Comparison of the effect of structured lifestyle modification versus verbal advice only on blood pressure control among pre-hypertensive adults in a tertiary hospital in north central Nigeria

Background: Results from several clinical trials show that comprehensive behavioural intervention programs improve lifestyle behaviors and lower blood pressure. The study compared the effect of structured lifestyle modification versus verbal advice only on blood pressure control among prehypertensive adults presenting in the GOPD of JUTH.Study Design/Setting: The study was a randomized study involving prehypertensive adults aged 20 years and above presenting in GOPD of JUTH.Methods: Participants were consecutively selected and randomized into two groups, a structured lifestyle modification group (Group A) and a verbal advice only group (Group B). Group A was offered a structured lifestyle modification counselling while routine verbal advice only was offered to group B. Data were collected about patients' socio-demographic, medical and lifestyle habits that included dietary and exercise history. Physical examination included blood pressure measurement. Participants were followed up monthly for twelve weeks during which blood pressure measurement was routinely carried out and changes in their lifestyle habits reported. The primary outcome was reduction in BP. The means at 95% confidence intervals of the blood pressure values of the two groups were determined using paired t-test analysis. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat basis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant in all analyses.Results: The mean systolic blood pressure reduction in group A after 12 weeks was 3.61 mmHg (1.52, 5.26; 95% CI) while the mean diastolic pressure reduction after the same duration was 0.44 (-2.25, 1.97, 95%). Paired t-test analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean reduction in SBP at the end of the study,{t(31)2.23, p=0.02}. The mean reduction in diastolic blood pressure on completing the study was however not significant, {t(31)0.9, p=0.17}.The mean systolic blood pressure reduction in group B after 12 weeks was 2.75mmHg (-1.23, 5.23, 95% CI) while the mean diastolic pressure reduction after the same period was 0.38 (-2.26, 1.98, 95% CI). Paired t-test analysis revealed no statistical difference in the mean reduction in SBP and DBP at the end of the study - {t(29)1.39, p=0.062}versus {t(29)0.92, p=0.14}Conclusion: Findings from the study show that individuals with pre-hypertension can make and sustain, during a period of 12 weeks, structured multiple lifestyle modifications which can significantly control or reduce systolic blood pressure. There is therefore a need for improved lifestyle intervention programs, including those appropriate for delivery in the clinical setting, that enable individuals with or at risk for hypertension to adopt long-term healthier lifestyles

Effects of Fadama III Project on the Income of Dry Season Rice Farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The effects of Fadama III project to the improvement in the income of participating dry season rice farmers inSokoto state was studied. Population of the study comprised of all dry season rice farmers in Sokoto state. Purposivesampling was used to select six Local Government Areas. Purposive sampling was used to ensure the selection ofLGAs with outstanding potentials in the cultivation of dry season crops. Random sampling technique was used toselect 20 project participants and 12 non-project participants from each of the selected LGAs. Descriptive statisticsand gross margin analysis were used for data analysis. Findings of the study revealed that Majority of projectbeneficiaries (71.30%) and non-project beneficiaries (63.38%) did not attain any form of formal education. Cost oflabour (family and hired) dominated the production cost for both the project beneficiaries and non-projectbeneficiaries. Result of the gross margin analysis showed that the project participants made more profit (N319,459.44 Per Hectatre) in dry season rice production compared to N270, 334.61 Per Hectare earned by non-projectparticipants. It was recommended that the Fadama III project should as much as possible expand their area ofoperation so that more farmers can benefit from their services

Breaking of Dormancy and Its Effects on Seedling Establishment of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.)

A study was carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Department of Plant Science and Technology, University of Jos, Nigeria, to determine the most effective method of breaking seed dormancy in Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). The treatments comprised two types of seed (fresh; seeds less than six month old  and the dry seeds were more than six months old) with four different methods of breaking seed dormancy (seeds soaked in acid for 5 minutes, 5 minutes in boiling water, 24 hours in cold water and mechanical scarification) and the control (seeds were not treated). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated five times. Germination rate (%) was measured weekly for four weeks and seedling height (cm) was measured at 2 weeks interval (beginning from 35 days after planting) for a period of eight weeks. The results showed that the different methods of breaking seed dormancy enhanced the germination of the Date palm and seedling growth. The boiling and cold water treatments had significantly (P<0.005) higher germination rate of 100% at 42 days after planting than the control which had 86.67%. The dry seeds had a significantly (P<0.05) low (26.67) germination rate at 35 days after planting but, did not differ significantly with the fresh seeds at 35 DAP. The boiling water treatment also had a significantly (P<0.005) high seedling height (25.00 cm) at 77 days after planting. The control had the lowest seedling height of 6.72 cm at 35 days after planting. The seeds treated with acids for 5 minutes, did not germinate at all. The result indicates that optimum germination and seedling establishment in Date palms occurred in fresh seeds and the most effective method of breaking the dormancy is through the use of boiling water. Keywords: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds, breaking dormancy and Seedling establishmen

A Rapid Method of Crude Oil Analysis Using FT-IR Spectroscopy

This study determines the viability of the use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a substitute to traditional petroleum geochemical methods for crude oil characterisation. IR spectra of Crude oil sample containing a mixture of both degraded (sample 151) and non-degraded (sample 145) oils at different concentrations were determined. The IR fingerprints agree with results obtained from GC analysis. Partial least square regression analysis was used to predict saturates for omitted mixtures (10 and 80% 151) and also saturates of five other samples (i.e. 145, 149, 172, H1 and AL10) within acceptable error limits. It therefore, follows, that although some improvements might still need to be made, FTIR spectroscopy can indeed be a viable, simple, cheaper and faster technique of crude oil characterisation compared with the traditional fractionation methods.Keywords: FTIR-ATR spectroscopy; GC-MS; Partial least squares (PLSR). Rapid analysis

Addressing Contending Issues and Embracing Emerging Trends in Library and Information Science Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

The emergence of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was largely attributed to the inability of many nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This paper identifies unresolved contending issues in Library and Information Science (LIS) education and training in Nigeria, with case for embracing emerging trends, not only for sustainability of LIS schools, but also to contribute positively towards actualization of the SDGs. With specific references to polytechnic-based and university-based LIS schools, the contending issues range from nomenclature, curriculum, infrastructure and human resources. In polytechnic-based LIS schools, many courses need to be merged so as to create avenue for integration of contemporary courses; and possibly develop specializations such as information resources management, knowledge management, records and information management, and publishing and multimedia technologies at the Higher National Diploma (HND) level. For university-based LIS schools, the development of a new programme tagged ‘BSc. Information Science and Media Studies’ by the National Universities Commission (NUC) with curriculum that reflects information management and multimedia technology, may or may not be a threat to LIS education; however, rebranding and repackaging LIS to Information and Knowledge Management in line with global best practices is a way forward. In addition, a case for Master of Knowledge Management (MKM) programme in universities was made in order to address emerging opportunities. The paper concludes that these contending issues need to be addressed, emerging trends embraced, and university-based LIS schools in Nigeria should work towards ensuring that future master degree holders (MLIS graduates) possess practical computing skills in areas of programming, web design, content development, and library management systems

Assessment of toxic elements in selected Nigeria broiler feeds using neutron activation analysis (NAA)

In this study, Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was used to determine the concentrations of some toxic elements Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co, Sr, La, Sm, Th and Se in some selected Nigeria broiler feed samples. Each sample (A, B, C, and D) represents certain brand of the feeds. The work was carried using the Nigeria Research Reactor – 1(NIRR -1) at the Center for Energy Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria by short and long irradiation protocols, using thermal flux of 5.0×1012 n cm-2 s-1. Quality Control and Quality Assurance of the method was tested by analyzing Standard Reference Materials (NIST 1515 apple leaves,). However, the results shows the Fe concentration in sample B and Zn concentration in sample C and D were found to exceed the maximum acceptable limit with the exception of sample A. This makes the feeds contaminated with Fe and Zn not safe for broilers consumption since toxic elements are bio-accumulative and have the tendency to be transferred to human after consumption.Key words: Broiler feed, NAA, MNSR, NIRR-

Prevalence of malaria among under fives in Tudun-Wada, Jos north local government area of Plateau state, North central Nigeria.

Background: Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease associated with high morbidity and mortality and under fives. It is the third leading cause of death for children under five years world wide. It is a major public health problem in Nigeria. Knowledge of the prevalence in underfives will help in instituting measures to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with it.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 400 under five children in Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State to determine the prevalence of malaria.Results: The age range of the sampled population was between 0 and 60 months with mean of 34 + 8 months. One hundred and sixty four(41%) of the sampled population had malaria. Sixty four(16%) were females while 100(25%) were males,p=0.06.Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of malaria among under five children.Key words: prevalence, malaria, underfiv

Intracoronary Brachytherapy for Restenosis: 20 Years of Follow-Up.

Intracoronary brachytherapy (ICB) has mainly been used to treat in-stent restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention and was virtually abandoned about 20 years ago. However, patients treated with this strategy are still alive and some teams continue to perform this therapy. We aimed to investigate the very long-term clinical outcome of patients treated with ICB. A total of 173 consecutive patients who had been treated with ICB at a large tertiary referral centre between 1998 and 2003 were included. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were as follows: occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, defined as all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization), cardiac death, and presence of angina at the end of follow-up. Patients' mean age at the time of ICB was 64 ± 10 years and 77 % were male. Restenosis (bare metal stent vs. balloon angioplasty) was the only indication for ICB. Unstable angina was present in 34 % of the patients. Follow-up was available for 166 patients. After a mean follow-up of 20 ± 1.3 years, 66 % of the patients had died (including 74 patients (67 %) with cardiac death). Cumulative MACE rate at 20 years was 96 %. Very long-term follow-up of patients with in-stent restenosis treated with ICB confirmed a high all-cause mortality rate mainly due to cardiac causes and MACEs

Nutritional Analysis of Three Commonly Consumed Varieties of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Three sorghum samples (yellow, red, and white sorghums) were analyzed for their proximate, vitamin (B1, B3, B6) and mineral element (Mg, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) compositions. Vitamins and mineral compositions were determined using HPLC and AAS respectively. The results of the proximate analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the ash, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate content of the three samples. The difference in the moisture and fat content were significant (p ≤ 0.05). The moisture content of white and red sorghum and white and yellow sorghums was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference in the moisture of red and yellow sorghums was not significant (p ≤ 0.05). The fat content of white and red sorghum are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference between the fat content of white and yellow and red and yellow sorghums were not significant (p ≤ 0.05). White sorghum has higher percentage of moisture and fat 11.90±0.36 & 9.26±1.81 respectively. Red sorghum has higher percentage of ash and protein 2.32±0.68 & 6.08±0.40 respectively. Yellow sorghum has higher percentage of fibre and carbohydrate 2.41±1.44 & 73.53±1.87 respectively. The HPLC vitamin analysis showed that sorghum has low vitamin B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) content and did not meet the recommended dietary allowance of the world health organization, although red sorghum was richer in all the vitamins analyzed, followed by yellow sorghum and then white sorghum which has the lowest vitamin content. The AAS results for the mineral elements revealed that all the three sorghum varieties contains all the mineral elements analyzed except for white sorghum which does not show any trace of copper. Statistical analysis on the mineral elements of the three sorghum showed that there were no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in all the mineral elements analysed with respect to each of the samples except for calcium that showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05). The difference in the calcium content between white and red sorghum and red and yellow sorghum was significant (p ≤ 0.05) while the difference was not significant (p ≤ 0.05) between the white and yellow sorghum. It was also found that the three sorghum varieties are richer in potassium, zinc and sodium and low in the other mineral elements analyzed. The proximate analysis revealed that sorghum samples contain appreciable nutrient contents and vitamin analysis shows that red sorghum is nutritionally more valuable than the white and yellow sorghum. Keywords: Mineral elements, Proximate Composition, Sorghum and Vitamin