Impact of Marble Mining on Soil Properties in a Part of Guinea Savanna Zone of Southwestern Nigeria

The effects of marble mining activities on the properties of soils of Igbeti marble area, Oke-Ogun, Southwestern Nigeria were investigated. Sample plots of 10 x 10 m2 were established at 150 m intervals from the factory site up to a distance of 600 m and with a sample plot at 10 km to serve ascontrol in four cardinal directions. A total of 84 composite soil samples from 21 established plots were taken for soil physico-chemical properties. No plot falls under agricultural crops. The results show that there is drastic deterioration in the quality of soil as a result of mining activities. There was increase in total porosity and decrease in bulk density of the soil as you move away from the mining site. The soil pH changed greatly from 5.90 in the control site to 8.20 in highly polluted soils. Soil organic matter,total nitrogen and available phosphorus decreased with increase in dust particulate from the mining sites. Except for Ca2+ and Mg2+ that decreased with distance from the mining site, Na+ and K+ increased slightly. The availability of the extractable micronutrients (Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) increased as the soil acidity increased, though Cu2+ availability dropped slightly at control site. It is concluded that there is the need for close monitoring of marble mining activities in Nigeria as deposit of marble particulates may result to soil nutrients’ imbalance and hence poor soil health especially in areas polluted with marble particulates.Key words: Mine waste, pollution monitoring, soil deterioration, soil pollution, soil nutrients’ imbalance.

Growing pigs fed cassava peel based diet supplemented with or without Farmazyme® 3000 proenx: Effect on growth, carcass and blood parameters

36 growing pigs (average initial weight of 22.74 ± 0.88 kg) were allotted to three dietary treatment groups of 30%maize-based control diet and 30%cassava-peel based diet supplemented with or without Farmazyme® 3000 proenx. Each treatment had three replicates of 4 pigs/replicate (12 pigs/treatment) in a complete randomized design. The pigs were allowed ad libitum access to the diets and water throughout the 42-day duration of the trial. The replacement of the 30% maize in the control diet with cassava peel resulted in increased bulkiness and crude fiber contents of the cassava peel-based diets, hence, lowered energy content. There was also a reduction in the dry matter intake of the pigs and the cost of feed per kg intake by 19.6 and 23.5% for the cassava peel based diet with and without Farmazyme® inclusion, respectively. The replacement of the maize content of the control diet with cassava peel resulted in 23 to 24% reduction in the cost of feed per kg live weight gain of the growing pigs. Farmazyme® resulted in enhanced utilization (P < 0.05) of the cassava peel-based diet in terms of the daily and overall weight gains as well as the serum total protein, albumin, urea and cholesterol. While the heamoglobin and red blood cell (RBC) of the pigs were significantly positively influenced by the inclusion of the enzyme, it had no effect on the packed cell volume (PCV). The blood minerals (Na, Ca, Cl and P), relative organ weights and dressing percentage of the pigs were neither affected by the cassava peel replacement nor the enzyme inclusion but for the kidney, where lower values were obtained both for the control and Farmazyme® supplemented cassava peel based diets. It could therefore be concluded that, inclusion of Farmazyme® 3000 proenx enhanced utilization of the cassava peel-based diet thereby, resulting in performance results comparable to pigs fed the maize-based control diet.Keywords: Cassava peels, growing pigs, non-starch polysaccharides, exogenous enzyme, pig feedin

Knowledge and Practices of PMTCT among Health Care Providers in Private Hospital in Ilorin, Nigeria

Introduction: In the developed countries where mother to child transmission of the virus is still high preventing MTCT is essential and starts during the antepartum period where diagnosis can be made andantiretrovirals and other prevention strategies can be instituted. A  significant proportion of Maternity care and delivery services are rendered by private hospitals. Adequate knowledge by health care providers ofantiretroviral use and other PMTCT strategies will be required to ensure control of vertical transmission of the virus.Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of PMTCT among health care providers in private health facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria.Method: This is a review of health care providers in private health facilities Ilorin, Nigeria, between December2011 and November2012. Information on biodata, general knowledge on HIV and PMTCT and practices done to prevent vertical transmission were collected with use of questionnaires and were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 17.Result: 265 questionnaires were applied but 223 were complete and analyzed. Their age range was 20-62years; mean age was 32.45+7.0SDyrs and Mean working experience was 5.89+5.17SD yrs. Nurses constituted the greater percentage 64.1% of the health care providers. Knowledge that vertical transmission could be prevented was good (95.5%), however 15.2% felt HIV could be transmitted through sharing of spoon or eating together. Only 20% had training in PMTCT and 17% worked in health facilities where ARV was administered to HIV positive pregnant women. A larger number 72% referred the HIV positive women to other centres for antenatal care and delivery. Antiretroviral drugs administered to the mothers were, 42.1% administered single drug ARV therapy, 21.1% gave 2 ARV drugs which is not in any standard protocol while only 5.3%  administered 3 ARV drugs. Prophylactic ARV administration to the babies also revealed deficiencies.Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of PMTCT among health care providers in private sectors was poor. There were no clear cut guidelines for  antiretroviral drug administration for mothers and babies. Training and retraining on PMTCT should be encouraged.Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, health care provider, PMTC

An audit of the uptake of key PMTCT interventions in the pre and post who rapid advice periods at the university college hospital, Ibadan

Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV may require the uptake of the culturally unacceptable options of cesarean delivery and formula feeding. The successful use of HAART, as enumerated by the WHO 2009 rapid advice, has the potential for facilitating the uptake of the more culturally acceptable vaginal delivery and breast feeding. These recommendations became operational at the PMTCT unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan. This retrospective study describes the impact of these recommendations on the uptake of PMTCT interventions at our center. The pre-rapid advice period was June 2009 to April 2011 and the post rapid period May 2011 till December 2012. Pre-rapid advise, antiretrovirals administered was zidovudine or Combivir for women with CD4 >200cells / ml and Combivir/nevirapine for CD4 <200 Cells/ ml. Post-rapid, all were eligible for HAART (mostly efavirenz/ truvada or efavirenz/ Combivir). Six weeks post-natally, the options adopted were documented and are presented here. Information from 1165 women was available. Thirty three (2.8%) did not have adequate information and were excluded. There were 711 women pre-rapid advise and 421 women post rapid. The women's characteristics were not significantly different over both periods, 69.0% had >6 years of education, 97.0% were married and slightly over half (56.9%) were involved with traders. Overall, more women were delivered by the vaginal route than Caesarean Delivery (70.5% vs. 29.5%), while more breastfed compared to formula feeding (67.2% vs. 32.8%). In the post rapid period (compared to the pre- rapid) advise, more women had vaginal delivery (73.5% vs. 64.8%, p = 0.54), more women breast-fed (77.0% vs. 50.1%, p= 0.00) and fewer women used contraception (21.5% vs. 27.3%, p= 0.023). The commonest method was the condom (83.4%). The new WHO guidelines appear to have facilitated a shift in uptake of the more culturally acceptable options of vaginal delivery and breast feeding. A follow-up evaluation of the infant HIV status will ascertain the ultimate impact on MTCT

Pharmacological Exposure of Pregnant Mothers in Ilorin, Nigeria

Context: Use of drug during pregnancy is a universal event. However, in developing countries, drug use is poorly controlled as most of the drugs could be obtained without prescription. This constitutes potential hazard both for the mother and the fetus.Objective: To determine the pattern of drug use (including alcohol and smoking) prescription and non prescription of drug by pregnant mothers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.Study Design: A cross sectional study of pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin.Result: Four hundred 400 pregnant women participated in the study, 335 adequately completed questionnaire for data analysis. Majority of the respondents 273 (81.5%) had taken one or more drugs, 62 (18.5%) had not used any. Average number of drugs used was 2.7. Routine haematinics (folic acid and Ferrous Sulphate) are the common drug taken by 241 (81.5%) of the respondents. Anti malarial drugs were taken by 47 (14%) while herbal drug was taken by 41 (12.2%). Five (1.5%) of the respondents admitted to taking alcohol and only one woman (0.3%) admitted to smoking cigarette. One (0.3%) each of the respondents was on anti depressant and anticonvulsant drugs. Occupation was significantly related to herbal use. Parity was also significantly related to alcohol consumption and the use of unprescribed drugs.Conclusion: Drug use is common during pregnancy. Haematinics were the commonest drug used. Herbs are used to some extent and antimalarials are underutilized. Alcohol is minimally used and smoking during pregnancy is virtually non- existent. There is need to caution our pregnant mothers on the use of herbs as there is no full understanding of their pharmacokinetics

Attitudes to female genital mutilation/cutting among male adolescents in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background. The central role of males in female reproductive health issues in patriarchal societies makes them an important group in the eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).Objectives. To determine knowledge about and attitudes to FGM/C among male adolescents, and their preparedness to protect their future daughters from it.Methods. A cross-sectional survey among male adolescent students in Ilorin, Nigeria. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire after consent had been obtained from them or their parents. Statistical analysis was with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, USA). A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant.Results. Of 1 536 male adolescents (mean age 15.09 (standard deviation 1.84) years, range 14 - 19), 1 184 (77.1%) were aware of FGM/C, 514 (33.5%) supported female circumcision, 362 (23.6%) would circumcise their future  daughters, 420 (27.3%) were of the opinion that FGM/C had benefits, mostly as a necessity for womanhood (109, 7.1%), and 627 (40.8%) perceived it as  wickedness against females; 546 (35.5%) were aware of efforts to eradicate FGM/C, and 42.2% recommended education as the most important intervention to achieve this.Conclusion. Education and involvement in advocacy may transform male adolescents into agents for eradication of FGM/C

Obstetric and newborn outcomes and risk factors for low birth weight and preterm delivery among HIV-infected pregnant women at the university college hospital Ibadan

There remains uncertainty about the impact of HIV on pregnancy outcomes and effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on fetal development. This study describes obstetric outcomes among HIV positive parturients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. HIV positive parturients were identified in the birth register. During the 30-month period, 318 of 6203 deliveries were HIV positive (5.1%) with 97.6% record retrieval. The mean age of the HIV positive parturients was 31.66 years (± 4.66); the mean gestational age at delivery was 38.02 weeks (± 2.75) and the mean birth weight 2.85kg (±0.59). There were 35.8% (109) preterm births, 2.9% stillbirths and 21.5% low birth weights. The regimen most commonly (198, 64.5%) used was a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRTI) based HAART. Preterm births were similar following spontaneous vaginal delivery (31.5%) and elective section (31%) but higher (41.3%) with emergency section (ñ=0.4).On univariate analysis, the preterm infants had lower mean birth weights (2.46±0.61 vs 2.96±0.44; ñ=0.000). The proportion of preterm births was higher among Low birth weight infants (71.9% vs 28.1%; ñ=0.00). Variables with more preterm births were age >35 years (51.6%), ≤6years of schooling (51.5% vs 48.4%) and being on combination ARV (PI, 37.5% or non-PI, 36.2%). However, these differences did not attain statistical significance. Low birth weight infants had mothers who had higher mean ages (33.28 years ± 4.59 vs 31.28 years ± 4.59, ñ= 0.02), lower mean gestational age at delivery (35.72 weeks ± 3.16 vs 38.49 weeks ± 2.1, ñ= 0.00). Variables with more low birth weight include <12years of schooling and being on mono/ dual therapy (31.8%). These differences were not statistically significant. On logistic regression, factors that retained an association with low birth weight were mean maternal age at delivery (ñ= 0.002; â= 0.904; 95% CI, 0.848 – 0.966) and being on mono/ dual therapy (ñ= 0.039; â= 3.042; 95% CI, 1.055 – 8.768). The only factor that retained an association with preterm birth was mean maternal age at delivery (ñ= 0.015; â= 0.935; 95% CI, 0.886 – 0.987). HIV positive (especially older) women, have high rates of preterm deliveries and low birth weights. The beneficial effects of HAART on mother-to-child transmission are indisputable but monitoring antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy remains a priority and antenatal surveillance should include fetal growth assessment.

Overexpression of FOXG1 contributes to TGF-β resistance through inhibition of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in ovarian cancer

Background:Loss of growth inhibitory response to transforming growth factor-Β (TGF-Β) is a common feature of epithelial cancers. Recent studies have reported that genetic lesions and overexpression of oncoproteins in TGF-Β/Smads signalling cascade contribute to the TGF-Β resistance. Here, we showed that the overexpressed FOXG1 was involved in attenuating the anti-proliferative control of TGF-Β/Smads signalling in ovarian cancer.Methods:FOXG1 and p21 WAF1/CIP1 expressions were evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The effect of FOXG1 on p21 WAF1/CIP1 transcriptional activity was examined by luciferase reporter assays. Cell lines stably expressing or short hairpin RNA interference-mediated knockdown FOXG1 were established for studying the gain-or-loss functional effects of FOXG1. XTT cell proliferation assay was used to measure cell growth of ovarian cancer cells.Results:Quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analyses showed that FOXG1 was upregulated and inversely associated with the expression levels of p21 WAF1/CIP1 in ovarian cancer. The overexpression of FOXG1 was significantly correlated with high-grade ovarian cancer (P0.025). Immunohistochemical analysis on ovarian cancer tissue array was further evidenced that FOXG1 was highly expressed and significantly correlated with high-grade ovarian cancer (P0.048). Functionally, enforced expression of FOXG1 selectively blocked the TGF-Β-induced p21 WAF1/CIP1 expressions and increased cell proliferation in ovarian cancer cells. Conversely, FOXG1 knockdown resulted in a 20-26% decrease in cell proliferation together with 16-33% increase in p21 WAF1/CIP1 expression. Notably, FOXG1 was able to inhibit the p21 WAF1/CIP1 promoter activity in a p53-independent manner by transient reporter assays.ConclusionOur results suggest that FOXG1 acts as an oncoprotein inhibiting TGF-Β-mediated anti-proliferative responses in ovarian cancer cells through suppressing p21 WAF1/CIP1 transcription. © 2009 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio

SAVVY Vaginal Gel (C31G) for Prevention of HIV Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Nigeria

The objective of this trial was to determine the effectiveness of 1.0% C31G (SAVVY) in preventing male-to-female vaginal transmission of HIV infection among women at high risk.This was a Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants made up to 12 monthly follow-up visits for HIV testing, adverse event reporting, and study product supply. The study was conducted between September 2004 and December 2006 in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria, where we enrolled 2153 HIV-negative women at high risk of HIV infection. Participants were randomized 1 ratio 1 to SAVVY or placebo. The effectiveness endpoint was incidence of HIV infection as indicated by detection of HIV antibodies in oral mucosal transudate (rapid test) or blood (ELISA), and confirmed by Western blot or PCR testing. We observed 33 seroconversions (21 in the SAVVY group, 12 in the placebo group). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the cumulative probability of HIV infection at 12 months were 0.028 in the SAVVY group and 0.015 in the placebo group (2-sided p-value for the log-rank test of treatment effect 0.121). The point estimate of the hazard ratio was 1.7 for SAVVY versus placebo (95% confidence interval 0.9, 3.5). Because of lower-than-expected HIV incidence, we did not observe the required number of HIV infections (66) for adequate power to detect an effect of SAVVY. Follow-up frequencies of adverse events, reproductive tract adverse events, abnormal pelvic examination findings, chlamydial infections and vaginal infections were similar in the study arms. No serious adverse event was attributable to SAVVY use.SAVVY did not reduce the incidence of HIV infection. Although the hazard ratio was higher in the SAVVY than the placebo group, we cannot conclude that there was a harmful treatment effect of SAVVY