Karyotype of a Nigerian population of Hyperopisus bebe (Osteoglossiformes: Mormyridae) revealed another evolutionary lineage in the monospecific genus: Hyperopisus

This study provides data on the gross chromosome morphology, including centromeric and silver nitrate banding of a Nigerian population of Hyperopisus bebe, sampled from Asejire Reservoir, Osun River basin. The chromosomes of the fish samples were extracted using the Giemsa staining technique, and the centromeric and silver nitrate bandings were analyzed based on standard cytogenetic methods. The H. bebe population had a chromosome number of 2n = 40 and a karyotype formula of 2n = 40 (24m+6sm+10st/a), FN = 70. C-bands were restricted to the centromeric regions, suggesting that Robertsonian events are the major mechanism in the karyotype evolution in the population. Currently, H. bebe represents the only species in the genus Hyperopisus. The karyomorph data from this study suggest that the fish sample belongs to another species. However, other systematic approaches are needed to establish its taxonomic status

First Report on the Karyotype of the Freshwater Weakly Electric Fish; Marcusenius brucii (Osteoglossiformes: Mormyridae) in Asejire Reservoir, Osun River Basin, Nigeria

The weakly electric fishes of the family Mormyridae are one of the dominant fish groups in Africa; they are represented in all the major freshwater bodies in the tropical regions of the continent, except the Southernmost Cape Provinces, the Sahara and the Northernmost Maghreb. The Mormyridae boasts 225 species in 22 genera, making it the most speciose Osteoglossiformes family. Such great diversity requires many systematics approaches for good comprehension; to this end, cytogenetics provides valuable data for a better definition of this diversity. However, cytogenetics data on mormyrids are still scarce, thus limiting its usefulness in the biodiversity study of the group. In this study, the chromosome composition of a mormyrid species, Marcusenius brucii, was investigated to reveal its chromosome number and standard karyotype for the first time; to enhance the understanding of the karyotype organization of the group. The fish was sourced from a local fisherman in Asejire Reservoir, Osun River Basin, Nigeria. Metaphase chromosomes were prepared from the fish kidney after in vivo injection with 0.05% colchicine solution. Slide preparation and karyotyping followed conventional cytogenetics techniques. The study showed that M. brucii karyotype consists of a diploid number of 2n = 50 dominated by two-armed chromosomes. While the chromosome number is in harmony with the general chromosome number in the order Osteoglossiformes and the hypothetical diploid number for the family Mormyridae, it differed mainly in its possession of bi-armed elements. The phylogeny of Marcusenius is yet to be resolved; this, coupled with the limited karyotyped individuals in the genus, makes the karyotype evolution of the genus difficult to infer. This scenario will improve as the cytogenetics knowledge of the genus increases. Keywords: Cytogenetics, chromosomes elephantfishes, karyotype, mormyrids, Osteoglossiformes DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-18-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

Karyotype of the Mormyrid Baby Whale Fish (Osteoglossiformes: Mormyridae): Brienomyrus Brachyistius in Oluwa River, Nigeria

The mormyrid fishes of the order Osteoglossiformes are abundant in the freshwaters of tropical Africa; the enormous species diversity of the group requires many systematics tools to comprehend this diversity better. Cytogenetics data can complement other systematics procedures to accomplish the above-stated objective, but information on many mormyrids' karyotypes is unavailable. In this study, Brienomyrus brachyistius from the Oluwa River was studied to enhance the understanding of the karyotype organization in the Mormyridae. Metaphase chromosomes were processed from the fish kidney following a conventional cytogenetic procedure; the fish was subjected to an intra-peritoneal colchicine injection at the rate of 1ml per 100g of fish mass. Hypotonic treatment was in 0.56% KCl solution, and cells fixation and washes were in 3: 1 methanol: acetic acid. The slides were stained with Giemsa solution, while the constitutive heterochromatin was revealed from the previous Giemsa stained slide using the C-banding sequential method. Capturing of metaphase images was done with an Olympus BX50 microscope. The karyotype of 2n = 50 (50sta) obtained in the species was the first mormyrid karyotype composed of 2n = 50 acrocentrics, supporting the proposed ancestral karyotype for the Mormyridae. Keywords: Cytogenetics, chromosomes, Osteoglossiformes, karyotype, Mormyrids, elephantfish DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-20-04 Publication date:October 31st 2022

Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Social and Mental Health of ondo State Residents, Nigeria

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease which has caused fears and concerns among many people, with a significant influence on social and mental well-being. Considering this, this study investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on social and mental health of Ondo State residents, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used in this study. Using multistage sampling technique, data were obtained through administration of questionnaire on 648 married couples with children in Ondo State. Data collected were analysed using inferential statistics. Findings revealed that respondents disclosed that their income and earnings have drastically reduced (X̄ = 2.89), feel withdrawn from community participation (X̄ = 2.96), reduced their interaction with people (X̄ = 2.98), reduced their interaction with their loved ones (X̄ = 2.67). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of the residents indicated that majority of the respondents feel lonely due to COVID-19 lockdown (X̄ = 3.00), feel distressed (X̄ = 2.87) and agitated (X̄ = of 2.47). The study revealed a significant difference in the social and mental health of Ondo state residents based on their age and gender; F (5, 642) = 10.554, p<.05, ɳ2 =.076; F (5, 642) = 6.694, p<.05, ɳ2 =.000 respectively. Hence, the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on the social and mental health of majority of the respondents was obvious. Therefore, health education awareness raising activities on mass media should be urgently conducted with focus on how people can cope effectively with their social and mental health during this lockdown period. &nbsp

Near-Surface Investigation of Groundwater Contamination in the Regolith Aquifer of Palladan, Zaria using Borehole log and Tomography Techniques

Abstract: Two geophysical Tomography techniques-Electrical resistivity and Seismic refraction were used to investigate the subsurface of a potentially polluted dumpsite in Palladan a densely populated area of Zaria, with a view to examining the possible subsurface distribution of groundwater contamination plume. The presence of domestic wells in the residences of the people which are distances 10.0 to 30.0 m from the dump facilitated analysis of water chemistry to enhance the geophysical interpretation. The groundwater level in the dumpsite site was found to be higher than the surrounding area, thereby creating a local deviation from the regional groundwater flow. Due to this the contaminants from the waste site spread out in the nearby soil and groundwater. The resistivity models clearly show a top layer of about 10.0 m thickness with low resistivity, whereas the resistivity has an inverse correlation with distance from the waste disposal site. Bore hole log shows that the top upper 10.0 m of soil consists of loose permeable laterite with high water content followed by a layer of degraded sand before the weathered basement which suggests the possibility of the contamination penetrating deeper into the regolith aquifer. This agrees with the result of the water chemistry analysis which shows elevation in concentration of contaminants above the WHO guidelines. The borehole log also indicated the presence of fracture basement at a depth of 23.0 m this correlated well with the Seismic refraction result. The study therefore suggests that these fractures also facilitate the migration of the contaminants. Based on the combined results, the contamination plume seems to have migrated not less than 500.0 m in the southern direction which is also the direction of hydraulic gradien

Impaired expression of testicular androgen receptor and collagen fibers in the testis of diabetic rats under HAART: the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Introduction. Wide spectrum of alterations associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported. The current study aimed at evaluating the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (HH) aqueous extract on the testosterone levels, expression of androgen receptors and collagen fibers in the testes of streptozoto­cin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats under HAART regimen. Material and methods. Sixty two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (189.0 ± 4.5 g) were divided into eight groups (8 animals in each treatment groups and 6 rats in the control group). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperi­toneal injection of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg bw) followed by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg bw) and the animals were then subjected to various treatments with HAART, HH extract or melatonin. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to measure serum testosterone levels. Testes were fixed in buffered formaldehyde and paraffin processed. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and collagen fibers were visualized by Masson trichrome staining. Results. Serum testosterone level was drastically (p < 0.0001) reduced in all rats with induced diabetes. In the testis of diabetic rats increased collagen fibers deposition with varying derangements in germinal epithelium of spermatogenic layers were observed. Intertubular hemorrhages and absence of spermatozoa were also noted in the testes of diabetic rats subjected to HAART. Reduced immunoexpression of ARs was found in the nuclei of Sertoli cells and the cytoplasm of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in III–IV stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle of diabetic animals treated with different dosages of HH alone and those treated with HAART concomitantly with melatonin and HH. The expression of ARs was almost negative in the testes of rats treated with HAART alone. Conclusions. Concomitant treatment of rats with aqueous HH extract during the HAART did not change se­rum testosterone level nor mitigate the altered expression of collagen fibers and androgen receptor resulting from STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetes. Therefore, anti-diabetic properties of Hypoxis extract require further investigation

Assessment of the willingness of doctors to work at coronavirus disease-19 treatment center

Objectives: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently ravaging the entire world. Doctors as well as other healthcare workers as front-liners in tackling this disease are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus and its potential consequences. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge of doctors on the mode of transmission of the virus, to assess their willingness and readiness to work at the COVID-19 treatment center, to identify factors that affect their willingness to work at the treatment center, and to assess their knowledge on infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.Materials and Methods: All medical doctors who attended the COVID-19 sensitization and preparedness meeting with the management of Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State Nigeria, were recruited into the study after an informed consent was obtained. Study period spanned from the beginning of April 2020 to middle of June 2020. A structured, pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect relevant information.Results: A total of 112 doctors that were in attendance had the questionnaires administered to them; however, 106 (94.64%) questionnaires were returned. Out of these, 64.2% had correct knowledge of the mode of transmission of COVID-19. We observed that only 34.9% of doctors were willing to work in the treatment center while 1.9% were indifferent. The perceived lack of adequate training and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff were major reasons why some doctors were not willing to work in these centers. Fifty percent of the participants got the correct meaning of donning and doffing and three quarters of them had good knowledge of IPC practice.Conclusion: We found in our study that a substantial number of doctors were unwilling to work in COVID-19 treatment areas due to a number of factors including perceived inadequate PPE and inadequate knowledge. The factors that would influence their willingness to work in COVID-19 treatment center were more training, provision of inducement or extra allowances and life insurance schemes. We recommend that in addition to putting emphasis on training, re-training, and providing appropriate equipment, special inducement allowance, and life insurance for healthcare workers might be helpful to encourage them to work in COVID-19 treatment centers

Anthelmintic efficacy of extracts of Spigelia anthelmia Linn on experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats

Spigelia anthelmia Linn is used as a herb and is a common annual weed of cultivation in open re-growths, on unused land in towns as well as on road sides. The plant can grow to approximately 30 cm in height. The aim of this study was to screen extracts of Spigelia anthelmia for their anthelmintic activity against an experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis infection in rats. Acute oral toxicity occurred at a dose of 1,140mg/kg, while anthelmintic trials against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats using the aqueous fraction showed a progressive decrease in worm count with increasing dose (10, 13, 16, 20 and 25 mg per kg body weight) (p < 0.05). At 25 mg per kg body weight, the worm count was significantly lower than that at 10mg per kg body weight (p < 0.05)

A population-based cross-sectional study of age-specific risk factors for high risk human papillomavirus prevalence in rural Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer, caused by persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), is particularly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with a high mortality rate. Some studies in West Africa, including our own, have found unusually high HR-HPV across all ages with a slight peak in older women. This increased prevalence at older ages may complicate screen-and-treat programs, which are implemented in regions where HPV prevalence declines with age and typically target women between 30-49 years. A better understanding of the determinants of high HR-HPV prevalence at older ages is needed. The goal of this study is to explore risk factors for HR-HPV prevalence by age among women in our population-based study in Irun, a rural town in southwestern Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1,420 women were administered a clinic-based questionnaire regarding sexual and reproductive behavior, marital status (including co-wives), and malaria exposure. Logistic regression compared questionnaire responses and PCR positivity for a set of 13 carcinogenic HR-HPV types. Results were stratified by age (15-29, 30-45, 46-55, and 56+ years).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Birth control use and age at first pregnancy were associated with HR-HPV (<it>p-value </it>= 0.03 and 0.05, respectively). Early age at sexual debut and multiple sex partners were risks for HR-HPV, but did not reach significance (<it>p-value </it>= 0.1 and 0.07, respectively). Neither self-reported malaria nor presence of co-wives in the household was associated with HR-HPV (<it>p-value </it>= 0.85 and 0.24, respectively). In age sub-categories, early age at sexual debut was a significant risk factor for HR-HPV among women 35-45 years (<it>p-value = 0.02</it>). Early age at first pregnancy remained a significant risk factor for women aged 56+ years (<it>p-value </it>= 0.04). Greater than 2 sex partners and use of birth control were associated (though not significantly) with HR-HPV in women aged 30-45 (<it>p-value </it>= 0.08, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this high-risk region with elevated HR-HPV prevalence at older ages, we confirmed previously described, behavioral determinants of HR-HPV. There was no association with self-reported malaria or co-wives, which we had hypothesized might correlate with HR-HPV at older ages.</p

Biological sample donation and informed consent for neurobiobanking: Evidence from a community survey in Ghana and Nigeria

Copyright: \ua9 2022 Singh et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Introduction Genomic research and neurobiobanking are expanding globally. Empirical evidence on the level of awareness and willingness to donate/share biological samples towards the expansion of neurobiobanking in sub-Saharan Africa is lacking. Aims To ascertain the awareness, perspectives and predictors regarding biological sample donation, sharing and informed consent preferences among community members in Ghana and Nigeria. Methods A questionnaire cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected community members from seven communities in Ghana and Nigeria. Results Of the 1015 respondents with mean age 39.3 years (SD 19.5), about a third had heard of blood donation (37.2%, M: 42.4%, F: 32.0%, p = 0.001) and a quarter were aware of blood sample storage for research (24.5%; M: 29.7%, F: 19.4%, p = 0.151). Two out of ten were willing to donate brain after death (18.8%, M: 22.6%, F: 15.0%, p&lt;0.001). Main reasons for unwillingness to donate brain were; to go back to God complete (46.6%) and lack of knowledge related to brain donation (32.7%). Only a third of the participants were aware of informed consent (31.7%; M: 35.9%, F: 27.5%, p&lt;0.001). Predictors of positive attitude towards biobanking and informed consent were being married, tertiary level education, student status, and belonging to select ethnic groups. Conclusion There is a greater need for research attention in the area of brain banking and informed consent. Improved context-sensitive public education on neurobiobanking and informed consent, in line with the sociocultural diversities, is recommended within the African sub region