Detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies among HIV Seropositive women attending a Rehabilitation centre.

Co-infection with human immunodeficiency Virus HIV and (HCV) is becoming a major global problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. This research hence examines the risk factors and transmission of HIV and HCV co-infection. Two hundred and ninety (290) subjects were screened, with HCV global immunochromatographic test kit. Possible risk factors to co-infectious status of subject were determined using a well-structured questionnaire. Out of the 290 sera tested, 25 (8.6%) were positive for HCV antibodies. Considering Age of subjects screened, females aged 11-20 years recorded a high positivity of 3.1 %,( X2 = 2.755, P-value = 0.839; P>0.05).Marital status of subjects showed that single subjects recorded 13(4.5%), (X2 = 0.679,P-value = 0.712 ; P > 0.05)positivity compared to married subjects with 4.1%. There were no significant correlations between HCV infection with Age and Marital Status; P - values = 0.839 and 0.712 respectively (i.e P > 0.05). Significant correlation was found between HCV antibodies and educational status, (Value x2 = 7.957,P-value = 0.047; P < 0.05).However, Volunteers with secondary school level of education recorded 10(3.4%) positivity. The result obtained showed that Seroprevalence to HCV antibodies in this study was high, hence the need for its early diagnosis among HIV patients is strongly advocated to reduce the risk of further complications among these subjects

Evaluation of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cissampelos mucronata on Testicular Function Indices in Wistar Rats

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Cissampelos mucronata on testicular function indices in male wistar rats (Rattus novergicus). Methodology: A total of 20 rats, grouped into four, with a group consisting of five rats were used for the study. The groups were a control administered 1.0 mL of distilled water and three other groups that were respectively administered - 1.0 mL of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight of the plant extract. The different groups were administered plant extract orally for 14 days, using metal oropharyngeal cannula. Results: The results revealed a significant increase (P <0.05) in body weight, testes-body weight ratio, cholesterol and glycogen concentrations at all the doses except at 1200 mg/kg body weight of the animals where decreased glycogen level was observed. There was also significant decrease (P <0.05) in the concentrations of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and total testicular protein especially in rats administered with 1200 mg/kg body weight of extract while there was no significant change in the activities of gamma glutamyl transferase. Serum testosterone concentration was observed to decrease significantly (P <0.05) only in the rats administered with 300 mg/kg body weight of extract. Conclusion: The results indicate anti-androgenic and anti-steroidogenic activities of Cissampelos mucronata aqueous leaf extract on males

Remediation of polluted wastewater effluents: hydrocarbon removal

The onset of the industrial revolution has led to a surge in the quantity of hazardous compounds that are released into the environment. These hazardous pollutants consist of a variety of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds that pose serious risks to humans, animals and the environment. The presence of hydrocarbons in wastewater effluents is due to a variety of sources, which include oil spillage, pesticides, urban storm water discharges and automobile oil. The removal of hydrocarbons from wastewater before discharge into receiving water bodies from wastewater effluents entails a variety of processes, with the most common processes being phytoremediation, bioremediation and chemical remediation. Phytoremediation is a cost effective method of reducing risk to human and ecosystem health posed by contaminated water. It entails the use of plants for the removal of contaminants and could involve mechanisms such as phytodegradation, rhizodegradation, rhizofiltration, phyto extraction, phytovolatilization, hydraulic control and phytostabilization. On the other hand, bioremediation is the use of microorganisms to breakdown or degrade pollutants in a contaminated site. The technology is low cost and has a generally high public acceptance. It consists of biostimulation (addition of nutrients to indigenous microorganisms) and bioaugmentation (addition of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms). In the case of chemical remediation, it involves the use of chemicals for the treatment of contaminated sites. Substances, such as dispersants and solidifiers are used in chemical remediation. This study was aimed at reviewing the sources, impacts and remediation processes for hydrocarbon polluted wastewater effluents. This review was able to describe the sources and impacts of hydrocarbon polluted wastewater effluents and the various methods of treatment

Evaluation of the effect of Cissus populnea aqueous root infusion on some testicular function indices and serum hormones of male rats

This study aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous infusion of Cissus populnea root on testicular function indices and serum hormones of male Wistar rats. Twenty male albino rats, weighing 130 ±25 g were completely randomized into 4 groups of five each. Animals in groups I to IV received 0.2ml of distilled water, 0.05 ml, 0.1 ml & 0.2 ml/kg body weight of the infusion, respectively. The oral administration was done once daily for 14 days using oropharyngeal cannula. Compared with the control, administration of aqueous infusion of C. populnea root at the doses administered resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage testesbody weight ratio, serum testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, testicular cholesterol, protein, sialic acid and glycogen. The results were observed to be 1.73 %, 3.4 ng/ml, 4.2 mlu/ml, 15.5 mlu/ml, 16.8 nM/min/mg protein, 3.39 mmol/ L, 13.58 nM/min/mg protein, 92.75 mg/ml, 1.97 mg/g and 8.38 mg/100mg glucose in the animals respectively compared with the control values of 1.10 %., 1.3 ng/ml, 3.5 mlu/ml, 5.64 nM/min/mg protein, 0.77 mmol/L, 2.58 nM/min/mg protein, 51.58 mg/ml, 1.09 mg/g and 3.13 mg/100mg glucose respectively. The oral administration of aqueous infusion of C. populnea root may help to improve fertility in males due to its ability to increase serum testosterone and gonadotropins secretion

Investigation of the Effect of Initial Biomass on Nitrate and Phosphate Removal from Synthetic Wastewater by Selected Bacteria Isolates

Although nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients to the existence of living organisms, their presence in excessive amounts in wastewater could have detrimental effects to humans and other living organisms. The present investigation was aimed at ascertaining the effect of initial biomass concentration on the nutrient removal efficiency of four bacterial species in synthetic wastewater under shaking flasks conditions. Four different initial biomasses [2.91 x 108 cfu/mL, 5.82 x 108 cfu/mL, 8.73 x 108 cfu/mL and 1.16 x 109 cfu/mL (Klebsiella sp.); 6.31 x 108 cfu/mL, 1.26 x 109 cfu/mL, 1.89 x 109 cfu/mL and 2.52 x 109 cfu/mL (Pseudomonas sp.); 1.75 x 108 cfu/mL, 3.49 x 108 cfu/mL, 5.24 x 108 cfu/mL and 6.98 x 108 cfu/mL (Lysinibacillus sp.), and 7.1 x 108 cfu/mL, 1.42 x 109 cfu/mL, 2.13 x 109 cfu/mL and 2.84 x 109 cfu/mL (Staphylococcus sp.)] were used for the study. For nutrient removal studies, the respective initial biomasses of the test isolates were inoculated into flasks containing the wastewater media. Aliquot samples were taken at the beginning of the study and every 24 h for 96 h for the estimation of growth rate, pH, phosphate and nitrate concentrations in the wastewater, using standard methods. The results revealed only slight phosphate decreases in the wastewater after the expiration of incubation. All the test isolates showed significant nitrate removal ability except the Lysinibacillus sp. After 96 h incubation 68.36 to 90.67 %, 91.80 to 95.29 %, 3.20 to 11.48 % and 86.77 to 94.33 % of nitrate was removed in the presence of the Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Lysinibacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp., respectively. The study was able to reveal the phosphate and nitrate removal ability of the isolates at the different initial biomasses used for the investigation

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF ANCHOMANES DIFFORMIS ROOT AND BLACK SOAP MIXTURE ON UTERINE FUNCTION INDICES OF RATS

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous infusion of Anchomanes difformis root-black soap mixture on uterine function indices in Wistar rats. Twenty female albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) weighing 120-130 g were randomized into 4 subgroups, A – D. Animals in these subgroups received 1 ml of distilled water (control), 0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 ml/kg body weight of aqueous infusion of Anchomanes difformis root-black soap mixture respectively. Oral administration to the animals was done once daily for 7 days. Administration of aqueous A. difformis root-black soap mixture at all the doses resulted in significant increase (P <0.05) in uterus–body weight ratio, uterine glucose, protein, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormones. This increase was observed to be 171 kg, 0.06 mg/ml, 169 mg/ml, 158 mg/ml, 14.53 nM/min/ml, 58.9 mg/ml, 26.5 mIU/ml and 56.9 mIU/ml respectively compared with control levels of 98.3 kg, 0.02 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 99.7 mg/ml, 14.5 nM/min/ml, 10 mg/ml, 8 mIU/ml and 8 mIU/ml respectively. It may be concluded from this study that the oral administration of aqueous infusion of A. difformis root-black soap mixture has the ability to increase the synthesis of female hormones and uterine function indices leading to a general enhancement in the functioning of the uterus

Pollution indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater treatment: Implication on receiving water bodies

There is the indication that human deaths as a result of water-borne diseases exceed five million people per year, with over half of the diseases being microbial intestinal infections, especially cholera and diarrhea. A number of pathogenic microorganisms, regarded as water pollution indicators have been observed as the agents of such. These water pollution indicators are present in feces, sewage and can survive as long as pathogenic organisms. These pathogenic microorganisms cause several waterborne infections and diseases like bacterial (cholera, salmonellosis, shigellosis and several diseases associated with pathogenic strains of E. coli), viral (ranging from a mild febrile illness to myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, poliomyelitis, herpangina, hand-foot-and mouth disease and neonatal multi-organ failure), protozoan (cryptosporidiosis, diarrhea encaphilitis, giardiasis, amoebiasis) and fungal (candidiasis, blastomycosis, cryptococcusis, aspergilosis). These biological contaminants that cause several water-borne diseases can however be removed from water through physical (ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation and boiling) and chemical disinfection methods (chlorination, chloramination and ozonation). The aim of this paper was to review the microbial indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in water and wastewater. The paper also discussed the treatment strategies for microbial-contaminated water and wastewaters

Heavy metal pollutants in wastewater effluents: Sources, effects and remediation

Heavy metals, also known as trace metals, are one of the most persistent pollutants in wastewater. The discharge of high amounts of heavy metals into water bodies leads to several environmental and health impacts. The exposure of humans to heavy metals can occur through a variety of routes, which include inhalation as dust or fume, vapourisation and ingestion through food and drink. Some negative impacts of heavy metals to aquatic ecosystems include death of aquatic life, algal blooms, habitat destruction from sedimentation, debris, increased water flow, other short and long term toxicity from chemical contaminants. Abundant amounts of heavy metals present in soils cause reduction in quality and quantity of food preventing plants’ growth, uptake of nutrients, physiological and metabolic processes. Severe effects on animals may include reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme cases, death. To help mitigate the negative impacts of heavy metals on the health of humans, animals and the environment, a variety of remediation processes exists. These remediation processes are broadly classified into chemical and biological, although the latter is advocated in recent years. Biological remediation processes (microbial remediation and phytoremediation) are indicated to be very effective in the treatment of heavy metal pollutants in wastewater. Microbial remediation is the restoration of the environment and its quality using microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoan and algae while phytoremediation is the use of plants to degrade or accumulate toxic metals, thereby leading to a reduction in the bioavailability of the contaminant in the soil or water. This paper was therefore aimed at reviewing the sources, impacts and remediation processes for heavy metals in wastewater

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection among Alcoholic Consumers at a Local Community, North-East Nigeria

Alcohol remains the single most significant cause of liver disease throughout the Western world; which is responsible for about 40 – 80% cause of cirrhosis in different countries. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the sero-prevalence of HBV infection among alcoholics. One hundred and thirty eight (138) alcoholic consumers and fifty (50) control subjects at Billiri Community in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State were screened for HBsAg using Clinotech Diagnostic Third Generation ELISA Kit. Structured questionnaire was employed to obtain demographic data of study subjects.The result obtained showed a positivity of 10 (5.3%) among the subjects screened. Considering gender 7 (3.7%) seropositivity was recorded among the alcoholic males compared to 3 (2.1%) in females. Age consideration showed that subjects within 21 – 30 years recorded 4 (2.1%) prevalence. Equally control subjects had a prevalence of 4 (2.1%). Considering the serum amino transferase (ALT) among positive subjects screened 8 (4.3%) recorded an elevated ALT.The data obtained in this study calls for drastic measures at curtailing the spread of this virus, because of its attendant effects on the liver. Also, immunization of individuals in this community is highly recommended