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.

Prevalence Rate of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Women Attending Abia State Teaching Hospital Aba, Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Most women regard any secretion from the vagina as abnormal discharge and the first task for primary health care giver is to confirm whether it is physiological or pathological. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate of Candida infection among women, attending Abia State teaching hospital, Abayi Aba. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic data. Methodology: One hundred high vaginal swab samples were collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic non-pregnant women between ages 15-45 years old. These specimens were analyzed with standard microbiological techniques. The swabs were inoculated on sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated at 37 degrees centigrade for 48hrs. Wet preparation was examined microscopically for presence of yeast cells. Gram staining was also done. Germ tube test was carried out to confirm Candida albicans species. Results: Of the 100 specimens analyzed, the overall prevalence of Candida species was 57% (n=57). There were 47 symptomatic participants and 53 asymptomatic participants in the study. Of the 47 symptomatic women, 36 had Candida species while 21 out of 53 asymptomatic women had Candida species. The participants were also grouped according to their socio-economic status and the result revealed that traders were most affected with prevalence rate of 35.1% while the housewives were least affected with prevalence rate of 14.0%. Conclusion: This study recorded higher prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among both symptomatic and asymptomatic non-pregnant women in Abia State teaching hospital. Regular checkup and good hygiene practice are critical in order to forestall avoidable complications.

Marketing of Financial Service: Evidence from Nigeria Financial Market

Abstract: Nigeria financial market is emerging, the growth in institutions and products require a marketing strategy that will meet the needs of growing population. This study examined marketing of financial services. It discussed financial service products, segmentation of financial products, brands in financial market, financial service marketing environment, marketing of financial service through the internet, distribution channels of financial products, strength, weakness, opportunities and threat of Nigeria financial market, the needs for marketing of financial services, features of financial products and pricing of financial products. The study concludes that marketing of financial services is a determinant of financial inclusion, therefore policies and strategies should be advanced by management and regulators in the financial market.

Effect of presensitization of Nocardia asteroides with specific antibody on the viability of the organism.

Abstract: Nocardia asteroides from various growth phases was treated in vitro with normal rabbit sera, immune rabbit sera containing nocardial polyclonal antibodies and a monoclonal antibody. At intervals, samples were grown in broth or on blood agar plates to determine their viability. Log and stationary phase cells were injected intra-peritoneally into female BALB/c mice and their survival rates in the liver and spleen were determined. Presensitization with antibodies reduced the viability of the log phase cells by 48% and that of the late stationary phase by 4%. The antibody-treated log phase organisms were less viable on the blood agar medium and in the spleen and liver than the control organisms. This indicates that pretreatment with antibody has a lethal effect on N. asteroides and affects its survival in vivo.

Effect of Temperature and Total Solid Contents on the Apparent Viscosity of Coconut Milk Yoghurts

Abstract: Procedures for the preparation and rheological characterisation of coconut milk yoghurts are described. Coconut milk was fortified with soymilk, 50:50 (v/v/)% (coconut milk:soymilk), Nonfat dry milk, 60:40 (coconut milk:Nonfat dry milk), while whole coconut milk served as control. Milk preparations were homogenized, heated to 40, 60 and 80oC for 30 mins, inoculated with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and incubated at 43oC to attain pH 4.6. Rheological properties of yoghurts were studied at temperatures ranging from 10 – 80oC. All samples exhibited a pseudo plastic behaviour and described by a power law model. The effect of temperature on apparent viscosity was explained by a polynomial equation and gave a better fit than the Arrhenius relationship. The consistency coefficient exhibits strong dependence on temperature for which the activation energy of flow ranged from 4.57– 6.47kJ/mol. The flow behaviour index was low and nearly constant (~ 0.78) up to 40oC and then decreased with further increase in temperature.