Some effects of simultaneous administration of crude aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica leaves and tetracyline on the liver of adults wistar rats

This study was designed to determine the simultaneous effect of Mangifera indica crude aqueous extract and the therapeutic dose of tetracycline on some hepatic enzymes (ALT and AST) and histology of the liver of adult wistar rats. 25 wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: Group A was untreated and served as control group, group B was treated with only 2mL of mango leaves decoction, group C was treated with only 5.4mg/kg of tetracycline, group D was treated with 1mL of mango leaves decoction and 4.8mg/kg of tetracycline and group E was treated with 3mL of mango leaves decoction and 7.7mg/kg of tetracycline simultaneously. The administration period lasted for only 14 days which was given gavagely and the rats were sacrificed on the 15th day by cervical dislocation. The liver was removed, fixed in 10% formal saline and stained in H and E. The transaminase enzymes (the AST and ALT) were measured to determine possible changes in their hepatic leaves. The result shows that the crude aqueous extract of mango levels has adverse effect on the morphology and some hepatic enzyme (ALT and AST) of the liver (such as enlargement of the central vein, reduction in the size of sinusoids), the therapeutic dose of the tetracycline have no detrimental effect on the morphology and the hepatic enzymes of the liver. In conclusion, the extract of mango leaves decoction has adverse effect on the liver histology and the therapeutic dosage of tetracycline has no adverse effect on the histology of the liver.Keywords: Mango leaves, Tetracycline, Liver histology, Liver enzymes (AST and ALT

ICT AS A CHANGE AGENT FOR QUALITATIVE HIGHER ADULT EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF OYO STATE

This study appraised the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a change agent in qualitative higher adult education programmes in Oyo State. It identified the available ICT facilities, determine the extent of utilization of ICT and ascertain the strategies for practical use and implementation of ICT for such programmes. Three research questions and hypotheses guided the study with a descriptive survey design and a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. Four experts in the field validated the instrument while data generated and collated was tested using the Cronbach statistics. The overall reliability score of the instrument's rating was 0.908. Findings showed that the identified ICT facilities available, as well as their extent of utilization in these programmes for higher adult education programmes, were accepted as being appropriate. Similarly, the strategies adopted for the effective implementation and use of ICT in higher adult education programmes in the State were considered suitable for the application

HOST PLANTS OF THE COTTON MEALYBUG, PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS TINSLEY (HOMOPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) IN THREE SELECTED TOWNS OF NIGERIA, AND ITS INFESTATION PATTERN

Reconnaissance surveys were carried out for field infestation of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley from 2006 to 2010 in seventy five (75) vegetable gardens located in three (3) towns– Ogbomoso, Abeokuta and Ibadan in Nigeria. No cotton mealybug infestation was observed in Abeokuta and Ibadan, but twenty four (24) plants in 16 different families were observed as its hosts in Ogbomoso area. Of the 24 species, weeds constituted 45.8%, vegetables 29.1%, herbs 12.5%, cereals 4.2%, fruit trees 4.2% and pulse 4.2% each. Infestations started on the abasial leaf surface and advanced to the mid-ribs, petiole, young and succulent stems and buds. Corchorus olitorius and Amaranthus hybridus were the most susceptible of the trialled plant species with heavy root infestation in addition to that of the leaf. On heavily infested plants, certain ants were found together with P. solenopsis; on cowpea however, Aphis craccivora and the ants formed a complex with the mealybug on the flower buds. Of the three towns surveyed, P. solenopsis could be said to be restricted to backyard gardens around Ogbomoso at the moment. However, a nation-wide survey is very necessary now to determine the current status of the mealybug in Nigeria.Â

A novel superfamily containing the β-grasp fold involved in binding diverse soluble ligands

BACKGROUND: Domains containing the β-grasp fold are utilized in a great diversity of physiological functions but their role, if any, in soluble or small molecule ligand recognition is poorly studied. RESULTS: Using sensitive sequence and structure similarity searches we identify a novel superfamily containing the β-grasp fold. They are found in a diverse set of proteins that include the animal vitamin B12 uptake proteins transcobalamin and intrinsic factor, the bacterial polysaccharide export proteins, the competence DNA receptor ComEA, the cob(I)alamin generating enzyme PduS and the Nqo1 subunit of the respiratory electron transport chain. We present evidence that members of this superfamily are likely to bind a range of soluble ligands, including B12. There are two major clades within this superfamily, namely the transcobalamin-like clade and the Nqo1-like clade. The former clade is typified by an insert of a β-hairpin after the helix of the β-grasp fold, whereas the latter clade is characterized by an insert between strands 4 and 5 of the core fold. CONCLUSION: Members of both clades within this superfamily are predicted to interact with ligands in a similar spatial location, with their specific inserts playing a role in the process. Both clades are widely represented in bacteria suggesting that this superfamily was derived early in bacterial evolution. The animal lineage appears to have acquired the transcobalamin-like proteins from low GC Gram-positive bacteria, and this might be correlated with the emergence of the ability to utilize B12 produced by gut bacteria. REVIEWERS: This article was reviewed by Andrei Osterman, Igor Zhulin, and Arcady Mushegian

INFLUENCE OF WEB SURFING ON UNDERGRADUATES’ STUDYING IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Undergraduates are now bereft of the ability to read; rather they devote more time to social networking. Studying literatures and documents in an unobtrusive, quiet place of a reading room or house is becoming the most out-dated notion to many university students. However, as studying is essential, an obvious minor alteration may produce severe consequences. The study, therefore, examined works from several fields on the technical, communal, developmental, and neuro-scientific influences of web surfing on the reading culture of evolving undergraduates, particularly in the Nigerian context. A descriptive quantitative method was used to study the influence of the web surfing on the educational well-being of the students of the University of Ibadan. In total, 154 participants from three faculties of the institution took part in the study. Results indicated that only academic-oriented Internet utilization contributes to better academic performance with the significance value of 0.001 while the social and recreational function of the internet would hinder the achievement of a better academic result. Also, there were significant differences between Internet use and gender, the web use and age groups, and the Internet use and institutions in Nigeria. The application of the web for leisure and common purpose may hamper the reading culture of students, especially those in tertiary institutions. Therefore, the government, teachers, parents and concerned parties should cooperate and collaborate to minimize using the web for unproductive social and recreational purposes

Insecticidal Evaluation of Bridelia Micrantha and Dalbergia Lactea Aqueous Extracts for the Control of Podagrica Uniforma (Jacoby) and Nisotra Dilecta (Jacoby) (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) Infestation on Okra

Insect pest infestation is a major factor militating against okra production and farmers generally adopt synthetic insecticides for its management. A field trial was undertaken to evaluate the insecticidal potency of Bridelia micrantha and Dalbergia lactea for the management of Podagrica uniforma (Jacoby) and Nisotra dilecta (Jacoby) insect pest of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The treatments consisted of aqueous leaf extracts of Bridelia micrantha and Dalbergia lactea and Cypermethrin as check; laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design and repli-cated three times. Data was collected on insect population before treatment application and 3 days after spraying of insecticides at 28, 35, 42, 56 days after planting (DAP). Yield parameters data collected were number of fruits and fruit weight. Results obtained showed that the plant extracts exhibited effectiveness in reducing the insect population and improved okra fruit yield compared to Cypermethrin. The order of effectiveness in decreasing sequence was found to be Cypermethrin ˃ D. lacteal ˃ B. micrantha. D. lacteal and B. micrantha crude extracts could be explored as promising insecticidal agents to provide valuable alternatives to chemical control of insect infestation on okra. Further study is recommended to determine the chemical constituents responsible for the plant insecticidal activity

Cervical epithelial changes in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological malignancy in Nigeria, accounting for most deaths from cancers in women. Screening remains one of the best ways to prevent this catastrophe.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted among patients that presented for cervical cancer screening at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria over a Five-year period (1st August, 2006-31st July, 2011). Data was analyzed for frequencies using EPI Info 3.5.1, CDC, Atlanta, USA.Results: During the period of study (74.5%) of the 7863 women screened were normal. Inflammatory changes, LSIL and HSIL, were the commonest abnormalities. Eight point four percent (8.4.%) were either ASC-US or ASC-H, 35 (0.4%) were AGUS or AGUS-N. LSIL and HSIL were 547 (7.0%) and 193 (2.4%) respectively. One thousand, six hundred and seventy two (21.2%) were inflammation changes, bacterial infection, or trichomoniasis. Thirty two (0.4%) cases of suspected invasive carcinoma were seen.Conclusion: The abnormal cytological abnormality rate was high. More effort needs to be put in place to ensure that women have access to screening to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in this environment.Keywords: Paps smear, intraepithelial changes, cervical cancer, Jos University Teaching HospitalTrop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 201

Inhibitory Action of Nicotiana tabacum Extracts on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in HCl: Adsorption and Thermodynamics Study

The toxic effects of synthetic corrosion inhibitors have led to the search for naturally occurring substances which are not only readily available but are also environmentally friendly. Therefore, this study investigates the inhibition efficacy of acid extract of Nicotiana tabacum leaves on mild steel in 1M HCl using weight loss method. Experiments are performed by varying immersion period, concentration of the inhibitor and temperature. The inhibition efficiency is markedly higher on the addition of Nicotiana tabacum leaves extract in acidic medium compared with those in the absence of inhibitor. The inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in inhibitor concentration but decreased with rise in temperature and exposure time. Thermodynamic studies revealed that corrosion inhibition may be due to the spontaneous physical adsorption of the plant constituents on the surface of mild steel. Experimental data fitted with the Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms. Kinetic treatment of the data followed a first order reaction. Calculated half-lives increase as the concentration of the extracts increases suggesting that inhibition efficiency increases with increase in the concentration of the extracts.Preliminary investigation of the phytochemical constituents showed that Nicotiana tabacum contains tannin,flavonoid, terpenoid and some other compounds in trace constituents. [Olasehinde, EF, Olusegun, SJ, Adesina, AS, Omogbehin, SA, Momoh-Yahayah, H. Inhibitory Action of Nicotiana tabacum Extracts on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in HCl: Adsorption and Thermodynamics Stud