Madonna University, Nigeria - Open Access Journal System
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Oil Exploration and Environmental Security Challenges In Nigeria: Niger-Delta Experience
No full textThis study interrogated the nexus between crude oil production and environmental security challenges in the Niger-Delta region, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2021. Documentary method of data collection and content analysis were applied. Rentier State theory served as the theoretical fulcrum around which the study revolved. It was found that the atavistic pursuit of wealth by oil companies and the rentier nature of Nigerian economy brought about neglect or insensitivity on the part of both the government and the oil companies, to the Niger-Delta environment where the oil rent is generated. As a result the region experienced environmental security challenges. It was suggested among others that the Nigerian government should take practical steps to contain all those activities of the multinational oil companies that bring about environmental hazard, activities such as oil spillage and gas flaring.
Keywords: Environmental Security, Gas Flaring, Oil Spillage and Sustainable Development
JEL: Q52 Q5
AN EVALUATION OF C- REACTIVE PROTEIN IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS ATTENDING MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE
No full textThe adjusted levels of C - reactive protein have been observed in diabetic patients. This study was to compare the level of type 2 diabetic patients and also to detect the level of C-reactive protein as it has been affected by the disease condition. This project was done by 20diabetic patients and also 20 control subjects matched for age and sex. Serum concentration of C - reactive protein was detected using the latex agglutination method. The result of this study was expressed as mean and standard deviation. Also, a number of outcomes were expressed in frequencies. The result shows that out of 20 test subjects, 80% were positive to CRP, while 20% of the test subjects were negative to CRP on group 2, 40% tested positive and 60% tested negative for group 4, while the other groups in the test subject did not test positive to CRP. Also, out of 20 control subjects non-showed positive reaction to CRP. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the present CRP and the subjects studied. The result of this study shows, that the C-reactive protein investigated did not show any significant association between the subjects presented in this study.
Keywords: c- reactive protein, diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes patient
Comparative Studies on Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Ebonyi State Nigeria Using HBsAg as indices
No full textStudies on Hepatitis B Virus infection in Ebonyi State Nigeria using HBsAg and HBeAg as indices were carried out between the years 2018 to 2021. Five communities in each of the thirteen (13) LGAs of the state were randomly selected for the survey. Informed Consent was also obtained from the participants aged 16-50 years of both sexes. Nine thousand five hundred and seventy (9570) participants (3543 males and 6027 females) were recruited for the study. Blood samples were appropriately collected from the subjects and screened for Hepatitis B Virus infection using antibody (Ab) rapid test kit. Serum from the positive samples were separated and stored at -20°C for subsequent molecular analysis in phase 2 of this work. The screening result showed 656 positives cases giving a significant prevalence of 6.9% in the study population. According to vaccination, 1.0% prevalence was of those vaccinated and 7.1% for non- vaccinated. This increase was found to be statistically significant. There was variation in prevalence with relation to age group: 3.8% was recorded for those aged 16-20 years, 4.4% for those aged 21-25 years, 6.3% for those aged 26-30 years, 9.0% for those aged 31-35 years, 11.8% for those aged 36-40 years, and a decline of 8.6% for those aged 41-45 and 4.4% for those aged 46-50 years. This variation was found to be statistically significant (Ø<0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence according to sex, 7.3% for males and 6.6% for females. The result of this study with regard to location also showed significant difference in prevalence, (Ebonyi Central7.1%, Ebonyi North 8.9% and Ebonyi South 5.2%) which was statistically significant (P<0.05). In phase 2 of this work, six hundred and fifty six (656) positive samples to HBsAg were subjected to molecular analysis using HBeAg ELISA kit. The result showed 640 positives giving an overall prevalence of 6.7% in the study population which is still statistically significant. According to vaccination, out of the 4 positive samples from vaccinated participants only 1 sample remained positive using HBeAg Biomarker giving a vaccination - dependent prevalence of 0.3% in the study population. Out of the 652 non vaccinated persons that were positive in phase 1, 639 samples remained positive giving a non-vaccinated – dependent prevalence of 7.1% in the study population. According to age cohort, there was still variation in prevalence with age group, 3.6% for those aged 16-20 years, those aged 21-25 years had the same prevalence of 4.4%, 6.1% for those aged 26-30 years, 8.9% for those aged 31-35 years, 11.5% for those aged 36-40 years, 8.4% prevalence for those aged 41-45 and 4.2% for those aged 46-50 years. Prevalence of HBV infection according to sex in the study population still remained statistically insignificant. The result of the molecular analysis of this study according to location showed difference in prevalence as follows; Ebonyi Central 6.8%, Ebonyi North 8.6% and Ebonyi South 5.2% with Ebonyi North still maintaining the lead and it is statistically significant (P<0.05). The above result is alarming and looking at the age bracket involved, the work force of Ebonyi State is in danger and it calls for serious concern to the government and health authorities at all levels to save the state from a total collapse in the area of manpower.
 
SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND LIPID PROFILE OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF FEDERAL MEDIAL CENTRE, OWERRI, NIGERIA
No full textThe study was aimed at assessing platelet count, haemoglobin level and lipid profile of hypertensive subjects attending outpatient clinic in Federal Medical Center, Owerri. A total of 100 subjects were investigated, out of 50 were hypertensive subjects and 50 were normotensive. The platelet counts were analyzed using the colorimetric method. Total cholesterol of hypertensive subjects with 236.07± 67.06mmol/l while that of normotensive group 136.05±20.44 was significant. (P<0.05). Low density lipoprotein of hypertensive were significantly higher 169.33±67.26mmol/L when compared to that of the control group 86.20± 25.78mmol/L (P<0.05). High density lipoprotein of hypertensive subjects were significantly (P<0.05) lower 38.43± 11.47mmol/L compared with that of the normotensive control group 105.75±30.96mm/L. The triglyceride were also significantly increased (P<0.05) in hypertensive group 138.93±53.1mmol/l compared with control group 105.75±30.96mmol/L. The platelet count of hypertensive subjects were 205.23±35.85xl09/L lower than that of normotensive 214.65±46.49x109/L were not statistically significant. (P>0.05). The hemoglobin level of hypertensive subject were 11.67±1.77 lower than that of normotensive 12.88±1.13 but were (P>0.05). This work concluded that all the lipid profile studied statistically deviated from the control group. Again the hemoglobin and platelet were significantly below the reference value and recorded a change when compared with the control
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON PHYSIOLOGICAL JAUNDICE: DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFECTED NEONATES
No full textJaundice is the most common physical abnormality in the first week of life. Physiological jaundice is increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood which is not immunologically induced as seen in pathological jaundice caused by blood group incompatibility such as ABO or Rh blood groups. Physiological jaundice can be treated with phototherapy. This paper was written to give an insight into physiological jaundice. Many search engines such as Google scholar, Pubmed central, Web of Science, Scopus, Researchgate, Academia Edu, etc were searched for related information. Physiological jaundice can easily manged with exposure to sun light which metabolises the bilirubin
EVALUATION OF HAEMATOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN UGANDA
No full textThe study was done to determine the haematological features of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia in a tertiary hospital in Uganda. The study was done in Ishaka Uganda at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Ishaka, Uganda. The study adopted hospital based cross-sectional design where patients who attended the hospital with acute myeloid luekaemia (AML) were selected for the study on purposive sampling technique and the haematological variables evaluated with the apparently healthy individuals. The ages of the patients were below 25 years. A total of eighty (80) subjects comprising forty (40) acute myeloid patients and forty (40) apparently healthy subjects were recruited for the study using purposive sampling technique. The data were analysed using student t-test and present as mean ± standard deviation using SPSS version 20 and level of significance set at P<0.05. The results showed decrease in WBC (P=0.012), neutrophils P=0.040), HB (P=0.002), RBC (P=0.008), PCV (P=0.005) and increase in RDW (P=0.017) and no significant changes in LYM (P=0.089), MCV (P=0.543), MCH (P=0.057) and MCHC (P=0.051). The results showed decrease in total white cell count, neutrophils, haemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume and increase in Red cell distribution width and no significant changes in Lymphocytes, Mean cell volume, Mean cell haemoglobin and Mean cell haemoglobin concentration
External Debt and Nigeria’s Real Economy
No full textIn recent times, there have been several agitations by stakeholders on the increasing level of Nigeria’s external debt while her real economic growth (RGDP) has remained sluggish and suboptimal. Global attempts to validate the relationship between external debt and RGDP by economic scholars have also generated mixed results. It is therefore pertinent for this study to reexamine the problem empirically and holistically. The study applied co-integration procedures, unit root test, error correction model, and Granger causality test, using time series data sourced from CBN, spanning from 1980 to 2020. The empirical finding demonstrates that external debt, external debt interest charges and foreign exchange rate are adversely affecting the growth of the real economy. The study recommends measures to ensure that borrowed funds are spent on projects they are tied to. Furthermore, policy makers should take cognizance of policy lag effect, which was also uncovered in the study, and select policies in line with the expected magnitude of expected changes.
Keywords: external debt, exchange rate, real economy, co-integration, error correction model
JEL: E00 H6
Evaluation of the phytochemical properties and antifungal effects of Abrus precatorius and Morinda lucida plant parts against clinical isolate of Candida albicans
No full textExperimental study was done on the phytochemistry and antifungal effects of Abrus. precatorius (seed) and Morinda lucida (leaves, root, bark) plant parts on Candida albicans in Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative phytochemistry was by standard methods, plant materials prepared by air-drying, crude extraction by Soxhlet extraction and extractive index analyzed. Antifungal susceptibility was by standard methods using paper - disc agar - diffusion and punch hole methods, assessing Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results revealed, in 16 plant part, highest percentage extractive
value was in methanolic extract of Morinda lucinda leaf (11.2%) and best solvents for extraction yield for each plant were, water extract for Abrus precatorius seed (8.2%); acetyl - acetate for Morinda lucinda root (5.2%) and bark (4.2%); methanolic extract for Morinda leaf (11.2%). Phytochemistry showed ten components extractable from 16 plant parts solutions. Morinda lucida (root) ethanol, ethyl-acetate, and water extracts (bark and leaf parts) had the highest, (9) bio-active compounds. Water extract was the best (9) in 3 out of the 4 herbal plant parts. Zones of inhibition by extracts on Candida albicans by disc and Agar - well diffusion method showed highest clearance in methanolic extracts of Abrus precatorius seed (17.00±0.00) mm, (p <0.02), ethyl-acetate extracts of Morinda lucinda root (16.00±1.41) mm (p<0.04) and Morinda lucinda bark (16.50±2.12mm) in all using Agar-well diffusion method. For Morinda lucida roots and bark, clearance was higher in ethyl - acetate solvent (16.00±1.41) mm (p=0.04); (16.50±2.12mm) compared with controls (20.50±2.12mm); (20.50±4.95). There was zero clearance using Morinda lucinda leaves and all n-hexane solvent. Performance of agar-well diffusion method was better than disc-diffusion. MIC against Candida albicans showed A. precatorius methanol seed extract as best MIC (6.25) mg/ml, while methanol extract of Abrus precatorius best MFC (25mg/ml). Conclusively, all extracts have anti-candida properties though water extract of Abrus seed gave highest percentage yield. All plants parts are quite promising as a multipurpose medicinal agent though agar-well diffusion method is recommended as best method for testing the herb’s parts. Extensive research will expose their therapeutic potentials
DETERMINATION OF CLOT RETRACTION IN PREGANANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE OWERRI, NIGERIA
No full textThis study was carried out to determined clot retraction on pregnant women. A total of 100 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Federal Medical Center Owerri were used in the study while 100 non- pregnant women were used as control. The platelet count was determined using the improved Neubauer ruled counting chamber and clot retraction time was also determined using the standardized method for clot retraction time. The platelet count level (230810± 6109.99) and clot retraction time (1.5606± 0.04390) were significantly decreased when compared with control (295900± 8114.29 and (1.6206± 0.05173) respectively (P< 0.05). Hence this result could probably suggest that pregnancy has effect on platelet count and clot retraction time and there is need for platelet court and clot retraction time to be determined during pregnancy especially when there is need for caesarean surger
BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF TUBERCLOSIS AND HIV CASES IN PARTS OF ABIA, ANAMBRA AND IMO STATES
No full textAim: The biochemical of tuberculosis (TB) and (HIV) patients in parts of Abia, Anambra and Imo States, were carried out using, standard biochemical procedures. Methods: Two hospitals were chosen from each of the three States, namely: St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital Onitsha and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia and Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Aba, and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri and Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu from January 2013 to December 2014. . The biochemical parameters analyzed were glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Vit. C, Vit. E, Uric acid, Malondialdehide (MDA), total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL – cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Urea, creatinine, Na+, K+, Cl-, and HC03 in HIV patients (n=50:M=20; F = 30) and in PTB patients (n=50: M=30; F = 20) newly diagnosed (untreated) adults of 18years and above compared with apparently normal (control) individuals who are HIV and PTB seronegative of the same age range, location and n=50: M=20; F = 30 in each of the six selected hospitals in Abia, Anambra and Imo States. Results: The results showed significantly increased concentrations of MDA and Uric acid (P<0.05) and significantly reduced concentrations of Vit. C Vit E and GPX (P<0.05) both in TB patients and HIV patients when compared with the control subjects. It equally revealed significantly increased Urea in all the selected hospitals and reduced Na+ concentration(ABSUTH) (P<0.05) in HIV patients when compared with the control subjects, while creatinine, Cl- and HC03- mean differences were not significant when compared with the control subjects (P>0.05). PTB patients revealed significantly increased Na+, decreased K+, increased Cl-, and decreased HC03- and urea (P<0.05) when compared with the control subjects while mean difference of creatinine though elevated was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Also revealed were significantly reduced concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL – Cholesterols in PTB patients (P<0.05) when compared with their control subjects. Similar trends were observed in HIV positive patients except that concentration of triglyceride was significantly increased (P<0.05) when compared with the control subjects. Conclusion: Electrolyte imbalance was observed among the patients which equally exposes them to other health problems such as irregular heartbeat, numbness and high blood pressure among other diseases coupled with high level of lipid peroxidation which has been observed playing role in atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatic arthritis, cancer, and other immunological disorders. Meanwhile, there is likelihood of severe oxidative stress due to observed antioxidant depletion that further exposes the patients to Cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD. Therefore, decreasing the formation of lipid peroxidation products and balancing the electrolytes and antioxidants could be beneficial in limiting all the deleterious pathological conditions so as to guarantee their good health.
Key words: Biochemical, Tuberclosis, HIV, Cases, Abia, Anambra, Im