Repellent and toxic activities of fumes of some plant materials against Culex mosquito

Mosquito coils (bars), formulated from three plant leaves, namely; Acalypha torta, Carica papaya and Calotropis gigantica, and seeds of Peganum harmala, were tested as repellents or toxicants against laboratory reared Culex sp. adult mosquitoes when burnt as an incense. None of the plants showed toxic activity, as knockdown was less than 5% in all cases. Slight repellency was observed with Acalypha sp. (0.21) and P. harmala (0.19), as these showed significant difference (P < 0.05) from values recorded for the control, i.e. bars without plant material.

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The impact of guinea worm disease on school attendance in Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

Attendance records from all primary and post-primary schools in Akoko areas of Ondo State were examined to relate the rate of missed school days, school drop out rate from 1995 to 1998. During the survey, 9,525; 9,752 and 10,062 pupils (boys and girls) were registered in both primary and post-primary schools in the villages, the prevalence of guinea worm disease among school children were 27.7%; 6.2% and 2.3% in 1995, 1996 and 1997 respectively.

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Susceptibility response of Claria gariepinus to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prophylactic treatment with chloramphenicol

Susceptibility responses of cat fish – Clarias gariepinus to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa visà-vis treatment with chloramphenicol were investigated in the present study. Thirty healthy and physically active fishes weighing between 200-350g sourced from Challawa Gorge Dam, Karaye, Kano State were used for the study. These were divided into three aquarium tanks A, B, C (ten in each case). Fishes in A were infected with 1.0ml (about 1.2 x 106 cfu/ml) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyrenterally through linea alba by ventral medial furrow.

Farmers’ Perceptions of Plantain Production Constraints in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

Participatory rural appraisal surveys aimed at determining farmers’ perception of plantain production constraints in Port Harcourt metropolis (specifically at Rivers State University [RSU], Nkoplu and the Agricultural Development Programme [ADP] farms, Rumuodomaya) have revealed: poor soil fertility, wind, “drought” and “disease” (in that order of importance) as the major militating factors to plantain (or Musa) production in this region.

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Assessment and Quantification of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Soils of E-Waste Dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of synthetic halogenated organic compounds used in a number of polymer-based commercial and home-use products. They are incoporated in the manufacture of electronics devices, furniture and textiles to increase resistance to flames and to meet set out fire safety standards. Generally, PBDEs are characterized by long range atmospheric transport, high bioaccumulation and toxicities. There is a dearth of information on the concentrations of PBDEs and the pattern of distribution at the various e-waste dump and dismantling sites in Nigeria.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) profiles of sediments from Falcorp mangrove swamp, Warri, Delta State

The Falcorp mangrove swamp has and is still been exposed to various forms of anthropogenic polluting activities which include; Vandalization of oil pipelines which transverse sections of the swamp. The PAHs and PCBs profile of swamp sediments was investigated. The sediments were subjected to routine PAH and PCB analyses which included; extraction, use of sonicator, GC-ECD and GC-FID analysis. The data were subjected to statistical and multivariate analysis using Microsoft Excel, SPSS version 16.0 and PAST respectively.

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Distribution and Risk of Metals in Soils of Refuse Dumpsites in Some Urban Towns in Delta State, Nigeria

Refuse dumpsites often contain materials capable of polluting surrounding soils. In this study, the spatial distribution of metals in soils of refuse dumpsites in three urban towns (Ughelli, Sapele, Orhuwhorun) in Delta State, Nigeria were examined. Soil samples were collected from three dumpsites in the aforementioned towns at depths 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, respectively.

Glycaemic Responses of Honeys in Normal and Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated and compared the glycaemic rises following administration of various honey samples in rats. Five Nigerian honeys [Abakaliki honey (ABH), Calabar honey (CAH), Ezzamgbo honey (EZH), Lokoja honey (LOH), Okitipupa honey (OKH)] and one Malaysian honey (MAH) were administered to non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min. Glucose parameters including peak blood glucose, area under curve, percentage variation in blood glucose (BG) and percentage change in BG were estimated.

Hypoglycemic, Hematologic and Hypolipidemic Potential of Hippophae rhamnoides (Berry Oil) in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the hypoglycemic, hematologic and hypolipidemic potential of berry oil in alloxan-induced adult Wistar rat. Five groups of Wistar rats (4 rats per group) Group 1 served as “Normal control” rats and received normal rat pellets and water. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (160 mg/kg). Group 3 rats were treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight), groups 4 and 5 received 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Berry oil daily respectively for 21 days via oral gavage.

Effect of Poultry Manure on Growth, Nutrients Composition and Heavy Metal Content of Amaranthus caudatus L.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of poultry manure on the growth of Amaranthus caudatus with a view to establishing the optimum poultry manure treatment for its growth. The study was carried out between the months of February and May 2020, in a portion beside the botanical garden in the University of Benin, consisted of three (03) treatments namely PM1 (10%), PM2 (20 %), and PM3 (30 %) with poultry manure and control (PM0) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times.