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Abstract: Evaluation of different tissues of Artemisia annua for their nutritional contents and antioxidant potential demonstrated that the leaves and inflorescences had the highest percentage of protein, crude fat and in vitro digestible fractions but the lowest levels of detergent fibres. These tissues also had the highest composition of the major elements as well as manganese and copper. Their relatively high amino acid and vitamin profiles equally reflect a desirable nutritional balance adding to their high antioxidant capacities. Collectively, these high levels of the different nutritional constituents and antioxidant activities coupled with the very low and often negligible levels of inherent anti-nutritive factors, especially in the leaves, which are far below recommended toxic levels, establishes A. annua as a good reservoir of nutrients and antioxidants that might favour its use as a potential herbal tonic by humans or an important supplementary feed additive for livestock production systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant cause of morbidity, emotional stress and financial cost to the affected patients and health care institutions; and infection control policy has been shown to reduce the burden of SSIs in several health care institutions. This study assessed the effects of the implementation of the policy on the prevalence of SSI in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A review of the records of all Caesarean sections carried out in the hospital, before and 2 years after the implementation of the infection control policy was conducted. Data collected include the number and characteristics of the patients that had Caesarean section in the hospital during the period and those that developed SSI while on admission. Results: The proportion of patients with SSI decreased from 13.33% to 10.34%, 2 years after the implementation of the policy (P-value = 0.18). The implementation of the policy did not also result in any statistically significant change in the nature of the wound infection (P-value = 0.230), in the schedule of the operations (P-value = 0.93) and in the other predisposing factors of the infections (P-value = 0.72); except for the significant decrease in the infection rate among the un-booked patients (P-value = 0.032). Conclusion: The implementation of the policy led to a small decrease in SSI, due to the non-implementation of some important aspects of the WHO policy. The introduction of surveillance activities, continuous practice reinforcing communications and environmental sanitation are recommended to further decrease the prevalence of SSI in the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health hazards created by oil exploration and exploitation are covert and slow in action. They are not given the deserved attention in official documents in Nigeria, even as they can be major contributors to the disease burden in oil-bearing communities. This study is an interpretation of the data reported in several published studies on crude oil spills in the Niger delta region, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A manual and Internet search was conducted to extract quantitative data on the quantity of crude oil spilled; the concentrations of the pollutants in surface water, ground water, ambient air and plant and animal tissue; and the direct impact on human health and household food security. Results: An average of 240,000 barrels of crude oil are spilled in the Niger delta every year, mainly due to unknown causes (31.85%), third party activity (20.74%), and mechanical failure (17.04%). The spills contaminated the surface water, ground water, ambient air, and crops with hydrocarbons, including known carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and benxo (a) pyrene, naturally occurring radioactive materials, and trace metals that were further bioaccumulated in some food crops. The oil spills could lead to a 60% reduction in household food security and were capable of reducing the ascorbic acid content of vegetables by as much as 36% and the crude protein content of cassava by 40%. These could result in a 24% increase in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition. Animal studies indicate that contact with Nigerian crude oil could be hemotoxic and hepatotoxic, and could cause infertility and cancer. Conclusions: The oil spills in the Niger delta region have acute and long-term effects on human health. Material relief and immediate and long-term medical care are recommended, irrespective of the cause of the spill, to ensure that the potential health effects of exposures to the spills are properly addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Demand for new chemotherapies against malaria is increasing as Plasmodium, the causative organism of the disease, has shown a high degree of resistance against most standard anti-malarial drugs. One of the few highly effective compounds is artemisinin, the major sesquiterpene for the production of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). This antimalarial drug is extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua, a plant that is mainly cultivated under cool (temperate) climate and high altitudes. The current study examined the possibility of introducing A. annua germplasm into the agricultural landscape of the lowland humid tropics in field experiments and identified promising accessions that are capable of producing high leaf biomass and artemisinin yields. Differences amongst seed origin, planting season and soil moisture availability had highly significant (P <0.01) effects on most of the agronomic characteristics evaluated, suggesting that these are very critical factors when considering the cultivation of A. annua in the humid tropics. Two non-photoperiodic hybrid lines evaluated in the trials had suitable agronomic potential, including the production of fresh leaf biomass yield in excess of 30 tonnes/ha with up to 1.0975% artemisinin concentration. This study shows that with improved management practices and using the right accessions, there is an inspiring possibility that the cultivation of A. annua can be optimized in the humid tropics for commercial production of the life saving artemisinin drug, which is most needed in these regions where malaria is endemic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

According to the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey, the south-south zone of Nigeria had the highest prevalence of domestic violence. This study is to find out if this is related to the widespread consumption of alcohol in the region. The study was carried out in Okoloba, a rural Ijaw community in Bayelsa State, where alcohol is produced and consumed in large quantities; using a cross-sectional study design. The data was collected from married or cohabitating adults aged between 16 and 65 years, with a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 346 subjects, comprising 187 males, and 159 females were studied. They had an average age of 41.4 ± 2.5 years, were mostly Christians (91.9%), farmers/fisher folk (52.3%), and had at most primary school education (64.2%). More than 90% of the subjects took alcohol in the preceding year, while 36% can be classified as alcohol abusers according to their AUDIT score. More than half (55.8%) were perpetrators of intimate partner violence during the preceding 12 months, with a male-to-female prevalence of 83.4%, and female-to-male prevalence of 23.3%. Out of these, 77.2% were under the influence of alcohol during the act. The violence was more likely to be perpetrated by male alcohol abusers (p-value < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the educational levels and religion of the perpetrators (p-value > 0.05). The study therefore concludes that there is a link between intimate partner abuse and alcohol abuse in the study community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Causal relationship has been established between alcohol and more than 60 types of disease and injury. Despite this, alcohol is still widely consumed in several communities in Nigeria, and sometimes considered a health tonic. This study described the pattern, prevalence, and factors associated with alcohol abuse in a typical Ijaw community, where alcohol is produced and consumed in large quantities. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Okoloba, a rural community in Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria using an analytical cross-sectional study design. The data were collected from members of the community aged 16 to 65 years, using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test questionnaire and clinical examination for hepatomegaly, tongue tremor, and hand tremor. Results: A total of 322 subjects, comprising 166 men and 156 women were studied. They had an average age of 41.4 ± 2.5 years, were mostly farmers (43.17%), married (66.15%), and had at most primary school education (62.42%). More than 90% of the subjects took alcohol in the preceding year, with more of them (43%) preferring the locally produced drinks. About 33% of the subjects had harmful drinking, while 12.73% had alcohol dependence problem. There is no significant age difference between the alcohol abusers and abstainers/social drinkers (P > 0.05), but alcohol abusers were significantly more likely to be males (P < 0.001), in polygamous marriages (P < 0.00001), had lower educational status (P < 0.0001), likely to be practitioners of the traditional religion (P < 0.0001), and more likely to be engaged in palm wine tapping. Conclusion: Alcohol is widely consumed in the community, but the prevalence of abuse was moderate, mainly due to cultural restrictions. Sales restrictions might be needed as the drinking habits of members of the community change with urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol extract of Artemisia annua was effective in the dislodgement and mortality of monogenean parasites of juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis at concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 mg/l. Five hundred 1-week-old juvenile fish were stocked in hapa in earthen pond for 7 days to accumulate parasites. The approximate number of parasites per fish was confirmed by counting the number of parasites attached to body surfaces and the gills with a stereo-microscope before being exposed to the extract under in vivo conditions. The bioactivity of the extract was conducted in plastic Petri dishes with three replications and controls. The results obtained from A. annua extract were matched against those produced by pure artemisinin and artesunate powder, respectively, under similar experimental conditions. There was a faster effect of pure artemisinin crystals on the parasites as compared to A. annua extract and artesunate. Coagulation of parasite cells was observed with artemisinin treatment, whereas parasites were merely dislodged from their attachment organs and killed some hours later in the same concentration of A. annua. There were positive correlations between the number of parasites dislodged/killed and the concentration of A. annua extract, artemisinin, and artesunate powder, respectively, as well as the duration of exposure of affected fish to the substances. This led to the conclusion that A. annua contains substances that are effective against helminthes parasites of H. longifilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent military doctrines and activities have re-kindled a long-standing debate about the relationship between international law and arms control in space. There is a notion that existing rules governing certain military uses of outer space are inadequate. Nonetheless, protection of the environment remains sacrosanct. While, to some extent, treaty-based rules governing military uses of outer space also seek to place limitations on the deliberate infliction of environmental damage for military purposes, the development and role of customary international law are pertinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Commercial activities from outer space have largely consisted of satellite communications. Whilst the maritime and land-mobile services can now be regarded as mature, the next growth area is anticipated in the provision of non-safety aeronautical mobile-satellite services, a service which is now poised to expand significantly in an era marked by competition and convergence of communications technologies. This article highlights and analyses pertinent institutional, legal and regulatory issues, describing what the law is, while making recommendations relating to what the current law should become if the rules were changed to accord with good policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presently, Phase III efficacy trials with subunit immune antigens against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are occurring in both the USA and some Southeast Asian countries. However, there is no feeling of de&grave;ja vu within the scientific community that these studies will demonstrate meaningful protection against HIV infection, perhaps because the immune responses crucial for containment of the virus might not be elicited by this approach. Under this prevailing gloomy setting for international acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) therapy, RNA interference has been identified as a likely strategy in the understanding that inhibition of HIV replication can be mediated by post-transcriptional gene silencing through the production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) nucleotide intermediates. This review briefly explores the role of the nef gene during HIV-1 infection and highlights the expectation that RNA interference might serve as a new sequence-specific therapeutic arsenal in AIDS prevention, and possibly treatment, in the years ahead. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Embryogenically competent callus was induced from in vitro grown Saccharum officinarum L. (NCo 310) plantlets by plating young leaf segments on MS basal medium supplemented with 30 μM dicamba for 21 d in darkness, and subsequently transferring to a medium (EFDM) on which embryos could form and develop. Embryogenic response was improved if the EFDM was supplemented with 1 or 5 μM dicamba, casein hydrolysate (1 g l-1), and 6% maltose or 6-9% corn syrup. Calli maintained their embryogenic competence for up to 16 months under these conditions, and with alternate weekly subcultures on to fresh media containing 20 μM and 30 μM dicamba in the dark, embryogenic callus proliferation could be further increased. Additional improvements in embryogenic competence were optimized to over 40 months when primary callus was alternately precultured at weekly intervals either with 10-5 M ABA or 5% sorbitol and then transferred to a medium containing 20 or 30 μM dicamba during maintenance. In general, medium plant growth regulator and nutritional cues, especially dicamba concentration, maltose/corn syrup levels and ABA/sorbitol preconditioning, were observed to influence critically both embryogenic callus proliferation and the frequency of somatic embryogenesis. The data are discussed within the context that these treatments can be successfully manipulated to enhance long-term embryogenic competence and high-frequency somatic embryogenesis in sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflorescence dichotomy in Musa species is a rare developmental event which leads to the production of multiple bunches on a single pseudostem at fruiting. In spite of its fascinating attraction and seductive appeal, little is known about the cytogenetic basis and molecular mechanisms that could be ascribed to this phenomenon. To bridge this gap in information, an integrative approach using cytological fingerprinting and DNA ploidy level profiling (based on chromosome counting and flow cytometry) were assayed on five inflorescence dichotomous plantain varieties and a single-bunching cultivar that served as control. This was done to assess the number and behaviour of chromosomes on the one hand and single nucleotide polymorphisms identified during analysis of nucleotide variations on the other. Results: Chromosomes stained with aceto-orcein were very tiny, compact, metacentric and acrocentric, and differed both in number and ploidy level between the inflorescence dichotomous and single-bunching cultivars. The dichotomous plantains were mainly diploid (2n = 2x = 22) while the single-bunching 'Agbagba' cultivar was consistently a triploid (2n = 3x = 33), as revealed by histological chromosome counting and flow cytometry, implying that there was a high incidence of genomic divergence on account of ploidy variations among the different Musa cultivars. Molecular genotyping using single nucleotide polymorphisms detected on the GTPase-protein binding gene of the leaf tissue gene complex provided further evidence indicating that differences in the number of bunches among the inflorescence dichotomous cultivars could be ascribed to nucleotide diversity that was elicited by changes in amino acid sequences in the genome of the crops. Non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions resulted mainly from transversion (from purine to pyramidine and vice versa), tacitly implying that these changes were crucial and promoted a cascade of reactions in the genome that were, probably, responsible for the non-persistence of the dichotomization event(s) or the reversals in the bunch phenotype detected among the inflorescence dichotomous cultivars. Conclusions: This is the first report of cytogenetic fingerprints and nucleotide diversity detection among single- and multiple-bunching Musa cultivars. A clear distinction between the two groups was found that is indicative of variations both in ploidy level and nucleotide sequences. The pattern of single nucleotide polymorphisms provided profound clues suggesting that there was a high incidence of genomic divergence, due to random and unstable genetic events that were triggered by frequent spontaneous somatic mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates three types of callus tissues derived from an anther culture of wheat for their ability to enhance cytodifferentiation and transformation. Expression of the hygromycin phosphotransferase selectable marker gene sequence; Transfer and integration of the beta glucuronidase gene.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum alatae, is the most devastating fungal disease of yam in West Africa, leading to 50%–90% of tuber yield losses in severe cases. In some instances, plants die without producing any tubers or each shoot may produce several small tubers before it dies if the disease strikes early. C. alatae affects all parts of the yam plant at all stages of development, including leaves, stems, tubers, and seeds of yams, and it is highly prevalent in the yam belt region and other yam‐producing countries in the world. Traditional methods adopted by farmers to control the disease have not been very successful. Fungicides have also failed to provide long‐lasting control. Although conventional breeding and genomics‐assisted breeding have been used to develop some level of resistance to anthracnose in Dioscorea alata, the appearance of new and more virulent strains makes the development of improved varieties with broad‐spectrum and durable resistance critical. These shortcomings, coupled with interspecific incompatibility, dioecy, polyploidy, poor flowering, and the long breeding cycle of the crop, have prompted researchers to explore biotechnological techniques to complement conventional breeding to speed up crop improvement. Modern biotechnological tools have the potential of producing fungus‐resistant cultivars, thereby bypassing the natural bottlenecks of traditional breeding. This article reviews the existing biotechnological strategies and proposes several approaches that could be adopted to develop anthracnose‐resistant yam varieties for improved food security in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria affects more than 200 million people annually around the world, killing a child every 2 min. Artemether (ART) and lumefantrine (LUM) are the gold standard choice to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria; however, they are hydrophobic compounds with low oral bioavailability. Microneedle (MN) arrays consist of micron-sized needles on one side of a supporting base and have the ability to bypass the skin's stratum corneum barrier in a minimally invasive way, creating temporary channels through which drugs can diffuse, including those with poor water solubility. Herein, we report the development of dissolving MNs (DMNs) containing ART (MN-ART) and LUM (MN-LUM) as an alternative treatment regimen for malaria in low-resource settings. To incorporate the drugs into the MNs, nanosuspensions (NSs) for both molecules were developed separately to enhance drug solubility. The NSs were freeze-dried and the powder form was incorporated directly in an aqueous polymeric blend with poly-vinyl-pyrrolidone for MN-ART and a sodium hyaluronate hydrogel for MN-LUM. The in vivo bioavailability studies were performed using a MN reapplication scheme (1 × a day for 3 days), illustrating that an extended-release profile was achieved for both drugs when MNs were applied intradermally, and when compared to conventional oral treatment. The ART-LUM oral treatment was used as a positive control. For antimalarial activity, studies with animals infected with 106 Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL (12 days) were also conducted using female C57BL/6JUnib mice, demonstrating a 99.5% reduction in parasitemia by day 12 post-infection. By abolishing the infection, MN-ART and MN-LUM may serve as a promising controlled intradermal delivery device for antimalarial drugs to be explored in endemic areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract According to the most recent World Health Organization statistics, malaria infected approximately 219 million people in 2017, with an estimate of 435,000 deaths (World Health Organization, 2018). Communities isolated from cities are the most deprived of access to the necessary hospital facilities. Herein we report the development of a transdermal bioadhesive containing artemether (ART), an alternative, potentially lifesaving, treatment regimen for malaria in low-resource settings. Bioadhesives were prepared from an aqueous blend of hydroxyethylcellulose (4.5% w/w), ART, propoxylated-ethoxylated-cetyl-alcohol, polysorbate 80, propyleneglycol, glycerine, mineral oil, and oleic acid. In this study, the average pore size of bioadhesive 5.5b was 52.6 ± 15.31 μm. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses confirm the thermal stability of ART bioadhesives at room temperature. Tensile tests indicated good mechanical properties for bioadhesive 5.5b, when compared to 5.5a, where 5.5b showed elastic modulus 0.19 MPa, elongation at break 204%, tensile stress 0.31 MPa, tensile strength at break 0.23 MPa. Bioadhesion assays suggested that formulations containing surfactants had higher detachment forces. Permeation studies demonstrated that the best outcome was achieved with a bioadhesive containing 25 mg ART (5.5b) that after 24 h released 6971 ± 125 μg, which represents approximately 28% of drug permeation. Data reported presents a promising candidate for a new antimalarial transdermal formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia annua L is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of many disorders including drug resistant malaria. The active constituent against malaria, artemisinin, has been isolated and characterized by Chinese scientists. Artemisia annua is now being grown in malaria endemic countries like Nigeria. The aim of the present study was to quantify artemisinin content of Nigerian Grown Artemisia annua using a fast and reliable Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analytical technique since artemisinin content is affected by geographical and seasonal variations. HPLC conditions used for determination of the artemisinin content were established as follows; phenomenex luna column (5 μm; 250 mm × 4.6 mm) was employed with the mobile phase of acetic acid (% 0.1 v/v): acetonitrile: H2O (70:30) mixture at the flow rate of 1 ml/min. The good linearity of artemisinin was observed with y = 11714 × (r2 = 0.9989). Artemisinin was detected in our sample and was calculated to be 1.0975 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21~25-nucleotides (nt) long and interact with mRNAs to trigger either translational repression or RNA cleavage through RNA interference (RNAi), depending on the degree of complementarity with the target mRNAs. Our recent study has shown that HIV-1 nef dsRNA from AIDS patients who are long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) inhibited the transcription of HIV-1. Results: Here, we show the possibility that nef-derived miRNAs are produced in HIV-1 persistently infected cells. Furthermore, nef short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that corresponded to a predicted nef miRNA (~25 nt, miR-N367) can block HIV-1 Nef expression in vitro and the suppression by shRNA/miR-N367 would be related with low viremia in an LTNP (15-2-2). In the 15-2-2 model mice, the weight loss, which may be rendered by nef was also inhibited by shRNA/miR-N367 corresponding to suppression of nef expression in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that nef/U3 miRNAs produced in HIV-1-infected cells may suppress both Nef function and HIV-1 virulence through the RNAi pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]