Childhood Risk Estimation of Lead Metal Poisoining from Edible Land Snail at Abandoned Battery Factory Environment

The childhood lead (Pb) poisoning risk from consumption and risk model data of snail meat from Pb metal contaminated sites of entrance (control), storage dump, dried effluent and waste dump at an abandoned battery factory, in Niger Delta, Nigeria were estimated. Results implicated snail meat from waste dump site with hazard quotient of 2.40 and childhood exposure of 0.12mg/kg/day Pb associated with non carcinogenic adverse effects on health. Control site was risk free. Childhood exposure and snail meat Pb accumulation was dependent on Pb concentration being significantly higher at non-control sites. This study should fast track industrial environmental audits of existing (including abandoned) industrial projects and epidemiological studies in communities around contaminated/polluted sites

An appraisal of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus health system in Nigeria

The study aimed to assess the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats influencing the achievement of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus. It also sought to suggest recommendations to improve the current prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus health system in Nigeria. A critical appraisal of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus health system in Nigeria was conducted. The WHO health system framework was used to assess the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus system. Considering the recent call by the World Health Organization to eliminate hepatitis and the existence of a robust prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus health system, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus health system in Nigeria is riddled with numerous challenges. These range from a health worker crisis, poor leadership and governance, inadequate health information, medicines, vaccines and technologies and poor service delivery. Urgent action in the Nigerian prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus health system is required if Nigeria is to achieve its goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2021

Foraging Behaviour Responses in the African Giant Land Snail Achatina Achatina

The study was carried out to determine the conditioning procedure of tentacle lowering to determine foraging behaviour responses in Achatina achatina. Snails were exposed to unripe fruit odour of paw paw and pear as conditioned stimuli (CS), while they ingested carrot as unconditioned stimulus (US). There were 4 treatments of 10 snails each replicated 3 times. During experimentation (conditioning), all snails ate carrot as US, but exposed to the odour of carrot in control treatment (T1); paw paw in T2; pear in T3; pair of paw paw and pear in T4 as CS respectively. Responses were measured through posterior tentacle lowering to sensory stimuli from experimental vegetable odour during feeding. Results indicated T1 with highest tentacle lowering; T2 indicated an acquisition effect; T3 indicated latent inhibition effect; T4 indicated over shadowing effect between paired odour. The A. achatina demonstrated at least 7 days of odour memory retention. The immediate significance of this study is that snail farmers should feed their stock with a diet in which snails will develop habituation and hence optimal performance.Key words: Land snail, tentacle lowering, foraging behaviou

Ionic Liquids as Green Corrosion Inhibitors for Industrial Metals and Alloys

Present chapter describes recent advances in the field of development of ionic liquids as green and sustainable corrosion inhibitors for metals and alloys. The present chapter has been divided into several sections and subsections. Recently, development of the green and sustainable technologies for the corrosion prevention is highly desirable due to increasing ecological awareness and strict environmental regulations. In the last two decades, corrosion inhibition using ionic liquids has attracted considerable attention due to its interesting properties such as low volatility, non-inflammability, non-toxic nature, high thermal and chemical stability and high adorability. Several types of ionic liquids have been developed as “green corrosion inhibitors” for different metals and alloys such as mild steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, and magnesium in several electrolytic media. The ionic liquids are promising, noble, green and sustainable candidates to replace the traditional volatile corrosion inhibitors

Adsorption and Quantum Chemical Studies on the Inhibition Potentials of Some Thiosemicarbazides for the Corrosion of Mild Steel in Acidic Medium

Three thiosemicarbazides, namely 2-(2-aminophenyl)-N phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (AP4PT), N,2-diphenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (D4PT) and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyl hydrazinecarbothioamide (HP4PT), were investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in H2SO4 solution using gravimetric and gasometric methods. The results revealed that they all inhibit corrosion and their % inhibition efficiencies (%IE) follow the order: AP4PT > HP4PT > D4PT. The %IE obtained from the gravimetric and gasometric experiments were in good agreement. The thermodynamic parameters obtained support a physical adsorption mechanism and the adsorption followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some quantum chemical parameters were calculated using different methods and correlated with the experimental %IE. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) approach was used on a composite index of some quantum chemical parameters to characterize the inhibition performance of the studied molecules. The results showed that the %IE were closely related to some of the quantum chemical parameters, but with varying degrees. The calculated/theoretical %IE of the molecules were found to be close to their experimental %IE. The local reactivity has been studied through the Fukui and condensed softness indices in order to predict both the reactive centers and to know the possible sites of nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks

ETM-ANN Approach Application for Thiobenzamide and Quinolizidine Derivatives

The structure anti-influenza activity relationships of thiobenzamide and quinolizidine derivatives, being influenza fusion inhibitors, have been investigated using the electronic-topological method (ETM) and artificial neural network (ANN) method. Molecular fragments specific for active compounds and breaks of activity were calculated for influenza fusion inhibitors by applying the ETM. QSAR descriptors such as molecular weight, EHOMO, ELUMO, ΔE, chemical potential, softness, electrophilicity index, dipole moment, and so forth were calculated, and it was found to give good statistical qualities (classified correctly 92%, or 48 compounds from 52 in training set, and 69% or 9 compounds from 13 in the external test set). By using multiple linear regression, several QSAR models were performed with the help of calculated descriptors and the compounds activity data. Among the obtained QSAR models, statistically the most significant one is the one of skeleton 1 with R2 = 0.999

A qualitative study on stigma experienced by young adults living with Sickle Cell Disease in Accra, Ghana

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) describes a group of multisystem, genetic and stigmatising blood conditions that are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Health-related stigma is a negative experience or adverse social judgement about a group based on an enduring feature conferred by a particular health problem. Literature shows that stigmatisation is experienced by people with SCD with negative implications on their lives. This study investigated self-reported views and lived experiences of young adults in Accra, Ghana, regarding SCD-related stigma and its impact on their lives. Methods Data were collected from 19 males and females with SCD using semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions. Transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clark's framework for thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: exclusion; status loss; SCD misconceptions; internalised stigma; and stigma and health outcomes. Overall, interpersonal and institutional levels of stigma were evident throughout the data with a lack of public education, limited specialist care and religion acting as determinants of SCD-related stigma. Conclusions Stigma has detrimental consequences for young adults with SCD. Multilevel stigmatisation of SCD at interpersonal and institutional levels should be addressed through multipronged approaches including increased public education, investment in specialist healthcare and collaboration with socioreligious institutions. Further research is needed to investigate the experiences of young adults in rural Ghana

Qualitative exploration of local knowledge, attitudes and use of Moringa oleifera seeds for home-based water purification and diarrhoea prevention in Niger State, Nigeria

This qualitative study explored stakeholders' knowledge of diarrhoea; their attitude to and perceptions of the use of Moringa oleifera seeds for home-based water treatment (HWT) and diarrhoea prevention in a low resource setting. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 13 respondents comprising rural community dwellers, health implementers and policy makers, and analysed using thematic analysis. Most rural community members interviewed had no knowledge of specific causes of diarrhoea or of the link between unsafe water and diarrhoeal diseases. They also practised inadequate or no methods of HWT. Although respondents were unaware of the use of M. oleifera seeds for HWT, community members and policymakers were keen on adopting it after observing demonstrations of its use for this purpose. Reasons for this behaviour change included easy accessibility to and a familiarity with M. oleifera for other uses. These results highlight the importance of providing health education on diarrhoea and water safety to motivate and empower community members to adopt healthy HWT behaviours. The use of M. oleifera seeds for HWT should be taught and advocated because it is a cheap, efficient and acceptable method of water purification for stakeholders