bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of erysipelas prophylaxis depends on the cumulative dose of benzathine penicillin G
Authors: Bednarska Agnieszka , Sosińska-Bryła Iwona , Grąbczewski Paweł , Podlasin Regina , Paciorek Marcin , Bursa Dominik , Hackiewicz Małgorzata , Makowiecki Michał , Horban Andrzej
Published: March 2022

Erysipelas is an acute infection due to S. pyogenes and is characterized by a high risk of relapses. The number of patients suffering from one or more recurrences varied depending on the study and accounted for between 16% and 47% of the total number of those affected. Antibiotic prophylaxis with the use of penicillin can reduce the risk of recurrence by 47%. A number of 873 patients with erysipelas treated at the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw from 2010 to 2018 was enrolled in the study. Benzathine-penicillin G was given intramuscularly at a dose of 1.2 MU or 2.4 MU or 3.6 MU. The earliest moment that prophylactic treatment was administered was the first episode of erysipelas recurrence. The decision to administer the antibiotic and the dose to use was discretionally made by the examining physician. Altogether 104 (11.9%) persons experienced at least one episode of erysipelas recurrence during the study period. A total of 2976 doses of benzathine- penicillin G (BP) were administered. The most common dose was that of 2.4 MU (2380, 80%). The dose of 1.2 MU was given 567 times (19%). The highest dose, i.e. 3.6 MU, was administered to only 5 patients (8 applications, 0.2%). No effect was shown by either the number of benzathine- penicillin G administered doses (p=0.07) or the median dose (p=0.65), whereas patients without relapse received a statistically higher cumulative dose of the antibiotic (p=0.047). Age was a risk factor of recurrence only in the group of diabetic patients (p=0.03). Benzathine penicillin G given in an appropriate cumulative dose is effective in preventing erysipelas recurrence.
Maranda’s theorem for pure-injective modules and duality
Authors: Gregory Lorna
Published: March 2022

Let R be a discrete valuation domain with field of fractions Q and maximal ideal generated by
$\pi $
. Let
$\Lambda $
be an R-order such that
$Q\Lambda $
is a separable Q-algebra. Maranda showed that there exists
$k\in \mathbb {N}$
such that for all
$\Lambda $
-lattices L and M, if
$L/L\pi ^k\simeq M/M\pi ^k$
, then
$L\simeq M$
. Moreover, if R is complete and L is an indecomposable
$\Lambda $
-lattice, then
$L/L\pi ^k$
is also indecomposable. We extend Maranda’s theorem to the class of R-reduced R-torsion-free pure-injective
$\Lambda $
-modules.

As an application of this extension, we show that if
$\Lambda $
is an order over a Dedekind domain R with field of fractions Q such that
$Q\Lambda $
is separable, then the lattice of open subsets of the R-torsion-free part of the right Ziegler spectrum of
$\Lambda $
is isomorphic to the lattice of open subsets of the R-torsion-free part of the left Ziegler spectrum of
$\Lambda $
.

Furthermore, with k as in Maranda’s theorem, we show that if M is R-torsion-free and
$H(M)$
is the pure-injective hull of M, then
$H(M)/H(M)\pi ^k$
is the pure-injective hull of
$M/M\pi ^k$
. We use this result to give a characterization of R-torsion-free pure-injective
$\Lambda $
-modules and describe the pure-injective hulls of certain R-torsion-free
$\Lambda $
-modules.
Gastric Cancer in Older Patients: A Retrospective Study and Literature Review
Authors: Choi Yonghoon , Kim Nayoung , Kim Ki Wook , Jo Hyeong Ho , Park Jaehyung , Yoon Hyuk , Shin Cheol Min , Park Young Soo , Lee Dong Ho
Published: March 2022

Background: With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) in older adults is increasing. This study analyzed differences in GC characteristics according to age and sex among patients who underwent surgical treatment for GC.Methods: A total of 2,983 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2003 and 2017 were classified into three groups: I (<65 years, n=1,680), II (60–74 years, n=919), and III (≥75 years, n=384). We compared the baseline clinical characteristics, pathological characteristics of the tumor, overall and GC-specific survival rates, and associated risk factors between the groups.Results: Cancer of the distal third of the stomach (p<0.001), with intestinal-type histology (p<0.001), and with p53 overexpression (p=0.004) were more common in groups II and III than in group I, and the proportion of intestinal-type GC increased with age. The cancer type, lymph node metastasis, and cancer stage did not differ significantly. In terms of overall survival, survival decreased with increasing age (p<0.001), but this difference decreased significantly for GC-specific survival. Cox multivariate analyses revealed age, histologic type (diffuse or mixed type), and advanced cancer stage (p=0.002, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively) as risk factors for GC-related mortalityConclusion: Age itself was found to be one of the most important prognostic factors for overall and disease-specific survival in elderly GC patients, along with cancer stage.
Oxygen therapy for sepsis and prevention of complications
Authors: Minasyan Hayk
Published: March 2022

Patients with sepsis have a wide range of respiratory disorders that can be treated with oxygen therapy. Experimental data in animal sepsis models show that oxygen therapy significantly increases survival, while clinical data on the use of different oxygen therapy protocols are ambiguous. Oxygen therapy, especially hyperbaric oxygenation, in patients with sepsis can aggravate existing oxidative stress and contribute to the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The purpose of this article is to compare experimental and clinical data on oxygen therapy in animals and humans, to discuss factors that can influence the results of oxygen therapy for sepsis treatment in humans, and to provide some recommendations for reducing oxidative stress and preventing disseminated intravascular coagulation during oxygen therapy.
A grammatical investigation of possessive cases in English and Okpameri
Authors: Farinde Raifu O. , Omolaiye Happy O.
Published: March 2022

Possessive cases are words that indicate or show possession. Hence, “hers”, “her” and “Ojo’s” are some examples of possessive cases. These possessive cases indicate grammatical property of language. The usage of these cases in utterance varies in languages. Hence, they variations often pose problem to ESL learners. Predicating on Contrastive Analysis Theory, the study generated Okpameri data from oral sources and participatory  observation of the researchers in natural  Setting. English data were got from the English grammar texts. The areas of investigation were Possessive Pronouns, Possessive Adjectives and Possessive Nouns. From the findings, the two languages under study are grammatically marked for possessive  cases with reference to 1st, 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural numbers. However, the usage of these cases differs. While English is gender  sensitive, this is not so in Okpameri language as Okpameri resorts to using uni-gender to indicate possession. Okpameri possessive pronouns and  adjectives have different morphological forms representing persons (e.g 1st person singular). Not all forms of possessive cases are capable of co-  occuring with every noun. While Okpameri distinguishes between subject and complement possessive cases, this is not so in English. The study,  therefore, suggests that language teachers, particularly, English language experts should adopt systematic approach to the teaching of possessive  cases as this will further broaden the Okpameri ESL learners’ knowledge on how to use the English possessive cases.
What a sound! Diegetic and non-diegetic music in the films of Túndé Kèlání
Authors: Samuel Kayode M. , Adejube Samuel A.
Published: March 2022

The agency of music to effectively convey ideas in movies and articulate visual-emotional experience of the audience during mise-en-scene has long been established. Existing studies have focused more on the elements that characterize film as a visual experience, than on the diegetic  (foreground) and non-diegetic (background) music, especially along their aural aesthetic lines. This article, therefore, investigated the aesthetic  connections between traditional and performative significations of music in selected movies of Túndé Kèlání, one of Nigeria’s foremost  cinematographers. Using a qualitative (videographic) research design, three movies, Ti Oluwa N’ile, Saworo Ide and K’oseegbe, were purposively  selected, based on their unique aesthetic traits and distinct cultural identity quality, for content analysis. A close reading of the musical and textual  data was done. Findings revealed that cultural themes in the movies, bordering on entertainment, rituals, politics, philosophy, didactic, panegyric and  dirge, were projected through African and Western musical instruments, while folklore and folksongs constituted major sources of materials  and cultural signifier. The authors argue that examples of the dialectic and sequential troughs in the performance of music exemplify aesthetic  reinforcement, not only in terms of the didactic functionality it expresses, but also in what it conceals.
Discourse study of linguistic errors in Vanguard online readers’ comments on the alleged 2012 fuel subsidy committee bribery scandal
Authors: Akpati Chibuzor Franklin , Adegboye Janet Abimbola
Published: March 2022

The study identifies common linguistic errors among online commenters. It analyses and interprets the identified errors. It relates the interpreted  errors to the socio political context of Nigeria. This was done with a view to investigating how these discussed errors were used by online  commenters on the alleged national assembly fuel subsidy committee bribery scandal. The study employed both primary and secondary sources of  data. The primary source includes 20 purposively selected readers’ comments on news reports from the Vanguard online. The secondary source  includes books, journal articles and the Internet. Data were analysed using Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar approach. The study discovers  that errors such as faulty sentence constructions, wrong use of, punctuation marks and spellings were used by commenters.
Pragma-semiotic analysis of equivocality in Tess Onwueme’s drama
Authors: Mábáwínkú Olúwafúnminíyì
Published: March 2022

This paper analyses the ‘meanings within meaning’ as it reflects in the use of language as a verbal sign signal that colours Onwueme’s drama and  to which she explores part of semiotics as a vital aspect of her works. Onwueme uses cultural mimesis in expressing meaning in her plays. This is so  as her drama is fashioned towards imitation of certain aspects of her culture. Her techniques match her intention as this reflects in her characters’  depiction and artistry aesthetics which is ebullient. This ploy assists in explaining and discovering in-depth meanings tucked within her works as a  correlation of the realities in the society. A dose of her cultural mimesis consequently becomes a sign signal which is relevant and complementary to  the main action as expressed by the spoken words. The signals provided by the verbal mode through the signs have opened up a wealth of new  and revealing information on communication and dramatic principles.
Socio-political consideration of Kunle Afolayan’s directorial experiment in October 1
Authors: Akpore Nicholas Efe , Oyewo Adewale
Published: March 2022

This article posits that Kunle Afolayan’s directorial experimentation in October 1 had socio-political underpinnings. Among others, it X-rays the directorial style of Kunle Afolayan and initiates a syncretism of Afolayan’s directorial experimentation in October 1 and the sole objective of  galvanizing the masses towards a radical socio-political change. The paper brings to the fore that Kunle Afolayan’s directing is hinged on the via-  media theory which allows the director to negotiate freely; this in turn made his film a huge success. The paper submits that Kunle Afolayan as a  director roots his directorial experiments in October 1 on the socio-political rejuvenation of Nigeria and his penchant for the projection of African  cultural aesthetics was not left out.
Shall our dance heal us? Thematic explorations of cultural diversity for national unity in selected dances at NAFEST 2012
Authors: Tume Tosin Kooshima
Published: March 2022

Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, managing its cultural diversity has proved to be onerous. Hence, one of the tasks imposed upon the handlers of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) is to position culture as a tool to negotiate national unity. This paper examines the thematic treatment of national unity and peace through cultural integration in selected dance performances of the 2012 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Nigeria. The study adopts the participant observation research method for data collation, and borrows insight from the theory of multiculturalism to interrogate the selected dance pieces. A descriptive and interpretative analysis of four States’ dance entries at the festival, reveal an exploration of the dynamics of the ethno-cultural and political interactions within each State. We also find that deliberate efforts were geared towards addressing the festival theme of peace and economic empowerment in the dance performances under study. The study, therefore, recognizes NAFEST as a viable platform to negotiate national unity. It also identifies that the artistic exploration that led to the creation of the dances under study, has positive implications for national cohesion, peace, and development. The study concludes by advocating a viable choreographic approach which could further entrench the ideology of NAFEST as a unity festival.
An analysis of pragmatic intent of written teacher feedback commentary on students’ project essays in Colleges of Education in Ghana
Authors: Jujugenia Wilson Awiah , Gborsong Philip Arthur , Afful Joseph Benjamin Archibald
Published: March 2022

The study is aimed at finding out how teachers of St. John Bosco’s College of Education, Ghana focus the pragmatic intent of teacher written feedback comments on students’ project draft essays. Drawing on Ferris, Pezone, Tade, and Tinti (1997), Discourse Analytical Model for teacher written commentary and key concepts like “written feedback commentary” and “feedback,” the study, which was essentially a case study, and a descriptive survey, randomly and purposively focused on a sample of 336 comments from 21students’ project drafts of the 2012 academic year in St. John Bosco’s College of Education. The study revealed that teachers of St. John Bosco’s College of Education employed the pragmatic intent (directive type) of ‘make suggestion/request’, as a way of getting students to rework their project drafts. The study raises some implications for writing instruction, theory and analyses of teacher written feedback commentary.
Social media disinformation and voting decisions during 2019 presidential elections in Nigeria
Authors: Obono Koblowe , Diyo Karimah Aminu
Published: March 2022

Social media spread disinformation due to their characteristic features of anonymity and ease of producing, accessing, forwarding, and replicating media contents. Although studies have analyzed the influence of disinformation on voter choices, little is known about the false information that  went viral on social media during the 2019 Nigerian presidential elections and its influence on voting decisions. Accordingly, the study identified  social media disinformation about Muhammadu Buhari (All Progressives Congress) and Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party), and its  influence on voting decisions. Content analysis of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube posts revealed 10 viral pieces of disinformation about the  contestants. Although the messages looked authentic because of their attribution, they were tagged false by independent fact checkers and  disclaimers. They were also ascribed as false by survey respondents. Despite their presence, the information had little influence on voting decisions.  While Facebook is the most used social media platform (48.6%), Twitter (60%) is the core channel of political disinformation. Posts used  multiple story formats and information sources to make claims appear real. A combination of text, video, and picture was used for the political  messaging, with pictures accompanying most stories for emphasis and message authentication. Each news story had more than 2000 likes and  shares, which has implications for the continuous spread of false information.
Record of medicinal Jew’s (Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) Quél) ear mushroom growing in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana and its possible health values
Authors: Odamtten G. T. , Addo J. , Wiafe-Kwagyan M.
Published: March 2022

Medicinal mushrooms are part of total health delivery system of a nation. A mushroom of recognised health benefits was seen for the first time on a pencil cactus (Euphorbia turicalli L.) in the Greater Accra Region (Adentan Municipal Assembly) in September- October 2021. The fruiting body was gelatinous with the shape of a human ear. The basidiomata were either solitary, densely rosette with caestipose habit either astipitate or with vestigial stipe. The general morphological features were akin to that of Auricularia auricula-judae. Anatomical and morphometric studies showed that the fruiting body had smooth hymenium with a layer of basidia which were cylindrical or club-shaped. The dimensions of the basidia (70.86±4.27 μm long; 9.54± 0.60 μm wide) closely agreed with the range reported for A. auricula-judae. The white/greyish basidiospores were generally sausage-shaped (allantoid) ranging in length (18.47±0.73μm) and width (7.49±0.3μm) closely to reported range. The economical and medicinal values of the mushroom are described and future commercial exploitation through biotechnological technique highlighted.
Knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections among school-going adolescents in the Sunyani West District of Ghana
Authors: El-Duah J. , Harris M. J. , Appiah-Brempong E.
Published: March 2022

The physiological and behavioural characteristics associated with adolescence increase the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections which may have devastating effects on their sexual and reproductive health. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections of school going adolescents in the Sunyani West District of Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was used in gathering appropriate survey data from 316 senior high school students. Descriptive and univariate analyses were conducted using STATA version 14.0 software. The age group 16 - 18 years were the majority of respondents. More male than female adolescents knew about all four areas of knowledge as regards sexually transmitted infections. The study showed a statistically significant association (P = 0.001) between level of knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents and their class/form. Adolescents had good knowledge about sexually transmitted infections despite some misconceptions that could affect their sexual behaviour. Educational levels of students have to be considered in the design of sex education curriculum.
Effect of gamma radiation on morphological and molecular character of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hoechst. ex. A. Rich.) Harms.
Authors: Eze C. D. , Adesoye A. I. , Adeosun C. A.
Published: March 2022

Genetic variation in two varieties of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst.ex A.Rich.) Harms was created using different doses of gamma-rays with the aim of increasing variability among the landraces for better morpho-agronomic characteristics. The two varieties responded differently to the doses of the treatment. The mutagen stimulated the germination percentage in both varieties. The highest germination percentage was observed at 200Gy for Tss86 while for Tss10 it was observed at 25Gy. It showed variation on the germination and growth parameters evaluated. The highest plant height (74.17±4.42) for Tss10 was observed at 25Gy while for Tss86, 100Gy gave the highest mean of 79.6±8.02. Molecular evaluation revealed variation in the patterns of RAPD profile between irradiated plants and control. The RAPD primers showed 82.9% polymorphism. Also, as observed from the similarity coefficient values, the trend of the genetic variability was not proportional to the doses of the gamma ray. The similarity indices ranged from 0.09 to 0.60 with 3 distinct cluster groups identified at 0.64. The variant of Tss86 at 250Gy was found to be the most diverse. Thus, this integrated approach can be used for carrying out the mutation-assisted breeding and subsequent selection of desired mutants using molecular markers in AYB.
Influence of Information Culture on Job Satisfaction of University Registry Personnel in South-West, Nigeria
Authors: Otuza Evans C. , Akintayo Oluseyi A. , Alegbeleye Gabriel O.
Published: March 2022

This study aims to investigate the influence of information culture on job satisfaction. The study adopted survey research design. The population consisted of 2009 registry personnel working in federal, state and private universities in South-West, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 715 personnel. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Response rate was 70%. The data were analysed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (regression). Findings from the study showed that information sharing (β = 0.054; t(497) = 1.227; p > 0.05), information proactiveness (β = -0.006; t(497) = -.132; p > 0.05) and information control (β = 0.027; t(497) = .537; p > 0.05) did not significantly influence job satisfaction. The study concluded that information culture contributed to the level of job satisfaction of university registry personnel in South-West, Nigeria in terms of quick access to relevant information to enhance service delivery and openness in information sharing. Consequently, it was recommended that the university management should improve on institutional information culture practice to enhance the job satisfaction of the university registry personnel.
Use of water quality index to assess the impact of flooding on water quality of River Kaduna, Nigeria
Authors: Onoyima C.C. , Okibe F.G. , Ogah E. , Dallatu Y.A.
Published: March 2022

Flooding is increasingly becoming a yearly occurrence in Nigeria and many parts of the world and is linked to climate change. It comes with a wide range of consequences including the destruction of life and property and surface water pollution. This study used water quality index (WQI) to assess the impact of 2019 and 2020 flood events on the water quality of River Kaduna. Nine water quality parameters were selected based on Nigeria standards, while the weighted arithmetic method was applied in calculating the WQI. The result shows that electrical conductivity, TDS, Cl-, Na, sulphate, and nitrate were all below the maximum standard limits throughout the study period, while Fe and turbidity were above the limits. While other parameters showed varied responses before and after the two flood events, Fe and turbidity were consistently higher after the flood events. The water quality of the river is generally in the extremely poor class, both before and after the 2019 and 2020 floods (WQI > 100). There was a pronounced decrease in water quality at all the sampling stations after both the 2019 and 2020 flood events. The decreasing water quality should be of a public health concern as a large number of people depends on this river for domestic use.
Effects of disc speed and height of flow mechanism of a solid manure spreader on uniformity of spreading and swath width
Authors: Zakari S. , Suleiman M.L. , Muhammad U.S. , Saleh A.
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of disc speed and height of flow mechanism of a solid manure spreader in order to maintain uniformity of spread and swath width for optimum crop growth. The study was done using complete randomized design with three factors considered: tractor forward speed, height of flow mechanism (broadcasters) gate opening rates, (15, 30, 45cm) and disc speed (150, 300, 450rpm) applied according to SAE S341.2, 1999 test code. Results obtained and compared with an imported spreader shows that the developed spreader recorded the highest application rate of 4082.1kg/ha against that of the imported spreader of 1875.3kg/ha while the swath width was 9.5m compared to 9.0m of the imported. Results obtained also shows that the spreader gave a more uniform spread pattern of manure at a lower openning of 15cm height of flow mechanism and lesser disc speed of 150rpm. Disc speed and height of flow mechanism were found to be the major determining factor influencing spreading uniformity and swath width of cow dung manure for optimum crop growth.
Influence of different anionic charges on lead compounds in the remediation of lead by Eleusine indica (Gaertn)
Authors: Ikhajiagbe B. , Ehiarinmwian R.I. , Omoregie G.O.
Published: March 2022

The study was carried out to investigate the remediative capacity of Eleusine indica in lead-polluted soil. Soil samples were collected near student hostel (hall 5) in the University of Benin. The soil samples were sun dried to constant weight and was pulverized with wooden roller and sieved with a hand sieve of 2 mm mesh size. The sieved soil was spiked with 0.625 g lead nitrate (PbNO3), lead sulphate (PbSO4), lead carbonate (PbCO3), lead acetetrahydrate (PbC2H6) and lead chloride (PbCl2) separately in three replicate using aqueous standard solutions. Tillers of Eleusine Indica were placed in the metal – polluted soil immediately and the experiment was allowed to stay for 15 weeks. The result showed that the uptake efficiency for Eleusine indica in both shoots and roots for lead nitrate was 0.016% and 0.8%, lead sulphate 0.016 % and 0.352 %, lead carbonate 0.064% and 0.496 %, lead acetetrahydrate 0.032 % and 0.688 %, and lead chloride 0.08 % and 0.72 % respectively, indicating that the plant might have sequestered the metal in the soil rather than accumulating it in the leaves. This was evident in the presentation of the metal sequestration factor of over 70 % irrespective of the nature of the metal. Microbial count of soil before and after contamination with lead nitrate was 1.9×104 and 0.4×104 cfu/g indicating a reduction. The study therefore revealed that Eleusine indica is ahigh efficient plant in sequestering lead in polluted soil.
Study of temperature control system of a solar-heated anaerobic digester in Cotonou, Benin Republic, using hardware in the Loop simulation
Authors: Houngue C.F.C. , Houngue R.N.
Published: March 2022

In this work, we studied the performance of the temperature control system of an anaerobic digester heated by solar energy using the hardware in the Loop (HIL) simulation method. The implemented control type is On/Off. The main objective was to implement the control to maintain the temperature between 36°C and 38°C. We also aim to determine the minimum load of the digester which allows minimum stress on the control system in order to increase its service life but also to avoid being too dependent on temperature variations in the study environment. It appears at the end of this work that the temperature is well maintained between 36°C and 38°C, for all the quantities of organic matter studied. For small volumes (less than 1,000 Kg), the bias of the heating system actuator is significant.At best, (that is, for 1,000 Kg) we have on average 5 per day. This causes the heating system to be more dependent on the availability of solar radiation. On the other hand, from 3,000 Kg of organic matter, the temperature of the digesterstabilizes better in the desired temperature range. The bias of the heating system is lower, ranging from two (2) per day for 3,000 Kg to one (1) per day for 10,000 Kg of organic matter.
Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFS): A Review
Authors: Bull O.S. , Bull I. , Amadi G.K. , Odu C.O.
Published: March 2022

The search for supramolecular promising porous crystalline materials with diverse applications such as gas storage, catalysis, chemo-sensing, energy storage, and optoelectronic have led to the design and construction of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs). COFs are a class of porous crystalline polymers that allow the precise integration of organic building blocks and linkage motifs to create predesigned skeletons and nano-porous materials. In this review article, a historic overview of the chemistry of COFs, survey of the advances in topology design and synthetic reactions, basic design principles that govern the formation of COFs as porous crystalline polymers as well as common synthetic procedures and characterization techniques are discussed. Furthermore some challenges associate with the synthesis of COFs are highlighted. We hope that this review will help researchers, industrialists and academics in no mean feat.
Assessment of the effectiveness of water hyacinth (E. crassipes) in the biosorption of heavy metals from Aluminium extruding company effluents
Authors: Fubara A.G. , Uche C.C. , Nwoko C.O. , Tony-Njoku R.F. , Ojiaku A.A. , Edo F.A.
Published: March 2022

Biosorption technique was used to assess the effectiveness of water hyacinth in the removal of heavy metal from effluents obtained from an Aluminium extruding company. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the water hyacinth materials before and after adsorption. A batch experiment was set up using water hyacinth (E. crassipes) ash as absorbent. The effects of contact time, absorbent dose, pH and temperature on the heavy metal removal efficiency were determined. The experimental data were analysed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of adsorption. The FTIR results showed a reduction in the intensity of the adsorption bands for all the metal ions. The optimal percentage removal of the metal occurred at 30 minutes except Cd which had highest percentage removal at 20 minutes while optimal pH was at 6.0 except Pb which had its optimal removal at pH 4.0. Increase in biosorbent dosage increased the percentage removal of the metal ions with Zn (96% at 1.0 g) having the highest percentage removal of the five metal ions studied. The results revealed that Langmuir and Temkin Isotherms were the best model for the metal ions adsorption onto water hyacinth. Langmuir model had a better fit for Fe (R2 = 0.78), Ni (R2 = 0.82) and Pb (R2 = 0.78), while Temkin model fitted best for Cd (R2 = 0.92) and Zn (R2 = 0.96). The E. crassipes, therefore, could serve as effective, low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbents.
Relationship between Cost of Care and Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Ipinnimo TM , Abodunrin OL , Durowade KA
Published: March 2022

Background: The economic burden of care is a barrier to effective treatment of hypertension as affordability of drugs may affect medication adherence. This study assessed the cost of care and level of medication adherence among patients with hypertension attending a tertiary hospital in Ekiti State, Nigeria.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that used a systematic sampling technique to select eligible patients. Data was collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Medication adherence was assessed with eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Data entry and analysis were done using IBM SPSS version 22.0. p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The median age (Interquartile Range) of respondents was 55.0 (20.3) years with male to female ratio of 1:1.2. The mean monthly cost of care of hypertension was ₦15,964.76 (US$44.35). Only 47 (34.1%) respondents were adherent (MMAS score of ≥8) to their medications. Medication adherence was inversely associated with total cost of admissions (p=0.024) and cost of admission drugs/consumables (p=0.028). Male gender (AOR=12.561;95%CI=2.248–70.189), middle-age (45-64years) (AOR=11.577;95%CI=1.015- 131.998), being unmarried (AOR=0.006;95%CI=0.000–0.300), exercising <3days per week (AOR=0.055;95%CI=0.006–0.489), employment in informal and formal occupations (AOR=0.024,0.022; 95%CI=0.001–0.590,0.001–0.591) and living with someone (AOR=0.000;95%CI=0.000–0.086) were significant predictors of medication adherence.Conclusion: Medication adherence was suboptimal and negatively associated with total cost of admissions and cost of admission drugs/consumables. Attention should therefore be given to developing and implementing measures such as subsidy on drugs and increasing coverage of health insurance that would limit the impact of these costs on the patients.

Keywords: Cost of care; Medication adherence; Hypertension; Ekiti
A review of morbidity pattern among undergraduate Law students that accessed healthcare at a private University clinic in South-west, Nigeria
Authors: Ojo TO , Owoseni MO , Abiodun O , Bamidele EF , Sodeinde K , Ogunkoya JO , Amuda AA , Alakija W
Published: March 2022

Background: There is a growing youth population in Nigeria’s universities. It is important to understand the prevailing health problems of undergraduate students and provide services that are responsive to their health needs. Hence, this study assessed the morbidity pattern among law undergraduates that accessed care at a private Nigerian university clinic.Methods: A review of health records of 569 undergraduate law students who attended Babcock University, Iperu campus clinic, Ogun State, from January-December 2018 was conducted. Data were extracted from clinic cards and information on socio-demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and outcome of care were obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and summarised using frequencies and percentages.Results: The median age of the clinic attendees was 18.7 years and 410 (72.1%) of the clinic attendees were females. Fifth year students accessed care at the University clinic more than other undergraduates, 228 (40.1%). The common morbidities were malaria, 291 (51.1%), respiratory tract infection, 269 (47.3%), malnutrition, 221 (38.8%) and dysmenorrhea, 84 (14.8%). The commonly prescribed class of drugs were analgesics 454 (79.8%), haematinics 401 (70.1%), antibiotics 397 (69.8%), antihistamines 290 (51.0%) and antimalarials 260 (45.7%).Conclusion: Communicable diseases such as malaria and respiratory tract infections were the most common morbidities among the students studied. The study findings are important in planning university health services aimed at effective prevention and treatment of common morbidities among undergraduates. The university needs to increase sensitization among students with the aim of improving clinic service utilization by students, especially the non-final year students.

Keywords: Health problems; Undergraduate students; Private University; Nigeria
Managerial Capacity of Health Care Managers in Primary Health Care Centres in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Adeniran A , Ojo O , Oluwole E , Chieme F , Olujobi B , Akinyinka M , Ilesanmi M , Ogunsakin A
Published: March 2022

Background: The performances of Primary Health Care workers play key roles in delivering quality health care thereby leading to health systems’ strengthening. This study assessed the managerial capacity of health care managers at Primary Health Care centres in Ekiti State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 188 health care managers in all the Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, Nigeria from August to November 2020. Self-administered questionnaires (google form) were used to obtain data. Analysis of data was done with STATA SE 12. The level of significance (p-value) was set at <0.05.Results: The mean age of respondents was 45.9 ± 7.0 years with females 161 (85.6%) and males 27 (14.4%). More than one-third 69 (36.7%) of respondents had received formal training in managerial and leadership development. The majority of respondents (94.7%) had good managerial capacity with a mean total score of 279.8 ± 46.9. There was a statistically significant difference in the average managerial capacity scores across the level of education and professional experience categories. Respondents who had tertiary education and those with more than 5 years’ experience had higher managerial capacity scores compared to others. (p < 0.001)Conclusion: The findings indicated that majority of the Primary Health Care managers in Ekiti State had a good managerial capacity to run the Primary Health Care systems. It is recommended that individual health workers should continue with personal development and continuous institutional development by the state government is encouraged towards improvement of health services rendered.

Keywords: Managerial capacity; Healthcare managers; Primary Health Care; Institutional development
Observations on feeding behaviour of adults of the Common Buff butterfly, Baliochila aslanga (Lycaenidae: Poritiinae) at extra-floral nectaries on Adenopodia spicata (Mimosaceae)
Authors: Van Noort Simon , Moll Eugene
Published: March 2022

Novel feeding behaviour by adult Common Buff butterflies, Baliochila aslanga (Lycaenidae: Poritiinae), is reported on. Nectar assimilation from extra-floral nectaries is known for a number of members of the Poritiinae, and some species also obtain their energy requirements from hemipteran honeydew excrement. We document the first record for the genus Baliochila of an adult butterfly feeding at extra-floral nectaries. Baliochila aslanga was observed imbibing nectar from petiolar glands of Adenopodia spicata  (Mimosaceae) in Sodwana Bay National Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The searching behaviour to locate the glands and subsequent feeding behaviour, as well as the petiolar glandular morphology, is described and supported by high quality photographs.
Observations on parasitoid interaction with Zerenopsis lepida (Walker, 1854) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Diptychini) at Entumeni Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Armstrong Adrian J. , Louw Sharon L. , Staude Hermann S. , Terblanche Reinier F. , Edge David A. , Van Noort Simon
Published: March 2022

No Abstract
Taxonomic notes on members of the subtribe Polyommatina (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) occurring in the Afrotropical region
Authors: Williams Mark C.
Published: March 2022

No Abstract
Development and early stages of Mylothris rhodope (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
Authors: Sáfián Szabolcs
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the full life-history of Mylothris rhodope is discussed with a morphological description of its early stages including multiple photo illustrations, as documented in Liberia, West Africa.
The status and distribution of Pennington’s Protea butterfly Capys penningtoni (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae)
Authors: Armstrong Adrian J.
Published: March 2022

The Red List status of Pennington’s protea butterfly Capys penningtoni has deteriorated from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered since 2009. This species is endemic to part of the midlands and Drakensberg foothills of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Capys penningtoni is restricted to protea savanna where its hostplant, Protea caffra, occurs. A research programme was started when the Red List status of the species was Vulnerable, with the aims of preventing the extinction of C. penningtoni and improving its conservation status. An initial requirement was to more accurately determine the distribution and conservation status of C. penningtoni. A further requirement was to ascertain what might be the main threats facing the species in the wild. Surveillance of the species at some sites was carried out to try and ascertain whether the conservation status of the species was deteriorating further. Our knowledge of the distribution range of the species has improved with the identification of seven previously unknown sites where the species was present. A distribution model was developed for the species that predicted that C. penningtoni could be more widely distributed in the central midlands and Drakensberg foothills of KwaZulu-Natal. The model did not predict the occurrence of the species at three of the newly discovered sites. Further ground-truthing of the model is required. Surveillance results suggest that C. penningtoni may have become locally extinct or less abundant at sites where it was previously recorded, indicating that its conservation status has deteriorated. The main threats to C. penningtoni appears to be the presence of the alien invasive Harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis and the inappropriate fire regimes and burning practices in the protea savanna habitat of the species.
Nerve growth factor protects against cadmium-induced hypertension in mice via vascular remodeling
Authors: Sun Hao , Yang Xinchun , Zheng Meili , Liu Jiamei , Guo Zongsheng , Shi Linying , Xie Boqia , Zhang Yuan , Wang Xin , Wang Lefeng
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on cadmium ion (Cd2+)-induced hypertension in a mouse model, and the mechanism of action involved.

Methods: Hypertension was induced in mice by administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 100 mg/L in deionised water. Then, NGF was administered daily for 45 days via the intragastric route. Immunohistochemical technique employing Vectastain ABC kit was used for determination of the levels of matrix metalloproteinases in mice aorta.

Results: Treatment with NGF significantly and dose-dependently alleviated Cd-induced increase in blood pressure in mice (p < 0.05). The Cd-induced elevation in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in mice was also reduced on treatment with NGF at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. At the two doses of NGF, vascular responsiveness was enhanced in Cd-administered mice. Exposure to NGF dose-dependently reversed Cd-mediated suppression of eNOS expression and elevation in iNOS level. Moreover, NGF at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, reversed Cd-mediated enhancement in nitrate/nitrite levels in urine samples, and reversed Cd-induced elevation in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) count and collagen content in mice arterial wall. The NGF treatment also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced Cd-induced increases in levels of MMP’s.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that NGF increased vascularity and arterial stiffness, and protected against Cd-induced hypertension in mice. Moreover, NGF treatment elevated eNOS expression, suppressed iNOS level and inhibited MMP expression in mice exposed to Cd. Thus, NGF has anti-hypertensive potential and may be beneficial in the treatment of hypertension.
Effect of the plant flavonoid, rhoifolin, on memory and cognition in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Huang Xiaocheng , Wu Shaochang , Wei Yanbin , Meng Shuiyun , Jiang Ruilai
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of the natural flavonoid rhoifolin in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (AD).

Methods: Morris water-maze and novel object recognition tests were carried out to estimate the effect of rhoifolin on memory and cognition. Histopathological analysis was made to observe thickness of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal layer. Analysis of oxidative stress markers was performed to estimate the effect of rhoifolin on oxidative stress in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Results: Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests showed a significant improvement in the memory, cognition and spatial learning in rhoifolin treated AD animals (p < 0.05). Moreover, rhoifolin treatment resulted in a significant increase in the CA1 pyramidal layer of AD animals indicating its neuroprotective properties (p < 0.05). The increase in the hippocampal CA1 area further validated the reversal of cognitive dysfunctions caused by STZ treatment. Furthermore, analysis of oxidative stress markers SOD, CAT, GPX, GRX, and MDA showed a significant improvement in the oxidative stress in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The present study is the first report to demonstrate the effect of plant flavonoid, rhoifolin on STZ-induced AD in rat model. Rhoifolin improves spatial learning, cognition, and memory in STZ-treated rat model. Therefore, rhoifolin may be a promising therapeutic agent for the management of AD.
Effect of a combination of interferon-α and ambroxol on children with pneumonia, and on serum amyloid A: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Li Zhuangzhuang , Xie Lingling , Wu Jinguang , Wang He , Wang Shugen
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of combination of interferon-a with ambroxol on children with pneumonia, and its effect on serum amyloid A (SAA).

Methods: A total of 140 children who presented with pneumonia in Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2019 to November 2020 were selected and randomly assigned to control group and study group. All the children were treated with conventional therapy against cough and phlegm, anti-infection, oxygen inhalation, antipyretic, water and electrolyte correction, and nutritional support. The control group received aerosol inhalation of ambroxol + physiological saline, in addition to conventional treatment. The study group was given aerosol inhalation of recombinant human interferon-α1b + ambroxol + physiological saline. The two groups were treated continuously for 7 days. The time taken for clinical symptoms to subside in each group, as well as serum levels of amyloid A (SAA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) before treatment and 7 days post-treatment were evaluated. Clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions after 7 days of treatment were also obtained and compared.

Results: The time taken for symptom disappearance was significantly shorter in the study group than in control group, and inflammation indices were lower in the study group than in control group (p < 0.05). Levels of IgA, IgM, and IgG in the two groups after treatment were significantly elevated, but they were markedly higher in the observation group than in control group (p < 0.05). Clinical treatment efficacy was superior in the study group, relative to control (p < 0.05). However, no statistical disparity in incidence of adverse reactions was witnessed between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: A combination of interferon-α1b and Ambroxol may be a boon in the treatment of children with pneumonia due to its efficacy and effect on inflammatory response and SAA levels.
Outcomes of reconstruction of polydactyly among children in a tertiary health facility in China
Authors: Lan Gengliang , Xu Jihai , Wang Zhaoqing , Rao Yuanyong , Tan Renlin
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of reconstruction of congenital bimanual polydactyly and bipedal polydactyly in children in a tertiary health facility in China.

Methods: All 8 children diagnosed with polydactyly of hands and feet from March 31st of 2016 to April 1st of 2020 underwent surgical reconstruction and were followed up for 6 to 36 months. Evidence of family history and outcome of the surgical intervention in the hospital using Tada scoring were analyzed.

Results: 7 of the patients had the same family history with the same diagnosis of the same symptom in their fathers, grandfather and great grandfather. All the incisions healed well, the appearance of both hands and feet was satisfactory, and the function was significantly improved. The children's hand shape was satisfactory and their motor function was better than that before operation.

Conclusion: Congenital polydactyly of both hands and feet is rare and complex. As long as the timing and method of operation are properly chosen, both hands and feet can acquire good appearance and functions after operation.