L. Adamu, S. D. Yakubu, Edith Ndidiamaka Didigwu, A. Abubakar, Khadeejah James Audu, Isaac Adaji
Providing the government and farmers with reliable and dependable information about crop yields before each growing season begins is the thrust of this research. A four-state stochastic model was formulated using the principle of Markov, each state of the model has three possible observations. The model is designed to make a forecast of yam yield in the next and subsequent growing seasons given the yam yield in the present growing season. The parameters of the model were estimated from the yam yield data of Niger state, Nigeria for the period of sixteen years (2001-2016). After which, the model was trained using Baum-Welch algorithm to attend maximum likelihood. A short time validity test conduct on the model showed good performance. Both the validity test and the future forecast shows prevalence of High yam yield, this attest to the reality on the ground, that Niger State is one of the largest producers of yam in Nigeria. The general performance of the model, showed that it is reliable therefore, the results from the model could serve as a guide to the yam farmers and the government to plan strategies for high yam production in the region.
{"title":"Application of hidden Markov model in yam yield forecasting","authors":"L. Adamu, S. D. Yakubu, Edith Ndidiamaka Didigwu, A. Abubakar, Khadeejah James Audu, Isaac Adaji","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.5","url":null,"abstract":"Providing the government and farmers with reliable and dependable information about crop yields before each growing season begins is the thrust of this research. A four-state stochastic model was formulated using the principle of Markov, each state of the model has three possible observations. The model is designed to make a forecast of yam yield in the next and subsequent growing seasons given the yam yield in the present growing season. The parameters of the model were estimated from the yam yield data of Niger state, Nigeria for the period of sixteen years (2001-2016). After which, the model was trained using Baum-Welch algorithm to attend maximum likelihood. A short time validity test conduct on the model showed good performance. Both the validity test and the future forecast shows prevalence of High yam yield, this attest to the reality on the ground, that Niger State is one of the largest producers of yam in Nigeria. The general performance of the model, showed that it is reliable therefore, the results from the model could serve as a guide to the yam farmers and the government to plan strategies for high yam production in the region.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"69 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121414962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Igiebor, R. Ehiarinmwian, J. Okojie, O. S. Osadebamwen
The aim of this study was to investigate the stress of mercury-treated soils on the germination and growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.). The research was carried out in the field as a potted experiment where 10 kg soils were treated with mercury concentrations of 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100 ppm. The soils were supplemented with poultry manure before seeding, and then mercury solution treatments were administered. Up to the fourth week after planting, the mercury solutions were administered every fourth day. Germination, plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves generated were all examined using standard procedures. Carica papaya germinated twenty-five days after sowing. Thirty-four days after planting, the control had the highest rate of germination (about 53%). The presence of Hg reduced the duration of seedling emergence in contaminated soil, lowering the proportion of seedlings that germinated. Treatments of 30 ppm and 70 ppm improved the plant growth upon emergence. It is recommended that further study be carried out to determine the physiological effects of Hg treatment.
{"title":"Effect of mercury-treated soil on germination and growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.)","authors":"F. Igiebor, R. Ehiarinmwian, J. Okojie, O. S. Osadebamwen","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.15","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to investigate the stress of mercury-treated soils on the germination and growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.). The research was carried out in the field as a potted experiment where 10 kg soils were treated with mercury concentrations of 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100 ppm. The soils were supplemented with poultry manure before seeding, and then mercury solution treatments were administered. Up to the fourth week after planting, the mercury solutions were administered every fourth day. Germination, plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves generated were all examined using standard procedures. Carica papaya germinated twenty-five days after sowing. Thirty-four days after planting, the control had the highest rate of germination (about 53%). The presence of Hg reduced the duration of seedling emergence in contaminated soil, lowering the proportion of seedlings that germinated. Treatments of 30 ppm and 70 ppm improved the plant growth upon emergence. It is recommended that further study be carried out to determine the physiological effects of Hg treatment.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121769293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The study focused on the effect of methanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (MESG) on lipoproteins cholesterols and oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rat. Toxicological inquest of MESG was evaluated as prescribed in the guidelines of organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD), No. 425. A total of twenty-four male Wistar rats were used; divided into four groups of six rats each, including the control. Test rats were given MESG 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight respectively, daily for thirty (30) days. At the end of the study, the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed and biochemical indicators were evaluated. Results showed marked increase (p ˂ 0.05) in Total Cholesterol at MESG 2000 mg/kg; a reduction and increase (p ˂ 0.05) in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglycerides respectively, at all doses; an increase (p ˂ 0.05) in Low- Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at MESG 2000 mg/kg. Additional data indicated no changes (p ˃ 0.05) in Malondialdehyde levels; liver Catalase was significantly (p ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 500 and 2000 mg/kg, kidney CAT was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at all doses. The liver Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) was significantly (p ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 1000 and 2000 mg/kg; the kidney and heart SOD were also significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 500 and 2000 mg/kg respectively. The plasma GSH-PX was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 1000 mg/kg; while the liver and heart GSH-PX were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed and repressed at 500 mg/kg respectively. Conclusively, MESG elicited obvious dyslipidemia; accompanied by marked alterations in selected endogenous oxidative stress biomarkers.
{"title":"Methanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca induced dyslipidemia-linked cardiovascular disease indicators and its effect on antioxidant proteins","authors":"S. Osagie-Eweka, N. Orhue, E. Omogbai, E. G. Moke","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.11","url":null,"abstract":"The study focused on the effect of methanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (MESG) on lipoproteins cholesterols and oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rat. Toxicological inquest of MESG was evaluated as prescribed in the guidelines of organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD), No. 425. A total of twenty-four male Wistar rats were used; divided into four groups of six rats each, including the control. Test rats were given MESG 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight respectively, daily for thirty (30) days. At the end of the study, the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed and biochemical indicators were evaluated. Results showed marked increase (p ˂ 0.05) in Total Cholesterol at MESG 2000 mg/kg; a reduction and increase (p ˂ 0.05) in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglycerides respectively, at all doses; an increase (p ˂ 0.05) in Low- Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol at MESG 2000 mg/kg. Additional data indicated no changes (p ˃ 0.05) in Malondialdehyde levels; liver Catalase was significantly (p ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 500 and 2000 mg/kg, kidney CAT was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at all doses. The liver Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) was significantly (p ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 1000 and 2000 mg/kg; the kidney and heart SOD were also significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 500 and 2000 mg/kg respectively. The plasma GSH-PX was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed at MESG 1000 mg/kg; while the liver and heart GSH-PX were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) expressed and repressed at 500 mg/kg respectively. Conclusively, MESG elicited obvious dyslipidemia; accompanied by marked alterations in selected endogenous oxidative stress biomarkers.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"127 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114156205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The predominance of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria among the populace, edible foods and drinks is fast becoming the major concern in most communities. Three (3) locally prepared drinks from three locations were aseptically collected and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory of Federal University of Technology, Minna. Samples were serially diluted and were inoculated on various media through the spread plate method. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their Gram reaction and other biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out for the bacterial isolates using the disc diffusion method on Muller hinton agar. The result revealed that out of all the locally prepared drinks sampled tiger-nut drink (Kunuaya) (3.9 x103) from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bosso campus had the highest microbial count. Various bacterial pathogens were isolated and identified with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp having the highest frequency of occurrence (25%).The antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that all bacterial isolates were Multidrug resistant and as such are a great threat to the health of the general public especially the regular consumers of these locally prepared drinks. Hence, there is a need for adequate and continuous surveillance by food regulatory bodies in Nigeria, to curtail the spread and infections associated with Multidrug resistant bacteria.
{"title":"The study of multidrug resistant bacteria from locally produced tiger nut drinks (Kunuaya) sold in Minna, Niger State","authors":"U. Oyedum, J. Agbala","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.9","url":null,"abstract":"The predominance of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria among the populace, edible foods and drinks is fast becoming the major concern in most communities. Three (3) locally prepared drinks from three locations were aseptically collected and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory of Federal University of Technology, Minna. Samples were serially diluted and were inoculated on various media through the spread plate method. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their Gram reaction and other biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out for the bacterial isolates using the disc diffusion method on Muller hinton agar. The result revealed that out of all the locally prepared drinks sampled tiger-nut drink (Kunuaya) (3.9 x103) from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bosso campus had the highest microbial count. Various bacterial pathogens were isolated and identified with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp having the highest frequency of occurrence (25%).The antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that all bacterial isolates were Multidrug resistant and as such are a great threat to the health of the general public especially the regular consumers of these locally prepared drinks. Hence, there is a need for adequate and continuous surveillance by food regulatory bodies in Nigeria, to curtail the spread and infections associated with Multidrug resistant bacteria.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129178836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The sediment of the Rivers Ero and Adogo in Geregu, Ajaokuta, was studied to determine any variances or similarities in petrographic and sedimentological properties. The sediment samples had particle size parameters estimated, with mean values ranging from 0.45 to 0.94 (River Ero) and 0.15 to 0.67 (River Adogo), indicating that the sediment samples are all coarse grained. The sediment samples' standard deviations vary from 0.9 to 1.2 (River Ero) and 0.92 to 1.57 (River Adogo), indicating moderate to poor sorting. The sediment samples' estimated skewness ranges from -0.09 to -0.12 (River Ero) and -0.01 to -0.16 (River Adogo), showing coarse to strongly coarse skewed sediments that were deposited in a high energy environment. The sediment samples have computed kurtosis ranging from 0.63 to 1.01 (River Ero) and 0.65 to 1.06 (River Adogo), indicating platykurtic to Mesokurtic. The sediment samples from the Rivers Ero and Adogo all fall within the river sand field of Sahu 1964, according to bivariate statistics of skewness vs standard deviation. The depositional environment of the sediment samples was characterised using a linear discriminant function, which revealed that the sediment of River Ero is predominantly beach, shallow agitated marine, and shallow marine, whereas the sediment of River Adogo is entirely beach, shallow agitated marine, and shallow marine. The sediment samples are composed of >94 percent quartz and are most likely sourced from the cratonic interior, according to petrographic data.
{"title":"Determination of the variances or similarities in petrographic and sedimentological properties of the sediment samples of two rivers, by determination of the transportation history and depositional environment of the river sands","authors":"E.G. Maju-Oyovwikowhe, V. Sunday","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.16","url":null,"abstract":"The sediment of the Rivers Ero and Adogo in Geregu, Ajaokuta, was studied to determine any variances or similarities in petrographic and sedimentological properties. The sediment samples had particle size parameters estimated, with mean values ranging from 0.45 to 0.94 (River Ero) and 0.15 to 0.67 (River Adogo), indicating that the sediment samples are all coarse grained. The sediment samples' standard deviations vary from 0.9 to 1.2 (River Ero) and 0.92 to 1.57 (River Adogo), indicating moderate to poor sorting. The sediment samples' estimated skewness ranges from -0.09 to -0.12 (River Ero) and -0.01 to -0.16 (River Adogo), showing coarse to strongly coarse skewed sediments that were deposited in a high energy environment. The sediment samples have computed kurtosis ranging from 0.63 to 1.01 (River Ero) and 0.65 to 1.06 (River Adogo), indicating platykurtic to Mesokurtic. The sediment samples from the Rivers Ero and Adogo all fall within the river sand field of Sahu 1964, according to bivariate statistics of skewness vs standard deviation. The depositional environment of the sediment samples was characterised using a linear discriminant function, which revealed that the sediment of River Ero is predominantly beach, shallow agitated marine, and shallow marine, whereas the sediment of River Adogo is entirely beach, shallow agitated marine, and shallow marine. The sediment samples are composed of >94 percent quartz and are most likely sourced from the cratonic interior, according to petrographic data.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121555886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leaf (midrib and lamina) anatomical characters were investigated to enhance the identification of Terminalia L. The central portions of the mature leaves were fixed in formaldehyde, glacial acetic acid, and ethanol (FAA) for 12 hrs. They were dehydrated in alcohol series, hand-sectioned, stained with safranin and alcian blue, mounted on a slide, viewed, and photographed with Optika B-1000 FL LED fitted with digital camera. Our findings showed the absence of rib trace in T. ivorensis, presence of secretory ducts in T. catappa, open vascular cylinder with incurved ends in T. mantaly, and medullary phloem in T. avicenniodes. These characters were key to the delimitation of the Terminalia species.
{"title":"Significance of leaf (midrib and lamina) characters in the identification of Terminalia l. (Combretaceae)","authors":"C. Ekeke, J. Agogbua","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Leaf (midrib and lamina) anatomical characters were investigated to enhance the identification of Terminalia L. The central portions of the mature leaves were fixed in formaldehyde, glacial acetic acid, and ethanol (FAA) for 12 hrs. They were dehydrated in alcohol series, hand-sectioned, stained with safranin and alcian blue, mounted on a slide, viewed, and photographed with Optika B-1000 FL LED fitted with digital camera. Our findings showed the absence of rib trace in T. ivorensis, presence of secretory ducts in T. catappa, open vascular cylinder with incurved ends in T. mantaly, and medullary phloem in T. avicenniodes. These characters were key to the delimitation of the Terminalia species.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"169 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116094724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Onyegeme-Okerenta, A. O. ThankGod, F. Anacletus
The effect of aluminum sulphate (alum) on Testosterone propionate (TP)-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats was studied. Eighty mature male Wistar rats, with an average weight of 210g, were randomly distributed into eight groups comprising ten rats. Group 1 received only food and water, while Groups 2, and 4 to 8 were given 3 mg/kg b.w of TP subcutaneously and Group 3 received only 25 % alum solution for 28 days. Thereafter, Groups 4 to 8 were treated with 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 40% alum solution respectively while group 2 remained untreated for another 28 days. The animals were fed with standard rat chow and clean water ad libitum. Sperm morphology and characteristics were observed and measured. A variety of haematological and biochemical markers were assessed. Histopathology of the testes was examined. The volume (0.10 ± 0.00 ml) viability (68.33 ± 4.41 %), activity (41.25 ± 1.25 %), and sperm count (36.67 ± 3.33 ×106) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in group 2 when compared with the respective values obtained in group 1. Treatment with different concentrations of Alum solution significantly (p<0.05) reversed abnormal sperm features observed in group 2. Superoxide dismutase (0.90 ± 0.01 U/L) was significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 2, but the values were restored to normal after treatment with varying concentrations of Alum solutions. Photomicrographs of the testis of group 2 rats revealed a distorted testis, however, there was a significant recovery after treatment which suggested that treatment with Alum reduces TP-induced BPH.
{"title":"Attenuating potential of aluminum sulphate (alum) on testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in male Wistar rats","authors":"B. Onyegeme-Okerenta, A. O. ThankGod, F. Anacletus","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.1","url":null,"abstract":"The effect of aluminum sulphate (alum) on Testosterone propionate (TP)-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats was studied. Eighty mature male Wistar rats, with an average weight of 210g, were randomly distributed into eight groups comprising ten rats. Group 1 received only food and water, while Groups 2, and 4 to 8 were given 3 mg/kg b.w of TP subcutaneously and Group 3 received only 25 % alum solution for 28 days. Thereafter, Groups 4 to 8 were treated with 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 40% alum solution respectively while group 2 remained untreated for another 28 days. The animals were fed with standard rat chow and clean water ad libitum. Sperm morphology and characteristics were observed and measured. A variety of haematological and biochemical markers were assessed. Histopathology of the testes was examined. The volume (0.10 ± 0.00 ml) viability (68.33 ± 4.41 %), activity (41.25 ± 1.25 %), and sperm count (36.67 ± 3.33 ×106) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in group 2 when compared with the respective values obtained in group 1. Treatment with different concentrations of Alum solution significantly (p<0.05) reversed abnormal sperm features observed in group 2. Superoxide dismutase (0.90 ± 0.01 U/L) was significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 2, but the values were restored to normal after treatment with varying concentrations of Alum solutions. Photomicrographs of the testis of group 2 rats revealed a distorted testis, however, there was a significant recovery after treatment which suggested that treatment with Alum reduces TP-induced BPH.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"174 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127660984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Nwankwo, K. Edward, G. Chukwuma, C. Udensi, M.C. Ofia
To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B among patients in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, (MOUAU) clinic and Madonna Catholic Hospital Umuahia, Abia State. Blood samples were collected aseptically using a sterile syringe and needle. About 2-5ml of blood was collected from each patient and conveyed in ice packs to Microbiology Laboratory for pre-vaccination tests. On-the-spot testing for HBsAg was conducted using Smart Check HBsAg (Globalemed, Cape Town, South Africa) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This study revealed that about 46.5% of the study participants were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, while the prevalence of age distribution of Hepatitis B surface antigen among male and female patients revealed that the rate of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen was highest in patients between the age 16-34 years at a percentage prevalence of 19(55.9%). This study also revealed that Hepatitis B virus prevalence rates were the most prevalent among female patients with a positive percentage value of 47.7%.The prevalence rate of HBsAg was higher in the 16-34 age group than in the other age groups tested. This high prevalence rate calls for more awareness on effective HBsAg immunization program in Nigeria. The importance of vaccination in the fight against hepatitis B cannot be overstated, emphasizing the necessity for universal immunization of all people in the study's age group and the creation of measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission. As a result, it is advised that adolescents born before the hepatitis B vaccine era in Nigeria receive public health education and vaccination against the infection.
目的:确定Michael Okpara农业大学(MOUAU)诊所和阿比亚州Umuahia圣母天主教医院患者中乙型肝炎的患病率。使用无菌注射器和针头无菌采集血样。每位患者采集约2-5ml血液并用冰袋送到微生物实验室进行疫苗接种前检测。根据制造商的说明，使用Smart Check HBsAg (Globalemed, Cape Town, South Africa)进行HBsAg的现场检测。本研究显示，约46.5%的研究参与者乙型肝炎表面抗原呈阳性，而乙型肝炎表面抗原在男性和女性患者中的年龄分布显示，乙型肝炎表面抗原在16-34岁的患者中发病率最高，患病率为19%(55.9%)。研究还发现，女性患者中乙型肝炎病毒感染率最高，阳性率为47.7%。HBsAg在16-34岁年龄组的流行率高于其他年龄组。如此高的流行率要求提高对尼日利亚有效乙肝表面抗原免疫规划的认识。疫苗接种在抗击乙型肝炎中的重要性再怎么强调也不为过，强调有必要对研究年龄组的所有人进行普遍免疫接种，并制定预防母婴传播的措施。因此，建议尼日利亚在乙型肝炎疫苗时代之前出生的青少年接受公共卫生教育和预防感染的疫苗接种。
{"title":"Prevalence of hepatitis B among patients in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, (Mouau) Clinic and Madonna Catholic Hospital Umuahia, Abia State","authors":"I. Nwankwo, K. Edward, G. Chukwuma, C. Udensi, M.C. Ofia","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.12","url":null,"abstract":"To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B among patients in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, (MOUAU) clinic and Madonna Catholic Hospital Umuahia, Abia State. Blood samples were collected aseptically using a sterile syringe and needle. About 2-5ml of blood was collected from each patient and conveyed in ice packs to Microbiology Laboratory for pre-vaccination tests. On-the-spot testing for HBsAg was conducted using Smart Check HBsAg (Globalemed, Cape Town, South Africa) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This study revealed that about 46.5% of the study participants were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, while the prevalence of age distribution of Hepatitis B surface antigen among male and female patients revealed that the rate of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen was highest in patients between the age 16-34 years at a percentage prevalence of 19(55.9%). This study also revealed that Hepatitis B virus prevalence rates were the most prevalent among female patients with a positive percentage value of 47.7%.The prevalence rate of HBsAg was higher in the 16-34 age group than in the other age groups tested. This high prevalence rate calls for more awareness on effective HBsAg immunization program in Nigeria. The importance of vaccination in the fight against hepatitis B cannot be overstated, emphasizing the necessity for universal immunization of all people in the study's age group and the creation of measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission. As a result, it is advised that adolescents born before the hepatitis B vaccine era in Nigeria receive public health education and vaccination against the infection.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"118 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128106324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. Olisa, O. M. Ajibade, O. Ogunjinrin, M. Ayodele, D.O. Bamgboye
Kaolin of sedimentary origin in the Abeokuta area, southwestern Nigeria was studied to determine its mineralogy and geotechnical properties as well as possible industrial applications. Samples of kaolin were collected from different mine sites in the Abeokuta area. Geotechnical test was also performed to determine the grain size parameters and plasticity of the kaolin samples. Samples were also subjected to mineralogical and morphological analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results revealed that kaolin samples have clay, silt and sand fraction ranging from 7.3 -53.93%, 29.56 – 53.72% and 1.8 to 29.56% respectively. XRD and SEM results revealed that minerals in kaolin are kaolin, quartz, rutile and anatase. Industrial and geotechnical appraisal revealed that some of the samples with high content and low quartz content can be used in production of ceramics and paper while cannot be used in some industrial application such as pottery and production of ceramics due to the grain size geotechnical properties and mineralogy.
{"title":"Preliminary mineralogical and geotechnical characterization of kaolin from Abeokuta area, southwestern Nigeria","authors":"O. Olisa, O. M. Ajibade, O. Ogunjinrin, M. Ayodele, D.O. Bamgboye","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.10","url":null,"abstract":"Kaolin of sedimentary origin in the Abeokuta area, southwestern Nigeria was studied to determine its mineralogy and geotechnical properties as well as possible industrial applications. Samples of kaolin were collected from different mine sites in the Abeokuta area. Geotechnical test was also performed to determine the grain size parameters and plasticity of the kaolin samples. Samples were also subjected to mineralogical and morphological analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results revealed that kaolin samples have clay, silt and sand fraction ranging from 7.3 -53.93%, 29.56 – 53.72% and 1.8 to 29.56% respectively. XRD and SEM results revealed that minerals in kaolin are kaolin, quartz, rutile and anatase. Industrial and geotechnical appraisal revealed that some of the samples with high content and low quartz content can be used in production of ceramics and paper while cannot be used in some industrial application such as pottery and production of ceramics due to the grain size geotechnical properties and mineralogy.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"10 5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114339703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Ibikunle, S. Yussuf, R. Bamidele, N. Sanyaolu, S. Ogundare
Interest in biopolymer is on the rise due to the non-biodegradability of synthetic polymers. Starches obtained from red cocoyam and white cocoyam were subjected to chemical modifications through acetylation using acetic anhydride and carboxymethylation using monochloroacetic acid in the presence of sodium hydroxide followed by determination of their physicochemical and functional properties. The proximate analysis showed that moisture, protein and fat contents reduced following the modification. Moisture content falls within the permissible limit with white cocoyam starch (WCS) having the least in both native and modified starches. Carboxymethylated starches had higher fat and ash content than acetylated starches while acetylated starches had higher protein content. In addition, swelling power, solubility, oil and water absorption capacities increased following modification. Pasting temperature and peak time reduced following modifications, with carboxymethylation having slight reduction. There was a significant difference in the peak, rough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities of native and modified cocoyam starches. The viscosities increased following acetylation but decreased following carboxymethylation. Viscosities of the acetylated red cocoyam were higher than that of acetylated white cocoyam starches. FTIR studies revealed the introduction of new functional groups in the modified starches, with the bands of the - C=O shifting to a higher and -OH to a lower value. Chemical modification improved the physicochemical properties of the starches studied. The physicochemical properties of the native and modified red cocoyam starch make it a better binder than white cocoyam.
{"title":"Comparative studies of acetylated and carboxymethylated starches obtained from red cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) and white cocoyam (Colocasia antiquorum)","authors":"A. Ibikunle, S. Yussuf, R. Bamidele, N. Sanyaolu, S. Ogundare","doi":"10.4314/sa.v21i2.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i2.17","url":null,"abstract":"Interest in biopolymer is on the rise due to the non-biodegradability of synthetic polymers. Starches obtained from red cocoyam and white cocoyam were subjected to chemical modifications through acetylation using acetic anhydride and carboxymethylation using monochloroacetic acid in the presence of sodium hydroxide followed by determination of their physicochemical and functional properties. The proximate analysis showed that moisture, protein and fat contents reduced following the modification. Moisture content falls within the permissible limit with white cocoyam starch (WCS) having the least in both native and modified starches. Carboxymethylated starches had higher fat and ash content than acetylated starches while acetylated starches had higher protein content. In addition, swelling power, solubility, oil and water absorption capacities increased following modification. Pasting temperature and peak time reduced following modifications, with carboxymethylation having slight reduction. There was a significant difference in the peak, rough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities of native and modified cocoyam starches. The viscosities increased following acetylation but decreased following carboxymethylation. Viscosities of the acetylated red cocoyam were higher than that of acetylated white cocoyam starches. FTIR studies revealed the introduction of new functional groups in the modified starches, with the bands of the - C=O shifting to a higher and -OH to a lower value. Chemical modification improved the physicochemical properties of the starches studied. The physicochemical properties of the native and modified red cocoyam starch make it a better binder than white cocoyam.","PeriodicalId":166410,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Africana","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131010315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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