Efficacy of drought-tolerant and insect-protected transgenic TELA® maize traits in Nigeria.

Assessment of efficacy of drought tolerance (DT) and insect protection (Bt) genes in maize genotypes is invaluable for commercialization and production of transgenic maize in Nigeria. Seven maize hybrids, known as TELA® maize, with stacked events of Bt insect protection (MON89034) and drought tolerance (MON87460; DroughtGard®) and their respective non-GM versions (isohybrids) developed through the TELA Maize Project were evaluated in confined field trial site at Zaria in 2020 and 2021. The objective was to assess the efficacy of stacked DT and Bt genes to seek deregulation and commercialization of both traits in Nigeria. Significant (P < 0.05-0.01) differences were observed among genotypes (G), environments (E) and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) for grain yield and most other traits under stem borer (moth species) and fall armyworm infested, drought stress, and optimum-moisture conditions, except E and GEI under drought. TELA® GM hybrids with Bt MON89034 had 19% higher yield than their non-GM isogenic versions, and 40% higher yield than the commercial checks under the target pests infestation. The foliar damage score of all the TELA® GM genotypes was ≤ 2 relative to their non-GM isogenic versions which scored ≥ 4, indicating the effectiveness of the Bt MON89034 gene in conferring resistance against stem borer and fall armyworm. Under moderate drought, pairwise comparison showed TELA® GM Hybrid 1-1 and Hybrid 2-1 had 12.4-20.4% higher (P < 0.01) yield than their isogenic versions. Under optimum-moisture condition with pests controlled, the TELA® GM and their isogenic hybrids were similar, but both had 32% higher yield than the commercial checks. Adoption of TELA® GM technology by farmers as adaptation strategy to cope with climate change, will ensure sustainability of maize production and productivity in Nigeria.

Prevalence and pattern of knee osteoarthritis among nurses

Nurses at work assume uncomfortable postures that predispose the knee joint to osteoarthritis (OA) due to excess workload and stress. This study determined the prevalence and pattern of knee OAamong nurses. This cross - sectional designed survey employed convenient sampling technique to enrol 300 eligible and volunteer nurses from three randomly selected public hospitals out of five existing ones located at the study area. Written informed consent forms were issued to eligible participants. Forms containing socio-demographic variables and physical characteristics of the participants, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical classification criteria for diagnosis of symptomatic knee OA, and health seeking behaviour were administered on the participants. Descriptive and Chi square (X2) statistics were employed to summarize and analyze the collected data respectively. Mean age and age range in years of the participants were 39.92 ± 10.97 and 19-65 respectively. Prevalence of knee OA among the nurses was 32.3%. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of knee OAamong the participants existed in the following variables: age groups, body mass indices (BMI), rank and years of working experience. Most (62.9%) participants presented with unilateral knee OA. Prevalence of knee OAamong nurses at the public hospitals surveyed was 32.3%. Age, BMI, working experience and rank were significantly associated with knee OA

Cardiac Troponin T and creatine kinase MB fraction levels among patients with acute ischemic stroke in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Stroke has been a global burden, with increasing morbidity and mortality. Serum cardiac troponin t (cTnT) and creatine kinase (CK-MB) fraction are reported to be elevated in patients admitted with acute ischaemic stroke and high level of these biomarkers indicated more severe stroke and neurologic deficit in some of the patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum levels cardiac troponin t (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and relate the analytes to severity of stroke. METHOD: Patients with clinical diagnosis of ischaemic stroke diagnosed, confirmed by brain Computerized Tomography scan and equal number of apparently healthy age and sex-matched were recruited. Serum cardiac troponin t (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) were analysed using ELISA method and Stroke severity was determined using National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). RESULTS: Mean serum cardiac troponin t (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) in stroke patients were found to be higher than age sex matched control (p<0.05). NIHS Score of 12.2 ± 5.43 and 9.78 ± 3.97 were observed in Patients with elevated and normal cTnT respectively (p=0.009) while NIHS Score were similar in patients with elevated and normal CK-MB (p = 0.772). CONCLUSION: The mean values of serum cTnT and CK-MB were higher in acute ischaemic stroke patients compared to controls. Serum cardiac Troponin t level may be a significant biomarker of the severity of stroke.