE CENTRE IN NIGERIA: A PILOT STUDY.

Concern regarding radiation dose associated with cardiac computed tomography (CT) still exists and requires the use of diagnostic reference levels for dose optimisation. Typical median doses were established for 58 consented adult patients from a single centre for coronary artery calcium score (CACS) as volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol): 5.9 mGy; dose length product (DLP): 86.6 mGy*cm and cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) as CTDIvol: 11.1 mGy; DLP: 190.8 mGy*cm. Wide radiation dose variability in terms of CTDIvol was noted for CACS: 2.7-15.9 mGy, a 6-fold, whereas for CCTA it ranges from 3.8 to 52.8 mGy, a 14-fold. The DLP values for CACS range from 33.2 to 344.2 mGy*cm, which is 10-fold, whereas for CCTA it ranges from 32.8 to 834.9 mGy*cm, a 25-fold. The typical values compared lower than the radiation dose from other countries; however, the wide variability in dose remains a call for concern.

Serological Evidence of Antibodies to Rift Valley Fever Virus in Wild and Domestic Animals in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne zoonotic disease responsible for severe outbreaks in livestock and humans with concomitant economic losses in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The study, therefore, investigated the seroprevalence of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) among wild and domestic animals. Blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2015 from 106 wild animals, 300 cattle (Bos indicus), and 200 horses (Equus caballus), respectively, in Yankari Game Reserve (YGR) and Sumu Wildlife Park (SWP) in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Harvested sera from blood were evaluated for the presence of anti-RVFV IgM/IgG antibodies. The overall seroprevalence in cattle was 11.3% (p = 0.677; 95% CI: 0.624-0.730) and in wildlife was 8.5% (p = 0.006; 95% CI: 0.00-0.60). The diversity of wildlife species sampled indicated seropositivity of 36.0% in waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymus), 25.0% in elephant (Loxodonta africana), 12.5% in eland (Taurotragus oryx), and 8.3% in wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). Whereas, samples from zebra (Equus quagga crawshayi), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), and hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) did not show detectable antibodies to RVFV, and seroprevalence in female (15.0%) wildlife species was higher than in males (4.5%) (p = 0.061). Classification of cattle into breed and sex showed no significant difference in seropositivity. Seropositivity of 12.0% was observed in White Fulani, 12.1% in Red Bororo, and 7.8% in Sokoto Gudali breeds of cattle (p = 0.677). Whereas, seropositivity of 13.6% was observed in females and 6.4% observed in males (p = 0.068). This study indicated the presence of antibodies to RVFV among some wild animals and cattle in the absence of a reported outbreak in the study area. The circulation of RVFV in the study area may pose a significant health risk to livestock, wildlife, and humans. Therefore, surveillance for RVFV should be intensified targeting mosquito vectors and humans in Bauchi state, Nigeria.

Trends in Nanotechnology and Its Potentialities to Control Plant Pathogenic Fungi: A Review.

Approximately 15-18% of crops losses occur as a result of animal pests, while weeds and microbial diseases cause 34 and 16% losses, respectively. Fungal pathogens cause about 70-80% losses in yield. The present strategies for plant disease control depend transcendently on agrochemicals that cause negative effects on the environment and humans. Nanotechnology can help by reducing the negative impact of the fungicides, such as enhancing the solubility of low water-soluble fungicides, increasing the shelf-life, and reducing toxicity, in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Despite many advantages of the utilization of nanoparticles, very few nanoparticle-based products have so far been produced in commercial quantities for agricultural purposes. The shortage of commercial uses may be associated with many factors, for example, a lack of pest crop host systems usage and the insufficient number of field trials. In some areas, nanotechnology has been advanced, and the best way to be in touch with the advances in nanotechnology in agriculture is to understand the major aspect of the research and to address the scientific gaps in order to facilitate the development which can provide a rationale of different nanoproducts in commercial quantity. In this review, we, therefore, described the properties and synthesis of nanoparticles, their utilization for plant pathogenic fungal disease control (either in the form of (a) nanoparticles alone, that act as a protectant or (b) in the form of a nanocarrier for different fungicides), nano-formulations of agro-nanofungicides, Zataria multiflora, and ginger essential oils to control plant pathogenic fungi, as well as the biosafety and limitations of the nanoparticles applications.

The configurational effects of task-technology fit, technology-induced engagement and motivation on learning performance during Covid-19 pandemic: An fsQCA approach.

At the onset of 2020, Covid-19 pandemic began and disrupted teaching and learning activities with substantial implications for resources and operations. Against this backdrop, the configural causal effects of task-technology fit, technology-induced engagement and motivation, gender, and residential location on learning performance are examined. The proposed association was tested with a dyad sample of faculty members and students (n = 16) using fuzzy sets (fsQCA) analysis. Results show that (i) task-technology fit, and technology-induced motivation emerge as necessary conditions for high learning performance; (ii) task-technology fit, technology-induced engagement and motivation are sufficient conditions for high learning performance among female students, (iii) task-technology fit, technology-induced engagement and motivation are sufficient conditions for high learning performance among students living in urban areas and (iv) task-technology fit is a sufficient condition for high learning performance among female students living in rural areas irrespective of technology-induced engagement and motivation. Implications for theory and policy prescriptions are offered for practitioners.

Awareness and knowledge of canine rabies: A state-wide cross-sectional study in Nigeria.

Rabies is a highly fatal disease that is endemic in Nigeria. The poor community awareness and knowledge of canine rabies have thwarted the realization of zero deaths from dog mediated human rabies. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of canine rabies in Kwara state. A total of 1,460 questionnaires were administered to respondents in the three senatorial zones of the state using open data kit (ODK) on mobile phones between September 2019 to January 2020. The rabies awareness rate was 38.1%. The mean knowledge score was 3.78 ± 2.15. Only 10.6% (n = 59/557) of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of canine rabies. Respondents had poor knowledge of the mode of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and the control measures needed to eliminate canine rabies. Only 20.1% of respondents owned at least a dog. Dog owners were 3.85× (95% CI: 2.89, 5.13; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of canine rabies and were 1.78× (95% CI: 1.22-2.60; p = 0.003) more likely to have satisfactory knowledge about canine rabies than non-dog owners. Respondents with tertiary education were at least 6.81× (95% CI: 4.24, 10.92; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of rabies than respondents with no formal education. The findings of this study showed very low awareness and knowledge of canine rabies among residents of Kwara state. Mass sensitization of the populace on the dangers of rabies should be intensified. Such interventions should be targeted at the general public and dog owners.

Prevalence and predictors of clinic appointment non-adherence among adults with poorly controlled hypertension in a primary care setting.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to clinic appointments in adult patients with poorly controlled hypertension. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: A primary care setting (family medicine clinic) overseen by family physicians in Kano, Nigeria. Participants: Two hundred and thirty-four randomly selected patients, aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of hypertension, who had been on treatment for ≥1 year and had a current blood pressure of ≥140/90 mmHg were included. Main outcome measures: Non-adherence to clinic appointment among participants. Results: Participants' mean age was 55±12.2 years (range: 23-85 years); they were predominantly females (163, 69.7%). Sixty (25.6%) participants were non-adherent to clinic-appointments. Being employed (OR [Odds ratio] =2.92, 95%CI [confident interval] =1.52-5.65, P=0.002), inability of participants or their children to pay the medical bills (OR=2.92,95%CI=1.42-6.00, P=0.004), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <160mmHg (OR=0.43, 95%CI=0.22-0.86, P=0.018) were predictors of clinic appointment non-adherence. Conclusions: The prevalence of non-adherence to clinic appointments was high. Being employed, patients or their children's inability to pay medical bills, and higher SBP were predictors of non-adherence to clinic appointments. Therefore, more studies are needed on effective interventions to reduce non-adherence to clinic appointments in this setting.

Prevalence and pattern of skin diseases in patients with diabetes mellitus at a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders with a rising prevalence. It cuts across all ages and socioeconomic status. Various skin lesions are frequently observed in diabetic patients. AIMS: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern, and determinants of skin diseases in diabetic patients at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive diabetic patients attending the clinic were included in the study. RESULTS: Many of the patients had more than one skin condition at a time. The most prevalent skin diseases were idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis which was seen in 61% of patients, infections from fungal, bacterial, and viral causes occurred in 30% of patients, other skin disorders were diabetic dermopathy seen in 17% of patients, palmoplantar hyperpigmentation was seen in 13% of patients, while pruritus occurred in 12% of patients and xerosis was seen in 10% of patients. CONCLUSION: Skin disorders are common among diabetic patients at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria.

Clinical and procedural implications of congenital vena cava anomalies in adults: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Although congenital vena cava (CVC) anomalies in adults have implications for surgical and radiological interventions, the literature is scare and disparate. The aim of this systematic review was to assess cardiovascular clinical and procedural implications of CVC anomalies in adults without congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE from database conception through October 2018 for English-language studies describing the epidemiology of CVC anomalies or their clinical or procedural implications in humans. Two independent reviewers screened 7093 records and identified 16 relevant studies. We found two major implications of CVC anomalies: 1) congenital inferior vena cava (CIVC) anomalies are associated with a 50-100-fold higher risk of deep venous thrombosis, particularly among younger patients, and 2) persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is associated with a 2-3-fold higher risk of supraventricular arrhythmias. PLSVC also poses technical challenges to cardiovascular electronic device implantation, requiring alterations in surgical approach and lengthening procedure and X-ray exposure times. Due to the large disparity in reported prevalence rates of CIVC anomalies, we performed a meta-analysis of CIVC anomaly prevalence including 8 studies, which showed a weighted prevalence of 6.8% (95% CI, 4.5-9.2%). CONCLUSION: These findings challenge the notion that CVC anomalies are rare and asymptomatic in adults. Rather, the literature indicates that CVC anomalies are not uncommon and have important clinical and procedural implications. To further understand the prevalence and implications of CVC anomalies, a robust US population-based study and nationwide registry is warranted in the current era of venous interventions.

Seroprevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Infection in Some Wildlife and Cattle in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity with devastating consequence on the livestock worldwide. Despite the endemic nature of FMD in Nigeria, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease at the wildlife-livestock interface level. To address this gap, blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2015 from some wildlife and cattle, respectively, within and around the Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Wild animals were immobilized using a combination of etorphine hydrochloride (M99® Krüger-Med South Africa) at 0.5-2 mg/kg and azaperone (Stresnil®, Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa) at 0.1 mg/kg using a Dan-Inject® rifle (Dan-Inject APS, Sellerup Skovvej, Denmark) fitted with a 3 ml dart syringe and for reversal, naltrexone (Trexonil® Kruger-Med South Africa) at 1.5 mg IM was used, and cattle were restrained by the owners for blood collection. Harvested sera from blood were screened for presence of antibodies against the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) using the PrioCHECK® 3ABC NSP ELISA kit, and positive samples were serotyped using solid-phase competitive ELISA, (IZSLER Brescia, Italy). Out of the 353 sera collected from cattle and wildlife 197 (65.7%) and 13 (24.5%) (P < 0.05), respectively, tested positive for antibodies to the highly conserved nonstructural 3ABC protein of FMDV by the FMDV-NS blocking ELISA. Classification of cattle into breed and sex showed that detectable antibodies to FMDV were higher (P < 0.05) in White Fulani 157 (72.8%) than in Red Bororo 23 (39.7%) and Sokoto Gudali 17 (33.3%) breeds of cattle, whereas in females, detectable FMDV antibodies were higher (P < 0.05) 150 (72.8%) than in males 47 (50.0%). In the wildlife species, antibodies to FMDV were detected in the waterbucks 2 (28.6%), elephant 1 (25.0%), wildebeests 4 (33.3%), and elands 6 (25.0%). Four serotypes of FMDV: O, A, SAT 1, and SAT 2 were detected from the 3ABC positive reactors in waterbucks, elephants, wildebeests, and elands. The results showed presence of antibodies to FMDV in some wildlife and cattle and suggested that wildlife could equally play an important role in the overall epidemiology of FMD in Nigeria. FMD surveillance system, control, and prevention program should be intensified in the study area.

The protection afforded to cattle immunized with Theileria annulata infected cell line is enhanced by subunit vaccine candidate TaSP.

Tropical theileriosis constraints the development of the dairy industry in the Sudan and vaccination using live attenuated schizont vaccines is considered a promising measure for its control. The present study was carried out to investigate the ability of recombinant T. annulata surface protein (TaSP) to improve the efficacy of the attenuated Atbara cell line in protecting calves against field challenge. To this end, 23 cross-bred (Friesian × Kenana) calves were divided into four groups. Animals in group 1 (n = 5) were left unvaccinated. Group 2 (n = 6) received the Atbara cell line, animals in group 3 (n = 6) were immunized with three doses of TaSP on days 21, 49 and 77, while animals in group 4 (n = 6) received the cell line vaccine on day 0 and three doses of TaSP in Freund's incomplete adjuvant at days 21, 49 and 77. Twenty-eight days after the last TaSP boost, all groups were challenged by exposing them to natural field tick infestation in a region known to be endemic for tropical theileriosis. No thermal reactions, piroplasms or schizonts were observed in the immunized animals following immunization. Upon challenge, all animals showed a range of symptoms of clinical theileriosis with variable degrees of severity. The application of TaSP alone appeared to have no effect in terms of protection. The efficacy of the cell line alone was lower than the 100% level of protection against mortality observed in the group that received the combined cell line vaccine and TaSP, suggesting a synergistic effect of this combination.

Antibiotic resistance: bioinformatics-based understanding as a functional strategy for drug design.

The use of antibiotics to manage infectious diseases dates back to ancient civilization, but the lack of a clear distinction between the therapeutic and toxic dose has been a major challenge. This precipitates the notion that antibiotic resistance was from time immemorial, principally because of a lack of adequate knowledge of therapeutic doses and continuous exposure of these bacteria to suboptimal plasma concentration of antibiotics. With the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1924, a milestone in bacterial infections' treatment was achieved. This forms the foundation for the modern era of antibiotic drugs. Antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, quinolones, tetracycline, macrolides, sulphonamides, aminoglycosides and glycopeptides are the mainstay in managing severe bacterial infections, but resistant strains of bacteria have emerged and hampered the progress of research in this field. Recently, new approaches to research involving bacteria resistance to antibiotics have appeared; these involve combining the molecular understanding of bacteria systems with the knowledge of bioinformatics. Consequently, many molecules have been developed to curb resistance associated with different bacterial infections. However, because of increased emphasis on the clinical relevance of antibiotics, the synergy between in silico study and in vivo study is well cemented and this facilitates the discovery of potent antibiotics. In this review, we seek to give an overview of earlier reviews and molecular and structural understanding of bacteria resistance to antibiotics, while focusing on the recent bioinformatics approach to antibacterial drug discovery.

Workplace injuries, safety climate and behaviors: application of an artificial neural network.

This article proposes and tests a model for the interaction effect of the organizational safety climate and behaviors on workplace injuries. Using artificial neural network and survey data from 306 metal casting industry employees in central Anatolia, we found that an organizational safety climate mitigates workplace injuries, and safety behaviors enforce the strength of the negative impact of the safety climate on workplace injuries. The results suggest a complex relationship between the organizational safety climate, safety behavior and workplace injuries. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in light of decreasing workplace injuries in the Anatolian metal casting industry.