Extents of sharp practices in credit allocation and utilization among staff and beneficiaries of the Bank of Agriculture in Oyo State

One of the strategies employed in the implementation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) is to harness the roles of major stakeholders along the nodes of agricultural value chain. Pivotal among these are the financial institutions, one of which is the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). However, financial institutions are not immune to the widespread incidence of sharp practices (SPs) and corruption that have crumbled similar laudable programmes. Thus,the extent of SPs in credit allocation and utilization among staff and beneficiaries of BOAin Oyo State was examined.Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 135 respondents comprising 110 beneficiaries and 25 officers of the BOA for the study from the total number of registered BOA beneficiaries and staff. Primary data were obtained through questionnaires and interview schedules and analysedusing descriptive statistics - frequencies and percentages.Of the beneficiaries, 39.7% and 52% of the credit officers were between the ages of 41 and 50 and 51.8% of the beneficiaries were livestock farmers. Credit diversion and breach of contractual agreement were major forms of SPs respondents engaged in. High rate of default as well as lateness in the disbursement of farm credit were major problems in credit allocation and utilization. In conclusion, most of the respondents had unfavourable perception towards SPs, showing that they know it is counter-productive. Ironically, they engaged in it. The study recommends appropriate mechanisms including thorough monitoring, reward and sanction should be used to curb the SPs.Keywords: Credit allocation and utilisation, Sharp practices, Bank of Agriculture

Ecological assessment of a coastal shallow lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria: A bio-indicator approach

Benthic macro-invertebrates of the Northern axis of metropolitan segment of Lagos Lagoon sediments, Nigeria were investigated for six months (April – September, 2010). The study was aimed at using benthic macro-invertebrates to assess the water quality of this part of the Lagoon. A total of ten taxa belonging to three major animal phyla from a total of 2,672 individuals were encountered. The dominant taxa throughoutthe study and stations were Pachymelania aurita, Aloidis trigona, and Neritina glabrata. Station A (Ikorodu port) had seven taxa, station B (Ibese) had five while stations C (Ofin) and D (Oreta) had eight taxa each.Stations A(Ikorodu port), B(Ibese), C(Ofin) and D(Oreta) accounted for 8.19%, 0.94%, 79.83% and 11.04% respectively in all the individuals collected. Gastropoda was highest and accounted for 54.83% of all individuals collected from all stations contributing 2.58% at station A and 0.49%, 48.39% and 3.37% respectively at stations B, C and D, while Polychaeta had the least (0.97%) with station A, B, C and D constituted 0.82%, 0.04%, 0.04% and 0.07% respectively. Sediment type of the study areas was predominantly muddy sand. The presence of more pollution tolerant species (Nereis spp, Capitella capitata and Polydora ciliata) in station A may serve to confirm that the community has been impacted by pollution. The low faunal abundance and diversity observed in station B could be attributed to stress imposed by effluents from industrial sources. The information of this study will be very useful in formulating policies and regulatory framework for sustainable management of Lagos Lagoo

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord in a Nigerian child: a need for a high index of suspicion

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency has been reported to be associated with a spectrum of neurological disorders among which is subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.Method: We report a case of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency and discussed the clinical presentation and management challenge.Result: The diagnosis was made through a high index of suspicion when the clinical presentation ranked highly with the mode of presentation of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Patient responded well to parentheral vitamin B12 preparation but subsequently defaulted from follow up for 8 years after which he represented with paraparesis and urinary incontinence. He was managed again with parentheral vitamin B12 preparations with good outcome and total resolution of symptoms at discharge.Conclusion: A high index of suspicion is needed in identifying vitamin B12 deficiency related paraparesis in paediatric practice while the need for indefinite treatment and follow up is hereby emphasized.Keywords: Vitamin B12 deficiency; myelinopathy; paraparesis; subacute combined degeneratio

Microbiological and chemical assessment of spring water from a rural setting in Ondo State Southwest, Nigeria

Assessment of spring water from Ikare-Akoko, a rural setting in southwest, Nigeria for microbial and chemical contaminants was carried out. Total heterotrophic bacteria count of 4.0 x 106 CFU/mL was highest during the peak of the rainy season in Omi-idu spring (Igbede community) while the lowest population of 0.14 x106 CFU/mL was in Agadagidi spring (Ishakunmi community). The highest coliform population of 2.8 x 106 CFU/mL was at Isunpaiye (Oyinmo community), while the lowest value of 0.19 x106 CFU/mL was recorded at Agadagidi (Ishakunmi). The multiple tube fermentation technique was employed to determine the most probable number (MPN) of coliforms per 100 mL of water sample. The highest MPN/100 mL value of 76 ± 2.1 for coliforms was recorded at Isunpaiye while the lowest value of 5.1 ± 2.1 was in Agadagidi spring. Physico-chemical properties of the spring waters were mostly within the WHO benchmark for potable water. Arae had the highest total dissolved solids (TDS) value of 969 mgL-1 (benchmark, 500 mg/L), total hardness values were normal except at Arae (260 mg/L). Heavy metals levels in the spring water were generally low except in Omi-idu spring.Key words: Rural setting, spring water, heterotrophic bacteria, coliform bacteria, physico-chemical properties, heavy metals

Erratum

Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge and Acceptance of Vaccination among Medical Students in Southwest NigeriaArticle first published in March 2015 (http://www.ajrh.info/home/issues.php?issue=current) and cited as : Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge and Acceptance of Vaccination among Medical Students in Southwest Nigeria. Funmilayo F. Adejuyigbe , Balogun R. Balogun , Adekemi O. Sekoni and Adebukola A. Adegbola.The name of the corresponding author in the earlier publication was wrongly spelt. The complete name of the corresponding author is now correctly spelt in this publication.

Lactational Vitamin E Protects Against the Histotoxic Effects of Systemically Administered Vanadium in Neonatal Rats

Summary: The work investigated the protective role of lactational vitamin E administration on vanadium-induced histotoxicity. Three groups of Wistar rats, with each group comprising of two dams and their pups, were used in this study. Group I pups were administered intraperitoneal injection of sterile water at volumes corresponding to the dose rate of the vanadium (sodium metavanadate) treated group from postnatal day (PND) 1-14 while those in Group II were administered intraperitoneal injection of 3mg/kg vanadium from PND 1-14. Group III pups were administered intraperitoneal injection of 3mg/kg vanadium while the dam received oral vitamin E (500mg) concurrently every 72hours. The results showed that group II pups exhibited histopathological changes which included seminiferous tubule disruption of the testes characterised by vacuolar degeneration and coagulative necrosis of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells with reduction in mitosis, and areas of interstitial thickening with fibroblast proliferation. In addition, the lungs showed disruption of the bronchiolar wall and denudation of the bronchiolar respiratory epithelium while the liver showed hydropic degeneration and coagulative necrosis of the centrilobular hepatocytes. These histotoxic changes were ameliorated in the vanadium + vitamin E group. We conclude that lactational vitamin E protects against the histotoxic effects of vanadium and could be a consideration for supplementation in the occupationally and environmentally exposed neonates. However, caution should be taken in vitamin E supplementation because there is still equivocal evidence surrounding its benefits as a supplement at the moment.Keywords: Vanadium, Vitamin E, Histotoxicity, Antioxidant

Effects of administration of sertraline, clozapine, amitriptyline and imipramine on brain serotonin, liver enzymes and blood chemistry of rabbit

The chronic administration of sertraline, clozapine, amitriptyline and imipramine on brain serotonin, liver enzymes and blood chemistry of rabbits were investigated. Sixty rabbits were equally divided into 5groups and each group was intraperitoneally administered 2 ml of 0.5 mg of the respective drug/kg body weight/day) and saline as control for 28 days. After 28 days, the rabbits were sacrificed; blood taken, liver andbrain were excised. The concentration of total protein, serotonin, cholesterol and triglyceride in serum, liver and brain were determined. The activities of serum and liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartatetransaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase were also assayed. The serum serotonin and brain serotonin levels in rabbits administered the respective drugs were significantly (

Anti-ulcer activity of aqueous leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (rubiaceae) on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Nauclea latifolia is known to possess various therapeutic properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of aqueous leaf extract of N. latifolia against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Five groups of albino rats were pre-treated orally with: vehicle, distilled water (ulcer control), cimetidine (100 mg/kg, reference control), and 170, 340 and 510 mg/kg N. latifolia leaf extracts (experimental groups) respectively, 60 min prior to oral administration of indomethacin to generate gastric mucosal injury. Seven hours later, the animals were sacrificed by a blow on the head; their stomachs were removed and examined for ulcer index. The extract produced significant (P<0.05), and dose dependent anti-ulcer activity against indomethacin-induced ulcers in rats. These results suggest that the extract possesses significant anti-ulcer activity against experimentally induced gastric lesions and may justify its use as an anti-ulcerogenic agent.Keywords: Anti-ulcer activity, Nauclea latifolia leaf, mucosal injury, indomethacin, ratsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(32), pp. 5080-508

Adsorption of Mn(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous solution using Maize cob activated carbon: Kinetics and Thermodynamics Studies

The adsorption of Mn(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous solution was investigated using batch adsorption experiment at room temperature. The effect of pH, contact time, metal ion concentration and temperature were evaluated. The residual concentrations of the metal ions were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that maximum removal of Mn(II) and Co(II) ions occurred at pH 9. Some physico-chemical and spectroscopic characterization of the adsorbents were done such as moisture content, ash content, bulk density, volatile matter, iodine number, point of zero charge (PZC), XRF, and FTIR. The moisture and ash content of MCAC adsorbent were found to be 9.85±0.06 and 5.5±0.1% respectively. The bulk density was found to be 0.37±0.01g/m3, iodine number of 367.66±30 mg/g and PZC of 6.8. The SEM micrograph shows particle grains and jelly like rough surfaces, FTIR analysis results show different functional group in the MCAB adsorbent such as O-H, C=O, and C=C stretching. Kinetic study shows that the pseudo-second order kinetic model best described the adsorption of metal ions. The equilibrium data fitted Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms, in each case, the Langmuir model appears to have better regression coefficients than the Freundlich and Temkin. Thermodynamics investigation showed that Gibb’s free energy change (ΔG) was negative indicating that the adsorption of Mn(II) and Co(II) ions by maize cob activated carbon were feasible and spontaneous. The positive value of enthalpy change (ΔH) implies that the reaction was endothermic while positive value of entropy change (ΔS) implies an irregular increase in the randomness at the solid/solution interface of the adsorbent during the adsorption process.Keywords: Adsorption, Heavy metals, Kinetics, Thermodynamic

Tribological properties of aluminium-clay composites for brake disc rotor applications

In this paper, the mechanical and tribological behaviours of various compositions of aluminium 6063 alloy – clay (Al-clay) composites for brake pad applications were studied. The Al-clay composites with 5-30 wt.% of clay particles of grain size of 60 BSS (250 microns) were developed through stir casting route. The wear characteristics of Al-clay in dry sliding conditions were subjected to a series of Denison T62 HS pin-on-disc wear tests. The action of two different loads (4 and 10N), three sliding speeds of 200, 500 and 1000 rpm were investigated. The results of the mechanical and wear tests as well as the metallographic investigation of optical, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microscopy revealed an improvement in the tensile strength, hardness and wear resistance in the composites with 10-25 wt.% clays. The best values were obtained at 15 wt.%. Wear rate was highly influenced by applied load and sliding speed. The developed composites with 15-25 wt.% clay addition were similar to conventional semi metallic brake pad in terms of wear and friction properties