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Tannery wastewater is often characterized by their complexities in terms of contaminants and require specialized treatment technologies. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the performance evaluation of a laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSFCW) in the treatment of tannery wastewater in Kaduna, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Out of the tree replica systems, two were respectively vegetated with Phragmites australis and Polygonum salicifolium + Ipomoea carnea, while the last was left un-vegetated and used to treat tannery effluent. Characteristics such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Nitrates (NO-3), phosphates (PO43-), suspended solids (TSS) and chromium (Cr) analyzed using standard methods were used as indicators of the treatment efficiency under a 6-day Hydraulic Retention Time. The results showed that the system vegetated with Phragmites australis had the best performance in the removal of BOD, COD, NO-3, PO43- and Cr (97.9%, 94.2%, 54.4%, 44.1% and 98.4% respectively). The system vegetated with Polygonum salicifolium + Ipomoea carnea on the other hand had the best performance for SS removal (92.6%) while the system vegetated with Phragmites australis had a SS removal efficiency of 92.3%. The performance indices for unvegetated cell, Phragmites australis vegetated cell and Polygonum salicifolium + Ipomoea carnea vegetated cell were respectively, 4, 9 and 8 which shows that the cell vegetated with Phragmites australis had the best performance in the treatment of tannery wastewater. It also showed that the performance of the cell vegetated with Polygonum salicifolium + Ipomoea carnea was also comparable with that of Phragmites australis. This study demonstrated that the HSSFCW vegetated with both Phragmites australis and Polygonum salicifolium + Ipomoea carnea can effectively treat tannery wastewater. There is however a need to investigate the efficiency of the system over a longer period with consideration of microbial characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV) but this success has been accompanied by an increase in noncommunicable diseases. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 4000 adult PLHIV who were initiating ART in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to assess weight gain during the first year of treatment and associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. Anthropometric data were collected at ART initiation and monthly follow-up visits. The mean weight gain during the first year of treatment was 2.6 ± 0.3 kg, and the prevalence of overweight or obesity increased from 26.3% at baseline to 40.7%. Female sex, greater household wealth, lower CD4-T-cell counts, higher WHO HIV disease stage, and pulmonary tuberculosis were associated with a greater increase in body mass index ( P < .05). Weight gain following ART initiation was common but was greater among females and PLHIV with advanced HIV or comorbidities.

The characteristics of Soil is one of the major factors that affect flooding. This study therefore was carried out to assess the infiltration rates and index properties of soil within a flood-prone community of Oforachi in Kogi State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained showed that the average soil infiltration rate ranges from 1.89 - 3.24 cm/hr and the maximum infiltration rate range between 6.00 - 9.00 cm/hr, while the soil antecedent moisture content was between 15.00 - 42.48 %. Soil infiltration properties classification based on hydraulic conductivity and sieve analysis show that soils within the study area combine silt and clay characteristics which has strong relationship with the persistent flood experienced in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate treatment of wastewater before disposal into the environment or reuse is very important in the quest to protect the environment and safeguard public health. This paper investigated the performance evaluation of a waste stabilization pond (WSP) for treatment of wastewater from a tertiary institution campus located in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria. The waste stabilization pond of the tertiary institution campus was designed for a wastewater flow rate of 12,945 m3/day. In order to evaluate the performance of the WSP, a model was developed following the Froude's number dimensional analysis technique. The model was evaulated based on a wastewater flow of 0.4 m3/day. The final effluent from the maturation pond had 80 mg/L BOD, 195 mg/L COD, 75 CFU/100ml Total Coliforms, 610 mg/L Total solids, 19 mg/L Total Nitrogen, 210 mg/L Chloride, 28 mg/L Phosphate, 1.3 mg/L Ammonia and 7.0 pH. The WSP was able to achieve an overall efficiency of 77.78% reducing all quality parameters to recommended limited with exception of total nitrogen and phosphate. The implementation of this design will go along way to aid the treatment of wastewater from the campus of the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human beings are social creatures that require interactions among individuals. Encountering those who hold various prejudices towards individuals or different groups in their surroundings often leads to conflicts and animosity among fellow beings. Therefore, the presence of prejudices, whether positive or negative, significantly affects one's attitude and behavior in societal life. This study elucidates the commonalities and differences of prejudices as presented in the interpretations of Al-Ibrīz and Tafsīr Fī Ẓilālil-Qur'ān, and how prejudice is classified in contemporary society. The purpose of this research is to identify the similarities and disparities in prejudices as depicted in the interpretations of Al-Ibrīz and Tafsīr Fī Ẓilālil-Qur'ān, as well as to understand the classification of prejudices in modern society. The research employs a comparative method using the technique of library research, with Al-Ibrīz by Bisri Musthofa and Tafsīr Fī Ẓilālil-Qur'ān by Sayyid Quthb as the primary sources of reference. The findings of this study indicate: 1.) Both commentators share a similar interpretation of prejudice, which is the prohibition of harboring excessive prejudices, as some forms of prejudice are considered sinful. However, there is a difference in their interpretations. According to Bisri Musthofa, engaging in prejudice by seeking out others' faults and flaws can lead to slander. On the other hand, according to Sayyid Quthb, it is advised not to be easily swayed by conjectural whispers and to strive to eliminate slander to preserve the bond of brotherhood among people. 2.) Prejudice is prevalent in societal life. As individuals engage in the world of social interaction, they are bound to encounter numerous instances where various types of prejudices, both positive and negative, are ingrained.

Malaria remains a major public health concern worldwide. Malaria is endemic in Mozambique, with seasonal fluctuations throughout the country. Although the number of malaria cases in Mozambique have dropped by 11% from 2020 to 2021, there are still hotspots in the country with persistent high incidence and low insecticide-treated bed net usage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets by pregnant women and women with children under 5 years old in two hotspot districts in the Gaza province, Mozambique. A descriptive, qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted between June 15th and 21st 2022. An in-depth interview process was conducted with pregnant women and mothers with children under five years old, exploring their beliefs, experiences, and perception of messages conveyed by health professionals when long-lasting insecticidal nets were being supplied. A total of 48 women participated (24 pregnant women and 24 women with children under 5 years). Most participants recognized the protective effects of long-lasting insecticidal nets in preventing malaria, and understood that women and children were high risk groups. The nets were reported to cause side effects and difficulty breathing by 100% of pregnant women, while 54.2% of mothers with children under 5 reported no side effects. The majority of women in both groups reported that their health professionals did not educate them about how to use or handle the nets properly. Only 16.7% of mothers with children under 5 received correct handling instructions. Providing clear, culturally sensitive, and practical information on the correct use of LLINs, as well as regular monitoring of their proper use, would be a great step forward for Mozambique's national malaria program.

This article, published in the journal Endoscopy, discusses a novel cleaning method for flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes. The study compares the performance of an automated endoscope channel cleaner (AECC) to standard manual cleaning in removing biofilm from the endoscope lumens. The results show that both manual cleaning and the automated technology were effective in removing biofilm from the suction/biopsy lumen, but manual cleaning failed to remove biofilm from the air/water channel. The AECC technology showed promise in addressing the risk of biofilm in these channels. [Extracted from the article]

Solar cells using dyes as sensitizers continue to expand. The synthetic dye used as a sensitizing material for solar cells has high production costs, difficult to find, and can cause environmental pollution. Photosynthetic pigments as sensitizers are considered to be the solution to this matter. In this research, we investigated the effect of photosynthetic pigments from the Navicula sp. TAD as a dye-sensitized material on the efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. To obtain high biomass, the Navicula sp. TAD was cultivated in a modified medium. Pigment extract from dry biomass using acetone, then continued with purification of the pigment using column chromatography techniques. Characterization of pigment by scanning the absorption pattern of visible rays, the fabrication of solar cells with TiO2 paste, and the photographic test of the solar cells filled with solar simulators. Navicula sp. TAD has photosynthetic pigments consisting of chlorophyll and carotenoid with 8.570 gmL−1 and 2.581 gmL−1, respectively. Solar cells using pigment crude extract, chlorophyll, and xanthophyll which TiO2 absorbs as electrodes, have efficiency values of 6.150×10−4, 3.482×10−3, and 4.117×10−3%, respectively.

BackgroundEnvironmental enteric dysfunction (EED) may contribute to poor growth and development in young children. While validated EED biomarkers are currently lacking, multiplex assays are able to capture multiple domains of the condition. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between biomarkers of EED and subsequent growth and development among Tanzanian HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants.MethodologyWe enrolled 467 infants of mothers living with HIV who had participated in a trial of vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy. Infant serum samples collected at 6 weeks (n = 365) and 6 months (n = 266) were analyzed for anti-flagellin and anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgA and IgG via ELISA as well as the 11-plex Micronutrient and EED Assessment Tool (MEEDAT), which incorporates two biomarkers of EED [intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14)]. Outcomes were 12-month growth [length-for-age z-score (LAZ), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ)] and development [Caregiver Reported Early Development Instruments (CREDI) z-scores] and were assessed using linear regression.FindingsIn primary analyses, higher quartiles of 6-month anti-LPS IgG concentrations were significantly associated with lower LAZ at 12 months (ptrend = 0.040). In secondary analyses, higher log2-transformed 6-week anti-flagellin IgA and 6-month anti-LPS IgA concentrations were significantly associated with lower LAZ at 12 months. No associations were observed between I-FABP or sCD14 and infant growth. However, higher log2-transformed 6-week sCD14 concentrations were significantly associated with lower overall CREDI z-scores, while higher log2-transformed 6-month I-FABP concentrations were significantly associated with higher overall CREDI z-scores.ConclusionsUnlike anti-flagellin and anti-LPS Igs, MEEDAT's biomarkers of EED (I-FABP and sCD14) were not associated with subsequent linear growth among HEU infants in Tanzania. The relationship between EED and infant development warrants further study.

The objective of this study was to assess patients’ perceptions of the indoor environment of wards in a hospital in terms of architectural design, thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), lighting and acoustical parameters. The study attempted to determine the factors influencing the perceived indoor environmental quality (PIEQ) and explored the relationships between the perceived importance of indoor environmental quality (PI-IEQ) and health recovery, health satisfaction and therapeutic ambience of the hospital. A field study of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of 4 wards in the General hospital at Minna, Niger state, Nigeria was conducted, and responses from 271 patients were obtained. Structural equation modelling was employed for data analysis. The research identified the six IEQ factors that influenced PIEQ as architectural design features, thermal comfort, adaptive opportunities, lighting, IAQ and acoustics aspects. PIEQ had a positive influence on a ward being perceived as conducive for wellbeing. It was observed that health satisfaction had the most significant and positive influence on PI-IEQ. The second most positive influence was health recovery. Therapeutic ambience also had a positive influence on PI-IEQ but this was not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L.M. Best [1] D.J.M. Haldane [2] V. Loo [3] C. Gaudrcau [4] M. Alfa [5] R. Pelletier [6] F.M. Smaill [7] M. Keelan [8] D. Taylor [5] R. Hunt [9] [...]

The improvement of Ag3PO4 photocatalytic activity was successful by incorporating tetrachloroaurate(III) (AuCl4−) and metallic Au on the surface of Ag3PO4. The photocatalysts were synthesized using the coprecipitation and chemisorption method. Coprecipitation of Ag3PO4 was carried out under ethanol-water solution using the starting material of AgNO3 and Na2HPO4.12H2O. AuCl4− ion and metallic Au were incorporated on the surface of Ag3PO4 using a chemisorption method under auric acid solution. The photocatalysts were characterized using XRD, DRS, SEM, and XPS. The AuCl4− ion and metallic Au were simultaneously incorporated on the Ag3PO4 surface. The high photocatalytic activity might be caused by increasing the separation of hole and electron due to capturing photogenerated electrons by metallic Au and Au(III) as electron acceptors. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as preterm birth, the leading cause of death for children under 5 years globally. The World Health Organization currently recommends that pregnant women receive high-dose calcium supplementation (1500–2000 mg elemental calcium) for prevention of preeclampsia in populations with low dietary calcium intake. Trials of low-dose calcium supplementation (

Introduction Children who are born to women living with HIV are at a greater risk of suboptimal neurodevelopment; however, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is limited and functional developmental outcomes are rarely assessed in this vulnerable population. The School Readiness among HIV-Exposed Children (SRHEC) cohort study aims to assess the school readiness of preschool aged children born to women living with HIV and to identify the biological, environmental and social factors that contribute to school readiness in this population.Methods and analysis The SRHEC cohort is an observational follow-up study of children born to HIV-infected pregnant women who were previously enrolled in a maternal vitamin D supplementation randomised, placebo-controlled trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This parent trial enrolled 2300 pregnant women and followed mothers and infants up to 1-year postpartum. Mother/caregiver and child pairs will be eligible for the SRHEC follow-up study if the child is between 3 and 6.5 years of age at assessment, and the mother/caregiver provides informed consent. The International Development and Early Learning Assessment tool will be used to assess children’s school readiness, including their early literacy, early numeracy, motor, socialemotional, and executive function skills. Data on maternal and child health and nutritional status (eg, anthropometry, blood pressure and diet) will be collected using standardised instruments and survey-based questionnaires. Data on maternal/caregiver depression and anxiety, maternal exposure to intimate partner violence, and HIV-related stigma will also be collected. Generalised linear and logistic regressions will be used to assess the relationship between child school readiness and biological, social, environmental factors.Ethics and dissemination This study received ethical clearance from the Tanzanian National Institute of Medical Research, the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. We will disseminate our results in the form of scientific conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Summary: Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) may contribute to adverse birth outcomes in low-resource settings. We examined the associations of EED biomarkers with birth outcomes in pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: We performed a cohort study of 706 HIV-infected pregnant women. Maternal serum samples collected at 32 weeks gestation were analyzed for markers of EED (anti-flagellin and anti-LPS immunoglobulins, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein [I-FABP] and soluble CD14), systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein [AGP]), and growth hormone resistance (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1] and fibroblast growth factor 21 [FGF21]. Associations of biomarkers categorized into quartiles with birth outcomes (birthweight, gestational duration, birthweight-for-gestational age, and stillbirth) were assessed using linear and log-binomial regression models adjusted for multiple sociodemographic and clinical variables. Findings: Maternal EED biomarkers were not significantly associated with birthweight, gestation duration, or birthweight-for-gestational age. However, higher quintiles of I-FABP concentrations were associated with greater risk of stillbirth (ptrend=0·02). Higher AGP was associated with lower birthweight and was associated with increased risk of small-for-gestational age births. Higher IGF-1 was associated with higher birthweight and birthweight-for-gestational age while higher FGF21 was associated with shorter gestation and higher risk of preterm birth. Interpretation: Maternal biomarkers of EED, systemic inflammation, and growth hormones were differentially associated with birth outcomes. Biomarkers of EED may be useful to identify pregnant women at risk of adverse birth outcomes, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate biological mechanisms. Funding: National Institutes of Health.

This study assessed the changes in the flow carrying capacity of Ofu River in Nigeria between 2000 and 2011 using the DEMs of the respective years. The results showed that Ofu River had lost 12.88 m amounting to about 42.58 % of its flow depth at Oforachi between 2000 and 2011 at a rate of 1.171 m per year and an estimated 18.74 m amounting to about 61.95 % in 2016. The Total sediment load was 66,825,730 kg/year comprising of 56,747,260 kg/year and 10,077,470 kg/year of measured and unmeasured sediment loads respectively. The results obtained suggested that the loss in flow depth is a result of siltation of the river bed due to the high sediment load probably as a result of soil cultivation within the floodplains. The study demonstrated that remote sensing and GIS can be used to assess the changes in the discharge-carrying capacity of a river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to assess the reliability of Thomas-Fiering's method of stream flow prediction. The 19 years gauged data of 1955-1973 was extended to 2016 using the model. Model calibration was done by multiple linear regressions of the gauged and synthetic data of 1956-1973. The linear equations developed for January to December were used for adjustment of the three sets of stream flow data generated for 1974-2016. The reliability assessment was done based on the extent to which the unbiased statistics (mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficients) of the 1955-1973 stream flow data were preserved in the synthetic stream flow for 1955-2016. The comparison was done using linear regression and One-Way ANOVA (95% Confidence level) to check for the reliability of the generated data. The coefficients of determination, P-values, F-values and critical F-values were used to estimate the reliability index. Synthetic data was found to be 95.9% reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Universal health coverage is one of the Sustainable Development Goal targets known to improve population health and reduce financial burden. There is little qualitative data on access to and quality of primary healthcare in East and West Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the viewpoints of healthcare users, healthcare providers and other stakeholders on health-seeking behaviour, access to and quality of healthcare in seven communities in East and West Africa. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in four communities in Nigeria and one community each in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2018. Purposive sampling was used to recruit: 155 respondents (mostly healthcare users) for 24 focus group discussions, 25 healthcare users, healthcare providers and stakeholders for in-depth interviews and 11 healthcare providers and stakeholders for key informant interviews. The conceptual framework in this study combined elements of the Health Belief Model, Health Care Utilisation Model, four ‘As’ of access to care, and pathway model to better understand the a priori themes on access to and quality of primary healthcare as well as health-seeking behaviours of the study respondents. A content analysis of the data was done using MAXQDA 2018 qualitative software to identify these a priori themes and emerging themes. Results Access to primary healthcare in the seven communities was limited, especially use of health insurance. Quality of care was perceived to be unacceptable in public facilities whereas cost of care was unaffordable in private facilities. Health providers and users as well as stakeholders highlighted shortage of equipment, frequent drug stock-outs and long waiting times as major issues, but had varying opinions on satisfaction with care. Use of herbal medicines and other traditional treatments delayed or deterred seeking modern healthcare in the Nigerian sites. Conclusions There was a substantial gap in primary healthcare coverage and quality in the selected communities in rural and urban East and West Africa. Alternative models of healthcare delivery that address social and health inequities, through affordable health insurance, can be used to fill this gap and facilitate achieving universal health coverage.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening is the extraction, analysis and identification of the bio-active components found in plants and the effects of such bio-active components against bacterial species. The analysis were conducted on three plant samples: Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf), Telfairia occidentalis (Pumpkin leaf) and Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf). The leaf samples were collected from the Botanical Garden of the department of Biological Sciences Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. The bacterial isolate; Staphylococcus aureus was collected from the department of Microbiology, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. The phytochemical screening of the plant samples was conducted using standard methods, where bio-active components such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, phlobatannins and steroids were screened. The antimicrobial analysis was conducted using the Nutrient agar diffusion method. The bio-active components found from the phytochemical screening were saponins, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids and flavonoids. The antimicrobial activities showed the highest zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus in Vernonia amygdalina (7.5 mm) and lowest in Ocimum gratissimum (6.0 mm). These leaf samples are good source of bio-active components which are capable of suppressing bacterial infection that cause diseases.

Background Observational studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency among people living with HIV is associated with a greater risk of disease progression and death. Low levels of vitamin D in pregnancy are also associated with poor fetal and infant growth. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation may improve clinical outcomes for pregnant women living with HIV and improve fetal and postnatal growth for their infants. Methods and findings We conducted a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation among pregnant and lactating women living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02305927). Participants were randomized with 1:1 allocation stratified by study clinic to receive either daily 3,000 IU vitamin D3 supplements or matching placebo supplements from the second trimester of pregnancy (12–27 weeks) until 1 year postpartum. The primary outcomes were (i) maternal HIV progression or death, (ii) small-for-gestational-age (SGA) live births (Conclusions The trial findings do not support routine vitamin D supplementation for pregnant and lactating women living with HIV in Tanzania. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02305927. Christopher R. Sudfeld and colleagues, investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes for pregnant women living with HIV, and growth outcomes for their infants. Author summary Why was this study done? Observational studies have found that vitamin D deficiency among people living with HIV is associated with an increased risk of HIV disease progression and death. Low levels of vitamin D in pregnancy are also associated with adverse birth outcomes and poor infant growth. What did the researchers do and find? We conducted a randomized controlled trial of maternal vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and found no effect on the primary trial outcomes of maternal HIV progression or death, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) live births, and infant stunting (length-for-age z-score < −2) at 1 year of age. There was no effect on most secondary outcomes; however, we found that vitamin D supplementation decreased the risk of death for mothers and increased the risk of preterm birth. Maternal vitamin D supplementation increased maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations throughout follow-up and increased infant 25(OH)D at 6 weeks and 6 months of age, but not at 12 months of age. What do these findings mean? The trial findings are not in support of routine vitamin D supplementation for pregnant and lactating women living with HIV. The mixed findings on the secondary outcomes of maternal death and preterm birth should be interpreted with caution and require replication in other randomized trials.

Abstract Background Few studies have characterized the epidemiology and management of hypertension across several communities with comparable methodologies in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk across seven sites in East and West Africa. Methods Between June and August 2018, we conducted household surveys among adults aged 18 years and above in 7 communities in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Following a standardized protocol, we collected data on socio-demographics, health insurance, and healthcare utilization; and measured blood pressure using digital blood pressure monitors. We estimated the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using a country-specific risk score and fitted hierarchical models to identify determinants of hypertension prevalence, awareness, and treatment. Results We analyzed data of 3549 participants. The mean age was 39·7 years (SD 15·4), 60·5% of whom were women, 9·6% had ever smoked cigarettes, and 32·7% were overweight/obese. A quarter of the participants (25·4%) had hypertension, more than a half of whom (57·2%) were aware that they had diagnosed hypertension. Among those diagnosed, 50·5% were taking medication, and among those taking medication 47·3% had controlled blood pressure. After adjusting for other determinants, older age was associated with increased hypertension prevalence, awareness, and treatment whereas primary education was associated with lower hypertension prevalence. Health insurance was associated with lower hypertension prevalence and higher chances of treatment. Median predicted 10-yr CVD risk across sites was 4·9% (Interquartile range (IQR), 2·4%, 10·3%) and 13·2% had predicted 10-year CVD risk of 20% or greater while 7·1% had predicted 10-year CVD risk of > 30%. Conclusion In seven communities in east and west Africa, a quarter of participants had hypertension, about 40% were unaware, half of those aware were treated, and half of those treated had controlled blood pressure. The 10-year predicted CVD risk was low across sites. Access to health insurance is needed to improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.

This study is aimed at identifying fingerprint pattern of major ethnic groups among the students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, which can be helpful in resource management for Niger State of Nigeria. The students were grouped into Nupe, Gwari, Kambari and Non-Nigerlites. Occasions for specific ethnic groups were target for data collection which exclude exclusion criteria. The types of finger print patterns considered include Ulnar Loop, Radial Loop, Plain Arch, Tented Arch and Accidental Whorl, Plain Whorl, Double Loop Whorl and Central Pocket Whorl. The respondents’ fingerprints were collected using inked stamp pad, printed onto designated potions on coded paper. The data collected were represented in percentage occurrence of the fingerprint patterns for each group. Ulnar Loop was the commonest fingerprint pattern among the students of IBBU Lapai. Also common to the groups of the students are absence of Double Loop Whorl on the right ring finger, left and right little fingers as well as Tented Arch not on the right Thumb of the students. The finger print marker for the groups were absence of Double Loop Whorl on the right ring finger and absence of Tented Arch on the left Thumb of Nupe, absence of Double Loop Whorl on the left index fingers of Gwari, Tented Arch not on left and right little fingers of Kambari speaking people studying in IBBU Lapai, those of the Non-Nigerlite students of IBBU Lapai lack Tented Arch on all their fingers and Double Loop Whorl not on the right index finger.

The purpose of this research is to determine the ability to write persuasive speech text and learning motivation of junior high school students whose learning uses a scientific approach assisted by powtoon media compared to those using a scientific approach, to determine whether there is a relationship between learning motivation and the ability to write persuasive speech text of junior high school students, and to Knowing student performance in implementing the scientific approach, solving knowledge questions, and completing practical assignments to write persuasive speech texts. The method used in this study is a quasi-experimental type nonequivalent control group design. The sample in this study were 50 junior high school students. Based on the research data, it was found that the experimental class was better at writing persuasive speech texts than the control class. In the association test data between the ability to write persuasive speech text and learning motivation, it turns out that in the experimental class the Sig value is 0.058> 0.05 and in the control class the sig value is 0.357> 0.05. These results mean that there is no association between the ability to write persuasive speech texts and learning motivation in either the experimental class or the control class. The performance of students when implementing the scientific approach assisted by the powtoon media was 86.66%. These results meant that the student's performance was very good. The student's performance in his ability to write persuasive speech texts in the experimental class was in the good category, while in the control class it was in the poor category. Abstrak Tujuan dari penelitian yaitu untuk mengetahui kemampuan menulis teks pidato persuasif dan motivasi belajar siswa SMP yang pembelajarannya menggunakan pendekatan saintifik dengan bantuan media Powtoon dibandingkan dengan yang menggunakan pendekatan saintifik, untuk mengetahui ada tidaknya hubungan antara motivasi belajar dengan kemampuan menulis teks pidato persuasif siswa SMP, dan untuk mengetahui kinerja siswa dalam implementasi pendekatan saintifik, menyelesaikan soal-soal pengetahuan, dan menyelesaikan tugas praktik menulis teks pidato persuasif. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian adalah quasi eksperimen dengan tipe nonequivalent control group design. Sampel pada penelitian ini yaitu siswa SMP yang berjumlah 50 orang. Berdasarkan data penelitian diperoleh hasil bahwa kelas eksperimen lebih baik dalam menulis teks pidato persuasif dibandingkan kelas kontrol. Pada data uji asosiasi antara kemampuan menulis teks pidato persuasif dengan motivasi berlajar ternyata pada kelas eksperimen diperoleh nilai Sig 0,058> 0,05 dan di kelas kontrol diperoleh nilai Sig 0,357 > 0,05. Hasil tersebut bermakna bahwa tidak ada asosiasi antara kemampuan menulis teks pidato persuasif dan motivasi belajar baik di kelas eksperimen ataupun kelas kontrol. Kinerja siswa pada saat mengimplementasikan pendekatan saintifik dengan bantuan media powtoon diperoleh hasil 86,66 % hasil tersebut bermakna bahwa kinerja siswa sangat baik. Adapun kinerja siswa dalam kemampuannya dalam menulis teks pidato persuasif di kelas eksperimen yaitu ada dalam kategori baik, sedangkan di kelas kontrol yaitu dalam kategori kurang.

Abstract Background Delayed vaccination increases the time infants are at risk for acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases. Factors associated with incomplete vaccination are relatively well characterized in resource-limited settings; however, few studies have assessed immunization timeliness. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study examining Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccination timing among newborns enrolled in a Neonatal Vitamin A supplementation trial (NEOVITA) conducted in urban Dar es Salaam (n = 11,189) and rural Morogoro Region (n = 19,767), Tanzania. We used log-binomial models to assess the relationship of demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare access, and birth characteristics with late or incomplete DTP1 and DTP3 immunization. Results The proportion of infants with either delayed or incomplete vaccination was similar in Dar es Salaam (DTP1 11.5% and DTP3 16.0%) and Morogoro (DTP1 9.2% and DTP3 17.3%); however, the determinants of delayed or incomplete vaccination as well as their magnitude of association differed by setting. Both maternal and paternal education were more strongly associated with vaccination status in rural Morogoro region as compared to Dar es Salaam (p-values for heterogeneity

Willingness and ability to pay for insurance that would cover primary healthcare services has not been evaluated consistently in different African communities. We conducted a cross-sectional community health survey and examined willingness and ability to pay in 3676 adults in seven communities in four countries: Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. We used an open-ended contingency valuation method to estimate willingness to pay and examined ability to pay indirectly by calculating the ratio of healthcare expenditure to total household income. Slightly more than three quarters (78.8%) of participants were willing to pay for a health insurance scheme, and just a little above half (54.7%) were willing to pay for all household members. Across sites, median amount willing to pay was $2 per person per month. A little above half (57.6%) of households in Nigeria were able to pay the premium. The main predictors of likelihood of being unwilling to pay for the health insurance scheme were increasing age [aOR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98, 1.00)], being female [0.68 (0.51, 0.92], single [0.32 (0.21, 0.49)], unemployment [0.54 (0.34, 0.85)], being enrolled in another health insurance scheme [0.45 (0.28, 0.74)] and spending more on healthcare [1.00 (0.99, 1.00)]. But being widow [2.31 (1.30, 4.10)] and those with primary and secondary education [2.23 (1.54, 3.22)] had increased likelihood of being willing to pay for health insurance scheme. Retired respondents [adjusted mean difference $-3.79 (-7.56, -0.02)], those with primary or secondary education [$-3.05 (-5.42, -0.68)] and those with high healthcare expenditure [$0.02 (0.00, 0.04)] predicted amount willing to pay for health insurance scheme. The willingness to pay for health insurance scheme is high among the seven communities studied in East and West Africa with socio-demography, economic and healthcare cost as main predictive factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the feasibility of using the Versajet[TM] system (VJS) on an inoculated pork hock (PH) skin surface sequentially for 8 days with daily cleaning and intermediate-level disinfection (ILD). METHODS: Daily, PHs were inoculated with bacteria suspended in artificial test soil (ATS). An ILD protocol with accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP, OxivirTB((R))) was employed to clean and disinfect the VJS between debridements. RESULTS: PH skin contains 6.1-6.8x10(6)cfu/cm(2) bacteria. Bacterial counts in the handpiece and discharge hoses immediately after debridement of the PHs, and before cleaning, increased throughout the study period (5.19-6.43log10cfu/mL). Cleaning with the ILD protocol was reduced bacterial counts on the VJS by 6-log. Protein, a surrogate marker of organic contamination, was also reduced post-cleaning and ILD. Compared to a maximum post-debridement level of protein (57.9[mu]g/mL) obtained before ILD, VJS protein levels dropped to 9.8 (handpiece) and 13.8[mu]g/mL (discharge hose). CONCLUSIONS: Disinfection of the handpiece and discharge hose after debridement with AHP resulted in a 6-log reduction in bacterial count and 4.2 fold reduction in protein. An ILD protocol with an AHP may be a feasible method for serial skin surface debridements with the VJS for up to eight days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenolic profiles of selected Sicilian wines, produced from grapes that differed from one another in techniques of breeding and cropping methods, were investigated. Phenolics were identified in Sicilian young red wines from autochthonous and allochthonous grapes by a rapid HPLC-DAD/MS method. The effect of cultivation techniques used in vineyard on the phenolic composition was confirmed. This study allowed verifying such dependence considering three techniques of breeding and two horticultural cropping methods. In order to detect tendencies in the analysed samples according to the phenolic compound contents, Principal components Analysis (PCA) and canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of energy (fossil) and its attendant pollution menace have provided the avenue to consider alternative sources of energy. A study was carried out on the design and construction of an Anaerobic Digester system using 1mm galvanized steel for the production of biogas from co-digestion of Cow dung and Lemon grass sourced from the Zaria abattoir and the University campus respectively. The experiment lasted for 30 days using a 25-liter pilot scale anaerobic digester. A total of 0.146m3(0.100m3after scrubbing) were produced with a deviation and methane content of 0.003 m3 and 68.53% respectively. The cooking test carried out revealed that the scrubbed gas had higher cooking rates for both water and rice (0.10L/min and 0.0048kg/min respectively) than the unscrubbed gas (0.07L/min and 0.0034kg/min respectively while the biogas flow rate was 0.0049m3/min. An improvement of 42.86% and 41.18% was recorded for the cooking rates for water and rice respectively after the gas were scrubbed. The physico-chemistry of the feedstock in the digester revealed the digester temperature fluctuated between 280C and 36.70C while the pH of the medium fluctuated optimally between 5.81 and 7.73.The daily ambient temperatures varied from 31°C to 42°C. The research demonstrated that anaerobic co-digestion of cow dung with lemon grass produced a high quality biogas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although anaerobic digestate has been identified as a rich source of essential plant nutrients, its safety measured by the concentration of pathogen present is of great concern to end users. This research explored the efficiency of the mesophilic biodigestion process in the stabilization and sanitization of cow dung and chicken droppings. 6kg each of cow dung and chicken droppings were collected fresh and free from impurities, pre-fermented, mixed with water in the ratio 1:1 by volume to form slurry, fed into the respective reactors and digested for 30 days at an average daily ambient temperature of 37°C. The pH of the medium fluctuated between 6.5 and 8.0. The analysis of the feedstock and effluent of the digesters showed that a total solids reduction of 75.3% and 60.1% were recorded for cow dung and chicken droppings respectively while the reductions in total coliforms were 95% and 70% respectively. E.coli and Shigella spp., were removed while Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. where still present in the digestate. Notwithstanding these results, the digestate still requires further treatment for it to be suitable for application on unrestricted crops either as fertilizer; otherwise a health problem would be created as attempt is made to improve soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Vitamin D has significant immunomodulatory effects on both adaptive and innate immune responses. Observational studies indicate that adults infected with HIV with low vitamin D status may be at increased risk of mortality, pulmonary tuberculosis, and HIV disease progression. Growing observational evidence also suggests that low vitamin D status in pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse birth and infant health outcomes. As a result, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adjunct vitamin D3 supplementation may improve the health of HIV-infected pregnant women and their children. Methods/design The Trial of Vitamins-5 (ToV5) is an individually randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of maternal vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation conducted among 2300 HIV-infected pregnant women receiving triple-drug ART under Option B+ in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. HIV-infected pregnant women of 12–27 weeks gestation are randomized to either: 1) 3000 IU vitamin D3 taken daily from randomization in pregnancy until trial discharge at 12 months postpartum; or 2) a matching placebo regimen. Maternal participants are followed-up at monthly clinic visits during pregnancy, at delivery, and then with their children at monthly postpartum clinic visits. The primary efficacy outcomes of the trial are: 1) maternal HIV disease progression or death; 2) risk of small-for-gestational age (SGA) births; and 3) risk of infant stunting at 1 year of age. The primary safety outcome of the trial is incident maternal hypercalcemia. Secondary outcomes include a range of clinical and biological maternal and child health outcomes. Discussion The ToV5 will provide causal evidence on the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on HIV progression and death, SGA births, and infant stunting at 1 year of age. The results of the trial are likely generalizable to HIV-infected pregnant women and their children in similar resource-limited settings utilizing the Option B+ approach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02305927 . Registered on 29 October 2014.

Summary: Background: Modelled mortality estimates have been useful for health programmes in low-income and middle-income countries. However, these estimates are often based on sparse and low-quality data. We aimed to generate high quality data about the burden, timing, and causes of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: In this prospective cohort study done in 11 community-based research sites in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, between July, 2012, and February, 2016, we conducted population-based surveillance of women of reproductive age (15–49 years) to identify pregnancies, which were followed up to birth and 42 days post partum. We used standard operating procedures, data collection instruments, training, and standardisation to harmonise study implementation across sites. Verbal autopsies were done for deaths of all women of reproductive age, neonatal deaths, and stillbirths. Physicians used standardised methods for cause of death assignment. Site-specific rates and proportions were pooled at the regional level using a meta-analysis approach. Findings: We identified 278 186 pregnancies and 263 563 births across the study sites, with outcomes ascertained for 269 630 (96·9%) pregnancies, including 8761 (3·2%) that ended in miscarriage or abortion. Maternal mortality ratios in sub-Saharan Africa (351 per 100 000 livebirths, 95% CI 168–732) were similar to those in south Asia (336 per 100 000 livebirths, 247–458), with far greater variability within sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates were approximately two times higher in sites in south Asia than in sub-Saharan Africa (stillbirths: 35·1 per 1000 births, 95% CI 28·5–43·1 vs 17·1 per 1000 births, 12·5–25·8; neonatal mortality: 43·0 per 1000 livebirths, 39·0–47·3 vs 20·1 per 1000 livebirths, 14·6–27·6). 40–45% of pregnancy-related deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths occurred during labour, delivery, and the 24 h postpartum period in both regions. Obstetric haemorrhage, non-obstetric complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and pregnancy-related infections accounted for more than three-quarters of maternal deaths and stillbirths. The most common causes of neonatal deaths were perinatal asphyxia (40%, 95% CI 39–42, in south Asia; 34%, 32–36, in sub-Saharan Africa) and severe neonatal infections (35%, 34–36, in south Asia; 37%, 34–39 in sub-Saharan Africa), followed by complications of preterm birth (19%, 18–20, in south Asia; 24%, 22–26 in sub-Saharan Africa). Interpretation: These results will contribute to improved global estimates of rates, timing, and causes of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths. Our findings imply that programmes in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia need to further intensify their efforts to reduce mortality rates, which continue to be high. The focus on improving the quality of maternal intrapartum care and immediate newborn care must be further enhanced. Efforts to address perinatal asphyxia and newborn infections, as well as preterm birth, are critical to achieving survival goals in the Sustainable Development Goals era. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The need for separate swab transport methods for aerobes and anaerobes may result in inadequate transport of specimens for anaerobic bacteriology. Most microbiology laboratories in Australia rely on Stuart's transport medium to protect anaerobic bacteria. This paper presents a new, simple transport medium (Transport Deep) suitable for sue with aerobes and anaerobes. Comparative evaluations demonstrate that Transport Deep is as good as Stuart's medium for the maintenance of fastidious bacteria and is far superior for the protection of even extremely oxygen-sensitive anaerobes. This medium has been used successfully in a large Sydney hospital for more than a year. It is proposed that Transport Deep be used on a routine basis for all swab specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]