Lectins, Mitogenicity and Seed Germination: A Comparative Study with the Seeds of Telfairia occidentalis (Hook, F.) (Curcurbitaceae), Carica papaya (Linn) (Caricaceae) and Artocarpus communis (J.R. & G. Forst) (Moraceae)

The fate of lectins contained in the seeds of T. occidentalis, C. papaya and A. communis have been followed during the germinative process. Under the same culture conditions, the emergence of both the radicle and the plumule (the 3rd and 5th day; 18th and 20th and 12th and the 15th dayrespectively for T. occidentalis, C. papaya and A. communis) was preceded, 24 hours earlier, by the appearance of lectin in the developing tissues. The data suggest that the mitogenic lectins: Telfairia occidentalis Agglutinin (TOA) and Artocarpin accelerates the process of germinationrelative to that observed for seeds (C. papaya) containing the non-mitogenic lectins, Carici

Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating, heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value: <0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI: 5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%). Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly, low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication on student health

Campylobacter enteritis in Ilorin, Nigeria

No Abstract

The utilisation of e-learning facilities in theeducational delivery system of Nigeria: astudy of M-University

In spite of the constant innovative approaches adopted by teachers in westernworld, traditional approaches to teaching and assessments in Nigeria tertiaryinstitutions have constantly been practiced. Most institutions are not able to fullyutilize e-learning or get full advantages of it. This failure has hindered most teachersin using innovative teaching methodologies in delivering their lectures, andundertake rigorous research works. The study examines adoption and utilisation of e-learning facilities by lecturers in Nigerian private tertiary institution. The studyadopted qualitative approach to investigate the adoption and utilisation of e-learning facilities by lecturers in a Nigerian private tertiary institution using 15 semi-structured interviews from the academic staff of M-University. Raw data gatheredwere analysed using data driven thematic approach (a similar approach to groundedtheory).The findings reveal that M-University’s e-learning facilities are adequate andaccessible to users, and most teachers are comfortable with utilisation of variousfacilities during classes compared to most public tertiary institutions although, theutilisation has not been maximised. However, attitude of users, inadequate internetfacility, inadequate training of users affect the successful adoption. The studyrecommends that e-learning facilities should be constantly upgraded, and that M-University should train their staff continuously to meet the constant advancementsof the e-Learning facilities in order to maximize usag