Providing water at affordable cost in developing economies

Providing water at affordable cost in developing economie

The microbiological quality and some physical parameters of different water used at a municipal abattoir in Nigeria

This study determined the microbiological and some physical quantities and effect of the two different water sources used for meat processing at the Lafenwa abattoir, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Water sources identified are the Lafenwa river and Tap water supply. A total of 33 samples were collected and analyzed. The total viable of bacteria count ( TVC) of the samples was determined by pour plate technique while the most probable number (MPN) of coliform count was by the multiple tube method. The mean TVC for the two spots on the river is 3.34x107 cfu/ml and the mean MPN is 1600 /100ml. For the tap water, the mean TVC and MPN were 1.56x107 cfu/ml and 890 /100ml respectively. The TVC values were significantly higher (p0.05). Potentially pathogenic Bacteria isolated from the water samples include: Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella spp. The water samples from the river appeared creamy, highly turbid, particulate with pungent odour. The mean pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) values were 5.4, 28.8oC, 8.1 mg/l and 7.0 mg/l respectively. The tap water samples were clear, odourless, and colorless with mean pH, temperature, DO and BOD values of 6.8, 28.1oC, 15.3mg/l and 3.1mg/l respectively. There was significant differences in the DO and BOD values of river samples compared to tap water (

Comparative Study Of Students‘ Approaches And Strategies To Learning: Implications For Counselling

The researchers compared students’ approaches and strategies to learning in two African countries viz.; Nigeria and Uganda. Using a descriptive survey, fifty students, who were enrolled in the year 2012/2013 in guidance and counselling and computer science respectively, were sampled from the population. The students offered an ICT course separately in 200 level in the different institutions. The instrument used was the Approaches to study skills inventory (ASSIST) and the three hypotheses were postulated and tested. The results of the t-test analysis show that the null hypothesis was not statistically significant when using the strategic approach (t = 1.037, 1.056); p > .05 and the deep approach to learning of students in Nigeria and Uganda (t = -0.278, -0.279); p > .05. The second hypotheses revealed a no statistically significant difference in the Nigerian and Ugandan preferences for different types of courses in teaching and learning while the third hypothesis shows a significant correlation between a deep approach to learning and learning that supports understanding (r=.407; p <.001). It is recommended that lecturers need to accommodate their students’ individual differences in the teaching and learning process considering that most of the classes in higher institutions of learning are large for the prevalent part. Additionally, discussions on possible implications for counselling are discussed in the paper

Biodiesel Fuel from Differently Sourced Local Seed Oils: Characterization, Effects of Catalysts, Total Glycerol Content and Flow Rates

The recently observed depletion in the petroleum resources, which also mainly constituted carbon dioxide emission and global warming problems call for renewable and sustainable alternative fuels. Oils were extracted from various seeds: Jatropha curcas (Botuje), Pentaclethra macrophylla (Apara) and soybean, using petroleum ether (40-60℃). Alkali catalyzed transesterification of the oils (biodiesel pro-duction) in the presence of different kinds of alcohol (methanol, ethanol and propanol) were carried out using sodium hydroxide as catalyst. In the case of Jatropha oil, potassium hydroxide served as catalyst. Effect of catalysts to obtain optimum biofuel was established. In the case of soybean oil, fatty acid methyl ester, FAME, (96%), fatty acid ethyl ester, FAEE, (84%) and fatty acid propyl ester, FAPE, (37.50%) were pro-duced. In waste palm kernel oil, methyl ester (72.92%) and ethyl ester (46.25%) were obtained. In refined palm kernel oil, methyl ester (70.83%), ethyl ester (66.67%) and (14.17%) propyl ester were produced. However, only methyl ester conversion (20.83%) was possible in Pen-taclethra macrophylla oil. In Jatropha curcas using KOH catalyst, only methyl ester (80%) formation was possible. Moreover, yields were af-fected as the alcohol alkyl became bulkier giving relatively lower value of biodiesel. Sulphur content (0.01) obtained for each of the biofuel was satisfactory when compared with ASTM standard (0.05 maximum). The cetane value of soybean oil (45.5), refined palm kernel oil (46) and used oil (44.6) were quite reasonable compared with the special standard (47). The combustion energy of the fuels from refined palm kernel oil, waste palm kernel oil and soybean are 39, 36 and 45.5 respectively. The total glycerol content (Gc) of the methyl and ethyl esters emanat-ed from soybean are quite reasonable and fell within standard

ISOLATION METHODS FOR MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP IN LAYER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to compare two culture methods for the isolation of Campylobacter spp from commercial layer chickens and subsequently confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction assays (PCR). Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance profiles of PCR positive Campylobacter isolates were determined.Cloacal swab samples (550) from chickens randomly selected from five poultry farms in the four geographical zones in Ogun State were cultured for Campylobacter using modified charcoal Cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (MCCDA) and an improved culture method involving Preston broth pre-enrichment and subsequent subculture on Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements. Putative isolates were later confirmed by PCR assay and sequencing analysis.Other isolates that grew on MCCDA and confirmed by sequencing analysis are Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichis coli, Comamonas kerstli and Pseudomonas aeroginusa . The antibiotic resistant profile of all the isolates were evaluated genotypically for resistance genes to tetracyclines (tetO), multiclasses (cmeB), aminoglycosides (aphA-3-1) and β-lactams (Blaoxa-61) using multiplex PCR (mPCR), and phenotypically for chlortetracycline, tylosin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin resistance by microbroth dilution method which correspond to the antibiotic resistance genes. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter was 16.8% by MCCDA while none of the isolates was positive to PCR. Meanwhile, prevalence rate of 26% was obtained using Preston broth pre-enrichment and Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements, of which 11/50 (22%) of the isolates was confirmed positive by PCR. Genotypic characterization of PCR positive isolates showed 10/11(90%) were C. coli, 1/11(10%) other Campylobacter species and 0% C. jejuni. All the isolates carried both tetO and cmeB resistant genes. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration presented all PCR positive isolates had resistance of 10/10(100%), 9/10(90%), 6/10(60%), 9/10(90%), and 8/10(80%) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, spectinomycin and tylosin respectively. In addition, all isolates carried multiple resistance to most antibiotics tested which are commonly used in poultry practice in Nigeria. Campylobacter spp in the study areas showed diverse genotypic characteristics, and gene mediated multidrug resistance.   &nbsp

Extreme hyperkalaemia secondary to malignant ureteric obstruction: Case report

We report a case of a 42 year old patient who collapsed at an airport departure lounge. The patient was investigated and found to have advanced renal failure with serum potassium (K+) of 10.3 mmol/L, creatinine of 3581 µmol/L and urea of 59.9 mmol/L secondary to obstructive uropathy due to advanced bladder cancer. Although these biochemical changes were thought to be incompatible with life, he made a slow recovery following haemodialysis and insertion of bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes

The value of touch imprint cytology of prostate core needle biopsy specimens – Kuwait experience

Objectives: Touch imprint cytology (TIC) is a reliable, cost-effective technique for the diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value and accuracy of TIC of prostate core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens in predicting the final histology in patients with suspected prostate cancer. Subjects and methods: TIC was carried out on 354 core needle biopsy specimens taken from 59 patients with suspected prostate cancer as indicated by a high prostate serum antigen (PSA) level or abnormal findings on rectal examination. All biopsies were taken under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance. Two touch imprints were prepared from each CNB. The TIC results were correlated with CNB. Results: TIC revealed evaluable results in 336/354 (94.9%) CNB specimens analyzed, with the following cytological diagnosis: malignancy in 40 (11.9%), atypical features in 47 (14%) and benign results in 249 (74.1%) specimens. Histopathological examination of the 40 CNB specimens showing malignant features on TIC confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer. In 24/47 (51.1%) cases with atypical cytology, histopathological assessment of the CNB specimens revealed benign features in 7 and prostatitis in 17, while high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and carcinoma were seen in 3 and 20 specimens, respectively. In 12/249 (4.8%) cases showing benign results on TIC, histopathological examination of the CNB specimens revealed an abnormal histology in the form of HGPIN in 9 (75%) and carcinoma in 3 (25%) cases. TIC accurately predicted the final histology in 336 cases with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 90.8%. When excluding atypical cytology on TIC and HGPIN on CNB, the sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 100%, respectively. A strong correlation was seen between TIC and CNB (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The routine use of TIC complements CNB reports and helps to provide an immediate and reliable cytological diagnosis of prostate lesions. TIC and serial sectioning of CNB specimens significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy

Diverse non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars with multi-drug resistance potentials isolated from chicken faeces in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was carried out in selected poultry farms to determine the prevalence, distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Salmonella serovars in Ogun State, South-western Nigeria. A total of 200 faecal samples were aseptically collected from the four geographical zones of Ogun State, Nigeria. Seventy-eight Salmonella isolates spread across 39 serovars and representing a prevalence of 39% was recovered. Salmonella Urbana (n=7), Salmonella Kingston (n=6) and Salmonella Agama (n=5) serovars were more commonly isolated. Resistance was most common to ciprofloxacin (29.5%; n=23/78). Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was observed in 15.4% (n=12/78) of the isolates spread across 7 serovars: S. Kentucky, S. Telelkebir, S. Virchow, S. Blockley, S. Chomedey, S. Haifa, and S. Isangi. The study showed the diversity of Salmonella serovars and the increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance in poultry farms in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria