Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Contribution of malnutrition and malaria to anemia in children in rural communities of Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract: Background : The most common cause of anemia is an iron deficiency; however, the condition may also be caused by deficiencies in folate, vitamin B 12 and protein. Some anemia is not caused by nutritional factors, but by congenital factors and parasitic diseases such as malaria. Aim: This study attempted to estimate the prevalence of anemia among children in three rural communities of the Ovia North East Local government area, and to determine whether its cause was nutritional or could be attributed to malaria. Patients and Methods: A total of 316 children between the ages of 1 and 15 years were included in the study. Children were examined for malaria parasites by microscopy. The World Health Organization (WHO) age-adjusted cut-off for hemoglobin was used to classify anemia. Results: 38.6% of the children were anemic, with hemoglobin levels lower than 11g/dL, although parasite prevalence and density were low. Malnutrition was patent; 37.0% of the children were stunted, 19.3% wasted and 44.0% underweight. Serum ferritin was more sensitive than hemoglobin concentration in detecting anemic children. Anemia was also significantly higher in the Evbuomore village school than in the Ekosodin and Isiohor villages ( P 0.001). Conclusion: Anemia detected in this population may be due more to malnutrition than to malaria.

Awareness and perception toward referral in health care: A study of adult residents in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract: Background and Objective: The Nigeria Health System operates three levels of health care, which correspond to the tiers of government and interacts through a referral system. The national health policy recommends the Primary Health Care (PHC) as the entry point to health care system. However, these facilities are poorly managed leading to underutilization. Therefore, people usually attend any facility that will meet their needs, not considering the appropriateness of the level of care. This study is to determine the awareness and perception of adult residents in Ilorin toward referral in health care. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 366 adult residents in Ilorin, selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, appropriately scored and analyzed with Epi-Info 2005 computer software. Results: Only 22 (6.0%) respondents knew that PHC is supposed to be the fi rst point of call when ill and 25 (6.8%) were aware that referral hospitals have the right to reject patients without referral. More than two third, 256 (69.9%) of the respondents felt it will be unreasonable for any hospital to reject patients on the basis of not being referred. The level of education was signifi cantly associated with the knowledge and perception of referral in the health care. Conclusion: There is low awareness and poor perception of referral protocol in the health care system among the people of Ilorin. The higher the level of education, the more knowledge the respondents have about referral in the health system and the more likely they have correct perception of referral in health care. The Nigeria health care system policy on referral and appropriate hospital utilization could be more effective if public awareness is created about it via the media while making effort to improve the credibility of the PHC.

Green synthesis of bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures for catalytic oxidative desulfurization of model oil

Abstract: This study reports the synthesis of bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures at elevated temperature of 100 °C using Alchornea laxiflora leaf extract (ALLE). The nanostructures have been characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray(EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The sizes of the bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures range from 1.87 to 2.38 nm with an average particle size of 2.12 ± 0.21 nm, and they crystallized in face-centered cubic (fcc) symmetry. The EDX analysis confirms the bimetallism of Pt@Cu nanostructures and individual metals are present in the ratio 2:3. FTIR indicates strong peaks at 3427 cm−1 which is attributed to hydroxyl group of polyphenolic compounds in ALLE, and the peak disappeared completely in the FTIR of Pt@Cu nanostructures, thus confirming their significant roles in bioreduction process. Catalytic oxidative property of Pt@Cu nanostructures was investigated by oxidation of a model oil [dibenzothiophene (DBT) dissolved in n-heptane] to their corresponding sulfone. Our results show that bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures have higher catalytic oxidative activity than the conventional acetic acid that is used in the oxidative desulfurization process. The catalytic oxidative desulfurization activity shown by the Pt@Cu nanostructures promises the potential application in petroleum industry.

Fecundity of Sarotherodon galilaeus (Pisces : Cichlidae) in the Opa reservoir, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: The fish Sarotherodon galilaeus was collected in Opa reservoir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Helfe, Nigeria. Sampling began in January, 1992 and extended until March, 1994. The fishing methods empJoyed for collecting the 853 specimens were gillnetting and castnetting. Sex ratio was approximately J: l (maJe: female). Length at maturity was 12.5 cm (males) and 11.7 cm (fe males). The fecundity was 1 048 ± 785 (604- 2 173, n = 117) with an egg diameter of 2.49± 1.81 (1.0 - 4.5, n = 117) mm. The gonado-somatic index was 033 ± 0.21 (0.09 - 1.34, n = 275) (males) and 1.88 ± 1.01 (0.33 - 6.19, n = 282) (femates). The species breeds year-round (mature specimens occurred in samples collected throughout the 27-month study period). Thisfish is a biparental mouth booder