University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Prevalence of dermatophytic fungal infections in children: a recent study in Anambra state, Nigeria.

Abstract: We conducted a recent survey of dermatological fungal infections amongst children in both urban and rural parts of Anambra State in the south-east geographical flank of Nigeria during the period January 2003 to December 2003 Samples were collected from 1624 children with clinically suggestive lesions and also between the ages of 4 and 16 Young children aged 7–11 and 4– 6 years had significantly higher incidences (P < 005) than their older colleagues aged 12–16 years among samples proved to be mycologically positive by microscopy, culture or both There was a significant difference in the incidence of dermatophytoses amongst children in urban and rural areas investigated (P < 005) Tinea capitis was the predominant clinical type Trichophyton tonsurans was the most prevalent etiological agent while Microsporum audouinii was the least in occurrence We compared our result with a recent study in the northern geographical zone and observed that although incidence of dermatophytoses is higher in northern Nigeria, tinea capitis was the predominant clinical type in both regions In addition, the etiological agents appear to vary from time to time in their occurrence and the reasons for these observations are discussed A regular surveillance and assessment of the etiologic agent and its prevalence by medical mycologists is strongly recommended to facilitate monitoring, reduce/prevent transmission and spread of dermatophytes in countries like Nigeria where they constitute a public health problem

Oxidative stress, biochemical, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant responses in Clarias gariepinus exposed to acute concentrations of ivermectin

Abstract: The short-term effects of ivermectin (IVMT) on the oxidative stress and biochemical parameters of Clarias gariepinus juvenile was assessed under semi-static conditions at concentrations of 9 to 25 μg L−1 for up to 4 days. Juveniles were highly sensitive to ivermectin, with an LC50 of 15 μg L−1.The antioxidant enzyme profile assessed included glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). General stress biomarkers such as serum glucose, protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also determined at 24-h, 48-h, 72-h, and 96-h exposure durations. Lipid peroxidation showed significant (p < 0.05) decreases in higher concentrations (21 μg L−1and 25 μg L−1) and durations of exposure (72 h and 96 h). Significant concentration-dependent increases (p < 0.05) were recorded in the liver function enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) when compared to the control. GPx decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in higher concentrations (21 μg L−1and 25 μg L−1) and durations of exposure (48–96 h). Protein showed significant concentration-dependent decreases, while glucose recorded a mixed trend. The changes in the hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and serum metabolites were indicative of oxidative stress induced by IVMT. This showed that IVMT is toxic to fish and should be used with utmost caution.

Impact of environmental cadmium, lead, copper and zinc on quality of goat meat in Nigeria

Abstract: This study evaluated the levels of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in the muscles and edible offal’s of goat bred from Nigeria. The samples were digested with a 3:1 mixture of HCl and HNO 3 and analysed with a Unicam Solar 32 AAS. The results obtained expressed in mgkg -1 showed that kidney had the highest mean concentration of 0.83 ranging from 0.07-3.08 for cadmium, 0.53 from nd-0.63 for lead; while liver had 134.02 ranging from 26.36-398.16 for copper and muscle 131.55 from nd-417.00 for zinc. Most of the samples studied were found to have these metals above the permissible limits set by some regulatory bodies. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed significant correlation (p KEY WORDS : Heavy metals, Goat muscles, Edible offal’s, Environmental impact Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2010 , 24(1), 133-138.