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Research Article
Detection of Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania
Gwimo Nancy,
Philbert Balichene Madoshi*
,
Katakweba Abdul S.,
Matee Mecky
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
14-22
Received:
22 February 2024
Accepted:
21 March 2024
Published:
11 April 2024
Abstract: Background: Hospital settings are associated with constant introduction of pathogens which can be transmitted among workers by patients, and visitors, resulting into potential nosocomial infections. This study compared the carriage and pattern of drug resistant S. aureus among patients and on equipment in hospital setting at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted by collecting samples from the anterior nares using sterile cotton swabs from patients. Furthermore samples were collected from inanimate surfaces, ward door handles; wheelchairs; and trolleys. The samples were incubated on mannitol salt agar plates aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using; erythromycin, azithromycin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and cefoxitin. Clindamycin inducible resistance was tested by D test as per CLSI (2019). Data analysis was carried using SPSS where Chi – square was used to compare the association of occurrence of resistance and source of isolation. Results: Out of 200 samples, 54 tested positive for S. aureus were from human while the prevalence of S. aureus in inanimate objects was high in beds 10 (40%). The AMR was observed more in azithromycin (26.3%) than other antimicrobials. The D-Test showed inducible clindamycin-resistant phenotype in 57.1% of the MRSA isolates. The maternity ward had the highest risk of being exposed to S. aureus contamination [OR = 9.9 (95% CI, 2.0-19.30), p = 0.01] and tables [OR = 4.6 (95% CI, 1.22-1.89, p= 0.03)]. The recovery wards were least likely to be contaminated with the result of four times likely to be contaminate for both patients and surfaces [OR = 5.1 (95% CI, 1.3-8.6), p= 0.04] when compared with other wards. Conclusion: This study presents some important findings on MRSA which is a global concern, the authors encourages more researches are done in MRSA for efficient availability in the AMR database.
Abstract: Background: Hospital settings are associated with constant introduction of pathogens which can be transmitted among workers by patients, and visitors, resulting into potential nosocomial infections. This study compared the carriage and pattern of drug resistant S. aureus among patients and on equipment in hospital setting at Morogoro Regional Refer...
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Research Article
Demographics and Pathomorphology of Ameloblastoma: A 9 Year Retrospective Review at a Tertiary Health Care Centre in North-Central Nigeria
Philip Ojile Akpa*,
Innocent Emmanuel,
Barka Vandi Kwaghe,
Ijeoma Ahunna Okwudire-Ejeh,
Ayuba Madachi Dauda,
Olugbenga Akindele Silas
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
23-29
Received:
19 March 2024
Accepted:
1 April 2024
Published:
17 April 2024
Abstract: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive neoplasm that arises from odontogenic epithelium of the dental lamina. It is classified into the conventional, unicystic, extraosseous/peripheral and metastasizing variants. It is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria and other developing countries. It affects individuals of all ages, has a peak of occurrence in the fourth and fifth decades with no sex predilection. The Mandible is the most commonly affected site and the conventional variant is predominant. The aim of this study is to document the demographics and Pathomorphology of ameloblastoma diagnosed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital over the past nine years. There is no previous documentation of the pattern of this tumour in the North-central region of Nigeria making this study relevant. This is a retrospective observational review of all cases of ameloblastoma diagnosed histologically at the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2023. Materials utilized consisted of patient clinical case files, electronic histopathology result records, histopathology glass slides and formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks. The patient age, sex, anatomic location of tumour in the Jaw/face and pathomorphological features were recorded for all cases. The data obtained was analysed using Epi-info 7 (version 3.5.4) and Microsoft-Excel. Results were presented in tables and charts. Fifty one cases of ameloblastoma were diagnosed during the 9 years of review. Their ages ranged between 6 and 65 years with a mean age of 30.9±13.8 years and a peak of occurrence in the third decade. There were 29 males and 22 females with a male to female ratio (M:F) of 1.3:1. Ninety-two percent of cases occurred in the mandible and 8% in the maxilla. The conventional variant accounted for 72.5% of cases and the unicystic variant 27.5%. The follicular type accounted for 64.8% of cases of conventional ameloblastoma. Ameloblastoma occurred more commonly in males with a peak in the third decade. A vast majority of cases involved the mandible and the conventional type was predominant. This demographic pattern supports existing evidence that ameloblastoma occurs more commonly in males and in relatively younger patients in Africa.
Abstract: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive neoplasm that arises from odontogenic epithelium of the dental lamina. It is classified into the conventional, unicystic, extraosseous/peripheral and metastasizing variants. It is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria and other developing countries. It affects individuals of all ages, has a pea...
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Research Article
Identification of Essential Components of RNA Binding Domain of TLS/FUS
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
30-43
Received:
5 April 2024
Accepted:
18 April 2024
Published:
10 May 2024
Abstract: TLS/FUS is RNA-binding protein having multiple functions of regulations of genes, homeostasis, and cellular growth. Recent studies show that TLS is involved in phase separation and occasionally forms precipitation related to neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). RNA has been reported to suppress phase separation, droplet formation, and concomitant precipitation of TLS, suggesting that RNA is a possible candidate for ALS drug discovery. Our experiments demonstrated that a long noncoding RNA, promoter-associated noncoding RNA (pncRNA-D), specifically binds TLS and represses its phase separation and precipitation. To obtain competent drug seeds, it is essential to reveal mechanism of action of lncRNAs with specificity to TLS and inhibitory activity on phase separation and related precipitation. For this purpose, several lncRNAs (lncRNAs 1 to 6) were selected upon assays with GST-TLS binding and inhibition on the precipitation. With criteria of binding specificity for TLS, lncRNA3 has been selected for further analysis for RNA-binding ability. Initially, RNA-binding region at TLS amino acid sequence was identified from four fragments of TLS. RNA binding assay with biotinylated lncRNA3 precipitated with avidin magnetic beads indicated clearly that TLS binds the fragment 4 (373-526 aa), C-terminus end of TLS. Then, dissecting fragment 4 presents four regions, RGG2, zinc finger, RGG3, and the nuclear localization signal (NLS) region in this order. Experiments with extensive deletion mutants indicated that just one deletion out of the four regions irs not enough to delete the TLS binding, although combinatorial deletion of zinc finger with other three regions almost wiped off the lncRNA3 binding. Remarkably, each of four regions alone has no binding to TLS, either. Collectively, RGG2, zinc finger, RGG3, and NLS all are essential for binding to lncRNA3, but are required to work synergistically for full binding. These data indicate that dynamic assembly of RNA-binding domain works for action of lncRNAs and possibly has allosteric effect on intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of N-terminus of TLS, implying relation of RNA-binding with phase separation and the resultant precipitation.
Abstract: TLS/FUS is RNA-binding protein having multiple functions of regulations of genes, homeostasis, and cellular growth. Recent studies show that TLS is involved in phase separation and occasionally forms precipitation related to neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). RNA has been reported to suppress phase separation, drop...
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Research Article
Effects of Intermittent Fasting and Sex on Blood Glucose, Free Fatty Acids, and Lipid Profile in Wistar Rats
Isehunwa Grace Olufunmilayo*,
Ibitoye Aishat Adenike
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
44-50
Received:
4 May 2024
Accepted:
24 May 2024
Published:
19 June 2024
Abstract: Intermittent fasting (IF) has been reported to improve metabolic health through its effect on glucose and lipid profile. However, there is limited information on the effects of Intermittent Fasting on free fatty acids and sex related differences. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Intermittent Fasting (IF) on blood glucose, free fatty acids, lipid profile in both male and female Wistar rats and sex related differences. Twenty Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 170-200g were used in the study. The animals were grouped into four (4) groups (n=5) per group. Groups 1 and 11 were male and female control groups respectively fed ad libitum with feed and water while groups 111 and 1V were male and female intermittent fasting groups fasted for 16 hours and fed for 8 hours for 28 days respectively. They had free access to water for 24 hours. At the end of 28 days fasting, blood glucose, free fatty acids and lipid profile were determined. The results of the study showed that intermittent fasting was associated with a significant increase in free fatty acids in female rats (p< 0.05) but a non- significant increase in male rats. In both female and male rats, intermittent fasting was associated with a significant decrease (p< 0.05) ins blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, but a non-significant decrease in triglyceride compared with control groups in both male and female rats. In conclusion, Intermittent fasting may help to improve blood glucose and maintain a balanced lipid profile in both males and females. However, Intermittent fasting may also raise the level of free fatty acids and the effect might be more pronounced in females.
Abstract: Intermittent fasting (IF) has been reported to improve metabolic health through its effect on glucose and lipid profile. However, there is limited information on the effects of Intermittent Fasting on free fatty acids and sex related differences. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Intermittent Fasting (IF) on blood glucose, free ...
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