A Young Female With Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD): A Case Report.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency (MCADD) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. MCAD is essential for fatty acid β-oxidation during hepatic ketogenesis, which provides a major source of energy once hepatic glycogen stores are exhausted during extended fasting and periods of increased energy demand. The inability to metabolize these fatty acids results in hypoketotic hypoglycemia and the accumulation of toxic partially metabolized fatty acids.

Low doses and short duration of prednisolone administration in guinea pigs experimentally infected with Schistosoma haematobium: Histopathology of liver and lungs.

In our previous study, administration of 5 mg prednisolone for five days pre-Schistosoma haematobium infection in guinea pigs increased susceptibility and produced pathological reactions in the liver and bladder. Since corticosteroids can suppress granuloma formation, maturation, and size, this study sought to investigate if prednisolone given at low doses and short duration can produce granulomatous lesions in the tissues of guinea pigs experimentally infected with S. haematobium.

Microstructural and compaction characteristics of tropical black clay soil subgrade modified with lead-zinc mine tailings.

Lead-Zinc Mine tailings (LZMT) are wastes generated after the extraction of lead and zinc from mined mineral ore, whose disposal mechanism is gradually becoming environmentally unfriendly. For effective recycling of LZMT, this present study utilized a combination of LZMT and Portland limestone cement (PLC) to improve the compaction and microstructural characteristics of tropical black clay soil (TBCS) for use in pavement design and construction. The LZMT and PLC were added to the expansive soil in varying proportions with mix ratios generated from Taguchi orthogonal array.

Secondary plant metabolites as potent drug candidates against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat of the twenty-first century and represents an important risk to the global economy. Healthcare-associated infections mainly caused by drug-resistant bacteria are wreaking havoc in patient care worldwide. The spread of such pathogens limits the utility of available drugs and complicates the treatment of bacterial diseases.

Risk assessment of waterborne infections in Enugu State, Nigeria: Implications of household water choices, knowledge, and practices.

This research investigated the prevalence of waterborne infections (WBIs) and the risks associated with household drinking water choices, knowledge, and practices. A cross-sectional multi-stage sampling research design was employed. A well-structured questionnaire was used to sample 403 individuals representing 115 household; and stool samples collected and subjected to standard parasitic and bacterial diagnostic methods.

Schistosomiasis prevention option: toxicological evaluation of on the tissues of at different pH conditions.

Research into, and the use of plant products in the control of vectors of pathogens is being revived and seriously considered as an alternative or complete replacement for the classical synthetic agents. The study was designed to investigate toxicological assessment of the aqueous leaf extract of on mortality and tissue level damages of the freshwater snail at different pH levels. The effects of the extract on total protein concentration and activities of acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the tissues of the snail were assayed using standard methods.

Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections and Immunological Status of HIV/AIDS Coinfected Individuals in Nigeria.

Background: Parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract is one of the highest causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV infected individuals. This is due to the colonization of the intestinal tract by parasites influenced by induced enteropathy caused by HIV infection. CD+4 t-lymphocytes count is a marker of the immune status of HIV infected individuals.

Corrigendum: Mapping of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria.

This article details a correction to the article: Ndukwe, Y.E., Obiezue, R.

Mapping of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background: Mapping the distribution of parasitic diseases in time and space has a pivotal role to play in their control.

Objective: This study mapped urinary schistosomiasis in Anambra State.

Methods: Sampling covered the three senatorial districts, Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South.

Maternal vitamin A supplementation delays time to first episode of parasitaemia and reduces malaria parasite densities among infants in rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

The study was a randomized mother -infant dyad placebo controlled field trial that evaluated the effect of maternal vitamin A supplementation on time to first episode of parasitaemia and on malaria parasite densities among infants in three rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty-two (152) pregnant women with pregnancies that had mature to at least six (6) months were equally randomized into supplemented and placebo groups. Ten thousand international unit (10,000 IU) of vitamin A supplement was administered three (3) times per week to women of the supplemented group while placebo was given to the control group at equal frequencies.

Improved infant hemoglobin (Hb) and blood glucose concentrations: The beneficial effect of maternal vitamin A supplementation of malaria-infected mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

One hundred and fifty-two malaria-infected pregnant women whose pregnancies had advanced to the 6th month were randomised into two study groups - supplemented and placebo groups, after obtaining their approved consents. Ten thousand international units of vitamin A soft gels were administered to the supplemented group three times per week. Vitamin A soft gels devoid of their active ingredients were administered thrice weekly to the placebo group.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, their characterization, application and antibacterial activity.

Our research focused on the production, characterization and application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which can be utilized in biomedical research and environmental cleaning applications. We used an environmentally friendly extracellular biosynthetic technique for the production of the AgNPs. The reducing agents used to produce the nanoparticles were from aqueous extracts made from the leaves of various plants.

ATP synthase: a molecular therapeutic drug target for antimicrobial and antitumor peptides.

In this review we discuss the role of ATP synthase as a molecular drug target for natural and synthetic antimicrobial/ antitumor peptides. We start with an introduction of the universal nature of the ATP synthase enzyme and its role as a biological nanomotor. Significant structural features required for catalytic activity and motor functions of ATP synthase are described.

Urinary schistosomiasis among pregnant women in some endemic tropical semi - urban communities of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Urinary schistosomiasis is caused by the deposition of eggs by adult flukes in the blood vessels surrounding the bladder of the infected host. Schistosomiasis is ranked the second most important parasitic disease of man and undoubtedly the most important of helminth origin. This paper reports the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among pregnant women in some endemic tropical semi - urban communities of Anambra State, Nigeria, screened using Medi-Test Combi 9 and urine centrifugation methods.

First Record of Co - infection of Three Clinostomatid Parasites in Cichlids (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) in a Tropical Freshwater Lake.

The present study investigated the effects of first record of co-infection of three Clinostomum sp.; Clinostomum Complanatum (Rudolphi, 1819), C. tilapiae (Ukoli, 1966), and Euclinostomum hetereostomum (1809) in Tilapia zilii.

Role of Charged Residues in the Catalytic Sites of Escherichia coli ATP Synthase.

Here we describe the role of charged amino acids at the catalytic sites of Escherichia coli ATP synthase. There are four positively charged and four negatively charged residues in the vicinity of of E. coli ATP synthase catalytic sites.

Effect of structural modulation of polyphenolic compounds on the inhibition of Escherichia coli ATP synthase.

In this paper we present the inhibitory effect of a variety of structurally modulated/modified polyphenolic compounds on purified F(1) or membrane bound F(1)F(o)Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Structural modulation of polyphenols with two phenolic rings inhibited ATP synthase essentially completely; one or three ringed polyphenols individually or fused together inhibited partially. We found that the position of hydroxyl and nitro groups plays critical role in the degree of binding and inhibition of ATPase activity.

Parasitological and histopathological effects of immunosuppression in guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus) experimentally infected with Schistosoma haematobium.

The parasitological and histopathological effects of immunosuppression in guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus) experimentally infected with Schistosoma haematobium were studied. A total of 16 guinea-pigs were divided into four groups (four per group): non-immunosuppressed, non-infected group (NN); immunosuppressed, non-infected group (IN); immunosuppressed, infected group (II); non-immunosuppressed, infected group (NI). The IN and II groups were immunosuppressed with 5 mg/kg prednisolone while the II and NI animals were infected with 200-300 S.

Ultrasonographic screening of urinary schistosomiasis infected patients in Agulu community, Anambra state, southeast Nigeria.

Background: The pathology of Schistosoma haematobium infection in 60 infected primary school children in Agulu community, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, with over 50 ova/10 ml urine was assessed.

Methods: The ultrasonographic examination was done using a sector scanner with convex probe. World Health Organisation method was used for classification and scoring of lesions.

The protistan parasite Perkinsus marinus is resistant to selected reactive oxygen species.

The parasite Perkinsus marinus has devastated natural and farmed oyster populations along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. When viable P. marinus trophozoites are engulfed by oyster hemocytes, the typical accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) normally associated with phagocyte activity is not observed.

Investigation into the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the Agulu Lake area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

In epidemiological surveys for urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium in communities around Agulu Lake, Anambra State, Nigeria, between 1990 and 1992, the infection was found to be endemic in the area, especially in three towns: Nri, Agulu, and Adazi Nnukwu. The prevalence rates varied between these communities and with the year. Inter-town prevalence rates ranged from 5.

Schistosoma haematobium cercariae transmission patterns in freshwater systems of Anambra State, Nigeria.

The seasonality of infection of Bulinus (Ph.) globosus, the snail host of Schistosoma haematobium is reported. The pattern of snail infection was shown to vary with the type of habitats.

On the effects of ivermectin on freshwater snails of medical and veterinary importance.

Ivermectin is lethal to Bulinus (Physopsis) globosus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and Lymnaea natalensis at concentrations of 0.08 micrograms/ml and above. Studies show that these snails will not recover from a 24 h exposure to 2.

Distribution of freshwater gastropods in the lower River Niger and Cross River basins of southeastern Nigeria with reference to their trematode infections.

Malacological surveys on the abundance of molluscan fauna were carried out in freshwater habitats at the 2 main rivers of southeastern Nigeria: River Niger and Cross River basins. A total of 19 species of gastropods were found, 13 of which are pulmonates and 6 prosobranchs. The distribution of the species varied between the habitats, with high densities recorded in patches within the habitats.

Helminth development stages isolated from cattle faeces and herbage in pastures of rural areas in Imo State, Nigeria.

Examination of faecal and herbal samples from pastures of 6 villages in various parts of Imo State exhibited a preponderance of helminth eggs and infective larva. The percentage of the various genera present was assessed. These genera include: Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Strongyloides, Neoascaris, Haemonchus, Trichuris (nematodes), Fasciola, Cotylophoron, Paramphistomum (trematodes), Moniezia (cestodes).