Antimicrobial Potency of Hydro, acetone and Ethanolic extracts of Treculia africana Decne Root and Stem Bark

Treculia africana is a plant that is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diverse ailments. To investigate the scientific basis for the use of the plant, the antimicrobial activities/potency of the root and stem bark extracts were evaluated against common gram negative and gram positive bacteria as well as yeast. The chemical constituents of the plant in addition to the effect of temperature and pH on its antimicrobial potencies were investigated. The phytochemical constituents of the dried powdered plant parts were extracted using aqueous and organic solvents (acetone and ethanol). The antimicrobial activity of the concentrated extracts was evaluated by determining the diameter of zone of inhibition against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria and yeast, using the disc diffusion technique. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of glycosides, anthraquinone, free aglycone, saponin, steroids and polyphenols. The extracts were active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The activities of the plant extracts were not affected at varied temperatures (4oC, 30oC, 60oC and 100oC), but decreased at alkaline pH. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts on the test organisms revealed lowest MIC and MBC against Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis with highest MIC and MBC exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus. Generally, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the antimicrobial activities of the test extracts and control antibiotics, with the control antibiotics exerting broader antimicrobial activity. Treculia africana demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial activity and a potential source of new classes of antibiotics that could be useful for infectious disease chemotherapy and control.Keywords: Treculia africana, Underutilized plant, Antimicrobial potency, MIC, MBC, Phytochemical

MYCOBURDEN OF TOMATO (Lycopersicum esculentum MILL), INOCULATION-INDUCED MYCOTOXIN PRODUCTION AND CONTROL BY PASSIVE MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE

The effect of fungi of tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum) were investigated at Ijebu-Ode, south western Nigeria. Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Curvularia species were isolated from deteriorating tomato and used for inoculating fresh and healthy tomato samples. The isolates (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Curvularia species) were then inoculated separately into healthy tomato samples. Storage of samples in modified atmospheres and the effects of inoculation on quality changes were also evaluated. Modified atmospheres designed by packing the samples inside a polythene bag of 12μm thickness significantly maintained the quality of the samples compared with the controls. The isolates were then evaluated for mycotoxin production using thin layer chromatography and mycotoxigenic potential was assessed by animal feeding trial using rats of the wistar strain fed orally with different concentrations of the mycotoxin extracts. Mycotoxins were detected from tomato samples inoculated with Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Fusarium species, before and after autoclaving for 15 min at 121oC. Experimental rats fed on mycotoxin extracts developed symptoms of neurotoxicity. Most of the fungal isolates showed great potential for mycotoxin production, which is of concern in public health. Modified atmosphere created by using sterile polythene bags of different thicknesses is therefore recommended for control of fungi infection of tomato fruits and extension of shelf life.     &nbsp

The Prevalence of Bacteriospermia in Patients with Clinically Diagnosed HIV/AIDS in Port Harcourt

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of bacteriospermia in male patients with clinically proven HIV/AIDS in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods: Using standard methods, sperm samples were collected by masturbation after 3 days of abstinence from 120 male patients with clinically diagnosed HIV/AIDS aged 18-57 with a mean age of 39.5; this included 65 single and 55 married men and analyzed for sperm quality and bacteriological profile.Results: Of the 120 patients tested, 90 (75%) had bacteriospermia with at least one pathogen (Staphylococcus aureus, 30%, Staphylococcus  saprophyticus, 13%, Escherichia coli, 20%, Proteus mirabilis, 10%, Proteusvulgaris, 10%, Klebsiella spp., 10% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 7%). The prevalence of bacteriospermia was higher in singles 60 (50%) compared to married 30 (25%) and significantly (P=0.05) higher in  subjects 28-37 and 38-47 years age group (both 30%) followed by the 18-27 years age group (15%).Conclusion: A relatively high rate of prevalence of bacteriospermia has been identified among HIV/AIDS patients studied. This is dependent of age and marital status of the patients.Keywords: Sperm quality, Infertility, Bacteria profile, Viral infection,  Immunity, Prevention, Public health

Incidence and Speciation of Candida Species among Non-gravid young Females in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria

This study investigated the incidence and speciation of Candida species among non-gravid young females, using commercially available chromogenic Candida speciation media (CHROM agar) for the identification/speciation of medically important yeast and yeastlike organisms in a routine clinical mycology laboratory. High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) were randomly collected from consenting non-gravid-young females for the study. The participants also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic data, symptoms, and risk factors of candidiasis. A total of 120 females between the ages of 17 and 31 years were randomly recruited for the study. Standard microbiological techniques such as Gram’s stain, wet mount and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and CHROM agar were used to analyze the swabs. Candida species was isolated from 64 of the 120 females, representing 53.3%. The highest incidence rate of 25.0% was recorded in the 23-25 years age group, followed by 12.5% in the 26 28 years while the lowest incidence (1.7%) was observed in the 17-19 years age group. Candida albicans (35.0%) was the most common Candida species, followed by C. tropicalis (8.3%), C. glabrata (6.7%) and C. krusie (3.3%), whereas, non-Candida infection constituted 46.7% (Negative cultures). Vaginal discharge (85.5%) and itching (52.5%) recorded the high values, with respect to symptoms. The prevalent risk factors associated with vaginal candidiasis in this study were washing of vagina with soap (Vaginal douching) (72.5%) and unprotected casual sex (16.7%). Whitish vaginal discharge (78.3%) was most prevalent followed by creamish vagina discharge (56.7%). In addition to Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida spp were isolated from HVS specimens; therefore, public health education is vital. CHROM agar is a simple, rapid and inexpensive method with good sensitivity and specificity for identification and speciation of Candida species thus, allowing an early and appropriate antifungal therapy. The results of the study will eliminate the ambiguities concerning Candida identification in this country and will contribute to better management and proper treatment of patients.Keywords: Candidiasis, vulvovaginitis, Incidence, Speciation, CHROM agar, Risk Factor

An appraisal of the quality of sandcrete blocks used for construction in Lagos metropolis

Sandcrete blocks have been in use in many parts of the world for a very long time. The prominence of sandcrete blocks as part of the local building materials that make up the wall units in a building or any construction work cannot be underestimated because houses are mostly built of blocks. This paper examines the quality of machine-vibrated hollow sandcrete blocks used on construction sites in Lagos metropolis. A total of sixty (60) units of machine-vibrated sandcrete blocks were sampled from ten (10) manufacturers within Lagos Mainland. Three (3) samples of 450mm x 225mm x 225mm blocks and another three (3) of 450mm x 150mm x 225mm blocks were selected from each of the 10 manufacturers to make the total of 60 blocks. Also, a total of forty (40) units of machine-vibrated sandcrete blocks were produced based on the requirements of the NIS 87:2004 standards for sandcrete blocks. The blocks obtained from manufacturers as well as those produced were tested to determine their quality in terms of three parameters which were the compressive strength, density and dimensional tolerance. The results obtained revealed that the compressive strength of the blocks obtained from manufacturers ranged from 0.21N/mm2 to 1.26N/mm2 for 225mm wide blocks and from 0.28N/mm2 to 0.95N/mm2 for 150mm wide blocks which are far below the minimum NIS requirements of 3.45N/mm2 and 2.5N/mm2 respectively. The densities of these blocks were found to be satisfactory with the requirements of the standard while the dimensions were inaccurate in terms of web thicknesses. It was recommended that the regulatory bodies should be empowered to control production processes and implement effective strategies such as mobile testing to ascertain the quality of sandcrete blocks

Sustainability strategies in the construction industry: implications on Green Growth in Nigeria

The construction industry is a major driver of economic growth. However, activities from the construction industry contribute significantly to environmental pollution and unsustainable consumption of depleting natural resources. Green growth on the other hand, is an innovative growth which motivates businesses to adopt environmental friendly activities.This paper assessed sustainability strategies in the construction industry. A quantitative research design was adopted with the use of questionnaires distributed to construction organizations in Lagos, Nigeria. Findings reveal that many of the construction organizations surveyed do not have sustainability strategies because of low awareness about sustainability issues in construction. However, of the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social sustainability), environmental sustainability was found to yield greatest benefit. For the construction industry to contribute to Nigeria’s green growth agenda there should be increased awareness of sustainability issues and institutional policies to drive sustainabilit

CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING BUILDING GRADUATES' EMPLOYABILITY IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY

Schools of higher learning are endowed with the prerogative of churning out employable graduates to the workplace. This can only be achieved by measuring the need-thermometer in skills and capacities required in the industry in comparison with the education provided by the higher institutions. The study was aimed at evaluating the critical factors that influence building graduates’ employability in a developing economy. Using an employer-academia perspective, a cross-section survey system through a questionnaire instrument provided information on graduate employability in the built environment industry. Top management officials in construction industry and academia in the built environment in schools of higher learning in Lagos and Ogun State provided the data for the study. Statistical tools such as stacked bars and Linear Regression was used in presenting the data. The study revealed major skills (communication, teamwork, professional expertise/problem-solving, self-management, planning and organizing, ICT, life-long learning, and initiative/enterprise) required by employers in the construction industry. The study showed that teaching strategies and curriculum content can influence building graduates’ employability. In conclusion, the study developed a framework for increasing building graduates’ employability to align with the skills needed by employers in the built environment in a developing economy. It is recommended that schools of higher learning need to continually measure the needs of the industry and incorporate findings into a robust construction curriculum. Work-learning settings should be encouraged for construction students

IMPROVING MARKETING FUNCTIONS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AMONG CONSTRUCTION SMEs

With over 3.5 billion people connected to the internet, small and medium-scale (SME) construction businesses have the opportunity to enhance their customer base. The study assessed ways by which marketing functions of SME construction businesses can be improved through social media presence of the firms. The study used a quota-purposive sampling of construction businesses in Nigeria’s mega city, Lagos State. The small and medium scale construction businesses comprised of consulting and contracting firms. Using a questionnaire instrument, the social media arm of the marketing unit of SME construction businesses was measured. Presentation of the data was carried out using pie charts and principal component analysis. The study identified two main critical success factors (CSFs) – Firm/Social Media characteristics and Security/Investment factor enabling the Social Media infrastructure for SME construction businesses. A focus on these entities would ensure the successful integration of social media marketing strategies in the traditional marketing functions of construction SMEs. The survival of SME construction business is hinged on the availability of customers which social media exposure helps attract and interact with potential customers. SME Construction businesses of the 21st century must align with the ‘global village’ trend of incorporating social media applications in their traditional marketing functions

Evaluating barriers inhibiting investors participation in Public-Private Partnership project bidding process using structural equation model

The study investigates the critical barriers restraining private investors from participating in the PPP con�struction project bidding process. Hence, three key potential inhibiting factors, which include political constraints, public sector poor PPP capacity, and undefined project scope, were investigated. Therefore, the study adopted a quantitative research technique through a questionnaire survey to obtain data from 384 PPP practitioners sample representative in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. The survey recorded 274 responses, and SmartPLS (v.3.2.3) was used for the data analysis. The study developed a conceptual model to formulate hypotheses which were validated with Smart PLS3. Findings from the study indicated that the three key factors have a significant effect on the private investor’s decision not to participate in the PPP bidding process. The findings from this study can help the government understand how to attract investors under her PPP arrangement. The study is unique based on the research idea and approac

Safety Cultured Industry Through The Integration Of Occupational Health And Safety (OHS) Courses In The Built Environment Curriculum

Globally, around 5,500 workers die daily from accidents or diseases at work with one-quarter of construction workers more probable than other workers. The rate of accidents leading to fatalities on Nigeria’s construction sites is becoming worrisome. Human factor such as workers’ non-compliance, low commitment from top management, negligence, human failures have largely been blamed. Safety is not simply common sense, therefore, construction workers and students need to be trained in order to have a sustainable construction industry. The aim of this study is to assess a safety cultured industry through the integration of occupational health and safety (OHS) courses in the Built environment curriculum. An in depth literature review of OHS training materials and using a crosssectional research design through questionnaire survey and interview sessions with educationists and construction students in the built environment were utilized. A purposive sampling method was adopted for the study. Two sets of questionnaires were developed for the study. Out of the 55 copies of research questionnaire distributed for Educationist, 38 were completed and returned representing a 69% response rate while 100 copies of research questionnaire were distributed to final year construction students with 85 returned representing an 85% response rate. Returned questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS v21.0. The study developed a framework for the integration of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses, the instructional design, and facilities in the Built environment curriculum. The result revealed that construction students had little awareness about Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses with the main awareness in use of personal protective equipment (PPE). From the study, educationists revealed that construction students’ knowledge in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) courses will foster a healthy and safe construction environment and also increase employability after graduation. Using a t-test tool, the study revealed that there is no agreement between educationists and construction students on the adequacy of teaching facilities for OHS courses. The study recommended that adequate and effective occupational health and safety (OHS) courses be integrated in the Built environment courses with sufficient facilities and trained personnel to guarantee its success and purpose