Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in Arkilla, Sokoto, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the role of cockroaches as potential carriers of parasites of medical importance in Arkilla Federal Low Cost, Sokoto, Nigeria from October 2011 to February 2012. A total of 218 cockroaches, comprising of two species were collected from different locations using sweep net and examined for human intestinal parasites using the concentration method. The dominant cockroach species was Periplaneta americana 145 (66.51%) followed by Blatta orientalis 73 (33.49%). Six medically important parasites were encountered in the following order Entamoeba histolytica (40.83%), Ascaris lumbricoides (28.40%), Enterobius Vermicularis (15.98%), Schistosoma mansoni (9.48%), S. haematobium (2.95%) and Trichuris trichura (2.36%). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the isolates between cockroach species and stage of development. However significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between sexes and sites of cockroach collection. Therefore, as cockroaches continue to constitute important reservoir for infectious pathogens, control measures instituted in toilets, kitchens; and targeting especially the females and both stages of development of cockroach could substantially minimize the spread of infectious diseases in the study area

Prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among HIV/AIDS infected individuals attending gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria

Background: Diarrhea remains one of the most important health problems globally and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among immune compromised individuals. It accounts for over 50 million deaths (in all ages) world-wide and ranks 3rd among diseases responsible for human mortality globally. Aim: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in patients who presented with diarrhea attending Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was cross-sectional study in which a total of 110 diarrheic stool samples were processed using formol ether Concentration Techniques and Stained for oocysts of Cryptosporidium species using modified ZN staining method while direct sample was screened for other enteric parasites. Results: The overall prevalence rate of cryptosporidium oocyst in the diarrhetic HIV/AIDS patient was 10%. Other parasites isolated were Ascaris lumbricoides 3.6% and Entamoeba histolytica 4.6%. Cryptosporidium infection was associated with those who defecate in pit latrine with a prevalence of 9.1% at (P=0.476) and those who drank well water without boiling with a prevalence of 7.2% at (P=0.419). There was no statistical difference between Cryptosporidium infection and those who eat undercooked food with a prevalence of 6.4% at (P=0.680). The oocysts were detected more frequently in female with 6.3% than male participants with 3.6% prevalence and patients between age group of 25-54 years were most affected with a prevalence of 2.7%. Conclusion: A prevalence of 10% of cases among this study group is high, hence should be considered in planning interventions aimed at optimizing management of HIV/AIDS and other immune-suppressed patients

Assessment of some selected heavy metals in soot from the exhaust of heavy duty trucks and power generating plants in Nigeria by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Some selected heavy metals were determined in soot samples collected from heavy duty automobiles and diesel power generating plants in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. The results ind 0icated a high concentration of Pb, Cr, Cu and Mn in all the samples. Cadmium was observed in six of the samples and was not detected in samples MB3 and G1. Of all the parameters analysed, Pb had the highest concentrations of 12.1352±5.007 ppm in sample T 2, followed by MB 3 at 5.1573±0.604 ppm. However the average discharge of Pb to the environment was 4.4511 ppm. Average discharge of Cd in the soot samples was 0.3964 ppm, while that of Cr, Cu and Mn were 0.4898 ppm, 0.8612 ppm and 1.8851 ppm respectively. These values are far above the World Health Organization maximum acceptable limits for air and water emissions and are therefore high source of pollution with its attendant health risks as previously reported in literature.© 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Soot, FAAS, Pollution, Heavy metals

INTESTINAL HELMINTHIASIS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN SOME HOSPITALS IN KANO METROPOLIS

Infection with parasitic helminthes is often recognized as one of the important public health problems in tropical Africa. The majority of this infection occurs in resource-limited settings like Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes among children and adults in some hospitals in Kano metropolis. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 134 stool samples where 84 were collected from children and 50 from adults. The samples were examined usingdirect wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infection observed was 11.2%. In the study, three different parasites were identified. These include Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuristrichura and Hookworm. In terms of isolation rate, Hookworm was the commonest intestinal helminth observed in children 5 (50%) while Ascarislumbricoides was the most isolated 3 (60%) in adults

Functions preserving nonnegativity of matrices

The main goal of this work is to determine which entire functions preserve nonnegativity of matrices of a fixed order $n$ -- i.e., to characterize entire functions $f$ with the property that $f(A)$ is entrywise nonnegative for every entrywise nonnegative matrix $A$ of size $n\times n$. Towards this goal, we present a complete characterization of functions preserving nonnegativity of (block) upper-triangular matrices and those preserving nonnegativity of circulant matrices. We also derive necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for entire functions that preserve nonnegativity of symmetric matrices. We also show that some of these latter conditions characterize the even or odd functions that preserve nonnegativity of symmetric matrices.Comment: 20 pages; expanded and corrected to reflect referees' remarks; to appear in SIAM J. Matrix Anal. App

Evaluation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) advanced breeding lines for resistance to cercospora leaf spots and rust diseases in Kano State, Nigeria

Cercospora leaf spots and rust diseases are among the biotic factors that cause yield reduction in groundnut. However, screening groundnut breeding lines that are tolerant to these diseases and having higher yield potentials would help farmers and breeders to make the right choice for cultivation or for further improvement. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate 18 groundnuts advanced breeding lines and 2 improved/local varieties against these diseases, during July-October 2016 rainy season in a field designated as endemic to Cercospora leaf spots and rust diseases, at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Research Farm at Minjibir, Kano, Nigeria. Significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in all the traits studied (viz., days to 50% flowering, normalised difference vegetation index, pod yield (Kg/ha), fodder yield (Kg/ha), 100 seed weight (g), disease incidence (%) and disease severity) except chlorophyll content. The top nine (9) high yielding breeding lines (ICGV's-IS 13980, 07947, 07828, 09011, ICGX-IS's 11003, 11057, 13011, ICGV-SM 07539 and ICG 5891) were all resistant to early leaf spot, moderately resistant to late leaf spot and rust except ICGV's-IS 07828, 09011 and ICGX-IS 13011 which were susceptible to rust.Keywords: Cercospora, Rust, Groundnut, Resistance, Yiel

Burden of intestinal helminths among patients attending General Hospital Wudil in Kano State north western Nigeria

Background: Infection with parasitic helminths is often recognized as one of the most important public health problems in tropical Africa. Aim: This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal helminths among rural and semi urban communities (with no treated pipe borne water) attending Wudil General Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Methods: Stool samples were collected from patients and processed using formol ether concentration technique. Results: Out of the 200 stool samples examined, the overall intestinal helminthes prevalence was 138(69.0%). Of these Ancylostoma duodenale had the prevalence rate of 38(19.0%), Strongyloides stercoralis 22(11.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides 28(14.0%), Schistosoma mansoni 26(13.0%), and Trichuris trichiura 24(12.0%). On the basis of gender, males had the highest infestation of 84(60.9%) compared to females 54(39.1%). Infection across age groups revealed that age group of 10-19 had the highest prevalence of helminths 45(32.6%) followed by 20-29 with 33(23.9%) while the least was in the age group of 50-59 with 11(8.0%). Patients that had no toilet facilities (that use open space) were the most infected 123(89.1%), while patients that use closed water system in the semi urban communities had the minimum infection rate of 3(2.2%). Conclusion: The study indicated very high occurrence of intestinal helminthiasis among the study population which stress the need for government efforts to promote and/ or sustain proper sanitation and good water supply

Time for Sanctions Against Apartheid South Africa is Now: Statements by H. E. Alhaji Yusuff Maitama-Sule (Nigeria), Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid

H. E. Alhaji Yusuff Maitama-Sule, or Yusuf Maitama Sule, was a Nigerian politician from the 1950s through the 1980s. This document, published by the United Nations Centre Against Apartheid, collates his various statements between September 1981 and July 1982 on apartheid rule in South Africa