Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are unique subpopulations of B cells with immune-regulating or immune-suppressing properties and play a role in peripheral tolerance. Due to the current limitations of human Breg studies among periodontal diseases, in the present study, we tried to analyze the change in circulating Bregs, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with periodontitis. Peripheral blood from 55 patients with stage 2 periodontitis and 20 healthy controls was analyzed using flow cytometry to evaluate the frequency of CD19+CD24+CD38+ Breg cells. ELISA was used to assess the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-10, IL-35, and TGF-β. Increased proportions of Breg cells were observed in patients with stage 2 periodontitis compared to controls. Serum levels of cytokines were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis compared to controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the frequencies of Breg cells and IL35 levels, IL10 levels, and TGF-β. In conclusion, our results suggest that the increase in peripheral Breg cells and serum cytokine levels among periodontitis patients seems to be closely associated with disease progression, a possible link between periodontitis, and systemic inflammatory process.

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Infection with cytomegalo virus (CMV), especially in pregnancy may cause pregnancy complications such as congenital infection, non-hereditary deafness, intrauterine growth restriction and other high defects. This study was to evaluate the prevalence of CMV in pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinics at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital (MAWCH) and Sokoto Specialist Hospital (SSH). The study enrolled 90 pregnant women (age range: 16-45 years old) and data on demographic and life styles obtained using structured questionnaire. Serum samples were assayed using CMV Ig-G EIA kit. Out of the 90 pregnant women examined, 88(97.8%) had IgG protective antibodies to CMV while 2(2.2%) did not have protective antibodies. The prevalence rate of 2.20% was obtained in pregnant women that did not have the protective CMV IgG antibodies and were in the age range of 16-30 years old. They were also found to be in their second trimester, which could have increased the risk of intrauterine transmission. The risk factors for CMV were observed to have been significantly (P > 0.05) correlated with the socioeconomic status, the levels of CMV Ig-G antibodies, stage of pregnancy as well as the symptoms of pregnancy complications observed in the study population while they were insignificant (P < 0.05) in the case of number of previous pregnancies. The outcome of effects on the fetus was usually fatal and irreversible. Therefore, all pregnant women should scrupulously consistently adhere to routine infection control precautions.

Two filed trials were carried out in Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons. Each trail included 12 treatments represent, hand hoeing once at 45 days after planting (DAP), hand hoeing twice at 45 and 65 DAP and hand hoeing thrice at 25, 45 and 65 DAP, using herbicides, Garlon at rate 200 cm/fed, Derby at rate 30 cm/fed, Starane at the rate of 200 cm/fed and Karmex at the rate of 2 kg/fed, and the use of these herbicides separately plus one hand hoeing at 65 DAP and unweeded (control). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Sugarcane var Ph. 8013 was used. The obtained results revealed that weed control treatments had a significant affected on narrow, broad leaved and total weeds (g/m 2) in both seasons. Hand hoeing thrice, hand hoeing twice and Garlon + one hand hoeing gave the best weed control as compared to unwedded treatment in the first and second seasons, respectively. Also, weed control treatments significantly affected stalk height and diameter, number of internodes/stalk, brix, sucrose and sugar recovery percentages as well as millable cans, cane and sugar yields in both seasons. Using hand hoeing thrice resulted in the highest values of the studied traits in both seasons, except brix, sucrose and sugar recovery percentages in the second season. Using Karmex + one hand hoeing resulted in the highest values of these traits as compared to the unwedded treatment. Under conditions of the present study, it can conclude that hand hoeing thrice achieved the highest values for cane and sugar yields.

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Pilot testing showed that in situ MTZ vaginal gel is more effective than the conventional vaginal gel for long-term cure of BV. These findings suggest a novel and efficient long-term treatment of BV.

Aim: The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize orf virus isolated from clinical infections in goats in Sokoto metropolis. Materials & methods: Embryonated chicken eggs were used to isolate orf virus according to the established protocol. Viral DNA was extracted and full coding region of B2L gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced and blasted for identification and phylogenetically analyzed. Results and discussion: The B2L gene sequences of the isolate showed slight variability (96–98.7%) with the reference sequences as it clustered within the same clade with Korean, Zambian and Ethiopian strains, signifying a close genetic relationship. Unique amino acid substitutions were noted. This is the first genetic characterization of B2L gene of orf virus circulating in Nigeria. Conclusion: This study has provided in sight into the genetic diversity of orf virus in the study area.