Coconut water prevents renal and hepatic changes in offspring of monosodium glutamate-treated Wistar rat dams

Summary: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely-consumed taste enhancer which has been implicated in the aetiology of renal and hepatic dysfunction in adults and their offspring. There is increasing evidence on the therapeutic properties of Coconut Water (CW) in kidney and liver disorders. This study investigated the effects of CW on renal and hepatic functions in offspring of MSG-fed dams. Twelve female Wistar rats (120 – 140 g) were grouped into four as follows; Control (10 ml/Kg distilled water), MSG (0.08 mg/Kg), CW (10 ml/Kg) and MSG+CW. Treatments were given orally daily commencing two weeks prior to mating, throughout mating and gestation until parturition. All dams received standard rodent diet and drinking water ad libitum throughout the study. After weaning on Post-Natal Day (PND) 28, serum was obtained from offspring for assay of liver and renal function. Histological analysis of the livers and kidneys were performed on both dams and offspring. There was no significant difference in liver enzymes, urea, creatinine and albumin levels amongst the offspring on PND 28. However, liver and kidney sections from MSG dams and their offspring showed early degenerative changes which were not evident in renal and hepatic tissues from CW and MSG+CW dams and offspring. These observations suggest that coconut water protects against monosodium glutamate-induced renal and hepatic dysfunction in dams and offspring.Keywords: Monosodium glutamate, Cocos nucifera water, Foetal programming, Kidney, Live

Oestrous cyclicity disruption in Wistar rats subjected to partial sleep deprivation

Background: Chronic partial sleep deprivation continues to be a global problem. Studies have shown that oestrous cyclicity is disrupted by total sleep deprivation. The relationship between partial sleep deprivation – the predominant form of sleep deprivation in the current global society – and the oestrous pattern remains elusive. This study examined oestrous cycle patterns of rats subjected to partial sleep deprivation.Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into control and Sleep-Deprived (SD) groups of fifteen rats each. Oestrous patterns were monitored for two weeks before sleep deprivation and throughout the study. Sleep deprivation was induced using the modified multiple platform method. Five animals were sacrificed under thiopental anaesthesia during proestrus on days 7, 14 and 21. The ovaries, uteri and adrenal glands were examined. Data were compared using t-test at p<0.05.Results: Proestrus and oestrus frequencies reduced in the SD groups; metestrus frequency increased in the 7 days and 14 days SD and diestrus frequency increased in 21 days SD group. Cycle lengths increased in the 14 days and 21days SD groups. The SD groups had inflammation of ovary and uterus, as well as adrenal medulla hyperplasia.Conclusion: Partial sleep deprivation reduces frequencies of phases characterized by sexual activity and ovulation while increasing cycle lengths in Wistar rats. Thus, adequate sleep is important for women who are trying to get pregnant.Keywords: Sleep deprivation, Oestrous cycle, Adrenal medulla, rat

Bioactive constituents and antibacterial screening of two Nigerian plant extracts against selected clinical bacteria

Background: The growing desires to combat antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria necessitate the need to search for new antimicrobials agents from other sources such as plants. Objectives: The present study investigated the antibacterial activities and bioactive components of Nymphaea lotus and Spondias mombin against selected clinical bacteria Material and Methods: Extracts of N. lotus and S. mombin were prepared by 72 hours maceration in 70% methanol. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter freundi and, Klebsiella oxytoca against the two extracts was carried out by disk diffusion method while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) was by agar-well dilution and broth dilution method, respectively. The bioactive compounds of the plants were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results: Extracts of N. lotus showed better antimicrobial activities than S. mombin against all the clinical bacterial isolates with an MIC range of 3.13 – >12.5mg/mL compared to S. mombin with MIC range of 6.25 – >12.5mg/mL. The GC-MS results revealed the presence of 21 and 25 compounds for N. lotus and S. mombin  respectively. Benzoic acid derivatives were in abundance in both plants with  approximately 71.5% and 82.1% in N. lotus and S. mombin respectively.  Conclusions: The findings from this study provided further evidence on their ethno-botanical claims and additional information on the potentials of the studied plants as effective medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity against clinical bacteria. This highlights the need for continuous exploration of medicinal plants for novel  compounds with better antimicrobial property as option for the treatment of resistant bacterial infection Keywords: Nymphaea lotus, Spondias mombin, Bioactive components, Antimicrobial

Determination of work index of graphite from Samanburkono (Nigeria) using modified bond's method

This report covers the work index determination of Saman-Burkono graphite. The test sample was obtained from Saman-Burkono in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi state, while reference material (coal) was sourced from Okaba coal mine, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. A known weight of graphite sample and coal were crushed, pulverized and ground using the laboratory milling machine. The two samples were grinded with two cells of diameter 3.5cm and 222g weight. The analysis of the feed size fort the two samples was found graphically to be 180μm and 175μm, and ball mill discharge was 130μm and 140μm respectively. The work index of a coal as reference material was 7.65 kWh/ short ton, this was used to calculate the work index of the graphite which was found to be 11.047 kWh/short ton, being the required energy to comminute one ton of graphite.Keywords: Comminution, Graphite, Saman-Burkono, Nigeria, Modified Bonds metho

Survey dataset on open and distance learning students’ intention to use social media and emerging technologies for online facilitation

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) students rely majorly on the use of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) tools for online facilitation and other activities supporting learning. With an emphasis on ODL students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Oyo State, Nigeria; Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) has to be the major medium for online facilitation for the past 5 years. Therefore, this data article presents a survey dataset that was administered to LAUTECH ODL students with a view to as�sess their readiness to accept and use alternative social me�dia platforms and emerging technologies for online facilitation. The data article also includes a questionnaire instrument administered via Google form, 900 responses received in spreadsheet formats, chats generated from the responses, the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) file, and the descriptive and reliability statistics for all the variables. The authors believe that the dataset will guide policymakers on the choice of social media and emerging technologies to be adopted as facilitation tools for ODL students. It will also reveal the challenges that could militate against the willingness to use these supplementary modes of learning from students' perspective

Prevalence And Pattern Of Refractive Errors In Secondary School Students In Lagos State, Nigeria: The Need For A National School Eye Health Screening Programme

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, types and distribution of refractive errors among public secondary students in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross -sectional study conducted from October 2005 to January 2007. Randomly selected students in 19 public secondary schools within the 6 education districts in Lagos State constituted the sample. The study in all the schools was preceded by ocular health education. Detailed ocular examination carried out included visual acuity measurements with multiple alphabetical Snellen's chart. Significant refractive error was defined as a visual acuity of 6/12 or worse, or any error correctable with spherical equivalent of at least -0.500DS or +2.00DS, according to the guidelines of Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) Result: A total of 1,987 students which comprised of 1019 (51.3%) males and 968 (48.7%) females were examined. Their age range was 9-24years, mean age, 14.8 years (95% CI, 12.4-17.2). Using spherical equivalence (SE) of findings, 564 students accounting for 28.4% (95% CI, 26.4 – 30.4) had significant refractive errors. Myopia (SE of at least - 0.50 DS in one or both eyes) accounted for 26.2% (95% CI, 24.2 – 28.2) and hypermetropia, (SE of > + 2.00DS in either eye) constituted 2.2% (95% CI, 1.54 – 2.36). Most of the errors were of low degree and amblyopia was present in 16 participants (0.8%). One hundred and twenty seven students (6.4%) with significant refractive errors however had associated astigmatism. Forty five cases out of these (35.4%) were > 0.75DC. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of 28.4% for refractive errors in the study was higher than previous findings among secondary school  students in Nigeria. Although most students with low degree of myopia were asymptomatic, they are at high risk of further increase due to increasing near work and changes in diet associated with westernization. The need for a sustainable National School Eye HealthScreening Programme cannot be overemphasized. Keywords: Uncorrected Refractive Errors, Amblyopia, Screening, Secondary Schools

Acid and Alkaline Phosphatase activities in the small intestine of the rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis)

Alkaline and Acid Phosphatase (ALP and ACP) activities were compared in the small intestine of the rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum), and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) to observe possible modifications of their small intestine to different diets. Ten animals each of both sexes were used. Portions of their small intestine were homogenized and assayed spectrophotometrically for the activities of ALP, and ACP. ALP and ACP activities were significantly (at 95% confidence interval (p<0.05) and consistently higher in the bat than in the rat and pangolin. High ALP activities in the bat explain why chyle transit time in the bat gut is short because ALP facilitates transport across intestinal mucosa. A higher ACP activity in the bat is because they help to "mop up" the phosphate ions produced as a result of ATP hydrolysis. It can be concluded that the small intestine of the rat, bat and pangolin, utilizes the phosphatases to different degrees

Property Tax Dynamics Reengineering in Nigeria: The Alternative Infrastructure Financing Option for National Development

The availability of resources to either provide new infrastructural facilities, services or to maintain the few obsolete ones has recently become an issue of national concern. States across the country have witnessed and are still witnessing a critical infrastructure deficit. Scholars globally have suggested property tax as a formidable alternative infrastructure financing option. The study examines the need for property tax dynamics reengineering in Nigeria to provide valuable information as an infrastructure financing option for national development through a theoretical research approach. The study established the link between real property investment and property tax dynamics, the nexus between property tax and infrastructure development and Nigeria's need for property tax reengineering. The study found the deteriorating state of critical infrastructure due to overuse and lack of adequate maintenance. Hence, it concluded that the reawakening of the property tax system in the country could help facilitate the transformational agenda of the Local Government Administration in the country. It recommended replicating the robust Lagos state property taxation strategy across the other states in Nigeria

Perception and practice of food hygiene and safety among youth and women of child-bearing age in Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria: a qualitative study

Food borne diseases remain public health issue in the developing countries as outbreaks often result in devastating health and economic outcomes. The significant morbidity resulting from its toll on the socio-economic status of the country makes it imperative that an urgent need to stem the disease and prevent further transmission is proffered. Inappropriate knowledge and perception of the disease may perpetuate the disease condition. This study thus sets out to determine the level of awareness of causes of food borne disease and practices as they relate to food hygiene in a local government in Nigeria Focus group discussion involving only the available nine of the ten wards in Ikenne Local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria and Independent observation of food safety and hygienic practices in nine roadside eateries (one eatery in each of the available wards) in the local government were carried out. Data analysis was by systematic thematic analysis. The awareness of food borne diseases amongst the discussants was very limited. Perception about the means of transmission of these diseases was very poor. The following were mainly mentioned as diseases that could be acquired by eating food from street vendors; Cholera, typhoid, HIV/AIDS, others were malaria, epilepsy and asthma. Hygienic practices among the food handlers were generally poor. There was a huge knowledge gap on food safety and hygiene, food borne diseases and infectious diseases within the community. It is therefore recommended that an urgent programme of health education of the masses coupled with training of food handlers on Food Hygiene is embarked upon in the community