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About 74.9 million persons were infected during the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome HIV/AIDS global pandemic with nearly half of them succumbing to the disease. In 2018 alone, Africa recorded over 400,000 AIDS‐related deaths which is more than half of the global total. This reflects years of inequality in the global pandemic response. Also, the international response to AIDS in the early years was very slow, with a global programme only developed 6 years into the pandemic. Many African countries still lack pandemic preparedness plans to handle a global pandemic. Thus, this paper highlights the important lessons that can be learnt from the response to the AIDS pandemic and recommends how they can be applied during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Some of the important lessons include: HIV reversed the previous success recorded in health systems of developing countries; the antiretroviral drug development process was prolonged and required long term commitment; and primary healthcare was crucial in preventing and controlling the disease. These lessons can be utilised in the fight against COVID‐19 pandemic. It is recommended that: there should be solidarity among the nations of the world to fight COVID‐19; health authorities should be proactive in curbing misinformation; and interventions should prioritise human rights and focus on vulnerable communities. HIV treatment services should not be discontinued as it is still an ongoing pandemic. A balance needs to be achieved in combating both pandemics as discontinuation of HIV treatment during the coronavirus pandemic could result in more than 500,000 deaths.

Protein kinases are important targets for treating human disorders, and they are the second most targeted families after G-protein coupled receptors. Several resources provide classification of kinases into evolutionary families (based on sequence homology); however, very few systematically classify functional families (FunFams) comprising evolutionary relatives that share similar functional properties. We have developed the FunFam-MARC (Multidomain ARchitecture-based Clustering) protocol, which uses multi-domain architectures of protein kinases and specificity-determining residues for functional family classification. FunFam-MARC predicts 2210 kinase functional families (KinFams), which have increased functional coherence, in terms of EC annotations, compared to the widely used KinBase classification. Our protocol provides a comprehensive classification for kinase sequences from >10,000 organisms. We associate human KinFams with diseases and drugs and identify 28 druggable human KinFams, i.e., enriched in clinically approved drugs. Since relatives in the same druggable KinFam tend to be structurally conserved, including the drug-binding site, these KinFams may be valuable for shortlisting therapeutic targets. Information on the human KinFams and associated 3D structures from AlphaFold2 are provided via our CATH FTP website and Zenodo. This gives the domain structure representative of each KinFam together with information on any drug compounds available. For 32% of the KinFams, we provide information on highly conserved residue sites that may be associated with specificity.

Nigeria began administering COVID-19 vaccines on 5 March 2021 and is working towards the WHO’s African regional goal to fully vaccinate 70% of their eligible population by December 2022. Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination information system includes a surveillance system for COVID-19 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), but as of April 2021, AEFI data were being collected and managed by multiple groups and lacked routine analysis and use for action. To fill this gap in COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, between April 2021 and June 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with other implementing partners led by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, supported the Government of Nigeria to triangulate existing COVID-19 AEFI data. This paper describes the process of implementing published draft guidelines for data triangulation for COVID-19 AEFI data in Nigeria. Here, we focus on the process of implementing data triangulation rather than analysing the results and impacts of triangulation. Work began by mapping the flow of COVID-19 AEFI data, engaging stakeholders and building a data management system to intake and store all shared data. These datasets were used to create an online dashboard with key indicators selected based on existing WHO guidelines and national guidance. The dashboard went through an iterative review before dissemination to stakeholders. This case study highlights a successful example of implementing data triangulation for rapid use of AEFI data for decision-making and emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement and strong data governance structures to make data triangulation successful.

Purpose In their delivery of service, quantity surveyors are not in any way protected against threats and changes in their operating environment as a result of globalisation and continuous change in demand of clients. This research therefore examined the current and important areas of competencies of Nigerian quantity surveyors in their quest to continue to provide value for money for their clients. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected through administration of questionnaires on quantity surveyors that are members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). Mean item score (MIS) was used to rank required and exhibited competencies while gap and quadrant analyses were employed to evaluate their importance and proficiency level. Findings Core competencies required of quantity surveyors are costing of construction works; valuation; estimating and tendering; and procurement management while valuation; estimating and tendering; and costing of construction works are top three competencies currently exhibited. There is significant difference in the level of importance of the competencies areas compared to their exhibition by quantity surveyors. Originality/value It was noted that some important areas of competencies are not currently exhibited by quantity surveyors in the study area, there is therefore the need for personal and collective continuous development through workshops, conferences and seminars that will enhance the identified competencies areas. Training of undergraduates and retraining of practicing quantity surveyors is also essential to inculcate competencies that are not currently exhibited. This will benefit quantity surveyors and bodies concerned with the regulation of the profession in their quest for better service delivery.

For decades, studies on learning and memory focused extensively on the neural circuitry between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, with minimal consideration of the role of the anterior thalamic nucleus (ATN). The diencephalic nucleus is rich in excitatory glutamate neurons that project to both the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Neural projections from the hippocampus and mPFC have also been identified in the ATN through reciprocal circuits. Although ATN lesioning leads to memory loss (amnesia), the role of the ATN in the propagation of cognitive processes in the mPFC is still poorly understood. In the current study, we employed adeno-associated viral labeling and in vivo electrophysiology to trace ATN glutamate neural projections in the layers of the mPFC. Neuroanatomical mapping of ATN Vglut2

Sensory information in all modalities, except olfaction, is processed at the level of the thalamus before subsequent transmission to the cerebral cortex. This incoming sensory stream is refined and modulated in the thalamus by numerous descending corticothalamic projections originating in layer 6 that ultimately alter the sensitivity and selectivity for sensory features. In general, these sensory thalamo-cortico-thalamic loops are considered strictly unilateral, i.e., no contralateral crosstalk between cortex and thalamus. However, in contrast to this canonical view, we characterize here a prominent contralateral corticothalamic projection originating in the insular cortex, utilizing both retrograde tracing and cre-lox mediated viral anterograde tracing strategies with the Ntsr1-Cre transgenic mouse line. From our studies, we find that the insular contralateral corticothalamic projection originates from a separate population of layer 6 neurons than the ipsilateral corticothalamic projection. Furthermore, the contralateral projection targets a topographically distinct subregion of the thalamus than the ipsilateral projection. These findings suggest a unique bilateral mechanism for the top-down refinement of ascending sensory information.

Emerging evidence has shown kolaviron, a Garcinia biflavonoid complex, as inhibitor of α-amylase, aldose reductase and acetylcholinesterase in vitro. Herein, analysis of each kolaviron constituent (GB1, GB2 and kolaflavanone) for its molecular binding signatures, interaction footprints and inhibitory potential against these proteins was performed in silico. Morelloflavone, an analog of the biflavonoids, was also assessed for its inhibitory potential and precise interaction against the proteins. Results obtained suggest all the biflavonoids as potential drug candidates in the treatment of diabetes and neurodegenerative disease; their relatively bigger size permits an efficient blockage of the enzymes’ active site, thus hindering substrate access. The biflavonoids were well accommodated and favorably occupied the active site of the proteins with high binding affinity. The numerous hydroxyl and few methoxyl groups of the biflavonoids are indispensable for their bioactivities. Kolaflavanone displayed the highest affinity to α-amylase, but lowest binding affinity to acetylcholinesterase. GB1 and GB2 showed good affinity and comparable binding conformation on the proteins. Morelloflavone formed consistent π–π interactions with all the proteins. This work is the first study to depict the unique interaction patterns of kolaviron constituents with the selected enzymes which may explain their potency and inhibitory mechanisms.

Since the 1988 launch of global poliomyelitis eradication efforts, four of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions have been certified polio-free. Nigeria is one of only three countries, along with Afghanistan and Pakistan, where transmission of wild poliovirus (WPV) has never been interrupted. During 2003-2013, northern Nigeria served as a reservoir for WPV reintroduction into 26 previously polio-free countries. In 2012, the Nigerian government launched a national polio eradication emergency plan to intensify efforts to interrupt WPV transmission. This report describes polio eradication activities and progress in Nigeria during January 2014-July 2015 and updates previous reports. No WPV cases have been reported to date in 2015, compared with a total of six cases reported during 2014. Onset of paralysis in the latest reported WPV type 1 (WPV1) case was July 24, 2014. Only one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been reported to date in 2015, compared with 20 cVDPV2 cases during the same period in 2014. Pending final laboratory testing of 218 remaining specimens of 16,617 specimens collected since January 2015, Nigeria could be removed from the WHO list of polio-endemic countries in September 2015. Major remaining challenges to the national polio eradication program include sustaining political support and program funding in the absence of active WPV transmission, maintaining high levels of population immunity in hard-to-reach areas, and accessing children in security-compromised areas of the northeastern states.

This study developed and implemented an improved mediator wrapper approach to addressing the challenges of integration of semantic heterogeneous databases. It employed Local as View (LaV) paradigm of database integration so as to reduce its cost as well as offer the local sources a degree of independence. The developed model was implemented as web service using JEE and some software development tools with a number of heterogeneous databases as a case study.

Severe outbreaks of infectious disease occur throughout the world with some reaching the level of international pandemic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the most recent to do so In this paper, a mechanism is set out using Zipf’s law to establish the accuracy of international reporting of COVID-19 cases via a determination of whether an individual country’s COVID-19 reporting follows a power-law for confirmed, recovered, and death cases of COVID-19 The probability of Zipf’s law (P-values) for COVID-19 confirmed cases show that Uzbekistan has the highest P-value of 0 940, followed by Belize (0 929), and Qatar (0 897) For COVID-19 recovered cases, Iraq had the highest P-value of 0 901, followed by New Zealand (0 888), and Austria (0 884) Furthermore, for COVID-19 death cases, Bosnia and Herzegovina had the highest P-value of 0 874, followed by Lithuania (0 843), and Morocco (0 825) China, where the COVID-19 pandemic began, is a significant outlier in recording P-values lower than 0 1 for the confirmed, recovered, and death cases This raises important questions, not only for China, but also any country whose data exhibits P-values below this threshold The main application of this work is to serve as an early warning for World HealthOrganization (WHO) and other health regulatory bodies to perform more investigations in countries where COVID-19 datasets deviate significantly from Zipf’s law To this end, this paper provide a tool for illustrating Zipf’s law P-values on a global map in order to convey the geographic distribution of reporting anomalies © 2021, International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications All Rights Reserved

This article provides an update of the latest data and developments within the CATH protein structure classification database (http://www.cathdb.info). The resource provides two levels of release: CATH-B, a daily snapshot of the latest structural domain boundaries and superfamily assignments, and CATH+, which adds layers of derived data, such as predicted sequence domains, functional annotations and functional clustering (known as Functional Families or FunFams). The most recent CATH+ release (version 4.2) provides a huge update in the coverage of structural data. This release increases the number of fully- classified domains by over 40% (from 308 999 to 434 857 structural domains), corresponding to an almost two- fold increase in sequence data (from 53 million to over 95 million predicted domains) organised into 6119 superfamilies. The coverage of high-resolution, protein PDB chains that contain at least one assigned CATH domain is now 90.2% (increased from 82.3% in the previous release). A number of highly requested features have also been implemented in our web pages: allowing the user to view an alignment between their query sequence and a representative FunFam structure and providing tools that make it easier to view the full structural context (multi-domain architecture) of domains and chains.

In Nigeria, there has been clamour for recognition of quantity surveyors as professionals trained and qualified to act and function as procurement officers. Using basic skills required of procurement officers, this study examined the ability of quantity surveyors to function as procurement officers. Data were collected through questionnaires administered on quantity surveyors and procurement managers. The importance of identified skills was examined using Mean item score; Spearman's rank correlation was employed to test relationships while Mann–Whitney test was used to examine the difference in opinions of respondents. The most important skills required for procurement officers are technical and tactical skills. Although, the level of exhibition of these skills by quantity surveyors is a little above average, their performance is low in comparison with the level of importance of the skills. The identified skills are not significantly exhibited by quantity surveyors and their areas of strength are ...

Aim: Considering the significance of candidiasis among pregnant women, the study was designed to investigate the anticandidal effect of extracts of Trametes elegans (Spreng: Fr.) Fr. (fam.: Polyporaceae) against Candida species isolated from pregnant women and to screen for the phytochemical constituents of the crude extract of T. elegans. Place and Duration of Study: Candida species were isolated from 132 high vaginal swabs (HVS) collected from pregnant women attending ten selected hospitals in Ondo, Osun and Oyo States, Nigeria. Methods: Extracts of Trametes elegans was prepared with methanol, acetone and n-hexane. Phytochemical screening of the macrofungus extracts were thereafter performed qualitatively and quantitatively. The isolated Candida species were subjected to antifungal assay to determine the anticandidal efficacy of the macrofungus extracts. Results: A total of 67 Candida isolates were obtained from the patients. The prevalent organisms were C. albicans (49/67, 73.13%), C. glabrata (9/67, 13.43%), C. krusei (6/67, 8.96%) and C. tropicalis (3/67, 4.48%). Methanol gave the highest yield (3.4 mg/g), while n-hexane gave the least (0.7 mg/g). All the extracts contained saponin, tannin, steroid, terpenoid and cardiac glycosides, while flavonoid was only found in acetone extracts. Saponin was highest (31.77 mg/g) while flavonoid content was least (1.65 mg/g). Zones of inhibition ranging from 5.00 to 30.00 mm, 4.00 to 15.67 mm and 4.33 to 17.67 mm were produced by methanol, acetone and n-hexane extracts respectively. Methanol extract of T. elegans produced the highest anticandidal activity with an inhibition zone of 30.00 mm against isolate A3 (C. albicans.) The least inhibition zone (4.00 mm) was recorded with acetone extract of T. elegans against isolate A2. Conclusion: The high anticandidal activity exhibited by mushroom extracts suggests that bioactive compounds from these mushrooms could be developed into antifungal agents for the treatment of candidiasis.

Background: The success of national immunization programmes depends largely on effective logistics management of the vaccine cold chain system. This study assessed cold chain equipment functionality, healthcare workers’ knowledge and practice of the logistics management of vaccine cold chain system in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in immunization clinics of 35 health facilities in Ife East and Central Local Government Areas (LGA) in Ile-Ife. There were 100 immunization service providers in the (LGAs) and they were all recruited into the study. Information was obtained with the aid of an interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Cold chain equipment functionality was assessed using a checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.Results: Eleven (31.4%) of the facilities had functional refrigerators for storing vaccines, 16 (45.7%) had cold boxes while 13 (37.1%) had thermometers for vaccine temperature monitoring. Fifty-four (54.0%) of the healthcare workers were aware of the “shake test” and 19 (19.0%) could correctly interpret colour changes on a vaccine vial monitor. Consumption record was considered by 69 (69.0%) of healthcare workers when making vaccine requisitions while the required lead time was considered by 24 (24.0%) of them. Only 29 (29.0%) of healthcare workers kept records of vaccines stock-on-hand.Conclusion: Adequate training and supportive supervision is essential to improve healthcare workers’ knowledge and cold chain practices. Relevant cold chain equipment should be provided to boost storage capacity across health facilities.Keywords: Vaccine cold chain; Logistics management; Nigeria

Tumour sequencing identifies highly recurrent point mutations in cancer driver genes, but rare functional mutations are hard to distinguish from large numbers of passengers. We developed a novel computational platform applying a multi-modal approach to filter out passengers and more robustly identify putative driver genes. The primary filter identifies enrichment of cancer mutations in CATH functional families (CATH-FunFams) – structurally and functionally coherent sets of evolutionary related domains. Using structural representatives from CATH-FunFams, we subsequently seek enrichment of mutations in 3D and show that these mutation clusters have a very significant tendency to lie close to known functional sites or conserved sites predicted using CATH-FunFams. Our third filter identifies enrichment of putative driver genes in functionally coherent protein network modules confirmed by literature analysis to be cancer associated.Our approach is complementary to other domain enrichment approaches exploiting Pfam families, but benefits from more functionally coherent groupings of domains. Using a set of mutations from 22 cancers we detect 151 putative cancer drivers, of which 79 are not listed in cancer resources and include recently validated cancer genes EPHA7, DCC netrin-1 receptor and zinc-finger protein ZNF479.

Seaweeds are known for their beneficial health effects in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). Numerous bioactive metabolites of diverse chemical structures have been found in the marine algae with attributed potent pharmacological effects. The current study was carried out to gain insights into the precise interaction and the inhibitory mechanism of bioactive components, obtained from seaweed, against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), the enzyme with a crucial role in insulin insensitivity, and α-glucosidase, which performs the key function in postprandial carbohydrate hydrolysis. Inhibitors of these proteins might be suitable for the management of DM type 2. Molecular docking experiments have shown that the antidiabetic compounds preferably bind to the allosteric site of PTP1B, sandwiched between α3, α6 and α7 helices, with a lesser ΔG value in comparison to the active site. Interacting orientation of eckol, dieckol, 7-phloroeckol, and phlorofucofuroeckol-A was comparable to that of the reference compound. In contrast, the compounds interacted with a-glucosidase at the active site with appreciable affinity. Phlorofucofuroeckol-A, dieckol, and eckol demonstrated high inhibitory potential against the protein as compared to acarbose possibly due to the relatively large molecular size and the presence of numerous OH groups, and additional hydrophobic and π-π interactions that are missing in the acarbose-α-glucosidase complex. The estimated affinity of the compounds showed good correlations with experimental results for both enzymes. The described interaction patterns are essential for understanding the mechanisms responsible for the antidiabetic effects of marine algae., Морские водоросли оказывают положительный эффект при лечении сахарного диабета. Из водорослевого сырья был выделен ряд соединений, предположительно обладающих биологической активностью. Данное исследование направлено на уточнение возможного механизма связывания и ингибиторного действия соединений, полученных из морских водорослей, на ферменты протеин-тирозинфосфатазу 1В (РТР1В), который играет ключевую роль в формировании резистентности к инсулину, и α-глюкозидазу, участвующую в гидролизе углеводов после приема пищи. Ингибиторы данных ферментов могут быть использованы при лечении сахарного диабета второго типа. Экспериментами по молекулярному докингу показано, что антидиабетические соединения, как правило, связываются с молекулой белка PTP1B аллостерически, равноудалённо от спиралей α3, α6 и α7. Величина изменения свободной энергии ΔG комплекса при этом предпочтительнее, чем при связывании в активном центре. Пространственное положение для соединений экол, диэкол, 7-флороэкол и флорофукофуроэкол-А соответствовало положению референсного лиганда. При связывании с активным центром α-глюкозидазы данные соединения, напротив, проявляли заметное сродство к активному центру фермента. Флорофукофуроэкол-А, диэкол, а также экол продемонстрировали более высокий потенциал ингибирования ферментов по сравнению c акарбозой. Возможно, это обусловлено большим размером молекулы и увеличением количества гидроксильных групп, а также дополнительными гидрофобными и π-π взаимодействиями, которые отсутствуют в комплексе акарбозы с α-глюкозидазой. Данные по аффинности соединений, полученные в данной работе, хорошо коррелируют с экспериментальными данными для обоих белков. Спектр описанных взаимодействий играет ключевую роль в понимании механизмов, отвечающих за антидиабетическую активность морских водорослей.

Background: Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. and Thonn) Taub is used in Africa as a spice and in folk medicine. Its documented biological activities include molluscicidal, hypotensive, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic and anti-microbial effects.Objective: This study evaluated the potential role of the aqueous root-bark extract of T. tetraptera in the treatment of diabetes and its antihyperlipidemic effect in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: T. tetraptera extract was orally administered to streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats at 150 and 300mg/kg body weight (Groups 3 and 4). The effect of the extract on body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile of the treated diabetic rats were compared with untreated control rats (Group 1) and untreated diabetic control rats (Group 2) after 35 days of treatment.Results: T. tetraptera treatment caused a non-significant improvement of STZ-induced weight loss and significantly (p

Tumour sequencing identifies highly recurrent point mutations in cancer driver genes, but rare functional mutations are hard to distinguish from large numbers of passengers. We developed a novel computational platform applying a multi-modal approach to filter out passengers and more robustly identify putative driver genes. The primary filter identifies enrichment of cancer mutations in CATH functional families (CATH-FunFams) – structurally and functionally coherent sets of evolutionary related domains. Using structural representatives from CATH-FunFams, we subsequently seek enrichment of mutations in 3D and show that these mutation clusters have a very significant tendency to lie close to known functional sites or conserved sites predicted using CATH-FunFams. Our third filter identifies enrichment of putative driver genes in functionally coherent protein network modules confirmed by literature analysis to be cancer associated. Our approach is complementary to other domain enrichment approaches exploiting Pfam families, but benefits from more functionally coherent groupings of domains. Using a set of mutations from 22 cancers we detect 151 putative cancer drivers, of which 79 are not listed in cancer resources and include recently validated cancer associated genes EPHA7, DCC netrin-1 receptor and zinc-finger protein ZNF479.

Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that rates of drug use and abuse in Nigeria exceed the global average. There is a strong treatment demand for psychoactive drug use disorders in Nigeria; however, it is not known whether available treatment facilities are attending to the array of treatment needs. This audit compares the pattern of presentations at a tertiary facility with a community-based survey. Methods: A review of cases (n = 212) seen at a regional drug treatment facility over a 4-year period, using local data retrieved from the Nigerian Epidemiological Network of Drug Use (NENDU) and comparison with data from the recently published national drug use survey. Results: Nine out of ten clients seen were male (93.4%). About half (49.5%) of the clients used psychoactive substances for the first time between ages 10 and 19 years. Cannabis was the primary drug of use overall and also among males, while females were more likely to present with opiate abuse. Over half had a co-occurring physical or mental disorder, and a minority had received testing for hepatitis C in the past 12 months. Conclusion: Although patterns of drug abuse presentations were consistent with findings from a national community-based survey, there was an under-representation of females in treatment. Implications for policy development and practice are discussed.

This work developed and simulated a mathematical model for a mobile wireless computational Grid architecture using networks of queuing theory. This was in order to evaluate the performance of theload-balancing three tier hierarchical configuration. The throughput and resource utilizationmetrics were measured and the results discussed using descriptive statistics.Key words: wireless computational grid, queuing theory, load-balancing, hierarchical, descriptive statitistics

Protein domains mediate drug-protein interactions and this principle can guide the design of multi-target drugs i.e. polypharmacology. In this study, we associate multi-target drugs with CATH functional families through the overrepresentation of targets of those drugs in CATH functional families. Thus, we identify CATH functional families that are currently enriched in drugs (druggable CATH functional families) and we use the network properties of these druggable protein families to analyse their association with drug side effects. Analysis of selected druggable CATH functional families, enriched in drug targets, show that relatives exhibit highly conserved drug binding sites. Furthermore, relatives within druggable CATH functional families occupy central positions in a human protein functional network, cluster together forming network neighbourhoods and are less likely to be within proteins associated with drug side effects. Our results demonstrate that CATH functional families can be used to identify drug-target interactions, opening a new research direction in target identification.