Design and construction of a simple boat trailer for Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa

A simple boat trailer with an overall length of 4.59m, breathes 1.68m, and weight of 87kg was designed and constructed using locally available metals and scrap materials. The boat trailer was used to tow a boat of 250kg weight through a distance of 14km without affecting the safety and speed of the car. The construction resulted to the production of an open cart that is light and easily maneuvered that one person can move it manually without difficulty. The total production cost was N32, 300 which is affordable in relation to the cost of transporting boats through the use of pick up vans. The boat trailer can be easily maneuvered when coupled to any car or van. This makes it adequate for towing and for safer movement of boats from the school boat yard to any water bodies

Socio-economic Impact of Flooding on the Riverine Communities of River Benue in Adamawa State, Nigeria

This paper examines the impact of floods on the socioeconomic lives of residents of the flood plain of River Benue in the Adamawa area. The specific objectives of the paper include examining people’s perception of the causes of flooding in the study area, assessing the impacts of flooding on the socioeconomic activities in the study area, analyzing the People’s Response/Adjustment to Flood in the study area. Three Riverine communities were purposively selected and data for the study was elicited through questionnaires administered to randomly selected respondents in the selected riverine communities in the area. The results obtained indicate that majority of the respondents over 80% are aware of the devastating effects of flooding but they fail to act because of their preference of occupying the location despite their experience. Thousands of hectares of farmlands and other properties have been destroyed by flood over the years. Another finding shows that the impact of flood on transportation is, perhaps, the most devastating such that agricultural productivity in the area is limited as a result of lack of effective means of mobility. Changes in modal split were also found to be associated with the flood regimes. Traditional responses to the menace of flooding have been on the increase due to the ad hoc manner of government participation in providing an enduring solution. The rescheduling of field crops planting and levee construction were among the common responses of the people. Keywords: Flood, River Benue, Transportation, Socio-economic, Environmen

Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Methanol Extract of \u3cem\u3eAnnona senegalensis\u3c/em\u3e Root Bark

Objective: To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Annona senegalensis in mice and rats. Materials and Methods: The analgesic effects of the methanolic extract were studied using acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test and formalin test, while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema in rats. Results: The methanolic extract exhibited antinociceptive activity against the acetic acid writhing test, hot plate test and the late phase of formaline induced nociception and significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract might be through peripheral mechanisms and thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatement of rheumatic pain

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a devastating chronic microvascular complication that represents the major cause of end-stage renal failure leading to the development and progression of diabetic syndrome. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 DM with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Eighty (80) type 2 diabetic patients with DN and apparently healthy controls were respectively recruited. Blood samples were collected and tested for serum NGAL, creatinine, albumin, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Creatinine and albumin were analyzed using Abbot autoanalyser, HbA1c was analyzed using fine care system and serum NGAL using the ELISA method. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 20.0. Student t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation were used for comparisons and correlation of data respectively with level of significance set <0.05. Result: The mean values of the serum NGAL, FPG, HbA1c, BMI and eGFR in both DN group and control group were found to be 3.72±2.62 vs 1.08±0.78μg/ml, 7.06 ±3.46 vs 4.08± 0.39mmo/l, 6.73±1.08 vs 4.71 ±0.39%, 27.33±5.29 vs 25.08±3.65ml/min/1.73m2 and 76.57 ±11.20 vs 118.23 ±12.11ml/min/1.73m2 respectively. The study found a high and significant difference in the mean values of the DN group compared to the control group. A positive and significant relationship was observed between serum NGAL and eGFR and duration of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Serum NGAL could therefore be used as a biomarker to diagnose DN even earlier to incipient nephropathy, NGAL, Diabetes nephropathy, eGFR, Microalbuminuria, Glycated haemoglobin

The Occurrence and Antibiotics Sensitivity Profile of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Commercial Poultry Feeds in Minna, Niger State

The study was conducted to determine the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella pathogens from different brand of commercially available poultry feeds in Minna metropolis. A total of 60 samples from three poultry feeds namely; Starter, finisher and layers were  aseptically collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. All samples analyzed were cultured on Nutrient agar media by spread plate’s technique and subsequently on selective media for total bacterial count. Total viable count (TVC) of Salmonella and E. coli recorded in the feeds were as follows: starter 3.47cfu/g, finisher 4.84 cfu/g and layers 9.02 cfu/g. There was a significant (p<0.05) trend in the overall percentage distribution of Salmonella and E. coli contamination across the feed’s category, with the higher distribution  recorded in layers 100% and finisher while, starter had (66.6%) distribution. The overall result of antibiotics susceptibility tests of  Salmonella and E. coli revealed the sensitivity of (53.8%), and resistant of (46.1%) in E. coli while, Salmonella had (38.4 %) sensitivity and (61.5%) resistant to all antibiotics tested. Thus, all the poultry feeds were found to be contaminated with bacteria which may pose a public health risk to human. Therefore, the occurrence of Salmonella and E. coli in poultry feeds reinforces the need for effective control  measures, hygiene in processing and handling of feeds

Age specific sex differences in BMI and skin fold thickness among children of Kazaure Emirate, Nigeria

An important phenomenon occurring in human population is the variation in their physical morphology. The physical dimensions of human body are influenced by geographical, racial, age and gender factors. Physical anthropometry provides the technique by which human body dimensions can be evaluated and measured. The aim of the study was to determine age specific sex differences in height, weight, BMI and skin fold thickness among children aged 5- 12 years from Kazaure emirate, Jigawa State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to investigate sexual dimorphism in the measured variables. A total of 1212 primary school pupils aged 5-12 years (659 males and 553 females) were involved. All the anthropometric variables were taken using standard protocols. An independent t-test was used to determine gender differences using SPSS version 20.0and P ≤ 0.05 considered a level of significance. The results showed a significant gender difference in height and weight at age of 8 years (P = 0.009) and (P< 0.001), respectively. For bicep skin fold thickness (BSF), the gender difference was observed at 7 to 12years of age with (P< 0.001). Similar pattern in triceps TSF) and suprailiac (SISF), showed significant difference at age six (P< 0.001) and (P =0.01), respectively. All ages showed differences in subscapular skin fold thickness (SSF)(P< 0.001). In the SSF, female had higher mean value while for height and weight the reverse trend was the case. In conclusion, the gender differences in SSF may be linked with higher adipose tissue in female than in the male counterparts in childhood.Keywords: Anthropometry, BMI, Skin fold thickness, age, sex, Nigeri

Effect of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on serum profiles of lipid and cholesterol in pack donkeys

The effect of experimental Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense) infection on serum concentrations of lipids in donkeys was investigated. To establish the infection, four apparently healthy pack donkeys were, each, intravenously inoculated with blood (1 ml) from an infected donor donkey containing 1 x 106 T. congolense organisms. Following this, 5 ml of blood was collected from each of the experimental animals, starting from day zero and then every other day throughout the experimental period and used for haematological and serum biochemical analyses. Levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) in the serum were measured over a 28-day experimental period, using commercial test kits. The infection with T. congolense caused significant (P<0.05) decreases in serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the experimental animals. Decreases were also observed in the serum concentrations of triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol but were not significant (P>0.05). With the indispensable roles of lipids as integral parts of cell membrane structures and in other metabolic processes in the mammalian hosts, it could be inferred that T. congolense infection-induced alterations in serum concentrations of lipids might be contributory pathophysiological mechanisms of some of the reported disorders in trypanosome-infected animals.Keywords: Donkey, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterolTrypanosoma congolens

Yield performance of cowpea as influenced by insecticide types and their combinations in the dry savannas of Nigeria

Insecticide spray offers the most effective control of insect pests where resistant varieties are not available as is the case with the legume pod borer and pod sucking bug complex. Field experiments were conducted in the northern Guinea and Sudan savannas (Samaru and Minjibir, respectively) zones of Nigeria during 2005 to 2007 rainy seasons to evaluate the efficacy of common and new insecticides in the Nigeria markets for field control of insect pests of cowpea. Post spray insect counts showed that the new insecticide combinations gave control of thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Order: Thysanoptera, Family: Thripidae) statistically similar to Monocrophos. Maruca vitrata (Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Crambidae) population densities were significantly reduced by the application of the insecticide regime of Imidacloprid (first spray), Cypermethrin (second and third) which however was not different from Cypermethrin-Dimethoate. The no spray plots gave significantly higher fodder yield in Samaru. The highest mean grain yields at Minjibir were obtained from plots sprayed with Imidacloprid + Cypermethrin + Cypermethrin (1391 kg/ha) while highest mean grain yield (924 kg/ha) in Samaru was from Monocrophos applied three times. Considering safety issues and environmental concerns, Imidacloprid (first spray) and Cypermetrin (second and third sprays) is recommended in a three insecticide spray recommendation for cowpea cultivation, especially in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria and three sprays of Cypermethrin-Dimethoate in the northern Guinea Savanna

Comparative Assessment of Sweet (Zeamays Convar.Saccarata) and Dent Maize (Zeamays) for Phytoremediation of Chromium and Nickel Polluted Agricultural Soils

The consequential effects of heavy metal consumption by man suggest the need for plant assessment for bio-concentration and translocation potentials. This study aimed at comparing the potential of dent maize with sweet maize for phytoremediation of Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) contaminated soils. Soil samples were taken randomly to a depth of 20 cm. Out of the samples taken; about 500 g of the samples were homogenized, dried, sieved, and used for the determination of soil physicochemical properties. The remaining soil samples were used to fill the polythene bags for the plant growth. The experimental design used was 22 by 2 general factorial design consisting of 4 treatments (1 g/dm3 of Ni (NO3)2.6H2O; 3 g/dm3 of Ni (NO3)2.6H2O; 1 g/dm3 of Cr (NO3)2.9H2O and 3 g/dm3 of Cr (NO3)2.9H2O), 2 replicates of each and the control. The setup was made for each of the maize types. Three seeds of maize were planted on each of the soil samples at a depth of 4 cm and the setup was properly monitored. Soil samples were analyzed at day 1 and every 14 days interval in a period of 70 days after planting (DAP). The result of the initial analysis of the soil samples indicates that the control soil sample contained 0.17+0.002 mg/kg of Cr and 0.03+0.001 mg/kg of Ni for soil seeded with both the dent and sweet maize. The mean concentration of Cr and Ni from the soil samples taken from soil contaminated with 1g treatment were 1.24+0.001 mg/kg and 1.43+0.002 mg/kg respectively, while that contaminated with 3g treatment has 3.98+0.02 mg/kg of Cr and 2.96+0.02 mg/kg of Ni. The results also show a reduction in the heavy metal concentrations of the soil through the 70 days of planting. The Cr and Ni contents of the two maize types increase with the increase in the amount of metals (3 g > 1 g> control) in the soils in which they were seeded. Though, the two types of maize are good phytoplant, sweet maize is more active in Cr removal than dent maize. The two maize types are better in bioaccumulation than in translocation. The growth of the plants was not retarded by the presence of the metal which shows their tolerance and effectiveness in remediating Cr and Ni contaminated soil. The use of this technology will help in attaining sustainable development goals as it addresses the problem of environmental degradation while the subsistence agriculture will be promoted and hence poverty will also be alleviated or eradicated

RELEVANCE OF RAPID IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC TEST KITS IN MALARIA DIAGNOSIS

Over the past few decades, rapid immunodiagnostic test kits (RIDTK) have been used to compliment microscopy in parasitemia detection. In order to reduce malaria mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic, the most important characteristics required for a diagnostic method are high sensitivity for detecting Plasmodium falciparum and rapid availability of test results. However, in environments where malaria incidence is low, high specificity and high sensitivity for detection of non-P. falciparum species is very important; a repeat testing paradigm is also highly necessary. The requirements of a malaria rapid immunodiagnostic test differ with respect to regional malaria epidemiology and the goals of a malaria control program. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is very important for proper management and prevention of malaria and also to prevent morbidity, mortality and indiscriminate use of anti malaria agents. There has been a great progress in the development of many rapid and specific immunodiagnostic tests for diagnosing patients suffering from malaria. In this regard, the development is done with respect to the antigen(s) the antibodies are meant to detect. The three categories of rapid immunodiagnostic test kits that have so far been developed comprise Histidine-Rich Protein 2 (HRP-2), Parasite specific plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) and aldolase. Despite the fact that microscopy is still used as the reference test for malaria detection and having the ability to detect lower parasite densities, there abound a lot of shortcomings with it. However, the advent and development of rapid immunodiagnostic test kits has brought lasting solutions to some of these problems In order to reduce morbidity, mortality and transmission of malaria, prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment is highly essential and these can be achieved if an only when malaria rapid immunodiagnostic tests are used