Perception of Climate Change and Its Effects on Rural Livelihood in Katsina State, Nigeria

This study investigated the perception of climate change and its effects on livelihood in Katsina state. This study adopted cross sectional research design. Data for this study were generated from the administration of questionnaire in the study area. Data analysis was achieved using the Kruskal Wallis test. Findings of the study include; the locals identified that there are changes in the characteristics of climate elements in the area indicating climate change. The locals also identified that as a result of climate change, they have witnessed increase in the loss of agricultural land and soil quality due to erosion and reduced soil fertility (70%), reduced livestock productivity (55.6%), increase in pest and disease incidence in livestock (70%), increase in the cost of crop production (60.7%), and increase in the rate of farmer poverty (39.3%). The perception of the concept of climate change across the study area was significantly different at P<0.05 (χ2(2) =, 21303.673) implying that, the consequences of climate change in the area also vary. The study strongly advocates, the application of climate smart agriculture, reforestation and massive public awareness about the causes and effects of climate change in the study area. Keywords: climate-change, livelihood, semi-arid, greenhouse-gases DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-2-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

Intra Arterial Heparin Flushing Increases Cereberal Blood Flow in Chronic Ischemic Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND: Recently, stroke therapy is focused on reperfusion therapies for restoring cerebral blood flow (CBF) and minimizing the undesired effects of neuron ischemia. However, the thrombolytic therapy to restore CBF was restricted with narrow time window. On other hands, not many patients can reach the treatment immediately after the onset of stroke. A wider time window therapy that might increase CBF would probably helpful. This study aims to investigate the CBF improvement after intra arterial heparin flushing (IAHF) therapy in chronic stroke patients.METHODS: A clinical trial was conducted with time sampling. We collected chronic ischemic stroke subjects (with stroke onset ≥30 days) within periods February-September 2015. We investigated CBF before and after IAHF treatment in 75 chronic stroke patients. The difference before and after IAHF treatment in subgroup which is classified with infarct size and lesion area was tested. CBF was measured using MRI Quality Arterial Spin Labeling (qASL) with region of interest around infarct lesion.RESULTS: We found a significant CBF improvement (p<0.001) around infarct area after IAHF treatment with average 10.39mL/100g/min raised. CBF improvement was found in lacunar infarct (p<0.001) and non lacunar (p<0.001), also in infarct in cortical (p<0.05), subcortical (p<0.001) and both area (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: IAHF is associated with increased CBF around infarct area and IAHF probably offers some benefit for chronic stroke

Ocular injuries caused by improvised explosion devices-case series of patients seen in National Eye Centre, Kaduna Nigeria

Aim: To highlight the pattern of ocular injuries as a result of improvised explosive devises by insurgents in Kaduna metropolis.Background: Ocular trauma is a cause of blindness in approximately half a million people worldwide and many more have suffered partial loss of sight. Trauma is the most important cause of unilateral loss of vision, particularly in developing countries. An improvised explosive device, also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. In line with the insurgency in parts of northern Nigeria, there is need to identify the common associated ocular injuries with the view to recommending preventive measures and providing adequate resources to managing the challenges.Methodology: Consecutive patients who presented with bomb blast associated ocular injuries and consented to the study from December 2011 through November 2012 were prospectively followed up. Demographic, clinical and operative data was entered into preformed questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS V16.Results: Seven eyes of five patients (2 bilateral) met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 20 years (7-29 years), male to female ratio of 1.5: 1. Only one of the seven affected eyes had presenting VA of 6/60, 2 had NPL and 4 HM. Open globe injury was present in 3 eyes (1-ruptured, 2 corneal laceration) and retinal detachment in two eyes.Conclusion: Bomb blast explosion is associated with catastrophic blinding ocular pathology thus the need to providing needed equipment/manpower to contain it  and seek lasting solutions to the wave violent insurgency

Moringa leifera Leaf Improves Crude Oil-Polluted Water-Induced Altered Cavernosa Functions by Elevating Testosterone and Phosphodiesterase-5 Activity in Male Wistar Rats

Ingestion of crude oil released into the environment is reported to cause oxidative stress-induced reproductive impairments. This study investigates the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf (MO) treatment on cavernosa contractile activity in crude oil-contaminated water (CCW)-exposed male Wistar rats. Cavernosa tissues excised from distilled water, CCW, CCW+MO, and MO treated rats were subjected to contractile functions studies using acetylcholine, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium nitroprusside, glibenclamide, nifedipine, methyl blue and barium chloride. Serum testosterone, cavernosa oxidative markers, and phosphodiesterase 5 were also determined using standard techniques. Serum testosterone, body weight, and testicular, epididymal and cavernosa weights were significantly reduced in the CCW group as compared to CCW+MO group. MDA concentration increased significantly in CCW group as compared to CCW+MO and MO groups. Moringa oleifera improved the relaxation response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside in CCW+MO group, and relaxation was not significantly affected by incubation in nifedipine, methyl blue and barium chloride when compared to the CCW group. MO treatment ameliorated crude oil-contaminated water-induced cavernosa dysfunctions by increasing testosterone, phosphodiesterase 5 activity, and its cytoprotective antioxidant properties

EFFECT OF TREATED SEWAGE SLUDGE ON THE QUALITY OF OKRA FRUIT

Treated sewage sludge (Defective) has been identified to increase heavy metals in the soil which are in turn transferred to plants. In view of this, the study is aimed at assessing the effects of treated sewage sludge on the quality parameters of okra fruits. The randomized block design was employed in raising okra plants with three treatments (0t/ha, 10t/ha, and 20t/ha sewage sludge amendment) over a land area of 56.3m2. Soil analysis was used to determine the level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil. After 2months, the okra fruits were harvested by cutting the pods off, slicing, oven drying, milling, and labeled correctly prior to laboratory analysis. The heavy metal content in the okra fruit were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer. The parameters analyzed were Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, and Zn. The concentration of the selected heavy metals was subjected to descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The transfer factor was also determined. Most soils in the okra field was sand. Study found out that the soil was deficient in phosphorus and potassium. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals were not found in the okra fruit since Cu, Zn and Fe have transfer factors of less than 1. In addition, transfer factor order in okra fruit were Zn&gt;Cu&gt;Fe&gt;Cd&gt;Pb. The study revealed that the application of sewage sludge at 10t/ha and 20t/ha resulted in high uptake of Zn and Fe whereas cadmium and lead were not detected. The study concluded that consumption of the okra fruit grown on 10t/ha and 20t/ha were very safe since Cu, Fe, and Zn in the okra fruit were less than desirable limit as recommended by FAO and WHO. There is need to determine hazard quotient, the health risk index, morbidity status the enrichment factor and degree of contamination in okra fruit. Effect of sewage sludge at different application rates between 25t/ha and 60t/ha be seriously investigated so as to determine the optimal level of heavy metal in the okra frui

Perceptions about mental healthcare for people with epilepsy in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Mental illness is commonly comorbid with epilepsy. In sub-Saharan Africa there exists limited access to neurological and psychiatric services predisposing to a "treatment gap" in epilepsy and mental healthcare. AIMS: To understand healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, and management practices toward epilepsy and comorbid mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey following the STROBE guidance was conducted among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa. Eleven questions looking to ascertain clinician demographics, knowledge of epilepsy, and comorbid mental illness as well as management practices were developed. FINDINGS: Of 203 responses most (92%) respondents recognized a bi-directional relationship between mental health and epilepsy. However, mental illness screening in people newly diagnosed with epilepsy was infrequently performed (14%). Only 1 in 7 (16%) respondents had high confidence in their clinical competence at managing psychiatric comorbidities. Most would value further training (74%) and improvements to be made in current management practices within their local healthcare settings (94%). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study highlights the need to improve the awareness of management of mental disorders in populations with epilepsy within sub-Saharan Africa in health providers there

Modelling ultrasound waves bubble formation in ethanol/ethyl acetate azeotrope mixture

The separation of an azeotropic mixture such as ethanol/ethyl acetate in distillation process can be enhanced by ultrasound wave. The application of ultrasound wave creates bubble cavitation in the mixture and shifts the vapour-liquid equilibrium favouring the separation of the azeotropic mixture. This study investigates the formation of bubbles in the mixture through modelling and simulation. The results obtained show that bubble formation at low ultrasound frequency is favoured by the increase in intensity, which has a direct relation to sonic pressure. The optimal sonic pressure for bubble formation at equilibrium is 5 atm and conforms to the model for small bubble formation with radius of 0.14 /<m. Furthermore, the maximum possible number of bubbles at equilibrium in the ethanol/ethyl acetate azeotropic mixture of 1 L is 91 × 1015. The developed model can be used to determine the optimal sonic pressure, sound intensity, size of bubble, and possible number of bubbles formed at equilibrium

Critical appraisal of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Africa using scoping and systematic review methods

Africa remains a battlefield for the emergence and re-emergence of deadly aetiologies including the Lassa fever virus from 1969, Monkey pox (mpox) virus from 1970, and Ebola virus from 1976 till date, among others. With the recent index case of mpox following rapid spread from Africa to different continents, a critical appraisal of the disease to x-ray its dynamics in Africa is warranted. This study integrated a mix of scoping and systematic reviews to converse the epidemiology and biosecurity/environmental issues from one health perspective. Our scoping review used major scientific databases based on their relevance and reliability, while the PROSPERO-registered systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Phylogeny analysis was performed to compare recent outbreaks of mpox with the existing genotypic information. The genetic analysis focused on the H3L gene that codes for envelope proteins involved in viral attachment. Transmission of mpox virus was reported mainly in four routes. Animals implicated include monkeys, squirrels, and pigs. Risk factors include age, gender, occupation, climate, travel, political instability, and vaccination status. Different circulating strains were reported with eight-point mutations found to occur in Africa. Observed clustering within the predominant West African (WA) clade and the recent outbreak strains corroborate the reports of WA clade in other non-African and non-endemic countries. Viral adaptation in the WA clade enhanced person-to-person transmissibility, spreading to over 100 countries. Hence, there is need to address Mpox host-associated physiological and biochemical changes, the development of Mpox virus-specific diagnostic kits and vaccines, and studies on the disease's socio-ecological, economic and psychological consequences

Relationship between Admission Grades and Performances of Students in the First Professional Examination in a New Medical School

In order to determine the relationship between the quality of Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board organised Universities Matriculation Examination (JAMB-UME) scores, and student's academic performance at Lagos state University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Nigeria , records of students admitted into the Medical School in 1998/99 were studied. Data transformations were completed and subsequently standardized. Standard descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient were used to determine the correlation between the variables. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between the SSCE and the JAMB scores. In addition, correlation between JAMB and the student performance at 100 level and pre-clinical sciences also proved to be non significant. These results indicate that SSCE is a better predicator of students' performance at pre-clinical sciences examination than JAMB Scores

Assessment of the Adoption of Afforestation innovations in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State

The studyfocused on the assessment of the adoption of afforestation innovations in Dambatta Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State. Thirty fanners were randomly selected from each of the three-extension block in the study area making a total of 90 respondents. Data were collected through the use of interview schedule while the information collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated that, the age of thefarmers range from 26 to 85 with a mean of 47 years. They also have afarm size rangingfrom 0.5 to 5ha with a mean of 3.Oha. The distance from their houses to thefarms ranges from 16 to 1 to 3km. A total of nine innovations were pushed to thefarmers and the awareness level varies from 21% to 86% while the trial level ranges from 16% to 77% with respect to the individual innovation. The adoption level ranges from 8% to 66%. Among the major constraints revealed by the study were inadequate afforestation inputs and discontinuity of afforestation project. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that farmers should be hacked up with inputs suppl