Factors associated with adoption of indigenous biscuit processing technology by mothers of school-going children in Ogun State, Nigeria

Wheat is the conventional flour in biscuit manufacture. However, the use of wheat is not economical due to the fact that huge foreign reserve is used in its importation in Nigeria. In addition, wheat-based foods are associated with celiac disease, hence the use of non-wheat crops like tubers and legumes in biscuit processing is desirable. A previous study had developed a nutritionally improved biscuit from underutilized crops, such as sweet potato, cooking banana and pigeon pea. The present study examined factors associated with adoption of the indigenous biscuit processing technology using non-wheat flours by mothers of school going children in Ogun State, Nigeria. Amultistage sampling procedure was utilized to select 120 respondents from the list of 1,123 registered farmers in 10 extension blocks in Ogun State. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Respondents were taught the various stages of biscuit processing through demonstration. Knowledge about the various stages of biscuit processing was measured on a 5-point Likert Scale. The five points used were: extremely understood, moderately understood, somewhat understood, slightly understood and not understood. Level of adoption indicates the psychological stages that an individual passes through before making a final decision to use a particular innovation. Adoption Level was thus measured on Knowledge, Persuasions, Decision, Confirmation and Continuation decision. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Chi square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results revealed the mean age of respondents to be 40.35 } 10.33 years. Most respondents were traders, and the highest educational qualification was National Diploma (2.5%). The main sources of agricultural information were radio (64.2%) and extension agents (60%). There were high adoption rates in baking/production (87.7%) and flour blending (85.5%). Reasons for technology adoption were affordability (80.8%), availability of ingredients (81.7%) and relative advantage (80.8%). Adoption of technology was associated with age (r = 0.284, p < 0.05), quality of technology delivery (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 1.081, p < 0.05) and membership of association (χ2 = 12.055, p < 0.05). In conclusion, effective adoption of technology could be achieved among young married mothers

Giardia Infection in Recently Acclimatized Kalahari Red Goats in Nigeria

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in recently acquired and acclimatized Kalahari Red goats in Nigeria was determined using a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Giardia duodenalis coproantigens were detected in 46.9% of the faecal samples collected from 98 Kalahari Red goats. The highest (58.1%) and lowest rates (38.2%) were recorded in pre-weaned goat kids up to three months of age and adults goats over one year of age respectively. Infection was higher in females (56.8%) and diarrhoeic goats (75.0%) than males (38.9%) and non-diarrhoeic goats (45.7%) respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the infection rates among age categories, sexes and stool consistencies of the goats. The results of this study showed a high prevalence of Giardia infection in the Kalahari Red goat herd which may imply that they are susceptible to giardiasis if managed under conditions that may facilitate transmission from infected indigenous animals.Key words: ELISA, Giardia, goat, Kalahari Red, Nigeria

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PELLETIZED CASSAVA BASED DIETS AT DIFFERENT DAYS OF STORAGE

This study was carried out to determine storability, microbiological assay and chemical composition of pelletized cassava based diets. Four nitrogenous sources were used in the experimental diets as follows: T1, contained 200g/kg palm kernel cake (PK); 200g/kg caged layers droppings (CL) (T2), 200g/kg Gmelina arborea (GA) leaves (T3) and 40g/kg urea (UR)(T4). All the diets were pelletized. Other ingredients (g/kg) that made up each of the treatments were as follows: cassava sievate, 205; molasses, 100; Sulphur, 3; corn bran, 80; salt, 7; vit./min. Premix, 5. Media used were Salmonella Shigella agar, Potato dextrose agar, Manitol salt agar and Eosine methylene blue agar. Samples (1g) were taken at intervals of 1, 15 and 30 days for microbial analysis, while chemical composition was analysed at  1 day and 30 days after storage. Data generated were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance using Completely randomized design. No visible colour change, caking and mould growth were observed. Most of the bacteria and fungi isolated (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter sp., Mucour sp., Aspergillus sp.,) were persistent throughout the storage period. There was no significant difference between microbial profile and total viable counts of the diets forms. GA had the highest level of crude protein. Proximate and fibre fractions of the diets reduced with increase in storage age. Thus, feeding animals with the pelletized cassava-based feed with urea as the non-protein nitrogen source either readily or after storage is recommended.     &nbsp

Mosquitoes and the Lymphatic Filarial Parasites: Research Trends and Budding Roadmaps to Future Disease Eradication

The mosquito-borne lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic, neglected tropical disease that imposes an unbearable human scourge. Despite the unprecedented efforts in mass drug administration (MDA) and morbidity management, achieving the global LF elimination slated for the year 2020 has been thwarted by limited MDA coverage and ineffectiveness in the chemotherapeutic intervention. Moreover, successful and sustainable elimination of mosquito-vectored diseases is often encumbered by reintroduction and resurgence emanating from human residual or new infections being widely disseminated by the vectors even when chemotherapy proves effective, but especially in the absence of effective vaccines. This created impetus for strengthening the current defective mosquito control approach, and profound research in vector–pathogen systems and vector biology has been pushing the boundaries of ideas towards developing refined vector-harnessed control strategies. Eventual implementation of these emerging concepts will offer a synergistic approach that will not only accelerate LF elimination, but also augurs well for its future eradication. This brief review focuses on advances in mosquito–filaria research and considers the emerging prospects for future eradication of LF

Mosquitoes and the Lymphatic Filarial Parasites: Research Trends and Budding Roadmaps to Future Disease Eradication

The mosquito-borne lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic, neglected tropical disease that imposes an unbearable human scourge. Despite the unprecedented efforts in mass drug administration (MDA) and morbidity management, achieving the global LF elimination slated for the year 2020 has been thwarted by limited MDA coverage and ineffectiveness in the chemotherapeutic intervention. Moreover, successful and sustainable elimination of mosquito-vectored diseases is often encumbered by reintroduction and resurgence emanating from human residual or new infections being widely disseminated by the vectors even when chemotherapy proves effective, but especially in the absence of effective vaccines. This created impetus for strengthening the current defective mosquito control approach, and profound research in vector–pathogen systems and vector biology has been pushing the boundaries of ideas towards developing refined vector-harnessed control strategies. Eventual implementation of these emerging concepts will offer a synergistic approach that will not only accelerate LF elimination, but also augurs well for its future eradication. This brief review focuses on advances in mosquito–filaria research and considers the emerging prospects for future eradication of LF

Treading the Path towards Genetic Control of Snail Resistance to Schistosome Infection

Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to develop new complementary strategies to ensure more effective control outcomes. Accordingly, the use of genetic techniques aimed at driving resistance traits into natural vector populations has been put forward as a promising tool for integrated snail control. Leveraging the Biomphalaria-Schistosoma model system, studies unraveling the complexities of the vector biology and those exploring the molecular basis of snail resistance to schistosome infection have been expanding in various breadths, generating many significant discoveries, and raising the hope for future breakthroughs. This review provides a compendium of relevant findings, and without neglecting the current existing gaps and potential future challenges, discusses how a transgenic snail approach may be adapted and harnessed to control human schistosomiasis

Involvement of Hookworm Co-Infection in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Podoconiosis: Possible Immunological Mechanism

Podoconiosis is an endemic, non-infectious, geochemical and non-filarial inflammatory cause of tropical elephantiasis. The immunology of podoconiosis is not yet expressly understood. In spite of this, co-infection and co-morbidity with the infectious, soil-transmitted hookworm disease that causes iron deficiency anemia has been found to be predominant among affected individuals living in co-endemic settings, thus creating a more complex immunological interplay that still has not been investigated. Although deworming and iron-rich nutrient supplementation have been suggested in podoconiosis patients living under resource-poor conditions, and it is thought that hookworm infection may help to suppress inflammatory responses, the undisputed link that exists between a non-infectious and an infectious disease may create a scenario whereby during a co-infection, treatment of one exacerbates the other disease condition or is dampened by the debilitation caused by the other. In this paper, we elaborate on the immunopathogenesis of podoconiosis and examine the possible immunological dynamics of hookworm co-infection in the immunopathology of podoconiosis, with a view toward improved management of the disease that will facilitate its feasible elimination

Full length research article - ANTI-INFECTIVE AND WOUND HEALING PROPERTIES OF FLABELLARIA PANICULATA

The methanol leaf extract of Flabellaria paniculala was studied for its potency on normal wounds and infected wounds in rats. Wounds were inflicted on Wistar rats using excision model. Local infection was introduced into rat abdominal wounds using a 108 bacteria/ml inoculum. Two groups of infection were used: Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Rate of wound healing was assessed by contraction and p of epithelisation. Crude extract of F. paniculala demonstrated sic wound contraction and decrease in epithelisation period (p <0.05). On day 14, extract achieved 100% wound contraction in non-infected and Staphylococcus aureus while 100% wound contraction was recorded in Pseudomonas aeruginosa group on day 18. This drug is anti-infective as well as wound healing agent thus justifying the local uses of the plant for the treatment of skin diseases and sores

Demographic correlates of marital conflict among married individuals in Ibadan Metropolis

Marital conflict has been an everyday experience in our societies, with its accompanying detrimental effects staring in our faces. However, the actual trend of the occurrence of marital conflict among couples in Nigeria is not well known due to poor documentation, and a profile of couples at the risk of marital conflict not given attention. This study examined the relationship of marital conflict with couples’ age, marriage duration, courtship duration and age-at-marriage. Using a cross-sectional survey method, 538 married individuals were accidentally sampled from three randomly selected local governments in Ibadan. A self-administered questionnaire made up of demographic variables and marital conflict inventory (α=0.88) was administered to the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, person product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis at .05 level of significance. Results reveal a significant inverse relationship of marital conflict with age (r2=-.110) and marriage duration (r2=-107). Marital conflict had no significant relationship with courtship duration, age at marriage [(r = -.081, p &gt; .05) &amp; (r = -.012, p &gt; .05) respectively]. Age, marriage duration, courtship duration and age-at-marriage significantly jointly predicted marital conflict (R2&nbsp;= .012; F = 2.606; p &lt; .05). It was concluded that age and time spent in marriage is a necessary factor in the occurrence of marital conflict. However, these factors when alone might not be strong enough to predict marital conflict. &nbsp

The Role of Zinc and Lead in Aggression: Experimenting with Albino Rats

Aggression is a phenomenon that has had terrible impacts on our society. Although the scientific definition of aggression has changed slightly over the years, there still seems to be a continuous search for the unending motivation to engage in this across time. Theorists have propounded from their views, but there remains a tiny gap of possibilities that the chemical substances individuals are exposed to in the environment, Zinc and Lead, could cause aggression. This hypothesis was tested in this study. The study adopted an experimental-control group design. A summarized 37 female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, eight rats each in the Zinc, Lead, Zinc and Lead group and control group and five rats in the intruder treatment group. Five hypotheses were stated and tested at .05 level of significance. Results reveal that rats exposed to Zinc exhibited the highest sniffing, chasing, biting behaviour, dominant posture and boxing, followed Lead, combination of both then the control group [(F(3,28)=4.290, p&lt;0.1); (F(3,28)=1.46, p&gt;0.5); (F(3,28)=1.748, p&gt;0.5); (F(3,28)=2.367, p&lt;0.5) &amp; F(3,28)=1.534, p&gt;0.5 respectively]. It was concluded that exposure to Zinc and Lead could be the source of the unending aggression in our society. Pointing out possible Zinc and lead sources in our environment, policy formulation and controlled implementations were recommended