Chronic Toxicity of Pharmaceutical Effluent to Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The aim of this study was to investigate the chronic toxicity of pharmaceutical effluent on Clarias gariepinus gills and liver as biomarkers of environmental quality in toxicity testing of pharmaceutical effluent. The chronic toxicity test of pharmaceutical effluent was carried out on the histopathology of the gill and liver of juvenile African catfish (C. gariepinus) with mean weight of 10 ± 0.2g and standard length of 6.3 ± 0.3 cm. A range finding test was conducted prior to the experiment. The fish were later exposed to 0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% concentrations of the effluent for 21 days in a static renewal bioassay procedure. The median lethal concentration (LC50) value was 12.16%. Respiratory disturbance, erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium, lethargies and sudden death were observed in the exposed fish and these varied greatly with increase in concentration of the toxicant. This shows that mortality increases with increase in concentration. The differences observed in the mortalities of C. gariepinus at varying concentrations were significant (p < 0.05). The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of C. gariepinus as potential biomarkers of environmental quality with respect to pharmaceutical effluent toxicity testing. The gill histopathological changes observed were epithelial lifting, interstitial oedema, leucocyte infiltration, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, vasodilatation and necrosis. Abnormalies observed in the liver tissues of the treated fish were congestion of the central vein, vacoulation of hepatocyte, oedema, cellular infiltration and cellular necrosis (i.e cell death). Occurrence of the gill and liver anomalies in the test fish show their suitability for use in toxicity testing of pharmaceutical effluent.Keywords: Gill histopathology, liver histopathology, chronic toxicity, pharmaceutical effluent, Clarias gariepinu

MICROBIAL QUALITY OF IMPORTED FROZEN Sardinella species AND Micromesistius poutassou OFFERED FOR SALE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Microbial quality of frozen fish offered for sale in Oyo state markets was investigated. The four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones of the state were used for the study. Sardinella species and Micromesistius poutassou were selected among the commercially important imported frozen fish species in the state based on their availability in all zones. Bacterial and Fungal counts were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, percentages and t-test. Ten bacteria and three fungi and three yeast species were isolated from the fishes evaluated.  Predominant bacteria isolates were Shewanella putrefaciens and Streptococcus faecium, fungi included Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger while yeast were Cryptococccus laurentii and Torulaspora debrueckii. Total viable counts for bacterial and fungal counts were 3.1x105cfu/g and 1.8x105cfu/g, respectively for Sardinella spp. and 3.2x105cfu/g and 2.4x105cfu/g for M. poutassou. Although all the fish samples were within acceptable limit, the number of bacteria isolated showed that the quality of frozen fish did not reach expected standard in Oyo state. Keywords: Microbial quality; Frozen fish; Bacteria count; Fungi count, ADP zones DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-08 Publication date:March 31st 201

Analysis of genetic linkage in the cowpea vigna unguiculata

Genetic analysis of 12 loci conditioning morphological characteristics indicated several linkages in cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). Using both backcross and F2 joint segregation data, these 12 loci were assigned to five linkage groups. The loci Pg for nodal pigmentation, Pf for purple flower, Pc for smooth seed coat, Na for narrow eye, and Br for brown seed coat make up linkage group 1 with the probable order Pg-Na-BrP-cPf The Bpd locus for branching peduncle was linked to Bp for brown dry pod and Dhp for pod dehiscence with the probable order Bpd-Bp-Dhp. The third linkage group consisted of loci Crl for crinkled leaf and Pt for sessile leaf Hastate leaf shape, Ha, and septafoliolate leaf number, Spt, belong to the fourth and fifth linkage groups, respectively

Assessment of Distribution and Handling Procedures of Imported Frozen Fish in Oyo State, Nigeria

Fish is a highly perishable food and there is dearth of information on quality control along the distribution chain to the final consumer. Therefore quality and handling procedures of imported frozen fish within Oyo state were investigated. The study area was stratified into four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones (Ibadan/Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Saki). All cold store operators (n=67) and 5.0% of registered retailers per zone (n=150) were randomly selected and assessed using 217 structured questionnaires to obtain information on compliance level on temperature management, personal hygiene, facilities’ sanitation and handling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentages. Compliance level to quality measures by cold store operators in all the zones were 65.7%, 83.6% and 92.5% for temperature management, personal hygiene and facilities’ sanitation, respectively. Ibadan/Ibarapa zone had the highest cold storage capacity of 7,433 tonnes and the least was Saki zone with 61 tonnes. Transportation of fish to retail points were by motorcycle (43.3%), taxi cab (31.1%) and by head load (24.0%). Fish was displayed by retailers using bowls (50.0%), wooden tables (36.7%) and wooden boards (10.0%). Only 57.3% of retailers washed their tables daily and none used chlorinated water. Most cold stores met the recommended temperature for cold storage. Keywords: Frozen fish, Fish storage, Cold store operators, Fish retailers

Pathogenicity and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities of some fungal isolates from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L] Walp)

Nine fungal species isolated from cowpea seeds were used as inocula on four cowpea varieties commonly distributed to farmers in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria by the National Seed Service, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The effects of fungi on germinability and seedling health were determined using seedling symptom test. Two of the virulent species were screened for the production of cell wall degrading enzymes using viscometric method. All the fungi reduced germination rate in all the cowpea varieties and different types of seedling symptoms were noted for the fungi. The symptoms included seed rot,chlorotic leaf development, stunted growth etc. Production of pectinases and cellulases by Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum sp. was observed and the virulence of the two organisms could be attributed to the activities of these cell wall degrading enzymes

Incidence and Severity of Common Viral and Fungal Diseases of Dry Season Tomato Crop in a Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-Ecology

The incidence and severity of common fungal and viral diseases affecting dry season tomato crop were determined on the tomato field of the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Ilorin, situated in the Southern Guinea savannah ecological zone of Nigeria. Seeds were sown in January in the nursery and seedlings were transplanted to the field, inJanuary 2005 and 2006 at the age of 4 weeks. The growth period of tomato was partitioned into three stages viz: seedling/vegetative stage (1), pre-flowering stage (2), and flowering/fruiting stage (3), during which the incidence of fungal, viral or mixed fungal and viral diseases wereinvestigated. The aim was to identify the relative prevalence of the disease categories for each growth stages. The results showed plants in the earliest stage of growth with the lowest rate of infection. Nevertheless, viral disease incidence was the significantly highest (22.7%) at this stage. The incidence of double infections increased gradually from the second growth stagereaching 29% in the third stage. Comparatively, infection with virus alone in the third stage was 28.5%, while fungus alone was 0. 59%. The highest disease severity was in plants that were mixed infected by the two categories of pathogens. Such plants had significant retardation ofgrowth (height and mean number of leaves/ leaflets) and yield attributes such as the number of fruits produced per plant compared to singly infected and apparently healthy plants.Keywords: Disease incidence, dry season, tomato, Southern Guinea savannah ecology

Screening of Siam Weed (Chromolaena Odorata) and African Custard Apple (Annona Senegalensis) for Nematicidal Activity

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and closely related species of Annona senegalensis had been investigated for nematicidal activity for the control of nematodes. This study was carried out to provide some information on the phytochemical constituents in these plants for nematode management. Chromolaena odorata leaves and roots, Annona senegalensis leaves and bark collected, air-dried and ground into powder, were taken to The Central Laboratory, University of Ibadan for Infrared (IR) analysis. Phytochemical analysis was carried out in the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan. The IR revealed that functional groups were alcohols, alkenes, carbonyl, carboxylic acids and phenols. The phytochemicals were tannins (46.2 ± 17.9 mgg-1), saponins (81.5 ± 76.8 mgg-1), alkaloids (12.6 ± 0.7 mgg-1), flavonoids (5.3 ± 2.6 mgg-1), phenols (43.7 ± 1.6 mgg-1), cardenolides and anthraquinones. Saponins were of the highest concentrations, followed by tannins, phenols.The phytochemicals identified have been reported to be nematicidal in activity. Keywords: constituents, dry powders, functional groups, nematode management, phytochemicals

Comparative Analysis of CMA and MMSE in MIMO-OFDM System

Channel estimation is one of the techniques used to achieve high data rates and low bit error rates in wireless communications. In wireless communication system, where Multiple Input Multiple Output - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) exists, the effect of channel causes the received signal to be distorted which necessitates the receiver to have an insight of the channel known as the channel estimation. However, most of the existing techniques such as Least Square Error (LSE), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Best Linear Unbiased Estimation Algorithm (BLUE) employ pilot symbols. High errors are observed in addition to computational complexity and in the platform other than MIMO-OFDM. In this paper, performances of Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) and MMSE are evaluated, and compared with each other in the 3x3 MIMO-OFDM systems. The system model for 3x3 MIMO-OFDM system incorporating each of CMA and MMSE consists of a transmitter, frequency selective channel and the receiver. 1000 bits are generated randomly and served as input signal. Three antennas configurations at the input of the frequency selective channel radiate the signal. The three antennas at the output of the channel receive the radiated power, processed by appropriate signal processing techniques. Each of MMSE and CMA techniques is performed at SNR of 5, 10 and 15dB. The system model is simulated using MATLAB 7.2 application package and evaluated using Mean Square Error (MSE) and convergence value. The results obtained show that CMA gives lower error than the MMSE and converges faster. Therefore, the study has shown the significant reduction in computational complexity and can be used by wireless design. Keywords: Constant Modulus Algorithm, Orthogonality, Channel Estimation, Multiple Antenna, Cyclic Prefix

Land use correlates of street children in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Following the observation of increasing incidence of street children phenomenon in Nigerian urban centers, this study examines the relationship between land use and street children in Ogbomoso. Data on incidence of street children were obtained through the method of direct counting which was done on four different days of the week within defined Data Delineated Areas (DDAs) purposively selected across the residential zones of the city. The study employs z scores to compare the intensity of the problem across the selected DDAs. Data were also analyzed using pie chart, bar chart, graph and percentages. The study reveals that the incidence and categories of street children varies with land uses. It recommends, therefore that urban planners, governments as well as individuals have roles to play in proffering solutions to the menace. It also calls for more research works on the problem of street children.Keywords: street children, land use, child hawkers, child beggarsRésumé:Suite à l’observation de l’incidence croissante de la rue phénomène des enfants dans les centres urbains du Nigeria, cette étude examine la relation entre l’utilisation des terres et les enfants des rues dans Ogbomoso. Les données sur l’incidence des enfants des rues ont été obtenues par la méthode de comptage direct qui a été fait sur quatre jours différents de la semaine dans les zones définies données délimitées choisis à dessein dans les zones résidentielles de la ville. L’étude emploie z-scores pour comparer l’intensité du problème à travers les DDA sélectionnés. Les données ont également été analysées à l’aide camembert, histogramme, graphique et pourcentages. L’étude révèle que l’incidence et les catégories d’enfants des rues varie avec l’utilisation des terres. Il recommande donc que les planificateurs urbains, les gouvernements ainsi que les individus ont un rôle à jouer dans proférer des solutions à la menace. Il appelle également à plus de travaux de recherche sur le problème des enfants des rues. Mots-clés: enfants des rues, l’utilisation des terres, les colporteurs de l’enfant, les enfants mendiant

Attitude of health care workers to patients and colleagues infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS in hospital settings has been documented. This study examined the attitude of health care workers (HCWs) to nurses, doctors and patients infected with HIV. A total of 345 respondents selected by multistage sampling techniques were surveyed, using a semi-structured questionnaire, which explored respondents’ attitude to HIV-infected patients and colleagues with HIV/AIDS. HCWs were unwilling to accept that medical procedures be carried out on them by HIV-infected doctors and nurses, with almost 80% refusing surgery or assistance at surgery on them by an HIV-infected doctor or nurse. They were also significantly more unwilling to accept that medical procedures be carried out on them by an infected colleague, compared with their carrying out the same procedure on an HIV-infected patient. Thus, HCWs seemed to believe that the risk of contracting HIV was higher if an infected HCW were to perform medical procedures on them, and fear of contracting HIV seemed to be the driving force for their negative attitudes. Education on occupational risks of HIV, provision of a safe working environment with enforcement of universal precautions, as well as provision of post-exposure prophylaxis are suggested as ways to enable HCWs to change their attitudes