Needs And Strategies For Curriculum Reform In Chemistry Education For Sustainable Development In Secondary Schools

Education is the life wire and indispensable variable in any sphere of sustainable development of a nation. Effective chemistry education is an essential integral for both science and technology sustainable development. The latter cannot be attained without curriculum. Curriculum is a stepwise planned scheme focus on attainment of the set goals. These include attainment of prescribed skills and competence through knowledge empowerment; for sustainable development of the economy. This study reviewed the issues on the need for developing a new curriculum and the strategies of achieving this goal for chemistry education in secondary schools. We concluded that such new curriculum must practical and skill centered, while the teachers must be trained on the needed expertise that support the attainment of its goals, in order to make it relevant in this jet age of national rapid development

Antifungal activity of extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli against moulds isolated from stored rice

The fungitoxic effect of extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on some moulds isolated from rice grains were determined in vitro. Aqueous extracts of Aframomum danielli inhibited the radial growth of the moulds at different levels between 46.4 - 56.7%. Aspergillus niger (56.7%) was the most sensitive to Aframomum danielli while Cladosporium sphaerospermum (46.4%) was the least sensitive. Ocimum gratissimum extract inhibited the radial growth of the moulds between 46.4 – 59.7% with Penicillium citrinum showing the highest sensitivity and C. sphaerospermum being the least sensitive. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the effect of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on all the moulds. Ocimum gratissimum showed the greater antifungal activity against the storage fungi (mean = 53.4%) compared to Aframomum danielli (mean = 51.9%). However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the effect  of Ocimum gratissimum and Aframomum danielli on the storage fungi. Both plant products showed varying levels of fungitoxic activities and could be potentially used in the storage of Ofada and Abakaliki rice against moulds. Keywords: Plant extracts, Antifungal activity, Storage fungi, Moulds, Ric

Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on wistar rats

This study investigates Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on  Wistar rats. The sixteen Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) involved in thestudy were divided into four groups; a control (Group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash) with distilled water only, while groups B-D (test) received normal feed with water mixed with graded quantities of Alomo Bitters: B (7.5ml/kg), C (15ml/kg) and D (22.5ml/kg). Comparatively, the results showed that body weight gain was highest in the test groups (B-D) in a dosage duration fashion and lowest in the control group (22.40 ± 11.21g). Also, a non-significant variation in organ-weight was observed for the testis. The observed changes on body weight and weights of the liver, kidney and testis were dosage and duration dependent. Thus, alomo bitters may be important in weight and appetite management considering its effect on body weight. However, further investigations are required in this regard.Keywords: Mondia whitei, Herbs, Weight, Obesity, Appetite, Public Health issues

The Visual Typicality of Non-Alcoholic Beverage (NAB) Package Forms in Akure, Nigeria

This study identified the popularity of Non-Alcoholic Beverages (NAB) package forms in Akure for the purpose of exploring the possibility of creating visual code for easy product categorization and nomenclature in the non-alcoholic beverage product category. The research methodology involved collection, observation, and recording of the selected NAB through purposive sampling. A total of 218 product names of NABs were collected from the Akure Shopping Mall. By using Microsoft excel and SPSS 17 for analysis, the findings show that there is increase in multiple uses of NAB package forms. Keywords: NAB, Visual code, typicality, product identification, nomenclature, form, Package Desig

Hesperidin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxicity in rats

Context: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major trigger of septic shock resulting in multiple organ damage through excessive stimulation of the host’s immune cells resulting in the release of cytokines. Previous studies have shown that hesperidin has several beneficial properties against inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: The influence of hesperidin on endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress was investigated using a murine model of sepsis. Materials and methods: Rats were pretreated for 15 d with three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) of hesperidin prior to LPS administration. Afterwards, the levels of biomarkers of endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress were assessed. Reverse transcriptase PCR technique was used to assess the expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Hesperidin pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced circulating endotoxin, as well as the levels of bactericidal permeability increasing protein and procalcitonin, and the associated endothelial dysfunction by reducing the levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. There was also down-regulation of the expression of gene for interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 1 receptor, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the liver of rats treated with LPS as a result of hesperidin pretreatment. Hesperidin also showed anti-oxidative properties through the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of NO, hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the organs. Conclusion: Different doses of hesperidin can prevent endotoxemia-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and endothelial perturbation in rats when administered for as few as 15 d before exposure to endotoxin

MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PALMS OF FAST-FOOD HANDLERS IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

The palms of 87 food vendors in Abeokuta metropolis were sampled for the presence and types of&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; microorganisms. The food handlers were grouped into six categories based on the type of vending&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; sites: hawkers (15), roadside (13), open air (15), closed / roofed (21), restaurants (12) and hotels ven-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; dors (11). Only 43.7% of the 87 vendors sampled had undergone the annual medical check up while&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 56.3% had never done the check up. None of the hawkers sampled had ever done the medical check&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; up while all the hotel food handlers had the health certificate indicating that they have done the routine&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; medical &nbsp; check &nbsp; up. &nbsp; Bacteria &nbsp; isolated &nbsp; from &nbsp; the &nbsp; hands &nbsp; of &nbsp; the &nbsp; food &nbsp; handlers &nbsp; included &nbsp;Staphylococcus&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; aureus, S. epidermidis, Alcaligenes spp. Bacillus subtilis, Listeria spp. Enterobacter sp, Escherichia&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris and &nbsp;Vibrio cholerae. The fungi were Rhizopus sp. Asper-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; gillus &nbsp; niger &nbsp;and &nbsp;Sachharomyces &nbsp; cerevisiae. &nbsp;This &nbsp; work &nbsp; suggests &nbsp; that &nbsp; food &nbsp; handlers &nbsp; were &nbsp; possible&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; sources of microorganisms implicated in food poisoning and food spoilage. Proper policing of vendors&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;to ensure that they undergo the annual physical and medical examinations and proper education of&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;food handlers on personal hygiene is recommended.&nbsp

Appraising the Effects of Computer Aided Design (CAD) on the Creative Behaviour of Design Students in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Federal University of Technology Akure

As a result of the advancement of digital technologies intellectual discourse on the role of innovations in design and what value Computer Aided Design CAD brings into the equation has been on the increase This research sought to appraise the effects of CAD on the creative behaviour of students offering design related courses in tertiary institutions with a focus on the Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA Nigeria From the literatures reviewed Creative Behaviours Model CBM proposed by Musta amal Norman Hodgson was adopted and served as a framework for capturing the creative behaviour of the target population This model characterised creativity into seven sub categories namely novelty appropriateness motivation fluency flexibility sensitivity and insightfulness A survey method was employed for this study and data were collected using well-structured online questionnaires to elicit responses from both students and CAD instructors in concerned departments in FUTA The outcome of the study reveals the areas of application of CAD software and the level of engagement of students in CAD related courses It also shows the assessment of students performance in CAD related courses from the perspective of the students and their instructors The study concludes that CAD can enhance student s creative behaviour and more integration of CAD related courses into the curricula of tertiary institutions in Nigeria will lead to higher competency and global competitiveness rating of future professional designers and engineer

Naringin enhances reverse cholesterol transport in high fat/low streptozocin induced diabetic rats

Naringin, a citrus-derived flavonoid with antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties, is reported to be a useful nutraceutical in the management of diabetes and its complications. This study investigated the mechanism of antiatherogenic properties of naringin in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using high fat-low streptozocin rat model of T2DM. Rats were treated daily with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg naringin orally for 21days. Levels of biomarkers of T2DM, lipid profile and activity of paraoxonase (PON) were assayed spectrophotometrically. The levels of expression of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (Scarb1), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), hepatic Lipase (Lipc), and lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (Lcat) were assessed using relative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. Naringin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride from 84.84 ± 1.62 to 55.59 ± 1.50 mg/dL and 123.03 ± 15.11 to 55.00 ± 0.86 mg/dL, respectively, at 200 mg/kg naringin. In the liver, Scarb1 and Ahr were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated at 200 mg/kg naringin while Lipc and Lcat were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated by 50 mg/kg naringin. T2DM-induced decrease in PON activities in the plasma, liver and HDL was significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by 200 mg/kg naringin treatment. These genes play critical roles in reverse cholesterol transport and hence our results showed that the antiatherogenic property of naringin in T2DM involves enhancement of reverse cholesterol transport and PON activity

3D‑printed biomimetic bone implant polymeric composite scaffolds

© The Author(s) 2023. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.This research introduced a new poly-ether-ether-ketone calcium hydroxyapatite (PEEK-cHAp) composite for a convenient, fast, and inexpensive femur bone-implant scaffold with different lattice structures to mimic natural bone structure. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) was used to print a hybrid PEEK-based filament-bearing bioactive material suited for developing cHAp. Using FDM, the same bone scaffold PEEK will be fabricated, depending on the shape of the bone fracture. The scaffolds were examined for in vitro bioactivity by immersing them in a simulated bodily fluid (SBF) solution. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity tests validated the suitability of the composite materials employed to create minimal toxicity of the scaffolds. After spreading PEEK nanoparticles in the grains, the suggested spherical nanoparticle cell expanded over time. The motif affected the microstructure of PEEK-cHAp in terms of grain size and 3D shape. The results established the proposed optimum design and suitable material for prospective bone implants, as required for biomimetic artificial bone regeneration and healing.Peer reviewe