Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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QUALITY OF LIFE, CARDIOVASCULAR INDICES AND STRESS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN FMC OWO, ONDO STATE
No full textBackground: The period of pregnancy is a critical period in a woman’s life that involves not only biological/physiological but psychological and social changes. These changes can affect quality of life of a pregnant woman, maternal and infant health hence the need to be monitored and kept under control.
Aim: To determine the correlation between Quality of life, selected Cardiovascular indices and Stress among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 95 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Data was obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref. Participants’ blood pressure and pulse rate were measured using appropriate instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and Inferential statistics of spearman rho correlation of coefficient and Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance with mean rank. Alpha level was set at p= 0.05.
Results: A significant negative correlation was observed between pulse rate and perceived stress level (r = -0.195, p = <0.05); between physical domain of the WHOQoL-Bref and perceived stress level (r = -0.207, p = <0.05). No significant difference was found for perceived stress among the different categories of gestational age of respondents. Also there was no significant difference in all the domains of quality of life and overall quality of life among the different categories of gestational age of respondents (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Stress is negatively correlated with pulse rate of pregnant women while Physical health negatively correlated with perceived stress. Stress and quality of life were not significantly different throughout the different stages of pregnancy
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN UPPER LIMB MOTOR RECOVERY POST-STROKE: EFFECTS OF TASK-ORIENTED TRAINING AND REPETITION COUNTS
No full textBackground: Stroke often results in significant impairments in upper limb motor function and daily activities, requiring various rehabilitation approaches. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Task-Oriented Training are recognized interventions, but their efficacy may vary based on gender differences and repetition frequency.
Aim: To investigate gender differences in upper limb motor rehabilitation post-stroke, focusing on the effects of task-oriented training and repetition counts.
Methods: Stroke patients without severe motor or cognitive impairments were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and upper limb motor function was assessed using the Motor Activity Log (MAL) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Participants performed a task involving the transfer of small wooden blocks between compartments for one hour, with the number of repetitions recorded every 15 minutes. Chi-square tests were used to examine relationships between variables and predict task repetition ability. The significance level was set at ≤ 0.05.
Results: Among 75 participants (40 males, 35 females, aged 19-98), males completed slightly more task repetitions (53.3% vs. 46.7%). Participants averaged 437.50 task repetitions (range: 15-590). Statistical analysis showed no significant association between gender and the number of task repetitions (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The study found a strong correlation between WMFT and MAL in assessing upper limb impairment across both genders. Understanding gender-specific responses to task-oriented exercises and optimal repetition counts is essential for developing tailored rehabilitation strategies
EFFECTS OF MODIFIED CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY UPPER AND LOWER LIMBS ON FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY IN STROKE PATIENTS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
No full textBackground: Stroke is prevalent and poses significant healthcare challenges, emphasizing the need for effective rehabilitation strategies. While Combined Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) has shown potential in improving both upper and lower limb functions, its overall impact on motor function, mobility, and quality of life remains inadequately explored.
Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of Combined mCIMT (CO), which targets both upper and lower limbs, compared to CIMT focusing solely on the lower limb (LL) or upper limb (UL), in enhancing motor function, mobility, and quality of life in stroke patients.
Materials and Methods: In a randomized trial conducted at the Physiotherapy Clinic, Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, 46 stroke patients were assigned to one of three groups: Combined mCIMT (CO, n=16), Lower Limb mCIMT (LL, n=15), or Upper Limb mCIMT (UL, n=15). Each intervention was administered daily for 2 hours, 5 days a week, over 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Lower Limb Motor Activity Log, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Stroke Impact Scale. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests.
Results: All groups exhibited significant improvements in motor function, lower limb use, balance, and quality of life (P > 0.05). Notably, the LL group showed significantly greater improvements compared to the CO and UL groups.
Conclusion: Modified LL CIMT was more effective in enhancing motor function, mobility, and quality of life in stroke patients than Combined or UL-specific mCIMT approaches
IMMUNORECEPTOR AND KI-67 CHARACTERIZATION OF BREAST CANCER IN A TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITY IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
No full textBackground: Breast cancer is highly complex and heterogeneous with disparities in ethnic and racial histological subtypes and tumour behaviour; is the second most common cancer in the world, and the most common cancer in women. Nigeria maintains the 9th position in breast cancer mortality worldwide.
Aim: The present study assessed the immune receptor and tumour proliferation marker characterization of breast cancers.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out from 2010 to 2015. Two hundred (200) archived breast cancer tissue samples were retrieved from the histopathology Laboratory of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. Patients\u27 data were retrieved from the histopathology reports. Tissue blocks were re-embedded in fresh paraffin wax and 4µ thick serial sections were cut and stained accordingly.
Results: Breast tissue samples were the most prevalent sample types (48.9%) while grade 3 tumours were the most pervasive cancer grades; patients\u27 ages at presentation range from 23 to 86 years, with a mean age of 55. Positive immunoreactivity for oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and proliferation marker (Ki67) were 89.2%, 69.7%, 24.1% and 98.5% respectively, for invasive ductal carcinoma. Her-2 was the least expressed whereas Ki67 was expressed in almost all the cancer types. ER-positive tumours were the most prevalent with ER/PR co-positivity being the second.
Conclusion: The characterization and hormonal expression pattern of breast cancer maintained the same trend. ER-positive tumours were the most prevalent with ER/PR co-positivity being the second. Her-2 was the least expressed whereas Ki67 was expressed in almost all the cancer types
ACTIVITIES OF FSH RECEPTORS ON THE RESTORATION OF REPRODUCTIVE INDICES IN HYPERPROLACTIN RATS TREATED WITH GREEN COCONUT WATER
No full textBackground of the study: Green coconut water (GCW) exhibits fertility-enhancing properties. This study investigated the role of GCW on follicle stimulating hormone activation in understanding its mode of action.
Aim: We investigated the effect of GCW on the expression of FSH-receptors in the restoration of reproductive indices in hyperprolactin rats.
Material and Methods: Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four experimental study groups (A, B, C and D) of 10 rats each. The animals in group A received distilled water only. Group B, the positive control received GCW only, group C is the induction group and the animals received 5 mg/Kg B.W. metoclopramide. Group D is the post-treatment group and animals were treated with GCW following the experimental induction of hyperprolactinemia.
Result: The animals post-treated with GCW showed high expression level of FSH receptors at a molecular weight of 70 kDA that was comparable with the control and GCW-treated groups. However, low expression of the FSH receptors was seen in the induced group at a molecular weight of 10 kDA when compared with the control and GCW-treated groups. Additionally, there were comparable evaluations in the rate of pregnancy and number of foetuses in the animals post-treated with GCW and the control and GCW-treated groups. However the animals in the induced group recorded no pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study\u27s outcome clearly depicts that GCW is an effective potential natural agent in the reversal of infertility caused by hyperprolactinemia through the activation of FSH receptors
Kinetic and Modeling of Anionic Dye Adsorption onto Acid modified Ihiala Clays: ANN, ANFIS and RSM comparative analysis
No full textCongo red (CR) dye is a harmful dye of environmental concern due to its complex molecular structure and artificial origin, which make it non-biodegradable. The research focused on using the physico-chemical method to remove CR pollutants (color, dissolved salt (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD)) from effluent by utilizing the adsorptive qualities of acid-modified Ihiala clay (HIC). The batch system was applied to evaluate the effect of process-independent variables on the adsorption process. The mechanism of adsorption was investigated using intra-particle diffusion, liquid film, the Bangham model, and the Boyd model. The thermodynamic properties ∆S, ∆H, ∆G, and ∆Ea were determined. The optimum removal efficiency of CR was predicted using the ANN, ANFIS, and RSM models. The activation resulted in an increase in surface area. Maximum color removal of 99.3% was observed at pH 2, an adsorbent dosage of 1 g, an adsorbent particle size of 75 µm, an initial dye concentration of 100 mg/l, a contact time of 120 min, and a temperature of 323 k. A maximum adsorption capacity of 86.70 mg/g was obtained. The liquid film diffusion was the major rate-limiting step. Thermodynamic results suggested an endothermic, favorable, spontaneous, and physical adsorption process. The RSM model is statistically more significant than the ANFIS and ANN models. A maximum desorption capacity of 90.3% was achieved after four cycles. The obtained results confirm HIC as a reliable, cost-effective adsorbent for CR pollutants removal from effluents
Improving 5G uplink spectral efficiency using massive multiple-input multiple output and non-orthogonal multiple access
No full textThis paper investigates the integration of massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) architecture with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. The primary objective is to address the growing demand for higher data rates by extending communication frequencies into the millimeter wave (mmWave) band while simultaneously enhancing system spectral efficiency in the uplink (UL). The uplink (UL) operation of massive MIMO–NOMA was considered, where the base station (BS) is equipped with massive antenna array that uses hybrid precoding of Zero Forcing (ZF), Maximum Ratio Transmit (MRT) and Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) to reduce the number of required radio-frequency (RF) chains without performance loss, less hardware cost and Signal Interference Cancellation to mitigate against far and near problem. A comprehensive system model and mathematical framework for massive MIMO-NOMA are developed and implemented using MATLAB software. The power coefficient and fading factor was generated using Monte Carlo simulation. It was observed that at the UL, the issue of user performance relative to their proximity to the base station is effectively addressed. However, the weakest user (user1) outperforms the strongest user (user10) at transmitting power of 20dBm by 18%. Other findings reveal that User6 and user8 outperform user10 by 45% in terms of best capacity, even when user10 is physically closer to the base station. These results were obtained using QPSK modulation. In summary, combining massive MIMO and NOMA holds great potential for improving uplink (UL) performance, particularly in millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication scenarios
Amino Acids Profile of Selected Five Genotypes of Cowpea and Mung Beans Grown in Awka, Rain Forest Zone
No full textA comprehensive analysis was done at the Food Profiling Biotechnology Laboratory, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Umuahia to explore, as well as to compare the amino acid components of five cowpea (Vigna aunguiculata) (ITA 1,2,3,4,5) and five mung bean (Vigna radiata) (TVR 72,73,77,8,98) genotypes that were grown at the Research Farm of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The results showed that the mung bean genotypes were high in alanine, glycine and valine while the cowpea genotypes were high in tryptophan, methionine and other sulfur-containing essential aminoacids. Both crops have relatively similar arginine, isoleucine, lysine, serine and tyrosine contents. While they reduce flatulence, the tested mung beans genotypes values for threonine, tryptophan and total sulphur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine) were nutritionally inadequate but this can be compensated by consuming mung bean in combination with cereals. Based on individual genotypes contents of essential amino-acids, we recommend cowpea genotypes:ITA 1,2, 5 and mung bean genotypes:TVR 72,73 and 98
Effect of Different Organic Manure Rates on Yield and Post Harvest Storage of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
No full textThe experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria to study the effect of different organic manure rates on yield and okra. Different manure sources from poultry and pig and the rates were: 0 ton/ha, 5 tons/ha, 10 tons/ha, 15 tons/ha, and 20 tons/ha. The 2 x 5 factorial experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated three (3) times. Data were collected on growth and yield. For yield parameters, pig manure at15 t/ha rate gave the highest yield however, the interaction effects showed that 15t/ha poultry manure x yield produced the highest number and weight yield of pods, while 15 t/ha pig manure out performed in the length and width of okra pods. Hence, poultry manure at 15t/ha and 20t/ha pig manure were recommended. Considering the effect of postharvest storage materials on the physiological deterioration rates of okra pods, newspaper, and dried plantain leaves maintained better postharvest storage quality of okro than other storage materials
Prevalent Livestock Diseases in South East Nigeria and their Control Measures: A Review
No full textGlobally, livestock diseases are major constraints to animal production and management, usually resulting in economic losses, reduced productivity and quality of livestock products. The livestock diseases prevalent in south east Nigeria were evaluated based on data collected between January 2010- June 2023 from the epidemiology unit of the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest control services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Abuja, Nigeria. Diseases of cattle reported ranging from the highest to the least occurrence included, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Bovine Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Fascioliasis and Mastitis. Major disease of small ruminants (sheep and goats) was Pests des Petits ruminants (PPR). Diseases of pigs reported included: African swine fever, Swine Erysipelas and piglet anaemia. Poultry diseases were New Castle Disease (NCD), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Coccidiosis, Fowl typhoid, Fowl pox and Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI). The article also reviewed the notifiable diseases reported by Nigeria Center for Disease Control through its Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system (IDSR) known to be zoonotic. Diseases in this category were Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Rabies, HPAI, Food and water borne diseases such as Brucellosis, Colibacillosis, Cysticercosis. Control programmes included; Biosecurity measures, disease surveillance in flocks and farms, seromonitoring of animals, routine vaccination, accurate diagnosis and treatment of sick animals, stamping out flocks once disease is detected as in the control of HPAI and CBPP. The evaluation of the disease prevalence, economic and public health effects of these diseases could not be accomplished in the course of this review as a result of underreporting and inaccurate disease identification due to lack of basic veterinary diagnostic facilities. It was therefore recommended that developing an operational digital livestock information system for livestock farmers, disease surveillance and reporting will be needful. Decentralizing the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom function of disease diagnosis/surveillance to the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria as well as employing the one health approach to livestock disease control and management would also be apposite in unlocking the livestock potentials of Southeast Nigeria