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Evaluation of Urban Forestry and Housing Patterns in Awka Metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria

This study evaluated urban forestry and housing patterns in Awka metropolis of Anambra State in Nigeria, with the aim of establishing the trend of housing and urban forestry / urban greening in the study area over a period of ten years (2001-2010) and to suggest ways of improving urban agriculture for a better environmental quality in Awka and other cities with high rate of developmental projects / urbanization. In other to establish this trend, the linear regression and correlation coefficient of the land use data over the time period was calculated using the concept of housing and urban forestry as a benchmark. The data analyses confirmed that there is a significant correlation between housing pattern (urbanization) and the vegetal distribution of trees (forestry) in Awka. Also, housing and urban forestry in Awka metropolis is spatially distributed in space; as shown in the results from the satellite imageries. The result of the least square regression showed that the rate of forest displacement is as a result of the increasing structural development in the study area. The work thus concluded by recommending the adoption of some tree planting techniques among urban structures and the replacement of failed trees by new one to be undertaken by the government, urban planners, land developers, the community and every individual

Causes and Measures for Controlling Loan Default among Agricultural Cooperatives in Bune State, Nigeria

The studies analyzed the causes and measures for controlling loan default among agricultural co-operatives in Benue State of Nigeria. Data were collected from 130 respondents using structured questionnaire, and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result shows that factors responsible for loan default were classified into Institutional, Client-related, Geo-economical, and Market related factors. Late disbursement of (92.31%), lack of loan monitoring (76.92%), inadequate loan appraisals (69.23%), and lack of clear cut policy on lending (69.23) were the institutional factors responsible for loan default. Lack of integrity (80.77%), poor business practice (78.46%), and loan diversion (50.0%) were client-related factors. Death of client (70.77%), economic downturn (55.38%), and natural calamity (52.31%) were geo-economic factors, while, lack of market information (81.54%), market location (49.23%) and wrong economic decision (40.77) were market related factors. The result also showed that obtaining information on borrowers\u27 integrity (92.23%), and training of borrowers on the terms and conditions (82.54%) were main measures to control loan default in the study area. Information on client integrity, and training of borrowers on terms and condition of loan before loan are granted were found to be best measures to control loan default. It was recommended that sound and flexible lending policies measures which must be reviewed frequently by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) be put in place in order to curtail bureaucracies involved in the management approvals and disbursement of agricultural loan should be formulated. This will ensure early disbursement of funds to co-operative members

Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Acalypha wilkesiana Leaves Growing in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves growing in Vom, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria was carried out to verify claims by the locals of its medicinal properties. We tested the extract for activity against Staphylococcus aureus (G+), Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogenes (G-). The extract exhibited activity against the organisms in varying degrees. In the agar diffusion test, Y. enterocolitica showed the highest zone of inhibition (18 mm) at the highest concentration of extract tested (20 mg/mL) while E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and K. aerogenes showed zones of inhibition of 17, 16, 15, 14 and 16 mm respectively. At extract concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, Y. enterocolitica and P. aeruginosa did not show any zones of inhibition while E.coli, S. aureus, S. typhi, and K. aerogenes showed zones of inhibition of 7, 6, 6 and 7 mm respectively. Below extract concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, there was no zone of inhibition observed with any organism. The MIC of the extract against the organisms was 5 mg/mL except on S. aureus where the MIC was 2.5 mg/mL. The MBC of the extract was 10 mg/mL against Y. enterocolitica, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and K. aerogenes, 5 mg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus. Preliminary phytochemical testing revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides while saponins, alkaloids and anthraquinones were not present. The result gives scientific backing to the use of the leaves by the local people in the treatment of conditions usually associated with the organisms tested

Relationship Between Plasma Homocysteine and Vitamin B12 Levels in Clinically Diagnosed Cases of Cardiovascular Accident in Lagos, Nigeria

Vitamin B12 deficiency interferes with the normal pathway for homocysteine metabolism, even in the presence of adequate serum folate and pyridoxine. Homocysteinaemia, is an elevated level of homocysteine in plasma which has been established as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disorders. However, there has been conflicting report from various research works on the role of Vitamin B12 in the occurrence of major cardiovascular disorders. The study was set to determine the mean values of homocysteine, and correlate same with mean plasma levels of vitamin B12 in the subjects, and to estimate the prevalence of anaemia in the stroke patients, using Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as indices. One hundred (100) participants were recruited, comprising 40 clinically diagnosed stroke patients (hemorrhagic or thrombo-embolic), and 60 normal adults as control group. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured by HPLC and plasma vitamin B12 levels by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno-assay method. Anticoagulated whole blood samples were evaluated for Hb, and MCV using automated Advia-60. Mean value of plasma homocysteine for the stroke patients (17.7±4.4umol/l) was significantly higher than values obtained in the control group at 9.5±2.4umol/l (

Evaluating farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change: A case study of Kaou local government area, Tahoua State, Niger Republic

The study discusses local farmers’ strategies of coping with and building resilience against the negative impact of climate change. Information for the discussion was from data collected using a set of structured questionnaires from interviews scheduled with 128 farmers. The questionnaire was based on previous literature and direct reconnaissance interview with farmers, which culminated in 13 strategies used for the study being reported. For each question, respondents were asked to choose their best and worst strategies. Thus, the difference between the best and worst strategies consistent with random utility theory has been used for the modelling. Results show that semi-transhumance, various handicrafts making, rural migration, small-scale vegetable production and small-scale river exploitation were the most important strategies identified, whilst water transport and vending, shifting cultivation, gypsum mining, gathering and trading of wild fruits and edible plants as well as cattle and sheep fattening were the least appreciated strategies identified amongst the farmers facing climate change. These findings are therefore imperative for planning farmers’ capacity-building and resilience against climate change projects to ensure sustainability in the study area. Keywords: Farmers’ adaptation strategies; Climate change resilience; Kao

Adult Laryngeal Rhabdomyosarcoma: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Rhabdomyosarcoma is relatively seen in the pediatric age group with the head and neck region as the commonest site. To the best of our knowledge, few cases of laryngeal involvement in adult have been described in the literature. Biologically, rhabdomyosarcoma is different from squamous cell carcinoma, which is the commonest tumor of the larynx. A previously healthy non-smoker 77-year-old lady presented to the ENT outpatient with a six weeks history of intermittent alteration of voice quality. She had no history of sore throat, or any symptoms suggesting laryngo-pharyngeal reflux. Examination showed asymmetry of the left arytenoid cartilage and aryepiglottic fold. She subsequently had a direct laryngoscopy and biopsy. Histology and immunohistochemistry examination suggested the diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasm. Following discussion at MDT she subsequently had a total laryngectomy. Histology confirmed a completely excised laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma of larynx in adult is a rare disease. Surgical treatment with or without adjuvant radiotherapy is currently the treatment of choice for this disease.Le Rhabdomyosarcome est relativement connu dans le groupe d'\ue2ge p\ue9diatrique et les r\ue9gions les plus touch\ue9es sont la t\ueate et le cou. A notre connaissance, peu de cas de l'implication du larynx chez des adultes ont \ue9t\ue9 cit\ue9s dans la litt\ue9rature. Biologiquement, rhabdomyosarcome est diff\ue9rent de la cellule squameuse carcinome, qui est la tumeur de larynx la plus ordinaire. Une femme non-fumeuse, \ue2g\ue9e de 77 ans d'une tr\ue8s bonne sant\ue9 au d\ue9part, s'est pr\ue9sent\ue9e \ue0 l'ORL ambulatoire avec une p\ue9riode de six semaines histoires de l'alt\ue9ration r\ue9p\ue9t\ue9e de la qualit\ue9 de la voix. Elle n'avait pas d'ant\ue9c\ue9dente de maux de gorge ou aucun sympt\uf4mes suggestifs le reflux laryngo-pharyngien. L'examen a montr\ue9 l'asym\ue9trie de la gauche aryt\ue9no\uefde cartilage aryepiglottique pli. Elle a par la suite eu une laryngoscopie directe et la biopsie. L'examen histologique et immunohistochimie a sugg\ue9r\ue9 le diagnostique des tumeurs mesenchymteuses, n\ue9oplasme. A la suite d'une discussion au MDT elle a ensuite eu une laryngectomie totale. L'histologie a confirm\ue9 une excis\ue9e larynx chez des adultes qui est une maladie rare. Le traitement chirurgical avec ou sans radioth\ue9rapie adjuvante est actuellement le traitement du choix pour cette maladie