Effect of quarrying activity on biodiversity: Case study of Ogbere site, Ogun State Nigeria

This study was carried out in quarry site at Ogbere town located at Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State; with main aim of assessing the impact of the quarry activity on bio-diversity within the unexploited site. The methods used for fauna survey are both direct and indirect by line-transect, while analysis of Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg was adopted for vegetation. The research was carried out at both dry and wet seasons in 2008. The results revealed that species mostly abundant at the site are the reptiles. These range from families like Veranidae: black cobra Naja melanloeuca, Elaphidae, Agama agama and Python with 1.8/km each. A total number of thirty two species of avi-fauna varieties were sampled at the site, ranging from different families and species mostly fund are the clusters of villageweavers Ploceus cucullatus (1.8/km), swam-palm-bulbul Thescelocichla leupleurus (1.8/km), Senegal double Spurred francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus (0.9/km), Tambourine dove Turtur tympanistria (1.8/km). Five orders and fourteen families of mammals were recorded at the site. The most abundant are the Rodentia and Viverridae families, while the order Artiodactyla and Carnivora are at the verge of extinction due to prevailing unconducive condition at the site. The forest is dominated by secondary tree-strata with Hildegardia barteri with the species occupying mainly the hilly-rocky areas. Evidence of recent disturbance of the area with the presence of farmlands of Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya, Musa spp. was significant. The Diversity Index ranged from1.6 to 2.2 while the Equitability or Evenness Index ranged from 0.12 to 0.40, with approximately 200 trees per Km2. It can be concluded that the forest ecosystem of unexploited plot of quarry at Ogbere is seriously a disturbed site due to scanty natural resources (fauna and flora species) that have been impacted by quarry activity.Key words: Quarry, pollution, environment, fauna, flora

In vitro propagation of Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze in Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the propagation of Tacca leontopetaloides (Taccaceae) in vitro using seed embryos. The seeds were cultured on Murashige & Skoog basal media augmented with various concentrations of single or combined growth hormones to obtain a suitable protocol for plantlet regeneration. Seed embryo germination of 57% was obtained, as against 20% for germination under conventional sowing. The best shoot proliferation was obtained using media fortified with 0.1 mg/L 6-benzyl amino purine and 0.01 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid, while the best rooting was obtained with MS media supplemented with 0.1 mg/L indole butyric acid. Callus formation was not observed on plantlets in vitro, indicating much easier and less challenging in vitro plant propagation.Keywords: tissue culture, micro-propagation, regeneration, recalcitranc

Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activities of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum) Seed Extracts on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The phytochemical screening and antibacterial effects of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum)on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae was carried out. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, glycosides and phenols in the seed extract. The susceptibility test showedzones of inhibition (ZOI) of S. typhi (11.0mm) and K. pneumonia (13.0mm) with methanolic seed extract (MSE), while the hot aqueous seed extract (HASE) recorded 3.0mmas ZOI for both test organisms. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200mg/ml and 100mg/ml were recorded against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively with MSE, while HASE indicated 400mg/ml and 200mg/ml MICs against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) obtained from MSE were 200 mg/ml and 25mg/ml for S. typhiand K. pneumoniae, while HASE had > 400mg/ml for test microbes. The effectiveness of different concentrations of the test plant extracts on the test organisms was significant (P<0.05). Further trials involving other clinical isolates and botanicals at different concentrations be conducted, to optimize theprocess

Geo-demographic and socioeconomic determinants of diagnosed hypertension among urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria: a community-based study

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. Background: The relationship between diagnosed high blood pressure (HBP) and proximity to health facilities and noise sources is poorly understood. We investigated the associations between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP at different distance corridors of noise-generating sources (churches, mosques, bus stops, and road networks), and blood pressure monitoring outlets (healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical shops) in Ibadan, Nigeria. In addition, we investigated the likelihood of being diagnosed with HBP using distance from noise-generating sources, distance to blood pressure monitoring outlets, socio-demographic and clinical status of the participants. Methods: We investigated 13,531 adults from the African Rigorous Innovative Stroke Epidemiological Surveillance (ARISES) study in Ibadan. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the locations of healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical shops, bus stops, churches, and mosques were buffered at 100 m intervals, and coordinates of persons diagnosed with HBP were overlaid on the buffered features. The number of persons with diagnosed HBP living at every 100 m interval was estimated. Gender, occupation, marital status, educational status, type of housing, age, and income were used as predictor variables. Analysis was conducted using Spearman rank correlation and binary logistic regression at p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP and distance from pharmaceutical shops (r=-0.818), churches (r=-0.818), mosques (r=-0.893) and major roads (r= -0.667). The odds of HBP were higher among the unemployed (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.24), currently married (AOR = 1.45, CI: 1.11–1.89), and previously married (1.75, CI: 1.29–2.38). The odds of diagnosed HBP increased with educational level and age group. Conclusion: Proximity to noise sources, being unemployed and educational level were associated with diagnosed HBP. Reduction in noise generation, transmission, and exposure could reduce the burden of hypertension in urban settings

Geo-behavioural predictors of diagnosed hypertension in Igbo Ora Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

\ua9 The Author(s) 2025.Diagnosed hypertension stands out as a prominent global cause of mortality, prompting recent efforts to understand not only treatment options but also determinants across diverse age and occupational groups. However, the literature on the impact of environmental factors on diagnosed hypertension is limited, especially in rural areas with restricted access to health infrastructure. Geographical determinants research has often focused on spatial variations across different units, potentially masking individual environmental contributions. Data on diagnosed hypertension patients and their behaviours were gathered during the ARISE project, complemented by geographical data (elevation, vegetation, road network, population density, and nighttime light exposure) from secondary sources. Spatial patterns were analyzed using the Nearest Neighbour Statistic, Ripley K Function, and Kernel Density Estimation, while Binomial logistic regression identified predictors. Diagnosed hypertension patients exhibit spatial clustering, and are mainly comprised of elderly individuals, residing closer to roads, at higher elevations, in areas with higher population distribution, and with little or no green vegetation. Socio-economic, health-related, behavioural, and environmental factors collectively drive diagnosed hypertension. Spatial clustering of diagnosed hypertension in the Igbo Ora community is localized, indicating potential spatial factors influencing its prevalence. Beyond identified behavioural and medical history factors, geographical elements like nighttime light exposure and normalized vegetation index contribute to the observed clustering. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for targeted interventions in the community

A Systematic Literature Review of Sport and Physical Activity Participation in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Migrant Populations

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrants face significant health risks as they adapt to new cultures. These risks are exacerbated by their limited participation in preventative behaviours such as sports and physical activity. The review aimed to identify studies that examined the correlates of sport and physical activity participation in migrants. The systematic review identified 72 papers, including 6 interventions, 18 qualitative and 48 quantitative studies. The 44 identified correlates highlight the complexities involved in working with migrants. The correlates were grouped in four themes using the social ecological model; acculturation, demographic, psychosocial and environmental/organisational. The social ecological model identified general correlates such as social support and safety. However, there were unique correlates relating to individuals who are facing cultural changes such as acculturation and language. Overall, there is a lack of contextualisation of CALD migrants’ sport and physical activity experiences because many studies fail to consider acculturation comprehensively. Initially titled: A review of sport and physical activity in culturally and linguistically diverse migrant

Atrial fibrillation as risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in women compared with men: systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Objective To determine whether atrial fibrillation is a stronger risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in women compared with men. Design Meta-analysis of cohort studies. Data Sources Studies published between January 1966 and March 2015, identified through a systematic search of Medline and Embase and review of references. Eligibility for Selecting Studies Cohort studies with a minimum of 50 participants with and 50 without atrial fibrillation that reported sex specific associations between atrial fibrillation and all cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, cardiac events (cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction), and heart failure. Data Extraction Two independent reviewers extracted study characteristics and maximally adjusted sex specific relative risks. Inverse variance weighted random effects meta-analysis was used to pool sex specific relative risks and their ratio. Results 30 studies with 4 371 714 participants were identified. Atrial fibrillation was associated with a higher risk of all cause mortality in women (ratio of relative risks for women compared with men 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.17) and a significantly stronger risk of stroke (1.99, 1.46 to 2.71), cardiovascular mortality (1.93, 1.44 to 2.60), cardiac events (1.55, 1.15 to 2.08), and heart failure (1.16, 1.07 to 1.27). Results were broadly consistent in sensitivity analyses. Conclusion Atrial fibrillation is a stronger risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in women compared with men, though further research would be needed to determine any causality