In vitro antihelmintička aktivnost sirovog ekstrakta lišća i frakcija biljke Icacina trichantha u kontroli oblića Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus is an important gastrointestinal parasite of ruminants, which causes anaemia, submandibular oedema, progressive weight loss, weakness and the death of infected animals. This study evaluates the in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of Icacina trichantha leaf crude extract and fractions against the parasite H. contortus eggs and larvae. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract was carried out using standard procedures to determine the metabolites contained in the plant. The in vitro anthelmintic activity of the crude extract and fractions was determined using egg hatch inhibition assay (EHA) and larval development inhibition assay (LDA), while albendazole was the positive control. The extract of I. trichantha leaves inhibited hatching of eggs and larval development of H. contortus in a dose graded response. The concentrations of 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/ml of the crude extract and fractions showed the positive inhibitory effects of the ovicidal and larvicidal on H. contortus, and this compared positively with the anthelmintic activity of albendazole. At the concentration of 12.5 mg/ml, the crude extract, fractions and albendazole produced 100% ovicidal and larvicidal inhibitory effects on H. Contortus, except for n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions, which inhibited 98% and 99.8% of egg hatching and larval development, respectively. However, the crude extract and fractions’ activity compared statistically with albendazole, with no significant (p>0.05) difference. Therefore, the results obtained from this study showed that all the tested extracts possess anthelmintic compounds that warrant further in vivo evaluation for safety and toxicity profiles.Hemonchus contortus je važan gastrointestinalni parazit preživača koji uzrokuje anemiju, submandibularni edem, progresivni gubitak tjelesne mase, slabost i smrt zaraženih životinja. U ovom se istraživanju ocjenjuje in vitro ovicidna i larvicidna aktivnost sirovog ekstrakta lista i frakcija biljke Icacina trichantha protiv jajašaca i ličinki parazita H. contortus. Fitokemijska analiza sirovog ekstrakta provedena je standardnim postupcima za određivanje metabolita sadržanih u biljci. Antelmintička aktivnost sirovog ekstrakta i frakcija in vitro određena je pomoću testa inhibicije leženja jajašaca (EHA) i testa inhibicije razvoja ličinki (LDA), dok je albendazol bio pozitivna kontrola. Ekstrakt listova I. trihantha inhibirao je leženje jajašaca i razvoj ličinki H. contortus ovisno o stupnjevanoj dozi. Koncentracije 0,78, 1,56, 3,12, 6,25 i 12,5 mg/ml sirovog ekstrakta i frakcija pokazale su pozitivne ovicidne i larvicidne inhibitorne učinke na H. contortus, a to se pozitivno usporedilo s antelmintičkom aktivnošću albendazola. Pri koncentraciji od 12,5 mg/ml sirovi ekstrakt, frakcije i albendazol proizvodili su 100% ovicidnih i larvicidnih inhibitornih učinaka na H. contortus, osim za frakcije n-butanola i etil acetata, koje su inhibirale 98% leženja jajašaca i 99,8% razvoja ličinki. Ipak, razlike između aktivnosti sirovog ekstrakta te frakcija I. trihantha i albendazola nije bila statistički znakovita (P>0,05). Stoga su rezultati dobiveni ovim istraživanjem pokazali da svi testirani ekstrakti imaju anthelmintičke spojeve za koje je potrebno provesti daljnju in vivo procjenu profila povezanih sa sigurnošću i toksičnošću

Audience Perception of Television Animated Cartoons as Tool for Political Communication: A Study of Selected Towns in North Central Nigeria

This study investigated audience perception of television animated cartoons as tool for political communication. The specific objectives of the study were: to find out the frequency of exposure to television animated cartoons between males and females; to find out the frequency of exposure to television animated cartoons between audience members with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education; to find out the perception of television cartoons between males and females and to find out the perception of television cartoons between audience members with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample size was 384 selected from three areas-Lokoja, Makurdi and Lafia of North Central Nigeria-while multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study. A self-developed questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. Findings showed a difference in the mean scores of males and females on their exposure to and perception about TV animated cartoons. Result also showed a difference in the mean scores of respondents with primary, secondary and tertiary education on their perception about TV animated cartoons. The researcher recommends, among others, that TV cartoonists should think out of the box and come with crafty cartoons that effective convey political messages.Key words: audience assessment animated cartoons, TV for political communicatio

Problems and prospects of rabbit production in Nigeria - a review

Population growth in the developed countries is stabilizing while that of developing countries including Nigeria is still increasing rapidly. This calls for increasing the production of livestock to meet the protein demand of the populace. Rabbits are characterized by small body size, short gestation period, high reproductive potential, rapid growth rate, genetic diversity, and their ability to utilize forages. Their by-products serve as major diet components and are devoid of fat thus making them suitable important source of protein. Rabbit meat is of high quality, being high in protein and low in fat content. Rabbit production can be integrated into small farming systems, with the rabbits being fed on crop residues, weeds, waste fruits, vegetables and poultry droppings. The manure can be used as fertilizer for crops and gardens. The housing systems and equipment examined were cages, feeders and other equipment for rabbits can be made using readily available materials such as split bamboo and raffia palm. Limitations to rabbit production in developing countries include the susceptibility of the animals to heat stress, and the degree of management skill necessary to raise rabbits successfully. This study further suggests areas of research needed on the nutritional value of tropical forages and by-products for rabbits. It is apparent that in many areas in developing countries, rabbit production could be an effective means of converting forages and by-products into high quality animal protein for human consumption. The study provides a benchmark for the understanding of prospects of rabbit production in Nigeria. Keywords: Rabbit, Production, Problems, Prospects, Animal protein

Effects of exchange rate volatility and interest rate variability on stock returns of commercial banks in Nigeria

Following the adoption of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986, stock returns of Nigerian commercial banks have been largely influenced by macroeconomic variables of which, exchange rate volatility and interest rate variability are dominant. The effect of changes in these variables has resulted in substantial loss of value in portfolio investment. The aim of this study is to analyse descriptively the performance of stock returns of Nigerian commercial banks from 2010 to 2017; to determine the relationship among exchange rate volatility in 2016 and its conditional volatility in periods beyond; and to evaluate the effects of exchange rate volatility and interest rate variability on the performance of stock returns of Nigerian commercial banks. Exponential Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) models were used to analyse secondary data spanning the period 2010 to 2017. Results obtained indicate that the performance of stock returns of most commercial banks are dictated by the direction of movement of exchange rate and interest rate; exchange rate volatility in 2016 is related to the conditional volatility in the period beyond; and that the performance of stock returns of Nigerian commercial banks is significantly determined by exchange rate volatility and interest rate variability. The study recommends that alternative non-oil bilateral trade relations should be exploited to increase foreign exchange earnings of government to meet the ever increasing demand which exerts pressure on the exchange rate. It further recommends that government implement policies such as inflation targeting to act as a hedge to exchange rate volatility and interest rate variability. Government should also maintain its foreign reserve at a level where the foreign exchange market is sustainable at all times

A 30-Minute Video Documentary on COVID-19 Pandemic and Teaching-Learning Effectiveness in Selected Universities in Kwara State, Nigeria

COVID-19 Pandemic posed significant challenges on education especially in a developing country such as Nigeria; schools without the necessary facilities to take online classes suffered greatly. This dissertation was based on COVID-19 pandemic: its impacts on education through the use of television documentary. The general objective of this study is to find out the impact of COVID-19 on education particularly the secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Diffusion of innovation theory as well as social cognitive theory were adopted in this study. This documentary serves as an eye opener to the menace in the public institution and the efforts of the private institution regarding online teaching and learning. Therefore, government at all levels should as a matter of concern work together to boost education in Nigeria for a better human development, it is also recommended that government should improve on the budget for education sector, ensure that, it is channeled through the right source for effective development while making sure that computer based centre are built across all schools with close monitoring and proper maintenance. University Students at all levels should be encouraged to embrace the online form of learning

In vivo and in vitro antioxidant fffects of Icacina trichantha tuber extract

The phytochemical and antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of Icacina trichantha tuber were evaluated using standard assays. The antioxidant potential was studied with both in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro procedures involved the use of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) spectrophotometrically. The in vivo models quantified the gradation in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities in rats that were fed on graded doses of the extract incorporated in feed for 12 weeks. DPPH assay revealed that the crude extract possessed a high antioxidant capacity of 67.3% compared to 80.3% with ascorbic acid at 400 μg/ml. The findings from the FRAP test buttressed the fact that the extract displayed a remarkably high and dose-dependent antioxidant effect with a maximal value of 6.7 μM at 800 μg/ml. The extract also exhibited potent in vivo antioxidant effects when the plasma MDA levels became depressed while the serum SOD, CAT and GSH values of test rats that received the medium and high dose (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg feed) of the extract were significantly (p<0.05) elevated from days 60-90 compared to values in the control and low dose (0.25 g/kg feed) of the extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, sterols and terpenes in the crude methanol extract of I. trichantha tuber. The results of the study demonstrated that I. trichantha tuber extract possessed high in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities. The extract could be a potential source for the isolation of novel plant-derived antioxidant agents.Key words: Antioxidant, Icacina trichantha, Free radicals, Bioassay

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions associated with antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary students : a multi-country survey from Nigeria, South Africa, and Sudan

In African countries, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issue remains pertinent. Despite this, little efforts have been made to assess the future veterinary prescribers on their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to antimicrobial usage. This multi-country survey attempts to explore the KAP of future veterinarians on stewardship of antimicrobial and identify knowledge gaps. Eight veterinary schools participated from Nigeria, Sudan and South Africa. Data regarding perceptions and knowledge were analyzed using Chi-square χ² test, Spearman’s (Rho) Rank order correlation and factor analysis using principal component factoring extraction method. Fifty-two percent of the study participants were final year veterinary students, respectively, and majority (77.2%) had no previous knowledge of biomedical sciences. Majority age were 22–27 years (24.7 ± 2.8) 79% and multiple career fields post-graduation were preferred. Overall, poor perceptions and knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship were observed with variations among countries and only 36.3% (n = 123) of the students were confident in their ability to choose the ideal antimicrobial agents for a specific patient/group of animals. The majority of the final year students were confident of their knowledge regarding AMR (68%), making of Gram staining (69.2%) and in choosing the most ideal route for administering a specific antimicrobial (74.7%). The final year students had significantly (p < 0.05) higher confidence level for knowledge compared with the pre-final year students. Tetracyclines, penicillins, and sulphonamides represent the three most abused veterinary antimicrobials with similar ranking across countries. South African (69.7 ± 20.5) and Sudanese (68.1 ± 15.4) had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher mean scores compared to the Nigerian students (44.3 ± 6.8) in the student’s ability to correctly match some specific antimicrobials against their classes but Nigerian students performed better in ranking antimicrobials. This survey revealed poor to average knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary students with significant knowledge gaps across the countries. It is recommended that the relevant regulatory and standardization authorities should make concerted efforts and interventions to regularly review curricula to ensure the delivery of targeted formative and normative training, and improved lectures on antimicrobial usage and stewardship in order to improve the awareness and behaviors of future prescribers. The identified knowledge gaps of veterinary medical students on antimicrobial stewardship must be bridge to safeguard the future.The Peer Enhanced Scholarship of Teaching and Learning under the Vice-Principal, Research and Postgraduate Education, University of Pretoria; Education Innovation Project under the Department of Education Innovation, University of Pretoria; Department of Higher Education and Training, Cost Centre: UP-A0W589.http://frontiersin.org/Public_Healthpm2021Nursing ScienceParaclinical SciencesProduction Animal StudiesVeterinary Tropical Disease

Cartoons, Cartoonists and Effective Communication in the Nigeria Print Media

Cartoons have over the years become very prominent features of newspapers and magazines that some of them are sought by readers for their cartoons. However, there is the tendency to see cartoons as very trivial issues meant to create fun and laughter for readers only. This paper takes a critical look at the effectiveness of cartoons in print media communication and the safety they offer for the print media in terms of freedom of expression, especially during the intolerant military regimes. Premised on the Agenda setting theory, the paper equally evaluates the position of the cartoonist within his own organization and concludes that the lot of the cartoonist needs to be bettered to position him for higher productivity. Key words: cartoons, communication, print media, caricatur