Prevalence of antibodies to Hepatitis C virus among Nigerian patients with HIV infection

Nigeria belongs to the group of countries highly endemic for viral hepatitis; unfortunately information on the prevalence of hepatitis C amongst patients with HIV in Nigeria is very scarce. This hospital-based investigation was conducted at two major hospitals in Jos, Nigeria from June 2002 through May 2003. Serum samples from 490 confirmed HIV infected patients were assayed for the presence of antibodies to HCV, using a third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty eight (5.7%; 95% CI 3.66-7.76%) of the patients had antibodies to HCV. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was higher among the males (7.5%; 95% CI 3.83-11.09%) than the females (4.5%; 95% CI 2.10-6.88%). Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (x2 = 1.917, df =1, p=0.05). Individuals of the age group 41-50 years had the highest prevalence of HCV antibodies (15.4%; 95% CI. 7.37-23.29%), followed by those of age group 31-40 years (7.4%; 95%, CI 3.70-11.20%). A significant difference was observed in the association between age and prevalence of HCV antibodies (x2 = 24.151, df = 4, p =0.05). Early diagnosis of HCV in people with HIV infection is advocated to reduce risk of HCV related advanced liver disease

Exploitative Beneficial Effects of Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits trees have come to gain a worldwide recognition for their suiting refreshing juice, nutritious value and numerous health benefits and maintenances. Their applied health therapeutic uses have been exploited in the treatment of several health challenges as antitumor, anti-inflammatory anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial activities, against cardiovascular diseases and macular degeneration. Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juice has been shown to effectively serve as hypolipidemic, possesses the ability to interact with orthodox medicines. Obviously, citrus fruits’ abilities on the exploited benefits are not far from their rich bioactive compounds and phytochemical such as minerals, vitamins, flavonoids and carotenoids. These phytochemicals may act as antioxidants, boosting the action of protective enzymes in the liver, reverse lipid peroxidation of genetic material and improve immune system. A close look at this chapter includes introduction, history and description, structures and biochemistry of phytochemicals, metabolism of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds and beneficial effects of citrus fruits

Karl Popper's philosophy and the possibility of an African approach to science

This thesis makes the philosophical case for an engaged and active African perspective in science studies. The African dimension has been largely absent in an actively increasing research area of science and society, an applied area where philosophy and other disciplinary interests intersect. To be able to do this demands the need to revisit what constitutes an African intellectual tradition. Indeed, a core aspect of the African identity whose epistemic worth and relevance have been denigrated, ignored and dismissed on the basis of ideal standards of reason and rationality set up by the privileging of Western intellectual tradition as typified by modern Western science. Efforts and interventions to advance science development in the African context (Nigeria) have not been successful as a result of the contextual inattention that characterises the approach prevalent today—one based on a justificationist epistemology and methodology. Therefore, I argue that a non-justificationist conceptualisation of reason and rationality—seen as being open to criticism and which takes seriously the results of critical exchanges as advanced in Karl Popper—is more appropriate to the science situation in Nigeria. This exploration helps not only to vitiate cultural tensions but also able to create a new basis for interaction between African and Western knowledge traditions.Of particular interest in Popper’s philosophy—but too often ignored in the literature—is the strong connection between his epistemology of science and his political thought. In pointing out key epistemic principles that flow from Popper’s epistemology to his politics, I aim to provide a more robust account of the problem of science advancement in Africa than other approaches. These may be characterized as ‘colonialist’, seeing the answer as lying in the imposition of Western science and its values, and ‘traditionalist’, that resist this by championing indigenous knowledge and value systems. Positioning my account between these alternatives, Popper’s philosophy is deployed as a framework within which a dialogue between two seemingly incompatible cultures becomes possible. Popper’s emphasis on epistemic virtues of openness and humility, underlined by fallibilism and critical rationalism, allows the development of a new model of rationality that is neither absolute nor relative but pluralistic. Thus, although the primary focus is the development of an African science culture, the thesis demands a reappraisal by Western science of its own dispositions and outlook.This Popperian way of reconceptualising rationality and accompanying epistemic attitudes makes decoupling the entrenched entanglement embodied by prevailing popular models of science less problematic and so makes way for a new approach to science in an African context, where ownership and responsibility can be initiated on a dialogical basis. Such a model does not exclude, devalue, denigrate, oppress, or disrespect. In this way, the global image of science can be recalibrated in a manner that is characteristically ecumenical, authentically pluriversal, truly open, and genuinely decolonised, with each knowledge tradition better disposed to offer its modest contributions to the common pot of science, as all of humanity strives to sort the challenges of development world over

Exploring the relationship between nutritional status and immunogenicity of routine childhood vaccines

Background Infection and malnutrition remain significant causes of under-five morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa with a cyclical relationship between infection and malnutrition. Malnourished chil-dren are more prone to infection and would benefit from vaccination which is the most cost-effective tool available against infectious disease. However due to nutrition-induced immune suppression the malnourished child may not respond as well to vaccination. Methods We explored the relationship between undernutrition and immune responses measured by anti-body titres/IgG concentrations following one dose of yellow fever and measles vaccines in two cohorts of African children. Based on findings from our initial analysis we also assessed the lon-gevity of responses to yellow fever vaccine in a third cohort of African children. World Health Organization z-scores for weight for age, weight for height and height for age were used to as-sess nutritional status. Vaccine responses to measles and yellow fever were measured by standard ELISA and sero/micro neutralization respectively. Linear and logistic regression models were built to assess the relationships between the covariates and vaccine responses. In addition, we explored correlation of a known immune modulator which is also a nutritional factor – iron on vaccine response. Results There was significantly higher seroconversion following yellow fever vaccination in Mali com-pared to Ghana (91.0 vs 63.5% (p <0.001), and a trend to better seroconversion at higher height for age scores. Females attained significantly higher post vaccination antibody concentrations than males (p<0.001) following measles vaccination. Five to six years post yellow fever vaccina-tion within routine programmes one quarter of the children no longer had protective titers. Iron metabolism is down regulated in the first week of neonatal life. Conclusions Chronic malnutrition may negatively impact responses to yellow fever vaccines. Five to six years post routine vaccination over 25% of children were no longer protected (defined by anti-body concentrations) from yellow fever suggesting vulnerability to disease. There may be scope for considering differing vaccines doses for boys and girls for measles vaccine

Poverty and Welfare Status of Households in Easter Senatorial District of Kogi State, Nigeria

The study advances to find out the welfare status and poverty situation of households in Eastern Senatorial District of Kogi State Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire interview schedule of households Three research questions and three hypotheses were stated for the study The analysis of data was done by the use of Tobit regression model and Froster Greer Thorbeck FGT poverty analysis The study discovered that the age of household heads number of people with higher education gender dummy and number of hour s household work per week have positive impacts on household income and are significant at 5 levels of significance This means that as these variables increase the households income also increases leading to a fall in poverty level Also it was discovered that location dummy and number of people not educated have negative impact on household income and statistically significant at 5 levels of significance This means that these variables increases household income will fall leading to an increase in poverty among the households On poverty situation in Kogi State it was discovered that poverty level varies with different income sources with farm income having the highest level of poverty in the area The study also revealed that ignoring farm income as the highest level of income among households in the senatorial District has greater effect on poverty severity and poverty gap than poverty headcount Average poverty for instance increases by 23 3 of those above poverty line This means that those in poverty are further pushed into poverty when farm income is ignored in poverty calculations It equally means that those in poverty are further pushed into poverty when farm income is ignored in poverty calculation It was also discovered

Price Deregulation and Comsumers’ Welfare in the Globalised Economy: The Nigerian Experience.

Price deregulation is viewed in most economies of the world as the effective way of securing and sustaining consumer’s welfare. This is because with a given amount of consumers’ income and budget constraint, the consumers are able to maximize their satisfaction from available varieties of products they need and use. This paper therefore examines the likely economic conditions that could cause a distortion in price deregulation and the associated impact on consumers’ welfare. Factors affecting price deregulation in Nigeria are presented and discussed and recommendations such as the issues of traders/sellers association characterized in many Nigerian markets have to be abolished to enable free flow of goods and services to be determined by the interaction of demand and supply. This means that any seller is free to enter the market to dispose his/her goods without interception by any agent. If this is followed, it will help to restore the dignity of consumers in the market and others in conformity to global economic practices

The Christian-Muslim conflict of Jos, Nigeria: causes and impact on development

The aim of this study is to examine conflict and how it impinges on development. Conflict is an inevitable element of human existence since creation and has always affected human activities and endeavors in several ways. Understanding the dimensions of human conflict therefore provides blueprints on how to manage and resolve conflicts. This makes this study timely. In this research, some relevant related to conflict management approaches were examined. The research adopted a case study approach using the Jos Plateau conflict in the Plateau State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Data was collected and analyzed using a mixed research methods approach. The findings show several causes of this conflict among which are differences in religious beliefs among the people of the area, socio-economic causes, political tensions and land disputes. The consequences of the conflict identified are: it retards development in the area, creates fear and feelings of insecurity, destruction of property and loss of human lives. This study also examined how the conflict impinges on people-cantered development. In terms of how the conflict can be mitigated, respondents think education, creation of employment opportunities, the administration of justice and the practice of tolerance values is going to promote a spirit of coexistence and eventually result in a more peaceful and stable environment

Hemoparasites and Hematological Evaluations in Sokoto Red Goats Slaughtered During the Dry Season in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

A total of 150 blood samples collected from Sokoto Red goats (SRG) slaughtered at the Zaria Abattoir (ZA) and Dogarawa Small RuminantsSlaughter Slab (DSRSS), Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria during the dry season months of January and February, 2009 were examined for hemoparasites using the microhematcrit, thin, and thick blood smear techniques. Packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total plasma protein (TP) concentration, total WBC counts, and differential WBC counts were determined. Overall, 24.7% of the goats sampled were positive for hemoparasites. The blood parasitesidentified were Anaplasma ovis (Lestoquard, 1924) 20.0%, Theileria ovis (Rodhain, 1916) 3.0%, and Babesia ovis (Starcovici, 1893) 1.0%. Mixed infections (1.7%) due to A.ovis and T.ovis were also detected. A.ovis was the most predominant blood parasite detected using the thin bloodsmear method in the goats. The mean PCV, Hb concentration, TP, and WBC counts in the goats infected with any of the hemoparasites were notsignificantly different (P&gt;0.05) from those of goats negative for any hemoparasites. However, significant differences (P&lt;0.05) occurred between the non-hemoparasite infected goats and those infected with T.ovis. The results have indicated that, based on the diagnostic methods employed, goats slaughtered at the two locations were infected with hemoparasites even during the drier seasons of the year when the tick vector challenge is known to be minimal. Nevertheless, T.ovis was identified to have potentially detrimental effects on the health of the goats. None of the goats had trypanosome infection based on the diagnostic methods used.KEY WORDS: Hemoparasites, Anaplasma ovis, Theileria ovis, Babesia sp, slaughtered goats

Exploring the relationship between nutritional status and immunogenicity of routine childhood vaccines

Background Infection and malnutrition remain significant causes of under-five morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa with a cyclical relationship between infection and malnutrition. Malnourished chil-dren are more prone to infection and would benefit from vaccination which is the most cost-effective tool available against infectious disease. However due to nutrition-induced immune suppression the malnourished child may not respond as well to vaccination. Methods We explored the relationship between undernutrition and immune responses measured by anti-body titres/IgG concentrations following one dose of yellow fever and measles vaccines in two cohorts of African children. Based on findings from our initial analysis we also assessed the lon-gevity of responses to yellow fever vaccine in a third cohort of African children. World Health Organization z-scores for weight for age, weight for height and height for age were used to as-sess nutritional status. Vaccine responses to measles and yellow fever were measured by standard ELISA and sero/micro neutralization respectively. Linear and logistic regression models were built to assess the relationships between the covariates and vaccine responses. In addition, we explored correlation of a known immune modulator which is also a nutritional factor – iron on vaccine response. Results There was significantly higher seroconversion following yellow fever vaccination in Mali com-pared to Ghana (91.0 vs 63.5% (p <0.001), and a trend to better seroconversion at higher height for age scores. Females attained significantly higher post vaccination antibody concentrations than males (p<0.001) following measles vaccination. Five to six years post yellow fever vaccina-tion within routine programmes one quarter of the children no longer had protective titers. Iron metabolism is down regulated in the first week of neonatal life. Conclusions Chronic malnutrition may negatively impact responses to yellow fever vaccines. Five to six years post routine vaccination over 25% of children were no longer protected (defined by anti-body concentrations) from yellow fever suggesting vulnerability to disease. There may be scope for considering differing vaccines doses for boys and girls for measles vaccine

Design of a hybrid PV/wind/diesel generator energy system for 120 residential apartments in Gusau

Gusau, a city in zamfara state, Nigeria is faced with the challenge of inadequate power supply as electricity supply from the national grid is unstable and inadequate, besides majority of those in the remote areas are isolated from the grid. The location has a potential for renewable resources, to overcome this challenge of inadequate power supply, a hybrid electric power system which employs the use of battery storage, solar and wind energy system with a diesel generator as reserve to provide adequate power to 120 residential apartments in a settlement isolated from the grid is being designed. The solar and wind energy resources in the location were assessed; the data from the two renewable energy resources available in the location was collected for the year 2015 from the Nigerian meteorological Agency, NIMET alongside the geographical coordinates and other useful parameters as input to the HOMER software simulator for analysis. The load profile of the location was carried out, the sizing of the energy mix from PV, wind, battery and generator was made using the software. The result of the simulation shows a yearly electricity production of 168,545KWh/yr, the yearly AC primary load is 67160KWh/yr. And the excess electricity is 88581Kwh/yr, this accounts for 52.6% of the total electricity generated hence, the hybrid energy system has the potential to provide the micro-grid with adequate power with high penetration of renewable energy