The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in plasmodium falciparum malaria in children at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Thrombocytopenia occurring in falciparum malaria infection has been documented worldwide. However, its prevalence varies from place to place, and among different population groups studied. There is paucity of data on this in Nigerian children.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in children presenting with falciparum malaria at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.Method: A prospective crosssectional study from October 2010 to March 2011 on one hundred and eighty children with microscopically confirmed malaria aged six months to fifteen years, compared with 180 healthy children without malaria parasitaemia matched for age and gender. Their platelet counts were evaluated using the auto-analyser Sysmex KX-21N.Results: The overall prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 5.0%, but it was higher in children with severe malaria. None of the children in the control group had thrombocytopenia.Conclusion: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in falciparum malaria is low in our setting, but higher in children with severe manifestations of malaria.Keywords: Malaria, Thrombocytopenia, Prevalence, children

Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of Solanum macranthum Dunal

Extracts of leaves, stem bark, roots and fruits of Solanum macranthum Dunal were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of plant secondary metabolites and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies respectively. The results of the preliminary investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, the steroidal nucleus, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, reducing sugars and  anthraquinones. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was done using agar well diffusion technique. Six clinical strains of human pathogenic  microorganisms, comprising two Gram positive, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi were utilized in the studies. The various plant extracts varied in their high inhibitory activity to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 1000 mg/ml comparable to the  reference antibacterial drug, gentamicin at 2.5 mg/ml. High activity was exhibited against Bacillus subtilis whilst Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were moderately inhibited even at 2000 mg/ml.Key words: Solanum macranthum, Solanaceae, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical screening

Classroom Climate and Students’ Academic Achievement in Social Studies in Cross River, Nigeria

This research project examined “Classroom climate and its relationship with students’ academic achievement in Social Studies”. Ex post facto design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 14,297 JSS III students and the sample was 1,200 JSS III students selected through stratified random technique from the three Educational Zones in State Secondary Education Board, Cross River State. The instrument used was a structured six-point Likert scale questionnaire, the reliability estimate of which ranged from 0.7 to 0.8 and achievement test adapted from Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination, Ministry of Education, Cross River State (2004) were used to collect information used in the study. The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. The hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance and 1198 and F (9,1190) degree of freedom. Based on the findings, it was concludedthat all the independent variables mentioned in this study jointly contribute to the variance in students’ academic achievement in Social Studies. It was recommended that Social Studies teachers should be trained to improve their skills on an encouraging classroom climate for students’ confidence and initiative through seminars, conferences and in-service programmes

Economic Efficiency of Processed Hibiscus Sabdanriffa (Roselle) Drink in Imo State, Nigeria

The study developed a model to evaluate efficiencies of Zobo drink processors in Imo State using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Data were collected from 163 Zobo drink processors across 36 markets in the study area and was analyzed under the constant returns to scale (CRTS) and variable returns to scale (VRTS) assumptions. Result showed that Zobo processing was highly profitable with about 44.34% net margin on total revenue generated. Mean economic efficiency scores estimated from the DEA frontier for both CRTS and VRTS were 0.537 and 0.683. Sex, educational level and alternative to income were most statistically significant factors. It was recommended that more male involvements are encouraged in Zobo drink; educated individuals particularly unemployed are advised to engage and create a cliché for themselves through the use of more innovative processing and packaging activities and adopting cost-minimizing input mixes of best-practice to enable them become fully efficient

Lineage-specific evolution of the vertebrate Otopetrin gene family revealed by comparative genomic analyses

Background: Mutations in the Otopetrin 1 gene (Otop1) in mice and fish produce an unusual bilateral vestibular pathology that involves the absence of otoconia without hearing impairment. The encoded protein, Otop1, is the only functionally characterized member of the Otopetrin Domain Protein (ODP) family; the extended sequence and structural preservation of ODP proteins in metazoans suggest a conserved functional role. Here, we use the tools of sequence-and cytogenetic-based comparative genomics to study the Otop1 and the Otop2-Otop3 genes and to establish their genomic context in 25 vertebrates. We extend our evolutionary study to include the gene mutated in Usher syndrome (USH) subtype 1G (Ush1g), both because of the head-to-tail clustering of Ush1g with Otop2 and because Otop1 and Ush1g mutations result in inner ear phenotypes. Results: We established that OTOP1 is the boundary gene of an inversion polymorphism on human chromosome 4p16 that originated in the common human-chimpanzee lineage more than 6 million years ago. Other lineage-specific evolutionary events included a three-fold expansion of the Otop genes in Xenopus tropicalis and of Ush1g in teleostei fish. The tight physical linkage between Otop2 and Ush1g is conserved in all vertebrates. To further understand the functional organization of the Ushg1-Otop2 locus, we deduced a putative map of binding sites for CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), a mammalian insulator transcription factor, from genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data in mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells combined with detection of CTCF-binding motifs. Conclusions: The results presented here clarify the evolutionary history of the vertebrate Otop and Ush1g families, and establish a framework for studying the possible interaction(s) of Ush1g and Otop in developmental pathways

Factors Influencing Cheating Tendency in Examinations Among Undergraduate Students of the University of Calabar, Nigeria

The main thrust of this study was to find out factors influencing cheating tendency in examination among undergraduate students of the University Of Calabar. To give the study it's direction, four hypotheses were formulated. Related literatures were reviewed based on the major variables of the study. Ex-post- facto research design was adopted for the study. The major instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The instrument was designed by the researchers with the help of some major experts in measurement and evaluation which give the face and content validity of the instrument. 200 students were randomly selected from Faculty of Education, University of Calabar for the study. The hypotheses formulated were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analytical technique. The result of the analysis revealed that self-concept, Intelligence, moral value and test anxiety significantly influence students' tendency to be involved in examination malpractice. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that parents and lecturers should endeavour to build good moral in their students so that the students should be aware of the fact that to cheat in an examination is immoral. Examination ethics code of conduct should be produced and distributed in schools and appropriate authorities. This will spell out duties and responsibilities as well as penalties needed for the conduct of examination in our educational system

A review of organizational buyer behaviour models and theories

Over the years, models have been developed, and theories propounded, to explain the behavior of industrial buyers on the one hand and the nature of the dyadic relationship between organizational buyers and sellers on the other hand. This paper is an attempt at a review of the major models and theories in extant literature. The discourse highlights the similarities and differences amongst the models and theories. The review observed that researches on theory and model of organizational buyer behaviour have not been  evolutionary, that is, model do not seem to build on previous models. The review concluded by recommending a synthesized model which incorporates both the unique and the similar features of other research.Keywords: Buyer behavior, models, theories, purchasing

Development Options as Strategies for Conflict Reduction in Protected Areas: An assessment of People’s Preferences in the Cross River National Park, Nigeria

This paper explores development options as effective strategies for conflict reduction in the Cross River National Park, Nigeria. It also discusses the tensions that result from the different development and conservation priorities that confront such humaninhabited protected areas as the Cross River National Park. The success level of the various conservation initiatives is examined from the communities’ perspectives in the preferred conservation and development options The paper using the Questionnaire and the Participatory methodologies, sought to examine the various strategies that have been employed in the Cross River National Park to enhance sustainable development.A total of two hundred and eighty-one (281) questionnaires were randomly distributed to respondents within eight selected study communities. The five focus groups earmarked for appraisal included the community leaders, hunters, farmers, Non-Timber Forested Products (NTFP) gatherers, and loggers. The findings revealed the preferred development options to include skills acquisitions, establishment of small agro-allied industries, and indigenous participation in the administration and operation of the park management

Malaria acute kidney injury in a child with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient child: A case report

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