First report of polymelia and a rudimentary wing in a Nigerian Nera black chicken

A case of polymelia with a rudimentary wing is described in an eight-week-old Nera black chicken (Gallus domesticus). It is a rare disorder with chromosomal aberrations, which are associated with congenital limb malformations. The condition was observed during routine physical examination of a flock of 2000 poultry birds in the month of February 2008 in Ibadan, Nigeria. After physical examination, the bird was found to have two extra well-developed legs, which were shorter than the normal legs. These extra legs were also found to be non-functional. Similarly, a rudimentary wing, which was highly vestigial, was found on the left lateral side of the bird very close to the cloaca. The bird died at the age of eight weeks. This is the first reported case of polymelia with a rudimentary wing in a domestic chicken in Nigeria

TÉCNICAS INDÍGENAS DE PREVENCIÓN DE LA MORBILIDAD INFANTIL EN EL ÁREA METROPOLITANA DE IBADAN, NIGERIA

The high cost of allopathic medical health care and the expensive pharmaceutical products have underlined the importance of African Traditional Medicine (ATM), the use of which is limited by its oral dissemination tradition. Its documentation as obtainable in other climes will be a great stride at sustainably curbing illnesses in the continent. This depends on collation of original data from the traditional custodians of such knowledge. In Nigeria, communicable diseases, immunisable childhood infections and malnutrition have been submitted as the main sources of child mortality. This paper, therefore, reports the traditional means of curbing infant morbidity by traditional infant healers in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bode market, Ibadan; the herbal market headquarters in Nigeria using primary and secondary information sources. Snowball technique was used in the selection of the twenty (20) infant healers (Elewe omo/Aremo) for sampling. The test instrument was a set of open-ended questionnaires divided into three parts. Section A captured information on Respondents’ bio- data, section B focused on other background information while section C probed into plants and parts used in the treatment of infant morbidity as well as dosage and usage of traditional infant healing recipes. Data garnered were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, range, mean, percentage and histogram). Eighty-nine local plants, identified with their botanical names and families were documented alongside their medicinal use(s) in the treatment of infant morbidity. Information on some recipes, dosages and application period was also documented with their preparation as well as parts of plant used. Although, there will still be the need for researchers to explore other vital information for scientific validation of the infant healers’ claims, the study lays a sustainable foundation towards documentation of indigenous techniques for infant morbidity prevention in the study area.El alto costo de la atención médica alopática y los costosos productos farmacéuticos han subrayado la importancia de la Medicina Tradicional Africana (ATM), cuyo uso está limitado por su tradición de difusión oral. Su documentación como disponible en otros climas será un gran paso para frenar de manera sostenible las enfermedades en el continente. Esto depende de la recopilación de datos originales de los custodios tradicionales de dicho conocimiento. En Nigeria, las enfermedades transmisibles, las infecciones infantiles vacunables y la desnutrición se han presentado como las principales fuentes de mortalidad infantil. Este documento, por lo tanto, informa sobre los medios tradicionales para frenar la morbilidad infantil por parte de los curanderos infantiles tradicionales en la metrópolis de Ibadan, Nigeria. El estudio se realizó en el mercado de Bode, Ibadan; la sede del mercado de hierbas en Nigeria utilizando fuentes de información primarias y secundarias. Se utilizó la técnica de bola de nieve en la selección de los veinte (20) curanderos infantiles (Elewe omo/Aremo) para el muestreo. El instrumento de prueba fue un conjunto de cuestionarios abiertos divididos en tres partes. La sección A capturó información sobre los datos biográficos de los encuestados, la sección B se centró en otra información de antecedentes, mientras que la sección C investigó las plantas y las partes utilizadas en el tratamiento de la morbilidad infantil, así como la dosis y el uso de las recetas tradicionales de curación infantil. Los datos recogidos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva (frecuencia, rango, media, porcentaje e histograma). Ochenta y nueve plantas locales, identificadas con sus nombres botánicos y familias, fueron documentadas junto con su(s) uso(s) medicinal(es) en el tratamiento de la morbilidad infantil. También se documentó información sobre algunas recetas, dosis y período de aplicación con su preparación, así como las partes de la planta utilizadas. Aunque todavía será necesario que los investigadores exploren otra información vital para la validación científica de las afirmaciones de los curanderos infantiles, el estudio sienta una base sostenible para la documentación de las técnicas indígenas para la prevención de la morbilidad infantil en el área de estudio.O alto custo dos cuidados de saúde médicos alopáticos e os caros produtos farmacêuticos sublinharam a importância da Medicina Tradicional Africana (ATM), cujo uso é limitado pela sua tradição de disseminação oral. Sua documentação obtida em outros climas será um grande passo na contenção sustentável de doenças no continente. Isso depende da coleta de dados originais dos guardiões tradicionais de tal conhecimento. Na Nigéria, doenças transmissíveis, infecções infantis imunizáveis ​​e desnutrição foram apresentadas como as principais fontes de mortalidade infantil. Este artigo, portanto, relata os meios tradicionais de reduzir a morbidade infantil por curandeiros infantis tradicionais na metrópole de Ibadan, Nigéria. O estudo foi realizado no mercado Bode, Ibadan; a sede do mercado de ervas na Nigéria usando fontes de informação primárias e secundárias. A técnica de bola de neve foi usada na seleção dos vinte (20) curandeiros infantis (Elewe omo/Aremo) para amostragem. O instrumento de teste foi um conjunto de questionários abertos divididos em três partes. A seção A captou informações sobre os dados biográficos dos entrevistados, a seção B concentrou-se em outras informações básicas, enquanto a seção C investigou plantas e partes usadas no tratamento de morbidade infantil, bem como dosagem e uso de receitas tradicionais de cura infantil. Os dados coletados foram analisados ​​por meio de estatística descritiva (frequência, amplitude, média, porcentagem e histograma). Oitenta e nove plantas locais, identificadas com seus nomes botânicos e famílias, foram documentadas juntamente com seu(s) uso(s) medicinal(is) no tratamento da morbidade infantil. Informações sobre algumas receitas, dosagens e período de aplicação também foram documentadas com sua preparação, bem como partes da planta utilizadas. Embora ainda haja a necessidade de os pesquisadores explorarem outras informações vitais para a validação científica das alegações dos curandeiros infantis, o estudo estabelece uma base sustentável para a documentação de técnicas indígenas para prevenção de morbidade infantil na área de estudo

TÉCNICAS INDÍGENAS DE PREVENCIÓN DE LA MORBILIDAD INFANTIL EN EL ÁREA METROPOLITANA DE IBADAN, NIGERIA

The high cost of allopathic medical health care and the expensive pharmaceutical products have underlined the importance of African Traditional Medicine (ATM), the use of which is limited by its oral dissemination tradition. Its documentation as obtainable in other climes will be a great stride at sustainably curbing illnesses in the continent. This depends on collation of original data from the traditional custodians of such knowledge. In Nigeria, communicable diseases, immunisable childhood infections and malnutrition have been submitted as the main sources of child mortality. This paper, therefore, reports the traditional means of curbing infant morbidity by traditional infant healers in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bode market, Ibadan; the herbal market headquarters in Nigeria using primary and secondary information sources. Snowball technique was used in the selection of the twenty (20) infant healers (Elewe omo/Aremo) for sampling. The test instrument was a set of open-ended questionnaires divided into three parts. Section A captured information on Respondents’ bio- data, section B focused on other background information while section C probed into plants and parts used in the treatment of infant morbidity as well as dosage and usage of traditional infant healing recipes. Data garnered were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, range, mean, percentage and histogram). Eighty-nine local plants, identified with their botanical names and families were documented alongside their medicinal use(s) in the treatment of infant morbidity. Information on some recipes, dosages and application period was also documented with their preparation as well as parts of plant used. Although, there will still be the need for researchers to explore other vital information for scientific validation of the infant healers’ claims, the study lays a sustainable foundation towards documentation of indigenous techniques for infant morbidity prevention in the study area.El alto costo de la atención médica alopática y los costosos productos farmacéuticos han subrayado la importancia de la Medicina Tradicional Africana (ATM), cuyo uso está limitado por su tradición de difusión oral. Su documentación como disponible en otros climas será un gran paso para frenar de manera sostenible las enfermedades en el continente. Esto depende de la recopilación de datos originales de los custodios tradicionales de dicho conocimiento. En Nigeria, las enfermedades transmisibles, las infecciones infantiles vacunables y la desnutrición se han presentado como las principales fuentes de mortalidad infantil. Este documento, por lo tanto, informa sobre los medios tradicionales para frenar la morbilidad infantil por parte de los curanderos infantiles tradicionales en la metrópolis de Ibadan, Nigeria. El estudio se realizó en el mercado de Bode, Ibadan; la sede del mercado de hierbas en Nigeria utilizando fuentes de información primarias y secundarias. Se utilizó la técnica de bola de nieve en la selección de los veinte (20) curanderos infantiles (Elewe omo/Aremo) para el muestreo. El instrumento de prueba fue un conjunto de cuestionarios abiertos divididos en tres partes. La sección A capturó información sobre los datos biográficos de los encuestados, la sección B se centró en otra información de antecedentes, mientras que la sección C investigó las plantas y las partes utilizadas en el tratamiento de la morbilidad infantil, así como la dosis y el uso de las recetas tradicionales de curación infantil. Los datos recogidos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva (frecuencia, rango, media, porcentaje e histograma). Ochenta y nueve plantas locales, identificadas con sus nombres botánicos y familias, fueron documentadas junto con su(s) uso(s) medicinal(es) en el tratamiento de la morbilidad infantil. También se documentó información sobre algunas recetas, dosis y período de aplicación con su preparación, así como las partes de la planta utilizadas. Aunque todavía será necesario que los investigadores exploren otra información vital para la validación científica de las afirmaciones de los curanderos infantiles, el estudio sienta una base sostenible para la documentación de las técnicas indígenas para la prevención de la morbilidad infantil en el área de estudio.O alto custo dos cuidados de saúde médicos alopáticos e os caros produtos farmacêuticos sublinharam a importância da Medicina Tradicional Africana (ATM), cujo uso é limitado pela sua tradição de disseminação oral. Sua documentação obtida em outros climas será um grande passo na contenção sustentável de doenças no continente. Isso depende da coleta de dados originais dos guardiões tradicionais de tal conhecimento. Na Nigéria, doenças transmissíveis, infecções infantis imunizáveis ​​e desnutrição foram apresentadas como as principais fontes de mortalidade infantil. Este artigo, portanto, relata os meios tradicionais de reduzir a morbidade infantil por curandeiros infantis tradicionais na metrópole de Ibadan, Nigéria. O estudo foi realizado no mercado Bode, Ibadan; a sede do mercado de ervas na Nigéria usando fontes de informação primárias e secundárias. A técnica de bola de neve foi usada na seleção dos vinte (20) curandeiros infantis (Elewe omo/Aremo) para amostragem. O instrumento de teste foi um conjunto de questionários abertos divididos em três partes. A seção A captou informações sobre os dados biográficos dos entrevistados, a seção B concentrou-se em outras informações básicas, enquanto a seção C investigou plantas e partes usadas no tratamento de morbidade infantil, bem como dosagem e uso de receitas tradicionais de cura infantil. Os dados coletados foram analisados ​​por meio de estatística descritiva (frequência, amplitude, média, porcentagem e histograma). Oitenta e nove plantas locais, identificadas com seus nomes botânicos e famílias, foram documentadas juntamente com seu(s) uso(s) medicinal(is) no tratamento da morbidade infantil. Informações sobre algumas receitas, dosagens e período de aplicação também foram documentadas com sua preparação, bem como partes da planta utilizadas. Embora ainda haja a necessidade de os pesquisadores explorarem outras informações vitais para a validação científica das alegações dos curandeiros infantis, o estudo estabelece uma base sustentável para a documentação de técnicas indígenas para prevenção de morbidade infantil na área de estudo

Neuroecotoxicology: effects of environmental heavy metal exposure on the brain of african giant rats

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PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM SOME VEGETABLE OILS

Biodiesel is becoming prominent among the alternatives to conventional petro-diesel due to economic,environmental and social factors. The quality of biodiesel is influenced by the nature of feedstock and theproduction processes employed. High amounts of free fatty acids (FFA) in the feedstock are known to bedetrimental to the quality of biodiesel. In addition, oils with compounds containing hydroxyl groups possesshigh viscosity due to hydrogen bonding. American Standards and Testing Materials, (ASTM D 6751)recommends FFA content of not more than 0.5% in biodiesel and a viscosity of less than 6 mm2/s. Thephysico-chemical properties of palm kernel oil and coconut oil were assessed for their potentials in biodiesel.The properties of palm kernel oil and coconut oil were compared with those of palm from literature whilethat of biodiesel were compared with petro-diesel, ASTM and European Standards (EN14214). Resultsshowed that high amounts of FFA in oils produced low quality biodiesel while neutralized oils with lowamounts of FFA produced high quality biodiesel. The quality of biodiesel from palm kernel oil and coconutoils was improved greatly by neutralising the crude oil

The effects of prolonged oral administration of the disinfectant calcium hypochlorite in Nigerian commercial cockerels

This study was designed to investigate the effects of prolonged oral administration of calcium hypochlorite in the drinking water of commercial cockerels. It was carried out in order to ascertain probable toxicity associated with prolonged exposure to calcium hypochlorite. Thirty-two healthy birds were used; they were grouped into four groups of eight. Group 1, which served as the control, received 10 mL/kg body weight of physiological saline. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 0.0375 g, 0.375 g and 0.75 g of calcium hypochlorite per 10 litres of drinking water for six weeks respectively. Six weeks after the administration of calcium hypochlorite, blood was collected from the jugular vein to assess liver function, lipid profiles and for markers of oxidative stress. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in alanine aminotransferase activity in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the control. Also, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Similarly, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels compared with the control. There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide generation with a concomitant significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum glutathione level in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the control. In this study, calcium hypochloriteinduced hepatic damage via oxidative stress and decrease in antioxidant defense system was found. Therefore, prolonged exposure of chickens to calcium hypochlorite is potentially harmful

Effect of Senna alata (L) Roxb (Fabaceae) Leaf Extracts on alpha-Amylase, alpha-Glucosidase and Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Rats

Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effect of S. alata leaf extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and its potential for reducing postprandial blood glucose level of rats.Methods: The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials of acetone, ethylacetate and hexane extracts of S. alata were investigated by reacting different concentrations (0.63 – 10.0 mg/mL) of the extracts with the enzymes and substrates while the mode(s) of inhibition of both enzymes were determined using the Lineweaver-Burk plot. The effect of oral administration of the hexane extract (with lowest IC50 for α-glucosidase) of the plant in sucrose-induced hyperglycemic rats was also determined by evaluating fasting blood glucose levels.Results: The acetone extract of S. alata displayed the highest inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC50 = 6.41 mg/mL) while hexane extract exhibited highest inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.85 mg/mL). Both acetone and hexane extracts inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase in a competitive and uncompetitive manner respectively. The hexane extract of S. alata also caused significant reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in the postprandial blood glucose level of sucrose-loaded rats within two hours.Conclusions: It can be suggested that one of the mechanisms of anti-diabetic action of S. alata leaf is the inhibition of intestinal α-glucosidase.Keywords: Senna alata, Diabetes, Postprandial hyperglycemia, Phytochemicals, α-glucosidase, α- amylas

The Political Economy of the New Slave Trade in Africa

A macro analysis of various inquiry into the nature and causes of Africa s crises may revealed a continent placed on perpetual slavery From trans-Atlantic slave trade to colonialism from colonialism to flag independence and Neo Colonialism from trade imperialism to human trafficking from the rampaging momentum of globalization to erosion of Africa culture and communal morality from Tokunbo Syndrome and currencies Africa seems to be on a verge of internationallyinspired perpetual servitude The costs of these old and modern vices are enormous and the task of salvaging them is not less so While the paper exposes the two divides it goes to argue that the actualization of the New International Economic Order NIEO remain a must for Africa as a continent if she must survive the present socio- economic and political disempowerment eating deep to her efforts at meeting aims and objectives of the millennium Development Goods MD

MODIFICATION OF NIGERIAN BENTONITE FOR UTILIZATION IN OIL WELL DRILLING OPERATIONS

More than 80 bentonite clay deposit sites had been identified in Nigeria. Yet, almost all clay and additives used for drilling oil well are imported. The reason is partly that in their natural states, they do not swell while polymers in their raw forms remain unstable at high temperatures. This study aimed at evaluating the potentials of chemically modified Nigerian bentonite for application in the oil and gas industry. The Gombe bentonite from Gombe State was beneficiated using NAHCO3 and slurries were made by dispersion in distilled water. In the presence of other local additives, evaluation of the slurries was carried out on the basis of filtration loss and rheology at different temperatures (30, 60 and 85 oC) using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The clay sample was characterized for mineral and elemental compositions using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fractometer (XRF) while proximate analysis was carried out on the additives. At the optimum condition, the result shows a significant improvement in mud rheology and fluid loss at various temperatures which are in close agreement with the API recommended standard

Threats to E-Government Implementation in the Civil Service: Nigeria as a Case Study

The rapid advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has undoubtedly influenced positive changes in carrying out administrative functions in government institutions. The ICT adoption rate in Africa is not impressive when compared to the more developed countries of the world. Nigeria, as a case study in this scenario, has also not implemented E-Government impressively, according to the required standards set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A comprehensive study conducted on the application and implementation of E-Government in Nigeria has provided some metrics that examine the stumbling blocks for realization of adequate and efficient E-Government implementation in the civil service. The research was carried out in the federal civil service in Nigeria in two phases namely, pre-IT implementation phase and post-IT implementation phase. Our findings reveal that ICT implementation will remain elusive in the civil service as long as the as threats explained below remain unaddressed. It has therefore been asserted that the need to overcome these threats is a precondition for realization of E-Government implementation in the federal civil servic