Comparative Efficacy of Powders and Water Extracts of Chromolaena Odorata (L) and Annona Senegalensis (Pers) in Management of Root-Knot Disease of Pepper

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is an important pest of pepper. Various control measures have been employed in managing root-knot disease of pepper. The problems arising from chemical control have resulted in a search for plant toxicants for nematode control. This study investigated the performance of powders and water extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Annona senegalensis in the management of Meloidogyne incognita infection on pepper.Pepper cultivar Ex-Sam-St was raised in the nursery and transplanted into polypots and fields, inoculated with 5000 M. incognita eggs extracted with the sodium hypochlorite method. After inoculation, dry powders at 80 kg/ha, water extracts at 100,000 mg/kg, carbofuran 3G at 3 kg ai/ha and water were applied in pot and field experiments. Gallings on roots rated, final nematode population and reproductive factor were calculated. The data were log-transformed, analyzed with ANOVA, means separated with LSD at 5% probability level.Annona senegalensis leaf powder and its water extract were the most outstanding in performance next to carbofuran in reducing final nematode population, reproductive factor and galling index. Dry powders were more effective than water extracts in reducing the nematode infection. These botanicals can be used as alternatives to synthetic nematicides in the management of the nematode. Keywords: Botanicals, Final nematode population, Galling Index, Inoculation, Reproductive Factor, Root damage

Microbial evaluation and public health implications of urine as alternative therapy in clinical pediatric cases: health implication of urine therapy

BACKGROUND: Cultural means of pediatric treatment during ill health is a mainstay in Africa, and though urine has been known to contain enteric pathogens, urine therapy is still culturally applicable in some health conditions and also advocated as alternative therapy. The study therefore, is to evaluate the microbial contents and safety of urine. METHODS: Urinary bacteria from cows and healthy children aged 5-11 years were identified by conventional phenotypic methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using modified agar disc and well-diffusion methods. RESULTS: A total of 116 bacterial isolates (n = 77 children; n = 39 cows) were identified as Bacillus (10.4%; 5.1%)), Staphylococcus (2.6%; 2.6%), Citrobacter (3.9%; 12.8%), Escherichia coli (36.4%; 23.1%), Klebsiella (7.8%; 12.8%), Proteus (18.2%; 23.1%), Pseudomonas (9.1%; 2.6%), Salmonella (3.9%; 5.1%) and Shigella (7.8%; 12.8%) spp. Antibiotic resistance rates of the Gram-positive bacteria were high (50.0-100%), except in Bacillus strains against chloramphenicol, gentamicin and tetracycline (14.3%), while higher resistance rates were recorded among the Gram-negative bacteria except in Citrobacter (0.0%) and Proteus (8.5%) spp. against gentamicin and tetracycline respectively. The Gram-negative bacteria from ito malu (cow urine) were more resistant bacteria except in Citrobacter (20.0%) and Shigella spp. (0.0%) against tetracycline and Proteus spp. (11.1%), (22.2%) against amoxicillin and tetracycline respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) rates recorded in children urinal bacterial species were 37.5-100% (Gram-positive) and 12.5-100% (Gramnegative), while MAR among the cow urinal bacteria was 12.5-75.0% (Gram-positive) and 25.0-100% (Gram-negative). Similar higher resistance rates were also recorded among the Gram-negative bacterial species from urine specimens against the paediatric antibiotic suspensions. CONCLUSION: The study reported presence of multiple antibiotic-resistant indicator bacteria in human urine and ito malu used as alternative remedy in pediatric health conditions like febrile convulsio

MICROBIAL QUALITY OF IMPORTED FROZEN Sardinella species AND Micromesistius poutassou OFFERED FOR SALE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Microbial quality of frozen fish offered for sale in Oyo state markets was investigated. The four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones of the state were used for the study. Sardinella species and Micromesistius poutassou were selected among the commercially important imported frozen fish species in the state based on their availability in all zones. Bacterial and Fungal counts were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, percentages and t-test. Ten bacteria and three fungi and three yeast species were isolated from the fishes evaluated.  Predominant bacteria isolates were Shewanella putrefaciens and Streptococcus faecium, fungi included Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger while yeast were Cryptococccus laurentii and Torulaspora debrueckii. Total viable counts for bacterial and fungal counts were 3.1x105cfu/g and 1.8x105cfu/g, respectively for Sardinella spp. and 3.2x105cfu/g and 2.4x105cfu/g for M. poutassou. Although all the fish samples were within acceptable limit, the number of bacteria isolated showed that the quality of frozen fish did not reach expected standard in Oyo state. Keywords: Microbial quality; Frozen fish; Bacteria count; Fungi count, ADP zones DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-08 Publication date:March 31st 201

Chronic Toxicity of Pharmaceutical Effluent to Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The aim of this study was to investigate the chronic toxicity of pharmaceutical effluent on Clarias gariepinus gills and liver as biomarkers of environmental quality in toxicity testing of pharmaceutical effluent. The chronic toxicity test of pharmaceutical effluent was carried out on the histopathology of the gill and liver of juvenile African catfish (C. gariepinus) with mean weight of 10 ± 0.2g and standard length of 6.3 ± 0.3 cm. A range finding test was conducted prior to the experiment. The fish were later exposed to 0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% concentrations of the effluent for 21 days in a static renewal bioassay procedure. The median lethal concentration (LC50) value was 12.16%. Respiratory disturbance, erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium, lethargies and sudden death were observed in the exposed fish and these varied greatly with increase in concentration of the toxicant. This shows that mortality increases with increase in concentration. The differences observed in the mortalities of C. gariepinus at varying concentrations were significant (p < 0.05). The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of C. gariepinus as potential biomarkers of environmental quality with respect to pharmaceutical effluent toxicity testing. The gill histopathological changes observed were epithelial lifting, interstitial oedema, leucocyte infiltration, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, vasodilatation and necrosis. Abnormalies observed in the liver tissues of the treated fish were congestion of the central vein, vacoulation of hepatocyte, oedema, cellular infiltration and cellular necrosis (i.e cell death). Occurrence of the gill and liver anomalies in the test fish show their suitability for use in toxicity testing of pharmaceutical effluent.Keywords: Gill histopathology, liver histopathology, chronic toxicity, pharmaceutical effluent, Clarias gariepinu

Assessment of Distribution and Handling Procedures of Imported Frozen Fish in Oyo State, Nigeria

Fish is a highly perishable food and there is dearth of information on quality control along the distribution chain to the final consumer. Therefore quality and handling procedures of imported frozen fish within Oyo state were investigated. The study area was stratified into four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones (Ibadan/Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Saki). All cold store operators (n=67) and 5.0% of registered retailers per zone (n=150) were randomly selected and assessed using 217 structured questionnaires to obtain information on compliance level on temperature management, personal hygiene, facilities’ sanitation and handling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentages. Compliance level to quality measures by cold store operators in all the zones were 65.7%, 83.6% and 92.5% for temperature management, personal hygiene and facilities’ sanitation, respectively. Ibadan/Ibarapa zone had the highest cold storage capacity of 7,433 tonnes and the least was Saki zone with 61 tonnes. Transportation of fish to retail points were by motorcycle (43.3%), taxi cab (31.1%) and by head load (24.0%). Fish was displayed by retailers using bowls (50.0%), wooden tables (36.7%) and wooden boards (10.0%). Only 57.3% of retailers washed their tables daily and none used chlorinated water. Most cold stores met the recommended temperature for cold storage. Keywords: Frozen fish, Fish storage, Cold store operators, Fish retailers

Training on prevention of violence against women in the medical curriculum at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Objectives. To determine the knowledge and skills of final-year medical students in managing victims of violence against women (VAW), and to describe the extent to which VAW is included in the undergraduate curriculum of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.Method. A mixed-method study design was used that collected qualitative data through a review of curriculum documents and interviews of departmental heads (or their representatives) of 6 departments in the college. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 109 final-year students.Results. The response rate was 85.1% and respondents’ mean age was 25.2±3.1 years. Physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse was found by 73.8%, 72.6%, 54.8% and 44.0% respectively, of the students. Most students (77.4%) felt it was part of their duty to ask patients about abuse. Students with previous training about violence were more likely to be knowledgeable (odds ratio (OR) 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61 - 4.42) and skilled (OR 1.27; 95% CI 0.53 - 3.05). Men had better knowledge and skills than women. VAW was not included as a topic in the curriculum.Conclusion. Most students were willing to ask patients about abuse but lacked the fundamental knowledge and skills to do so. Faculty at the college agreed to review the curriculum to improve students’ knowledge and management skills regarding VAW

Perception of concept and practice of social power in development interventions in Malawi

The study examined research participants’ perception of social power in intervention programmes in Malawi. Two districts and four villages with active participation in the intervention programmes were purposively selected. Focus group participants were purposively identified, while the snow balling procedure was employed to select key informants. A total of 375 participants consisting of 219 men and 156 women (to better explore the viewpoints of men from those of women) were drawn from the two study locations. Data were analysed by content analysis. The results showed that >98% of participants stated that power meant the ‘capacity of a social actor to influence decisions and secure compliance of other social actors. Less than 98% also perceived ‘power’ as the leadership ability of a social actor but few participants with high level of power shared this construct. Further analysis informed that power was perceived as the act of guiding fellow social actors to plan and implement activities serving common interest while another 50% of respondents perceived power as a mere potential ability to influence. Statistics however showed only 3.7% of relatively powerful social actors from agricultural extension workers and 1.3 % of sexual and reproductive health interventionists shared power as potential ability to influence way of thinking and doing. Therefore, stakeholders of development intervention should recognize experienced social actors and traditions as power indicators since these will enhance effective extension policy process aimed at development intervention among rural populace

Attitude of health care workers to patients and colleagues infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS in hospital settings has been documented. This study examined the attitude of health care workers (HCWs) to nurses, doctors and patients infected with HIV. A total of 345 respondents selected by multistage sampling techniques were surveyed, using a semi-structured questionnaire, which explored respondents’ attitude to HIV-infected patients and colleagues with HIV/AIDS. HCWs were unwilling to accept that medical procedures be carried out on them by HIV-infected doctors and nurses, with almost 80% refusing surgery or assistance at surgery on them by an HIV-infected doctor or nurse. They were also significantly more unwilling to accept that medical procedures be carried out on them by an infected colleague, compared with their carrying out the same procedure on an HIV-infected patient. Thus, HCWs seemed to believe that the risk of contracting HIV was higher if an infected HCW were to perform medical procedures on them, and fear of contracting HIV seemed to be the driving force for their negative attitudes. Education on occupational risks of HIV, provision of a safe working environment with enforcement of universal precautions, as well as provision of post-exposure prophylaxis are suggested as ways to enable HCWs to change their attitudes

Screening of Siam Weed (Chromolaena Odorata) and African Custard Apple (Annona Senegalensis) for Nematicidal Activity

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and closely related species of Annona senegalensis had been investigated for nematicidal activity for the control of nematodes. This study was carried out to provide some information on the phytochemical constituents in these plants for nematode management. Chromolaena odorata leaves and roots, Annona senegalensis leaves and bark collected, air-dried and ground into powder, were taken to The Central Laboratory, University of Ibadan for Infrared (IR) analysis. Phytochemical analysis was carried out in the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan. The IR revealed that functional groups were alcohols, alkenes, carbonyl, carboxylic acids and phenols. The phytochemicals were tannins (46.2 ± 17.9 mgg-1), saponins (81.5 ± 76.8 mgg-1), alkaloids (12.6 ± 0.7 mgg-1), flavonoids (5.3 ± 2.6 mgg-1), phenols (43.7 ± 1.6 mgg-1), cardenolides and anthraquinones. Saponins were of the highest concentrations, followed by tannins, phenols.The phytochemicals identified have been reported to be nematicidal in activity. Keywords: constituents, dry powders, functional groups, nematode management, phytochemicals

Comparative Analysis of CMA and MMSE in MIMO-OFDM System

Channel estimation is one of the techniques used to achieve high data rates and low bit error rates in wireless communications. In wireless communication system, where Multiple Input Multiple Output - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) exists, the effect of channel causes the received signal to be distorted which necessitates the receiver to have an insight of the channel known as the channel estimation. However, most of the existing techniques such as Least Square Error (LSE), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Best Linear Unbiased Estimation Algorithm (BLUE) employ pilot symbols. High errors are observed in addition to computational complexity and in the platform other than MIMO-OFDM. In this paper, performances of Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) and MMSE are evaluated, and compared with each other in the 3x3 MIMO-OFDM systems. The system model for 3x3 MIMO-OFDM system incorporating each of CMA and MMSE consists of a transmitter, frequency selective channel and the receiver. 1000 bits are generated randomly and served as input signal. Three antennas configurations at the input of the frequency selective channel radiate the signal. The three antennas at the output of the channel receive the radiated power, processed by appropriate signal processing techniques. Each of MMSE and CMA techniques is performed at SNR of 5, 10 and 15dB. The system model is simulated using MATLAB 7.2 application package and evaluated using Mean Square Error (MSE) and convergence value. The results obtained show that CMA gives lower error than the MMSE and converges faster. Therefore, the study has shown the significant reduction in computational complexity and can be used by wireless design. Keywords: Constant Modulus Algorithm, Orthogonality, Channel Estimation, Multiple Antenna, Cyclic Prefix