Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on Archachatina marginata haemolymph coagulation system

The effect of _E. coli_ endotoxin on the heamolymph coagulation response of _Archachatina marginata_ was studied. Heamocyte Lysate(HL), Haemocyte Lysate Supernatant(HLS) and Haemocyte Lysate Debris (HLD) were exposed to _Escherichia coli_ endotoxin. Controls were prepared with endotoxin-free water(<0.025 EU/ml). The differential protein coagulation was estimated in each mixture. Fractions of the haemolymph exposed to endotoxin produced higher protein coagulates than endotoxin-free fractions when incubated at 37 °C for 1 h (p<0.05). The results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) concentrations of protein coagulated when HL/plasma mixture were used than when either fraction was used. At a ratio 1:1 of HL:Plasma, highest protein coagulation was recorded. This study revealed that maximum protein coagulation in response to endotoxin was elicited by a synergy between plasma and haemocyte lysate(HL). From this research haemolymph fractions of Archachatina marginata may provide an alternative test material for endotoxin in medical preparations in the future

Industrial Output Response to Inflation and Exchange Rate in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

This study investigates the response of aggregate industrial output to relative change in prices and exchange ratein Nigeria using data from 1970- 2011. A vector error correction (VEC) model was employed and the dynamiccorrelations of the variables have been captured by the analyses of impulse response and variancedecomposition. The response of industrial output to the shock to exchange rate was significantly positive morespecifically in the initial years, while shock to prices changes, the industrial output responds negatively althoughwith small magnitude at the beginning. From variance decomposition; the study shows that although the mainsource of variance in output are own shocks, innovation in the exchange rate account for a higher proportion inthe variation of industrial output than that of prices. The study concludes that inflation and exchange rate has thepotentials of causing significant changes in industrial output in Nigeria. This study therefore suggests that morepolicy attention should be given to proper management of the exchange rate and inflation.Keywords: Industrial output, exchange rate, inflation, VEC mode

Analyzing the Impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study investigates the relative impact of value added tax on economic growth in Nigeria. We used Johansen cointegration test. The result of cointegration test does not provide any evidence of long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables.  An unrestricted vector autoregressions (VARs) technique were employed to analyze and draw policy inferences. Impulse response functions (IRFs) and Forecast error Variance decompositions (FEVDs) were compute through 1000 Monte Carlo simulations. The results derived from the impulse response function (IRF) and forecast error variance decomposition ( FEVD) imply that value added tax have positive impact on economic growth in Nigeria , where variation in this variables growth rate will causes variation in real economic activity with  about 50 percent in the near future. We conclude that the policy makers in Nigeria should continues this fiscal policy with other macroeconomic indicators. Per suing this policy will enhance the Nigerian economy positively, more specifically in this time of economic crisis in the world. Keywords: VAT, unrestricted VAR, impulse response, forecast error variance decompositio

Prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in diarrhoeal stools of children under-five years seen in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

Introduction: Human cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease and is increasingly recognized as a major public health problem. It is associated with significant effects on growth, physical and cognitive functions and excess mortality especially among children.Aim: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocyst excretion in children less than 5years with diarrhoea in ABUTH Zaria.Methods: Children aged 0 to 59 months managed in paediatrics wards of ABUTH for diarrhoea were studied between July 2008 and June 2009. Stool specimens obtained from these subjects were analysed for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the modified ZN staining technique.Results: A total of 185 children were enrolled. There were 78 (42.2%) boys and 107(57.8%) girls. A total of 33 children studied excreted oocysts in their stools, giving a prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts of 17.8%. Thehighest rate (21.7%) was observed in children aged between 13 and 36 months, and no oocysts were observed in stools of neonates. Oocyst excretion was observed to be commoner in the rainy season.Conclusion: Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhoea among under-five children in our environment. It was commoner after infancy and in the rainy season. Recommendation: Routine screening for  Cryptosporidium should be part of evaluation of diarrhoeal illness especially in children beyond the neonatal age group.Key words: Cryptosporidiosis; diarrhoea; under-five; childre

Mechanical Properties of Potato- Starch Linear Low Density Polyethylene Blend

The mechanical properties of potato-starch filled LLDPE such as Young’s Modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break were studied. Apart from the Young’s Modulus, the tensile strength and elongation at break reduced with increased starch content. This is attributed to poor adhesion between starch and the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties however, conform to Kerner’s and Nielson’s models with very minimal deviations.Keywords: Young’s Modulus, elongation at break, Kerner’s and Nielson’s Composite Models, LLDP

Nutritional Composition and Growth Performance of Fish Meal Supplemented with Sesame indicum (Beni Seed) in the Diets of Clarias gariepinus

This study analyzed the chemical compositions, growth performance and nutrient efficiency of fish meal supplemented with varying percentage of S. indicum). A total of 150 of C. gariepinus fingerlings were grouped into 6 tanks with 20 C. gariepinus per tank. Each tank of fish was served with prepared fish meals supplemented with various levels of beniseed (S. indicum), namely, DT1 (commercial diet), stand as the control group, DT2 (0% beniseed with 100% soya bean meal, DT3 (25% beniseed with 75% soya bean meal, DT4 (50% beniseed with 50% soya bean, DT5 (75% beniseed with 25% soya bean and DT6 (100% beniseed with 0% soya bean, individually. Chemical compositions of each experimental diet and fish carcass were determined and the feed utilization by fishes was equally monitored and calculated. Higher levels of moisture content (7.42%), crude fiber (4.24%), total ash (3.16%), crude protein and fat (29.21 and 30.01%) and carbohydrate (27.21%) were established for the dietary group (DT6) as compared to other dietary groups. In contrast, the fish carcass moisture, crude fiber, and total ash contents were high in fish fed DT4 and DT2 compared to others. Elevated calcium (760.7 and 763.6 mg/100g), phosphorus (683.4 and 685.1 mg/100g), sodium (302.4 and 303.4 mg/100g), potassium (820.6 and 825 mg/100g) and iron (32.67 and 37.31 mg/100g) contents were noted in DT5 and DT6 than the other diets. The fish carcass fed DT6 were richer in calcium (803 mg/100g), phosphorus (5023 mg/100g), sodium (492 mg/100g), potassium (6313 mg/100g) and iron (5.12 mg/100g) than the others. C. gariepinus fed DT6 recorded high weight gains (45.64 mg) while fish DT4 had a value of length gain (1.80 cm). Higher significant values were observed for SGR (54.33%), PER (2.47%), FI (2.85%) and SR (80.23%) as feed utilization in fish fed DT6. However, experimental diets (DT5 and DT6) with 75 and 100% S. indicum inclusion look promising and would enhance adequate growth performance and nutrient utilization of C. gariepinus, which may be used for the development of the product in various food industries. Keywords: C. gariepinus, fish meal, feed efficiency, growth performance, S. indicum

Anti-diabetic Activity of Chrysophyllum albidum (G. Don) Stem Bark in Alloxan-induced Type 1 Diabetic Female Wistar Rats

Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark (AECASB) in female Wistar rats was investigated to confirm or refute the purported use and the underlying mechanism of action of C. albidum stem bark in the management of type 1 diabetes in Nigeria traditional medicine. Seventy female rats (180.60 ± 8.50 g) were assigned into seven groups. Rats in Group 1 (non-diabetic) were orally administered 1 mL of distilled water, while animals in Groups 2-7 were made diabetic and orally administered 1 mL of distilled water, 2.5 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of glibenclamide, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt of AECASB, once daily for 14 days, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of the rats were determined on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14. Other biochemical, hematological parameters and pancreas histology of the rats were also determined/examined. The 25 mg/kg bwt of AECASB produced the most significant (p < 0.05) reversal on the alloxan treatment-induced increases in FBG, biochemical and hematological parameters and regenerated the pancreas. In conclusion, the 25 mg/kg bwt of aqueous extract of C. albidum stem was the effective in the management of diabetes and might have acted via regeneration of the pancreas, enhancement of glucose utilization and reduction of blood glucose. Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; fasting blood glucose; Chrysophyllum albidum; Sapotaceae

Prevalence of hepatitis C Antibody in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected children

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem for Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected population. Both infections share same routes of transmission, and quite often co-exist, with dual infections associated with reciprocal and mutually more rapid progression than either infection alone. Co-infection also adversely impacts on the course and management of both infections. This study was carried out to document the prevalence and determinants of HCV sero-positivity in HIVinfected children.Methodology: A total of 132 HIVinfected children attending the Paediatric Antiretroviral Clinic were recruited as subjects. Another 132 HIV negative children matched for age and sex were recruited as controls. Relevant demographic data was taken from each child. Blood samples were also obtained from each child and from their mothers when available, and assayed for the presence of anti-HCV using a membranebased immune-assay kit.Results: The sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies was 9.8% among HIV-infected children and 3.0% among the controls. This was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042, Fisher exact). HCV sero-postivity was more frequent in children after 5 years of age in both subjects (92.3%) and controls (100.0%). Injection at patent medicine vendor (PMV) was noted to be the most risky practice leading to HCV in children, with more than thrice the chances of HCV sero-positivity than in those who didn’t receive injections at PMV. Four mothers of the HIV-infected children were co-infected with HCV and none in the control group. All 4 children of these dually infected mothers were also co-infected. Controlling for other factors, children of HIV infected mothers were more than twice as likely to have HCV antibody as children whose mothers were HIV negative (RR = 2.67). Similarly, HCV infected mothers have 12% greater chance of transmitting HCV to their children than noninfected mothers and children delivered vaginally were 1.6 times more likely to have HCV antibody than those delivered via caesarean section.Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-HCV in HIV-infected children is significantly higher than that of HIV uninfected peers. Factors strongly associated with HCV sero -positivity identified are maternal HIV and HCV infections, vaginal delivery and injections at patent medicine vendor.Keywords: HCV; HIV; childre

Analysis of Sensor Imaging and Field-Validation for Monitoring, Evaluation and Control Future Flood Prone Areas along River Niger and Benue Confluence Ecology, Lokoja, Nigeria

The study area often suffered from flood for the last two year resulting to ecological damages including farmlands, infrastructures, property damage, loss of life and degradation of land-cover. Flood prone areas assessment is conducted using sensor data from space-borne optical sensors with cross-validation by ground-truthing the study area along the two major rivers that converge at Lokoja, otherwise called river-confluence. Maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and ISO-clustering unsupervised classification method of Arcmap-10.1 using NigeriaSat-1 data is applied to the regimes of up-stream and down-stream of River Niger and River Benue respectively. Based on ground truthing of the study areas, classification of inundated areas closely connected with actual flood prone area was developed. The results of the classifications of flood prone areas were displayed on satellite imagery, of which the percentage differences of change detected from variations of 16 class of land-use (LU) and land-cover (LC) using optical sensor shows that wetland flood plain comprising of runoffs-routes and lowland areas recorded the highest of 14.42% using MLC and 16.02% using ISO-DATA. In the final analysis, the classification accuracy conducted shows that the ecology of flood prone areas can be adequately classified using MLC (54.89%) and ISO-clustering unsupervised classification (45.11%). In the same vein, the result of regression function shows high correlation coefficient of 0.6242 (62%) and high strength in their relationship of which the potential flood runoff-route did correlate with the state of the location of the study area. It is anticipated that remote-sensing data integrated from optical sensors could be used to supplement up-stream, down-stream and runoffs-route to monitor, evaluate and detect floods prone areas. It is therefore significant that government and relevant agencies adopts these findings to help in the monitoring, evaluating and control of future ecological disasters. Keywords:Analysis, lokoja,river niger, river benue, confluence, monitor, evaluate, control, ecology, flood, spatial, tempora