Mechanochemical synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial screening of Metal (II) complexes derived from amoxicillin

No Abstract

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Undergraduate Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Background: Worldwide, over a million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) daily. Young individuals of 16-24years age group are more prone to STIs because they lack adequate knowledge about STIs and tend to have wrong perceptions towards sex. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards sexually transmitted diseases among undergraduate students of ABU main campus, Samaru, Zaria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used, in which 440 questionnaires were administered for the study among which 411(93%) were retrieved and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Results: Results obtained showed that 77% of the respondents had good knowledge, attitudes of the respondents were found to be positive with an aggregate mean of 4.12 and 67% uses a condom for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Conclusion: From the findings of the study, it was concluded that undergraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria had good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good preventive practices towards sexually transmitted diseases

Support for smallholder farmers through Islamic instruments: The case of Bangladesh and lessons for Nigeria

Purpose: In societies with strong presence of Islam, Islamic instruments with more scope for fairness and equity can be innovatively harnessed to play an increasing role in the development process and poverty alleviation schemes. Poor smallholder farmers dominate agricultural production in many developing countries and contribute a significant portion of global food production. This paper aims to develop a scheme to improve poor smallholder farmers vulnerable financial situation through the application of Zakah and Salam contract, using Bangladesh as a case study. Secondary goals are to show the effect of the scheme on food security and relevance to Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The authors explore the existing traditional modes of financing available to poor smallholders, identify their challenges and propose an appropriate Islamic financing scheme. Findings: With the Zakah-based Salam forward contract, the proposed scheme would procure food through Institutional Demand to offer interest free financing, fair price and access to new marketing channels and reduce income uncertainty for the rural smallholders. The discussions indicate that the local food security will be enhanced through incentivized farming activities and disbursement of food from the food bank to the Zakah-eligible food insecure local people. Research limitations/implications: This proposal brings forth a potentially powerful idea that needs further empirical validation. Originality/value: The religion-based Institutional Demand initiative to promote smallholder agricultural development and social protection is a novel one. The attempt to apply the framework to Nigeria context shows the potential of the framework to generalize for other Muslim developing countries with similar characteristics, especially the poorer agriculture-based countries.Scopu

Bilateral perineal hernia with bladder retroflexion in a 13-year-old intact Jack-Russel Dog: Case report

A 13-year-old male Jack-Russel was presented to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sokoto because of a swollen perineum. Physical and laboratory examinations revealed normal parameters, however a bilateral protrusion was noticed at the perineum suggestive of a bilateral perineal hernia. Contrast radiography revealed a hernia sac with intestinal segments on the left, urinary bladder and prostate on the right. Standard obturator muscle transpositional herniorhaphy was successfully performed.Keywords: Bilateral Perineal Hernia, Bladder Retroflexion, Cystic Kidney, Canine

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a devastating chronic microvascular complication that represents the major cause of end-stage renal failure leading to the development and progression of diabetic syndrome. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in type 2 DM with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Eighty (80) type 2 diabetic patients with DN and apparently healthy controls were respectively recruited. Blood samples were collected and tested for serum NGAL, creatinine, albumin, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Creatinine and albumin were analyzed using Abbot autoanalyser, HbA1c was analyzed using fine care system and serum NGAL using the ELISA method. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 20.0. Student t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation were used for comparisons and correlation of data respectively with level of significance set <0.05. Result: The mean values of the serum NGAL, FPG, HbA1c, BMI and eGFR in both DN group and control group were found to be 3.72±2.62 vs 1.08±0.78μg/ml, 7.06 ±3.46 vs 4.08± 0.39mmo/l, 6.73±1.08 vs 4.71 ±0.39%, 27.33±5.29 vs 25.08±3.65ml/min/1.73m2 and 76.57 ±11.20 vs 118.23 ±12.11ml/min/1.73m2 respectively. The study found a high and significant difference in the mean values of the DN group compared to the control group. A positive and significant relationship was observed between serum NGAL and eGFR and duration of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Serum NGAL could therefore be used as a biomarker to diagnose DN even earlier to incipient nephropathy, NGAL, Diabetes nephropathy, eGFR, Microalbuminuria, Glycated haemoglobin

Introducing a Manipulated System of Drainage Basins of a Developing Countries

As a natural open system, in a drainage basin, there is water flow and balanced channel characteristics. In a manipulated channel system, however, according to Mrowka (1974) and Schumm (1977), the water flow is made under control that induces dynamics in channel characteristics. In this paper, attempt is made to uncover how channel project is caused, nature of the new forms of channel cross-sectional area, shape, sinuosity, and gradient, as well as flood-plain characteristics. It also covers the peculiar transformation evolved as drainage basin system is changed to channel project. Consequently in the paper, two tasks involved were explained. These are significant channel re-construction, and redirection of stream flow as relates to developing water terrace in the savanna zone of Nigeria with the increased channel project dated back 1970s (Olofin, 1980). Specifically, the paper drew considered the physical characteristics of the natural channel of River Suka in North Central Nigeria and the manipulated system or the new face of the drainage basin project of the Kano River, Nigeria used to structure the Tiga dam that involved downstream channel adjustments Keywords: drainage basin, channel, river, dam, downstrea

Comparative evaluation of the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the vegetative growth of spleen amaranth (Amaranthus dubius L)

The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers to the soil is considered as good agricultural practice because they improve the fertility of the soil and plant quality. The overall objective of the study is to compare the effects of organic fertilizers (cow dung and chicken droppings) with inorganic fertilizer (urea) on the vegetativegrowth of Amaranthus dubius. The data obtained showed that, levels of all parameters measured for both the organic and inorganic fertilizers ranges; Stem length (7.5- 64.2) cm, Stem width (2.4- 8.1) cm, Leaf length (8.0- 19.3) cm, Leaf width (3.3- 14.2) cm and Number of leaves per plant (09- 34). The mean values for the stem length, stem width, leaf length, leaf width and number of leaves per plant were evaluated and found to be higher in plants grown with urea treatment compared to values obtained from the treatments with organic manures. Data were analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the results were expressed as percentage difference, the differences between the mean values were determined at 95% confidence. Inorganic fertilizer resulted in significant effects at (p<0.05) compared to values obtained from the organic manures.Keywords: Amaranthus dubius, Chicken droppings, Cow dung, Ure

Effects of menotrophin and chorulon on superovulation in Red Sokoto does

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of menotrophin, chorulon and their combinations in superovulation in Red Sokoto does. Fifteen healthy does weighed  between 14 and 25 kg were divided into 3 groups of 5 (n=5) each. All does in the 3 groups were synchronized with CIDR for 14 days. Superovulation was performed as follows: Group 1 were treated with 37.5 IU menotrophin for three days, group 2 were treated with 500IU chorulon for 1 day and group 3 were treated with 18.75 iμ  menotrophin for 3 days and 250IU chorulon for one day. The mean SEM superovulatory response in group 1, 2 and 3 was (2.6 0.92, 3.2 0.58 and 9.4 0.68) respectively. The superovulatory response showed no significant differences between group 1 and 2  however, there were statistically significance differences (p<0.01) between groups 1 and 3 and between 2 and 3. These result showed that the combination of Menotrophin and Chorulon effectively produces multiple ovulations as a result the use this  combination is advocated.Keywords: Chorulon, CIDR, Doe, Menotrophin, Sokoto, Superovulatio

Prevalence and Pattern of Stimulants Use among Long-distance Truck Drivers in a Truck Part in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Stimulant use is recognized as an important factor in road safety worldwide, and concerns are growing over the incidence of road traffic accidents among drivers who drive under the influence of stimulants. Yearly, more than 1.25 million people lose their lives as a result of road traffic accidents, many of which are associated with stimulant use. Aim: The study aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern, and factors associated with stimulant use among long‑distance truck drivers in a truck part in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted in a truck park in Marraraban Jos in Kaduna State. A structured, interviewer‑administered  questionnaire was used to obtain data. A total of 152 respondents were interviewed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi‑square and  Fisher’s exact tests were used to identify the relationship between categorical variables with a level of significance at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 152 respondents participated in the study with a mean age of 33 ± 5 years. The prevalence of stimulant use was 64.5%. Only 92  (60.7%) drivers reported using stimulants on rare occasions. Years of driving experience was found to be associated with stimulant use (P = 0.031).  Other sociodemographic variables were shown not to be significantly related to stimulant use. Conclusion: The prevalence of stimulant use was found to be high among the drivers, with less experienced drivers more likely to use stimulants.  Efforts on improving road safety should include reducing stimulant use, especially among the younger less experienced drivers. Keywords: Jos, long‑distance drivers, Nigeria, stimulant

Bioassay-guided isolation of antioxidants and ?-Glucosidase inhibitors from the root of cassia sieberiana D.C. (fabaceae)

Bioassay-guided isolation was used to investigate the antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors from extract of root of Cassia sieberiana. The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated strong free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS+) and potent α-glucosidase inhibition. The subsequent fractionation and purification of the ethyl acetate fraction using silica gel chromatography and Sephadex LH-20, yielded; islandicin (1), chrysophanol (2), physcion (3), emodin (4), quercetin (5), kaempferol (6), dihydrokaempferol (7), and piceatannol (8). Quercetin (5) showed the most active antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 1.58 mM and 1.30 mM against DPPH and ABTS+ radicals, followed by piceatannol (8) with IC50 values of 3.96 mM and 3.28 mM, which is better than the standard BHT (with IC50 value 8.93 mM) and trolox (with IC50 value 8.25 mM), for DPPH and ABTS+ radicals scavenging activities, respectively. For the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, quercetin (5) and piceatannol (8) showed higher potency against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 5.73 μM and 7.37 μM respectively, than standard quercetin with IC50 value of 9.20 μM and acarbose with IC50 value of 14.12 μM. This study presents the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitors from root of C. sieberiana and all the compounds are isolated from this source for the first time