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.

Changes in Tissue Erythropoietin and Some Haematological Parameters in Chronic Kidney Disease Subjects on Blood Transfusion in Port-Harcourt

Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of time. The kidney chiefly secretes erythropoietin (EPO) which is a glycoprotein hormone that acts on the bone marrow cells resulting in red blood cell formation. Anaemia is a major complication in CKD. The aim of this study was to assess changes in erythropoietin levels in chronic kidney disease patients on blood transfusion attending health care in Port Harcourt. A total of one hundred and fifty two (152) subjects were recruited for this study. One hundred and twenty two (122) subjects were recruited from those confirmed with renal diseases from the Urology Department of the hospital. Thirty eight (38) subjects were non-transfused with blood and eighty four (84) subjects were multitransfused Original Research Article Eze et al.; AHRJ, 2(2): 1-10, 2019; Article no.AHRJ.49638 2 with blood. Thirty subjects were apparently healthy controls. EPO was determined by sandwich ELISA method while the full blood count was determined using haematology autoanalyser, Mindray BC-6800..The results were statistically analyzed using GraphPad prism version 5.0 and statistical significance set at P<0.05. The result showed a significant decreased (p<0.0001) in EPO level in multitransfused and non-transfused subjects with mean values of 4.95±2.95 mIU/Land 6.32±2.66 mIU/L respectively compared to control 10.51±3.05 mIU/L. On assessment of the haematological characteristics, erythropoietin secretions of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the mean haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobn concentration and red cell count for the multiple transfused CKD were respectively found to be significantly lower compared to that of nontransfused. This could be due to impaired erythropoietin secretion and other factors which suppress marrow erythropoiesis and shortened red cell survival in CKD which was directly associated with a decrease in red cell count and subsequent reduction in the haematocrit level. Transfusion improves anaemia through the increase in haemoglobin and hepcidin and as well suppresses erythropoiesis with an eventual decrease in erythropoietin and growth differentiation. It is therefore concluded that transfusion does not improve anaemia in CKD subjects.

Modelling the Effect of Time Overrun and Inflation Rate on Completion Cost of Construction Projects in Nigeria

Abstract: Variations in approved cost of projects are common and could be triggered by a fluctuation in interest rates and variation project duration. The paper aimed to explain the effect of time overrun (TO) and inflation rate on project completion cost (PCO). Variations in costs and durations of projects were calculated for 250 government and private building projects executed between 2005 and 2015, while inflation rates for the last quarter of these years were used. A multiple regression analysis of cost overrun as the endogenous variable, with time overrun and inflation rates as the exogenous variable was conducted for private and government funded projects. The result revealed that the cost overrun can be predicted by the equations; predicted private cost overrun = -669673.60 + 50182.35 (time overrun) + 106690.20 (inflation rate), and predicted government cost overrun = -9805996 – 148721.90 (time overrun) + 1266038 (inflation rate) respectively for private and government funded projects. Also, while there is an evidence of significant relationship between completion cost of projects and variations in time and inflation rate for both private and government funded projects, the mean variations between time overrun and inflation rate viz-a-viz completion cost are not equal for private and government funded projects.

Environmental Security and Sustainability of Community Resources in Nigeria. Promoting Community Participation through Adult Environmental Education.

Abstract: This paper examines the question of how daily human activities have created environmental insecurity and the implications for the sustainability of community resources in Nigeria. Particular reference is made to examples in Rivers State and Ebonyi State. Through its different agencies working at state and local levels the government has started to introduce various measures to monitor the effects of human activities on the environment and resources in the state. In this respect, we discuss the introduction of adult environmental education programmes for environmental sustainability and security. When adults receive adequate information through awareness-raising activities, we consider how they can be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage the environment in a sustainable manner and prevent environmental insecurity.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Role of Citrullus lanatus and Annona muricata Fruit Extracts on Cyhalothrin-induced Toxicity

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic role of Citrullus lanatus and Annona muricata fruit Extracts on Cyhalothrin-induced Toxicity. Experimental Design: The study was a completely randomized design employing relevant statistical tools for analysis and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Reproductive Physiology and Genetics Research Laboratory of the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Rivers State. The experiment lasted for 35 days. Methodology: The body weight of the animals was monitored and recorded twice a week throughout the duration of the experiment. For Biochemical analysis, blood samples were collected by ocular puncture into sterile tubes and serum separated by centrifugation at 2500 g for 10 mins and stored for determination of some liver biomarkers including ALT, ALP, AST, Total Cholesterol and Glucose using their respective kits. For histopathological analysis of Liver and Testis 0.5 g of the each organ was fixed in 10% neutral formalin and sectioned with a digital microtome (AO Spencer, No. 820) at 5 μm thick. Histological sections mounted on slides were stained with Original Research Article Titus et al.; JABB, 22(4): 1-10, 2019; Article no.JABB.53404 2 Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Photomicrographs were generated at X40 magnification and interpreted. Data from biochemical analyses were subjected to one-way ANOVA. Results: All experimental animals showed a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in body weight throughout the experimental period. The range of values for Organ weight observed in the other treatmental groups were closer to that of the control group than the group exposed to Cyhalothrin only. The level of ALP, AST and ALT significantly p<0.05) increased in groups exposed to Cyhalothrin only but reduced with administration of 100% Citrullus lanatus and Annona muricata extract. Plate 1A shows the normal architecture of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic elements in the control group, the Seminiferous tubules and epithelium of the group exposed to cyhalothrin only is characterized with large vacuoles devoid of spermatogenic elements. Testicular tissue of animals co-administered Citrullus lantanus and Annona muricata extracts shows regenerating epithelium filled with maturing spermatozoa.. Photomicrograph of the liver epithelium in the control group shows normal architecture of liver cell filled with normal hepatocytes. Hepatocytes degeneration and lesion in the liver cells of animals exposed to Cyhalothrin only was observed (Plate 2B). Plate 2C and D showed regeneration of hepatocytes with fewer lesion in the liver epithelium while fully regenerated liver epithelium of animals was observed in Plate 2 E. Conclusion: Cyhalothrin may not have obvious effect on the organ weights, body weight and gonadosomatic indices but silently destroys target cells of the body overtime. Cyhalothin induced oxidative and reproductive stress in exposed animals while from the groups co-administered Citrullus lanatus and Annona muricata the therapeutic role of this indigenous fruits on Cyhalothininduced toxicity was observed both in the liver and testicular epithelium and therefore can be used as Supplement and a suitable first aid for pesticide related poisoning.

Assessment of rural livelihoods in oil producing communities of Rivers state, Nigeria.

Abstract: The study assessed rural livelihoods in oil producing communities of Rivers state. A structured interview schedule was utilized in obtaining information from two hundred respondents. Multi- stage sampling procedure was employed in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study established that 64.5% of the respondents in the upland oil producing communities had farming as their economic livelihood while 74.2% of the respondents in the coastal oil producing communities had fishing as their main occupation in the 80s. At present (2010), the percentage of those involved in farming in the upland oil producing communities have reduced from 64.5% in the 80s to 21.6% in 2010 while a higher percentage (61.3%) are now civil/public servants. Also, the percentage of those fishing in the coastal oil producing communities has reduced from 74.2% in the 80s to 18.4% in 2010 while a great percentage (55.6%) of the respondents is now civil/public servants. The causes for these changes were land degradation, low agricultural produce, socio economic effects of oil prospect and land displacement. It is therefore recommended that the oil producing communities should use fertilizer to improve the nutritional content of the soil.