Asymptomatic intestinal protozoa in school age children in Pategi, Pategi LGA of Kwara state, Nigeria.

Introduction: Intestinal protozoan infection is one of the principal diseases contributing to human illness and suffering in tropical countries with significant morbidity and mortality effect on children. The prevalence of intestinal asymptomatic protozoan infection was assessed (November, 2012 through May, 2013) among school age children in Pategi, Pategi Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria.Materials and methods: Four public primary schools with nursery, prebasic and basic sections were used for the study. The age range was from 1 to 15 years old. Seven hundred and forty eight (748) stool specimens were collected and examined for protozoan cysts using the direct wet preparation and formol-ether concentration methods.Results: One hundred and ninety seven (26.3%) of the samples were positive for intestinal protozoan parasite. The distribution of the parasites was E. histolytica/dispar (75.1), E. coli (18.8) and G. lamblia (6.1%). Balantidium coli cyst was not detected in the stool samples of the pupils. Highest prevalence of E. histolytica was observed among Gboke primary school (35.0%), closely followed by Nyamkpan (31.7%) and Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) (5.9%). Though males (28.0%) were more infected than female (24.7%), the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) except for G. lamblia infection (P<0.05).Conclusion: The public health implication of asymptomatic carriage in cysts of intestinal protozoan among the children with poor personal hygiene was discussed. The use of mass chemotherapy and integrated measures of parasitic control would be of utmost importance in reducing the level of symptomatic infections among children.Key words: Asymptomatic, amoebiasis, giardiasis, rural area, children

Techno-economic assessment of photovoltaicdiesel generator-battery energy system for base transceiver stations loads in Nigeria

There are over 50,000 telecommunication base transceiver stations (BTS) operating on conventional diesel generators across Nigeria, giving rise to a high operational cost and emission of Greenhouse gases which can be minimized by the adoption of greener energy generation. Presented in this study, is an analysis of the techno-economic and emission impact of a stand-alone hybrid energy system designed for base transceiver stations (BTS) in the Nigerian telecom industry. Using various performance criteria the feasibility of adopting hybrid photovoltaic-diesel generator and battery (PV/DG/Battery) system is analyzed under two different diesel pump price regimes. In all, it is observed that all BTS locations across the six geopolitical zones could adopt PV/battery/DG hybrid renewable energy system in place of the diesel generator (DG) which is, presently, the main technology being used across the BTSs. Besides its economic advantages over the diesel generator, HRES configurations also performed better with respect to diesel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission

Prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites in stray and domicile dogs in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria

Uncontrolled population of stray and domicile dogs with intestinal protozoan in close proximity to increasing densities of human population in urban environments is a common fact in developing countries, in conjunction with the lack of veterinary attention and zoonotic awareness, increases the risks of disease transmission. We examined using standard method 108 stool specimens of stray and domicile dogs collected randomly from Ilorin, state capital of Kwara State, Nigeria for intestinal protozoan. The prevalence of intestinal parasites from both stray and domicile dogs was 64(59.3%). Three parasites were encountered; Anchylostoma sp, Cryptosporidium sp and Isospora sp. Female dogs were more infected (48.9%) than male dogs (11.1%) (P<0.001) while the stray dogs had more intestinal parasitic infection (68.3%) than domicile dogs (46.7). More of Cryptosporidium sp was observed among strayed dogs (36.5%). Double infection was highest in stray dogs (12.7%) than in domicile dogs (4.4%) but not statistically significant (p=0.051). Consistent sanitary education must be included in public health government actions as a first step for the control of intestinal parasites in dogs and good sanitation and hygiene should be encouraged minimize environmental contamination and contact with the infectious oocysts that may be shed by dogs.Keywords: Stray dog, domicile dog, zoonoses, Crysptosporidium, Isospora

Effects of two puzzle-based instructional strategies on primary school pupils' learning outcomes in social studies in Ondo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The persistent poor achievement being recorded in Social Studies at the primary school level in Nigeria has been attributed to inadequate instructional resources and the use of lecture methods which do not promote active participation of pupils in the teaching-learning process. Most previous studies have not explored the use of Three Dimensional Puzzle-Based Strategy and Paper and Pencil Puzzle-Based Strategy especially in Social Studies classroom which encourage active pupils' participation. This study therefore determined the effects of Three Dimensional Puzzle-Based Strategy (TDPS) and Paper and Pencil Puzzle-Based Strategy PPPS on pupils' achievement and attitude towards Social Studies. It also determined the moderating effects of gender and school location on the dependent variables. The study adopted pretest-posttest, control group, quasi-experimental design, using a 3×2×2 factorial matrix. Two hundred and forty primary 4 pupils from six primary schools purposively selected from three Local Government Areas of Ondo State, participated in the study. Instruments used were: Social Studies Achievement Test (r = 0.82), Social Studies Attitude Questionnaire (r = 0.84), Instructional Guide on Three Dimensional Puzzle-Based Strategy, Instructional Guide on Paper and Pencil Puzzle-Based Strategy, and Instructional Guide on Modified Conventional Teaching Method. Four hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Analysis of covariance and Scheffe's post hoc test. Treatment had significant main effect on pupils' post achievement score in Social Studies (F (2,227) = 112.203; p<0.05). Pupils exposed to TDPS attained highest post achievement mean score ( = 13.103) in social studies, followed by PPPS group ( = 8.841) and control group ( = 5.882). Also, there was significant effect of school location on pupils' achievement in Social Studies (F (1,227) = 222.203; p<0.05). Pupils in urban schools had highest achievement mean score ( = 12.093) than their counterparts in rural schools ( = 6.452). Similarly, gender has no significant effect on pupils' achievement in Social Studies (F (1,227) = 1.571; p<0.05). The two way interaction effect of treatment and gender on pupils achievement in Social Studies was not significant (F (2,227) = 81.793; p<0.05). The TDPS and PPPS were effective at improving pupils' achievement and attitude in Social Studies. It is therefore recommended that TDPS and PPPS should be used by Social Studies teachers in order to facilitate active participation of pupils in the classroom and also improve their learning outcomes in the subject

Modulation of PON2 and Proinflammatory Cytokine Genes in Rat Tissue Exposed to Combined oral Contraceptive Ethinylestradiol and Levonorgestrel

Paraoxonase (PON2) was identified as a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and usage of oral contraceptive (OC) is associated with increased cervical cancer and cardiovascular risk. PON2 protect against atherosclerosis development at the cellular level and this phenomenon could be related to their antioxidative properties. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of OC on the expression of PON2, pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin one alpha (IL1α) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the liver, kidney and brain of rats. Different dosage groups of eight female rats were treated with oral contraceptive (0.15mg levonorgestrel 0.03mg ethinylestradiol(A); 0.3mg levonorgestrel 0.06 mg ethinylestradiol (B) and 0.075 mg levonorgestrel 0.015 mg ethinylestradiol (C))/kg body-weight(bw)). Two groups of eight rats were included in the study for a control group (D) and ≤0.1% DMSO (drug vehicle) group (E), which were not subject to drug administration for 21days. The levels of expression of the gene were assessed using quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction technique. Combined oral contraceptive treatment produced a significant increase(p<0.001) in the level expression of renal IL1α and TNFα in all the groups compared to control in a dose-dependent manner but has no significant effect on PON2. Meanwhile, OC resulted in significantly (p<0.0001) reduced level of expression of hepatic IL1α with no significant effect on hepatic PON2 and TNFα level. In the brain, OC resulted in significantly (p<0.0001) reduced level of expression of TNFα in all dose groups and IL1α level at 0.015mg/bw. Although OC treatment did increase the expression of brain PON2 significantly (p<0.05) at the lowest dose. Therefore, pharmacological modulation of the expression of genes could constitute a useful approach for preventing atherosclerosi

Diagnosis of Chikungunya Virus in Febrile Patients From a Malaria Holoendemic Area

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis of chikungunya (CHIK) is essential for effective disease management and surveillance. In a cohort of febrile Congolese patients, available diagnostic methods widely used in CHIK diagnosis were evaluated. In addition, plasma cytokines were quantified in CHIK patients and those coinfected with malaria compared with healthy controls. Methods: Between June and November 2019, a total of 107 febrile patients with suspected CHIK were subjected to differential diagnosis both for CHIK and malaria. Patients were screened for CHIK virus using molecular diagnosis by real-time PCR, serologic testing by IgM-specific and IgG-specific ELISAs, and lateral flow-based method with rapid diagnostic test (RDT), while malaria diagnosis was confirmed by PCR methods. Pro-inflammatory (IL-12, IL-16, IFN-γ, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) cytokines were quantified in patients and healthy controls by ELISA assays. Results: Molecular diagnoses revealed that 57% (61/107) were positive for CHIK by RT-PCR, while serologic testing revealed 31% (33/107) and 9% (10/107) seropositivity for anti- IgM and IgG, respectively. None of the patients were CHIK RDT-positive. Also, 27% (29/107) were PCR-positive for malaria. Among the malaria-positive patients, 14% (15/107) were co-infected with CHIK and 13% (14/107) were monoinfection. Plasma IL-12 and TNF-α levels were increased in patients with malaria and IL-13 levels were increased in patients with co-infection (p<0.05). Conclusion: Co-infection of malaria and CHIK were common in febrile Congolese patients. Real-time PCR was a better tool for detecting actual occurrences of CHIK in a malaria holoendemic area

Diagnosis of Chikungunya Virus in Febrile Patients From a Malaria Holoendemic Area

Accurate diagnosis of chikungunya (CHIK) is essential for effective disease management and surveillance. In a cohort of febrile Congolese patients, available diagnostic methods widely used in CHIK diagnosis were evaluated. In addition, plasma cytokines were quantified in CHIK patients and those coinfected with malaria compared with healthy controls

A Systematic Review of the Critical Factors for Success of Mobile Learning in Higher Education (University Students\u27 Perspective)

The phenomenon of the use of a mobile learning (m-Learning) platform in educational institutions is slowly gaining momentum. However, the enthusiasm with which mobile phones have been welcomed into every aspect of our lives is not yet apparent in the educational sector. To understand the reason, it is important to understand user expectations of the system. This article documents a systematic review of existing studies to find the success factors for effective m-Learning. Our systematic review collates results from 30 studies conducted in 17 countries, where 13 critical success factors were found to strongly impact m-Learning implementation. Using these results within the framework of the diffusion of innovation model for innovation adoption and the critical success factors together help us see what aspects of the innovation decision process are the likely causes of the reduced take-up of m-Learning by university students

Insect-flower interaction networks vary among endemic pollinator taxa over an elevation gradient.

Interaction networks are sensitive to elevation gradients through changes in local distribution of interacting partners. Here, we use plant-pollinator interaction network metrics to assess the effect of elevation on flowers and flower-visiting insect assemblages on a sentinel mountain used for monitoring climate change in the flower- and insect-rich Cape Floristic Region. We also use these interaction metrics to explain the effect of environmental factors on the interaction networks. We did this over four vegetation zones <1640m asl, as determined by former botanical studies. Overall, bees were the dominant flower visitors, followed by monkey beetles, and far behind were wasps and flies. The middle elevation zone (650-744 m a.s.l), which is also an ecotone between two distinct botanical zones, had the highest species richness and abundance of interacting plants and insects. Interaction frequency and size of network were also greatest in the middle zone, as were network diversity, generality, and linkage density, while lowest in the peak zone. In sum, there was distinct elevation zoning of flower-visiting insects. The greatest zonal change was between species at the middle compared with peak zone. Large-sized monkey beetles, bees and flies characterized the unique assemblage in the peak zone (1576-1640 m a.s.l.). The insect zonation tracked that of plant assemblages, with air temperature (lapse rate) being the primary driver of bee distribution, with lowest levels in the peak zone. In contrast, beetle distribution was driven mostly by flower assemblages as well as air temperature. In turn, wasp and fly interaction networks were not affected by any of the measured environmental variables. We conclude that increased elevation stress from reduced temperatures, changing abiotic weather conditions (e.g. strong winds at high elevations),and decline in flowering plant composition causes breakdown of interaction networks involving bees and beetles but not that of flies and wasps

Season of prescribed burns and management of an early successional species affect flower density and pollinator activity in a pine savanna ecosystem

In the age of changing fire regimes, land managers often rely on prescribed burns to promote high diversity of herbaceous plants. Yet, little is known about how the timing of prescribed burns interacts with other ecological factors to maintain biodiversity while restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. We examined how timing of prescribed burns and removal of a dominant, early successional weedy plant yankeeweed (Eupatorium compositifolium) affect flower density and pollinator activity in an early-successional longleaf pine savanna restored from a timber plantation. During the first year of this study, plots received seasonal burn treatments, including unburned control, winter-dry, spring, and summer-wet season burns. During the second year of the study, data on flowers and pollinators were sampled across all plots. In the third year, these seasonal burn treatments were again applied to plots, and data were again collected on flowers and pollinators. In each burn treatment plot, we manipulated the presence of yankeeweed, including one control subplot (no removal) in which yankeeweed was not manipulated and one removal subplot in which yankeeweed was removed, and flowers and pollinators were measured. During the year between burns, flower density was highest in the summer-wet season burn treatment, significantly higher than in the unburned control, while pollinator activity was highest in the summer-wet and spring season burn treatments, significantly higher than the unburned control. During the year in which plots were burned again, flower density was highest in the spring season burn treatment, and pollinators most frequent in both spring and winter-dry season burn treatments, significantly higher than the unburned control. Removing yankeeweed enhanced pollinator activity but only in the year between fire applications. We conclude that prescribed burning enhances floral resource availability and pollinator activity, but the magnitude of these effects depends on when fires are applied. Additionally, removal of yankeeweed can enhance pollinator activity during years between prescribed burns