Student and Teacher Factors as Predictors of Statistics Achievement in Federal School of Statistics Ibadan

The study aimed at assessing how students and teachers factor taken together influence students’ achievement in Statistics as well as their relative contribution to the prediction. Two research questions were raised and purposive sampling was adopted to select national diploma year 2 students since they are already in their final level in the school. Intact number of lecturers of Statistics department and year 2 Statistics students were used for the study. Students Questionnaire (SQ), Teaching Staff Scale (TSS), and Statistics Achievement Test (SAT) were used for data collection and analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression. The results showed that the 6 variables taken together had significant contribution to students’ achievement in Statistics and accounted for 80.82% of the variation in students’ achievement in Statistics. It was recommended that stakeholders in provision of Statistics education at the monotechnic institutions level must consider the four variables that contributed significantly to achievement seriously during planning for the Statistics education programmes for optimum achievement of students in Statistics

Evaluation of the effect of Pelargonium reniforme Curtis extract on alcohol induced liver damage in Nkonkobe Municipality Eastern Cape Province South Africa

Alcohol abuse is a very common practice (just like in many other parts of the world) in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This is associated with liver disease. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage in Nkonkobe Municipality was conducted. During the survey and also from information gathered in the literature, Pelargonium reniforme Curtis, was prominently mentioned, among other plants, as the species used generally for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage. This project was designed to evaluate the effects of the plant on alcohol-induced liver damage, including its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It also involves safety evaluation studies to determine if the plant is safe for consumption. Studies using rats of the Wistar strain were carried out to determine the protective and curative effects of P. reniforme on alcohol-induced liver damage. Results obtained showed that the plant extract can protect the liver cells as well as enhance recovery from tissue damage. The plant also showed good antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and this further validates its use in the treatment of liver diseases. Safety evaluation studies of the extract were carried out by investigating the effects of the oral administration on some haematological and biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats. The results obtained from the study suggest that the plant extract is not toxic at the doses used and is therefore safe for medicinal uses. The results of the various bioassays carried out in this project have justified the traditional uses of P. reniforme for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage

Ultrasonographic Renal Dimensions Amongst Adult Nigerian Diabetics: Correlation with Clinical, Anthropometric and Metabolic Risk Factors

Diabetes is now becoming a major public health problem globally. It is increasingly associated with renal diseases, particularly chronic kidney disease worldwide. A simple, accurate, reproducible and non-invasive method of evaluation is necessary for early morphological assessment for timely intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of renal diseases in diabetes mellitus. In this cross-sectional comparative study, among one hundred and four adult diabetic cases and fifty-three healthy controls, the ultrasonographic renal dimensions were determined and compared in both cases and controls. Correlations were sought between the renal dimensions and the clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic characteristics of the study population. The dimensions of the kidneys in diabetic cases versus controls were; lengths (9.94± 0.76cm vs 9.27 ± 0.90 and 10.28 ± 0.87cm vs 9.41± 1.02cm(p=<0.001), cortical thickness (1.77± 0.28cm vs 1.26± 0.49cm, p<0.001 and 1.89± 0.52cm vs 1.37± 0.78cm, p<0.001 and volumes (121.9± 39.50cm3 vs 107.8± 29.82cm, p=0.026 and 136.3± 45.09cm3 vs 118.8± 33.79cm3, (p=0.015) were significantly higher in Diabetes mellitus cases on the right and left respectively. The waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, cholesterol, and urinary albumin, all had correlations with the mean kidney length. Taking together, the ultrasonographic renal lengths, cortical thickness, and volumes are increased in diabetic disease without renal function compromise compared to age-, gender- and body mass index-matched non-diabetic controls. The clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters of the diabetes cases also showed significant correlations with mean kidney length

Technical assistance in Nigeria : developing geoscience skills for tomorrow

The World Bank funded Nigerian Geochemical Mapping Technical Assistance Project was started in 2008 within the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and is now nearing completion. Staff from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), the Nigerian academic community, British Geological Survey, and Geological Survey of Finland, have worked alongside one another in a comprehensive program of practical training and knowledge exchange. This program has enabled researchers from a range of backgrounds and experience in Africa and Europe to exchange knowledge and develop important geoscience skills. As part of this program key skills in many areas including; GIS, statistics, QC, data management, laboratory analysis, sampling methodologies, has developed the knowledge and skills base within the Nigerian geosciences community, and has maintained momentum for Nigeria’s national geochemical mapping program. An important objective of the Project is knowledge exchange during training of Nigerian geoscientists in conducting regional geochemical surveys as part of a long term mapping program across Nigeria. Practical training in methodologies for geochemical mapping formed the basis of a major field campaign in 2009, during which over 100 personnel were trained in geochemical mapping techniques. A similar number of personnel were involved in specialist training through a series of workshops and training courses in Nigeria and the UK. Two field areas were selected for the geochemical mapping training — one in central Nigeria (the ‘Minna Cell’) and one in south-western Nigeria (the ‘South-western Cell’) — covering a combined area of 52 000 km2. Key challenges involved the procurement of field equipment and consumables, and modernisation of sample preparation laboratories and archiving facilities at the National Geosciences Research Laboratory, Kaduna. New sample preparation and analytical equipment has been purchased and the laboratory staff have received training in the use of the new equipment. In the long-term it is envisaged that the analytical facilities will be developed further, and that all samples will be prepared, analysed and archived in Nigeria. A national geochemical mapping programme involving multi-element analysis of stream sediment samples is used as a primary dataset in the exploration for new economic mineral deposits. Establishing a geochemical baseline is necessary in order to monitor the effects of anthropogenic activities e.g. contamination caused by industrial waste and mining activities, for environmental investigations and medical geology studies both in rural and in urban areas, as well as studies within the agricultural and forestry sectors

In vitro effect of selected medicinal plants on β-amyloid induced toxicity in neuroblastoma cells

Neurodegenerative diseases occur as a result of the breakdown and deterioration of the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). They are commonly found in elderly people and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, thereby imposing severe strains on the social welfare systems. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Cholinergic deficit, senile plaque/amyloid-β peptide deposition and oxidative stress have been identified as three main pathogenic pathways which contribute to the progression of AD. The current therapeutic options cause several side-effects and have problems associated with bioavailability. Therefore, the need arises to search for new compounds from natural products with potential to treat AD. Seventeen plants were selected for this study based on their documented ethno-medicinal use in improving memory, to treat insomnia, calm agitated people, and other neurological disorders. The plants were screened for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) using the TLC and microtiter plate method. A dose-dependent inhibition of the enzyme was observed and 4.5% of all the plants showed low (50%), in both assays. B. disticha contained very promising AChE inhibition and was subjected to isolation of active compounds using thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. Two compounds, 6-hydroxycrinamine (a crinine-type alkaloid) and cycloeucalenol (a cycloartane triterpene), were isolated for the first time from the bulbs of this plant. 6-Hydroxycrinamine, and two fractions, EAM 17-21 21,22 and EAE 11 (which could not be purified further due to low yield), were found to inhibit AChE with IC50 values of 0.445 ± 0.030 mM, 0.067 ± 0.005 mg/ml and 0.122 ± 0.013 mg/ml, respectively. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds and two active fractions was determined on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells using the MTT and neutral red uptake assays. 6- hydroxycrinamine and fraction EAM 17-21 21,22 were found to be toxic with IC50 values of 54.5 μM and 21.5 μg/ml as determined by the MTT assay. The isolated compounds and fractions did not show any protective effect against cell death induced by Aβ25-35 possibly due to the poor antioxidant activity of B. disticha bulbs. Cytotoxicity was also determined for the methanol extracts of the roots of C. bulbispermum, T. sericea, L. schweinfurthii and Z. mucronata, as they contained promising antioxidant activity. C. bulbispermum was the most toxic, reducing cell viability by 50% viability. This study confirms the neuroprotective potential of some of the plants which had AChE inhibitory and antioxidant activity. In addition, four of the plants were shown to prevent cell death caused by Aβ25-35. These plants can serve as potential leads in developing drugs relevant to treatment of AD. Furthermore, two new compounds present in the bulbs of B. disticha were identified. Additional investigations need to be carried out by applying QSAR studies to modify the structure of the alkaloid with the aim of reducing its observed toxicity.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Pharmacologyunrestricte

Determinants of Socio-Environmental Reporting of Quoted Companies in Nigeria

The quest for sustainability has caused the corporate body to realize that the world is on the brink of a potential crisis from the combined effects of social and environmental damages. This study examined the determinants of socio-environmental accounting of listed     firms in Nigeria. This was with a view to providing information on how socio-environmental accounting could be employed to enhance firms’ sustainability. Secondary source of data collection was employed for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 50 firms listed on the main board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange based on availability of their annual reports from 2005 to 2013. Qualitative data were sourced through the use of checklist. Data collected were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics such as; mean, median; and inferential statistics using ordinary least square regression analysis. The study found that firms size (t=10.3263; p˂0.05) profitability (t=7.6913; p˂0.05) and number of analysts analyzing the firms (t=2.4684; p˂0.05) were the three major factors that had positive influence on socio-environmental reporting of listed firms in Nigeria. However, socio-environmental performance had significant (t=-3.3508; p˂0.05) negative influence on socio-environmental reporting in Nigerian quoted companies. The study concluded that socio-environmental accounting could be employed to enhance sustainable business practice in quoted companies

A 5-year review of ultrasonographic evaluation of ocular diseases at the University College Hospital IBADAN, south-west, Nigeria

Background: Orbito-ocular diseases are a major public health issue, often causing visual impairment with serious socioeconomic  implications on individual lives. Ocular ultrasonography is an invaluable diagnostic tool when clinical examination of the ocular fundus is difficult.Objectives: To describe the indications, sonographic findings, and contribution of orbito-ocular ultrasonography to the management of orbito-ocular diseases in the University College Hospital, Ibadan.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of B-mode ocular ultrasound findings and hospital data of all patients referred to the Radiology department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan for ocular Ultrasound between January 2014 - December 2018.Results: There were 142 patients, aged 1-85 years, (median age =28 years). 72 (50.7%) patients were under 30 years of age, and 50 (35.2%) were pediatric cases. Male to female ratio was 1.84:1. The commonest presenting complaint was blurred vision in 97 (68.3%) cases,  followed by eye trauma in 54 (38.0%). B-mode Ultrasound, demonstrated cataract in 63 (44.4%,) cases, vitreous hemorrhage in 42 (29.6%), retinal detachment in 27 (19.0%), vitreous detachment in 19 (13.4%), normal findings in 17 (12%) and orbital tumors in 13 (9.2%) patients.B-mode ultrasound scan and clinical diagnosis demonstrated good agreement in 91 /142 cases (64.1%), partial agreement in 23/142  (16.2%) cases, and no agreement in 28 (19.7%). Kappa agreement scores, K were 74.3% and 70.9%, for ruptured globe and cataract respectively.Conclusion: Orbito-ocular ultrasonography contributes significantly to the diagnosis of orbito-ocular disease and shows good correlation with clinical diagnoses. However, a future study with larger numbers is required

Health Hazards of Toxic and Essential Heavy Metals from the Poultry Waste on Human and Aquatic Organisms

This research was conducted to examine the impact of some essential heavy metals used as a supplement during animal feed formulation and the toxic from unregulated discharges of untreated poultry waste into water bodies on man and aquatic organisms. During the processing of poultry feed, certain heavy metals are used as a supplement such as selenium, copper, zinc, iron etc. to enhance poultry meat and egg yield which is also increase the daily discharge of anthropogenic wastes into our environment that contain high concentration of heavy metals discharges into aquatic environment globally, especially in underdeveloped where this waste are not treated before discharge or used in agriculture as an organic fertilizer in planting crops as a result of this it become absorb by plants and could pose a serious health risk to man and aquatic species as well as affect the ecological balance that can be transfer to humans via the food chain. Some organisms are kills as a result of the toxic heavy metals in water and can affect their growths. Bio-accumulated in the body of certain species, such as fish, which are eaten by humans that causes devastating diseases such as Minamata and Itai-Itai. Regulation of the use some heavy metals as a supplement in feed production or complete removal of it in animal feed should be adopt in order to minimize the human health risks and environmental contamination associated with these animal waste