Relationships of Causal Attributions and Academic Attainment among Colleges of Education Students in North- Western Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship of causal attributions and academic attainment of Colleges of Education students in north- west geo- political zone of Nigeria. The study was based on the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between causal attributions academic attainment of students. The questionnaire on Academic Causal Attribution Scale (ACAS) were administered to 389 students (300 level) drawn from eight (8) Colleges of Education. Furthermore, students’ Grade Point Average (GPA) was used as measures of academic attainment. Thus, Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed to determine the degree of relationship of the said variables.. Thus, the findings revealed that there were no significant correlations identified among the causal attributions factors and academic attainment of students except with external attribution of failure in which significant correlation was established with academic attainment. The study therefore, recommends that students should not be reprimanded due to the failure in examination instead; they should be encouraged to put more efforts and they should be involved in teaching and learning activities in a bid to encourage them so that they will record success in their future academic pursuit and as well minimize shifting blame for their failure consistently to external factors

LC/ESI-ITMS Detection of the Neurotoxic Amino Acids in Cultured Cyanobacterial Isolate Nostoc MAC PCC 8009

The non-protein amino acid β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), is a neurotoxic agent that is produced by various strain of cyanobacteria. 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB), and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine (AEG) are the common isomers of BMAA. 2,4-DAB exhibit neurotoxic properties like BMAA. Various studies have shown that cyanobacteria produce BMAA and DAB, however, no studies have shown the  detection of these amino acids using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-ITMS) method. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of BMAA and its isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) in axenic laboratory culture of  cyanobacterial strain Nostoc MAC PCC 8009. Axenic laboratory cultures were harvested after 12 weeks of growth and non-protein amino acids were extracted by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and methanol extraction. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESIITMS) was employed to analyse the presence of BMAA and 2,4-DAB. Both BMAA and 2,4-DAB were detected in the axenic cultures, which confirms the production of these neurotoxic amino acids by cyanobacteria. Multiple stage mass analysis by ESI-ITMS using [M+H] + was useful to distinguish between the two isomers

THE IMPACT OF TAX REFORMS ON GOVERNMENT REVENUE GENERATION IN NIGERIA

The study examines the impact of Tax Reform Policy on Revenue generation of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The primary objective of this paper is to prepare a case study on tax policy reforms in Nigeria, with the specific objectives of examining the main tax reforms in the country, highlighting tax revenue profile and contributions of the three categories of taxes identified as personal, company and custom duties to the total revenue collection. The techniques of data analysis adopted for the empirical study were the Analysis of Variance Method and the Scheffe’s Multiple Comparison techniques. In addition, the ‘F’ test of the analysis of the variance was used to test the hypothesis of no significant difference in the impact on personal, company and custom duty tax revenues of the Federal Government by each of the following tax reform policy objectives; enhancement of the principles of good tax system, improvement in the tax administrative structure, removal of disincentives to tax compliance and promotion of investment opportunities. From the results, it was concluded that each of the tax reform policy objectives had significant impacts on the personal, company and custom duty tax revenues of the federal government of Nigeria. Scheffe’s comparison test confirmed that tax revenues from both company and custom duty exceeded personal income tax. It was recommended that for improved tax revenue generation from pursuit of tax reform policy objectives, the training and employment of qualified tax personnel who will be adequately equipped with appropriate materials is necessary. Furthermore, the adoption of strategies for an effective and efficient tax reform alongside with harmonization of government industrial and stabilization polices with those of tax reforms

Detection of rotavirus infection in children with gastroenteritis attending three selected hospitals in Kano metropolis, Nigeria

The study aimed at detecting the incidence of rotavirus infection among children with gastroenteritis in Kano Metropolis. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study and a total of 200 stool samples were randomly collected and assayed for the presence of rotavirus antigens using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and confirmed using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. The study revealed that 21/200 (10.5%) stool samples were positive for rotavirus antigen and more males 13/21(6.5%) were positive than females 8/21 (4%) (p>0.05). The highest and lowest incidence rates in rotavirus infection of 42.8% (9/21) and 4.8% (1/21) were found among children aged 7–12 month and 31–36; 43–48 month (p>0.05) respectively. Most of the positive samples (95%) were from those who presented with diarrhea, vomiting and fever (p<0.05). The study further revealed that 20/21(95%) of the positive children were from married couples and the incidence rate was found to be independent of the educational level of the parent (p>0.05). Among the risk factors considered, source of drinking water (tap water) and playing with toys appeared to be the most predisposing factors as 16/21 (76%) and 19/21 (90.5%) of the children were found to be infected (p>0.05). Finally, the lowest rate of rotavirus infections was found in only 1/21 (0.5%) among the exclusively breastfed children compared to 14/21 (7%) of those on mixed feeding (p>0.05). The study recommends detection of rotavirus infection to be part of routine laboratory tests in our hospitals and advocates the concept of exclusive breastfeeding to curtail rate of infection among infants.Keywords: Rotavirus, Incidence rate, Risk factors, Children, Hospitals, Kano State

Pharmacognostic and physicochemical analysis of the leaves of Fadogia andersonii Robyns (Rubiaceae)

Fadogia andersonii has long been used in Africa in treatment of diseases including inflammation, arthritis, malaria and as aphrodisiac. The use and demand of this medicinal plants has been growing over long period of time. This study was carried out to determine some important pharmacognostic parameters of F. andersonii leaf. Evaluation of the fresh, powdered leaves was carried out to determine the macro-morphological, qualitative and quantitative microscopic, chemomicroscopic features, physicochemical properties and elemental analysis of the leaves. The leaves are pinnate opposite arranged, oblique lamina, glabrous appearance, elliptical in shape, entire margin with reticulate venation. The microscopy revealed straight polygonal wall of epidermal cells, paracytic stomata, unicellular trichomes, xylem, phloem, prismatic & druse crystals, and starch grains. Chemomicroscopy revealed presence of cellulose, cutin, lignin, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate crystals and gum & mucilage. The physicochemical parameters for the leaves estimated include moisture contents (13.11%), total ash value (5.67%), water soluble ash (1.33%), acid insoluble ash (2.00%), water extractive values (13.33%) and alcohol extractive values (10.67%). Elemental analysis revealed the presence of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, and lead. The pharmacognostic standard observed in this study will be of help in correct identification and quality control of F. andersonii

The search for mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) A3243G mutation among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the Nigerian population

The study aimed to compare the incidence of the pathogenic point mutation A3243G in the gene tRNALeu(UUR) indicating sub-type 2 diabetes mellitus conducted within the Nigerian population with that reported in other populations. 112 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus according to the World Health Organization criteria were selected based on family history and re-evaluated for associated disorders from the diabetic clinics in the Northern part of Nigeria. The mtDNA of these patients was extracted and the tRNALeu(UUR) gene screened for A3243G by PCR-RFLP method. Probands with maternal history were further investigated for other mutations using PCR-sequencing methods. None of the 112 patients were found to carry the A3243G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) gene in the homoplasmic or in the heteroplasmic form. However, C3254T was identified in two of our patients. This mutation was reported to be associated with gestational diabetes and linked with population from sub-Saharan Africa. The A3243G mutation in mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) is not a frequent cause of maternal diabetes in the Nigerian population contrary to other reported populations. However, further screening of an enlarged selected study group is necessary to fully determine the prevalence of this mutation in this population. This further search will help to fully appreciate the prevalence of maternal inheritance and diabetic deafness (MIDD) as extensively reported in other populations.Key words: Maternal diabetes, mitochondrial gene, maternal Inheritance and diabetic deafness, Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa

Preventing CKD in Developed Countries

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health concern in developed countries because of both the number of people affected and the high cost of care when prevention strategies are not effectively implemented. Prevention should start at the governance level with the institution of multisectoral polices supporting sustainable development goals and ensuring safe and healthy environments. Primordial prevention of CKD can be achieved through implementation of measures to ensure healthy fetal (kidney) development. Public health strategies to prevent diabetes, hypertension, and obesity as risk factors for CKD are important. These approaches are cost-effective and reduce the overall noncommunicable disease burden. Strategies to prevent nontraditional CKD risk factors, including nephrotoxin exposure, kidney stones, infections, environmental exposures, and acute kidney injury (AKI), need to be tailored to local needs and epidemiology. Early diagnosis and treatment of CKD risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are key for primary prevention of CKD. CKD tends to occur more frequently and to progress more rapidly among indigenous, minority, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Special attention is required to meet the CKD prevention needs of these populations. Effective secondary prevention of CKD relies on screening of individuals at risk to detect and treat CKD early, using established and emerging strategies. Within high-income countries, barriers to accessing effective CKD therapies must be recognized, and public health strategies must be developed to overcome these obstacles, including training and support at the primary care level to identify individuals at risk of CKD, and appropriately implement clinical practice guidelines

Antibiotic susceptibilities of Salmonella species prevalent among children of 0-5 years with diarrhea in Katsina state, Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Salmonella species among children having diarrhea in Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 220 diarrhea stool samples of children aged five years and below (0-5 years) were collected and screened for Salmonella species using culture technique. Presumptively positive isolates were further screened biochemically and serologically, using MicrogenTM Enterobactericeae ID kit and MicrogenTM Salmonella rapid confirmatory latex agglutination test kit. Antibiotic susceptibility of confirmed isolates was carried out and resistance patterns of the isolates determined. The highest incidence was observed in children of 13-24 months of age and the least in children of 0-12 months of age. There was a higher prevalence in male than female children. All the isolates screened were resistant to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin and of these, 90.9% were resistant to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and 45.5% were resistant to Nalidixic acid. However, 100% were sensitive to Gentamicin, 90.9% were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Cefotaxime and 9.09% showed reduced susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin. Both the occurrence of Salmonella in children and their resistance to multiple antibiotics as observed are of public health significance. The vein of this study underscores the importance of routine monitoring of the incidence of Salmonella and continued health education of caregivers.Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Prevalence of Salmonella; Childhood diarrhea; Katsina State; Antibiotics susceptibility of Salmonell

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Calyxes) water extract on the in vitro availability of lisinopril

Background: The concurrent use of herbs and drugs for the treatment of various ailments is a common practice amongst patients; a practice that could result in drug-herb interaction.Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on in vitro availability of lisinopril.Method: The availability of lisinopril alone and in presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes water extract was determined using dissolution apparatus (BP, 2013) set at 50 rpm and 37 °C in 900 mL of three different dissolution media [0.1 M HCl (simulated gastric pH), phosphate buffers pH 6.8 (simulated intestinal pH) and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 (simulated blood pH)]. Samples (5 mL) were withdrawn from the media at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min and replaced immediately with the same medium. Each sample was analysed for the lisinopril content released using UV spectrophotometry at 215, 210 and 215 nm in 0.1 M HCl, phosphate buffers pH 6.8 and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 respectively.Results: Results showed that the media has no effect on the dissolution profile of lisinopril alone, however, it was observed that 89.40 (lisinopril alone) and 92.62 % (lisinopril in the presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa) was released in simulated gastric pH. The corresponding contents of lisinopril observed in simulated intestinal pH were 89.40 and 92.51 %, while in simulated blood pH 89.40 and 91.95 % of lisinopril was released. The presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa significantly (p < 0.05) increased the in vitro availability of lisinopril in all the media.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coadministration of lisinopril with Hibiscus sabdariffa could enhance its in vitro availability consequent to the increased dissolution of lisinopril in simulated gastric, intestinal and blood pH.Keywords: Lisinopril, Interaction, Hibiscus sabdariffa, dissolutio

Clean energy generation using groundnut oil mill effluent with microbial fuel-cell

Microbial system that converts organic matter to energy is proposed in this paper. An attempt is made, to examine the potential of using groundnut oil mill effluent (GOME) as substrates to Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). A methodology was developed to obtain a power density in batches by varying the feed rate of continuous flow in the MFC. The results obtained show that GOME produces higher energy per unit area compared to other mixed culture reported in scientific literatures. The minimum and maximum power densities obtained are 160 mW/m2 and 217 mW/m2 at low feed rate of (400 litre/hr) with cell potential of 625 mV and high feed rate of (420 litre /hr) with cell potential 727 mV respectively. Furthermore, the findings of this research work showed that MFC could produce higher power density at continuous flow process mode (160 mW/m2) compared to batch process (54 mW/m2). Thus, this study demonstrates the potential of generating clean energy via GOME, with by-products of carbon dioxide and water.Keywords: Clean energy, Fossil-fuel, Renewable energy, Fuel-cell, Groundnut Oil Mill Effluent (GOME