Helminth Fauna Of Tadarida (Chaeraphon) Nigeriae (Thomas, 1913) (Microchiroptera: Molossidae)

A checklist of helminth parasites isolated from Tadarida (Chaeraphon) nigeriae is presented. Out of 857 bats examined 658 (76.78%) were infected by helminth parasites. Details of the taxa presented show that 2 were trematodes; 2 were cestodes; and 5 were nematodes. Observation on the distribution of the worms within the host shows that they were found mainly in the alimentary canal and peritoneal cavity. Rictularia was the predominant helminth parasite of these bats in this study with 49.59% of the bats examined found infected with this parasite. Female bats were found with higher infection rates with the helminths than the males. There are similarities in the type of parasites infecting bats collected from Nsukka and those collected from other places. Significant levels of positive associations exist between the parasites. Food habits based on stomach content anayses revealed that in volume and in actual numbers, beetle (Coleoptera) andmoths (Lepidoptera) comprised the major prey items in the diet. Keywords:Helminths; Tadarida, Prevalence, Similarities, Associations, Foods. Animal Research International Vol. 1 (1) 2004: pp. 64-6

An Integrated Model for Monitoring Nodes in Computer Networks

Monitoring complex computer network environment is now a very challenging task for network administrators despite the various existing monitoring applications for networks that are faced with the issues of centralized monitoring, which causes network traffic, reduces network bandwidth, and are unable to concurrently run two or more network services. This research paper was designed to tackle the problems exhibited by the existing network monitoring application by integrating different network monitoring services in a single model using the power of agent’s distributed processing and monitoring services. Data about the existing and proposed model was gathered using key informant interview approach, and observation of the existing software. Iterative software model was adopted as the software development life cycle based on its strengths and suitability. The proposed model was developed using use-case and sequence diagrams. Suitable programming languages and development environment such as Java, JavaScript, Hypertext Preprocessor, Hypertext markup language and MySQL were used in coding the software prototype. The functionality of the proposed system was tested and results showed that the proposed system has 100% anomaly network intrusion detection rate and better functional features as compared to the existing network monitoring applications observed

Potentiality of Diethylamine as Agent of Deproteination and Deacetylation in the Extraction of Chitosan from Scylla serrata Shell

The potentiality of diethylamine as deproteination and deacetylation agent in the extraction of chitosan from Scylla serrata (giant mud crab) shell was investigated. The aim was to find an alternative agent to inorganic alkalis as possible replacement for use in the production of high quality chitosan with the right stability. Pretreatment of the shell was carried out and followed by demineralization using hydrochloric acid. Diethylamine was used for deproteination and deacetylation by modifying some published protocols. Moisture, ash, fat and protein contents of the extracts were determined using their respective standard methods. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique was used for spectroscopic analysis. Scylla serrata shell was composed of 14.25% protein, 32.84% mineral (CaCO3), 31.52% chitin and 21.39% chitosan. Moisture, ash, fat and protein contents of chitin extracted from Scylla serrata shell were 2.35%, 3.03%, 1.79% and 3.85% respectively while those of chitosan were 1.65%, 3.84%, 0.53% and 2.80% respectively. Degree of deacetylation (DDA) and carbon to nitrogen ratio were 69.24% and 5.67 respectively. FTIR spectra of the extracted chitin and chitosan from Scylla serrata showed the presence of some active compounds of carbonyl, amide, amine and hydroxyl groups. However, CH3 waging along chain (952 cm-1), CO stretching at 1026 cm-1 and 1073 cm-1, and amide II band (1563 cm-1) were not found in the extracted chitin while HPO42- and amide III were also not found in the extracted chitosan. These moieties were present in the standard chitin and chitosan respectively. This study has shown that diethylamine (organic base) has great potential as agent of deproteination and deacetylation in the extraction of chitosan from Scylla serrata. Consequently, academic activity in the area of investigation of the stability of the extracted chitosan from Scylla serrata using diethylamine as deproteination and deacetylation agent is strongly recommended. Keywords: Diethylamine, deproteination, deacetylation, chitin and chitosan, Scylla serrata shell. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/12-7-07 Publication date:October 31st  2020

Parasitaemia and haematological changes in malaria-infected refugees in South Africa

Background. Haematological changes associated with malaria are well recognised, but may vary with level of malaria endemicity and patient background, haemoglobinopathy, nutritional status, demographic factors and malaria immunity. Although malaria in South Africa (SA) has been reduced dramatically in endemic areas, little is known about the haematological changes associated with malaria infection among refugee populations who live in SA cities.Objective. To describe haematological alterations among malaria-infected refugees living in Durban, SA.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2012 to July 2013 inclusive at a refugee centre in central Durban. Blood samples from 102 adult black African refugees were examined for infection with malaria parasites, and haematological profiles were compared with standard normal values.Results. Malaria infection was detected in 16 (15.7%) of the 102 participants. The mean haemoglobin (Hb) value was reduced (mean 9.2 g/dL) in the participants with malaria, who also had an extremely low mean packed cell volume (PCV) of 28.3%. The mean Hb value in the non-malaria-infected participants was normal (12.6 g/dL), and the mean PCV was slightly low (38.0%).Conclusions. Anaemia was more common among participants with malaria infection than among those who were uninfected. Other haematological changes were common in both infected and uninfected participants, suggesting that infections other than malaria, or other underlying factors that cause haematological alterations, may be present. This research needs to be expanded to include a large sample and other areas and infections

Effects of Single Bout and Short Term Aerobic Exercise on C-Reactive Protein in Type-2 Diabetes Patients: A Pilot Study

Type-2 diabetes is a leading risk for cardiovascular diseases and events due to ease of develop­ment of atherosclerosis in people with type-diabetes. Chronic inflammation is a major driver of atherosclerosis in type-2 diabetes and it has been linked to elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The objective of this study was to determine whether CRP is amenable to aerobic exercise. A total of 40 adults diagnosed with type-2 diabetes patients were sampled randomly, and later, conveniently allocated into exercise and control groups. All the subjects were on the diabetes exchange diet as recommended by their Dieticians. Results show that the glucose level of the subjects of this study was fairly under control ((glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) = 0.80±0.11% for each of the group)). A weak negative correlation was found between ex­ercise-induced reductions in CRP and HbA1c (r = -0.345; p = 0.029). Significant (p < 0.05) difference in CRP was found between study and control groups following single bout (30 min) aerobic exercise, however, no significant (p > 0.05) difference in CRP was found between study and control groups after 8-weeks. Single bout or short-term aerobic exercises does not reduce CRP in people with fairly controlled type-2 diabetes mellitus

Isolation, Characterization, and Assessment of the In Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Methanol Extracts and Friedelan-3-one from Uapaca ambanjensis (Leandri)

Uapaca ambanjensis Leandri (Phyllanthaceae) is a largely un-researched plant whose crushed stem bark, leaf, and fruit infusions are ethno-medicinally claimed to cure typhoid fever, other fevers, skin diseases, and stroke. This work aimed at the isolation, characterization, and determination of antimicrobial potency of the methanol stem-bark extracts of Uapaca ambanjensis.  Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and triterpenes in the methanol extract. The antimicrobial assessment of the extract against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebisiela pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger showed the diameter of zones of inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 11 to 18 mm at a concentration of 12.5mg/mL to 100mg/mL, with most prominent activities against S. aureus, S. typhi and P. aeruginosa. Chromatographic fractionation and purification led to the isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenoid (friedelan-3-one) labeled G23f-9. The compound showed antimicrobial potency evidenced by zones of inhibition against S. aureus (20 mm), S. typhi (16 mm), S. pyogenes (14 mm), K. pneumoniae (13 mm), and P. aeruginosa (13 mm) at a concentration of 100 µg/mL while the values for the standard drug, Ciprofloxacin, at 10 µg/mL are respectively 24 mm, 20 mm, 27 mm`1,20mm and 18mm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were 12.5 µg/mL for S. aureus, 25 µg/mL for S. typhi and 100 µg/mL for the rest while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) were 50 µg/mL for S. aureus and 100 µg/mL for S. typhi. The isolated compound showed some antifungal activity against C. albicans with ZOI of 11 mm at 100µg/mL while the antifungal drug, Terbinafine, gave 30 mm at 30 µg/mL. Phytochemical and antimicrobial results lay credence to some ethnomedicinal claims on the plant including its use to treat typhoid fever and some skin diseases. The biological assessment of the methanol extract and isolated compound reveals that the plant could have antibacterial and antifungal potentials. The isolation of Friedelan-3-one is reported for the first time from the plant U. ambanjensis Leandri

Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: A Rare Manifestation of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Several causes of eosinophilic pleural effusions have been described with malignancy being the commonest cause. Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disease and very few cases have been reported of HES presenting as eosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE). We report a case of a 26-year-old male who presented with shortness of breath. He had bilateral pleural effusions, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and leukocytosis with marked peripheral blood eosinophilia. The pleural fluid was exudative, with 25%–30% eosinophilis, and absence of neoplastic cells. Hypereosinophilic syndrome was diagnosed after other causes of eosinophilia were excluded. He continued to be dyspneic with persistent accumulation of eosinophilic pleural fluid, even after his peripheral eosinophil count had normalized in response to treatment. This patient represents a very unusual presentation of HES with dyspnea and pleural effusions and demonstrates that treatment based on response of peripheral eosinophil counts, as is currently recommended, may not always be clinically adequate

Effects of Dietary Advanced Lipid Oxidation End-products on Colitis Healing in Albino Rats

ABSTRACT . On day 20, 0.33 ± 0.03 (control), 0.50 ± 0.03 (low dose), 0.50 ± 0.02 (high dose). ALE reduced colitis healing rate compared to the control. This study concludes that ALE aggravated acetic-acid induced colitis in albino rats

Nanostructured Clay (NC) and the Stabilization of Lateritic Soil for Construction Purposes

The use of Nanostructured Clay additive in lateritic soil stabilization and their effect at different percentages on the natural soil was investigated. The preliminary tests on the soil showed it was an A-2-7 soil, according to AASHTO classification. The soil sample was also observed to be silty clayey sand and the general rating as a sub-grade material was ‘GOOD’. The consistency limits result shows that the value of the LL for the natural soil is 47% and 25.15% was recorded for the plastic limit (PL) and finally the PI was 21.85% i.e. highly plastic soil. Further, the effect of the addition of NC in the proportions of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% by weight of the stabilized Umuntu Olokoro lateritic soil was investigated. The consistency limits results showed that the addition of variable proportions of NC considerably improved the plasticity of the stabilized soil which gave 13.8%; a medium plastic material at 15% NC addition, compared to the preliminary result of 0% by weight additive which gave 21.85%; a highly plastic material. The strength properties’ test showed significant improvements with the addition of NC; CBR test result recorded 29% at 15% by weight proportion of NC which satisfies the material condition for use as sub-base material and the UCS test results similarly improved consistently and recorded a maximum UCS of 340.18kN/m2 at 15% by weight proportion of NC addition which satisfies “very stiff” material consistency for use as sub-base material. With the foregoing, the addition of various proportions of NC to the stabilized lateritic soil has presented to be a Geotechnical solution to the varied environmental failures on the road pavements. Hence NC satisfies all the material conditions for use as a sub-base material for the stabilization and improvement of the strength characteristics of lateritic soils. Finally, we call on the relevant agencies to use NC as an additive in stabilizing weak lateritic soils for use as either sub-grade or sub-base materials to save both cost and the structural failures on the roads in south eastern Nigeria. Keywords: Environmental Geotechnics; Pavement Geotechnics; Soil Stabilization; Weak Lateritic Soil; South Eastern Nigeria