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.

You may not refuse a blood transfusion if you are a Nigerian child: A comment on Esanubor v Faweya

Abstract: This comment examines a decision of the Nigerian Court of Appeal that a Nigerian child is not entitled to refuse a blood transfusion. The comment notes that the decision was handed down at a time when the Child Rights Law was in operation and that, had this legislation been taken into consideration, the best interests of the child would have led to a more nuanced interpretation and guidance on conditions under which a Nigerian child, in furtherance of the right to freedom of religion, may refuse a blood transfusion.

Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Developing Curriculum for Peace

Abstract: This paper discusses the issues of peace building in our cotemporary society and highlights the importance of peaceful co-existence in a multi-plural configuration like Nigeria. In this article, peace is viewed more in terms of ideological inclination at solving societal problems rather than merely chronicling incidence of war and other conflicts that might be a time bomb for resolving political, economic, social as well as religious differences in society. The paper emphases the value of peace in a democracy as this has the mechanism and the capacity to resolve global and regional issues that might give rise to conflict situation arising from lack of justice, equity and fairness in human interaction. Finally this paper sees a clear link between developing a positive attitude towards peace and peaceful co-existence and the obvious need to gradually tailor our curriculum along that direction.

Application of human resource planning in academic libraries in ogun state: prospects and challenge

Abstract: Human resource planning plays a very significant role in sustaining competent employees in academic libraries in order to provide service quality to users. Academic libraries as the name imply operates in higher institutions of learning to meet the teeming information need of students, staff and the institution community member at large. The library function to provide information need of users at a minimum time. Human resource are essential component required for the smooth running of the library, when there are no skilled professionals in the library the service dwindles and users are discouraged to use the library. Therefore, in order to provide astute service to users especially providing users with timely information, professional should be employed and sustained in the academic library to reduce illiterate in our society. Thus, human resource planning is the own means through which competent professionals are sustained in the library to bring about growth and development of the economy. Therefore, it is essential to plan for the present and the future of human resource present in academic libraries in Nigeria in order to improve on their service to uses. Despite all the hurdles in education in Nigeria that has led to down turn of academic libraries, when human resource planning is rightly incorporated in the library will make a lot of difference that lead to users satisfaction.

Biochemical and Oxidative Changes in High Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Metformin and the Polyherbal Diawell

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is an epidemic, with a huge disease burden on the patients. This has led to an increase in the use of herbal remedies and combination therapies to reduce this burden. Aim: This study evaluates the biochemical and oxidative changes in type 2 diabetic rats, treated with metformin and the polyherbal drug diawell. Methodology: A total of 35 male Wistar albino rats weighing between 120-220 g were used for this study. The rats were placed on high fat diet, and diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg body wt). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the glucose oxidase method. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was determined by the ratio of TOS to TAS. Phytochemical analysis was also done on the herbal tablet. Results: Mean FPG levels were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups, except the group administered diawell, which was not significantly different (p>0.05), compared to the diabetic control. Mean FPG levels were significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the metformin group, diawell group, but showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the combination group, compared to the negative control. HOMA-IR was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The metformin and diawell groups had significantly higher (p˂0.05) HOMA-IR values, whereas the combination (metformin + diawell) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the negative control. TOS was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The metformin and diawell groups had significantly higher (p˂0.05) TOS values, whereas the combination (metformin + diawell) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the negative control. There was significantly lower (p˂0.05) TAS levels in the diabetic and treatment groups, compared to the negative control. OSI values were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups when compared to the diabetic control. Also, OSI values were significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the negative control. Conclusion: There was depletion of antioxidant parameters and an increase in oxidative stress in the diabetic rats. Administration of metformin and the polyherbal tablet diawell individually, were not effective in correcting the pathological and biochemical changes associated with diabetes. However, the combination treatment produced a better glycaemic response and attenuated the oxidant status in the rats. Antioxidant therapy should be incorporated in diabetes management, and anti-diabetic herbals properly evaluated.