Community Based Fishery Management: A Case Study Of Acadja Method Of Fishing On The Badagry Creek, Ogun State, Nigeria

The objective of the study was to elucidate and analyze key conditions for communal acadja system on the Badagry creek in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. A sample size of 120 respondents was used for the study. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analysed with the use of descriptive statistics such as means and percentages. The study revealed that most (86.9%) of the respondents were fully involved in the communal acadja with only 9% of them participated primarily for income generation while the larger percentage of the respondents involved for subsistence. It was observed that the fishers have some degree of tenure on the area of installation because of traditional regulatory mechanism in place. However, some constraints faced by the fishers as a result of implantation of acadjas include abandon of certain fishing gears, changing of fishing grounds, small fishing grounds and destruction of fishing gears. It was therefore recommended that acadja systems should be planned and implanted in the context of multiple uses of water body that integrated acadja systems with fishing and migration. Keywords: Acadja, , Community, Creek, fishery.Journal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol. 8 (1) 2008: pp. 28-3

Allergy sensitization and asthma among 13-14 year old school children in Nigeria

Background: The prevalence of asthma and role of atopy in asthma among children has not been clearly defined in Nigeria.Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma and investigate risk factors related to allergy sensitization among urban and rural school children in southwest Nigeria.Methods: Validated ISAAC questionnaire was administered to 1736 high school children in randomly selected schools in rural and urban communities. Identified asthma cases were matched to controls. Allergy skin tests, blood eosinophil count, serum IgE and stool examination for parasites were performed. Dust samples from homes were also collected and analyzed for allergens.Results: The prevalence of asthma was 7.5% (95% CI 6.0 to 9.2%) and 8% (95% CI 6.0-10.4%) in the rural and urban communities respectively . Risk factors for asthma included cigarette-smoking, cats in the home and family size. Eosinophil count (109/L) was elevated in asthmatics [0.70 (95% CI 0.48-1.11) vs. 0.32 (95% CI 0.19-0.69); p<0.01], but IgE levels were similar between the two groups (298±229 IU/mL vs. 288±257; p=0.97). Positive skin tests to cat hair, cockroach, mango blossom and mouse epithelium were more frequent in asthmatics than in healthy controls, especially in the rural communities. There was no correlation between allergens in dust collected from homes and skin test reactivity.Conclusion: Asthma prevalence is similar in rural and urban children in Southwest Nigeria and atopy with elevated IgE was not observed to be a major factor for asthma in our cohort of children in both communities.Key words: Asthma, risk factors, prevalence, atopy, sensitization, childre

Diversidad de floraciones de especies de algas nocivas en el área central del estuario del Río Bonny, delta del Níger, Nigeria

This study was carried out from December 2018 to November 2019 to examine the distribution and abundance of harmful algal species (HAS) in the central Bonny estuary. Seven sampling stations were established with ArcGIS tool. Microalgae species were sampled with 20 mm mesh plankton net. Nutrients were analyzed in the laboratory using the APHA 4500 Method, while physicochemical characteristics were determined in situ. Results revealed that environmental gradients were adequate to support life in that part of the estuary except for phosphate (2.90 ± 0.22-9.48 ± 1.06 mg l-1). A total of 31 HASs categorized into 17 genera and three classes were determined: Bacillariophyceae (29 species), Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae (one species each). Navicula amphibola had the highest density (4.713 103 cells l-1) while Pinnularia divergens recorded the lowest density (0.00049 103 cells l-1). Total density values decreased across seasons with 9.157 103 cells l-1 in dry season and 8.907 103 cells l-1 in wet season. Checklist of species across stations showed that five species were distributed across the seven stations, while two were found only in Station 2 and 7. Diversity indices revealed Shannon’s index ranged between 3.17 and 3.25 and species evenness ranged between 0.78 and 0.88, while Margalef range value (3.09-3.31) was considered moderately stable. Therefore, there is a need for proper management practices which could help to reduce the level of nutrient discharge into the central Bonny estuary.Este estudio se llevó a cabo entre diciembre de 2018 y noviembre de 2019 para examinar la distribución y abundancia de especies de algas nocivas (HAS, por sus siglas en inglés) en el área central del estuario del río Bonny. Se establecieron siete estaciones de muestreo con la herramienta ArcGIS. Las especies de microalgas se muestrearon con una red de plancton de 20 mm de malla. Los nutrientes se analizaron en laboratorio mediante el Método APHA 4500, mientras que las características fisicoquímicas se determinaron in situ. Los resultados revelaron que los gradientes ambientales fueron adecuados para sustentar la vida en esa parte del estuario, excepto por el fosfato (2,90 ± 0,22 - 9,48 ± 1,06 mg l-1). Se determinaron un total de 31 HAS categorizadas en 17 géneros y tres clases: Bacillariophyceae (29 especies), Chlorophyceae y Cyanophyceae (una especie cada una). Navicula amphibola tuvo la mayor densidad (4,713 x 103 células l-1) mientras que Pinnularia divergens registró la menor densidad (0,00049 x 103 células l-1). Los valores de densidad total disminuyeron a través de las estaciones con 9,157 x 103 células l-1 en la estación seca y 8,907 x 103 células l-1 en la estación húmeda. La lista de especies en las estaciones mostró que cinco especies se distribuyeron en las siete estaciones, mientras que dos se encontraron solo en las estaciones 2 y 7. Los índices de diversidad revelaron que el índice de Shannon osciló entre 3,17 y 3,25 y la uniformidad de las especies osciló entre 0,78 y 0,88, mientras que el valor del rango de Margalef (3,09-3,31) se consideró moderadamente estable. Por lo tanto, existe la necesidad de prácticas de gestión adecuadas que podrían ayudar a reducir el nivel de descarga de nutrientes en el área central del estuario del Bonny

Survivorship patterns of histopathological variants and molecular subtypes of breast cancer in a teaching hospital in Nigeria

Objective: To study the relationship of histopathological characteristics, molecular subtypes of breast cancer and survival in a low resource setting.Design: Tumours from prospectively ascertained patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer were analyzed. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections were constructed into tissue micro-arrays and immunostained with five anti-bodies. Five molecular subtypes were determined.Settings: The study was conducted jointly in the Department of Pathology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin in Nigeria and at the University of Chicago in the United States.Subjects: The study included a total of 203 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients whose pathological specimens were processed in the Department of Pathology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria between January 2003 and December 2007.Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 49.2 (SO ±11.9) years. Median time from symptom onset to cancer diagnosis was six months. Median follow-up time was 8.3 months. Median tumour size at diagnosis was 6cm. The proportion of ER+, PR+, HER2+ tumours were 27%, 16% and 30%, respectively. The most common molecular subtype was basal-like (25.1%) followed by unclassified (24.0%), luminal A (20.5%), HER2+/ER( 19.3%) and luminal B (11.1 %). Luminal A and B had best prognosis while basal-like and unclassified had worst prognosis. ER+ patients had longer duration of symptoms to diagnosis (median 8 months) than ER- patients (5 months) but ER+ patients had smaller tumours (median 5cm) than ER-patients (6cm, p=0.02). Recurrence-free survival was best for stage 1 and worst for stage 4 tumours. About 32.6% of patients had locoregional and/or metastatic recurrence.Conclusions: In consecutive breast cancer cases in Nigeria, almost half of patients were triple negative. Luminal A and B subtypes had best prognosis while triple negative had worst prognosis. The delay in breast cancer diagnosis and higher proportion of late stage of breast cancer underscores need for prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment, especially hormonal therapy for ER positive patients

Investigation of the osteometry of the skull of the one-humped camels. Part II: sex dimorphism and geographical variations in adults

Sexual dimorphism in the skull of different species has been of importance in archaeological, forensic and anatomical studies; also, a variation in phenotypic and genetic traits across geographic space is a recurring phenomenon in biological species. This study investigated 10 adult camels from each of three geographical locations in northern Nigeria, for sex- and location-based variations in the skulls. In one location, male skulls had greater absolute osteometric values but there were no significance differences in relative proportions between sexes. Moreover, all index values (skull, cranial and facial) indicate no sexual dimorphism in all locations. There were some variations in the osteometry of the frontal region, and neurocranial volume between the locations. In addition it was observed that the skull index of Nigerian camels was similar to the Malha type documented in literature but wide variations exist in many other craniometric dimensions of the skull. This suggests a definite difference in phenotype and probable origin

Osteometry of the skull of one-humped camels. Part I: immature animals

The aim of this study was to investigate osteometric indices of immature camels (2-3 years old) in Nigeria. The cranial length, viscerocranial length, maximum zygomatic width, neurocranial volume, skull and facial index for females and males were 22.1 cm and 22.3 cm; 16.3 cm and 16.7 cm; 15.8 cm and 16.1 cm; 479 ml and 496 ml; 40.9 and 41.3, and 96.4 and 96.2 respectively. The mean orbital horizontal and vertical diameters of young camels were similar to each other giving a near complete circular shape. The foramen magnum index was over 100 because of a relatively higher height than width. The data were compared with those of other types of immature camels in the literature and will be useful for anatomical, developmental, anthropological and clinical studies of camels

Effect of Prior Bilateral Oophorectomy on the Presentation of Breast Cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers

Purpose: To compare the presentation of invasive breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers with and without prior bilateral oophorectomy. Patients and methods: Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation with the diagnosis of invasive breast cancer were identified from ten cancer genetics clinics. The medical history, medical treatment records and pathology reports for the breast cancers were reviewed. Information was abstracted from medical charts, including history (and date) of oophorectomy, date of breast cancer diagnosis, stage of disease, and pathologic characteristics of the breast cancer. Women with prior bilateral oophorectomy were matched by age, year of diagnosis, and mutation with one or more women who had two intact ovaries at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Characteristics of the breast tumours were compared between the two groups

Studies on the Serological Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Children in Riyom LGA, North Central Nigeria

Background: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been identified as one of the most common infectious diseases of major health concern. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among Children in selected communities at Riyom L.G.A. of Plateau State Nigeria. Methodology: Two hundred (200) sera samples were collected from Pupils attending Primary Schools at three locations of study and analyzed using the HBs Ag Monolisa ELISA kit and the HBV-5 panel test for the qualitative assessment of the markers of hepatitis B virus infection in human serum, plasma and whole blood. Result: Overall result from the total samples assayed showed that, 58(29.0%) were seropositive, [{P value of 0.020}: P 0.05]. Gender consideration of subjects screened showed that male subjects had a prevalence of 19.0% compared to 10.0% for Females [{P value of 0.0435}: P 0.05]. while subjects with traditional method of circumcision recorded a higher prevalence of 9.5% [{P value of 0.3120}:P< 0.05].Considering markers for HBV infection, findings showed that the highest rate of positivity recorded with the HBsAg showed 25% among children screened, HBeAg recorded 4.0%. Anti-HBs which indicate antibody to the HBsAg showed 35(17.5%) positivity while, Anti-HBe positivity recorded 15.0%.Similarly, Anti-HBc Positivity showed a record of 13.5% positivity. Conclusion: The result obtained from this study showed a higher prevalence of the Hepatitis B Virus at our locations of study compared to similar studies conducted earlier within our location of study. It is strongly suggested that accurate diagnosis with effective screening of pregnant mothers be intensified, while the need for timely vaccination of children at risk be promptly embarked upon