Impact of Maternal Helicobacter pylori Infection on Trace Elements (Copper, Iron and Zinc) and Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: H. pylori infection has been suggested to interfere with micronutrient metabolism and influence pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: This study therefore seeks to document the prevalence of H. pylori seroposivity among pregnant women and to determine its impact on some trace element status and pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: Three hundred and forty nine consenting pregnant women aged 15-40 years (mean; 27. 04 ± 4. 75 years) and gestational age ≤ 25 weeks (mean 21.77 ± 3.14 wks) attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, between July 2007 and September 2008 participated in the study. H. Pylori antibody (IgG) was determined by a new generation ELISA method. Plasma copper, iron and zinc were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Bulk Scientific AVG 210 Model) while haemoglobin and albumin were analysed using standard haematological and biochemical techniques. Both maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters were recorded at recruitment. The women were followed-up till delivery after which neonatal anthropometrics and other birth outcomes were recorded. Results: H. pylori seroprevalence of 24.1% (84/349) was recorded with higher prevalence in multiparous and older women. H. pylori infected women had significantly higher BMI (29.00 ± 3.89 vs. 26.86 ± 4.10, p = 0.020) and lower (p > 0.05) plasma levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, albumin, and haemoglobin when compared to non-infected women. Also H. pylori infected women had significantly (p < 0.05) higher rates of convulsion and concomitant illnesses than their non-infected counterparts, although there was no difference in the two groups for other pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: H. pylori infection during pregnancy seems to interfere with trace element metabolism and contribute significantly to increased maternal morbidity. Prior to confirmation of these findings in a well controlled randomised trial, it is suggested that pregnant women be screened for H. pylori infection to reduce H. pylori associated morbidities during pregnancy

Helicobacter pylori In Uninvestigated Dyspepsia In Primary Cares In Abakaliki, Nigeria

There is paucity of information on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Nigeria. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori in 262 consecutive patients (aged 5.5-56 years) presenting with dyspepsia in primary health cares in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Sixty-nine (26.3%) of the patients had IgG antibodies to H. pylori. Significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori was recorded in older patients than in those ≤ 20 years [29% vs11% (95%CI: 0.072-0.288%)]. Infection was comparable between males and females [28% vs 25%, (95% CI: - 0.078 – 0.138)] but inversely related to the socio-economic status of patients [30.5% vs 14%. (95% CI: 0.054-0.28) and 30.3% vs 8.3% (95% CI: 0.053-0.391) between lower and middle and between lower and upper class respectively]. The high endemicity of H. pylori infection in this study needs confirmation in different settings and/or in the general population

A Comparative Study of Plasma Trace Elements (Copper, Iron and Zinc) Status in Anaemic and Non-anaemic Pregnant Women in Abakaliki, Nigeria

For a comparative study of plasma copper, iron and zinc between anaemic and non-anaemic pregnant women, data for anaemic (n = 223) and non-anaemic (n = 126) pregnant women drawn from a cohort of 351 pregnant Nigerians recruited at gestational age of ≤ 25 weeks for the study of impacts of trace element status on pregnancy outcomes were analysed. With the exception of plasma copper which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in anaemic women in comparison to the non-anaemic women (10.11 ± 10.15 vs. 8.68 ± 7.92 µmol/l), plasma iron and zinc were lower (p > 0.05) in the former. While plasma copper, iron and zinc concentration were not correlated with maternal haemoglobin concentration, plasma zinc significantly correlated negatively (r = -0.141, p < 0.05) with plasma copper. It is thus concluded that anaemia in pregnant women in this population may partly be due to a combination of trace element deficiencies and their interactions with each other. While interventions should go beyond improving intakes, more research is desired to clearly define these interactions

Shades of African values and interests in Nigeria’s international relations: investigating the gains and the costs, 1960 – 2014

Nigeria’s emergence as a player on the international theatre heralded myriad hope for the African continent. Consequently, Nigeria’s debut in the seemingly anarchical international system (I.S) was fastened to a philosophical praxis that centered unmistakably on African interests and values. However, findings in extant literature indicate that Nigeria has not gained commensurably in predisposing her international relations to be conditioned primarily by African interests and values. With the theoretical binoculars of the Constructivist Theory, and adopting the specific cases of Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Angola, South Africa and Ghana, this study investigates the gains and costs of contriving Nigeria’s International Relations (N.I.R) to be essentially based on African values and interests. The paper argues that ‘African values and interests’ as a philosophical praxis may have favoured Nigeria considerably in other domains but not in her International Relations (I.R); as indeed, “she gave and gave and in return got nothing”. The study does not only recommend the pressing need of dismantling, overhauling and reinventing the philosophical foundations of Nigeria’s I.R (as this has been proposed by some extant studies) but also the engagement of policies that ensure that the country recovers all she lost in her years of naivety in I.R. The study adopted the historical methodology which emphasizes critical analyses and interpretation of facts. Data for the study came largely through secondary sources and a few primary sources in the form of Government documents and confidential reports

EFFECT OF Phytophthora LEAF BLIGHT DISEASE OF TARO [Colocasia esculenta(L.) Schott] ON PROXIMATE AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF INFECTED CORMS

Leaf-blight and corm rot of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] incited by Phytophthora colocasiae hampersproduction, storage and utilization of taro in Nigeria. This study evaluated the effect of leaf blight disease onproximate and phytochemical constituents of infected corm varieties: NCe001, NCe011, NCe012 and BLS/158obtained from National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, and grown under natural leaf blightdisease conditions during the 2016/2017 planting season. The experiment was laid out in Randomized CompleteBlock Design and replicated thrice. Corm samples were obtained from the infected and uninfected crop afterharvest and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical constituents by standard procedures. Data were subjectedto Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed significant (P&lt; 0.05) reduction in carbohydrate, dry matter,crude fibre, ash, crude fat and energy value in the diseased samples of the varieties compared to the healthysamples. However, significant (P&lt; 0.05) higher moisture and crude protein contents were observed across thediseased taro varieties. Oxalate, Flavonoids and Tannins had significant (P &lt; 0.05) higher values for non-diseasedsamples over the diseased samples and varied among the varieties. Alkaloids and Saponins were higher in thediseased samples and varied significantly. The significant reduction in proximate and phytochemical constituentsof infected corms demonstrated in this experiment suggests that taro leaf blight (TLB) caused significantreduction in the chemical composition of taro corms and may limit the industrial potentials of corms. Hence, tarobased industries are by this findings informed of the magnitude of nutrient depletion in infected taro corms due toblight and the need to make necessary adjustments to avoid the production of sub-standard products

Determinants of adoption of risk management strategies in electronic banking among agro-entrepreneurs in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the determinants of adoption of risk management strategies in electronic banking (digital finance) among agro entrepreneurs in Ughelli North local Government area of delta state, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire, administered on 79 respondents using two-stage sampling procedure. The data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. This study showed that 34.0% of the respondents were male while 57.0% of the respondents were female, 39.2% of the respondents were in the age bracket of 41-50 years. The regression result shows that gender, age, marital status, level of education, farming status were all significant factors that influence risk management strategies in electronic banking. Household size, business experience, income and savings were not significant. Also, it was found that constraints faced by agro entrepreneur in adopting these risk management strategies includes the length of time it takes for unsuccessful funds transfer to be returned, the delayed response of banks to issues relating to electronic banking risks, ATM are not readily available and the ones that are, are usually congested resulting to agro entrepreneurs using the ATM at odd hours, amongst others. Proper awareness on these risk management strategies should be given to these rural entrepreneurs, and government should charge banks with the sole responsibility of providing a more secure and coordinated methods of carrying out these activities.Keywords: digital finance, electronic banking risks, ATM and cyber securit

The effect of parity on maternal body mass index, plasma mineral element status and new-born anthropometrics

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcome is an important public health problem that has been partly associated with increasing maternal parity.Aim: To determine the effect of parity on maternal body mass index (BMI), mineral element status and newborn anthropometrics.Methods: Data for 349 pregnant women previously studied for the impacts of maternal plasma mineral element status on pregnancy and its outcomes was analysed. Obstetric and demographic data and 5mls of blood samples were obtained from each subject. Blood lead, plasma copper, iron and zinc were  determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: Maternal BMI increases with parity. Women with parity two had significantly higher plasma zinc but lower plasma copper with comparable levels of the elements in nulliparous and higher parity groups. Although plasma iron was comparable among the groups, blood lead was significantly higher in parity &gt; three. Newborn birth length increases with parity with a positive correlation between parity and maternal BMI (r = 0.221; p = 0.001) and newborn birth length (r = 0.170; p = 0.002) while plasma copper was negatively correlated with newborn’s head circumference (r = -0.115; p = 0.040) Conclusion: It is plausible that parity affects maternal BMI and newborn anthropometrics through  alterations in maternal plasma mineral element levels. While further studies are desired to confirm the present findings, there is need for pregnant and would-be pregnant women to diversify their diet to optimize their mineral element status.Keywords: Maternal parity, BMI, newborn anthropometrics, mineral element status, pregnant women, Nigeri

Comparison of Serum Calcium and Magnesium Between Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Nigerian Women in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Evidence suggests the involvement of calcium and magnesium metabolism in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. However, findings from studies are heterogenous and inconsistent.Aim: The study aimed to compare the total serum calcium and magnesium levels in preeclamptic women with that of normotensive pregnant women.Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional subjects of eighty pregnant women living in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, South‑East Nigeria, were recruited into the study. The present study compared serum calcium and magnesium in forty preeclamptic (cases) and forty normotensive (control) pregnant women matched for age, parity, and socioeconomic status. Serum calcium and magnesium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 20 statistical software. Differences between means were compared using Student’s t‑test with P &lt; 0.05 considered as statistically significant.Results: While the mean serum calcium was comparable between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (13.99 [3.29] vs. 14.02 [5.68] μg/dl), the preeclamptic pregnant women have significantly (P &lt; 0.001) lower serum magnesium in comparison to their normotensive counterparts (3.22 [1.05] vs. 4.15 [0.78]).Conclusion: It may be concluded that serum magnesium seems to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia in this environment.Keywords: Calcium, Hypertension, Magnesium supplementation, Preeclampsi

Determinants of adoption level of risk management strategies by fish farmers in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examined the socio-economic determinants of level of adoption of risk management strategies by fish farmers in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers, identified the various sources of risk and determined the socioeconomic factors that influence the level of adoption of risk management strategies. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select sixty-seven (67) fish farmers. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The result showed that majority were young male with an average age of 40 years. The most common sources of risk were the fluctuation in prices of fish feed and fish. The age of farmers, household size, and farming experience were some of the factors that influenced the adoption to risk management strategies. However due to the inadequate extension service activities, farmers were not able to fully utilize the different and essential risk management strategies. Hence, the study recommends that young women should be encouraged to invest in fish farming business. Also, extension agents should be encouraged to disseminate useful information to farmers on essential risk management strategies.Keywords: Risk, Risk Management Strategies, Fish farming, Adoptio

Selective Cooperation in the Global South: Implications for Nigeria’s International Economic Relations, 2000 – 2010.

Given that the ‘developed’ North has vigorously resisted the relinquishing of its greatest weapon of global dominance – International Economic Control Mechanisms (IECMs), South – South Cooperation (SSC) was birthed as an alternative development pathway for the countries of the global South. It has metamorphosed from being interested in geo-politics and opposition to imperialism, global racism, colonialism and the cold war, to emphasis on geo-economics and political economy. However, the emergence of new economic behemoths such as India, Brazil, South Africa among others, are beginning to reconfigure and reshape the contours of South-South Cooperation vis a vis their increasing economic and political clout. This has led to cases of selective cooperation in the global South; such as the India- Brazil – South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum; Brazil – Russia – China – South Africa (BRICS) Forum. While these selective alliances have had significant benefits for the cooperating parties, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy is yet to be identified with this emerging trend on the South – South Cooperation (SSC) architecture; apart from being projected by Jim O'Neill along with Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey as the next potential investment destination (The so–called MINT emerging economies). This study therefore discusses selective cooperation in the global South and how it has impacted on Nigeria’s international economic relations, 2000 - 2010. The study adopted the thematic and analytical methods of Historical research while data for the study came largely through secondary sources. The position of the study is that Nigeria needs to overhaul and re-enact her SSC strategies to guarantee entry into selective alliances which have shown mutual benefits for the partners. Recommendations on how to go about in achieving this objective is made in the study Keywords: Selective Cooperation, Global South, Nigeria’s International Economic Relations, South – South Cooperation.