Development of environmental and oceanographic real-time assessment system for the near-shore environment

The coupling of real-time measurements and numerical models will be important in overcoming the challenges in environmental and oceanographic assessments in surface waters. Continuous monitoring will take advantage of current state-of-the-art in sensor development, remote sensing technology. The numerical modeling tools available exist in many different forms and varying levels of complexity from depth integrated one-dimensional (1-D) models to full three-dimensional (3-D) models. Common to all are the constraints and forcing required in driving the models. These include hydrodynamic and barometric information, which are relatively difficult to obtain given the time scale of the bio-chemical and physical processes governing the fate and transport of the constituents of interest. This study is focused on the development of a framework that couples real-time measurements and numerical simulation for tracking constituents in surface waters. The parameterization of the mixing and turbulent diffusion impacts the formulation of the constituent-transport governing equations to the extent that the numerical model is being driven by near real-time observations of hydrodynamic data and the consequent evaluation of model coefficients. The effects of shear-augmented diffusion processes in shallow embayment and near-shore waters are investigated in order to develop algorithms for obtaining a shear diffusion coefficient, Ke from shear-current measurements and turbulent diffusion-coefficient, Kz measured by the auto-correlation function, Rτ of the velocity time-series. Typically, the diffusion coefficients are measured through tracer experiments as determined by the time rate of change of the variance of a growing patch (K = ½ dσ2 /dt), which introduces the concept of diffusion length-scale (or time-scale). In this study, the dye-tracer experiment was used, not so much in the context of evaluation of a diffusion coefficient, but within a modeling framework to validate a numerical scheme driven by real-time hydrodynamic observations. Overall, the effect of shear-currents in shallow wind-driven estuaries is studied using a prototype bay typical of the Texas Gulf-coast. A numerical model was developed and used in testing these hypotheses through a series of dye-tracer experiments under varying meteorological conditions

Assessment of Work Practices and Health Problems Among Filling Station Attendants in Ile Ife

Background: Filling Station Attendants are exposed to hazards in their workplaces, which could be physical, chemical, ergonomic, biological, mechanical, or psychosocial. The study aimed to assess the work practices and health problems among filling station attendants in Ile-Ife. Methods:  This study was conducted in Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. There are 218 filling stations in Ile Ife. The total sampling method was used for selection and a sample size of 200 was obtained. Data was collected via Interviewer administered questionnaires with sections assessing sociodemographic characteristics, work practices, occupational hazards, and health problems using close-ended questions. An observational Checklist assessing the safety measures put in place by the management was also obtained. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and a p-value of 0.5 was found to be statistically significant. Results: Majority of the filling station attendants (74%) were not aware of workplace safety practices. Of those that were aware, 78% were aware of PPE while the commonest available PPE was working clothes (36%). One hundred and twelve attendants (56%) indicated that the PPEs available for them were not adequate. Concerning training, about 62.5% had prior safety training of which only 66% and 56% of them could use fire extinguishers and spill kits respectively. Regarding occupational hazards,74.5% of the attendants were aware of the various hazards, the commonest being fire outbreak (69.5). The commonest work-related problem was musculoskeletal disorders (60.5%) while the least common was gastro-intestinal tract problems (8%). There was a significant association between age, working durations of the respondents, and skin problems with p-values of 0.021 and 0.035 respectively. There was also a significant association between BMI and respiratory problems with a p-value of 0.029.  Conclusion: This study assessed work practices and health problems among filling station attendants. There was poor availability of PPE, inadequate use of PPE as well as poor work safety practices among filling station attendants. Regarding health problems, neurological and eye problems were found to be the commonest among filling station attendants in Ile Ife. There were also significant associations between some sociodemographic characteristics and some health         &nbsp

Seroprevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a Tertiary Hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria

Background: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among under-five children in the South West Nigeria remains largely understudied. There is no data on the subject from the study area.Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among under-five children at a tertiary hospital in the South Western, Nigeria and to determine its associated socio-demographic factors.Methods: Sera of 360 children were analyzed for anti H. pylori Ig G using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test kit (BQ ELISA Ig G KIT) and H. pylori infection risk factors were determined. Determinants of H. pylori infection was determined using binary logistic regression analysis and p-values < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Results: H. pylori infection seroprevalence rate was 32.8% and increased with age. Living in one room accommodation, large families, playing with soil, family history of dyspepsia, practice of premastication, sharing of plates and cutlery, and water closet toilet were associated with H. pylori Ig G seropositivity (p<0.05) on binary regression analysis.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in under -five children is high, increasing as the age of the children increased. This may suggest that instituting preventive measures at young age, targeting identified factors may be effective in reducing the burden of H. pylori infection.Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, South-Western Nigeria

Comparative analysis of the performance of hydrophobically associating polymer, xanthan and guar gum as mobility control agent, in enhanced oil recovery application.

This study aimed at evaluating the performance of hydrophobically associating polymer (HAPAM), xanthan gum, and guar gum in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. Their performances in terms of oil recovery applications were investigated through rheological behavior analysis and core flooding experiments. Rheological studies reveal shear thinning characteristics with HAPAM showing superior rheological behavior at elevated shear rates for all concentrations tested. Core flooding tests were conducted on different sandstone core samples with similar petrophysical properties to evaluate the EOR performance using the three polymers. Cumulative oil recovered after waterflood implies that HAPAM shows better oil recovery capability with 41.1, 62.4, and 63.5% oil recovery compared to xanthan achieving 32.8, 33.7, and 56.2% and guar gum achieving 41.8, 57.1, and 61.2% oil recovery using the three concentrations; concentration 1, 2 and 3 (1,000, 4,000 and 6,000 ppm), respectively. The superior performance by HAPAM was also evident in its lesser amount of permeability damage after flooding with 28.3% concentration

Population of Fungi Associated with Seed Germination after Storage and Seed Treatment

Fungi growth occurs in seeds as a result of environmental conditions (high relative humidity, suitable temperature and high level of seed moisture content). But pathogen free healthy seeds are required for plant propagation. Microbial and insect attack affect seeds throughout the life cycle of the plant (Islam et al., 2009). Fungi are the most common microbes that affect seed germination and they can be both saprophytic and pathogenic. Hence, the aim of this experiment is to determine the cultural and morphological characteristics and population of fungi associated with the germination of some legume seeds after storage and scarification

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of <i>Diodia scandens</i> and <i>Phyllanthus amarus</i> on staphylococci isolated from patients in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria

Background: The rapidly growing use of herbal drugs or supplements in complementary and alternative medicine as substitute for orthodox medicine both in developed and developing countries is fast gaining ground. Aim: This study evaluated both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents of Diodia scandens and Phyllanthus amarus vis-à-vis their synergistic effects on clinically isolated staphylococci. Methods: A total of 200 wounds and burns samples were obtained from patients in the accident and emergency unit of different tertiary hospitals. Staphylococci were isolated and characterised using standard microbiological procedures. Whole plants of D. scandens and P. amarus were Soxhlet extracted with absolute ethanol. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal effect of the combined extracts were determined. Results: The phytochemicals present in D. scandens include saponin (6.58%), tannin (2.27 mg/100g), alkaloids (10.53%) and phytin phosphorus (1.80 mg/g), while phytochemicals in P. amarus include saponin (9.99%), tannin (5.82 mg/100g), alkaloids (9.67%) and phytin phosphorus (2.44 mg/g), revealing their antibacterial properties and phytonutrients. The combination study showed that a synergistic effect exists between the two plants on the isolates tested compared with individual extracts alone at the concentrations used. Conclusion: It is noteworthy that the traditional use of these plants was not only confirmed but the combination of D. scandens and P. amarus also proved more effective as antibacterial agent compared with a previous study on the same plants using single determination

Seroprevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a Tertiary Hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria

Background: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among under-five children in the South West Nigeria remains largely understudied. There is no data on the subject from the study area. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among under-five children at a tertiary hospital in the South Western, Nigeria and to determine its associated socio-demographic factors. Methods: Sera of 360 children were analyzed for anti H. pylori Ig G using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test kit (BQ ELISA Ig G KIT) and H. pylori infection risk factors were determined. Determinants of H. pylori infection was determined using binary logistic regression analysis and p-values &lt; 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results: H. pylori infection seroprevalence rate was 32.8% and increased with age. Living in one room accommodation, large families, playing with soil, family history of dyspepsia, practice of premastication, sharing of plates and cutlery, and water closet toilet were associated with H. pylori Ig G seropositivity (p&lt;0.05) on binary regression analysis. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in under -five children is high, increasing as the age of the children increased. This may suggest that instituting preventive measures at young age, targeting identified factors may be effective in reducing the burden of H. pylori infection. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.32 Cite as: Babatola AO, Akinbami FO, Adeodu OO, Ojo TO, Efere MO, Olatunya OS. Sero-prevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a tertiary hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria. Afri Health Sci.2019;19(2): 2082-2090. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.3

Addressing antimicrobial resistance in Nigerian hospitals : exploring physicians prescribing behavior, knowledge, and perception of antimicrobial resistance and stewardship programs

Introduction: We assessed the knowledge of, attitude toward antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and practice of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among physicians in Nigeria to provide future guidance to the Nigerian National Action Plan for AMR. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study explored the physicians’ self-reported practice of antibiotic prescribing, knowledge, attitude, and practice of AMR and components of ASPs. Results: The majority (217; 67.2%) of respondents prescribed antibiotics daily in their clinical practice AMR was recognized as a global and local problem by 308 (95.4%) and 262 (81.1%) respondents, respectively. Only 91 (28.2%) of respondents have ever heard of antibiotic stewardship. The median AMR knowledge score was 40 (19–45)out of 45while that for ASP was 46.0(32–57) out of 60. There was significant statistical difference between the ASP median scores among the medical specialties category (P value <0.0001) More respondents had good knowledge of AMR than ASPs (82.7% versus 36.5%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Respondents in this study were more knowledgeable about AMR than AMS and its core components

Microbiological Assessment of Commercial Yogurt Sold in Ota Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria

Ten authorized Yogurt products purchased within Ota metropolis, Ogun State of Nigeria were subjected to pH, Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and Total Fungal Count (TFC) analysis. pH values were in the range of 4.05 to 5.50, the TBC and TFC values ranged between 1.0 x 103 - 5.0 x 105 cfu/ml and 1.0 x 103- 5.0 x 105 cfu/ml respectively. Eleven bacterial isolates were detected in the yogurt samples. Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus spp. constituted 16% of the total microbial load, Corynebacterium spp., Klebsiela spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. constituted 8% while Proteus spp., Micrococcus spp., Shigella spp., Listeria spp., and Streptococcus spp. constituted 4%. Fungal isolates obtained were Mucor spp. (22%), Geotrichum spp. (17%), Montospora spp. (11%), while Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus spp., and Fusanrium spp. constituted 6%.The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that the isolates exhibited susceptible to Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin and resisted Nitrofurantoin, Augumentin, Cefixime, Ceufuroxime, Gentamicin and Ceftazidime. The isolates were plasmid encoded, with size range of 20,000- 40,000 Kilo base pairs. Result show no significant difference within the bacteria isolates (P> 0.05), while the fungi isolates showed significant difference (P<0.05). Significant difference also occurred between the bacteria and the fungi isolate (P< 0.05)

APOE E4 is associated with impaired self-declared cognition but not disease risk or age of onset in Nigerians with Parkinson's disease

The relationship between APOE polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD) in black Africans has not been previously investigated. We evaluated the association between APOE polymorphic variability and self-declared cognition in 1100 Nigerians with PD and 1097 age-matched healthy controls. Cognition in PD was assessed using the single item cognition question (item 1.1) of the MDS-UPDRS. APOE genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between PD and controls (p > 0.05). No allelic or genotypic association was observed between APOE and age at onset of PD. In PD, APOE ε4/ε4 conferred a two-fold risk of cognitive impairment compared to one or no ε4 (HR: 2.09 (95% CI: 1.13-3.89; p = 0.02)), while APOE ε2 was associated with modest protection against cognitive impairment (HR: 0.41 (95% CI 0.19-0.99, p = 0.02)). Of 773 PD with motor phenotype and APOE characterized, tremor-dominant (TD) phenotype predominated significantly in ε2 carriers (87/135, 64.4%) compared to 22.2% in persons with postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) (30/135) and 13.3% in indeterminate (ID) (18/135, 13.3%) (p = 0.037). Although the frequency of the TD phenotype was highest in homozygous ε2 carriers (85.7%), the distribution of motor phenotypes across the six genotypes did not differ significantly (p = 0.18). Altogether, our findings support previous studies in other ethnicities, implying a role for APOE ε4 and ε2 as risk and protective factors, respectively, for cognitive impairment in PD