Physico-chemical properties and heavy metal content of water sources in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

The water quality examination in Ife–North Local Government of Osun State Nigeria was conducted by determining the physico–chemical parameters of 40 samples. Surface water, bore holes, wells and pipe borne water samples were collected from major towns in the Local Government Area and analyzed. Results showed temperature range of 26.5 to 33.0°C, pH (6.53 to 8.90), conductivity (63.0 to 1039.0 μS/cm), resistivity (0.00 to 0.02mΩ.cm), salinity (300.00 to 700.00 mg/L), total solids (90.00 to 1175.00 mg/L), total dissolved solids (37.80–622.50mg/l), suspended solids (34.50 to 794.00 mg/L),dissolved oxygen (4.48 to 9.48 mg/L), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) (0.69 to 6.74 mg/L), chloride (3.64 to 184.04mg/L), Nitrate (1.08 to 53.03 mg/L), phosphate (4.99 to 23.07 mg/L) and sulphate (6.02 to 28.95 mg/L). Results of Atomic Absorption spectrophotometric analysis (AAS) of samples for dissolved trace metals; (Cd, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr and Fe), showed mean metal concentration to vary widely depending on the source of the water sample as follows: Pb (0.29 ± 0.05 to 6.69 ± 0.53 mg/L), Cd (0.77 ± 0.06 to 2.24 ± 0.08 mg/L), Zn (0.03 ± 2.15 to 0.22 ± 4.64 mg/L), Cu ( 0.18 ± 16.34 to 0.41 ± 5.00 mg/L), Fe (6.00 ± 0.21 to 31.75 ± 0.80mg/L) and Mn (0.14 ± 6.12 to 0.23 ± 99.11 mg/L). The results obtained for the physical parameters agreed with the limits set by both national and international bodies for drinking and domestic water with few exceptions.Key words: Quality, physico-chemical, atomic-absorption-spectrophotometer, domestic, recreational, Ife-North-Local-Government

In vitro Inhibition of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Some Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Some Nigerian plants used in traditional medicine to treat tuberculosis and/or some of its symptoms were screened for in vitro activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis and a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Only 3 of the 6 crude methanolic extracts of the 6 plant species exhibited inhibitory activities against M. smegmatis, while 5 inhibited the growth of M. tuberculosis. Three and four water extracts inhibited M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis, respectively. Both methanol and water extracts of Artemisia annua, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Piper guiniense showed inhibitory activities against the two Mycobacteria. Methanol extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Piper guiniense exhibited the highest activity against M. tuberculosis with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. Key Words: Nigerian medicinal plants, Mycobacterium species, Inhibition East & Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2003: 15-1

Flavanols and terpenes/sterols with antimycobacterial activity from the stem bark of Pterocarpuse erinaceus Poir (Leguminosae)

The antimycobacterial activity of parts of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Leguminosae) was studied using the agar proportion method. Phytochemical screening was also carried out to determine the major phytochemical groups responsible for the activity. Only the stem bark of the plant was found to possess varying degrees of activity against four Mycobacterial species namely M. smegmatis ATCC 607, M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. avium-complex. Phytochemical screening of the active fractions revealed the presence of flavanols and terpenes/sterols in the fraction isolated from the hexane crude and tannins and terpenes/sterols in the fraction isolated from the methanol crude. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the active fractions ranged between 0.25 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml. Keywords: flavanols, terpenes/sterols, antimycobacterial activities, Pterocarpus erinaceus East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7 2004: 40-4

Geographical information system (GIS) application for planning and improvement of public water supply in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Geographical information system (GIS) technique is a useful tool for spatial analysis which has not been fully exploited in solving water issues in Ota hence the study. The study applied the tool of GIS in the planning and improvement of water supply system in Ota, Ogun state. This study harnessed the synergy of GIS and engineering designs to proffer an acceptable solution to the problems of water supply in the study area. Primary data generated on the field with GPS and spatial information were analysed with the aid of GIS to produce contour pattern and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in form of maps. The study noted that the population would increase to almost double the present population by the year 2040 invariably resulting to an increase in water demand of the population beyond the capacity of the existing water supply facilities. Results also showed that water demand by the projected population by year 2040 will increase to 68.37 million litres per day while the existing facility has the capacity to produce about 9.2 million litres per day. Maps produced by the study included Contour, Digital Elevation and Existing and proposed pipeline network maps. These maps made available more information which can then be used for improving the water supply system. The study proffered a lasting solution through design of water scheme with capacity large enough to cater for water requirement of the population for the next twenty-five years irrespective of variation in water need of individual residents in the area with designs to improvedistribution system through extension of pipelines and identification of various locations for service reservoirs.Keywords: GIS, design period, per capita

Antimicrobial activity of Cassia alata

The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Cassia alata leaves has been evaluated. The extracts exhibited more antifungal than antibacterial properties

Utilization of Senna obtusifolia as a Potential Non-Conventional Feedstuff In Sheep

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 199 - 20

Comparison of Dermatophytes and Other Agents of Human Dermatitis between Males and Females in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Dermatophytes are a group of three genera of fungi namely Microsporum spp, Trichophyton spp and Epidermophyton spp that commonly cause infections of the skin, hair and nails due to their ability to utilize keratin in both man and animals. Dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis are believed to have gender predisposition because of the anatomical and physiological nature of these genders. A study was undertaken to compare the distribution of dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis in patients who visited the Dermatophilosis Research Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State of Nigeria. A total of 1551 patients were involved in this study from 2003 to 2007; 823 of whom were males and 728 females. Samples collected were skin scrapping, nails, hair and pus exudates. They were processed according to standard procedures. Nine hundred and thirty two (60%) were positive for dermatophytes and other agents. Sporothrix schenckii (138 (12.4%)), Aspergillus flavus (128 (11.5%)), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (112 (10.1%)), Mucor sp (105 (9.5%)) were the most commonly isolated fungi. Aspergillus flavus occurred more in males (74 (6.7%)) while Sporothrix schenckii was more in females (71 (6.4%)). More isolation was made from the head in males (185 (19.8%)) while in females more isolation was made from their limbs (150 (16.1%)). Males generally were more affected with skin infections than females

Occupational Predisposition to Dermatophytes and other Agents of Human Dermatitis in Jos, Nigeria

Five hundred and twenty human samples were collected from patients with dermatitis, who visited the Dermatophilosis research laboratory in Jos, Plateau  State, Nigeria. This was in order to determine occupational predisposition to dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis. Samples collected were skin scrapping, nails, hair and pus exudates. They were processed according to standard procedure. Four hundred and thirty-three (83.3%) of the collected samples were positive for dermatophytes and other agents of dermatitis. The breakdown of the result along occupational categories were; Students (38.10%), Civil servants (31.64%), Self-employed (12.93%), Housewives (9.24%), Unemployed (4.16%) and Farmers (3.93%). The dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes had the highest frequency of occurrence in Civil servants (28), Students (26) House wives (8) and Unemployed (5). While Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency with the Farmers (4) and Self-employed (11). The students’ were noticed to be more predisposed to dermatophytes and other agents of dermatitis than any other category as a result of poor environmental hostel conditions that facilitate easy spread of infections and their unhealthy habit of sharing clothing and personal items. A vigorus public awareness on the risk involved in unhealthy and unhygienic habits could reduce the spread of these organisms. @JASEMJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 97 - 10

Retrograde ejaculation related infertility in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Globally, the incidence of male infertility is on the increase1,2. However, the contribution of retrograde ejaculation to this increasing incidence of male infertility is not known locally.Objectives:1. To determine the incidence of retrograde ejaculation by using the WHO criterion among male partners of patients who were being managed for infertility at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between 1st of February and 31st of August 2006 . 2. To determine the Retrograde-ejaculation ratio (RER) of each subject by a proposed formula as an extension of the WHO criterion.3. To highlight the risk factors and the management options available for the treatment of retrograde ejaculation.Subjects and methods: During the study period, 71 male partners of consecutive female patients who reported at the Infertility clinic were recruited. However, the specimens of 70 male partners were analyzedbecause one of them inadvertently spilled his post-ejaculatory urine specimen and consequently was excluded from the study. Prior to the collection of ejaculatory fluid and post-ejaculatory urine specimens foranalysis, they were instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least 3 days and to collect the first post-ejaculatory urine specimen for analysis. The WHO criterion 1 states that a cloudy urine specimen with the presence of a total number of spermatozoa in urine equal to or exceeding the number of spermatozoa in semen, strongly supports the diagnosis of retrograde ejaculation. The sperm counts in seminal fluid and urine for each subject were determined. Thereafter, the sperm concentration in urine (SCU) and sperm concentration in seminal fluid(SCSF) were determinedrespectively thus: sperm count in urine/volume of urine; sperm count in seminal fluid/ volume of seminal fluid. The Retrograde ejaculation ratio (RER) was calculated thus: sperm count in urine / sperm count inseminal fluid. A questionnaire containing the bio-data and risk factors associated with retrograde ejaculation was completed for each subject.Results: Of the 70 cases included in the analysis, 32(45.7%) had primary infertility while 38(54.3%) had secondary infertility. The age range was 28-65(mean for primary and secondary infertility were 36 and 42.1respectively) years. The duration of infertility ranged from 1-16 years (mean4+ 2.92). Based on the WHO criterion previously stated, only 1/70(1.42%) of the cases was positive with a retrograde ejaculatory ratio(RER) of infinity as he had azoospermia. This was in a 47 year old man with secondary infertility who had no identifiable risk factor prior to the study. There were 8/70(11.42%) of the cases studied with azoospermia but only 1/8 (12.5%) of those azoospermic had retrograde ejaculation.Conclusion: To make a diagnosis of male factor infertility, semen analysis remains the cornerstone of all the laboratory assays. However, to make acategorical diagnosis of retrograde ejaculation, focused laboratory testing is imperative. The incidence of retrograde ejaculation appeared low (1.42%) in our environment but this is in consonance with studies elsewhere. It is strongly advisable that cases of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia be screened for retrograde ejaculation as there are manymodalities of therapy to aid the affected males fulfil their wishes of becoming fathers. Lastly, when the retrograde ejaculation ratio (RER) is > 1 with the presence of a cloudy urine, the diagnosis is highly probable.Key words: Retrograde ejaculation, azoospermia, male infertility