The Influence of Oil-based Mud Exposure on the Uptake of Heavy Metals and Total Hydrocarbon in P. barbarus Soft Muscle Tissue

Abstract: The influence of oil-based mud exposure on the uptake of heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb) and Total Hydrocarbon uptake in the soft muscle tissues of Periophthalmus barbarus from the mangrove shores of the Rumuche river in Emohua Local Government area, Port-Harcourt, Niger Delta, Nigeria was analyzed using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean metal levels (µg/g dry weight) ranged from Zn (10.52-62.33), Fe (89.33-301.00), Cd (0.18-0.75), Cr (1.33-4.99), Mn (7.00-53.00), Pb (2.96-10.27) and . Of all the metals, Fe accumulated more in the media. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The differential uptake (p>0.05) accumulation of the metals in the soft muscle tissue was Fe>Zn>Mn>THC>Pb>Cr>Cd. However, the highest concentration of OBM (10%) had the higher values of metal uptake in the soft muscle tissues of P. barbarus. The levels of metals in the tissue were higher than the control tank which means that uptake of metals via the soft muscle tissue of P. barbarus indicated that consumption of exposed fish or fauna can be very risky and bioaccumulation of toxicant can be dangerous to our health and the environment

Factors Affecting the Adoption of ICT in the Hospitality Industry in Imo State

ABSTRACT The impact of ICT (Information Communication Technology) hotel and hospitality industries has been widely recognized as one of the major changes in the last decade: new ways of communicating with guests, using ICT to improve services delivery to guest etc. The study tried to investigate the ICT Infrastructural Diffusion in hotels in Owerri, Imo State. In order to know the extent of spread, the study examine the current ICT infrastructures being used, the rate at which its being used and the factors affecting its adoption. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS Software and Regression model was estimated. The findings revealed that the rate at which hotels adopt and use ICT infrastructure is low and the most significant factor affecting the adoption and use of ICT is scope of activities the hotel is engaged in. It is therefore recommended that Government should increase the economic activities in the state so as to increase the adoption of ICT infrastructures

Continued Decline of Malaria in The Gambia with Implications for Elimination

BACKGROUND: A substantial decline in malaria was reported to have occurred over several years until 2007 in the western part of The Gambia, encouraging consideration of future elimination in this previously highly endemic region. Scale up of interventions has since increased with support from the Global Fund and other donors. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We continued to examine laboratory records at four health facilities previously studied and investigated six additional facilities for a 7 year period, adding data from 243,707 slide examinations, to determine trends throughout the country until the end of 2009. We actively detected infections in a community cohort of 800 children living in rural villages throughout the 2008 malaria season, and assayed serological changes in another rural population between 2006 and 2009. Proportions of malaria positive slides declined significantly at all of the 10 health facilities between 2003 (annual mean across all sites, 38.7%) and 2009 (annual mean, 7.9%). Statistical modelling of trends confirmed significant seasonality and decline over time at each facility. Slide positivity was lowest in 2009 at all sites, except two where lowest levels were observed in 2006. Mapping households of cases presenting at the latter sites in 2007-2009 indicated that these were not restricted to a few residual foci. Only 2.8% (22/800) of a rural cohort of children had a malaria episode in the 2008 season, and there was substantial serological decline between 2006 and 2009 in a separate rural area. CONCLUSIONS: Malaria has continued to decline in The Gambia, as indicated by a downward trend in slide positivity at health facilities, and unprecedented low incidence and seroprevalence in community surveys. We recommend intensification of control interventions for several years to further reduce incidence, prior to considering an elimination programme

The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 Sequence Region in the Musaceae: Structure, Diversity and Use in Molecular Phylogeny

Genes coding for 45S ribosomal RNA are organized in tandem arrays of up to several thousand copies and contain 18S, 5.8S and 26S rRNA units separated by internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2. While the rRNA units are evolutionary conserved, ITS show high level of interspecific divergence and have been used frequently in genetic diversity and phylogenetic studies. In this work we report on the structure and diversity of the ITS region in 87 representatives of the family Musaceae. We provide the first detailed information on ITS sequence diversity in the genus Musa and describe the presence of more than one type of ITS sequence within individual species. Both Sanger sequencing of amplified ITS regions and whole genome 454 sequencing lead to similar phylogenetic inferences. We show that it is necessary to identify putative pseudogenic ITS sequences, which may have negative effect on phylogenetic reconstruction at lower taxonomic levels. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on ITS sequence showed that the genus Musa is divided into two distinct clades – Callimusa and Australimusa and Eumusa and Rhodochlamys. Most of the intraspecific banana hybrids analyzed contain conserved parental ITS sequences, indicating incomplete concerted evolution of rDNA loci. Independent evolution of parental rDNA in hybrids enables determination of genomic constitution of hybrids using ITS. The observation of only one type of ITS sequence in some of the presumed interspecific hybrid clones warrants further study to confirm their hybrid origin and to unravel processes leading to evolution of their genomes

Determination of Barium Levels in Soft Muscle Tissue of Niger Delta Mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus (L) Using Buck Scientific Atomic Absorption and Emissionm Spectrophotometer 200A (AAS)

Abstract: A study of the determination of the uptake of barium levels in soft muscle tissues of Niger Delta Mudskipper, (Periophthalmus barbarus) were analyzed using Buck Scientific Atomic Absorption and Emission Spectrophotometer 200A (AAS). The values obtained ranged from 22-510 µg/g. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to percent concentrations and uptake levels of barium. Generally, it was observed that as concentrations increased, the levels of barium uptake increased progressively in the soft muscle tissues of the exposed experimental fish

A research agenda for malaria eradication: diagnoses and diagnostics.

Many of malaria's signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other febrile diseases. Detection of the presence of Plasmodium parasites is essential, therefore, to guide case management. Improved diagnostic tools are required to enable targeted treatment of infected individuals. In addition, field-ready diagnostic tools for mass screening and surveillance that can detect asymptomatic infections of very low parasite densities are needed to monitor transmission reduction and ensure elimination. Antibody-based tests for infection and novel methods based on biomarkers need further development and validation, as do methods for the detection and treatment of Plasmodium vivax. Current rapid diagnostic tests targeting P. vivax are generally less effective than those targeting Plasmodium falciparum. Moreover, because current drugs for radical cure may cause serious side effects in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, more information is needed on the distribution of G6PD-deficiency variants as well as tests to identify at-risk individuals. Finally, in an environment of very low or absent malaria transmission, sustaining interest in elimination and maintaining resources will become increasingly important. Thus, research is required into the context in which malaria diagnostic tests are used, into diagnostics for other febrile diseases, and into the integration of these tests into health systems