Increasing the versatility of the biphenyl-fused-dioxacyclodecyne class of strained alkynes

Biphenyl-fused-dioxacyclodecynes are a promising class of strained alkyne for use in Cu-free 'click' reactions. In this paper, a series of functionalised derivatives of this class of reagent, containing fluorescent groups, are described. Studies aimed at understanding and increasing the reactivity of the alkynes are also presented, together with an investigation of the bioconjugation of the reagents with an azide-labelled protein.

Bacteriology of middle meatal aspirate of adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Lagos. University Teaching Hospital, Lagos

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly lowers the quality of life of patients. The common use of broad spectrum antibiotics for its treatment may alter the pathogens that promote the persistence of this condition. However, the data concerning the distribution of bacteria species. in patients with CRS are not consistent.

OBJECTIVE

To isolate the common aerobic and anaerobic bacteria from the middle meatal aspirates of adult patients with CRS and determine their antibiotic sensitivity patterns Methods: This was a case-control study of adults with diagnosis of CRS. Middle meatal aspirate and swab were obtained from cases and control respectively for bacteriological studies. Data analysis was done using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17 Result: Forty one aerobic bacteria were cultured. Sixty one percent of the aerobic bacteria isolated were gram positive (staphlylococcus.aureus was the most frequently found) organisms while the remaining 39% was gram negative. Fifteen peicent of the cultured isolates yielded mixed growth of both aerobes (Gram positive and gram negative).3(6%) isolates of Bacteroides species were cultured Conclusion: The present study found that Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp, Escherichia coli and Bacteroides spp) were the common bacterial flora in the paranasal sinuses of patients with CRS.

KNOWLEDGE OF CERUMEN AND EFFECT OF EAR SELF-CLEANING AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND

Ear wax lubricates, cleans and protects the external auditory canal while ear self-cleaning can lead to ear infections, trauma and perforation of the tympanic membrane. An erroneous understanding of these facts can lead to wrong practices with grievous consequences.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge on ear wax and the effects of ear self-cleaning among health workers in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was done on health workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria with administration of structured questionnaire. Knowledge of the participants on the effect of ear self-cleaning were classified as poor, fair or good based on the calculation of their knowledge score.

RESULTS

Out of 150 respondents, 10.7% of them had good knowledge of ear wax and the health effects of self-ear cleaning while 51.3% had poor knowledge. There was strong association between knowledge score and occupation (x²=24.113, P=0.007), while there was no association between knowledge score and practice of ear self-cleaning.

CONCLUSION

Most respondents had poor knowledge of the function of ear wax and the damage to the auditory canal associated with ear self-cleaning. There is thus, the need for public enlightenment on the complications of the practice.

Pattern of skin sensitivity to various aeroallergens in bronchial asthmatic patients in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Skin prick testing is an established way of investigating respiratory allergic diseases to determine the allergen or allergens responsible for clinical symptoms as well as degree of reactivity in the individual cases.

OBJECTIVE

To study the skin sensitivity to various aeroallergens by skin prick test in selected asthmatic patients (with and without concurrent Allergic Rhinitis).

DESIGN

A prospective case-control study.

SETTING

Tertiary Health Institution.

SUBJECTS

Cases were 160 adult patients with confirmed bronchial asthma and controls were 160 subjects without bronchial asthma.

METHODS

Skin prick test was performed with a panel of allergens which included house dust mites, cockroach, cat, dog, moulds, and aspergillus fumigatus on all subjects.

RESULTS

Amongst the asthmatic patients 148 (92%) had positive skin tests to the allergens, this is higher than findings from previous studies carried out on asthmatics in Lagos. The house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus) had the highest proportion of reactions among the study group. There is a higher incidence of severe reactions to other allergens (grass mix, dog skin, cat skin, aspergillus, cockroach) in the asthmatics than the control.

CONCLUSION

The skin test is a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting the presence and degree of allergy in asthmatics in our environment. However, the house dust mite was allergen that most of the subjects reacted to.