Preference for Contract Farming in Sustainable Cassava Production among Farmers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State – Nigeria

Contract farming is a component of Agricultural transformation programme in Nigeria that is meant to disseminate technical skills, develop markets, guarantee access to inputs and organize the enterprise in a profitable way. The study investigated the preference of cassava farmers for contract farming in Oriire local government area of Oyo state. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 cassava farmers. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from respondents. Data were presented using descriptive statistics and an index was generated to categorise the farmers into those with high preference and low preference. The study hypothesis was tested using Chi-square statistics. The study revealed that more than half (53.2%) of the respondents were between the ages of 25 and 55 years, married (76.7%) and 16.7% went beyond secondary education. More than half (56.7%) of the respondents had high preference for contract farming. The respondents’ sex (?2 = 45.66, p ? 0.05), level of education (? 2 = 290.93, p ? 0.05) and Cassava Output (?2 = 795.54, p ? 0.05) were significantly related to farmers’ preference for contract farming. The study showed that contract farming is a key factor in cassava transformation agenda and recommends that needs assessment of farmers by gender should be an integral part of the contract farming programme. Keywords: Contract, Preference, Cassava, Farmers, Sustainabl

Prevalence of and factors associated with significant bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Significant bacteriuria is commonly reported in pregnancy which greatly predisposes pregnant women to urinary tract infection (UTI), one of the commonest health challenges in pregnancy worldwide especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with significant bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as determine the bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.Methodology: This is a laboratory-based cross-sectional study of 206 pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 47 years attending the ANC of the hospital, selected by simple random sampling method. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the subjects using a structured questionnaire. Clean-catch specimen of mid-stream voided urine was collected from each subject participant. Urine samples were processed for culture and isolation of significant bacterial pathogens using standard bacteriological methods, and isolates identified to species level by the combination of colony morphology, Gram reaction, conventional biochemical tests and Analytical Profile Index (API) 20E test kits. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates to selected antibiotics was performed using the disk diffusion method.Results: The prevalence of significant bacteriuria in the study population was 8.7% (18/206), with 27.8% (5/18) symptomatic and 72.2% (13/18) asymptomatic. All isolated bacteria were Gram-negative with the most frequent being Escherichia coli 9 (50.0%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 6 (33.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (5.6%), Acinetobacter haemolyticus 1 (5.6%) and Enterobacter aerogenes 1 (5.6%). The isolates were most sensitive to gentamicin (100%) and nitrofurantoin (94.4%), while they demonstrated highest resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (33.3%). Significant bacteriuria was associated with pyuria (p=0.01) and past history of UTI (p=0.004).Conclusions: The high prevalence of asymptomatic significant bacteriuria in this study necessitates the need for screening and treatment of pregnant women for this entity to prevent the subsequent development of UTI that may have grave consequences on pregnancy outcome.   French title: Prévalence et facteurs associés à une bactériurie significative chez les femmes enceintes fréquentant la clinique prénatale de la maternité Adeoyo, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigéria Contexte: Une bactériurie importante est couramment signalée pendant la grossesse, ce qui prédispose grandement les femmes enceintes aux infections des voies urinaires (IVU), l'un des problèmes de santé les plus courants pendant la grossesse dans le monde, en particulier dans les pays en développement comme le Nigéria. Les objectifs de cette étude sont de déterminer la prévalence et les facteurs associés à une bactériurie significative chez les femmes enceintes fréquentant la clinique prénatale (CPN) de l'hôpital de maternité Adeoyo, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigéria, ainsi que de déterminer l'étiologie bactérienne et les modèles de sensibilité aux antimicrobiens de les isolats. Méthodologie: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale en laboratoire portant sur 206 femmes enceintes âgées de 15 à 47 ans fréquentant les CPN de l'hôpital, sélectionnées par une méthode d'échantillonnage aléatoire simple. Les données démographiques et cliniques ont été obtenues auprès des sujets à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré. Un échantillon propre d'urine évacuée à mi-chemin a été recueilli auprès de chaque participant sujet. Les échantillons d'urine ont été traités pour la culture et l'isolement d'agents pathogènes bactériens importants à l'aide de méthodes bactériologiques standard, et les isolats ont été identifiés au niveau de l'espèce par la combinaison de la morphologie de la colonie, de la réaction de Gram, des tests biochimiques conventionnels et des kits de test de l'indice de profil analytique (API) 20E. Les tests de sensibilité aux antibiotiques des isolats aux antibiotiques sélectionnés ont été effectués à l'aide de la méthode de diffusion sur disque. Résultats: La prévalence de la bactériurie significative dans la population étudiée était de 8,7% (18/206), avec 27,8% (5/18) symptomatique et 72,2% (13/18) asymptomatique. Toutes les bactéries isolées étaient Gram-négatives, la plus fréquente étant Escherichia coli 9 (50,0%), suivie de Klebsiella pneumoniae 6 (33,3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 (5,6%), Acinetobacter haemolyticus 1 (5,6%) et Enterobacter aerogenes 1 (5,6%). Les isolats étaient les plus sensibles à la gentamicine (100%) et à la nitrofurantoïne (94,4%), alors qu'ils présentaient la résistance la plus élevée à l'amoxicilline-acide clavulanique (33,3%). Une bactériurie significative était associée à une pyurie (p=0,01) et à des antécédents d'infection urinaire (p=0,004). Conclusions: La prévalence élevée de bactériurie significative asymptomatique dans cette étude nécessite le dépistage et le traitement des femmes enceintes pour cette entité afin de prévenir le développement ultérieur d'infections urinaires pouvant avoir de graves conséquences sur l'issue de la grossesse.   &nbsp

Pattern of multidrug resistant bacteria associated with intensive care unit infections in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) usually have impaired immunity and are therefore at high risk of acquiring hospital associated infections. Infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms now constitute a major problem, limiting the choice of antimicrobial therapy.Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the antimicrobial resistance pattern of pathogens causing ICU infections in University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. The aetiological agents, prevalence and types ICU infections were also determined.Methods: One year hospital associated infections surveillance was conducted in the ICU of UCH, Ibadan. Blood, urine, tracheal aspirate and wound biopsies specimens were collected under strict asepsis and sent to the Medical Microbiology laboratory of the same institution for immediate processing. All pathogens were isolated and identified by standard microbiological methods. Disk diffusion antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.Results: The overall prevalence of ICU infections was 30.9% out of which 12.9% were bloodstream infections, 31.5% urinary tract infections, 38.9% pneumonia, and 16.7% skin and soft tissue infections. Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli were the predominant pathogens. Multidrug resistant organisms constituted 59.3% of the pathogens, MDR Klebsiella spp and MDR E. coli were 70.8% and 71.4% respectively. Resistance to Cefuroxime was the highest (92.9%) while Meropenem had the least resistance (21.4%).Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria causing ICU infections. Application of more stringent infection control procedures and institution of functional antimicrobial stewardship are recommended to combat this problem.Keywords: Healthcare associated infections, Infection control, Antibiotic resistance, Intensive care uni

Aqueous Extract Of Fruit Pulp Of Adansonia digitata (Linn): Phytochemical Screening And In Vitro Antitrypanosomal Effect

Chemotherapy is the most widely used means of controlling Trypanosomosis, a major health problem to man and his livestock over much of Tropical Africa. However, effectiveness of the drugs available is limited by a number of factors which include increasing parasite resistance, treatment failures and unacceptable toxicity. This study investigated the phytoconstituents of aqueous extract of fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata and its in vitro anti-trypanosomal effects on Federe strain of Trypansoma brucei brucei. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out using standard technique. While in the in vitro study, about 3 ×105 T. brucei brucei in 0.3mls of blood suspended in 0.4mls Ringer’s solution were each dispensed into tubes (A-D) containing 0.3mls of the aqueous extract at concentrations of 0.02mg/ml, 0.2mg/ml, 2mg/ml and 20mg/ml respectively. The fifth tube (E) was an untreated control (Ringer’s solution and parasite). The tubes were incubated at 370C and examined for the presence and motility of trypanosomes at 15 minutes intervals for 2hours. After the incubation and motility assessment, 0.2ml of the contents of each tube was inoculated intraperitoneally into group of 3 rats, 3 other rats served as uninfected controls. The inoculated animals were then examined daily for the presence of trypanosomes for a period of 60 days. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponin, phenol, terpenoid, cardiac active glycoside, anthraquinone, reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. The extract demonstrated a concentration and time dependent inhibitory effect on trypanosomal motility. Highest effect was observed at concentration of 20mg/ml, with total ceassation of trypanosome motility from 75 minutes of exposure all through the 120 minutes of the incubation. Also rats inoculated with content of the tubes containing the 20mg/ml of the extract did not show parasitaemia and survived the 60 days infectivity test period. However, all rats inoculated with trypanosomes exposed to lower concentrations of the extract showed high parasitaemia with 100% mortality within 5 days post inoculation. Keywords: Adansonia digitata, Trypanosomiasis, Phytochemistry, Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Corrosion inhibition of oil-well steel (N-80) in simulated hydrogen sulphide environment by ferrous gluconate and synthetic magnetite

Izabrani, ekološki prihvatljivi spojevi željeza (sintetički magnetit i željezni glukonat), ispitani su kao usporivači djelovanja korozije čelika za naftne bušotine (N-80) pri koncetraciji sulfida od 50 mg/l, pH vrijednosti od 5,5 do 11,5, u uvjetima visoke temperature i visokog tlaka, i to (HTHP) metodom gubitka težine. Temperature tijekom ispitivanja bile su 66 °C (150 °F), 135 °C (275 °F) i 177 °C (350 °F), uz tlak od 20,7 MPa (3 000 psi), 34,5 MPa (5 000 psi) i 41,4 MPa (6 000 psi). Otkriveno je da je kompleks željeza bolji usporivač korozije od sintetičkog magnetita. Dokazana je učinkovitost usporavanja (IE) do 99,2% uz primjenu udvostručene doze pročistača (tj. kada je omjer sulfida i pročistača bio 1:2), neovisno o drugim čimbenicima, kao što su pH, temperatura i tlak. Postignuta je optimalna učinkovitost usporavanja (IE) sintetičkog magnetita do 75,1% samo u slučaju kada je omjer sulfida i pročistača bio 1:4, pri najnižoj vrijednosti pH u eksperimentu (pH 5,5), što nije poželjno za bušaću isplaku. Povećanjem pH smanjuje se učinkovitost usporavanja magnetita i najniža je pri vrijednosti alkalnog pH od 11,5.Selected environmentally benign iron compounds (synthetic magnetite and ferrous gluconate) have been evaluated as corrosion inhibitors for oil-well steel (N-80) in 50 mg/l sulphide concentration at various pH ranging from 5.5 to 11.5 and at High Temperature, High Pressure (HTHP) conditions by the weight loss method. The test temperatures were 150 °F, 275 °F and 350 °F respectively for pressures of 3 000 psi, 5 000 psi and 6 000 psi. The ferrous complex was found to be a better corrosion inhibitor compared to the synthetic magnetite. It exhibited up to 99.2% inhibition efficiency (IE) when the dose of the scavenger was doubled (i.e. when the sulphide to scavenger ratio was 1:2) irrespective of other factors such as pH, temperature and pressure. Whereas, the synthetic magnetite’s optimum inhibition efficiency (IE) was observed to be up to 75.1% only when the ratio of the sulphide to scavenger was 1:4 at the lowest pH of the experiment (pH 5.5) which is not desirable for a drilling mud. As the pH increases, the inhibition efficiency of the magnetite decreases and found to be lowest at the alkaline pH of 11.5

Solenostemon monostachyus, Ipomoea involucrata and Carica papaya seed oil versus Glutathione, or Vernonia amygdalina: Methanolic extracts of novel plants for the management of sickle cell anemia disease

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease caused by an individual inheriting an allele for sickle cell hemoglobin from both parents and is associated with unusually large numbers of immature blood cells, containing many long, thin, crescent-shaped erythrocytes. It is a disease prevalent throughout many populations. The use of medicinal plants and nutrition in managing SCD is gaining increasing attention. Methods The antisickling effects of Solenostemon monostachyus (SolMon), Carica papaya seed oil (Cari-oil) and Ipomoea involucrata (Ipocrata) in male (HbSSM) and female (HbSSF) human sickle cell blood was examined in vitro and compared with controls, or cells treated with glutathione or an antisickling plant (Vernonia amygdalina; VerMyg). Results Levels of sickle blood cells were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all the plant-extract treated SCD patients’ blood compared with that of untreated SCD patients. RBCs in SolMon, Ipocrata, and Cari-oil treated samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg-treated samples. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all plant extract-treated HbSSM samples compared with controls. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by SolMon treatment in HbSSF compared with VerMyg. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition exhibited by SolMon was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with that of VerMyg in HbSSF blood. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition in SolMon and Ipocrata were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg in HbSSM blood. All plant extracts significantly reduced (P < 0.05) lactate dehydrogenase activity in both HbSSM and HbSSF-treated blood. Catalase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in HbSSF blood treated with Ipocrata compared with glutathione. Cari-oil treated HbSSM and HbSSF blood had significantly increased (P < 0.05) peroxidase activity compared with controls. Conclusions Methanolic extracts from S. monostachyus, C. papaya seed oil and I. involucrata exhibited particular antisickling properties coupled with the potential to reduce stress in sickle cell patients. Each plant individually or in combination may be useful for the management of sickle cell diseas

Reconnaissance Study of Smectite ores of Lafarge- Ewekoro, Ogun State Nigeria for Industrial Applications

This work aimed to study the aluminosilicate ore contents at Lafarge Ogun State environ as a means of identification of background variation of smectite in the ore-bodied environment. Smectite clay samples (bentonite) were collected from Larfarge Ewekoro environ, while zeolite used as a standard in this work was obtained from Petroleum Department of Covenant University for comparism purpose. The samples were digested with nitric acid, HNO3 and hydrochloric acid, HCl, after which the digested samples were characterized with, ultraviolet visible (UV-VIS), scanning, absorbance; and % transmittances. The results revealed similarity in ultraviolet visible for bentonite and zeolite with predominance of iron in bentonite samples. The colouration of bentonite due to the presence of transition metals in the environment under study could be of industrial uses in the manufacture of coloured wares and tiles, and magnetic ceramic, though further pre-application specific investigations are recommended. Also, the observed properties favour many aspects of industrial applications such as in pharmaceuticals, refractories, adhesives and porcelain wares. These will help in setting up small and medium-sized enterprise in this area resulting in employment creation and revenue generation

Emergence of New Delhi metalo-β- lactamase (NDM-1) – producing multidrug resistant gram negative bacteria from poultry in Nigeria

The New Delhi metallo-beta- lactamase (NDM-1) gene is an emerging well acknowledged public health threats among human and animal pathogens worldwide. Since its first description in 2009, a lot of animal and human associated reports have been documented around the world, including some parts of Africa. There is however a dearth of information on it in Nigeria, particularly from food animals.The current work therefore screened 55 Gram negative bacteria isolated from cloaca swabs of both healthy and sick birds from commercial poultry houses in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria: that were multi drug resistant and particularly resistant to 3 of or all of, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and amikacin for the presence of bla NDM-1 gene in a PCR assay. The Gram negative bacteria were. identified by conventional bacteriological procedures and with16s RNA PCR method. In all, 7.3% (4/55) of the pathogens including; 2 Proteus mirabilis, 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1 Enterobacter cloacae were positive for the gene.The result shows that poultry could be a possible source of spreading the public health important gene to other animal and human pathogen in Nigeria, thus constituting a serious public health hazard in terms of treatment failures in animal and human, should there be transmission of the gene. A nationwide surveillance is advocated for the purpose of instituting a well scientific informed preventive measures

Occurrence of Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Nigerian tertiary Hospital

A total of 3,692 clinical samples consisting 1,969 urine samples, 535 blood culture, 362 high vagina swabs, 207 endocervical swabs, 125 cerebrospinal fluid, 136 ear swabs, 200 eye swabs and 158 wound swabs were microbiologically investigated for Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the Department of Medical Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital Ibadan. Two hundred and eight Staphylococcus aureus (5.6%) were isolated, twenty two, (10.6%) of which were methicilin resistant. Nine isolates 9/22(40.9%), were resistant to nine antibiotics having, R-type aug.amg.amx.pef.tet.cxc.e.nit.nal, two isolates 2/22 (9.1%) had octuple resistant pattern ; R-type aug.amg.amx.pef.cxc.e.nit.nal, four isolates 4/22 (18.2%) had septuple ; R-type aug.amg.amx.pef.cxc.e.nit resistant pattern, two isolates 2/22(9.1%) had quintuple ; R-type aug.amx.cxc.e.nit, one isolate 1/22 (4.5%) quadruple ; R-type aug.amx.cxc.nit, and another four isolates 4/22 (18.2%) had triple; R-type amx.cxc.nit. Seventeen, (77.3%) of the methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were resistant to 30mcg Ceftriaxone, while nineteen, (86.4%) were resistant to 30mcg Ceftazidime. All the twenty two methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to Amoxycillin (25mcg), Cloxacillin (10mcg), Nitrofurantoin (300mcg), and Gentamycin (10mcg). The MIC of Ceftazidime for 3 isolates, 3/19(15.8%) was 120mcg/ml and the MIC of Ceftazidime for 16 isolates, 16/19 (84.2%) was 60mcg/ml, while the MIC of Ceftriaxone for 1 isolate, 1/17 (5.9%), 6 isolates, 6/17 (35.3%) , 10 isolates, 10/17 (58.8%) were >150mcg/ml, 150mcg/ml, 75mcg/ml respectively and the MIC of Ceftriaxone for the remaining 6 isolates, 6/17(35.3%) was 37.5mcg/ml . Taking into consideration the danger associated with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the findings from this study underscores the need for public enlightenment of both the hospital workers and the general public on the risk associated with this group of globally important pathogens and the necessary precautions for its control both in the hospitals and the communities in Nigeria

Childhood Septicaemia Due To Salmonella Species in Ibadan, Nigeria

A cross sectional study to assess the incidence and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of Salmonella isolates in septicaemic children who were presented at the children's emergency unit and children out-patient clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan was undertaken. A total of 442 samples from children (6 months and 11 years) with the history of fever were investigated, using blood culture method. The frequency of 151 bacteria isolated, were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus 50 (33.1%), Escherichia coli 29 (19.2%), Salmonella typhi 19 (12.6%), Staphylococcus albus 14(9.3%), Klebsiella species 12(7.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10(6.6%), Enterococcus faecalis 9(5.9%), Salmonella paratyphi 6(3.9%) and Haemophilus species 2(1.3%). Septicaemia due to Salmonella species showed the highest among children aged 5-11years bracket (56%), followed by 1- 5 years group (36%); while those within 0-1 year group showed the lowest frequency of (8%). In the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi, only Ceftriaxone showed 100% sensitivity in-vitro. While Gentamicin, Ofloxacin, Cefrazidime; Augmentin, Pefloxacin, Chloramphenicol, Amoxycillin, Cotrimoxazole showed varied sensitivity/resistance in descending order. These findings suggest an increasing resistance to the antibiotics commonly used for salmonellosis and the rate at which bacteria become resistant to antimicrobial agents is of public health concern. This calls for routine bacteriological culture and sensitivity test in the management of bacterial infections. Furthermore, the provision of adequate health care, wholesome water for drinking and domestic use by governments cannot be overemphasized