Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Support on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Infant Growth in Nigeria: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract: Background This study examined whether mobile phone-based support improve the rates, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as well as infant growth patterns in Nigeria. Methods A 6-month prospective randomized controlled trial with 75 participants assigned to receive 'usual care' or 'mobile phone-based support in addition to usual care' EBF rates and duration as well as anthropometric measurements of infants before and after intervention were compared using proportions and mean differences. Results Attrition rates of 10.7% and 14.7% were observed in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Treatment groups were identical in all baseline characteristics and participants in the intervention group showed a slower rate of decline in the practice of EBF. The mean difference of 0.6 months (95% confidence interval: -0.22, 1.42) in EBF duration between intervention and control groups was not statistically significant (t = 1.45; p = 0.149). Similarly, the difference in the EBF rates at the 6th month for the intervention (55.2%) and control (46.8%) groups was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.623; p = 0.430). Although the intervention group had significantly higher mean weight (p = 0.030) and length (p = 0.044) at the 6th month, the difference in the gain in weight and length of these infants over the period was only significant for the weight (p = 0.044). Although the incidence of adverse clinical nutritional status was more in the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Mobile phone-based intervention has positive effects on the rate and duration of EBF as well as the growth of young infants. Sustaining this simple and cheap technology will improve infant wellbeing especially in resource-constrained settings.

Protective Effects of Bi-Herbal Formulation of Aqueous Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolium against Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity and Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of bi-herbal formulation of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolium against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity and liver injury in rats. Forty (n=40) male Wistar albino rats were procured and separated into five groups. Groups I and II served as normal control and experimental control respectively. Groups III to V served as test groups. Rats of experimental control (group II) and test groups were induced with lethal dose of gentamicin. Test groups III and IV were placed on herbal formulation of aqueous extracts of V .amygdalina and G. latifolium respectively, whereas rats in test Original Research Article Constance et al.; AJRB, 7(4): 12-20, 2020; Article no.AJRB.59205 13 group V received bi-herbal formulation of aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina and G. latifolium. Nephrotoxic indices such as urea reduced significantly (p<0.05) in test groups (III, IV, and V) when compared to experimental control (group II) and normal control (group I). Creatinine also reduced significantly (p<0.05) in test groups III and V against group II (experimental control), and increased insignificantly (p>0.05) in test group V when compared to normal control (group I). Rats induced with gentamicin had upsurge in liver enzymes indicating possible compromise of hepatocellular integrity but the ameliorating effects of the herbal formulations were seen clearly in test groups in this study as they tried to protect the hepatocellular integrity. The bi-herbal formulation of aqueous extract of 5% v/v each of V. amygdalina and G. latifolium offered the best protection as observed in this study. This study has revealed the protective effects of bi-herbal formulation of aqueous extract of V. amygdalina and G. latifolium against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity and liver injury in rats.

Molecular Characterization and Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Tympanotonus fuscatus

Abstract: Aim: This was carried out to characterize Pseudomonas species isolated from the West African Mud Creeper (Tympanotonus fuscatus) molecularly and as well detect the possible presence of inducible AmpC gene that mediates resistance to cephalosporins and most penicillins. Sample: Tympanotonus fuscatus (West African Mud Creeper), a gastropod mollusc found in brackish waters of West Africa was used for the study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out between February and August 2019 at the Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methodology: Thirty two (32) Pseudomonas species were isolated and identified culturally from T. fuscatus. Pseudomonas species isolates were subjected to a group of ten (10) antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and resistant isolates were screened molecularly for the presence of resistance gene (AmpC). AmpC screening was carried out in a step wise process of DNA extraction, quantification, amplification of ampC gene using appropriate primer and Agarose Original Research Article Sampson et al.; JAMB, 20(6): 37-45, 2020; Article no.JAMB.57932 38 gel electrophoresis to reveal which DNA extracts had ampC genes amplified. The two most resistant isolates had their 16S rRNA sequenced, identified and were also profiled for plasmids by extracting plasmid DNA. Results: Results revealed that 96.67% of isolates had MAR index greater than 0.2 indicating high a risk source of contamination where antibiotics are often used. Results also showed the presence of ampC gene in seven (7) out of the twelve (12) isolates screened for ampC gene. Molecular characterization via sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the two (2) most resistant isolates confirmed that both isolates were strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Profiling of plasmids also revealed the presence of plasmid DNA of about 10 kilo base pairs in both isolates profiled. Conclusion: This study has revealed the resistance ability of Pseudomonas and some reasons behind this resistance. Appropriate investigation into antimicrobial resistance is recommended for the administration of drugs for the treatment of food-mediated Pseudomonas infections.

Safety Assessment of the Presence of Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutants in Vended Street Foods from Selected Locations in Lagos State Nigeria

Abstract: This study was aimed at investigating the presence of heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants in street-vended foods sourced from three selected locations in Lagos State, Nigeria, to ascertain their safety level. The study was carried out using complete randomization design and Cluster sampling technique to source vended street foods from three locations (Marina, Yaba and Apapa). The eight Food products studied were roasted (plantain, fish, yam, corn), suya meat, meat pie, egg roll and doughnuts. Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Mercury, Iron, Zinc and organic pollutants in Foods and particulate matter in Environment were examined. Heavy metals detected in vended street foods from Marina, Yaba and Apapa Lagos were; iron, copper, lead and zinc, at level ranging from 0.14 mg/kg–2.80 mg/kg, 0.08 mg/kg – 0.27 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg – 0.18 mg/kg, and 0.01 mg/kg – 0.04 mg/kg, respectively. Mercury and Cadmium were below detectable limit. Significantly (P<0.05) higher iron presence of 2.80 mg/kg and 1.99mg/kg were respectively, noticed in suya from Apapa and roasted fish also from Apapa. Significantly (P<0.05) higher lead (Pb) content of 0.18 mg/kg was observed in dough nut from Yaba, however, roasted plantain, roasted fish and meat pie all sourced from Yaba gave significantly (P<0.05) lower lead content of 0.01mg/kg. The Zinc content of roasted fish, suya and egg roll sourced from Marina, Yaba and Apapa were all significantly Original Research Article Oyet and Samuel; EJNFS, 12(6): 109-120, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.58932 110 (P<0.05) difference, with particular respect to food type. Higher iron content of 2.80 mg/kg was noticed in suya from Apapa. Volatile organic compounds (TPH, PAHs, Phenol) were observed to be below detectable limit (<0.001 mg/kg) in all the vended street food samples. Particulate matter in air; SPM, PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and VOCs ranged from 0.34 – 0.84 mg/m 3 , 0.32 – 0.56 mg/m 3 , 0.32 – 0.68 mg/m 0.33 – 0.79 mg/m and <0.001 – 0.24 mg/m, respectively. PM1 and PM25 from the three locations were not statistically significant (P>0.05). All the vended food samples had lead (Pb) content above the CODEX permissible limit of 0.01 mg/kg. The presence of high lead content in Vended Street food is a major source of occupational health hazards.

Changes in haematological characteristics of a bony fish, tilapia guineensis (bleeker, 1862), exposed to common pesticides in the Niger delta wetland, Nigeria

Abstract: This study is aimed at examining the effect of pesticide on a predominant fish in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The effects of cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos on Tilapia guineensis juveniles were evaluated using haematological parameters (erythrocyte and leucocyte numbers and haematocrit) of the fish. The fish was exposed to varying sub-lethal levels of the two pesticides (cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos) at different concentrations (0.0006, 0.00125, 0.0025, and 0.005 ppm) for 8 weeks to assess the effects of the pesticides on haematological status of the fish. The erythrocyte, leucocyte, and haematocrit of T. guineensis exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of the two toxicants declined with concentration. The variations between treatments observed for erythrocyte, leucocyte, and haematocrit were significant for both pesticides. The variations between cypermethrin treatments were F = 9.63 >P = 0.45 0.05 , F = 5.08 >P = 0.008 0.05 , and F = 11.03 >P = 0.002 0.05 for leucocyte, erythrocyte and haematocrit, respectively. Chlorpyrifos showed similar trend of F = 5.89 >P = 0.040.05, F = 9.04 > P = 0.004 0.05 , and F = 8.03 > P = 0.0009 0.05 for the same parameters. In addition, chlorpyrifos depressed concentrations of erythrocyte, leucocyte and haematocrit more than cypermethrin. Histological changes were observed in the erythrocyte of the fish. These conditions were more severe in the higher concentrations of the pesticide. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 37 2004: 59-67