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.

Sonographic measurement of ear length among normal fetuses of pregnant Igbo women in port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: Background: Fetal ear length measurement has been associated with some clinical values: sonographic marker for chromo- somal aneuploidy and for biometric estimation of fetal gestational age. Objectives: To establish a baseline reference value for fetal ear length and to assess relationship between fetal ear length and gestational age. Methods: Ear length measurements were obtained prospectively from fetuses in 551 normal singleton pregnancies of 15 to 41 weeks gestation. Normal cases were defined as normal sonographic findings during examination plus normal infant post-delivery. The relationship between gestational age (GA) in weeks and fetal ear length (FEL) in millimeters were analyzed by simple linear regression. Correlation of FEL measurements with GA, biparietal diameter (BPD), Head circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), Femur Length (FL) and maternal age (MA) were also obtained. Results: Linear relationships were found between FEL and GA (FEL=0.872GA-2.972). There was a high correlation between FEL and GA (r = 0.837; P = .001). Good linear relationship and strong positive correlation were demonstrated between FEL and BPD, AC, HC, and FL (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study provides normal baseline reference value for FEL. The study also showed good linear relationship and good correlation between FEL and fetal biometric measurements. Keywords: Fetal ear length; sonographic measurement; chromosomal aneuploidy.

Socio-demographic characteristics of adults screened for human immunodeficiency virus infection in Ahoada-East local government area in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the pathogen responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the most significant emerging infectious disease is causing health, social, and developmental problems to mankind. Aims, Setting and Design: This is a cross-sectional study to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of adults screened for HIV infection in Ahoada Community in Rivers State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: HIV antibodies were detected using Determine (Abbott Laboratories, Japan), Start-Pak (Chembio Diagnostics, USA) and SD Bioline HIV-1/2 kits (Standard Diagnostics, Korea). All test procedures were carried out according to the manufacturers' instructions. Subjects included 152) consecutively recruited adults consisting of 955 females and 566 males aged 18-54 years with a mean age of 36.25΁7.02 years. Statistical Analysis: Data were entered and analyzed using statistical package SPSS version 9. A P -value ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant in all statistical comparisms. Results and Conclusion: Out of a total of 1521 persons screened for HIV infection, 162 persons tested positive for HIV (10.6%). HIV infection was higher among females (10.9%) compared to males (10.1%) and in the 25-34 and 45-60 years age groups (11.1%) ( P = 0.08). HIV-1 was the predominant subtype (74%) compared to 26% for dual HIV-1 and 2. This study indicates the urgent need for both government and non-governmental organizations to intensify awareness campaign programme to reduce the spread of the HIV infection in the area with emphasis on behavioral change and economic empowerment of the people as well as provision of universal access to antiretroviral therapy for those with HIV infection.

Growth Performance of Eleven Improved Cassava Varieties and their susceptibility to Some Insect Pests and Diseases in Humid Tropics, Rivers State,

Abstract: Study on the agronomic evaluation and disease resistance of eleven improved cassava varieties was carried out in Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The eleven varieties assessed are TMS 30572, TMS 98/0510, TMS 98/0581, TMS 98/0505, TMS 92/0326, TME 419, TMS 01/1371, TMS 01/1368, TMS 07/0593, TMS 95/0289 and TMS 96/1632 were evaluated for plant height, leaf number, number of branches, number of flowers, insect infestation and disease incidence. The plant height of the cassava varieties revealed that eight varieties (TMS 01/1371, TMS 01/1368, TMS 30572, TME 419, TMS 98/0505, TMS 96/1632, TMS 98/0510 and TMS 07/0593) are tall varieties while TMS 98/0581, TMS 92/0326 and TMS 95/0289 are short varieties. The highest leaf number was recorded in TMS 01/1371 but the tall varieties like TMS 01/1368, TMS 96/1632 and TME 419 had low leaf number. TMS 98/0581, TMS 92/0326 and TMS 95/0289 were shown to have scanty leaves. TMS 01/1371 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other varieties in plant height, leaf number and branches. Four varieties flowered namely TMS 07/0593, TMS 01/1371, TMS 30572 and TMS 98/0505. TMS 30572 and TMS 92/0326 were highly susceptible to both African Cassava Mosaic and Xanthomona sp. (Bacterial blight diseases) while TMS 95/0289, TMS 01/1368 and TMS 98/0505 were less susceptible to African Cassava Mosaic virus disease alone. Insect infestations (White fly: Bemisia sp. and Mealybugs: Phenacoccus sp.) on the tested varieties were significantly minimal though five cultivars (TMS 98/0505, TMS 96/1632, TMS 98/0510, TMS 98/0581 and TMS 95/0289) were completely resistant. Therefore, there is urgent need to withdraw the varieties that are susceptible, and use more of the varieties that are disease resistant for high crop yield, breeding and higher productivity.