Comparison of ivermectin and thiabendazole in the treatment of uncomplicated human Strongyloides stercoralis infection

Ivermectin is the drug of choice in the treatment of onchocerciasis, and has been proven to be highly effective against Strongyloides stercoralis. This study compares ivermectin's efficacy and safety with that of thiabendazole, an established drug of choice for strongyloidiasis, in 252 confirmed cases of uncomplicated human intestinal strongyloidiasis. Subjects were administered orally with ivermectin (200 mg/kg) in a single dose or thiabendazole, 25 mg/kg, twice daily (50mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days. Stools were parasitologically examined 7, 21 and 30 days after treatment. Only 18 of 113 and 22 of 103 ivermectin- and thiabendazole-treated subjects, respectively, had stools positive for larvae 30 days post-treatment. This indicates parasitological cure rates of 84.07% and 78.64% for ivermectin and thiabendazole, respectively. Ivermectin was not significantly more effective than thiabendazole (P < 0.05). There was considerable reduction in parasite output in parasitologically uncured subjects with mean of 81% in ivermectin-treated and 75% in thiabendazole-treated groups, respectively. Clinical adverse reactions were mild and transient in subjects treated with ivermectin, while they varied from mild to severe in those treated with thiabendazole. Single-dose ivermectin provides efficacy comparable with standard, multiple-dose thiabendazole, with a much reduced incidence of adverse effects and consequently better patient compliance. Key words: Ivermectin, thiabendazole, Strongyloides stercoralis, strongyloidiasis. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 465-46

Evaluation of surface water quality characteristics in Ogun watershed of south western Nigeria using principal component analysis

Utilization of water resources across watersheds in Nigeria has been without commensurate at-tention to protection from degradation at the basin level. One of the strategies in river basin management is effective monitoring and assessment of pollution levels, patterns and identifica-tion of major variables driving such degradation most importantly at the watershed scale. Therefore, it is important to evaluate how critical a quality indicator is in its contribution as well as its spatial extent within and across the entire water basin. Twenty six water quality indicators were assessed in Ogun watershed, Nigeria. The nitrogen forms; TN, NO3- and NH4-N were significantly low in the watershed while TP and PO43- were higher (p&lt;0.05). The BOD5 and COD were significantly high which explains the low DO observed in the watershed. High levels of Fe, Cd, Pb, Mn as well as E-coli and Fecal Coliform were recorded. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 77% (20 out of 26) of the water quality indicators examined were found to be critical. These explained more than 90% of the observed water quality variation across the watershed. The variable inclusion level showed that these parameters were critical in 70% of the locations across the watershed. The selection of 77% of the parameters investigated by PCA over 70% of the locations revealed high levels of diffused pollution that calls for urgent attention.Keywords: Principal Component Analysis, Ogun watershed, Water Quality, Pollution, Nigeri

Pollution impact of cement production on air, soil and water in a production location in Nigeria

Environmental pollution caused by the activities of Ewekoro Cement production facility of the West African Portland Cement (WAPC, Plc), Ogun State, Nigeria was studied at some terrestrial and aquatic receptor locations within the catchments area of the production plant which hasbeen in operation for over 40years. Air, water and soil samples of the adjoining villages (Ajobiewe, Olapeleke, Alaguntan and Wasinmi) were analyzed. High particulate matter depositions were recorded for all the sampling locations. Dusts emitted from the cement factory wererich in heavy metals. Heavy metals concentration at Ajobiewe, Olapeleke and Alaguntan were significantly (pNi>Fe>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Heavy metals concentrations were significantly different (

Spatial Distribution of Micro Finance Institutions and Agricultural Development in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study examines the impact of spatial distribution of Micro-finance institutions on Agricultural development in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Agriculture is an engine for economic growth in developing countries and rural microfinance is also critical to that growth. Data for this study were collected through primary sources. Three hundred (300) copies of questionnaires were administered on randomly selected farmers in the tree local government, selected across the three Senatorial Districts in Ekiti State Nigeria. The finding shows that problems of collateral security and poor facilities were the major impediments to agricultural development in the study area. This study therefore suggests a relaxed policy of collateral security to facilitate credit facilities for the farmers, especially in the study area.Key words: Agriculture, Development, Ekiti State, Nigeria, Micro- Finance, Institutions and Spatial Distribution

On a Stable and Consistent Finite Difference Scheme for a Time-Dependent Schrodinger Wave Equation in a Finitely Low Potential Well

In this paper, a stable and consistent criterion to an explicit finite difference scheme for a time-dependent Schrodinger wave equation (TDSWE) was presented. This paper is a departure from the well-established time independent Schrodinger Wave Equation (SWE). To develop the stability criterion for the scheme, the Fourier series method of von Newmann was adopted, while in establishing the consistency property, the concise definition of the consistent scheme was applied. This research is carried out for a particular case of a finitely low potential well.Keywords: Time-Dependent Schrodinger Wave Equation, Stability, Consistency, Finite Potential Well, Finite Difference

Transpupillary Thermotherapy for Classic Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization: A case report

Aim: To report a case of successful treatment of a classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization with a transpupillary thermotherapy protocol. Case Report: A 67-year old pensioner presented with a sixmonth history of reduced vision in both eyes. He had been previously diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma. After anterior and posterior segment examination and fundus fluorescein angiography were done, a diagnosis of a classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration OS with bilateral cataracts and primary open angle glaucoma OU was made. Complete resolution of the choroidal neovascular membrane was achieved with transpupillary thermotherapy. Keywords: transpupillary thermotherapy, age-related macular degeneration, subfoveal choroidal neovasularization, fundus fluorescein angiographyNigerian Journal of Opthalmology Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 49-5

Comparative analysis of root and tuber expansion programme in Kwara state, Nigeria

The Nigerian government over the years introduced and implemented several policies and programmes aimed at improving the agricultural sector and enhancing farmers’ welfare. However, very little is known about the impact of these programmes on the intended beneficiaries to justify the huge funds expended on their execution. This study therefore examined how the Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) had impacted on root and tuber crops production of the beneficiaries in Kwara State, Nigeria. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to select 60 beneficiaries and 60 non-beneficiaries of the programme. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Data Envelopment Analysis, and T-Test Analysis. The mean Total Factor Productivity index for the beneficiaries was 4.94 while that for the non-beneficiaries was 3.92. The mean technical efficiency score was 0.92 for beneficiaries and were more efficient than the non beneficiaries who had a technical efficiency score of 0.71. The study concluded that RTEP had made some positive impact on its beneficiaries in Kwara State and the capital investment in the programme by both the Federal and State Governments is justifiable. This study recommends that the programme should be expanded to cover all local government areas in the state to ensure a wider spread of the project benefits and that continuity of the programme beyond the project period should also be given due consideration.Key words: Root and Tuber Expansion Programme, Technical Efficienc

Determinants of good oral hygiene among pregnant women in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria.

Background and objectives: The need to attain and maintain good oral hygiene among pregnant women cannot be over emphasized as periodontal diseases in pregnancy have been linked with poor pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed the variables that affect oral hygiene status among pregnant women in a south-western Nigerian locality. Methodology: Four hundred and five pregnant Nigerian women were assessed for their oral hygiene status using the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified. Demographic and pregnancy statistics were also obtained and the relationships between these and oral hygiene status were determined. Results: The mean age was 25.35 &plusmn; 5.02 years. Most of the women (96.0%) had never visited a dentist or any other oral health care provider and only 12.5% of those who had been attended by dental care givers have ever had professional dental cleaning. The oral hygiene status appeared to worsen as parity increased (p=0.047) while the use of the toothbrush and paste was associated with good oral hygiene (p=0.007). Higher education was associated with use of the tooth brush and paste (p=0.046) and good oral hygiene (p=0.001). Conclusion: The positive effect of education on oral hygiene practices is highlighted in this study. However there is still need for proper health enlightenment in this population with regards to use of the available oral health care facilities.Keywords: Oral hygiene, Pregnancy, Nigeria

Antioxidant activities of Parquetina nigrescens

The antioxidant activities of different extracts (aqueous, methanol and flavonoid) of Parquetina nigrescens and butylated hydroxyl anisole, as reference compound, were evaluated in terms of scavenging effect, reducing power and inhibition of Fe2+/ascorbate-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in rat liver. Extracts of P. nigrescens scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) generated radicals in the increasing order of flavonoid &gt; methanol &gt; aqueous &gt; BHA at 1000 g/ml. The reducing power followed a similar trend as observed with scavenging activities. Extracts of P. nigrescens, at 50 mg/ml, exhibited significant (P &lt; 0.05) inhibitory effects on  Fe2+/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. These results showed that P. nigrescens contains antioxidants that could be useful in attenuating reactions which generate free radicals in the body.Key words: Parquetina nigrescens, antioxidant activities, lipid peroxidation

Ciliary Body Tumour Occurring in a Nigerian - A case report

Objective: To report the rare case of a 33-year-old female Nigerian who presented to our retina clinic with a chronic total retinal detachment and visual acuity of no light perception in her left eye. Re-attachment surgery in the eyewas not attempted as prognosis for return of vision was poor. She was later noted to harbor a progressively enlarging ciliarybody mass in the inferotemporal quadrant. Method: An observational case report was performed, withdocumentation of findings as patient was seen in the clinic.Conclusion: This is the first report of a ciliary body mass lesionin a Nigerian. The ciliary body mass could be a ciliary melanoma (ciliary body lesion being rarer than a choroidal mass) but other benign differential diagnoses must be borne in mind. Enucleation and histological assessment of the specimen will give the definitive diagnosis. Difficulties with patientacceptance of enucleating a non seeing eye though harboring a potentially harmful disease still abound in our environment