Life Cycle Assessment on the Direct Recycling Aluminium Alloy AA6061 Chips and Metal Matrix Composite (MMC-AlR)

Metallic material processing plays a significant role in terms of global environmental impact which contributes to the climate change phenomena that is a serious international environmental concern and the subject of much research and debate. Thus, energy- and resource-efficient strategies in the metal shaping technology domain need to be identified urgently. A frequent theme in the debates that surround waste and resources management is the extent to which the recycling of metallic materials offers genuine benefits to the environment. Solid state recycling techniques allow the manufacture of high density aluminium alloy parts directly from production scrap. In this paper the environmental impacts associated with ‘meltless’ scrap processing routes through hot press forging process with varying parameter has been studied. A comparative analysis has been performed with two different type of materials which is recycling aluminium alloy (AA6061) chips and metal matrix composite (AA6061 chips + 2% alumina) in order to quantify and compare the environmental benefits for both materials. The LCA data are collected using Simapro 8.0.4   software.   The   additional   materials   used   in   a   product   resulted   higher environmental impact. Metal matrix composite had higher value of midpoint and endpoint impact categories compare to aluminium alloy chips

Risk factors and mode of transmission of toxoplasmosis in Nigeria: a review

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite was described as the most successful having full potentials to  be transmitted  through various routes from contamination of the environment and food substances to continuous spread as tissue cyst in meat, among its intermediate host, bypassing its sexual stage of life cycle in its definitive host. Relevant English databases were searched for the prevalence studies conducted in Nigeria. In this review, we identified the various ways through which the infection can be spread within human population as reported by various studies in Nigeria.Keywords: cosmopolitan, environment, intracellular, protozoan, toxoplasmosi

The role of women in the fishing community of Doma Dam, Nasarawa State

The study was carried out to assess the role of women in the fishing activities around the Doma dam fishing community in Nigeria. The study reveals that women participate in all fishing activities and play significant role in family income generation from gear construction, fish catch, transportation, processing to marketing of the fish and fish products. Some limitations were identified in women participation such as some cultural practices, denial to participate in decision making, poor infrastructure and lack of organised markets. Women should be encouraged to freely participate and make decision so as to enhance their finances as it will translate to enhancing the family income

Studi Kualitatif Persepsi Subjek Dewasa Terhadap Postingan Akun @lgn_id

This research is entitled "Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Adult Subjects Against @lgn_id". The problem is how the perception that arises after knowing the contents of posts from the Instagram account @lgn_id in the perception of communication that appears will lead to new perspectives in informants who are adults or aged over 21 year. This study used a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The data were obtained through direct interviews, while the informants in this study were adult subjects who were more than 21 years old. The source triangulation validation technique was used. The results of this study indicate that the perceptions of adult subjects regarding @lgn_id account posts. There are three factors that underlie adult subjects in giving perceptions of @lgn_id account posts, namely curiosity, interest and education. Sources tend to be curious about the posts on the account so they also feel interested in new things that appear. This interest then creates a perception of what they already understand by posting the Instagram account @lgn_id

Analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the soils of Bagega mining area Zamfara state, Nigeria

Uncontrolled exploitation and degradation in the environment over the past few decades as the result of urbanization and poverty has caused a serious damage to lives and properties. The study analysed the spatial distribution of heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Zn) in Bagega, Zamfara state. Three mapping units were identified and samples were collected from the top soil (0-15cm) horizon using stratified random sampling techniques. These include the Mining Processing Environment (MPE), Residential exterior (RE) and Surrounding Farmlands (SF). In each mapping units, twelve (12) samples were collected randomly. Coordinates of all samples points were recorded using GPS. The soil sample were analyse for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and the result were recorded in Microsoft excel and later transformed into GIS environment in the Arc GIS 10.1 version. Krigging model was used for mapping the spatial distribution of the heavy metals in the study area. The result shows that there are more concentrations of heavy metals (Fe and Cu) in the Residential exterior (RE) and streams sites. The level of heavy metal in the soils of the area were below the acceptable toxic level of and this can be attributed to the number of years quarry activities in the study area have been in operation. The study concluded that Fe and Zn are more concentrated to the mining and river sites areas, while Cu is highly concentrated at the farmlands areas. The study recommends for continuous monitoring and mining should be avoided especially closer to the residential areas.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Mapping, Heavy metals, Bageg

Stem Cell Organoids in Primary Cultures of Human Non-Malignant and Malignant Colon

YesA sub-population of cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs) that initiate and promote tumour growth have been demonstrated to exist in several malignancies including colon carcinoma. The objective of our pilot study was to isolate CD133+CD26+CD44+ CSCs from patient colon tumours, culture spheres or organoids and observe their proliferation in primary cultures. Parallel cultures of non-cancer controls from colon normal lining and nonadenomatous polyps were set up. Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to isolate CD133+CD26+CD44+ cell populations followed by primary cell culturing under stem cell culture conditions. Number, cells/organoid and daughter generations of organoids were calculated using phase contrast microscope. Trypan blue exclusion method was used to test the viability of the cells. Both colon tumour and colon non-adenomatous polyp formed floating organoids in suspension; however non-adenomatous polyp cultures did not show self-renewal properties for more than 1 passage. Normal colon singlecell suspension did not create organoids. Metastatic colon tumours rapidly produce cancer cell organoids in less than 24 hours in larger numbers compared to non-metastatic colon tumours (1-3 weeks). Metastatic colon tumour organoids have the ability for proliferation for upto five daughter generations in primary culture compared to three generations for those grown from non-metastatic tumours. This in vitro CSC organoid model will help study colon cancer biology, in particular providing a valuable source of primary cell-derived tissue for studying personalized molecular profiling using ‘omics strategies to direct therapeutic intervention

Plasmid mediated resistance in multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from children with suspected septicaemia in Zaria, Nigeria

Septicaemia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the  developing world. The knowledge of the  epidemiological and antimicrobial pattern of common pathogens that cause septicaemia is useful for prompt treatment of patients. Fifty-five (55) clinical isolates from children with suspected septicaemia were used for the study. The isolates include Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp and  Pseudomonas spp. The antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolated bacteria associated with septicaemia in children were carried out using standard  microbiological protocol. The MAR index for the test bacterial isolates was  determined and the bacterial isolates that displayed multiple antibiotic resistance were investigated for the presence of resistant factor such as plasmids. The sizes of the plasmid observed in the bacterial isolates were determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. Observations made from the agarose gel electrophoresis showed that majority of the multiple antibiotic resistant isolates haboured plasmids DNA of different sizes viz: 10.00 Kb, 8.71 Kb, 7.08 Kb, 1.02 Kb, 1.00 Kb, 0. 98 Kb and 0.87 Kb. The plasmid analysis of the results obtained in this study showed that the  predominant plasmid molecular size was 977bp which occurred frequently among  the Citrobacter spp and Staph aureus. These findings suggest an increased  resistance to the antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of septicaemia, and the observed presence of plasmids in some of the test bacteria isolated shows that they could have been acquired from multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in the community under investigation.Key words: Children, Multiple antibiotic resistance, Plasmids, Septicaemi

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of the root bark extracts of Neocarya macrophylla

Neocarya macrophylla is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in Northern Nigeria to treat asthma, skin infections, treatment of wounds, dysentery, pulmonary troubles and a number of inflammations, as ell as treatment of eye and ear infections. In this work, the root back extracts of Neocarya macrophylla were screened for phytochemical constituents as well as the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, an ear infection-causing pathogen. The results revealed that some of the common phytoconstituents are present in most of the extracts. The susceptibility test results gives inhibition range of 13, 13, 13, 14 and 13 mm for the crude extract (NM), methanol extract (NM4), ethyl acetate extract (NM3), chloroform extract (NM2) and n-hexame extract (NM1) respectively against test organism at 50 mg/ml. The test results also showed inhibition range of 12, 11, 11, 12 and 12 mm for NM, NM4, NM3, NM2 and NM1 respectively at 25 mg/ml. Lastly, the results showed inhibition range of 11, 10, 09, 10 and 11 mm for NM, NM4, NM3, NM2 and NM1 respectively at 12.5 mg/ml. This indicates that NM2 is the most active fraction against the organism at 50 mg/ml, and the least active fraction was NM3 at 12.5 mg/ml. The test results also show that the root back extract NM2 has the potentials of providing the active components that could be developed into new antibacterial agents.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Escherichia coli, Neocarya macrophylla, Phytochemical

Mortality pattern among tuberculosis patients on treatment in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has continued to be associated with a substantial number of deaths, even in the era of effective antimicrobials. Nigeria is one of the countries with a high tuberculosis burden and has sub-optimal documentation of TB related deaths. Vital statistics/registration is not robust, and mortality surveys are rarely undertaken. In this study, we aimed to determine a precise estimate of TB related deaths on treatment and the trends in death rate while on TB treatment in Nigeria. Methods: We searched electronic databases for eligible studies from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2017. We generated pooled death rate estimates using random-effects models and determined trends using meta-regression. Results: We identified 546 studies, of which 28 fulfilled the criteria for quantitative analysis. Overall, studies reported on 64,999 individuals. The pooled TB death rate during treatment was 6.6% (95% CI; 5.2-8.1%). There was a non-significant rise in TB related deaths on treatment of 0.2% per year (p-value = 0.454). Conclusion: We found a low TB related deaths on treatment, death rate and slight temporal rise over the study years. There is a need for continuous vital registration, including TB related death, and mortality survey among TB patients