Effects of pH, Dosage, Temperature and Mixing Speed on The Efficiency of Water Melon Seed in Removing the Turbidity and Colour of Atabong River, Awka-Ibom State, Nigeria

Studies were carried out to determine the effects of operating parameters such as temperature, pH, dosage and mixing speed on the efficiency of watermelon seed in removing the turbidity and colour of Atabong River, which serves the people of Eket and their environs in Akwa-Ibom State. Results obtained showed that at an ideal pH of 7.5, temperature of 25oC, dosage of 0.6g/l and mixing speed of 120rpm the water melon coagulum removed turbidity and colour of the raw river water by 87.9% and 84.3% respectively. At this optimum conditions, water melon coagulum decreased the raw water turbidity from 67.7 to 8.18 NTU and colour, 318 to 50 TCU. The findings have demonstrated the effectiveness of water melon seeds as a possible replacement for chemicals like alum and ferric salts normally used in coagulation-flocculation water treatment

Antibacterial Activity of Alchornea cordifolia (Christmas bush) Leaves Extract on Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Causing Multi-drug Resistant Systemic Infections

Carbapenems have been used for the treatment of systemic infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae. However, recent studies suggested that some Enterobacteriaceae are producing carbapenemases, which has limited the treatment options for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Some of the emerging carbapenemase resistant Enterobacteriaeae that are causing multi-drug resistant systemic infections include Escherichia coli, Klebsiellae pneumoniae, Providencia rettgeri, Proteus mirabili, Pantoea species, Citrobacter koseri and Acinetobacter baumanii. There is therefore the need for alternative treatment regimens for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. This study determined the in vitro efficacy of Alchornea cordifolia on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae using agar well diffusion and well microplate dilution method. Serial dilutions of the ethanolic crude extract of the leaves were prepared and used against the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The phytochemical screening was also performed to determine the antibacterial compounds. The christmas bush leaves extracts concentrations ranging from 50 mg/ml – 200 mg/ml showed active diameter zone of inhibition. The ethanolic extract of Christmas bush leaves had minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 3.13mg/ml indicating significant antibiotic activity against the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The phytochemical screening of the Christmas bush leaves showed the presence of antimicrobial phytochemicals such as flavonoids. This offers the possibility of developing effective antimicrobial agent to treat multi-drug resistant systemic infections. Therefore, there is the need to determine the toxicological effect and perform clinical trials of the active antimicrobial compounds isolated in the leave extracts of Christmas bush shrub. Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, Flavonoids, Antibacterial, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-10-03 Publication date:May 31st 202

Alchornea Cordifolia (Christmas Bush) Leaves Extract Shows Activity Against Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae That Cause Multi-Drug Resistant Urinary Tract Infections

Klebsiella pneumoniae are one of the most common cause of multi-drug resistant urinary tract infections such as cystitis and pyelonephritis. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases are plasmid-mediated enzymes commonly found in the Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Gram negative bacteria. They are capable of hydrolysing beta-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases also confer resistance to several non-beta-lactam antibiotics, limiting treatment options for urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases -producing K. pneumoniae. This study determined the in vitro efficacy of Alchornea cordifolia on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases -producing K. pneumoniae. Serial dilutions of the ethanolic extract of the leaves were prepared and tested against the extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases-producing K. pneumoniae. The phytochemical screening was performed to determine the antibacterial compounds. The Christmas bush leaves extracts concentrations ranging from 50 mg/ml – 200 mg/ml showed significant active diameter zone of inhibition. The ethanolic extract of A. cordifolia leaves had minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 3.13 mg/ml indicating significant antibiotic activity against the ESBL isolates. The phytochemical screening of the Christmas bush leaves showed the presence of antimicrobial phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Ethanolic extracts of Christmas bush leaves is proving to be efficacious against multi-drug resistant urinary tract infections. This offers hope for the development of effective antibiotics due to the presence of flavonoids in the A. cordifolia leaf extracts. Therefore, there is the need to determine the toxicological effect and clinical trials of the active antimicrobial compounds isolated in the leaf extracts of A. cordifolia shrub. Keywords: Alchornea. cordifolia, Flavonoids, Multi-drug resistant, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, Klebsiella pneumoniae DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-24-03 Publication date: December 31st 202

Antimicrobial Activity of Psidium Guajava (Guava) Leaves Extract on Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae that Cause Multi-Drug Resistant Urinary Tract Infections

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are plasmid-mediated enzymes commonly found in the Enterobacteriaceae that are capable of hydrolysing ß-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins. ESBLs also confer resistance to several non-ß-lactam antibiotics. ESBL producing isolates are predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Eschericia coli. Klebsiella pneumoniae are one of the most common causes of urinary tract infections such as cystitis and pyelonephritis developed by about 150 million people in every given year. ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae appear susceptible to cephalosporins in vitro using conventional breakpoints but ineffective in vivo. This has limited treatment options for urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases -producing K. pneumoniae. This study determined the in vitro efficacy of Psidium guajava on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases -producing K. pneumoniae using agar well diffusion and well microplate dilution method. Serial dilutions of the ethanolic extract of the leaves were prepared and tested against the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing K. pneumoniae. The phytochemical screening was performed to determine the antibacterial compounds. The guava leaves extracts concentrations ranging from 50 mg/ml – 200 mg/ml showed active diameter zone of inhibition. The ethanolic extract of guava leaves had minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 6.25mg/ml indicating significant antibiotic activity against the ESBL isolates. The phytochemical screening of the guava leaves showed the presence of antimicrobial phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Ethanolic extracts of guava leaves is proving to be efficacious against multi-drug resistant ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, which a major cause urinary tract infections. This offers hope for the development of effective antibiotics against multi-drug resistant urinary tract infections due to the presence of flavonoids in the guava leaf extracts. Therefore, there is the need to determine the toxicological effect of the active antimicrobial compounds isolated in the leaf extracts of guava plant. Keywords: Psidium guajava, Flavonoids, Multi-drug resistant, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, Klebsiella pneumoniae DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-22-02 Publication date: November 30th 202

Exploring the life experiences of stroke survivors in Nigeria using the interpretive phenomenological analysis

Abstract Background The consequence of living as a stroke survivor has received significant attention in literature from different parts of the world. Enriching social relations and other factors are reported to influence the post-stroke experience. Differences in health systems, cultural factors and available resources have made it apt to explore the experience of life after a stroke in Nigerian stroke survivors. This study explored the lived experiences of Nigerian adult stroke survivors, with a focus on their concerns, hopes, dreams and daily routine experiences. Methods This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach based on in-depth interviews with stroke survivors. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the in-depth exploration of the personal experiences of these stroke survivors and the meanings they attached to that experience. Results The participants in this study described their experiences, emphasising both the visible loss of mobility and emotional issues related to their condition. Three superordinate themes were identified: (1) stroke presentation; (2) affect, coping, and adaptation; and (3) social supports. Conclusion The study concluded that the experience of Nigerian stroke survivors is unique as it is a blend of supportive and non-supportive care scenarios, which is greatly associated with environmental and other intrinsic variables. Post-stroke mobility strongly influences the overall stroke experience

Fourth Industrial Revolution Tools to Enhance the Growth and Development of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review in South Africa

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been the subject of discussion, and in most cases, it has been seen as a danger to jobs and conventional methods of doing things. Concerns over the preparation of the South African educational systems for 4IR have been raised as a result. Many industries still lack advanced understanding of 4IR, but the concept is already gaining ground in a variety of economic areas. As a result, academics, business professionals, and legislators are paying closer attention to 4IR. The researchers were inspired to look at how 4IR techniques were applied in South African higher education institutions to advance the growth and development of teaching and learning by this obvious knowledge gap. To investigate how 4IR technologies improve the growth and development of teaching and learning in South African higher education institutions, this study used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. A search procedure, research key words, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessments of chosen literature were used in conjunction with the SLR approach. This study found that some South African higher education institutions have successfully adopted 4IR technologies for virtual and contact instruction. The research further saw that academics and support staff utilised various 4IR tools. This is done through a virtual or hybrid classroom, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things, with different devices to send students messages, schedule Zoom classes, and provide feedback and educational resources. However, the study made some recommendations that academics can use to make sure that 4IR is effectively integrated to support the expansion and improvement of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Future research directions were suggested, and the study came to the conclusion that South Africa could change the direction of the management of the education sector by implementing various 4IR tools in higher education institutions

Can infant carrier hip belts of 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch dimensions influence trunk muscle activities during front infant carrying tasks?

Abstract Background Utilization of infant carriers (ICs) for childcare activities is common and involves varieties of hip belts to offer maximum maternal and infant support. There is a need to establish ergonomic-based guidelines for IC components as a means of improving their supportive roles. Objective This study evaluated the effects of infant carrier (IC) hip-belt dimensions on the erector spinae (ES) and multifidus (MF) muscles of healthy adult women during front infant carrying tasks. Methods It utilized three hip belts with different width dimensions (2 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch) attached to the IC during three front infant carrying tasks, respectively. During each 5-min trial, the activities of the right and left components of the ES and MF muscles were simultaneously monitored via surface electromyography (EMG). Asymmetry ratios of the normalized EMG values of the right and left components of each muscle were calculated. Results Utilization of different hip-belt dimensions did not elicit significant (p < 0.05) differences in the electrical activities of the back muscles as well as in their asymmetry ratios. However, marginal differences in the normalized EMG values showed that the 4-inch belt elicited the highest muscular activities in three of the four studied muscles. Conclusion During simulated front infant carrying tasks, hip-belt dimensions of the ICs did not influence back muscle activities in healthy adult women. Long-term effects of IC hip-belt dimensions on back muscle activities should be evaluated in future studies

Correlative Study on the Hepatorenal and Hormonal Alterations in Perimenopausal Women in Enugu, South East of Nigeria

Background: The term perimenopause refers to a woman's shift from a reproductive to a nonreproductive stage. Many hormonal and biochemical changes accompany this transformation. There is insufficient information in the association between hormonal changes, Liver enzymes activities, and renal functions in perimenopause. This study evaluated the hormonal and hepatorenal alterations in perimenopausal and premenopausal women in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 180 apparently healthy women were recruited for this cross-sectional study. 90 perimenopausal women (mean age = 49 years) and 90 premenopausal women (mean age = 29 years) served as test and control subjects. Subjects' anthropometric indices (blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), height, and weight) were measured. five milliliters of fasting blood was collected from the subjects to test for Estradiol (E2), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Protein, Urea, Creatinine, and Fasting blood glucose (FBG) using standard biochemical procedures. Results: Blood pressure, FBG, WC, FSH, LH, ALT, AST, Creatinine levels were substantially higher and Estradiol was lower in perimenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women (P&lt;0.05). There exist significant positive correlations among perimenopausal women in FSH and LH with AST and ALT, Estradiol with protein, Urea vs Creatinine, while Estradiol was negatively associated with ALT, AST, ALP and FSH. Conclusion: Perimenopausal women are likely prone to a higher risk of liver and renal dysfunction. Therefore, the need for regular evaluation of liver and kidney parameters during perimenopause is encouraged