Evaluation of hydro-chemical facies and surface water quality dynamics using multivariate statistical approaches in Southern Nigeria.

The geochemical and chemical constituents of river water quality could be influenced by human activities and organic processes like water interacting with the lithogenic structure that the river flows through. Evaluating evidence based primary root of the predominant pollutant ions, their interactions as well as the factors controlling their dominance is crucial in studies regarding water environment and hydrology especially as most studies focus on theoretical methods. In order to understand the water cycle, safeguard surface water resources, and preserve the human environment, this study evaluated surface water hydro-chemical facies, quality dynamics, and portability in southern Nigeria using multivariate statistical approaches by analyzing selected hydro-chemical characteristics as indicators of pollution along the river during wet and dry seasons.

Detection and Characterization of Endplate Structural Defects on CT: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Study Design: Diagnostic test study.

Objective: To determine the reliability and validity or diagnostic accuracy of two previously described endplate structural defect (EPSD) assessment methods.

Summary Of Background Data: Studies of EPSD may further the understanding of pathoanatomic mechanisms underlying back pain.

Assessing the mechanisms of multi-drug resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars isolated from layer chicken farms in Nigeria.

Background: In Nigeria, there have been reports of widespread multiple antimicrobial resistance (AMR) amongst Salmonella isolated from poultry. To mitigate the impact of mortality associated with Salmonella on their farms, farmers resort to the use of antimicrobials without sound diagnostic advice. We conducted this study to describe the AMR patterns, mechanisms and genetic similarities within some Salmonella serovars isolated from different layer farms.

Thoracolumbar Vertebral Endplate Defect Morphology: A Descriptive Study of Human Cadaveric Spines Using Micro-Computed Tomography.

Study Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional cadaver study.

Objective: This study aimed to provide a thorough depiction of vertebral endplate defects classified based on their morphologic features and reported with respect to size, location, and prevalence in the human cadaveric spines of older adults.

Summary Of Background Data: Back pain has been associated with vertebral endplate defects; however, findings have been inconsistent.

Effects of risk factors on evoked pain patterns in rat models of experimental knee osteoarthritis.

Pain experiences in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be influenced differently by OA risk factors, reducing the translatability of preclinical research into the clinic. Our objective was to contrast evoked pain patterns after exposure to different OA risk factors including acute joint trauma, chronic instability, or obesity/metabolic syndrome using rat models of experimental knee OA. We tested longitudinal patterns of evoked pain behaviors (knee pressure pain threshold and hindpaw withdrawal threshold) in young male rats exposed to different OA-inducing risk factors including (1) nonsurgical joint trauma (impact-induced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture); (2) surgical joint destabilization (ACL + medial meniscotibial ligament transection); and (3) high fat/sucrose (HFS) diet-induced obesity.

Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in sheep flocks in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Q fever in sheep in the northern part of Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine Coxiella burnetii infection and its risk factors in sheep in Kaduna State. A total of 400 blood samples consisting of 259 samples from females and 141 from males were aseptically collected from the jugular vein of sheep from flocks in Kaduna State.

Prioritization of zoonotic diseases of public health significance in Nigeria using the one-health approach.

Nigeria, with a population of over 190 million people, is rated among the 10 countries with the highest burden of infectious and zoonotic diseases globally. In Nigeria, there exist a sub-optimal surveillance system to monitor and track priority zoonoses. We therefore conducted a prioritization of zoonotic diseases for the first time in Nigeria to guide prevention and control efforts.

Effect of Memantine Treatment and Combination with Vitamin D Supplementation on Body Composition in the APP/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Following Chronic Vitamin D Deficiency.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and altered body composition are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memantine with vitamin D supplementation can protect cortical axons against amyloid-β exposure and glutamate toxicity.

Objective: To study the effects of vitamin D deprivation and subsequent treatment with memantine and vitamin D enrichment on whole-body composition using a mouse model of AD.

Identification of Coronaviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Reoviruses, and Rotaviruses among Bats in Nigeria.

Bats are often consumed by some ethnic groups in Nigeria despite association of bats with many important emerging viruses. More than 300 bats representing eight species were captured during 2010-2011 in eight locations of northern Nigeria. Available fecal swabs (n = 95) were screened for the presence of arenaviruses, CoVs, paramyxoviruses (PMVs), reoviruses, rhabdoviruses, and influenza viruses using generic reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays.

Profiling the public health risk of canine rabies transmission in Kogi state, Nigeria.

Recently reports have emerged of rabies outbreaks in townships close to the city of Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State in Nigeria. Areas in Lokoja are known to have high rates of dog bites and dogs are frequently butchered for human consumption, both of which may constitute risk factors for rabies transmission. However, data on the relative importance of these factors on canine rabies exposure in the densely populated capital of Kogi State is scarce.

Serosurvey of West Nile virus in horses and detection of West Nile virus antigen in mosquitoes in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

West Nile virus (WNV) causes a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease of public health importance. The aim of this study was to determine the state of WNV infection in horses and detect the virus antigen in mosquitoes trapped in stables in Kaduna State Nigeria. The study was carried out in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and 368 horses were screened for the presence of antibodies against WNV using an IgG competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Examining the association of health literacy and numeracy with prostate-related knowledge and prostate cancer treatment regret.

Introduction: Educational materials used in prostate cancer shared decision-making are often written above the health literacy levels of the patients that may benefit the most from such tools. Poor understanding the oncologic and functional outcomes of prostate cancer treatment may influence patient regret during this process. In this study, we assess the association between health literacy, numeracy, prostate-related knowledge and treatment regret in a diverse population.

A retrospective study of dog bite occurrence and anti-rabies vaccination of dogs in a State Veterinary Hospital in Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Rabies is one of the world's major zoonoses. Controlling rabies continues to pose a major public health challenge. The issues surrounding dog bites and the vaccination of dogs against rabies are important to consider in implementing programmes to control the spread of rabies.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies prevention among residents of Abuja municipal area council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Introduction: Rabies is a fatal neglected zoonosis killing 55,000 people worldwide annually. It is endemic in Nigeria with 10,000 people exposed annually through dog-bites. To inform adequate intervention due to the rise in reported dog-bite cases, we assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP).

Serological and molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease viruses in agro-pastoralist livestock herds in the kachia grazing reserve, Nigeria.

The Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR) is located in Kaduna state in north-western Nigeria and consists of 6 contiguous blocks housing 744 defined households (HH), all engaged in livestock keeping. It is considered as a homogenous epidemiological unit and a defined study area. In 2012, all cattle and sheep of 40 selected HH were sampled to determine sero-prevalence of antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and of FMDV.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and Q fever (Coxiellosis) in cattle herds in Maigana and Birnin Gwari agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria.

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis and Q fever in cattle in Maigana and Birnin Gwari agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study aimed at determining the significance of Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetti infections in cattle.

Investigation of potential risk factors associated with Salmonella presence in commercial laying hen farms in Nigeria.

Background: In 2012/13, the Federal government of Nigeria approved the surveillance of salmonellae in commercial poultry farms with the aim of generating baseline data for the development of a control programme. That baseline provided an opportunity to investigate potential risk factors in commercial layer farms.

Methods: Five hundred and twenty-three farms were evaluated for the presence of Salmonella.

Salmonella serovars and their distribution in Nigerian commercial chicken layer farms.

Commercial poultry farms (n° 523), located in all the six regions of Nigeria were sampled with a view to generate baseline information about the distribution of Salmonella serovars in this country. Five different matrices (litter, dust, faeces, feed and water) were collected from each visited farm. Salmonella was isolated from at least one of the five matrices in 228 farms, with a farm prevalence of 43.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype SAT1 in cattle, Nigeria.

The knowledge of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) dynamics and epidemiology in Nigeria and the West Africa subregion is important to support local and regional control plans and international risk assessment. Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype South African territories (SAT)1 was isolated, identified and characterized from an FMD outbreak in cattle in Nigeria in 2015, 35 years after the last report of FMDV SAT1 in West Africa. The VP1 coding sequence of the Nigerian 2015 SAT1 isolates diverges from reported SAT1 topotypes resulting in a separate topotype.

Receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM/HMMR) is a novel target for promoting subcutaneous adipogenesis.

Hyaluronan, CD44 and the Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility (RHAMM, gene name HMMR) regulate stem cell differentiation including mesenchymal progenitor differentiation. Here, we show that CD44 expression is required for subcutaneous adipogenesis, whereas RHAMM expression suppresses this process. We designed RHAMM function blocking peptides to promote subcutaneous adipogenesis as a clinical and tissue engineering tool.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Foot and Mouth Disease Viruses from Outbreaks in Some States of Northern Nigeria 2013-2015.

Control measures for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Nigeria have not been implemented due to the absence of locally produced vaccines and risk-based analysis resulting from insufficient data on the circulating FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes/strains. In 2013-2015, blood and epithelial samples were collected from reported FMD outbreaks in four states (Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau and Bauchi) in northern Nigeria. FMDV non-structural protein (NSP) seroprevalence for the outbreaks was estimated at 80% (72 of 90) and 70% (131 of 188) post-outbreak.

Microbial Diversity of Impact-Generated Habitats.

Impact-generated lithologies have recently been identified as viable and important microbial habitats, especially within cold and arid regions such as the polar deserts on Earth. These unique habitats provide protection from environmental stressors, such as freeze-thaw events, desiccation, and UV radiation, and act to trap aerially deposited detritus within the fissures and pore spaces, providing necessary nutrients for endoliths. This study provides the first culture-independent analysis of the microbial community structure within impact-generated lithologies in a Mars analog environment, involving the analysis of 44,534 16S rRNA sequences from an assemblage of 21 rock samples that comprises three shock metamorphism categories.

Iodine potassium iodide improves the contrast-to-noise ratio of micro-computed tomography images of the human middle ear.

High-resolution imaging of middle-ear geometry is necessary for finite-element modeling. Although micro-computed tomography (microCT) is widely used because of its ability to image bony structures of the middle ear, it is difficult to visualize soft tissues - including the tympanic membrane and the suspensory ligaments/tendons - because of lack of contrast. The objective of this research is to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of iodine potassium iodide (IKI) solution as a contrast agent.

Profile of dog bite victims in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria: a review of dog bite records (2006-2008).

Introduction: Dogs are the major reservoir of rabies virus in Nigeria; transmission to humans is via a bite by rabid dog. Between 2006 and 2008 National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) rabies laboratory reported increased numbers of rabies in dogs and human dog bites. The objective of the study was to use veterinary and health records to develop a profile of bite victims and recommend appropriate public health actions.