Palynotaxa and Parasitic Loads of Nigerian Currency: Potential Sources of Microbial Transmittance

Currency notes are handled by a large number of people under a variety of personal and environmental conditions. A total of ninety six samples of one hundred naira denomination of Nigerian notes were procured from seven Local Government Areas (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the palynotaxa and parasitic load prevalent on currency notes. The leachates of currency notes were obtained and subjected to acetolysis and examined microscopically. Twenty six fungal spores type were recorded and were highly dominated by spores of Libertelli spp., Botrytis spp. and Spadicoides spp. Pollen achieved 54 % of the total bio-particles, whereas fungal spores and parasitic worms achieved 35.2 % and 10.60 %, respectively. The presence and relative abundance of these palynotaxa and parasites in currency notes affirms their propensity to spread vectors of diseases

Development of a single stage roselle calyx extractor

An 8-litre capacity roselle calyx extractor was developed with Arduino based temperature controls ranging from 30 to 100⁰C. Performance evaluation conducted on the extractor showed that efficiency of the extractor increased as the weight of the calyces decreased at constant mass of water which ranged from 55% to 89%. The effect of extraction time (5, 10 and 15 minutes), process temperature (30, 50, 75 and 100⁰C) and calyx-water mass ratio (1:50, 1:20 and 1:10) on the pH, density and colour of the extract was determined. The pH ranged from 2.4 to 2.9 and density was from 1.02 to 1.05gcm-3. Statistical analysis conducted showed that temperature and calyx-water mass ratio has a linear significant effect (p<0.001) on all the responses while time had a linear significant effect (p<0.001) on all responses except density. Time and temperature had interaction significant effect (p<0.01) on pH, while temperature and calyx-water ratio had interaction significant effect (p<0.01) on the density of the extract. Calyx-water ratio had a quadratic significant effect (p<0.001) on the pH and colour of the extract. The contour plots presented the interactions between the factors and their responses. This study demonstrated that roselle calyces extract can be produced more efficiently than practices currently available and also that processing conditions are very important in the quality of extracts produced

Synthesis of Nanostructured Catalysts by Surfactant-Templating of Large-Pore Zeolites

Zeolites and related crystalline molecular sieves are utilised in a wide range of reactions and processes due to their regular microporous structure, strong acidity, shape selectivity and ion-exchange properties. However, their practical applications can be limited by the small size of the channels and cavities of the microporous structures, and therefore, a great deal of effort have been devoted to enhancing the transport of large-sized molecules in the host pores. Several commercially available zeolites, including faujasite (FAU), mordenite (MOR), beta (BEA), ZSM-5 (MFI) and zeolite L (LTL) have been exposed to a variety of acid and base treatments in the presence of a surfactant (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, CTAB), which led to the controlled introduction of intracrystalline mesoporosity. A detailed characterisation of the obtained mesostructured zeolites has been carried out using FTIR spectroscopy, high resolution TEM, XRD, N2 adsorption, 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR. This work demonstrates a successful application of the supramolecular templating approach for generating tuneable mesoporosity in a range of zeolites possessing 12-membered ring channels, which has been applied to zeolite L for the first time, thus producing hierarchical meso-microporous materials with improved accessibility of active sites and enhanced catalytic performance in dealkylation of tri-isopropylbenzene

EATING HABIT AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF A NIGERIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The study aimed at determining the eating habit and nutritional status of Babcock university undergraduate students. Multiple stage random technique and systematic sampling was used to select 288 respondents and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic data and eating habit. The BMI of the respondents was determined using weight and height squared and the 24- hour dietary recall was analyzed using Total Dietary Assessment software. The relationship between eating habit and nutritional status was determined using Chi- square.  Most of the respondents in the study were between 18-21 years (73.6 %) consisting of 45.6 % male and 53.7 % female. The respondents (54.8 %) consumed two meals in a day, 63.9 % eats in response to hunger while others eat due to different factors. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was poor as only 17.0 % and 14.9 % consumed fruits and vegetable daily. Many of the respondents consume snack regularly (85.4 %) with 33.7 % consuming in- between meals and 14.2 % snacking late in the night. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was high among the respondents as 30.4 % were overweight and 27.1 % were obese. Mean calorie intake and % RDA being 3223.04± 687.66 and 111.14 for males and 2429.45 ± 243.14 and 110.43 for females.   Frequency of consumption, snacking, period of snacking, soft drink consumption and, poor fruit and vegetable consumption all had significant (P< 0.05) effect on the nutritional status.                               &nbsp

Evaluation Of Vitamin Composition and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Peels

Inadequate vitamins in humans can cause significant impairment in cellular and immune functions, as well as trigger inflammatory responses. Boosting immunity with vitamins helps in prevention and treatment of many diseases. There is a need to search for diets rich in vitamins which can boost immunity. This study explored vitamin composition and anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber peels using standard methods. The in-vitro anti-inflammatory effects were measured on the ability of the ethanol extract of cucumber peels to inhibit proteinase activities, albumin denaturation, and stabilize erythrocyte membrane, using blood samples from laboratory rat, while Aspirin and Diclophenac Sodium served as reference drugs. Vitamins found in cucumber peels were A (0.35 ± 0.03 mg/g), β-carotene (0.86±0.04mg/g), B₁ (1.14±0.38mg/g), B₂ (0.24±0.02mg/g), B₃ (0.71±0.03mg/g), B₆ (1.04±0.06mg/g), B₉ (0.66±0.01mg/g), C (1.58±0.01mg/g), D (1.11±0.01mg/g), E (0.54±0.01mg/g), and K (0.78±0.01mg/g). The extracts inhibited proteinase activity, albumin denaturation, and stabilization of erythrocyte membrane in a concentration-dependent manner, and recorded maximum activities of 19.14% anti-proteinase, 26.78% inhibition of albumin denaturation, 12.92% inhibition of heat-induced haemolysis, and 26.90% inhibition of hypotonicity-induced haemolysis at the highest concentration of 500µg/ml. These results indicated that cucumber peels are good sources of vitamins and possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Pyrolysing horse manure via microwave-induced heating for bioenergy recovery

Transforming waste to energy is essential in view of the need to search for greener and more sustainable energy sources. Such transformation of energy is also aligned with the aim of reducing excessive waste generation whilst creating potential biofuel pathways for power generation. In the present study, animal waste in the form of horse manure is being used as feedstock to undergo microwave-induced pyrolysis via a fixed-bed pyrolysis rig. The relationship of the pyrolysis parameters such as pyrolysis temperature of 350 and 550 °C, carrier gas flow rate of 0.5 and 1.5 L/min and ratio of horse manure to activated carbon blend of 1:2 and 1:1, with the yield of pyrolysed products is studied. The derived pyrolysis products in the form of solid, liquid and gaseous are characterised and quantified. Result shows that the highest yield of solid, liquid and gaseous products obtained are 78.8 wt%, 24.7 wt% and 34.2 wt%. Solid yield is observed to decrease with increasing pyrolysis temperature while gaseous yield shows a reverse trend. Higher carrier gas flow rate is observed to lower the generation of gaseous and liquid yield while increasing the solid yield. Higher amount of activated carbon within the feedstock is seen to lower the solid yield but increase the gaseous and liquid yields. The liquid yield is found to contain 55.78 wt% of phenolic compounds while gaseous product consists of up to 55 vol% of syngas. The control of the operating conditions in pyrolysis rig enables the production of pyrolysis end products in different phases, generating useful bioenergy and biofertilizer products in the context of circular economy

Indigenous Preparation Methods of Medicinal plants Used for the Treatment of Small Ruminant Diseases in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined the indigenous preparation methods of herbal medicines used for the treatment of small ruminant diseases in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 120 small ruminant farmers participated in the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using mean and percentages. Results identified retained placenta (82%), pneumonia (82%), foot rot (82%) and helminthosis (81%) as the most prevalent small ruminant diseases in the area. Available medicinal plants included Garcinia kola (93%), Ageratum conyzoides (92%), Costus afer (91%) and Vernonia amygdalina (80%).The result further indicated that many medicinal plants were used in the treatment of more than one small ruminant disease by the farmers. Roots (98%), leaves (98%), juice (93%) and stem (91%) were the commonly used plant parts for the preparation of the medicines. Popular preparation methods among the farmers included squeezing (98%), mixing with palm oil (97%) and pounding (91%). It was concluded that medicinal plants still support rural livestock industry in the state and should therefore be encouraged

Indigenous Preparation Methods of Medicinal plants Used for the Treatment of Small Ruminant Diseases in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined the indigenous preparation methods of herbal medicines used for the treatment of small ruminant diseases in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 120 small ruminant farmers participated in the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using mean and percentages. Results identified retained placenta (82%), pneumonia (82%), foot rot (82%) and helminthosis (81%) as the most prevalent small ruminant diseases in the area. Available medicinal plants included Garcinia kola (93%), Ageratum conyzoides (92%), Costus afer (91%) and Vernonia amygdalina (80%).The result further indicated that many medicinal plants were used in the treatment of more than one small ruminant disease by the farmers. Roots (98%), leaves (98%), juice (93%) and stem (91%) were the commonly used plant parts for the preparation of the medicines. Popular preparation methods among the farmers included squeezing (98%), mixing with palm oil (97%) and pounding (91%). It was concluded that medicinal plants still support rural livestock industry in the state and should therefore be encouraged

A Trial of Early Antiretrovirals and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in Africa

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis is high. We conducted a trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design to assess the benefits of early antiretroviral therapy (ART), 6-month isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), or both among HIV-infected adults with high CD4+ cell counts in Ivory Coast. METHODS: We included participants who had HIV type 1 infection and a CD4+ count of less than 800 cells per cubic millimeter and who met no criteria for starting ART according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: deferred ART (ART initiation according to WHO criteria), deferred ART plus IPT, early ART (immediate ART initiation), or early ART plus IPT. The primary end point was a composite of diseases included in the case definition of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), non-AIDS-defining cancer, non-AIDS-defining invasive bacterial disease, or death from any cause at 30 months. We used Cox proportional models to compare outcomes between the deferred-ART and early-ART strategies and between the IPT and no-IPT strategies. RESULTS: A total of 2056 patients (41% with a baseline CD4+ count of ≥500 cells per cubic millimeter) were followed for 4757 patient-years. A total of 204 primary end-point events were observed (3.8 events per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3 to 4.4), including 68 in patients with a baseline CD4+ count of at least 500 cells per cubic millimeter (3.2 events per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 2.4 to 4.0). Tuberculosis and invasive bacterial diseases accounted for 42% and 27% of primary end-point events, respectively. The risk of death or severe HIV-related illness was lower with early ART than with deferred ART (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.76; adjusted hazard ratio among patients with a baseline CD4+ count of ≥500 cells per cubic millimeter, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.94) and lower with IPT than with no IPT (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.88; adjusted hazard ratio among patients with a baseline CD4+ count of ≥500 cells per cubic millimeter, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.01). The 30-month probability of grade 3 or 4 adverse events did not differ significantly among the strategies. CONCLUSIONS: In this African country, immediate ART and 6 months of IPT independently led to lower rates of severe illness than did deferred ART and no IPT, both overall and among patients with CD4+ counts of at least 500 cells per cubic millimeter. (Funded by the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis; TEMPRANO ANRS 12136 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00495651.)

Effect of salinity on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles flooding in enhanced oil Recovery : A mechanistic study

Fluid-fluid interactions can affect any enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method, including nanofluid (NF) brine-water flooding. Flooding with NFs changes wettability and lowers oil-water interfacial tension (IFT). Preparation and modification affect the nanoparticle (NP) performance. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) NPs in EOR are yet to be properly verified. HAP was synthesized in this study using co-precipitation and in situ surface functionalization with sodium dodecyl sulfate in order to investigate its impact on EOR processes at high temperatures and different salinities. The following techniques were employed, in that sequence, to verify its synthesis: transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. The outcomes showed the production of HAP, with the particles being evenly dispersed and stable in aqueous solution. The particles' surface charge increased from -5 to -27 mV when the pH was changed from 1 to 13. The HAP NFs at 0.1 wt % altered the wettability of sandstone core plugs from oil-wet at 111.7 to water-wet at 9.0 contact angles at salinity ranges of 5000 ppm to 30,000 ppm. Additionally, the IFT was reduced to 3 mN/m HAP with an incremental oil recovery of 17.9% of the initial oil in place. The HAP NF thus demonstrated excellent effectiveness in EOR through IFT reduction, wettability change, and oil displacement in both low and high salinity conditions