Spectral Analysis of the Residual Magnetic Anomalies Overpategi and Egbako Area of the of the Mddle Niger Basin, Nigeria

Statistical spectral analysis of theresidual magnetic field was employedto determine the depth to magnetic basement rocks withinPategi and Egbako areas which is part of the lower Middle Niger basin. The study area lies within latitudes 8.300 and 9.300 North and longitudes 5.300 and 6.000 East. For the purpose of this analysis, the study area was divided into 15 rectangular sections. The spectral analysis reveals two prominent layers; the first layer depth varies from 0.28km to 0.89km with an average value of 0.59km while the second layer depth varies from 1.55km to 4.70km.The first layer is attributed to lateritic ironstone,Ferruginoussandstone and effect of the surrounding basement rocks while the second is attributed to magnetic rocks intruded into the basement surface, lateral discontinuities in basement susceptibility and intra basement features such as faults and fractures. The second layerrepresents the average thickness of the sedimentary formation overlying the basement complex within the Pategi and Egbako areas of the Middle Niger basin. This depth increases thepossibility of hydrocarbon potential. Keywords: spectral depth, buried magnetic rocks, magnetic dat

Determination of the Heat Flow in the Sokoto Basin, Nigeria using Spectral Analysis of Aeromagnetic Data

In this study, the Determination of heat flow in the Sokoto Basin North Western Nigeria using spectral analysis of aeromagnetic data was carried out. The study area is bounded by latitude 11.0oN to 13.5o N and longitude 3.5oE to 6.5oThis research is necessitated by the need for renewable alternative sources of energy for use in Nigeria. Depth estimates were made from the spectral analysis of the magnetic anomalies. The Upward continuation filter control was utilized to suppress the short wavelength components in the Sokoto Basin. The continuation was carried out at various heights (2km, 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km). The centriod depth which relates to the point where magnetism is lost in the crust was calculated using the rate of decay of the spectrum. The results from spectral analysis suggested that in the Sokoto basin the basement is deepest at the north eastern portion toward Niger Republic and varies between 0.61 and 1.54km, while the centriod depth varies from 6.35 to 13.05km. It also suggested that basin is underlain by a Curie-point isotherm of between 11.36 to 22.30km and corresponding gradient and heat flow values varying from 26.18 to 44.620 C/km and 52.36 to 98.57mW/m2 respectively. The maximum heat flow is found around the central area (i.e around Tambuwal). The average heat flow in normal continental region is about 60mW/m2 , values between 80 and 100 mW/m2 are good geothermal sources while values greater than hundred is an indication of anomalous condition. Anomalous and good high heat flow for good geothermal sources was observed in the area. These areas with high heat values may be good geothermal sources and therefore are recommended for further investigation. Keywords: Aeromagnetic, spectral energy, geothermal gradient, Curie point, sedimentar

Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds in Mangroves: A Panacea towards Exploiting and Optimizing Mangrove Resources

The tissues (leaves, barks and roots) of mangrove species (Nypa fruticans, Rhizophora racemosa and Avicennia africana) were screened qualitatively and quantitatively for phytochemicals (metabolites). Phytochemical analysis indicated presence of highly polar bioactive compounds (alkaloids, saponins tannins flavonoids and reducing sugar) in their tissues. The concentration of these compounds varied significantly (P<0.001). The highest concentrations of alkaloids and saponins were in A. africana, flavonoids and tannins in R. racemosa and reducing sugars in N. fruticans. The existence of these metabolites suggests the possible contributions and potentials of the mangroves to medicine and the environment. Keywords: Mangrove species, Metabolites, Polar bioactive compounds, Medicine

Differentials in Adoption of Cassava Post-Harvest Processing Technology among Farmers in South Eastern, Nigeria

The study examined factors influencing the adoption of cassava post-harvest processing technology among farmers in Abia North, Abia state, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) farmers were randomly selected from five Local Government Areas of the state. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and adoption model using logit regression. The results showed that majority of the famers were male who are still productive, married with large household sizes. Most of the farmers adopted cassava processing technologies and utilized the garri product. The results also indicated that income level of the farmer, number of processing equipment, household size and years of experience in farming business positively influenced the adoption of post-harvest processing technology among households in the study area and were each significant at 5 percent.  The study call for policies aimed at increased awareness programmes and subsidies on processing machines to increase their adoption. Keywords: Cassava, Adoption, Utilization, Post-Harvest Technology, Abia Stat

Tuberculosis Prevalence- A Contemporary Public Health Challenge and the Instituted Barriers in Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu, Ohaozara L. G. A. Ebonyi State, Nigeria

A prevalence study is crucial in assessing the extent of occurrence with regard to an outbreak of a disease. High prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) has been reported in Nigeria. The study aimed at investigating the prevalence of tuberculosis reported cases from 2009-2013 and tuberculosis instituted barriers in Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu (PJHU) in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Ex-post-facto research design was used for the study. The study population consisted of 675 tuberculosis reported cases from 2009-2013 in PJHU. The same number (675) was the sample size for the study. Data were collected using the researcher’s Template which was filled with information from the hospital’s records. The template consisted of four items viz: year case was reported, number of cases, gender and TB instituted barriers in PJHU. Analysis of the data showed that the prevalence of tuberculosis reported cases in 2009 was 196 (29.0%), 152 (22.5%), in 2010; 138 (20.4%) in 2011; 110 (16.3%) in 2012 and 79 (11.7%) in 2013. The results showed that the highest prevalence rate 29.0% was recorded in 2009 while the lowest prevalence rate of 11.7% was recorded in 2013. Tuberculosis instituted barriers in PJHU included isolation, safe disposal of sputum, personal hygiene and others as presented in Table 2. The Chi-square analysis of no significant difference in the prevalence of tuberculosis by gender was accepted (X2 Cal 2.376 < X2 Tab.3.841, df 1, P= .05). From the findings of the study males were found to be as susceptible to tuberculosis as females. It was recommended among others that teaching of tuberculosis control practices by health workers should be integrated into a wider scheme for health care education and family planning services as well as establishing Directly Observed Home Treatment Short Course (DOHTS) in order to take TB services to the door steps of TB patients. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Prevalence, Control practices, and gender

Aberrantly Expressed Genes in HaCaT Keratinocytes Chronically Exposed to Arsenic Trioxide

Inorganic arsenic is a known environmental toxicant and carcinogen of global public health concern. Arsenic is genotoxic and cytotoxic to human keratinocytes. However, the biological pathways perturbed in keratinocytes by low chronic dose inorganic arsenic are not completely understood. The objective of the investigation was to discover the mechanism of arsenic carcinogenicity in human epidermal keratinocytes. We hypothesize that a combined strategy of DNA microarray, qRT-PCR and gene function annotation will identify aberrantly expressed genes in HaCaT keratinocyte cell line after chronic treatment with arsenic trioxide. Microarray data analysis identified 14 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes in response to arsenic trioxide. The expression of 4 up-regulated genes and 1 down-regulated gene were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The up-regulated genes were AKR1C3 (Aldo-Keto Reductase family 1, member C3), IGFL1 (Insulin Growth Factor-Like family member 1), IL1R2 (Interleukin 1 Receptor, type 2), and TNFSF18 (Tumor Necrosis Factor [ligand] SuperFamily, member 18) and down-regulated gene was RGS2 (Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2). The observed over expression of TNFSF18 (167 fold) coupled with moderate expression of IGFL1 (3.1 fold), IL1R2 (5.9 fold) and AKR1C3 (9.2 fold) with a decreased RGS2 (2.0 fold) suggests that chronic arsenic exposure could produce sustained levels of TNF with modulation by an IL-1 analogue resulting in chronic immunologic insult. A concomitant decrease in growth inhibiting gene (RGS2) and increase in AKR1C3 may contribute to chronic inflammation leading to metaplasia, which may eventually lead to carcinogenicity in the skin keratinocytes. Also, increased expression of IGFL1 may trigger cancer development and progression in HaCaT keratinocytes

Učinci oralnog davanja mononatrijeva glutamata na morfologiju jaja i rezervu spermija u nuzjajčanom repu mladih i odraslih štakora.

The effects of oral administration of varied doses of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the morphology of the testes and cauda epididymal sperm reserves of rats were studied using 28 four-week old (young) male Sprague-Dawley rats and 28 twelve-week-old (adult) male Sprague-Dawley rats. Increasing doses (1 mg/g body mass, 2 mg/g body mass, and 4 mg/g body mass) of a 40% aqueous solution of monosodium glutamate were administered to the male Sprague-Dawley rats every 48 hours for 6 weeks, using a rat gavage needle. The results showed that age variation did not influence the effect of MSG on the parameters studied in male rats. There was a significant reduction in the cauda epididymal sperm reserves (P<0.05) and the serum testosterone levels (P<0.05) of the rats that received monosodium glutamate relative to the control rats. The histomorphology of the testes of the rats that were given monosodium glutamate did not differ from those of the rats in the control group. No overt pathological lesions were seen in the testicular sections. These observations suggest that monosodium glutamate may have adversely affected spermatogenesis by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitarytestis regulatory axis, and not through any direct toxic effect on the testis.Učinci oralnog davanja različitih doza mononatrijeva glutamata na morfologiju jaja i rezervu spermija už nuzjajčanom repu bili su istraživani u pokusima na 28 štakora Sprague-Dawley u dobi od četiri tjedna (mladi) i na 28 štakora Sprague-Dawley u dobi od 12 tjedana (odrasli). Štakorima su bile primijenjene povećavajuće doze (1 mg/g tjelesne mase, 2 mg/g tjelesne mase i 4 mg/g tjelesne mase) 40% tne vodene otopine mononatrijeva glutamata svakih 48 sati kroz šest tjedana iglom prilagođenom za štakore. Rezultati su pokazali da razlika u dobi nije utjecala na učinak mononatrijeva glutamata na pretraživane pokazatelje. Ustanovljeno je značajno smanjenje rezervi spermija u nuzjajčanom repu (P<0,05) kao i razina serumskog testosterona (P<0,05) u štakora kojima je primijenjen mononatrijev glutamat u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Histološki nalaz tkiva jaja štakora kojima je bio primijenjen mononatrijev glutamat nije se razlikovao od onog u štakora kontrolne skupine. Nisu bili uočeni patološki poremećaji u histološkim rezovima tkiva. Ovi nalazi upućuju na zaključak da mononatrijev glutamat može imati nepovoljan utjecaj na spermatogenezu prekidanjem regulacijske osi hipotalamus-hipofizatestis, a ne putem ikakvoga izravnoga toksičnoga učinka na testese

Erratum: Author Correction: Identification of genes required for eye development by high-throughput screening of mouse knockouts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0226-0.]