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Nigeria defense strategy has since combined soft and hard diplomacy to negotiate, persuade and induce both global and regional allies to support her counter terrorism fight. This study examined challenges of diplomacy in securing external defense arrangement in Nigeria between 2007 and 2022. The study adopted mixed research design using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study relied heavily on secondary sources such as books, journals, articles, periodical, government reports and publications, magazines, unpublished manuscript, and conference papers; also, on primary sources such as interviews and questionnaires. It was found out that a lot still need to be done to improve the strategies and methods of securing diplomatic arrangements in a way that will favor Nigeria in dealing with the challenges encountered in diplomatic defense relations to combat the effect of terrorism both locally and regionally. The study recommended that Nigeria must intensify efforts at holding regional security summits for defense diplomats while intensifying joint military exercises for regional states in the Multi-national Joint Task Force to promote unity, improve communication and information sharing; and that the state must improve defense budgeting while joining multiple counter terrorism coalition both regionally and globally.

Background: Rhinoviruses (RVs) represent the most important aetiological agents of the common cold and are responsible for about two-thirds of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in both children and adults. This study aimed to design a pan-serotypic vaccine capable of inducing cross-reactive antibodies against most of the RV by using a reverse Vaccinology approach. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to characterise the capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4) of all known RV serotypes and to predict potential immune motifs. Conserved motifs consisting at least nine-mers common across all RV-A or B serotypes were selected and synthesized chemically. Four tagged full-length genes coding the capsid proteins of an ideal strain (HRV-74), VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 were constructed and cloned in vitro. Upon expression , the purified recombinant proteins were also administered subcutaneously to other groups of rabbits. The responses and cross-reactivity of the specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) to the peptides, proteins, and whole viruses were measured. Results: The obtained anti-peptide antibodies exhibited a cross-neutralizing activity for different RV strains in vitro. Antibodies raised to the synthetic peptides exhibited cross-reactivity against the corresponding recombinant proteins and antigenically distinct RV strains coated on plates via ELISA assay. Conclusions: The study findings indicated that the peptides corresponding to the conserved region of the RV capsid proteins were potent immunogenic; moreover, the findings showed that their combination was crucial for extending the cross-protection against variant RVs.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is fast supplementing and improving the current conventional sequencing. This is as a result of its ability to sequence pathogen genomes and interpret the information in near real-time. The aim of this paper is to review the applications of next-generation sequencing in clinical microbiology. With the speedy advances in NGS innovations, clinical and public health microbiology labs are progressively accepting NGS innovation in their workflows into their diagnostic procedures. In this review, it has been found that the applications of NGS in the clinical and public health microbiology settings are not disposable, and have the potential to guide clinicians in tailoring treatment to dynamic genomic changes of microbes. Next-generation sequencing has opened a broad new area of research with the potential to revolutionize personalized cancer medicine. Advances in NGS have demonstrated a distinct advantage in diagnostic microbiology, fundamentally lessening the time from diagnosis to clinical treatment.

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells containing an aggregate of immune competent cells, such as T lymphocytes, B cells and natural killer cells, play an important role in control or persistence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Similarly, the expression of hepatitis B viral antigens on the surface of infected hepatocytes can invoke a cytotoxic T–cell response. Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and peripheral lymphocyte subsets of healthy donors and chronic hepatitis B patients. Methodology: Serum HBsAg was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Peripheral blood lymphocyte cell phenotyping was carried out by flow cytometry for all chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy blood donors. Results: The results of this study showed a significant correlation between HBsAg level and percentage of T and NK cells (r=0.366; P=0.01, r=-0.462; P=0.01, respectively). On the other hand, significance variation in peripheral blood lymphocyte percentage of T lymphocyte subsets in patients were found to be directly proportional to T cell subsets CD4+and CD8+ (P=0.001) compared with healthy blood donor controls. Conclusion: In conclusion this study highlighted the role of the HBsAg level in supressing the immune cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. Understanding the interactions between HBsAg and peripheral blood cells serves as a basis for development of HBV therapeutic vaccines and a prognostic biomarker in persistent HBV infection.

Schistosomiasis is an overlooked tropical illness that is caused by the blood fluke that dwells human blood vessels. It manifest as an acute yet chronic sickness and is normally found in all developing nations with poor health services frameworks. Strong phylogenies dependent on molecular data of species in the family of Schistosoma have been produced lately. The impressive advancement made in understanding the connections between considerable perceived types of Schistosoma is explored with specific consideration being given to the discovery and investigation of parasite variety as reported by studies on ribosomal RNA qualities, mitochondrial DNA and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA. Generally, molecular phylogenies concur with perceptions depending on morphological or life-history attributes. Basically the parasites of man don't form a monophyletic group and that cozy connections exist between parasites inside species groups, particularly in the S. haematobium group of species. The S. japonicum group has all the hallmarks of being the most dissimilar of the species groups but then little DNA succession variety has been seen between different isolates of S. japonicum. Diagnosis is a key to all aspects of schistosomiasis and decision on individual and community treatment, estimations on prognosis and appraisal of dismalness, assessment of chemotherapy and control estimates all require the outcomes from diagnostic tests. Unfortunately, the present techniques are characterized by analytical flaws.

Background: The term early onset neonatal septicaemia (EONS) refers to invasive bacterial infections that primarily involve the blood stream of neonates during the first 3 days of life. Although early onset neonatal septicaemia is relatively uncommon, it may be associated with case fatality rates of 15-30% and substantial morbidity in surviving infants. Objectives: This study describes an unusual septicaemia cases with Janthinobacterium lividum in neonatal Intensive Care Units. Methods: Bacterial causes of early onset neonatal sepsis in Kuala Lumpur Hospital Malaysia were investigated using broad range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing. The bacterial DNA was isolated directly from blood without pre-incubation. All samples collected were equally cultured and incubated in automated BACTEC system. Results: Two hundred and fifty two neonates were recruited in this study with mean (SD) gestational age of 35.9. Neonates with J. lividum infection lacked microbiological evidence of septicaemia as their blood culture yielded no bacterial growth. However, the PCR analysis of these samples yielded 1100bp corresponding to bacteria species. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the value of PCR in detecting bacteria where special growth requirement is involved. Keywords: Janthinobacterium lividum , neonatal septicaemia, neonatal intensive care units.

Schistosomiasis is the major source of morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. It is estimated that 207 million people are infected, of which 97% are in Africa. The aim of this study was the determining of prevalence as well as the phylogeny of S. haematobium among school children in Argungu Emirate, Kebbi State Nigeria. A total of 325 urine samples was collected from school children between 7 to 14 years. S. heamatobium eggs was examined under dissecting microscope and DNA was extracted from urine sample and COX1 gene was amplified by nested PCR. The PCR products were purified, sequenced and analysed. This study showed a prevalence of 32.09%, with male pupils having the highest prevalence. S. haematobium infections in children who fetch water in the river have 24 times higher risk of being infected while those who bath in the river have 158 times higher risk of being infected. Our sequences were phylogenetically related to S. haematobium isolate U82266 from Kenya and consistence with the predominant species in Africa. This was the first S. haematobium and S. mansoni co-infection reported in Nigeria. S. haematobium infection is prevalent among school age and significantly associated with water contact.

The application of e-learning is accentuated amongst higher institutions of learning globally. Due to the increase in enrolment and the daunting task of teaching large classes, there arises the need to adopt e-learning platform to reduce the burden between the teacher and student collaborations. This paper seeks the establishment of a dedicated e-learning platform in the department of library and information science (DLIS) as a prototype for the entire Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH),Yola to adopt. Based on this, a five-year developmental plan (2016-2021) is designed for DLIS to ensure the establishment of an e-learning platform with budgetary allocation included. This article will benefit lecturers and students of MAUTECH, Yola in strengthening their ICT appreciation and application in the university. It will also enhance onsite and offsite collaborations between lecturers and students of the university. The outcome of this paper, if the platform is adopted, should reduce the decongestion of over 300 to 500 students in lecture halls immensely. It will encourage distance learning opportunities for working class students who might not be available to attend the traditional classes and it will stimulate virtual classes thereby encouraging an increase use of ICT tools.Keywords: E-learning, Platform, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Virtual, System, MAUTECH