AN EMPRICAL INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR

The development of people at work beyond level at which they assumed duty when appointed has been a source of concern to all stakeholders including Psychologist. The public sector is made up of civil service and parastatals with which the government executes its programmes. Getting the best out of any employee in the public sector in Nigeria in Nigeria requires adequate training However, the possibility of this training has been an herculean task due to lack of adequate training policy and provi- sion of fund for the required training. This research investigates the human resources development situation in the public sector of Nigeria by conducting a survey of one thousand and two hundred hu- man resource officers to ascertain their perception of human resource development. Data were col- lected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics while hypothesis formu- lated was tested with t-test. The study revealed that human resources development is not just for indi- vidual, but also for the organization as it improves performance

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Studies of Crateva adansonii Leaf Extract

Diverse challenges of microbial infections and upsurge of multi-drug resistant microbes informed the investigation into the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of Crateva adansonii. Cold extraction was carried out using methanol solvent. The crude extract of Crateva adansonii was fractionated into the n-hexane, methanol and chloroform layers successively. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. The antimicrobial assay showed that, for Bacillus spp, the organism was sensitive to the chloroform fraction of leaf extract at 1.562 mg/ml. For Microccocus varians, result showed organism was sensitive to the crude extract at 3.125 mg/ml. According to the result of antifungal screening, the n-hexane fraction and crude extract showed activity against Aspergillus niger at 12.500 mg/ml and 3.125 mg/ml respectively. From these results, the crude extract of the leaf of Crateva adansonii shows activity against both bacteria and Fungi; hence, it may might be a good source of new drug for treating infections caused by these pathogens

Growth and Yield of Two Maize Varieties under the Influence of Plant Density and NPK fertilization

This study assessed growth and yield performances of maize under the influence of inorganic fertilizer, population density and variety using the following treatments: maize varieties DMR-ESR-Y and Suwan- 1-SR; 70 × 30cm and 100 × 40cm plant spacing; 0, 60 and 120 kg NPK/ha . Data were collected on number of leaves per plant, plant height, ear height, leaf area, leaf area index, days to 50% flowering, days to tassel and silk appearances, stem dry mass, root dry mass, cob mass, number of kernel rows, number of kernels per cob, harvest index, treatment yield per hectare. The result showed that combination of 120kgN/ha, DMR-ESR-Y and 47, 619 plants/ha improved root, shoot, leaf sheath and plant dry masses, cob length, cob diameter, shelling percentage, moisture content at harvest, harvest index, number of cobs per plant as well as number of kernels per row. It is, therefore, recommended that combination of 120kgNPK/ha, DMR-ESR-Y and 47,619 plants/ha should be used for better maize production to cater for the ever increasing population of consumers in Southern Guinea savannah agroecological zone of Nigeria and other area with the same climatic and edaphic conditions. Keywords: NPK fertilizer, population density, maize variety, yield improvemen

Mapping Angiogenic Cells CD31 (PECAM1) and CD45 in PCa and BPH Biopsies

Molecular characterization of PCa and BPH using the angiogenic tissue markers CD31 and CD45 to differentiate between the two major types of prostate gland disorders is investigated. 8 clinically characterized biopsies were analyzed at the Histopathology Laboratory of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital; the tissue sections were processed for antigen retrieval and were labeled with antiCD45 and anti-CD31 to map the location of angiogenic cells and vascularization in BPH and PCa. The results showed that PCa biopsies expressed embryonic stem cell status of CD31+/CD45+, while BPH showed CD31-/CD45+. This suggests the presence of migrating blood cells (vascularization) in PCa and the absence of such in BPH. It also confirms the role of platelets in endothelial activation that can result to cell proliferation and apoptosis in the prostate gland of either BPH or PCa diagnosed patients

Physiological, endocrinological and environmental determinants of female infertility in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Female infertility has become a fundamental health and social issue globally. A number of factors have been reported to contribute to this condition. In-vitro fertilization (IVF), a major technique used in tackling infertility has experienced relatively low success rate. Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between physiological, endocrinological, environmental factor and infertility among Nigerian infertile women. Methods: Infertile women (n=190) from five fertility  clinics in Lagos, Nigeria were recruited. Structured  self-administered questionnaires were  distributed to  the participants to obtain their physiological parameters such as age, blood group, rhesus factor  and genotype. Blood samples of the participants were collected and analyzed for the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). The heavy metals levels in the blood samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results: Participants of the oldest age group (51 – 55 years) had elevated levels of the reproductive hormones compared to other age groups while participants with blood group A showed higher level of PRLcompared to other blood groups, whereas the levels of FSH and LH were higher in blood group O compared to other groups. Participants with the heterozygous genotype AS had higher basal level of PRLand LH, while participants with the homozygous genotype AA showed a higher basal level of FSH. The basal levels of the three reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and PRL) were higher in participants with rhesus negative when compared to those with rhesus positive. However, the variation in the hormone levels, blood groups and Rhesus factor were not significantly different (p<0.05) among the various participant groups. Nevertheless, heavy metals which include lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury were detected in blood samples of the participants. Conclusion: Therefore, present study showed no association between blood group, genotype, Rhesus factor and infertility nor possible IVF outcome but it established that age and heavy metals may affect fertility via an imbalance in the basal levels of reproductive hormones

First report on Basidiomycota fungi in sorghum and millet from Southwest Nigeria

Trametes species are mushroom fungi with several biotechnological applications. This includes decolourisation of wastewater from olive mill and elimination of endocrine-disrupting hormones.This study reports the presence of two Trametesspecies, namely Trametespolyzona and Trametesvillosa from the phylumBasidiomycota in sorghum and milletvended inSouthwest Nigeria. These fungal isolates were identified culturally and further identified through phylogenetic characterisation. Trametessp occurred in 10% of sorghum samples and 20% of millet samples. The two species were morphologically similar but distantly related phylogenetically. Most fungal species present in cereal crops belong to the division Ascomycota. However, two Trametesspecies belonging to division Basidiomycota are being reported for the first time in cereal crops.Trametessp can be harnessed for their health benefits such as the treatment of cancer and the reduction of viral activity in humans.http://iopscience.iop.org/1755-1315am2022BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

Effect of capacity building on production of safe and profitable leafy vegetables among farmers in Ibadan City of Nigeria

In Mukisira, E. A.; Wasilwa, L. A.; Wesonga, J.; Kahane, R. (Eds.). Proceedings of the First All African Horticultural Congress, 31 August - 3 September 2009. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).ISHS Acta Horticulturae 911Eighty percent of the fresh leafy vegetables consumed by about three million people who live in Ibadan city of Nigeria and its environ are produced within and around the city by farmers in backyards, vacant land, near streams, road sides, barracks and government offices. Due to lack of adequate training among other factors, farmers make sub-optimal profit margins and produce vegetables which are dangerous to human health due to misuse of agrochemicals. This study was embarked upon for a period of three months, to build the capacity of vegetable farmers on how to produce safe and profitable vegetables using good agricultural practices (GAP) and improved production packages with minimal use of appropriate agro-chemicals. Two groups of 60 women vegetable farmers in Odogbo army barrack of the city were involved. Farmers' production practices and associated problems were documented through Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Innovative capacity building strategies building on farmers' resources and on-farm demonstration (OFAD) in the form of urban producers' field school (UPFS) focusing on the three most important vegetables - Corchorus, Celosia and Amaranthus - to the farmers was set up to address the problems. Weekly trainings were conducted and farmers were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained on their private farms. Thirty farmers each from participating and non-articipating farmers were randomly selected to compare their yield, quality of harvest and economic returns after the training. Data were analyzed using t-test. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between the yield obtained by participating and non-articipating farmers.Economic gains of the participating farmers also increased by 300% on the average due to improved quality of produce and higher market price. There should be conscious effort to assist vegetable farmers through capacity building in order to ensure supply of good quality vegetables and increase economic gains in the city

Effect of mango mealybug and sooty mould attack on mango and the impact of the released

Introduction. The mango mealybug Rastrococcus invadens is a pest of horticultural crops, especially mango. Though this fact has been demonstrated and its parasitoid, Gyranusoidea tebygi, released for its control in many countries, quantitative information on the damage inflicted by the mealybug and post-release mango fruit production are still scanty. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the damage caused by mango mealybug and its associated sooty mould on mango plants and to assess mango fruit production after the release of G. tebygi in 1989. Materials and methods. Laboratory experiments were set up to determine the effect of different populations of mango mealybug (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 adults/cage) on the chemical constituents of mango leaves. The mould associated with the mango mealybug was identified and its effect on leaf temperature was studied. A mango orchard was studied for fruit production from the time of fruitlessness in 1990 to 1998 when fruit yield peaked. The resultant effect of the parasitism of mango mealybug by G. tebygi was monitored on the chemical composition of mango leaves during this period. Results. Protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, crude fibre and moisture contents were depleted with increase in mealybug population. The isolated mould fungus Capnodium mangiferae was found to raise leaf temperature of infected mango seedlings. The population density of G. tebygi was found to be negatively but significantly correlated with mango mealybug population and positively correlated with mango fruit yield. Parasitism was highly correlated with mealybug population and yield, and was considered a major factor in the control of the pest and the subsequent increase in mango fruit yield. Rainfall did not have a significant impact on yield, mealybug population or sooty mould score. Discussion. The injury inflicted by R. invadens and its associated mould, and the enhancement of mango fruit production by the activities of G. tebygi on the mealybug were discussed

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Studies of Crateva adansonii Leaf Extract

Diverse challenges of microbial infections and upsurge of multi-drug resistant microbes informed the investigation into the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of Crateva adansonii. Cold extraction was carried out using methanol solvent. The crude extract of Crateva adansonii was fractionated into the n-hexane, methanol and chloroform layers successively. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. The antimicrobial assay showed that, for Bacillus spp, the organism was sensitive to the chloroform fraction of leaf extract at 1.562 mg/ml. For Microccocus varians, result showed organism was sensitive to the crude extract at 3.125 mg/ml. According to the result of antifungal screening, the n-hexane fraction and crude extract showed activity against Aspergillus niger at 12.500 mg/ml and 3.125 mg/ml respectively. From these results, the crude extract of the leaf of Crateva adansonii shows activity against both bacteria and Fungi; hence, it may might be a good source of new drug for treating infections caused by these pathogens