bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anaesthesia management for cleft lip in a child with unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot in Malawi: a case report
Authors: Pascal Furaha Nzanzu Blaise , Anusa Beauty , Chikumbanje Stella , Pollach Gregor 
Published: April 2023

Background
Children with clefts lips often present with cardiac abnormalities, among them the tetralogy of Fallot. Anaesthesia for patients with unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot coming for a non-cardiac surgery represents an additional risk of increased perioperative morbidity and mortality.
Case presentation
We present a case of a 8 years old boy with unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot scheduled for cleft lip repair. The Child was referred to Mercy James Centre for Paediatric Surgery and Intensive Care from an Operation Smile Mission campaign. Anaesthesia consisted of a balanced general anaesthesia combined with regional anaesthesia by an infraorbital nerve block. The child developed hypercyanotic spells postoperatively which were successfully managed with noradrenaline, morphine, fluid, and oxygen therapy.
Conclusion
Children with unrepair Tetralogy of Fallot coming for non-cardiac surgery have increased risk of complications during anaesthesia. The anaesthesia provider should be aware and ready to manage them promptly.
Evaluation of CD4 Count, Haemoglobin, and Intestinal Parasites Status of Cancer Patients Receiving Oncology Therapy in Calabar, Nigeria
Authors: Otu-Bassey I.B. , Inah O.I. , Omang P.A. 
Published: April 2023

Cancer is a human cellular error with a high mortality rate, especially in developing regions. Resolving this error with therapy may render patients immunologically depressed and susceptible to opportunistic infections including parasitic. The gut parasites, Cluster of Differentiation four (CD4) cells and haemoglobin (Hb) levels of cancer patients on oncology therapy in Calabar, Nigeria were studied. Stool and blood samples were collected from 317 (186 cancer and 131 apparently healthy) subjects. Parasites were identified using direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques while CD4 and Hb estimation were done using BD-fascount and fluorescent flow cytometric techniques, respectively. Data were analysed using chi-square and independent sample t-test. Overall parasitosis prevalence in this study was (27.44%) with cancer showing an association with intestinal parasitosis (P=0.001) and CD4 level (P=0.002), respectively but none with Hb level. Parasiteinfected cancer subjects had significantly lower mean haemoglobin concentration than their non-infected counterpart (t = - 4.869, P<0.001). Generally, cancer subjects on cancer treatment had an insignificantly lower parasite and significantly lower CD4 levels compared to their non-treated counterpart (P = 0.829) and (P<0.001), respectively but their mean haemoglobin levels were similar (P=0.701). Cancer subjects on chemotherapy alone had significantly higher parasite prevalence, 50.00% compared to 28.95% for those on combined (surgery and chemotherapy) treatment (P=0.014), whereas the type of treatment showed no significant effect on CD4 and Hb levels. Parasite occurrence was only pronounced (71.43%) among subjects with >12 months of treatment duration (P=0.1038). There was a correlation between duration of treatment and CD4 levels (r = - 0.231, P<0.05) but none with haemoglobin levels (r = 0.024, P>0.05) of cancer subjects. In conclusion, although this study has shown that cancer as a condition increases parasite prevalence and reduces mean CD4 counts in subjects, their haemoglobin levels were not significantly affected, except for subjects with intestinal parasite infections. Treatment with cancer therapy did not also affect the haemoglobin concentration, but significantly reduced the CD4 cell number of subjects. Subjects who had majorly, chemotherapy were mostly infected with the parasite but with no noticeable effect on their CD4 and haemoglobin levels. A prolonged duration of treatment increased parasitosis and reduced the CD4 level of subjects but did not affect haemoglobin levels. Apart from the oncological treatments given to cancer subjects, management of cancer subjects should include parasitological examination and treatment, periodic monitoring of their hematologic profile and regular immune revitalization procedures, especially for those placed on prolonged therapy.
Intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients in relation to ART adherence in Nigeria
Authors: Udeh E.O. , Obiezue R.N.N. , Ikele C.B. , Otuu C.A. , Okoye, I.C. , Eke S.S. , Okafor F.C. , Goselle O.N. , Jwanle P. , Iheanacho N.S. , Abba P.O. , Amali N.M. 
Published: April 2023

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) cause morbidity among HIV-infected individuals. Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects treatment outcomes, especially in low-middle-income countries. The study evaluated the prevalence of IPI among HIV patients in relation to ART adherence between May and November 2017. Ethical approval and consent were obtained from the ethical review committee of the Benue State Ministry of Health and patients respectively. Patients’ clinical records were reviewed, and ART adherence status was obtained from the adherence assessment cards. Participants were given two labelled sterile containers for stool samples. Direct wet mount of samples was prepared in normal saline to identify helminths ova and larvae. Samples were further processed using parasite concentrators. Slides were stained with Lugol’s iodine, modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast and Giemsa and subsequently examined under a light microscope using x10 and x40 objectives. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and SPSS version 22. Of the 757 patients, females constituted 57.7% (n=437). Good adherence rate (>95%) was 61.9% (n=469). More females (n=301, 64.2%) than males (n=168, 35.8%) had good adherence status. IPI rate among ART patients was 16.4% (n=124). Entamoeba histolytica (n=5, 1.0%), Giardia lamblia (n=3, 0.6%) and Taenia sp. (n=8, 1.7%) were IPI seen among good adherence patients, and as single infections without diarrhoea. IPI was significant (p<0.05) among poor adherence patients (37.5%, n=108) compared to good adherence patients (3.4%, n=16). IPI were significant among females; 1.9% (n=9) in the good adherence group and 19.8% (n=57) in the poor adherence group. Cryptosporidium parvum (n=20, 6.9%), E. histolytica (n=15, 5.2%), E. coli (n=11, 3.8%), G. lamblia (n=10, 3.5%) and Taenia sp. (n=10, 3.5%) accounts for significant rates of infections among patients with poor adherence, with multiple infections and associated diarrhoea seen in 10 (3.5%) of them. Routine monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients for IPI by healthcare providers is necessary. Coinfected patients with poor ART adherence should be routinely screened for IPI and promptly treated. Antiparasitic drugs should be provided as prophylaxis along with ART, to enhance their overall treatment outcome.
Assessment of Plasmodium falciparum Resistance to Artemisinin Among Attendees of Selected Health Facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwibani C.P. , Azuonwu O. , Abbey S.D. , Wokem G.N. 
Published: April 2023

Across-sectional research, aimed at evaluating artemisinin drug resistance in falciparum malaria patients attending selected health facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria, was done between July 2019 and March 2020. The selected hospitals were Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Model Primary Health Centre (MPHC), Iriebe, all in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study population was 1000 subjects with an overall malaria prevalence of 25.5%, the number of enrolled participants from RSUTH was 494 with the highest infection rate of 32.5%, 300 from UPTH which had the least (11%) prevalence, while 206 were from MPHC, Iriebe with 29.6% prevalence accordingly. Blood samples were collected from these subjects by phlebotomy method. Plasmodium falciparum parasite was determined by microscopy using thick and thin blood films stained with Giemsa staining technique. Artemisinin resistance markers were assessed using the nested polymerase chain reaction method. The study population consisted of children, pregnant women, and other adults of both sexes. Out of the forty-seven isolates assayed for K13 and ATPase 6 genes, who carried the artemisinin-sensitive wild-type allele, none of these isolates exhibited both ATPase 6 and Kelch -13 resistance genes/mutations hence no single nucleotide polymorphism was observed. This suggests that this part of the country is not under the threat of artemisinin resistance. However, this should not undermine the need for continuous monitoring and surveillance of the response of P. falciparum to Artemisinin and Artemisinin combination therapy (ACTs) in River State.
Relative Productivity of Mosquito Larval Habitats for Abundance and Immature stages Distribution in Relation to Physicochemical Properties in Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Shehu I.K. , Bawa S.M. , Mohammed A. , Yakudima I.I. , Hasber S. 
Published: April 2023

Immature mosquitoes were evaluated for the productivity of the breeding habitats using field cages in Niger State. Mosquitoes were sampled weekly both outside and inside field experimental cages by dipping and emptying the cages in a bowl container and identified using microscope-guided standard morphological keys. Three genera namely, Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex, were encountered and the mean immature abundance rate (IAR), in gutters, follows decreasing order and dominated by Culex (93.16±10.79%) > Anopheles (17.79±2.23%) > Aedes (15.77±2.12 %). In swamps, Anopheles highest mean (78.04±8.00%), followed by Culex (28.13±2.55%) and Aedes(14.54±1.56%). Similarly, in large water bodies, the distribution decreases as; Anopheles (74.33±7.07%)> Culex (27.14±2.50%)>Aedes (12.91±1.30%). In terms of immature productivity rate (IPR) among the three genera, Culex had the highest mean in gutters (191.29±22.37%) followed by Anopheles in large waters and swamps (148.03±14.81% and 153.15±15.92%) while lowest was Aedes (25.57±2.42%) in large water. Furthermore, for the density of immature, 1st stage (L1) recorded the highest followed by 2nd stage (L2), followed by 3rd stage (L3), and the least was the 4th stage (L4) for IAR and IPR. For the estimation of breeding habitats, the cage sampling method is the most reliable (709.86±73.63 mosquitoes) when compared with dipping techniques that recorded 324.06±44.00 mosquitoes. Mosquito physicochemical conditions varied significantly with DO (8.83±0.40) in large water bodies; nitrate (4.57±0.55), phosphate (3.26±0.73), calcium (88.19±12.79), sulphur (28.23±2.45), potassium (10.63±0.76), chlorine (87.52±20.89) and alkalinity (187.00±26.39) in the gutters. However, a positive correlation between rainfall and mosquito species (r = 0.523 to 0.801) as well as between relative humidity and mosquitoes (r= 0.236 to 0.551, p>0.05) on mosquito populations. Only Anopheles in large water habitats was significant (0.801*, p>0.05). The findings revealed disparities in the abundance and larval habitat production rates of the mosquito genera and associated positively with some physicochemical and metrological cues. Consequently, an effective tactic must be developed for mosquito control, particularly in the most highly recognized breeding habitats.
Prevalence of Giardia lamblia Infection among Pupils and Students from Selected Schools in Nsukka Metropolis, Enugu State
Authors: Onah I.E. , Nwafor O.E. , Okwor J.I. , Eze S.C. , Haruna S.A. , Ugwuanyi N.F. 
Published: April 2023

Globally, Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal protozoa parasite with about 200 million yearly infections in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The parasite is common in third-world countries with poor living conditions. The current surge in terrorism across Nigeria has forced people to migrate into relatively peaceful regions and Nsukka has been one of the cities in Nigeria that have witnessed the influx of migrants. This migration aids the spread of G. lamblia and thus puts the public health of the inhabitants of Nsukka metropolis at risk. The current state of G. lamblia infection in Nsukka metropolis is not known and this knowledge gap hampers effective planning by public health officers and policymakers to safeguard the public health of the inhabitants. The objectives of this study were to provide information on the prevalence of G. lamblia infection among pupils and students from selected schools within Nsukka metropolis and to provide data on the age group that is more vulnerable to the parasitic infection among the studied population for public health campaign against the parasite. Faecal samples were collected from 170 individuals from five different schools. The faecal samples were examined for G. lamblia under the microscope using formol-ether concentration and direct smear methods. The prevalence of G. lamblia is 38.2%. The prevalence is higher in males (40.3%) than in females (36.7%). El-Shaddai Nursery and Primary School (ENPS) and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) recorded the highest prevalence of 53.3% each. Children in the age groups 3 - 7 years had the highest prevalence of 66.7%. Giardia lamblia is widespread among children and university students in Nsukka metropolis.
Prevalence of Antimalaria-Drug-Resistant-Plasmodium-falciparum Mutant Genes in Out-Patients from a Malaria Endemic Region in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Oniya M.O. , Obimakinde E.T. , Simon-Oke I.A. , Afolabi O.J. , Adeogun A.O. , Oyeniyi T.A . 
Published: April 2023

The research identified, ipso facto, Pfcrt gene SNP at codons 72&76 and Pfmdr1 gene SNPs at codons 86 &184 and 1034,1042 &1246 from malaria patients in Ifedore Local Government Area (LGA) in Ondo State, Nigeria. Thick blood film microscopy was used to examine blood samples from 2,063 febrile malaria patients within the study area. Four hundred positive samples were used to make Dry Blood Spots (DBS) on Whatman No.3 paper. The parasite DNAwas extracted from the DBS samples using spin column-based DNA purification kit. Identification and genotyping of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of the parasite were done using Nested PCR method. Molecular analysis of the 400 positive samples yielded 352 positive results after testing with various plasmodia markers with only Plasmodium falciparum detected in the study area. Results obtained from genotyping the mutant genes showed that of all the 352 P. falciparum isolates examined, Pfmdr1 SNP at codons 86&184 recorded the highest prevalence (11.08%), followed by Pfmdr1 SNP at codon 1034,1042&1246 (7.95%) while Pfcrt SNPat codon 72&76 recorded the lowest prevalence (3.41%). A prevalence of 19.32% coexistence of the three SNPs of the mutant genes was observed among the study population (p<0.05). The existence of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes suggests resistance of P. falciparum to most malaria drugs used in the treatment of malaria in the study area. Therefore, it is important to monitor resistance to treatment regimens and therapeutics to aid the management of malaria in endemic areas.
Human Water Contact Behaviour and Schistosoma haematobium Infection among Almajiri School Children in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Abbas U. , Eberemu N.C. , Orpin J.B. , Kaware M.S. 
Published: April 2023

Urinary schistosomiasis is caused by a parasitic flatworm (Schistosoma haematobium) commonly called blood fluke which infects humans and causes public health problems. The study was conducted to determine the current status of human water contact behaviour and Schistosoma haematobium infection among Almajiri school children in Kurfi local area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to 367 randomly selected Almajiris to assess the risk factors and to identify the relationship between human water contact and the infection of urinary schistosomiasis. Parasitological analysis was also used to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection among the Almajiri. Out of 367 sampled tested 161 were positive. The prevalence is significantly higher in Kofar Yamma Almajiri School with 51(47.66%) when compared to other schools and there is no significant relationship between human water contact and the infection in the study area due to the absence of intermediate host snail found in the study area.
Effects of oregano essential oil and capsicum extract supplementation on slaughter characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of lambs
Authors: Ünlü H.B. , İpçak H.H. , Kandemir Ç. 
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oregano essential oil (OEO) and capsicum oleoresin extract (CAO) supplementation on lamb slaughter characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition. In the study, 18 male and 18 female lambs were divided into three equal groups for a 56- day feeding period. The first group was fed the control diet, while the other groups were fed a control diet containing either 300 mg OEO/kg or 300 mg CAO/kg of diet. Feeding OEO or CAO had no effect on the slaughter and carcass quality of the fattening lambs. However, when compared to the female lambs, the male lambs were found to have higher slaughter weights, hot and cold carcass weights, and dressing percentage, while having lower back fat thickness. In addition, OEO substantially increased the intramuscular fat. Dry matter, protein, pH24, meat colour (L*, a*, and b*), drip loss, and cooking loss were not affected by dietary treatment or sex. The addition of OEO or CAO to the diets did not change the meat lipid oxidation or sensory quality characteristics at different storage times. However, meat from the female lambs was found to have thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values lower than that of the meat from the male lambs after 2 d and 4 d of storage. However, the female lamb meat was more preferred in terms of flavour and general acceptance. The ΣMUFA, ΣPUFA, ΣUFA, Σn-6, Σn-3, and Σn-6/Σn-3 contents of the lamb meat were not affected by the dietary treatment. As a result, the inclusion of 300 mg of oregano essential oil/kg of DM in lamb diets is considered appropriate because of its significant contributions to the fat composition of lamb meat.
Responses of broiler chickens fed diets containing sunflower meal and wheat middlings pre-treated with enzymes
Authors: Muchiri F. , Gachuiri C.K. , Kiarie E.G. 
Published: April 2023

The effects of feeding diets containing sunflower and wheat middlings pre-treated with fibredegrading enzymes were investigated. Based on hatch body weight (BW), 288 Ross-708 male broiler chicks were placed in cages (six birds/cage). Diets were: 1) positive control (PC), a maize–soybean positive control; 2) negative control (NC), PC plus untreated sunflower meal (USM) and wheat middlings (UWM); and 3) four test diets in which USM and UWM were replaced with pre-treated sunflower (TSM) and wheat middlings (TWM) at 25% (NC25), 50% (NC50), 75% (NC75) and 100% (NC100). The pretreated feedstuffs were mixed with 1% of FDE in a ratio of 1:2 w/w for feedstuff:water and incubated for 24 hours at 40 °C, and oven-dried before feed preparation. Diets were formulated for two phases (starter, 0–21 d) and finisher (22–42 d). Diets were allocated in a completely randomized design (eight replicates per diet) and birds had free access to feed and water. Bodyweight (BW) and feed intake (FI) were monitored by phase, and one bird per cage was sacrificed on days 21 and 42 for samples. The BW and BW gain (BWG) of NC up to NC50 were not different relative to PC, but NC75 and NC100 were lower than PC throughout the study. On day 21, liver weight had increased linearly and on day 42, tibia length and diameter linearly decreased with the inclusion of TSM and TWM. In conclusion, TSM and TWM at low levels did not affect performance while high inclusion levels reduced the performance of the broilers.
The effect of β-carotene and vitamin E on metabolic profiles in nutritionally flushed sheep
Authors: Irmak M. , Kayri V. , Tufan T. , Coşkun D. , Özcan C. , Çelik Ö.Y. , Denli M. 
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of β-carotene and vitamin E on serum biochemistry, body condition score, and the number of offspring in sheep during the flushing period. To this purpose, forty Romanov sheep 45 (±1 kg) body weight and 3 years of age were allocated into one of four experimental treatments with 10 replicates for 6 weeks: the control (only flushing), and three treatment groups injected intramuscularly with 1, 2, and 4 ml β-carotene + vitamin E in the third week of flushing, respectively. The 4-ml treatment of β-carotene + vitamin E evidently increased the follicle- stimulating hormone level. The 2-ml treatment of β-carotene + vitamin E increased the triglyceride concentration in the serum. Body condition score, offspring number, and biochemical parameters (cholesterol, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, aspartate aminotransferase, beta hydroxyl butyric acid, total protein, and glucose) were not affected by any levels of β-carotene + vitamin E administration. These findings indicate the positive role of β-carotene + vitamin E administration on pregnancy rate and some blood parameters during flushing.
Effect of microRNA, miR-215, on gene expression and metabolism of porcine intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Li Hongyi , Zhang Mao , Liu Wenjuan 
Published: April 2023

MiR-215 maintains a high level of expression in healthy pig intestine and is decreased in lesions or injuries. To clarify the influence of miR-215 on the porcine intestine, miR-215 mimic/inhibitor was transfected into the intestinal porcine epithelial cell line, J2 (IPEC-J2) to overexpress or suppress the expression of miR-215. The treated cells were subjected to various functional assays. The effect of miR-215 on global gene expression was detected using high-throughput sequencing on the BGISEQ500 platform; cell proliferation was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8); and the role of miR215 on cellular metabolism was tested using non-targeted metabonomics and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Our results revealed that miR-215 promoted cell proliferation in IPEC-J2, up-regulated the expression of the ribosomal protein family, and downregulated the expression of oncogenesis-related genes and tumour-suppressor genes. Results of the RNA sequencing and the metabonomics detection reveal that miR-215 affects the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Our results contribute to further research on miR-215 in the regulation of barrier function and metabolism in the porcine intestine.