Search

In this study, the development of briquettes from agricultural waste mainly rice and maize husk is presented. A 0.12 kg of each sample with a combination ratio of 1:1 was used in the buildup. The results obtained shows that, rice husk, maize husk and the combination of rice and maize husk have calorific value of 15.27 kJ/kg, 17.13 kJ/kg and 16.20 kJ/kg, moisture contents of 78.8 %, 86.8 % and 79.1 %, ash contents of 39.74 %, 18.07 % and 13.39 % and densities of 1084.3 kg/m3, 1011.5 kg/m3 and 1012.4 kg/m3 respectively. The research shows that briquette made from maize husk has the highest calorific value that can meet domestic use as an alternative fuel compared to briquettes from rice husk and the combination of rice and maize husk.

The objective of this paper was to investigate the total nitrogen absorption in soil and its uptake by Amaranthus cruentus plant in Kwadon, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Data obtained show that the total N content was 0.53-1.32% with manure at 0-15 and 0.28-0.87% with manure at 15-30, while total N was obtained to be 0.19-0.53% without manure (control) at 0-15 and 0.11-0.59% at 15-30 without manure (control). The Amaranthus cruentus total N content was 0.06-2.10% with manure at 0-15 and 0.06-0.15% with manure at 15-30, whereas total N was obtained to be 0.02-0.09% both at 0-15 and 15-30 without manure (control). The total N content in soil was relatively higher than that of Amaranthus cruentus. The crop growth rate (GGR) was highest (146.21) and lowest (92.73) and (128.39) and lowest (61.54) on manure at days 0-15 and 15-30 of application, respectively. A similar trend was observed for total dry matter production (TDMP), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area ratio (LAR), and net assimilation rate (NAR). The highest (53.72) and lowest (25.42), and (53.72) and lowest (25.42) TDMPs were recorded on 15-30 and 0-15, respectively. The LAR and NAR were also the highest (5.31 and 0.07, respectively) on manure at day 0-15 after application. The lowest (2.21) LAR and (0.04) NAR were observed on days 0-15 after the application of manure. The manure exhibited the smallest positive changes in LAI, CGR, LAR, NAR, and TDMP after 15-30 days of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ioana Munteanu,1 Nicoleta Cioran,1,2 Rob van Hest,3,4 Ibrahim Abubakar,5 Alistair Story,6,7 Domnica Chiotan,1 Gerard de Vries,8,9 Beatrice Mahler1,10 1Department of Pneumology, Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania; 2 3rd Department – Complementary Sciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 3Department of Tuberculosis Control, Regional Public Health Service Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; 4Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands; 5Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; 6Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; 7Find and Treat, University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 8KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands; 9Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; 10 4th Department – Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, RomaniaCorrespondence: Nicoleta Cioran, Department of Pneumology, Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, Soseaua Viilor nr.90, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania, Tel +40 745 419 994, Fax +40 213 373 801, Email nicoleta.cioran@umfcd.roPurpose: Romania has the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) comprising almost a quarter (23.4%) of the reported patients in 2017, and a TB notification rate six times higher than the EU/EEA average. Although the overall TB notification rate in Romania declined from 154/100.000 individuals to 66/100.000 individuals in the general population between 2002 and 2017, TB notification rates remain high in certain vulnerable populations groups such as prisoners, the homeless population and among drug users.Patients and Methods: We conducted a descriptive study regarding TB monitoring data in Romania, including the aforementioned TB risk groups.Results: Analysis regarding notified TB cases among these risk groups indicates that TB rates are 7 to 18 times higher than in the general population. One of the most alarming aspects regards the exceedingly high proportion of HIV-seropositivity among drug users and the high mortality rates among the homeless population and among drug users with TB.Conclusion: This data underlines the importance of early identification among social risk groups using outreach active case-finding (ACF) activities, possibly combining TB screening with screening for other common, possibly life-threatening, co-morbidities for which an effective treatment is available. ACF could have a decisive role in TB control and eradication in Romania, when aimed at these high-risk groups.Keywords: Romania, tuberculosis, notification rate, risk groups

Digital technologies are increasingly harnessed to support treatment of persons with tuberculosis (TB). Since in-person directly observed treatment (DOT) can be resource intensive and challenging to implement, these technologies may have the potential to improve adherence and clinical outcomes. We reviewed the effect of these technologies on TB treatment adherence and patient outcomes.We searched several bibliographical databases for studies reporting the effect of digital interventions, including short message service (SMS), video-observed therapy (VOT) and medication monitors (MMs), to support treatment for active TB. Only studies with a control group and which reported effect estimates were included.Four trials showed no statistically significant effect on treatment completion when SMS was added to standard care. Two observational studies of VOT reported comparable treatment completion rates when compared with in-person DOT. MMs increased the probability of cure (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4) in one observational study, and one trial reported a statistically significant reduction in missed treatment doses relative to standard care (adjusted means ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.79).Evidence of the effect of digital technologies to improve TB care remains limited. More studies of better quality are needed to determine how such technologies can enhance programme performance.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a growing public health problem, and for the first time in decades, new drugs for the treatment of this disease have been developed. These new drugs have prompted strengthened efforts in DR-TB clinical trials research, and there are now multiple ongoing and planned DR-TB clinical trials. To facilitate comparability and maximise policy impact, a common set of core research definitions is needed, and this paper presents a core set of efficacy and safety definitions as well as other important considerations in DR-TB clinical trials work. To elaborate these definitions, a search of clinical trials registries, published manuscripts and conference proceedings was undertaken to identify groups conducting trials of new regimens for the treatment of DR-TB. Individuals from these groups developed the core set of definitions presented here. Further work is needed to validate and assess the utility of these definitions but they represent an important first step to ensure there is comparability in clinical trials on multidrug-resistant TB.

Abstract Development of novel mid-infrared (MIR) lasers could ultimately boost emerging detection technologies towards innovative spectroscopic and imaging solutions. Photoacoustic (PA) modality has been heralded for years as one of the most powerful detection tools enabling high signal-to-noise ratio analysis. Here, we demonstrate a novel, compact and sensitive MIR-PA system for carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring at its strongest absorption band by combining a gas-filled fiber laser and PA technology. Specifically, the PA signals were excited by a custom-made hydrogen (H2) based MIR Raman fiber laser source with a pulse energy of ⁓ 18 μJ, quantum efficiency of ⁓ 80% and peak power of ⁓ 3.9 kW. A CO2 detection limit of 605 ppbv was attained from the Allan deviation. This work constitutes an alternative method for advanced high-sensitivity gas detection.

Background: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a high-priority, neglected, tropical disease that affects millions of people in developing countries annually. The only available standard drug used for the treatment of SBE is antisnake venom (ASV) which consists of immunoglobulins that have been purified from the plasma of animals hyper-immunized against snake venoms. The use of plants as alternatives for treatment of poisonous bites particularly snakebites is important in remote areas where there might be limited, or no access to hospitals and storage facilities for antivenom. The pharmacological activity of some of the medicinal plants used traditionally in the treatment of SBE have also been scientifically validated. Method: A systematic review will be conducted according to the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies checklist for study quality in animal/ in vivo studies. The tool will be modified and validated to assess in vitro models and studies that combine in vivo and in vitro studies. The systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. English published articles on African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming will be searched in Medline, Embase, and Scopus from 2000 to 2021. Dissemination: The findings of the study will be communicated through publication in peer-reviewed journal and presentation at scientific conferences. Medicinal plants have been important sources for the development of many effective drugs currently available in orthodox medicine. Botanically derived medicines have played a major role in human societies throughout history. Plants components used in traditional medicine gained much attention by many toxinologists as a tool for designing potent antidotes against snake envenoming. Our systematic review will provide a synthesis of the literature on the efficacy of these medicinal plants. We will also appraise the prospects of African medicinal plants with pharmacologically demonstrated activity against snakebite and envenoming.

©ERS 2015.This paper describes an action framework for countries with low tuberculosis (TB) incidence (

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving eligible HCPs from different healthcare settings in northern Nigeria. The participants were recruited into the study using a combination of online (via Google Form) and face-to-face paper-based survey methods. The ASV knowledge of the respondents was measured using a validated anti-snake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT). Inadequate overall knowledge of ASV was defined as scores of 0–69.9%, and 70–100% were considered adequate overall knowledge scores. The predictors of ASV knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one (331) eligible HCPs were included in the study analysis (310 from online and 21 from paper-based survey). Overall, an estimated 12.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge of ASV. Adequate ASV knowledge was higher among physicians compared with other HCPs (21.7%; χ 2 = 8.1; p = 0.04). Those without previous training on ASV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–0.73; p = 0.004) and who have not previously administered/dispensed ASV (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15–0.63; p