Detection of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum from South-Western Nigeria

The widespread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum has led to a rise in malaria- associated mortality most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Falciparum malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood samples of patients who presented with fever in selected State Hospitals in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Molecular methods were employed to detect the markers of resistance of P. falciparum to Chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine,and artesunate in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. DNA was extracted from patient blood using the QiaAmp DNA Blood Minikit extraction method. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP) were used for the detection of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) and P. falciparum sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-dependent ATPase (SERCA) PfATPase6 genes. Pfcrt (K76T ) Pfmdr1 (mdr 1 ) Pfdhfr (S108N), and Pfdhps (K540E) resistant genes were detected among the isolates while resistant SERCAPfATPase6 gene which codes for artemisinin resistance was not detected in the population

Microbial control of caged population of Zonocerus variegatus using Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium sp

Microbial control of caged populations of Zonocerus variegatus was carried out using indigenous fungal entomopathogens isolated from the grasshopper's cadaver. Bioassay response indicated a dose-dependent mortality coupled with drastic reduction in food consumption among spores infected grasshoppers. Lethal time (LT 50 ) of 4.6 days for 10 3 spores/ml and 3.8 days for 10 7 spores/ml of oil formulation of Beauveria bassiana were observed. While Metarhizium sp recorded LT 50 of 9.0 days and 2.8 days for 10 3 and 10 7 spores/ml, respectively. The results obtained were discussed in relation to use of the isolates in the control Z. variegatus infestation in forest agro-ecosystem of south west, Nigeria

Assessment of the Impact of Oil and Gas Resource Exploration on the Environment of Selected Communities in Delta State, Nigeria

This Paper assessed the "Impact of Oil and Gas Resource Exploration on the Environment" of Delta State oil producing communities of Nigeria. It examined the problems associated with Oil exploration and its mitigation. Primary and Secondary data were used to source data for the set objectives. The theoretical framework was based on the resource curse theory and the environmental externalities theory. It was established that various problems such as oil spillage, retardation of vegetation growth, soil infertility, ill-health to members of the community, displacement of the people of the area, constant protestation of host communities, socio-economic deprivation, and perceived marginalization of the people are associated with oil resource exploration. This research concludes that the oil bearing communities have not adequately been compensated for harm done them through degradation of the ecosystem caused by several years of oil exploration. Their oil resource wealth has been turned to oil resource curse as they are disempowered, and condemned to perpetual underdevelopment. It is recommended that Federal Government should exert maximum efforts in assuring strict compliance of its legal instruments by the oil participating industries for a sustainable development in the region

Full Length Research Paper Entomopathogenic fungi in population of Zonocerus variegatus (l) in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

Field survey of population of Zonocerus variegatus revealed a high fungal incidence of 76% when Sporulation tests were carried out on grasshoppers cadaver. Eight fungi with differing incidence rates were isolated. These are Fusarium sp. (8%); Beauveria bassiana (18%); Metarhizium sp. (20%); Aspergillus flavus (10%); Penicillium sp. (13%) Aspergillus niger (14%); Mucor sp. (13%) and unidentified fungus (4%). Fungal isolates virulence bioassay response showed that B. bassiana had the highest lethal time (LT50) of 2 days. Metarhizium sp with LT50 of 5 days was selected in lieu of A. niger which does not prove to be pathogenic to grasshoppers. The results were discussed in relation to the ecology of fungal pathogens of the variegated grasshopper and their possible role in control of Z. variegatus in the agroecosystem of south west, Nigeria

Short Communication - Toxicity of Parkia biglobosa and Raphia vinifera extracts on Clarias gariepinus juveniles

Acute toxicity tests were carried out with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of two botanicals on Clarias gariepinus juveniles. 96-h LC50 values for Parkia biglobosa aqueous (AEPB) and ethanolic extracts (EEPB) were 2.8 and 2.4 ppm, respectively. While for Raphia vinifera aqueous (AERV) and ethanolic extracts (EERV), the values were 3.4 and 3.2 ppm, respectively. The resulting 96-h LC50 values showed that extracts of P. biglobosa were more potent than the extracts of R. vinifera and that EEPB was the most toxic. Histopathological changes in liver and gill of exposed fish showed subtle cellular damages like necrosis, lesions, oedema and hepatocytes

Microbiological quality of locally fermented milk (nono) and fermented milk-cereal mixture (fura da nono) drink in Bauchi, a Nigerian city

Fura da nono, fura and nono samples obtained from three areas in Bauchi metropolis were analysed to determine their microbial quality, the moisture content, pH and titratable acidity. The analysed samples were found contaminated with coliforms. The identified bacterial isolates from the products were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp, Streptococcus sp, Bacilus cereus and Lactobacillus sp. The fungal isolate includes yeast Sacharomyces cerevisae and mold species of Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus nigricans. The average microbial load of bacteria isolates from the samples ranges between 3.0 -4.7 x 104 cfu/ml., for fungal isolates it ranges between 1.0x104 to 2.9x104 cfu/ml and yeast counts from 0.0 x104 cfu/ml in fura to 5.3 x104 cfu/ml in fura da nono

Dynamics of limnological features of two man-made lakes in relation to fish production

Limnological features of Oyan and Asejire lakes, South-Western Nigeria, were investigated between July 2000 and December 2001. Rainy season (April-October) mean monthly rainfall values of 120.3 ± ± ± ± 52.4 mm and 15.9 ± ± ± ± 10.3 were recorded for Oyan and Asejire lakes respectively, while corresponding dry season (November-March) values were 18.2 ± ± ± ± 34.7 and 4.2 ± ± ± ± 3.81 mm, respectively.. The mean surface water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen content and pH were 29.9 ± ± ± ± 2.34°°°°C, 1.5 ± ± ± ± 0.19 m, 7.1 ± ± ± ± 0.96 mg/L and 7.4 ± ± ± ± 0.43, respectively, in Oyan lake and for Asejire lake the values were 28.5 ± ± ± ± 1.91°°°°C, 1.3 ± ± ± ± 0.35 m, 6.9 ± ± ± ± 1.33 mg/L and 7.4± ± ± ± 0.54, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the two lakes vary with seasonal changes in the rainfall of the drainage area. Oyan and Asejire lakes exhibited features that are typical of tropical environment. The high dissolved oxygen content values indicate that the water bodies can successfully support aquatic life including fish