Airborne Fungi in Prison Indoor Environments of Nsukka and Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Air borne fungi are transmitted through the air which can cause respiratory infections in human leading to allergies, asthma and diseases of the respiratory tract. The study is to determine the prevalence of fungi isolates in Enugu and Nsukka indoor prison environments and the possible effects on the respiratory tracts of the prison inmates. Institutions that accommodate large number of people such as Prisons, schools and hospitals are prone to airborne diseases due to overcrowded and unhygienic environment. The study was carried out using convenience sampling method and health based questionnaires. One hundred and forty (140)samples were analyzed consisting prison offices(48),inmates cells (28),lavatory (16),furniture(8),nasal swabs(20) and hostels(20). AC single impactor with high vacuum pump was used for indoor air sample collection; thermometer was used in measuring the temperature of the room and hygrometer for measuring the humidity. Sterile swab was used in collection of nasal samples, walls, furniture, toilets and bathrooms. Sabouraund dextrose agar (0.05µg Chloramphenicol and 1µg of Streptomycin), Malt extract agar, Chromagar, Brain heart infusion agar, and Nutrient agar were used for culture media for isolation of fungi respectively. The data generated from this research was analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 23.The result obtained showed that the percentage distribution of fungi isolates in prison offices were 60.9%, 57.4% in Nsukka and Enugu respectively while the percentage distribution percentage distribution of fungi isolates in prison cells were 42.6% and 39.1% in Enugu and Nsukka respectively. There was a significant difference in the distribution of fungal isolates at P=0.042.The indoor temperature and humidity of Enugu and Nsukka were the same at P using ANOVA, when compared with the hostels that served as control. Considering the public health effects of these airborne fungi, appropriate measures should be put in place in prison indoor environment to prevent the growth of moulds and yeast and its dissemination.

Trade Flows within the United States Nursery Industry in 2018

This study is a continuation of the series of summaries by the Green Industry Research Consortium examining the regional trade flows in the U.S. nursery industry. This detailed analysis of green industry regional trade flows in eight U.S. regions compares 2018 data with those of the 2008 and 2013 national survey estimates of origin and destination (OD) information to sales data. Specifically, we discuss: 1) regional annual sales reported by the green industry firms in 2018, 2) the percentage distribution of OD trade flows by regions and states, 3) differences in the percentage distribution of OD trade flows during the 5-year period by region (2013 to 2018), and 4) differences in the percentage distribution of OD trade flows during the 10-year period by region (2008 to 2018) for both intra-state (within home state) and inter-regional (between states) trade flows. The OD trade flow results were compared with those of 2008 and 2013. The results show considerable changes in intra-state and inter-regional trade flows from 2013 to 2018. From 2008 to 2018, only the Southcentral region increased in the proportion of sales within the region. Implications for relevant green industry stakeholders are discussed.

Relationship of Blood Group Type and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Experience in A Peripheral Military Hospital

Introduction: Clinical studies have shown that advanced age and chronic diseases increase the risk of infection. Different studies have found blood groups are also a determining factor of severity. However, in Bangladesh it is yet to have any clinical pattern in this respect. The aim of this study is to find out whether there exists a relationship between the blood groups of the patients and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The study is a retrospective cohort study. It included all hospitalized RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Barishal. We included both genders and people who are older than 14 years of age. The study was conducted during the period between 4th June and 3rd August, 2020. In this period total 556 individuals reported and tested for SARS-CoV-2 where COVID +ve patients are served as patient group and COVID –ve patients are served as the controls. Results: Our sample consists of 185 patients; we found a percentage distribution of 34.6%, 39.5%, 5.4%, and 20.54% for blood groups A, B, AB and O, respectively. Blood group A was statistically significantly more frequent among those infected with COVID-19 compared to controls (34.6% vs. 21.83%, p-value 0.045 (<0.05); OR: 1.894).On the other hand, the frequency of blood group O was significantly lower in the COVID-19 patients, compared to the control group (20.54% vs 32.88%, p-value0.049 (<0.05); OR: 0.528). Although there was a higher percentage distribution of the B blood group among COVID-19 patients as compared to the control groups, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Also, there was no significant difference in the risk of COVID-19 in blood group AB with a distribution of 6.2% in control group, and5.4% in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the blood group A might have a role in increased susceptibility to the COVID-19 infection and the blood group O might be somewhat protective. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2021; 39(2): 94-99

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Responsible for the Spoilage of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) and Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) in Sokoto Metropolis

The research was conducted in 2016 at the Microbiology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. The main objective was to isolate and identify those bacteria responsible for the spoilage of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis). This approach presented extracting these bacteria form the vegetables and then culture then on agar plates, colonies were formed and subcultures on different plates, pure cultures were obtained and cultured in slant bottles containing nutrient agar for identification through biochemical test bacterial utilization of substrates which include Triple sugar ion, Methyl red and Vogues prosturer test, starch hydrolysis, Indole, citrate, catalase, urease test and recorded. Gram stain was carried out to identify the gram reaction and viewed under microscope for cell morphology. Bacteria species of the stock culture were identified using Atlas Book of Bacteria using the biochemical test results and gram stain reactions, the bacteria isolated were identified as gram negative rod bacteria. Percentage distribution of occurrence showed that E. coli had had the highest frequency of occurrence with percentage distribution of 42.8% in bitter leaf, followed by Proteus mirabilis, and B. cereus both having 28.6% respectively. Proteus mirabilis had 50% in fluted pumpkin, Klebsiella 33.3%, E. coli 16.7%. From the result, it was concluded that E. coli and Proteus had the highest occurrence of bacterial contamination of spoilt bitter leaf and fluted pumpkin sold in Sokoto metropolis and recommended sensitization proper hygienic measure during post-harvest handling of these vegetables. KEYWORDS: Isolation, Identification, Bacteria, Vegetables, Food Spoilage, Hygiene

PEMANFAATAN KOLEKSI KHUSUS BUNG HATTA DI UPT PERPUSTAKAAN PROKLAMATOR BUNG HATTA BUKITTINGGI

This research aims to describe; (1) internal factors, and (2) external factors that influence the participants in utilizing the special collection of Bung Hatta in the Upt Library Proclamation Bung Hatta Bukittinggi. This type of research is quantitative research, the research method used is a descriptive method. The location of this research was carried out at upt Library Proclamation Bung Hatta Bukittinggi Research object is a 19-year-old who has visited bung hatta special collection service of 36 respondents. Data collection conducted by disseminating questionnaires directly to the UPT library of Bung Hatta Bukittinggi Proclamation Library using incidental sampling techniques. The data analysis used is a quantitative deksriptive analysis presented in the form of a frequency and percentage distribution table.

A Study To Assess The Attitude Towards Vaginal Delivery VS Caesarean Delivery Among Mothers At Primary Health Centre At Guduvancherry, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

The objective of the study was to assess the number and percentage distribution of demographic variables among mothers and to assess the number and percentage distribution of attitude towards normal vaginal delivery among mothers and also to assess the number and percentage distribution of attitude towards caesarean delivery among mothers. Non experimental design was used. One hundred six mothers were selected for this study. It was conducted at the primary health centre at Guduvancherry, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India. Three Parts were used. Part.A, Demographic variables, Part .B, Contains attitude towards Vaginal delivery of 15 questions, Part.C, contains attitude towards caesarean delivery among mothers. Contains 15 questions of Study variable among attitude on caesarean delivery and normal delivery and the demographic variable was the age of the mother, type of family, number of children in the family, dietary pattern, monthly income, education, place of living, religion, occupation, type of work, preferences of the mother for the mode of delivery. Scoring key 5 points on the Likert scale was used for this study. The final result of this study shows that most of the mothers 82(77.4%) had a favourable attitude, 24(22.6%) of them had moderately unfavourable attitude, and none of them had an unfavourable attitude towards normal delivery. Most of the mothers 68(64.2%) had Moderately favourable attitude, 38(35.8%) of them had an unfavourable attitude, and none of them had a favourable attitude towards caesarean delivery.