Semen characteristics and testicular biometry of Swiss albino mice treated with water soluble fractions of spent engine oil

Contamination of soil and underlying groundwater with spent engine oil from automobile workshops and garages has serious ecological problems affecting plants and animals. The spermatotoxic potential of spent engine oil (SEO) was investigated using 24 adult male Swiss albino mice having mean weight of 24.67±0.2 g for 30 days. The mice were divided into 4 groups A, B, C, D of six mice each. Group A (control) was treated orally with distilled water, B (100% water soluble fractions (WSF) of spent engine oil), C (10% water soluble fractions (WSF) of spent engine oil) and D (1% water soluble fractions (WSF) of spent engine oil). It was observed that the mean percentage sperm motility, viability and sperm count of the treated groups B, C, and D decreased compared to the control, although the differences were not significant (p>0.05). This same trend was observed for the morphologically abnormal sperm cells of mice in the treated groups compared to the control. It was concluded in this study that treatment with water soluble fractions of spent engine oil for 30 days had no negative effect on the semen characteristics and testicular biometry of Swiss albino mice.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reservedKeywords: Mice, semen, spent engine oil, teste

Effect of smoking duration on the microbiological quality of cold-smoked Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (Linnaeus, 1758)

This study evaluated the effect of varying smoking durations of 6, 6.5, 7 and 7.5 hours on the microbiological quality and percentage moisture content of cold-smoked Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua. The fish sample were cold-smoked using the traditional drum oven. Four batches of the smoked fish were stored in metal baskets at ambient temperatures for a period of 12 days and assessed for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli loads, Mould count, Total Plate Count and Total Coliform Count. Analyses of the smoked fish samples were carried out at the initial stage (day 0) and subsequently every alternate days (i.e. days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12). Significant variations (P < 0.05) were obtained for all the microbial counts on the four smoked fish samples. The best microbiologically stable cold-smoked samples were that smoked at the longest duration of 7.5 hours. This produced the least mean microbial load range of TPC (1.50 x 103 - 2.00 x 105cfu/g); TCC varied from 0.0MPN/g to 12.0 MPN/g ; Mould count (1.32 x103 - 2.55 x 105 cfu/g) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.0 x103 - 1.35 x 105cfu/g) while percentage moisture content ranged between 25.3% to 15.2%. All the samples tested negative to Escherichia coli

Response of larvae of Cirina forda Westwood (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) to spatio-temporal variation in the nutritional content of foliage of Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn. f. (Sapotaceae)

Cirina forda, an economically important edible folivore of Vitellaria paradoxa in the moist and dry woodland savanna ecosystems of Nigeria, has become ecologically restricted to the upper dry woodland savanna ecozone. The larvae of this insect are good source of protein for human and livestock consumption and income. However, little information is available on the bioecology of the insect to facilitate mass production. The study investigated, therefore, the emergence pattern and the physiological responses of the larval stages of the pest to spatial and temporal variations in the nutritional quality of foliage of the host tree, and their role in ecological adaptation of this pest. Field studies showed that the emergence pattern of C. forda is entrained to coincide with the period of abundant leaves of V. paradoxa at the beginning of the rainy season in the dry woodland savanna. Occurrence of C. forda in Nigeria has become restricted to the northernly dry woodland savanna ecosystem principally due to variation in the nutritional quality of leaf diet, and this is directly related to foliage age and geographical location of the host, V. paradoxa. Older leaves contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) micronutrients than immature leaves of the same plant, and larvae developed faster with access to foliage of different ages significantly (P < 0.05) than those fed on exclusive diets. Variation in micronutrient content and, probably, phytosterols in the leaves of different ages were suspected to be major reasons for non-survival to adult on exclusive diets. The knowledge would aid laboratory culture and management of this pest

Bacteriological examination of public water taps and borehole water in Choba community, Rivers state

This study examined the bacteriological quality of public water taps available in Choba community of Rivers State. Public water tap samples were collected using sterile glass jars. The samples were serial diluted and from 10-1 to 10-5 and were plated, the samples were gram stained and viewed under light microscope. Total heterotrophic bacteria was analyzed using spread plate method, feacal and total coliform was enumerated, so also motility test was done for the identification of salmonella shigella spp. Biochemical test and physical parameters were also analyzed. Results showed that bore hole water1 (BHW1) had 9.7 10^5, 2 , 240 and 3 respectively, bore hole water 2 (BHW2) had 1.7x 10^7, 200,4 and were not motile. Public water tap1 (PWT1) had 1.7 x10^6, 60, 20 and 10.public water tap ( PWT2) showed 1.6x 10^7, 120, 7, and 16 respectively for each of the tests. Physicochemical properties were also examined and public water tap (PWT1) had the highest alkalinity of 30, temperature of 32.5, pH 3.24 and hardness of 160 while bore hole water 1(BHW1) had 13.9, 30.3, 4.32and 10 for each of the physicochemical parameters respectively. The results showed that the water from the boreholes in the study areas are contaminated with coliform bacteria. There is therefore need to increase awareness of the community towards preventive and treatment approaches in order to minimize the dangers associated with the use of contaminated water. Pipe connections should be checked properly and regularly. Keywords: Bacteriological analysis, Water quality, Coliform , Diseases and Contamination.&nbsp

Effect of dietary inclusion of Pleurotus tuber-regium on performance and intestinal morphology of growing rabbits

The Pleuroteus mushroom has immense growth and health promoting potentials. However, reports on its utilization in the diet of the rabbit is sparse. Therefore, a 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of Pleurotus tuber-regium sclerotium powder (PTRSP) in growing rabbits. Forty–eight crossbred rabbits aged between 7 and 9 weeks with average initial weight of 700±25 g were used for the study. The rabbits were allotted to 4 experimental diets containing 0.0, 25.0, 50.0 and 75.0 g/kg PTRSP, respectively. Each treatment had 4 replicates with three rabbits each in a completely randomised design. Growth performance, serum biochemistry and intestinal morphology were determined. The weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better (P&lt;0.05) in rabbits fed diet containing 50.0g/kg PTRSP. Rabbits fed diet containing 75.0 g/kg PTRSP had lower (P&lt;0.05) serum cholesterol, creatinine and alanine transaminase and higher (P&lt;0.05) total glucose concentration compared to those receiving other experimental diets. Rabbits fed diet with 50.0g/kg PTRSP had higher (P&lt;0.05) caecal apical width than those fed diet containing 0.0 g/kg. Inclusion of 50.0 g/kg of PTRSP in the diets of rabbits is beneficial for improved growth, cholesterol metabolism and intestinal morphology without any adverse effects

Prevalence and Pattern of Back Pain among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinics in Selected Health Care Facilities

Back pain is (BP) is recognized as an important problem in pregnancy. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and pattern of back pain (BP) in pregnancy. A survey of 2,187 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in selected Medical facilities in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Nigeria was carried out using pre-tested close-ended questionnaire. Information on prevalence, pattern and characteristics of back pain in pregnancy were obtained. Data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics of independent t-tests and chi-square tests. One thousand and eight (52.5%) of the 1919 included subjects had back pain in pregnancy. The mean age of those with and without back pain was 26.8 ± 5.3 and 27.1 ± 5.4 years respectively. Mean number of pregnancy was higher in subjects with back pain than those without back pain. The pain site among the 1008 subjects with back pain was low back in 669 subjects (66.4%), posterior pelvic in 242 subjects (24.0%) and high back in 97 subjects (9.6%). Among the subjects with back pain, 315 (31.3%) and 53 (5.3%) were in their first and sixth pregnancies respectively. Postural modification relieved the back pain in about 50% of the subjects across the three back pain groups during pregnancy. It was concluded that back pain is a common and real complaint in pregnancy. It is therefore recommended that rather than dismiss it as trivial, back pain in pregnancy should be attended to as part of ante-natal care

Prevalence and pattern of back pain among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in selected health care facilities

Back pain is (BP) is recognized as an important problem in pregnancy. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and pattern of back pain (BP) in pregnancy. A survey of 2,187 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in selected Medical facilities in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Nigeria was carried out using pre-tested close-ended questionnaire. Information on prevalence, pattern and characteristics of back pain in pregnancy were obtained. Data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics of independent t-tests and chi-square tests. One thousand and eight (52.5%) of the 1919 included subjects had back pain in pregnancy. The mean age of those with and without back pain was 26.8 ± 5.3 and 27.1 ± 5.4 years respectively. Mean number of pregnancy was higher in subjects with back pain than those without back pain. The pain site among the 1008 subjects with back pain was low back in 669 subjects (66.4%), posterior pelvic in 242 subjects (24.0%) and high back in 97 subjects (9.6%). Among the subjects with back pain, 315 (31.3%) and 53 (5.3%) were in their first and sixth pregnancies respectively. Postural modification relieved the back pain in about 50% of the subjects across the three back pain groups during pregnancy. It was concluded that back pain is a common and real complaint in pregnancy. It is therefore recommended that rather than dismiss it as trivial, back pain in pregnancy should be attended to as part of ante-natal care

‘Leopard Skin’ as a Rapid Diagnostic Index for Estimating the Endemicity of African Onchocerciasis

A study was made in five rural districts of Kwara State, Nigeria to assess the possible use of ‘leopard skin’ (Ls) as a rapid diagnostic technique for estimating the endemicity of African onchocerciasis. The findings revealed that there is a positive association between the percentage of subjects with skin microfilariae (mf) and the percentage with Ls. The prevalence of Ls less than 1% suggests communities with sporadic infection, 1–6% suggests hypoendemic communities and greater than 6% suggests meso-or hyperendemic communities, using mf rates of less than 10%, 10–39%, 40–69% and 70% or greater as the standard to classify sporadic, hypoendemic, mesoendemic and hyperendemic levels of the infection, respectively. The unique merits of Ls as a potential onchocercal index are presented

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children In Ago Aduloju Community, Ado LGA of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a common neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest number of infected people residing in Nigeria. Several factors have been shown to facilitate the continuous transmission of schistosomiasis in endemic countries, especially water activity in freshwater bodies where the snail vector lives and socio-economic factors. Available control efforts rely on epidemiological information for better targeting of intervention; however, this information is lacking in some research-naive communities in Ekiti State. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the Ago-Aduloju community. The urine sample was collected from 315 consenting community-based school children and screened for schistosomiasis infection using the filtration technique. Data were gathered utilizing questionnaires and laboratory analysis. 315 participants within the age range of 5-19 years comprising 55.2% males, 44.8% females were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was found to be 6.35% with 4.44% in females and 1.91% in males. Among the participant, the questionnaire revealed 84.1% and 95.6% had received praziquantel and albendazole, respectively. 6.41% of the participant who took praziquantel tested positive for schistosomiasis infection. Haematuria was positive in 0.95% of participants. Although 61.3% of participants are aware of schistosomiasis infection, none of them knew the intermediate host involved in the transmission. The findings showed that there is a significant difference (p&gt;0.05) between respondents that have taken praziquantel and those that are positive for schistosomiasis. Conclusively, the study revealed that schistosomiasis is still of concern among the school children in the Ago-Aduloju community and that continuous Mass Drug Administration and health education is imperative to sensitize and educate the school children on transmission, risk, and prevention of schistosomiasis