Determination of gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentration along Jakara waste water canal, Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

This research undertook an assessment of the radioactivity level along the Jakara waste water canal. Six soil samples and five water samples were taken for gross alpha and beta activity concentration using the gas–flow–proportional counter (IN20). Results for gross alpha activity concentration for the soil samples range from 4.597E-03 Bq/g to 1.425E-02 Bq/g, while that of gross beta activity for soil has the range from 3.341E+01 Bq/g to 8.092E+01 Bq/g. In the same vein, results for gross alpha activity concentration for the water samples have the range from 6.035E-03 Bq/L to 1.433E+00 Bq/L while the value for the gross beta activity concentration ranges from 5.038E+00 Bq/L to 2.853E+01 Bq/L for the same water samples. These results show that the alpha and beta activity concentration in the analysed samples are higher than the minimum permissible concentration by World Health Organisation (WHO, 2003). This may pose health risk because the waste water is used by people to irrigate vegetables along the waste water canal. Keywords: Background Radiation, Activity Concentration, Gross Alpha, Gross Bet

Combined effect of neem leaf powder and vermicompost in the management of root-knot nematode disease in Celosia argentea

Due to the rising demand for alternative options for root-knot nematode management, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and Vermicompost were tested for their efficacy in controlling this disease in Celosia argentea. An experiment, laid out in Completely Randomized Design, was carried out in the screenhouse. It involved the testing of eight treatments which were replicated four times thus making a total of 32 experimental pots. The trial was repeated once to validate results obtained. Plants were inoculated with 5000 Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) eggs. The experimental pots without Mi egg served as the control. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, branches and flowers, leaf area index, shoot weight, root weight, dry weight, number of galls, final nematode and egg population and subjected to Analysis of Variance. The New Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate statistically significant treatment means. Results showed that the amendments used, reduced the infestation of the treated plantswhose final Mi nematode population (2360, 2020, 2050, 1720, 1540, 1230) and egg population (2250, 2030, 2120, 1690, 1540, 1230) which were lower (P d” 0.05) than their initial population (5000 eggs) and when compared to the untreated Mi-inoculated (control) plants which had the highest final population (5858 and 5620) that outnumbered the original inoculum. Neem leaf powder and Vermicompost combined at 1% was statistically at par with other treatments in the reduction of the root-knot disease of C. argente

Association of Chlamydia serology with HIV in Nigerian women

This research was carried out to detect the presence of Chlamydia in pregnant women and gynaecologic patients in the North-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Blood samples were collected and analysed by ELISA techniques. The blood samples were also screened for HIV infection. A sero-prevalence of 59.0% was recorded for the study area. The sero-prevalence was higher among the gynaecologic patients (62.0%) than the pregnant women (57.5%). The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Of the four centers chosen for the study, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) had the highest prevalence (84.7%), while Niger State had the least (28.7%). The difference was also statistically significant (P<0.0001). The prevalence rate of HIV among the participants in the study center was found to be 17.2%. Abuja had the highest prevalence rate of 24.6%, followed by Benue, 16.7%, then Kogi, 12.0% and finally, Niger, 4.7%. Chlamydia was found to be associated with HIV (p<0.0001). The sero-prevalence of chlamydia in the North-Central zone of Nigeria was found to be high. Chlamydia was found to be correlated with HIV in the study area and may have contributed to the zone emerging with the highest HIV prevalence in the country. For an infection that is largely asymptomatic but has devastating effects on populations, only a preventive approach would have beneficial effects in controlling the disease and its effects on women’s health in the country.Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV, pregnant women, gynaecologic patients, co-infectio

Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Wastewater from Waste Stabilization Pond of a Refinery and Petrochemical Industry, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The wastewater released by refineries and petrochemical industries frequently contain a range of substances categorized as physical and chemical pollutants. The objective of this study was to assess the physicochemical properties of wastewater from waste stabilization pond of a refinery and petrochemical industry, Kaduna, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Results obtained showed that the wastewater had an average pH (8.18), temperature (26.29oC), dissolved oxygen (0.86 mg/L), total dissolved solids (195.33mg/L), electrical conductivity (159.71µs/cm) and chloride (40.08mg/L) which were in compliance with the limit set by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria. However, chemical oxygen demand (65.85mg/L), biological oxygen demand (32.32 mg/L), oil and grease (231.97mg/L), nitrate (16.95mg/L), turbidity (5.37NTU), phosphate (10.06mg/L) and sulphate (140.36mg/L) where found to exceed the permissible limit. The mean concentrations of arsenic (4.59mg/L), nickel (0.15mg/L), iron (0.62mg/L), lead (0.67mg/L), cadmium (0.04mg/L) and chromium (0.29mg/L) were higher than the acceptable limits. However, cobalt (0.16mg/L), zinc (0.30mg/L), manganese (0.56mg/L), copper (0.13mg/L) and magnesium (1.65mg/L) contents were within the acceptable limits. These results point the need for adequate treatment of wastewater from petrochemical and related industries using appropriate wastewater treatment technologies. Continuous release of this wastewater into the environment poses great threat to both the environment and public health

Disease prevalence and severity assessment of Pratylenchus coffeae on an infected banana in Peninsular Malaysia

Pratylenchus spp. cause considerable damage to the banana plant (Musa spp.) globally and although reported extensively in Malaysia, disease prevalence and infection severities have not been defined. The objective of this research, therefore, was to determine the prevalence of Pratylenchus coffeae and the extent of their damage on Musa spp. Of the 13 banana fields sampled, Pratylenchus nematodes were found in 76% of them. Proportions of root cortexes occupied by reddish brown lesion were significant in all the states. All the sampled areas exceeded the threshold limit, which is a 1% increment above 5% and is considered highly significant damage. The pathological reaction of P. coffeae against Pisang Berangan multiplications was observed after 12 weeks of growth in a glasshouse experiment. There were significant differences in vegetative growth within the various pathogen inoculation levels evaluated. Pisang Berangan showed a high level of susceptibility through the activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase-induced resistance at all days after inoculation with P. coffeae compared to the control, except at week 12 where it declined or was non-significant from the control. Educating banana growers on the prevalence of this pathogenic parasite is therefore imperative for management decisions

Investigation of livestock for presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

The study investigated the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in livestock to ascertain their reservoir role and also screened for other pathogenic trypanosomes of animals in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state, Nigeria. A total of 460 livestock comprising (cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs) selected at random were bled, examined using the buffy coat and Giemsa stained thin film and packed cell volume estimated. Questionnaire was filled for each animal on demography, awareness and management practices. An overall prevalence of 2.17% with Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, T. vivax and a mixed infection of T. brucei and T. congolense observed microscopically awaiting characterization. Interviews revealed high awareness (82.8%) of tsetse and trypanosomiasis described as bush disease and abortion in four cows. The PCV values were within the normal range, however, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in sheep aged 7months to 4years in two communities. Therefore, the study indicated the presence of T. brucei and other trypanosomes suggesting that animal trypanosomiasis is still a problem to animal health and wellbeing in the study area. The study recommends effective integrated chemotherapy and vector control including livestock rearing under intensive management system to boost livestock production and productivity

An overview of superhydrophobic ceramic membrane surface modification for oil-water separation

The discharge of oily wastewater and offshore oil spills contaminates the biotic and aquatic environment and ultimately result in the destruction of the ecosystem. Recently, the application of ceramic membranes has gained prodigious attention due to its efficiency in oil-water separation process. Ceramic membranes developed from inorganic materials are considered as the most promising technology for the treatment of industrial wastewater. Besides, different types superhydrophobic-superoleophilic substrates are being developed using various substrate materials to tailor its purpose for higher efficiency. Nonetheless, fouling and clogging phenomena restrict the performance of ceramic membrane in oil-water separation. This review emphasizes the recent innovation on superhydrophobic methods for the modification of ceramic membranes for oil-water recovery. It comprises of an overview of the preparation technique of ceramic membrane using various techniques. Moreover, the different types of hydrophobic ceramic membrane modification using chemical agents and consequent effects on oil-water separation were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the technical challenges and issues associated with the applications of superhydrophobic-superoleophilic ceramic membrane for oil-water separation were discussed. Finally, future direction in the research of cost-efficient approach to produce superhydrophobic ceramic membranes for oil-water filtration process is enumerated

Whole genome sequence-based genetic characterization of Muturu, an endangered trypanotolerant population of West African Bos Taurus

Muturu cattle, mostly found nowadays in Nigeria, have been classified as an endangered cattle population due to the rapid decline in their population size. They are among the shorthorn West African B. taurus trypanotolerance cattle. Here, we report candidate signature of positive selection obtained from whole genome re-sequencing data in a population of 10 Muturu samples from southeastern Nigeria. We present within Muturu population results in comparison with other B. taurus cattle including the trypanotolerant longhorn N’Dama and the European Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle. We identify a total of 8,937,932 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1,373,437 insertion/deletions (indels) on the autosomes, of which about 11.3% and 10.2% respectively, are unique to Muturu. As revealed by the integrated haplotype score (iHS) test, 266 loci and 432 related candidate genes are under positive selection in the Muturu genome. One of the most significant regions is located on BTA 23. It includes several genes belonging to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) with functions related to both innate and adaptive immunity. Thirty-one candidate genes including the MHC genes region were also found under selection in N'Dama. Several genes such as KIT, ZRANB3, MAP3K5, ABCGR, GHR, LAP3, SRY, RFX2, GPX5 and PRKAG3 which are related to coat colour, feed efficiency, milk production, reproduction and response to heat stress were also identified. Our results provide insights into the candidate genes under selection in Muturu paving the way for further investigations into important adaptation traits such as trypanotolerance in West African B. taurus

Additional file 1 of Pharmacoinformatic study of inhibitory potentials of selected flavonoids against papain-like protease and 3-chymotrypsin-like protease of SARS-CoV-2

Additional file 1