Political Charisma in Western Nigeria: A Study of the Political Programme of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu.

Abstract Not Provided

Effects of artemether on the plasma and urine concentrations of some electrolytes in rats

This study was carried out to determine the changes in the urine levels of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca 2+) of rats during a week of intramuscular administration of artemether (12.5 to 50.0 mg/kg/day), another one week thereafter and their concentrations in the plasma at the end of the study. At 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg of artemether, urine Na+ concentration was significantly increased throughout the study (p< 0.05), except on Day 7 (at 12.5 mg/kg) and Day 11 (at 25.0 mg/kg), when it was not significantly different from the control. At 12.5 mg/kg of the drug, urine K+ concentration was significantly increased throughout the study (p< 0.05). Artemether caused no significant changes in urine Ca 2+ concentration in the control rats as well as those that received 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg of artemether. Progressive and significant reductions in the urine concentrations of all the electrolytes at 50.0 mg/kg of artemether were observed. Their concentrations in the plasma were also significantly reduced at this dose of the drug. A dose-dependent degeneration of the renal tissue of all the experimental rats was also observed. We concluded that high doses of artemether caused progressive degeneration of the renal tissue of rats, inability of the damaged kidneys to concentrate urine, which manifested as excessive water loss and electrolyte depletion

Combined effect of neem leaf powder and vermicompost in the management of root-knot nematode disease in Celosia argentea

Due to the rising demand for alternative options for root-knot nematode management, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and Vermicompost were tested for their efficacy in controlling this disease in Celosia argentea. An experiment, laid out in Completely Randomized Design, was carried out in the screenhouse. It involved the testing of eight treatments which were replicated four times thus making a total of 32 experimental pots. The trial was repeated once to validate results obtained. Plants were inoculated with 5000 Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) eggs. The experimental pots without Mi egg served as the control. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, branches and flowers, leaf area index, shoot weight, root weight, dry weight, number of galls, final nematode and egg population and subjected to Analysis of Variance. The New Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate statistically significant treatment means. Results showed that the amendments used, reduced the infestation of the treated plantswhose final Mi nematode population (2360, 2020, 2050, 1720, 1540, 1230) and egg population (2250, 2030, 2120, 1690, 1540, 1230) which were lower (P d” 0.05) than their initial population (5000 eggs) and when compared to the untreated Mi-inoculated (control) plants which had the highest final population (5858 and 5620) that outnumbered the original inoculum. Neem leaf powder and Vermicompost combined at 1% was statistically at par with other treatments in the reduction of the root-knot disease of C. argente

Changes in some biochemical parameters of kidney functions of Plasmodium berghei infected rats administered with some doses of artemether

This study aimed at determining changes in urine concentrations of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) of Plasmodium berghei infected rats during a week of intramuscular administration of artemether (12.5 to 50.0 mg/kg/day) and one week thereafter. Their concentrations and that of creatinine and urea in the plasma were also determined at the end of the study. The observed changes were related to the effects of artemether on the kidneys of the rats. The urine levels of the two electrolytes decreased significantly during treatment (P< 0.05). One week post-treatment with 12.5 mg/kg of artemether, the urine concentrations of the electrolytes increased to values that were not significantly different from that of day 0. At 25 and 50 mg/kg, their urine concentrations still remained significantly lower than day 0 values (P< 0.05). Plasma concentrations of the electrolytes one week post-treatment increased, but they were only significant at 25 mg/kg for K+. A significant increase in the plasma level of creatinine was observed at all the doses of the drug at one week post-treatment. A dose-dependent degeneration of the renal tissue of all the experimental rats was also observed. We concluded that high doses of artemether caused progressive degeneration of the renal tissue of P. berghei infected rats

Effects of artemether on biochemical markers of liver function in Plasmodium berghei-infected and non-infected rats

This study aimed at determining changes in plasma activities of some enzymes and concentrations of plasma organic constituents which are often used in the assessment of liver functions in uninfected rats (UNR) and Plasmodium berghei infected rats (INR), following a week of intramuscular administration of artemether (12.5 to 50.0 mg/kg/day). The observed changes were related to the effects of artemether on the liver of the rats. At all the doses tested, the plasma concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin increased significantly in both INR and UNR. A significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of glucose was also observed in UNR. The levels of cholesterol were significantly higher in INR than UNR. Plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was significantly increased in both categories of rats, but more significantly in INR. The activity of plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) increased significantly at 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg only in UNR, while a significant increase was observed at 50.0 mg/kg in the INR. Photomicrograph of the liver revealed progressive tissue damage which was more pronounced in INR than UNR. We concluded that high doses of artemether are toxic to the liver of both infected and uninfected rats

Multimodal freight transportation: sustainability challenges

Due to globalization in trade, the development of multimodal cargo shipments and the related transport needs have created a range of challenges. Interestingly, sustainability of multimodal freight transportation is still subject to minor consideration, on the grounds that economic interests are frequently positioned much higher than social or environmental objectives. This proposed research plan is needed to assess whether and to what extent the multimodal freight system is achieving the results in the sustainability dimensions: economic, social and environmental. Thus, it will carry out a critical appraisal of the multimodal freight transportation sector to provide an up-to-date knowledge on the sustainability challenges and the potential solutions through doctoral research. This paper structured to present a review of existing literature on freight transportation and multimodal freight transport highlighting the sustainability concerns with multimodal freight transport systems. It also highlights the gaps in knowledge with a justification on the need to address these gaps for the system to function optimally. It also covers the methodology that would be applied and the sources of data that would be reviewed to ensure the aim and objectives are clearly addressed. The paper concludes by discussing the significance of the expected findings in the light of sustainability in multimodal freight transport to the academia, policy makers and the freight transportation industry

General anaesthetic and airway management practice for obstetric surgery in England: a prospective, multi-centre observational study

There are no current descriptions of general anaesthesia characteristics for obstetric surgery, despite recent changes to patient baseline characteristics and airway management guidelines. This analysis of data from the direct reporting of awareness in maternity patients' (DREAMY) study of accidental awareness during obstetric anaesthesia aimed to describe practice for obstetric general anaesthesia in England and compare with earlier surveys and best-practice recommendations. Consenting patients who received general anaesthesia for obstetric surgery in 72 hospitals from May 2017 to August 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, airway management, anaesthetic techniques and major complications were collected. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression modelling and comparisons with earlier data were conducted. Data were collected from 3117 procedures, including 2554 (81.9%) caesarean deliveries. Thiopental was the induction drug in 1649 (52.9%) patients, compared with propofol in 1419 (45.5%). Suxamethonium was the neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in 2631 (86.1%), compared with rocuronium in 367 (11.8%). Difficult tracheal intubation was reported in 1 in 19 (95%CI 1 in 16-22) and failed intubation in 1 in 312 (95%CI 1 in 169-667). Obese patients were over-represented compared with national baselines and associated with difficult, but not failed intubation. There was more evidence of change in practice for induction drugs (increased use of propofol) than neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium remains the most popular). There was evidence of improvement in practice, with increased monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade (although this remains suboptimal). Despite a high risk of difficult intubation in this population, videolaryngoscopy was rarely used (1.9%)

AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA The performance of Amaranthus cruentus and Celosia argentea as affected by varying sowing depths

ABSTRACT Screen house trials were carried out to evaluate the optimum sowing depths of Amaranthus and Celosia at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. Seeds of NHAc3 and ED82/1040A varieties of Amaranthus and local green and TLV8 of Celosia (chosen on the basis of maturity period) were sown at 0,1,2 and 3cm depths using split-split design in randomized blocks with 4 replications. Data were taken on % germination, seedling emergence and establishment indices. Results indicate that Celosia had a higher % seedling emergence than Amaranthus . However, Amaranthus grew significantly taller than Celosia at plant establishment. Highest number of seedlings emerged at 0 cm depth but plants had highest number of leaves and total fresh vegetable production at 1 cm sowing depth. The two crops sown at and 1 cm gave significantly higher root development index than other interactive effects. However, the highest shoot development index was obtained at 0cm depth. The study demonstrated a significant interaction of sowing depth x variety such that the varieties (irrespective of species) performed best at 1 cm depth. The early maturing variety in the crops also had higher vigour, germination and root and shoot development indices than the late maturing variety

PHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF BERKHEYA BERGIANA LEAVES

The use of medicinal plants in the world and especially in South Africa, contributes significantly to primary health care. The genus Berkheya belongs to the family of the Asteraceae. There are about 75 species of Berkheya. 71 species are widespread in Southern Africa and 30 species are spread in Natal. The plant material was air-dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. The fractions were obtained by successive extraction to yield n-Hexane (Hex), Chloroform (CHCl3), Ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-Butanol (BuOH). Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. The antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH radical scavenging effect, by reducing power, by the metal Chelating effect on ferrous ion and by the ABTS scavenging effect. Phytochemical screening carried out on B. bergiana revealed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and tannins, but the absence of anthraquinones and alkaloids. The result demonstrated that the methanol extract of B. bergiana had excellent antioxidant activities and also showed that the crude extract and fractions were found to have different levels of antioxidant activity in all the systems tested. Results revealed that the BuOH fraction exhibited the best performance in DPPH and the Metal chelating assay, 93.7% and 63.0% respectively. IC50’s were determined for the fractions and EtOAc showed the lowest IC50 (110.73 µg QE/mg) Total phenolic, proanthocyanidins and flavonoid contents in the crude extract and the fractions were also determined. The EtOAc fraction (12.29+0.11GAE mg g-1) had the highest total phenolic content. A strong correlation was recorded between DPPH/GAE (R2= 0.85). This study of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract and the fractions of B. bergiana was being conducted for the first time. Acknowledgements: National Research fund (NRF), University of Zululland research committee