Comparative study of the hypoglycemic and biochemical effects of Catharanthus roseus (Linn) g. apocynaceae (Madagascar periwinkle) and chlorpropamide (diabenese) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of the aqueous extracts of Catharanthus roseus and chlorpropamide (Diabenese) on the levels of serum cholesterol, total protein, lipid peroxidation, blood glucose and liver enzymes were compared in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Four groups namely A, B, C and D comprising of nine rats each were used. A and B were administered with chlorpropamide and C. roseus extracts respectively, while C and D served as diabetic and non-diabetic controls respectively. The results showed comparatively significant reductions (P�0.05) in the levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol, lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes in the groups administered C. roseus extracts and chlorpropamide relative to the controls. The reductions were higher in the groups treated with C. roseus extract than in the groups treated with diabenese

EVALUATION OF TWO ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN SINGLE PHASE FEEDING OF BROILER CHICKENS

A study was carried out to compare the use of blood meal and fish meal as protein sources in single phase feeding of broiler chickens.  Three isonitrogenious and isocaloric diets containing between 20.5 to 21.1 % CP and 3440 to 3454 kcal/kg ME were formulated. The control diet contained none of the animal protein sources while the other two diets contained blood meal and fish meal at 6%, respectively. After six weeks of straight feeding, data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Carcass characteristics and cost benefit were also calculated. The results indicated that birds fed fish meal based diet  consumed more feed (p< 0.05) than those on control diet,  while intake of those on blood meal based diet  was an interphase between the control and fish meal based diet groups. The birds fed fish meal based diet also recorded higher (p< 0.05) daily weight gain than those on control and blood meal based diets. Feed conversion ratio was better in the group fed fish meal based diet than those fed the control diet, but similar (p> 0.05) to the group fed the blood meal based diet. The dressing percentage of the birds was similar (p>0.05) in the control and blood meal based diet groups, but they were higher (p<0.05) than the fish meal based diet group. The neck, back, drumstick and head were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the control group than in the groups containing animal protein. Cost benefit analysis showed that feed cost and cost per kg weight gain were higher (p< 0.05) in fish meal based diet group than in control and blood meal based diet groups. Revenue per bird and gross margin were higher (p< 0.05) in the blood meal based diet group than in the control diet and fish meal based diet groups. In conclusion, fast growing broiler chickens for eatery houses can be better reared with a single diet of 21 % CP and 3440 kcal/kg ME using blood meal as a protein source.   Keywords: , , , , , , &nbsp

Mechanism of antidiarrhoeal effect of ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaves

The mechanisms by which the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Psidium guajava exerts its antidiarrhoeal effect were investigated. Antimicrobial analyses of the extracts were carried out using standard cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC 15597) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). There was a concentration dependent inhibition of growth that was less significant for S. aureus (p < 001). Zones of inhibition remained clear without bacterial regrowth even after 72 hours. Diarrhea was induced with castor oil (10ml/kg body weight) in different groups of Wister albino rats (A -E) and treated per os with normal saline for the positive control (1ml/kg body weight); extract (40 mg/kg body weight); extract (80 mg/kg body weight), loperamide as standard drug (10 mg/kg body weight); gum acacia (10 mg/kg body weight) respectively. Group F which received no treatment served as the negative control. Results showed that the inhibition of diarrhea, measured as percentage faecal output relative to the positive control, was dose -dependent and comparable to the standard drug. The plant extract also showed a reduction in gastrointestinal motility, measured as the distance traveled by the charcoal plug in the small intestine. This was non - significantly different from the standard drug, loperamide (p < 0.05). The leaf of P. guajava therefore exerted its antidiarrhoeal effect by a dual action of its antimicrobial effect and reduction in gastrointestinal motility

A Review of Housing Problems

Housing problems occur both in rich and poor communities across the globe. The objective of this research is to review housing problems which lead to unwholesome environmental conditions. The method used is a review of academic articles, textbooks, internet materials, news articles and publicly available materials on housing problems. Previous authors whose works were reviewed have a convergent view on housing problems including overcrowding and congestion, poor accessibility, substandard and inadequate housing, high cost of building materials, high interest rate and lack of interest by financial institutions to facilitate loans to investors and uncoordinated policies by government. The paper made the following recommendations: (1) government should build low-cost houses to cater for the large number of people who, due to their low-income earnings could not afford a decent apartment; (2) formulation of economic, social and environmental policies that facilitate housing that is both affordable and sustainable by government; (3) improvement of sanitation in poor neighborhoods with poor housing conditions through urban renewal programme

Impact of COVID-19 on surgical emergency presentations in a tertiary hospital in the developing world

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the institution of measures to contain the spread of the virus have disrupted patients' elective and emergency care, with scarce resources being channeled towards care of emergency presentations and containing the virus. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on surgical accidents and emergency presentations in a major teaching hospital. METHOD: This was a comparative retrospective study. All presentations between February to July 2019 (non-COVID-19 period) were compared with the same period in 2020 (COVID-19 period). Patients' biodata, including surgical specialty that managed the patient, diagnosis, and treatment offered, were collated and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: I.B.M. Corp. RESULTS: We included 3463 patients in the study; 2419 (69.9%) were males, while 1044(30.1%) were females. The mean age of the patients in 2019 was 31.83 ±19.31 years, and that of 2020 was 34.93±19.99 years (P=0.001). During the lockdown period, emergency surgical presentations declined significantly by 17% (1894 versus 1569: P=0.001). There was a general decline in surgical emergency presentations across surgical specialties, with orthopedic and otorhinolaryngology (E.N.T.) having the greatest impact (313 versus 202 P=0.044). Presentation for trauma decreased by 18% (1394 versus 1144 P=0.711). Operative interventions declined by 47% (292 versus 155 P=0.001). There was a decline of 31% in the number of admissions for in-patient care (420 versus 290 P=0.019). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria was associated with a reduction in the number of surgical emergency presentations and surgical interventions

Administrative Roles in Primary Schools for Curbing COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: Henry Fayol’s Approach

COVID-19 is a threatening disease that has led to total lockdown of educational institutions in various countries, Nigeria inclusive. Presently, there is no vaccination for its cure yet; thus, the need for preventive mechanisms to reduce its spread in the schools. The primary school which this study is delimited is made of pupils whose ability to prevent this disease is minimal due to their level of physical and mental development, therefore they require proper attention. The headteachers and teachers who occupy administrative positions in primary schools need to manage these pupils, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the schools. The main purpose of this study is to suggest how headteachers and teachers should practically discharge their administrative functions so asto reduce coronavirus spread among pupils in primary schools. This is expected to give an insight into healthy adaptive mechanism for the staff and pupils in primary schools in Nigeria. Finally, the following recommendations were made; which include: providing hygiene facilities, services of healthcare workers and isolation center in the school for pupils that may need extra care

Comparative effects of ethanolic extracts of Ficus carica and Mucuna pruriens leaves on haematological parameters in albino rats

The comparative effects of the ethanolic extracts of Ficus carica and Mucuna pruriens on haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats. The animals were divided into three main groups: group 1 which served as the control, received 5.0ml/kg body weight of normal saline, while groups 2 and 3 received a daily administration (per os) of 200mg/k/g body weight of extracts of M. pruriens and F. carica respectively for 14 days. Results showed that the extracts significantly increased the haemoglobin concentration, PCV and red blood cell count by the 14th day when compared with the control (p<0.05). F. carica was found to be more effective than M. pruriens in elevating the red blood cell count, especially by the 14th day. The two extracts , however, significantly decreased the total white blood cell count, as well as the percentage neutrophils, when compared with the control group (p<0.05), but not significant between test groups, even by the 14th day. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and carbohydrates in both plants. Tannins were present in F. carica but not in M. pruriens. These results thus justify the ethnobotanical use of these plants as blood building herbs

Development of A Fingerprint Biometric Authentication System For Secure Electronic Voting Machines

            Democratic government in the world today rely on electronic voting as the foremost means of providing credible, transparent and fair elections for the electorate. There is a need for developed electronic voting systems to be security enhanced to ensure the authenticity of the developed system. Traditional paper balloting systems suffer from vote tampering, multiple voting and illegal voting by unregistered voters. They are also, susceptible to under aged voting due to the difficulty in authenticating the identity of prospective voters. Manual collation and publication of vote results also leads to slow response times and inaccuracies in published results. This research paper proposes a system to combat the current challenges through the development of a fingerprint biometric authentication system for secure electronic voting machines. It uses a fingerprint biometric sensor, integrated via Python to verify users of the system. The inclusion of biometrics improves the security features of the system. The secure voting system is built using PHP and easy to use Graphical User Interface was designed using HTML and CSS. Users are required to interact with the machine via a 7” touchscreen interface. From the results, it shows that the developed machine has a minimum response time of 0.6 seconds for specific operation, an FAR of 2%, FRR of 10% and overall system accuracy of 94%. The developed machine is able to combat the challenges of authentication of users, thereby guaranteeing the transparency, credibility, integrity and vote authenticity of the elections

Tide-generated Sedimentary Structures, Lithofacies and Particle Size Distribution: Proxies to the depositional setting of the Ajali Sandstone in the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria.

Herringbone cross stratification, mud draped foresets, reactivation surfaces, tidal bundles, flaser beddings, ripple and horizontal laminations were identified on the Ajali Sandstone studied. The biogenic structures occur as dominantly vertical to sub-vertical and u -tubed burrows of the Skolithos ichnofacies commonly Skolithos verticalis and Ophiomorpha nodosa. Occasional Thalassinoides and Teichichnus isp burrows of the Cruziana Ichnofacies also occur. Three lithofacies were identified and these include; the medium to coarse grained cross bedded sandstone lithofacies, Fine grained cross bedded sandstone lithofacies and the mudstone lithofacies. The paleocurrent pattern from cross bed azimuths shows a bimodal – bipolar pattern indicative of tidal process. The grain size frequency histograms indicate both unimodal and bimodal asymmetrical patterns with shifting modes. The cumulative frequency curves suggest traction, saltation and suspension as the mechanisms of the sediment transport. The bivariate plots of the discriminant functions (Y1, Y2 and Y3) for the sands suggest deposition in a shallow agitated marine environment. Intertidal to subtidal shallow marine depositional setting is proposed for the Ajali Sandstone. Key word: Tide, Sedimentary structures, Particle size, Lithofacies, Subtidal, Depositional settin