Choice of delivery positions among multiparous women in Kano

Background: Confining women to hospital bed with limited power of movement and involvement of decision making during labor process and  restricting them to supine position in second stage of labor might contribute significantly to aversion to hospital delivery. Objective: To determine the different delivery positions women take during home delivery. Method: This was a cross sectional survey among 285 multiparous women who had vaginal delivery of life singleton babies. They were interviewed using questionnaire at Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital Kano on choices of delivery position. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the state. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Version 19. Qualitative data were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Chi (χ2) test was used for categorical data. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 28.9 ± 7.12 years. Majority of the women that delivered at home assumed the squatting  position for delivery (60%) and were mainly assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBA) (41.3%). Over 50% of those that delivered at home were instructed to take the position they delivered in by their assistants at delivery while those that chose their position by themselves did that because they felt more comfortable in that position (85%). Over 80% of those that were instructed to take a position at delivery did not ask their assistant the reason for advising on that position. There was statistically significant association between educational level and right to decide in which positionto deliver the baby (χ²=28.517, P = 0.000). Conclusion: Squatting position was the most assumed position following home delivery. There was statistically significant association between educational level and right to decide in which position to deliver the baby. Key words: Choices; delivery position; multiparous women; Nigeria; vaginal birth

Awareness and Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Extension Agents in Kaduna State of Nigeria

This study assessed awareness and use of information and communication technologies among extension agents in Maigana Zone of Kaduna State A.D.P. All extension personnel in the zone (70) were interviewed through the use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to achieve the objectives of the study. It was found that 60.15% of the respondents were aware of at least one ICT in the study area. The multiple regression analysis of the relationship between the extension workers’ socioeconomic characteristics and ICT usage showed that level of training and membership of professional association showed a positive significant relationship at p<0.01 likewise marital status and educational level were positively significant at p<0.05. Therefore, it was concluded that socioeconomic characteristics of the extension agents in the study area influence their level of use of ICT. It was recommended that provision of ICT facilities and stable power, as well as capacity building on ICT usage should be promoted among extension personnel. This would enhance effective communication with farm families for improved productivity

Awareness and Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Extension Agents in Kaduna State of Nigeria

This study assessed awareness and use of information and communication technologies among extension agents in Maigana Zone of Kaduna State A.D.P. All extension personnel in the zone (70) were interviewed through the use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to achieve the objectives of the study. It was found that 60.15% of the respondents were aware of at least one ICT in the study area. The multiple regression analysis of the relationship between the extension workers’ socioeconomic characteristics and ICT usage showed that level of training and membership of professional association showed a positive significant relationship at p<0.01 likewise marital status and educational level were positively significant at p<0.05. Therefore, it was concluded that socioeconomic characteristics of the extension agents in the study area influence their level of use of ICT. It was recommended that provision of ICT facilities and stable power, as well as capacity building on ICT usage should be promoted among extension personnel. This would enhance effective communication with farm families for improved productivity

A Meta-analysis on the Effectiveness of Extracellular Vesicles as Nanosystems for Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drugs

While the efficacy of anticancer drugs is hampered by low bioavailability and systemic toxicity, the uncertainty remains whether encapsulation of these drugs into natural nanovesicles such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) could improve controlled drug release and efficacy for targeted tumor therapy. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis for studies reporting the efficacy of EVs as nanosystems to deliver drugs and nucleic acid, protein, and virus (NPV) to tumors using the random-effects model. The electronic search of articles was conducted through Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Clinical Trials Registry from inception up till September 2022. The pooled summary estimate and 95% confidence interval of tumor growth inhibition, survival, and tumor targeting were obtained to assess the efficacy. The search yielded a total of 119 studies that met the inclusion criteria having only 1 clinical study. It was observed that the drug-loaded EV was more efficacious than the free drug in reducing tumor volume and weight with the standardized mean difference (SMD) of −1.99 (95% CI: −2.36, −1.63; p < 0.00001) and −2.12 (95% CI: −2.48, −1.77; p < 0.00001). Similarly, the mean estimate of tumor volume and weight for NPV were the following: SMD: −2.30, 95% CI: −3.03, −1.58; p < 0.00001 and SMD: −2.05, 95% CI: −2.79, −1.30; p < 0.00001. Treatment of tumors with EV-loaded anticancer agents also prolonged survival (HR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.22, p < 0.00001). Furthermore, EVs significantly delivered drugs to tumors as revealed by the higher concentration at the tumor site (SMD: −2.73, 95% CI: −3.77, −1.69; p < 0.00001). This meta-analysis revealed that EV-loaded drugs and NPV performed significantly better in tumor growth inhibition with improved survival than the free anticancer agents, suggesting EVs as safe nanoplatforms for targeted tumor therapy

Feed intake, growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing red sokoto bucks fed diets containing graded levels of dried sweet orange peel meal

The study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen intake of growing red sokoto bucks fed graded levels of dried sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel meal (DSOPM). Twelve animals aged between 5 – 7 months with average body weight of 9.17 kg were assigned to four dietary treatments T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 containing 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% DSOPM, respectively in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three goats per treatment. Each animal was fed at 2.5% body weight and provided drinking water ad libitum for a period of 90 days. The results obtained revealed that DSOPM had significant (p&lt;0.05) effect on total feed intake (TFI), average daily feed intake (ADFI), final body weight (FBW), total body weight (TBW) and average daily weight gain (ADWG). Diet containing 0% inclusion level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) best in total feed intake (37.13 ± 2.10kg), total body weight (4.16 ± 0.44kg), average daily weight gain (0.05 ± 0.008kg) and feed conversion ration (8.93 ± 0.11) compared to other treatment diets. Diet with the highest inclusion level of DSOPM (7.5%) recorded the lowest TBW (1.66 ± 0.50kg), average daily weight gain (0.02 ± 0.009kg), total feed intake (27.52 ± 1.02kg) and average daily feed intake (0.31 ± 0.03kg). Dry matter (DM) digestibility significantly (p&lt;0.05) declined across T1, T2, T3 and T4 (54.24 ± 3.09%, 48.63 ± 4.11%, 44.03 ± 4.01% and 37.78 ± 3.34%), respectively. Crude Protein (CP) digestibility was highest in T3 (64.67 ± 4.11%) and lowest in T4 (48.33 ± 3.98%). Crude Fibre (CF) digestibility was highest in T3 (73.12 ± 12.05%) and lowest in T4 (20.77 ± 11.40%). Digestibility of ether extract (91.75 ± 15.15%) was highest in diet T2 and significantly (p&lt;0.05) different from the other treatment diets. Nitrogen intake was highest in T1 (3.34 ± 0.13%) and lowest in T4 (2.83 ± 0.07%). It was concluded that diet T1 (containing 0% level of DSOPM) supported better growth performance than T2 (2.5%), T3 (5.0%) and T4 (7.5%) signifying that inclusion of DSOPM in goat diet significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced feed intake and improved nutrient digestibility.Keywords: Citrus sinensis peels, Growth performance, Nutrient digestibility, Red sokoto goat

Nutrient utilisation and blood chemistry of Red Sokoto bucks fed on diets with different inclusion levels of raw and soaked roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds

This study evaluated nutrient utilisation and blood chemistry of Red Sokoto bucks fed a 10 and 20 % inclusion level of raw, water- and lime-soaked Hibiscus sabdariffa L. seeds in rice bran based diets. 21 Red Sokoto bucks aged 8–10 months and weighing 9–13 kg were randomly allotted into six treatments with three bucks each, while a seventh dietary treatment with zero inclusion of seeds served as control in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using a complete randomised design. The results indicated that increase in dietary inclusion levels of soaked H. sabdariffa seeds increased (P < 0.05) the nutrient utilisation of bucks as compared to the control, while a decrease was observed with increasing dietary inclusion levels of raw seeds. Dietary inclusion of both raw and water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds increased (P < 0.05) the packed cell volume. Soaking also influenced the white blood cell value which increased with increasing inclusion levels of H. sabdariffa seeds. However, values of haemoglobin and red blood cells were only affected by 20 % inclusion of raw and water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds (P < 0.05) compared to control. Inclusion of H. sabdariffa seeds furthermore reduced serum protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and urea levels compared to control. It is therefore concluded that H. sabdariffa seeds support haematopoiesis in Red Sokoto bucks. While both inclusion levels of water-soaked and 10 % raw H. sabdariffa seeds improved nutrient utilisation compared to control and 20 % inclusion of raw seeds, the 20 % inclusion of water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds recorded the best nitrogen utilisation efficiency

Effects of irradiation time on the structural, elastic, and optical properties of hexagonal (wurtzite) zinc oxide nanoparticle synthesised via microwave-assisted hydrothermal route

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a vital nanomaterial highly valued in electronics and optoelectronics due to its remarkable multifunctional properties. This study prepared ZnO nanoparticles using a simple hydrothermal microwave process. The influence of irradiation time on the structural, elastic and optical properties of the ZnO nanoparticles was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the hexagonal (wurtzite) structure of the ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, various XRD profile analysis techniques were used in this study, including Scherer method, strain size plot method, Halder–Wagner method, Monshi–Scherer method, and Williamson–Hall method consisting of a uniform deformation model, a uniform stress density model and a uniform deformation energy density model. The estimated mean crystallite size was found to be at 43.53–56.08 nm. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the average particle size of the ZnO nanoparticles at different irradiation times. The results were consistent with the mean crystallite size calculated using the X-ray diffraction peak profile analysis techniques. Furthermore, a decrease in the energy band gap estimated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was observed, transitioning from 3.32s to 3.29 eV with increasing irradiation time. This observation was confirmed by the distinct and unique ultraviolet photoluminescence emission peaks of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, supporting the results of the diffuse reflectance analysis. Based on the presented results, it can be concluded that the X-ray diffraction peak profiling technique is a practical approach for determining the average crystallite size of ZnO nanoparticles prepared using the microwave hydrothermal technique and that it can be used for size-dependent applications

In situ assessment of terrestrial gamma radiation dose and associated radiological hazards in Katsina State, Nigeria

Terrestrial gamma radiation dose (TGRD) rates were measured in situ from different locations in Katsina State, Nigeria, using a portable radiation survey metre based on geological formations and soil types. The measured TGRD rates ranged from 45 to 271 nGyh–1 with an average value of 116 ± 1 nGyh–1. Geological formation (silicified sheared rock) and soil type (lithosols and ferruginous crusts and ferruginous tropical soils) appeared to have the highest mean TGRD values of 163 and 134 nGyh–1 with sandstone geological formation and alluvial and hydromorphic soils having the lowest TGRD with values of 80 and 61 nGyh–1, respectively. One way ANOVA results shows that the tested null hypothesis was rejected. Thus, indicating that there exists a strong relationship between the various geological formations, soil types with the measured TGRD values based on the alternate hypothesis. Human health hazard indices like annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), lifetime outdoor annual equivalent dose, and relative excess lifetime outdoor cancer risk associated with the mean TGRD of the study area were also calculated and found to be 0.711, 9.955 mSv, and 5.79 × 10–4, respectively. These values were higher than the world average values but favourable compared with the safety limits recommended by ICRP