Hepatorenal toxicity studies of sub-chronic administration of calyx aqueous extracts of hibiscus sabdariffa in albino rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn has been reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects. Subchronic effects of calyces aqueous extracts of H. Sabdariffa were studied in albino rats. Twenty four (24) albino rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of four rats each. Group A, was fed with growers mesh and distilled water as control. Groups B to F were administered orally with the aqueous extract at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5g /kg body weight respectively and the treatment period was 28 days. A decreased in weights of the animals were observed at all dose levels. The activities of liver maker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and direct bilirubin increased significantly (p0.05) increase in concentrations of total protein and albumin were observed in comparison to the control. The renal indices, urea, uric acid and creatinine in the treated groups were significantly increased compared to the control but a significant decrease (

Torsion of an Ovarian Cyst in Pregnancy

Torsion of the ovary is the partial or total rotation of the ovary over its pedicle. It is unusual for it to occur in the second trimester. We report a case  of a 35year old G10P9+0A7 at 17weeks gestation who presented with acute severe abdominal pain. She was found to have an ovarian cyst in pregnancy. She had Exploratory Laparotomy where a huge gangrenous cyst was found and Salpingoophorectomy was performed. The pregnancy continued without any problems. The histology report showed a Simple Cyst. Key words: Torsion, Ovarian Cyst, Pregnanc

Necrotizing enterocolitis associated with dysbiosis of preterm gut microbiome: A review

Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks of completed weeks of gestation. Preterm infants are said to have an imbalanced intestinal and immune system. Alteration of the gut microbiota in preterm infants has been associated with the development of short term diseases such as sepsis or Necrotizing enterocolitis. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a catastrophic disease affecting the preterm infants. Although its pathogenesis is poorly known, risk factors like gestational age, birth weight, formula feeding and bacterial colonization of the gut are found to be associated with its emergence. This review was aimed at describing the latest literature related to Necrotizing enterocolitis and its association with dysbiosis of preterm gut microbiome. Moreover several studies have shown the use of fecal samples in detecting the presence of Necrotizing enterocolitis. Microbial dysbiosis preceding Necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants is characterized by increase relative abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes .Immune responses like Toll-Like Receptors also  trigger  the severity  of Necrotizing enterocolitis. Necrotizing enterocolitis can be reduced through administration of probiotics, thus, reducing the rate of morbidity and mortality of preterm infants.Keywords: Dysbiosis, Microbiota, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Preterm infant, Probiotic

Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria

Three patients, 30, 2 and one and a half years, were diagnosed as having falciparum malaria and were placed on chloroquine therapy which failed. They were then placed on quinine therapy that then cleared the parasitaemia. This case report seeks to draw the attention of the presence of possible chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(8): 244-245

Geology and Hydrogeophysical Investigation of Gurum and Environs, Lere Sheet 147SE, Bassa-Plateau, North-Central Nigeria

Geology and hydrogeophysical investigation of Gurum and its environs was undertaken within Lere Sheet 147 SE. The geological studies revealed the presence of Precambrian rocks (undifferentiated migmatites and Older Granites) and Jurassic rocks (Younger Granite) of different varieties belonging to the Buji Complex. The Buji Complex is composed of two (2) super imposed ring complexes, the earlier volcanic and high- level hyperbyssal intrusion dominated by granitic rocks. Hydrogeophysical results showed depth to various geo-electric layers and the range of apparent resistivity values with lithological units and their water yielding potentials. The studies clearly show the aquifer thickness is sufficient and the resistivity value falls within the range of good water yield. Additionally, it can also be said that the aquifers in the study area including both weathered overburden and fractured crystalline rocks are capable of yielding significant amount of water to wells. The aquifer thickness appears to increase towards the north eastern part of Gurum.&nbsp

Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals Concentration in Abattoir Dumping Site Soil in Nigeria

Assessment of seasonal variation in concentration of the heavy metals- Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn- in Abattoir dump site soil at Yauri, Nigeria, was undertaking during the two major seasons of Nigeria. This was done to determine the environmental pollution status of the soil at the dump site. Soil samples (0\u201315cm) collected during the 2007/2008 rainy and dry seasons were treated and digested using microwave acid digestion methods. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean levels range of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 13.2 - 30.02mg/kg, 59.14\u2013102.50mg/kg, 59.32 \u2013 96.13mg/kg, 2569 \u2013 4130mgkg, 263.01 \u2013 608.11mg/Kg, 36.21 \u2013107.13mg/kg, 15.60 \u2013 30.09mg/kg and56.31\u2013 92.50mg/kg for dry seasons and 10.13\u201322.76mg/kg,49.96\u2013 89.46mg/kg,49.12\u201373.08mg/kg,23330.02\u2013 3671.14mg/kg,249.72\u2013 561.03mg/kg,33.50\u201399.06mg/kg,16.20\u201328.11mg/kg, and 50.91- 89.10mg/kg for wet season respectively. The analytical results indicated that in both wet and dry seasons some metals concentrations were above the literature levels of a typical soil, which course for concern. @ JASE

Exploiting IoT and LoRaWAN Technologies for Effective Livestock Monitoring in Nigeria

With global population predicted to rise continuously (from 7.2 billion to between 9~10 billion people by the year 2050), the world would need to produce almost twice the amount of food as it does today to sustain such human needs. This coupled with recent environmental/climatic changes and urbanization would continue to place enormous burden on the available land, water and energy resources required for both crop and animal farming which is even more critical for developing regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa due to arid lands, poverty, extreme hunger and endemic diseases. Hence, there is an urgent need for more effective, intensification and industrialization of the region’s agricultural sector to improve food supply. Internet-of-things (IoT) is a new and attractive family of technologies capable of modernizing Africa’s agricultural sector in line with best practices to improve productivity and minimize cost with reduced energy consumption. This paper intends to kick-start discussions around IoT-based solutions in livestock farming in Nigeria, with a view to addressing issues of cattle rustling as well as improved livestock health-care and better herd management through real-time monitoring. The proposed solution leverages LoRaWAN (Long-range Wireless Access Network) technology, whereby very low-power sensors with extremely long-range are attached to the cattle, and communicate with a gateway for linking to the cloud/satellite network to the internet for data processing and analytics. Such a system is also ideal for rural/remote areas where there is limited or no cellular network and internet coverage, which is where most Nigerian farms/ranches may be located.  The paper sheds some light on some real-life use cases, benefits and challenges of deploying such smart systems and provides some recommendations/action points for all relevant stake-holders towards a sustainable implementation in Nigerian agricultural secto

Value chain analysis and sanitary risks of the camel milk system supplying Nairobi city, Kenya

The camel milk trade in Kenya has evolved significantly from a small-scale business undertaken in local villages to its current status involving a large number of different stakeholders supplying urban towns, particularly Nairobi City. Despite the evident growth pattern, the supply of camel milk to Nairobi has largely remained informal, with minimal enforcement of regulations. The aim of this study was to characterise the camel milk system supplying Nairobi and assess its governance, main challenges and the potential food safety risk practices. A value chain analysis framework was used to carry out data collection between August 2014 and July 2015. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with stakeholders operating in different nodes of the value chains. Three milk value chains supplying Nairobi were identified and mapped: the Isiolo chain, the Kajiado chain and the camel milk processing company chain. Overall, the results indicate that 94% of the milk supplied to Nairobi city is informally traded (traded without any effective regulation), while 6% originates from a formal milk processing company. In the informal chains, milk traders (mostly women) were reported to play a pivotal role in the organisation and daily functioning of the chains. The processing company had partly integrated activities and reported exporting 5% of their products to regional and international markets. Food safety themes identified were associated with i) lack of cold chain, ii) gaps in hygiene practices, particularly at farm and market levels, iii) consumption of raw camel milk, and iv) lack of food safety training, among other issues. Low level involvement by government agencies in enforcing stipulated food safety measures were reported in the informal chains, as these concentrate efforts in the regulation of dairy milk chains. Isiolo milk traders were identified as the dominant group, setting milk prices and providing sanctions. The framework and findings obtained can help future research and policy makers to reach informed decision about what to regulate, where to target and importantly how to make the camel milk value chain more efficient and safer

Tuberculin screening of some selected Fulani lactating cows in north-central Nigeria

The prevalence of mycobacterial infection among lactating Fulani cows was investigated in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kaduna State of Nigeria. Tuberculin testing using single comparative intradermal tuberculin test showed a 14.6 % positive, 4 % doubtful, and 81.4 % negative reactors. Mycobacterial infection was found to be present in the nomadic (constantly moving) and seminomadic (limited movement) management systems studied but management showed no significant effect on the prevalence of the disease. However, the prevalence was significantly higher in older age groups than the younger ones (P < 0.05).Peer reviewedSubmitted Versio