MODELING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON MALARIA PREVALENCE

 Malaria is believed to be one of the deadly killers of humans worldwide and a threatto one-third of the world’s population. Based on this assertion, this study is used to determine the effect of Ibadan climatic variability on Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion since the city has a holoendemic malaria transmission. Multiple Trigonometric regression model was used to determine the effects of rainfall and temperature on Ibadan malaria prevalence since it can be used to model series that exhibit two or more types of variations simultaneously. From the results, the residuals of the fitted multiple trigonometric regression model are not serially correlated based on the value of the Durbin Watson Statistics. The coefficients of the fitted model were used to establish that for every unit increase or decrease in Ibadan city rainfall and temperature, there might be an increase or decrease in the malaria prevalence proportion over the years. The values of coefficient of determination  revealed that Ibadan city monthly rainfall and temperature jointly explained the variations in Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion up to 61%. The fitted multiple trigonometric regression model as well as a good fit and high predictive power based on the value of the adjusted coefficient of determination Based on these results Multiple trigonometric regression model is suitable and adequate for modelling the effect of Ibadan monthly climatic variability on malaria prevalence proportion which can cause a high rate of morbidity and mortality if not curtailed or curbed

In-silico identification of differentially expressed genes in Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus T1DM varies markedly in different geographical populations but seems to be increasing globally. The focus of this research is to screen for T1D-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A meta-analysis was conducted using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The datasets included samples from T1DM and normal patients. The Robust Multichip Averaging (RMA) procedure was used for background correction, normalization and summarization to obtain expression level data and to discover differentially expressed genes. Box plots, Density plots, RNA degradation plots and recommended procedures from Affymetrix for quality control were implemented. The DEGs were screened and the exclusively expressed genes were uncovered through the Venn diagrams and heat maps functions in R language. 3,824 genes were classified, as DEGs of which 2,030 were upregulated and 1,794 were downregulated. Seven key genes (TLN1, ANPEP, F13A1, SPARC, SPTBN1, IGHA2 and IGHA1) were exclusively expressed in the whole progression. 58 DEGs were revealed through the Venn diagrams while the Heatmaps showed the differential expression data for 35 genes. IGHA1, IGHA2, IGKV4-1 were significantly expressed and upregulated. Although some of these genes have been previously associated with T1D, many other genes were identified for further studies

Measurement of penile size in healthy Nigerian newborns using conventional penile length measurement technique

Objectives We attempted to establish a standard penile length for male newborn Nigerians using the conventional penile length measurement technique.Summary Defining the normal penile size in the neonate is paramount to making accurate diagnosis of abnormalities of the penis and the medical and surgical management of these anomalies.Patients and methods We carried out a prospective cross-sectional study of all term male neonates within 72 h of birth from April 2013 to March 2014 in the three largest obstetric centres (University College Hospital, Adeoyo Maternity Hospital and Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital) in Ibadan, Nigeria. They underwent clinical examination, and their penile sizes were measured using the conventional penile length measurement technique.Results A total of 675 male Nigerian newborns were studied. The mean penile length was 3.14 ±0.65 cm, and the mean penile width was 0.97± 0.15 cm.Conclusion The penile dimensions obtained are comparable with reported values in previous studies in other parts of the world

Time series model building with Fourier autoregressive model

This paper presents time series model building using Fourier autoregressive models. This model is capable of modelling and forecasting time series data that exhibit periodic and seasonal movements. From the implementation of the model, FAR(1), FAR(2) and FAR(3) models were chosen based on the periodic autocorrelation function (PeACF) and periodic partial autocorrelation function. The coefficients of the tentative modelwere estimated using a discrete Fourier transform estimation method. The FAR(1) model was chosen as the optimal model based on the smallest value of periodic Akaike and Bayesian information criteria, and the residuals of the fitted models were diagnosed to be white noise using the periodic residual autocorrelation function. The out-sample forecasts were obtained for the Nigerian monthly rainfall series from January 2018 to December 2019 using the FAR(1) and SARIMA(1,1,1)x(1,1,1)₁₂ models. The results exhibited a continuous periodic and seasonal movement but the periodic movement in the forecasted rainfall series was better with FAR(1) because its values showed a close reflection of the original series. The values of the forecast evaluation for both models showed that the forecast was consistent and accurate but the FAR(1) model forecast was more accurate since its forecast evaluation values were relatively lower. Hence, the Fourier autoregressive model is adequate and suitable for modelling and forecasting periodicity and seasonality in Nigerian rainfall time series data and any part of the world with rainfall series that are mostly characterised with periodic variation

Parental Marital Status as Predictor of Undergraduates’ Mental Health Status

Parenting plays a major role in the development and transformation of young adults. However, in recent years, the aptness of parents has been greatly reduced. Considering the increase of broken marriages and single parenting in Nigeria, young adults may be at risk of depreciating mental health due to unexpected emotional challenges with respect to the immediate family. This cross-sectional survey examined the mental health status of undergraduates as a function of parent’s marital status. One hundred and fifty-six undergraduates selected from three higher institutions responded to the Awaritefe Psychological Index (API), measuring mental health status. Two hypotheses were tested at p=0.05 level of significance and the results revealed that parent’s marital status did not significantly predict undergraduates’ mental health status (β=-0.076, t=0.951, p>0.05); however, the type of higher institution significantly predicted undergraduates’ mental health status (β=0.159, t= -1.985, p<0.05). Since this study revealed that the institution of learning is an effective predictor of undergraduates’ mental health status, it is recommended that institutions of learning should be made more academically conducive for undergraduates to foster better mental health

Effect of Plant Population Density on Growth and Weed Smothering Ability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Akidi (cowpea), a landrace of Vigna unguiculata, was grown at densities of 30,121 (D1), 40,323 (D2), 50,000 (D3), 60,976 (D4), 80,645 (D5), and 0 (D6) plants/hectare in a randomized complete block design to assess the effect of intraspecific (between cowpeas) on its performance and weed smothering ability in the instance of utilizing it in intensive fallow management. At 10 weeks after sowing (WAS), the low-density plants (D1) were shorter (127.55 ± 1.84cm), produced highest stem diameter of 11.59 ± 0.86mm, and shoot dry weight/plant (12.46 ± 0.70g). The high-density cowpea treatment (D5) had the longest vines (197.93 ± 1.54cm) and relatively low shoot dry weight/plant (9.22 ± 0.64g). The D5 treatment was significantly better than other treatments in weed control and dry matter yield per unit area. Tithonia diversifolia and Sida acuta which are heliophytes were encountered in low-density treatments of D1 and D3, where the highest light intensities reached the soil

AN EMPRICAL INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR

The development of people at work beyond level at which they assumed duty when appointed has been a source of concern to all stakeholders including Psychologist. The public sector is made up of civil service and parastatals with which the government executes its programmes. Getting the best out of any employee in the public sector in Nigeria in Nigeria requires adequate training However, the possibility of this training has been an herculean task due to lack of adequate training policy and provi- sion of fund for the required training. This research investigates the human resources development situation in the public sector of Nigeria by conducting a survey of one thousand and two hundred hu- man resource officers to ascertain their perception of human resource development. Data were col- lected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics while hypothesis formu- lated was tested with t-test. The study revealed that human resources development is not just for indi- vidual, but also for the organization as it improves performance

Hepatotoxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Bridelia ferruginea on the Liver of Albino Rats

The hepatic effect of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea leaves on the liver of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) was investigated. The rats were fed with their feed (pellets) and clean water and were left for a period of four weeks to acclimatize to their new environment and thereafter the experiment commenced. The rats were grouped into four groups; the control group which did not receive the extract at all and three other groups according to dose of extracts administered orally. There was a steady increase in weight in both control and treated group in the treated group. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was a mean value of  10.4 +1.0U/I for the control group while the treated groups were 38.1 + 3.8U/I, 57.7 + 19.3U/I, and 77.6 + 6.0U/I (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day) respectively. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration had a mean value of 11.5 + 0.5U/I for the control group and 45.6 + 1.3U/I , 44.6 + 4.1U,  41.5 + 2.4U/I  and 50.5+3.3 UI (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day).The transaminases (AST and ALT) are well known enzymes used as biomarkers to predict possible toxicity to the liver. Possible damage to liver cells resulted in elevation of both these transaminases in the serum. Furthermore, measurement of enzymatic activities of AST and ALT is of clinical and toxicological importance as changes in their activities are indicative of liver damage by toxicants or in diseased condition. Histological section of the control group had a normal architecture were the central veins,portal traits hepatocytes and sinusoids appear normal. The lobula unit is also well define. However, group rats treated with 50mg/kg/bw and 100mg/kg/bw showed disintegration of the hepartic cells represented by the separation and disruption of these cells in the tissue with karyolitic nuclei. Also, in rats group treated with 150mg/kg/bw showed extensive area of patchy and confluent hepatocyte necrosis and lobular inflammation Keywords: Hepatotoxicity, Bridelia ferruginea,Albino rat

PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF FALCIPARIUM MALARIA AMONG INFANTS AND CHILDREN IN OTA, OGUN STATE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Studies were carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infection among infants and children (0-12yrs) in Ota, Southwestern Nigeria between April and December 2008. The two hospitals used were Ota General Hospital and Covenant University Health Centre, Canaanland, Ota. Thick and thin films were made and stained using standard parasitological procedures. Structured Questionnaires were distributed to ascertain the age, sex, drugs or insecticides used and state of health of the subjects before recruiting them into the study. Overall, 215 (80.5%) of the 267 children investigated were found to have malaria infection. Age group (0-5 years) had the highest frequency rate of 84.7% with mean parasite density of 900 and the difference between the age groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Children of illiterates from suburb villages had the highest mean parasite density of 850 with 78.1% prevalence rate. 20% of the children were given local herbs and 22% used orthodox medicine as prophylaxis. Only 18% used insecticide treated mosquito nets while 24% of the parents spray insecticides to prevent mosquito bites. There is therefore need for more awareness on effective use of drugs and Insecticide Treated bed nets in malaria hyperendemic regions

Septic arthritis of the hip with intraperitoneal dislocation of the femoral head

Septic arthritis is a potentially crippling infection of the joint cavity. Malnutrition in the setting of poor socioeconomic background is a known predisposing and propagating factor of septic arthritis. Prolonged untreated septic arthritis of the hip joint can be a rare cause of acute abdomen, this is due to the proximity of the hip joint to the pelvis causing the spread of the causative organisms into the peritoneal cavity. We present a case of septic arthritis of the hip joint presenting as acute abdomen with intra-peritoneal dislocation of the head of the femur, and reviewed relevant literature. Keywords: acute abdomen; septic arthritis; peritonitis; fracture dislocation