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SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRENT HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTIONS AMONG HIV-INFECTED INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING A HOSPITAL IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

¹Dibia, C. S., ¹Frank-Peterside, N., ¹Cookey, T. I., ¹Onyedibia, G., ²Okonko, B. J. & ¹Okonko, I. O.

¹Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

²Medical Microbiology & Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria

Corresponding author: constance_smith@uniport.edu.ng

ABSTRACT: The human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important opportunistic pathogen that accelerates disease progression in HIV-infected individuals globally, which contributes to a high rate of morbidity, mortality, HIV acquisition and disease progression. This qualitative cross-sectional study analysed plasma samples from 93 HIV positive subjects visiting a health institution in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study aimed to investigate the burden and associated factors of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) co-infection among HIV-infected individuals in Rivers State. Plasma samples were screened via serology for the presence of specific HCMV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA kits. Socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed statistically using frequency tables, charts and Chi-square where applicable. Of the 93 subjects, only 4(2.20%) were seropositive for HCMV IgM antibodies. No statistical association existed between the prevalence of HCMV IgM antibodies and the most socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, occupation and marital status), except for Religion and ART use (2.2%), which were significantly associated. Low prevalence of HCMV IgM antibodies was found in the age group 25-44 years (1.08%), both genders had 1.08% each, married ones 3(1.61%), no education (1.08%), employed (1.08%), Christians (2.20%) and ART use (2.20%). The low seropositivity of HCMV IgM antibodies in this study is an indication that there is an active HCMV infection among the study population, although not high, which still necessitates the need for serological evaluation in all HIV-infected individuals to avoid the spread of HCMV coinfection.

[Dibia, C. S., Frank-Peterside, Cookey, T. I., N., Onyedibia, G., Okonko, B. J. & Okonko, I. O. SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRENT HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTIONS AMONG HIV-INFECTED INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING A HOSPITAL IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. Rep Opinion 2026;18(2):1-6]. ISSN 1553-9873 (print); ISSN 2375-7205 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/report. 01. doi:10.7537/marsroj180126.01

Keywords: HCMV; HIV; Coinfections; IgM; ELISA; antibodies

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POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (KMnO⁴) ON THE POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) FRUITS

ALAMA HAPPY INEYE, BABATOLA LYDIA ADEOLA, IBIRONKE HENRY OLALEKAN

Department of Crop and Horticultural Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State

Corresponding Author: alamaineye48@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important crop and a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, the climacteric nature leads to rapid ripening and significant post-harvest losses, particularly in tropical regions. While various preservation methods exist, potassium permanganate (KMnO⁴) has emerged as a promising ethylene absorber for extending shelf life. This study investigated the effects of varying concentrations of KMnO⁴ (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8g) on the postharvest quality and shelf life of tomato fruits during 21 days of storage. This research evaluated multiple parameters including firmness, color change, freshness, physiological weight loss, decay percentage, nutritional composition, and mineral content. The experiment was completely randomized and replicate three times. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance at 5% level of significance and treatment mean were separate using least significant difference (LSD). Results showed that 6gKMnO⁴ treatment significantly maintained optimal firmness and highest freshness throughout storage, while 4gKMnO⁴ demonstrated the lowest physiological weight loss (0.37-11.07%). Color development showed no significant differences among treatments, though control fruits exhibited more pronounced changes by day 21. The tomato fruits treated with 8gKMnO⁴ maintained the highest levels of Total Soluble Solids (3.60%), Vitamin C (11.2%), and lycopene content (0.95%). While mineral content showed general decline across all treatments, KMnO⁴ treated fruits better maintained their nutritional composition compared to control samples.  This study revealed that KMnO⁴, particularly at 4 and 6g, effectively functions as an ethylene scavenger, regulating ripening processes and maintaining fruit quality through several methods of action.

[ALAMA HAPPY INEYE, BABATOLA LYDIA ADEOLA, IBIRONKE HENRY OLALEKAN. POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (KMnO⁴) ON THE POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) FRUITS Rep Opinion 2026;18(2):7-17]. ISSN 1553-9873 (print); ISSN 2375-7205 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/report. 02. doi:10.7537/marsroj180126.02

Keywords: Tomato; Climacteric; Ethylene; absorber; Postharvest

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A Comparative Study of the Effect of Financial Development on Economic Growth under Asymmetric Information

Khan Anwar Kamal School of Economics & Management, Nanjing University of Science& Technology, Nanjing 210094, China Anwarkamal572@gmail.com

Zong Yongjian School of Economics & Management, Nanjing University of Science & Technology, Nanjing 210094, China. zongyongjian@sina.com

School of Economics & Management, Nanjing University of Science & Technology, Nanjing 210094, China

Abstract: This paper studies the relationship between the development of financial sector and the real growth of an economy under asymmetric information, because real growth depends on the financial structure development, so that countries with more developed financial structure enjoy a higher growth rate than other countries. This study introduces the economic growth rate as the measure for real sector development, and the variables such as the stock market value to GDP as measures of financial sector development. The standard deviation logarithm of the stock exchange stock price index and bank credit proxy to the private sector are used as the measures of asymmetric information in financial and monetary markets. Using the panel data for selected developed and developing countries during 1993 -2008, the target model is estimated. The results indicate that the financial market is more effective than the monetary market in developed countries. The financial structure of developed countries is also different from that of developing countries, and this is due to the high degree of symmetric information in the former countries, but the monetary market is more powerful than the financial market in developing countries.

[Khan Anwar Kamal. A Comparative Study of the Effect of Financial Development on Economic Growth under Asymmetric Information. Rep Opinion 2026;18(2):18-30]. ISSN 1553-9873 (print); ISSN 2375-7205 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/report. 03. doi:10.7537/marsroj180126.03

Keywords: financial development; economic growth; asymmetric information; panel data

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