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.

Evaluating the Risk of Candida albicans Associated with Gestation amongst Women in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria

Abstract: Candidiasis is increasingly affecting women in developing countries, due to several factors relating to environmental and physiological conditions of the individual. Knowledge of the factors influencing the epidemiology of Candida spp. will be useful in formulating public health measures targeted at reducing the incidence of Candidiasis. This study was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence of Candida albicans amongst women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in order to decipher the epidemiology of Candida albicans in relation to age and gestation. A total of seventy (140) vaginal swab samples were collected from 70 pregnant and 70 non-pregnant women in Port Harcourt, and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The result showed that 36% of the total women studied had Candida albicans while 64% were negative. In the overall analysis, the distribution of the yeast was 43% prevalent in pregnant and 29% in non-pregnant women. The risk of Candidiasis in pregnancy was evaluated using the Odds Ratio (OR) and was determined to be 1.88. Also, a paired sample t-test indicated a positive and strong statistical relationship between age distribution and the presence of Candida albicans in women, with a correlation coefficient of Original Research Article Sampson and George; IJPR, 3(4): 1-7, 2019; Article no.IJPR.54597 2 0.911 (91.1%) (ρ< 0.05), indicating a higher incidence among the older group, albeit lower in age groups close to menopause. The study concluded that the prevalence is higher in pregnant women, with a significant relationship with age. Regular screening of women for Candida spp. should be advocated and women should as well avoid conditions that dispose them to genital tract infections.

Assessment of Fungi Associated with Bakery Products in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract: Bakery products such as bread, cakes, etc are staple foods consumed by both the poor and rich. Bread and other bakery products are subject to fungal contamination. This study is aimed at identifying the different fungi associated with bakery products in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Sampling was done once monthly for three months, January to March for twenty-three (23) bakery products. Various bakery products were collected from different locations (Abacha Road, Ikwerre Road and Mile 3) in Port Harcourt Metropolis for enumeration, isolation and identification of different fungi that cause spoilage of the bakery products. In the month of January, bread samples had the following fungal counts: 2.0x10 6 sfu/g, 1.0 x10 6 sfu/g, 2.0x10 6 sfu/g, 1.0x10 6 sfu/g, 1.0x10sfu/g and 3.0x10sfu/g. The lowest count was 1.0 x10sfu/g and the highest count was 3.0 x10 6 sfu/g with mean values of 1.07±1.00 a and 2.5±0.55 a , respectively. During the study, ten (10) different species of fungi were identified. The species are in eight (8) genera, Aspergillus (39.2%), Fusarium(10.5%), Penicillum(5.7%), Mucor(13.4%), Eurotium (8.1%), Cladosporium (8.1%), Alternaria (3.3%), and Rhizopus (11.5%) species. Statistically, there was a significant difference Original Research Article Galley Proof Williams et al.; MRJI, 30(11): 12-18, 2020; Article no.MRJI.63427 13 comparing the growth of the organisms in Abacha Road (2.00±0.89), Ikwerre Road (5.80±83) and Mile 3 (4.03±1.23 a ). It was observed that Abacha Road had the lowest counts of the fungi. There was an increased count in Ikwerre Road as well as Mile 3 compared to Abacha Road. Therefore, Abacha Road < Ikwerre Road ≥ Mile 3 based on the analysis of variance.

Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease among University Students in Port Harcourt

Abstract: Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary haemoglobinopathy that has been related with significant mortality in Nigeria. Knowledge on cause, prevention and risk factors are important for adequate control of the occurrence of SCD. Methods: A cross sectional study on the awareness of SCD was carried out among undergraduate students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to 146 students. Results: The study showed that 97.9% claim to have heard about sickle cell, while 68.5% indicated that the source of information on sickle cell was in school. One hundred and twenty-seven (87%) indicated that SCD describes abnormal blood cells. In 68.5% the source of information on SCD was in school. Only 42% had a good awareness on SCD. Students of male gender, of less than 20 years, with less average family income were more likely to have poor awareness of SCD. Conclusion: The study shows the need for improved awareness on SCD and increased awareness campaigns on every available media platform. Original Research Article Abiye et al.; IBRR, 11(1): 22-30, 2020; Article no.IBRR.56324 23

Evaluation of Anti-oxidant Enzymes, Lipid Peroxidation, Lipid Profile and Liver Function in Albino Rats Orally Administered Tartrazine

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the anti-oxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, lipid profile and liver function in albino rats orally administered tartrazine. Study Design: A total number of 63 female albino rats weighing approximately 0.2 kg were used for this study. The study was divided into two phases, phase 1 which lasted for the first 30 days, comprised of 35 rats, 20 rats were used as test group while 15 rats served as the control group. Phase 2 of the study was for 60 days and 28 rats were used with 16 as test group and 12 as the control. The test groups were orally administered with 7.5 mg/kg of tartrazine (ADI) daily over the specified periods while the control groups were not treated with tartrazine but given only food and water. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria within a period of 12 months (Feb., 2019 – Jan., 2020). Methodology: At the end of the study, 5 mls of whole blood specimens was collected by means of cardiac puncture into plain bottles. To obtain the serum, the whole blood samples were allowed to clot and later dislodged and spun at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes. The collected serum specimens were used to analyze SOD, MDA, GPX, ALT, GGT, ALP, TG, TCHOL, and HDL-C, while LDL-C was calculated using Friedwald equation. Results: The chronic treatment of rats with tartrazine azo food dye at the ADI dose caused an increase in MDA levels after 30 and 60 days test rats compared to the control, while TCHOL and HDL-C showed significant decrease after 30 and 60 days of treatment in the test group compared to the control group. In addition, ALT indicated significant increase in test group after 60 days of treatment compared to control group. ALP, GGT, TG, LDL-C, SOD and GPX showed no significant difference after 30, and 60 days of treatment at ADI doses. Histologic examination of the liver indicated hydropic dilation, degenerating hepatocyes and infiltration of central vein with parenchymal materials alongside kupffer cells. Conclusion: The results from this study revealed that orally administered tartrazine at the recommended ADI dose increased lipid peroxidation as seen in the elevated MDA levels. Hepatic derangements were also seen as revealed by increased ALT and histologic distortions as well fall in TCHOL and HDL-C lipid fractions.

Hormonal responses of broiler chickens to simulated crude petroleum flame and fumes

Abstract: Hormonal responses of broiler chickens exposed to crude petroleum flame and fumes at varying distances over a period of 16 h daily were evaluated for 56 days in a poultry house. The burning of crude petroleum was simulated in a designed burner. The measured distances were 4, 8, or 12 m from the flame point. The experimental design was a two-factor factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) with factor A as distance from the crude petroleum flame and factor B was the age of birds in weeks. One hundred and eighty Anak day-old broiler chickens were divided into four groups of 45 birds each, replicated thrice at 15 birds per replicate. Control birds were located in a separate poultry building without the flame treatment. Gaseous emissions from the burning crude oil were monitored. Proprietary broiler starter and finisher diets were fed ad libitum. Blood samples were taken at the fourth and eighth week for hormone radioimmunoassay from each treatment. The hormones assayed were growth hormone (GH), thyro...