bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sonographic measurement of ear length among normal fetuses of pregnant Igbo women in port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Idigo Felicitas , Ajibo Kingsley , Anakwue Angel-Mary , Nwogu Uloma , Robinson Ebbi 
Published: April 2021

Background: Fetal ear length measurement has been associated with some clinical values: sonographic marker for chromo- somal aneuploidy and for biometric estimation of fetal gestational age.
Objectives: To establish a baseline reference value for fetal ear length and to assess relationship between fetal ear length and gestational age.
Methods: Ear length measurements were obtained prospectively from fetuses in 551 normal singleton pregnancies of 15 to 41 weeks gestation. Normal cases were defined as normal sonographic findings during examination plus normal infant post-delivery. The relationship between gestational age (GA) in weeks and fetal ear length (FEL) in millimeters were analyzed by simple linear regression. Correlation of FEL measurements with GA, biparietal diameter (BPD), Head circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), Femur Length (FL) and maternal age (MA) were also obtained.
Results: Linear relationships were found between FEL and GA (FEL=0.872GA-2.972). There was a high correlation between FEL and GA (r = 0.837; P = .001). Good linear relationship and strong positive correlation were demonstrated between FEL and BPD, AC, HC, and FL (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The result of this study provides normal baseline reference value for FEL. The study also showed good linear relationship and good correlation between FEL and fetal biometric measurements.
Keywords: Fetal ear length; sonographic measurement; chromosomal aneuploidy.
Associated risk factors of underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia using multilevel ordinal logistic regression model
Authors: Adam Birhan Nigussie , Bitew Belay Denekew 
Published: April 2021

Background: Malnutrition is associated with both under nutrition and over nutrition which causes the body to get improp- er amount of nutrients to maintain tissues and organ function. Under nutrition is the result of insufficient intake of food, poor utilization of nutrients due to illnesses, or a combination of these factors. The purpose of this study was to identify associated risk factors and assess the variation of underweight among under-five children of different regions in Ethiopia.
Methods: Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey (EDHS-2016) weight-to-age data for under-five children is used. In order to achieve the objective of this study; descriptive, single level and multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis were used.
Results: From a total of 8935 children about 8.1% were severely underweight, 17.1% were moderately underweight and 74.8% were normal. The test of heterogeneity suggested that underweight varies among region and multilevel ordinal model fit data better than single level ordinal model.
Conclusion: Educational level of mother, religion, birth order, type of birth, sex of child, mother body mass index, birth size of child, existence of diarrhea for last two weeks before survey, existence of fever for last two weeks before survey, duration of breast feeding, age child and wealth index had significant effect on underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia. The finding revealed that among the fitted multilevel partial proportional odds model, the random intercept model with fixed coefficients is appropriate to assess the risk factors of underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia. The findings of this study have important policy implications. The government should work closely with both the private sector and civil society to teach women to have sufficient knowledge, awareness and mechanisms of improving under-five under- weight for children’s wellbeing.
Keywords: Underweight; Partial proportional odds model; Multilevel partial proportional odds model; under-five children.
Anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethane leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) and Senna didymobotrya (Fresenius) in mice
Authors: Kiambi Mworia Joseph , Mwiti Kibiti Cromwell , JN Ngeranwa Joseph , Piero Ngugi Mathew 
Published: April 2021

Background: Inflammation is an immune response characterized by swelling, redness, pain and heat. Inflammation is main- ly managed using conventional medicines that are associated with many side effects. Plant-based remedies are considerably better alternative therapies for they have fewer side effects.
Objective: This study aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globulus and Senna didymobotrya in mice.
Methods: Fresh leaves of these plants were harvested from Embu County, Kenya. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was done using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Anti-inflammatory test comprised nine groups of five animals each: normal, negative, positive controls and 6 experimental groups. Inflammation was induced with Carrageenan. One hour post-treatment, the different groups were intraperitoneally administered with the reference drug, diclofenac, 3% DMSO and six DCM leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250mg/kgbw.
Results: GC-MS results revealed α-phellandrene, camphene, terpinolene, and limonene among others. Anti-inflammatory effects showed that extract doses of 100,150,200 and 250mg/kg bw significantly reduced the inflamed paw. Doses of 200 and 250mg/kgbw in both plants were more potent and compared with diclofenac. E. globulus extract dose of 250mg kg bw reduced inflamed paw in the 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th hours, by 2.27,6.52,9.09 and 10.90% respectively while S.didymobotrya at similar dose ranges, inflamed paw reduced by 2.41, 5.43, 8.31 and 9.05% respectively.
Conclusion: E. globulus and S. didymobotrya have potent anti-inflammatory activities, attributed to their constituent phyto- chemicals. This study confirms the traditional use of these plants in treating inflammation.
Keywords: Eucalyptus globulus; Senna didymobtrya; inflammation; phytochemicals.
Comparative distribution of bacterial contaminants of packaged and unpackaged polyherbal products sold in Nnewi, Nigeria
Authors: Udeogu C.V. , Agbakoba N.R. , Chukwuma G.O. 
Published: April 2021

Background: The use of herbal medicine continues to remain popular despite advances in orthodox medicine largely as a result of affordability and availability. However, contaminated and potentially toxic polyherbal preparations remain a public health challenge despite regulations instituted by concerned agencies in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the bacterial contaminants of different polyherbal products sold in Nnewi, NigeriaMethodology: This study evaluated the bacteriological profile of 22 packaged and 22 unpackaged polyherbal preparations sold in Nnewi, Nigeria. The samples were collected from different herbal medicine shops in Nnewi by simple random sampling and were assayed for comparative bacterial loads with chromogenic media and their total viable counts evaluated following standard method for microbial load analysis.Results: Bacterial contaminants were isolated from 9 of 22 (40.9%) packaged polyherbal samples while 13 of 22 (59.1%) samples were bacteriologically sterile. For the unpackaged polyherbal, bacterial contaminants were isolated from 18 of 22 (81.8%) samples while 4 of 22 (18.2%) were bacteriologically sterile (OR 0.1538, p=0.0122). The most frequently isolated bacterial contaminant in the packaged polyherbal samples was Enterococcus faecalis with 33.3% (6/18) while Salmonella sp was the least frequently isolated with 5.6% (1/18). For the unpackaged polyherbals, the most frequently isolated bacterial contaminant was Staphylococcus aureus with 25% (7/28) while Salmonella sp and E. faecalis were the least frequently isolated with 10.7% (3/28) each. The median total viable count of the packaged group of the polyherbal products was 1.48x106 CFU/ml, while the median total viable count for unpackaged group of polyherbals was 1.95x106 CFU/ml.Conclusion: This study shows that many polyherbal products sold in Nnewi are potentially contaminated with bacterial agents. It is therefore imperative that herbal medicine practitioners be enlightened on hygienic ways of preventing microbial contamination during polyherbal production.
Keywords: Bacterial contaminants, herbal products, Nnewi, Nigeria
Hookworm presenting as acute febrile illness and surgical abdomen
Authors: Efunshile A.M. , Ojide C.K. , Nwangwu C.C. , Emelobe G. , Akpa C. 
Published: April 2021

Hookworm is estimated to infect about 500 million people worldwide. It is usually associated with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and iron deficiency anaemia, but diagnosis can be missed because it sometimes presents unusually or mimics other diseases. We present in this report the case of an 18-year-old asthmatic medical student who was referred to a general surgeon on account of abdominal pain of 8 days duration. His problem started initially with fever, chills and rigor which was managed as malaria but no improvement. The diagnosis shifted from enteric fever to peptic ulcer disease, and his worsening condition was later reviewed as acute abdomen. Abdominal X-ray and ultrasound were normal. Stool microscopy showed numerous ova of hookworm. He was then treated with albendazole leading to full recovery on subsequent follow up. Hookworm disease can mimic a lot of other clinical conditions. A careful review of literature is a reminder that the clinical presentation of hookworm can be diverse and misleading. The current report emphasizes the fact that hookworm should always be considered a possible differential in endemic regions when clinicians are confronted with acute non-malaria febrile illnesses or cases of acute surgical abdomen.
Keywords: acute abdomen, fever, hookworm.
Nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical students of a private institution in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ajani T.A. , Elikwu C.J. , Nwadike V. , Babatunde T. , Anaedobe C.G. , Shonekan O. , Okangba C.C. , Omeonu A. , Faluyi B. , Thompson T.E. , Ebeigbe E. , Eze B.G. , Ajani, M.A. , Perelade K. , Amoran M. , Okisor P. , Worancha T. , Ayoade J. , Agbeniga E. , Emmanuel C. , Coker C A. 
Published: April 2021

Background: Nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major factor for its transmission especially from the health workers and medical students to their patients. There are a number of published data on the prevalence of MRSA among health workers but data on nasal colonization of medical students by MRSA are sparse in Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of MRSA among medical students of the Ben Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and identify risk factors associated with this nasal carriage.
Methodology: A case control study involving 100 clinical (study group) and 100 pre- clinical (control group) medical students was undertaken between March 2018 and October 2019. Structured questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic information and potential risk factors. Nasal swab was collected from each student and cultured for isolation of S. aureus by standard microbiology techniques. Phenotypic MRSA was detected by the cefoxitin 30μg disk diffusion method according to the guideline of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The mecA gene was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
Results: The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among the study group was 14% (14/100) while the prevalence among the control group was 6% (6/100) (p=0.097). The prevalence of phenotypic MRSA among the study group was 4% (4/100) and 1% (1/100) among the control group (p=0.3687) while mecA gene was detected in 3 of the 4 (75%) phenotypic MRSA positive study participants and in the only (100%) phenotypic MRSA positive (1%) control group. Antibiotics usage without prescription, antibiotic treatment of common cold, and use of antibiotics in the previous one year, were significantly associated with MRSA carriage among the study group.
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA among clinical and pre-clinical medical students was not statistically significant, the risk factors identified with carriage of MRSA among the study group indicates the need for antimicrobial stewardship program to reduce carriage and transmission of MRSA by medical students.
Keywords: methicillin resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, mecA gene, nasal carriage, medical students
Effects of highly active antiretroviral treatment on liver and renal functions of HIV-infected patients attending the day care clinic of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: Samje M. , Youego E.K.J. , Kefeyin T.W. , Lukong H. 
Published: April 2021

Background: Though the development of antiretroviral therapy has brought some relief to the menace of HIV infections, the side effects and toxicity of these drugs can still present a major challenge to users, thus leading to a switch or discontinuation of treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antiretroviral treatment on some biochemical markers of liver and renal functions among HIV-infected patients receiving treatment at the Day Care Clinic of the Regional Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon.Methodology: A case control study design comprising 100 HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 100 HIV-negative controls was conducted from February to May 2019. The serum activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), and serum creatinine levels for each group were measured using BIOSMART 240 autoanalyzer. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula while proteinuria was determined with the CYBOW 11M strips. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Differences in the serum activity and levels of the biomarkers between the case and control groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results: The prevalence of transaminitis (AST and ALT >40.0 U/L) among HAART-treated participants was 26.0% for AST and 20% for ALT while that of HIV-negative controls were 15% and 12% respectively but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Elevated serum creatinine level (>1.4 mg/dL) was seen in 25% of HAART-treated group compared to 7% in HIV-negative control (p=0.0010) while renal impairment (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2) was seen in 24% of HAART-treated and 14% of HIV-negative group (p=0.1048). Elevated activity of transaminases and levels of creatinine, proteinuria and abnormal eGFR in HAART-treated patients were mostly seen in those who were on first line antiretroviral therapy, and those who have been on treatment for over 5 years.Conclusion: HAART is associated with transaminitis and elevated serum creatinine but no increase in renal impairment compared to the general population. It is important that following initiation of HAART, liver and kidney functions are regularly monitored.
Keywords: HIV; HAART; AST; ALT; eGFR
Effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry in Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Usman Hassan , Yew Wun Thiam , Saleh Salmiza 
Published: April 2021

The study investigated the effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry in Niger state, Nigeria. The study employed pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design using a two-by-two (2x2) factorial matrix with one experimental and control group. The experimental group was exposed to Van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy while the control group was taught the same topics with conventional teaching strategy. Three null hypotheses with corresponding research question were formulated to guide the study. Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire (ATGQ) was the instrument employed to collect data from 149 sampled pre-service mathematics teachers from the two colleges of education situated in Niger State, Nigeria. The sample colleges were selected using purposive sampling technique. A reliability coefficient of 0.73 was obtained for Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire. Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed in analysing the data at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy is more effective in improving pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry. It was recommended among others, that since van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy was found to be effective in enhancing pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry, the strategy should be employed by lecturers in course of teaching students. The teacher education programme should be geared towards training of mathematics lecturers to learn van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy as it supports effective teaching and learning which thereby improving learners’ attitudes towards learning geometry.
Remote sensing and GIS forest landscape assessment for sustainable forest management
Authors: Chukwuka A.F. , Alo A. , Aigbokhan O.J. 
Published: April 2021

This study set out to assess the dynamic characteristics of the Ikere forest reserve landscape between 1985 and 2017 using remote sensing data and spatial metrics. Landscape of the study area maintained complex patterns of spatial heterogeneity over the years. Forest cover loss to other land cover types results in new large non-forest area at increasing rate. As at the year 2017, the changes in land cover types were not yet at equilibrium, thus the need to determine the future forest cover extent using a three-way markov Chain model. The decrease in number of patches of forest land (NumP) with increase in its mean patch size (MPS) shows that the forest is becoming a single unit probably due to clearing of existing patches of forest trees. The decrease in class diversity and evenness (SDI and SEI) of the general landscape over the years strengthens this assertion. The findings of this study would be very helpful to government and other stakeholders responsible for ensuring sustainable forest and general environment.
Keyword: Landscape, Spatial metrics, sustainable forest and Environment
Knowledge of rural dwellers towards biodiversity conservation in onigambari forest reserve of Oyo State
Authors: Aluko O.J. , Ogunwale O.G. , Shaib-Rahim H.O. , Bobadoye A.O. , Bobadoye B.O. 
Published: April 2021

The study examined the knowledge of rural dwellers of biodiversity conservation in Onigambari forest reserve, Ibadan Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents from the study area. Data were collected with the aid of interviewed schedule and analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The distribution showed that majority of the respondents were male (65.8%), married (63.3%) with household size of 5-8 (65.8%). The result further showed that majority (56.7%) of the respondents recorded low level knowledge on biodiversity conservation. Marital status (X2=9.925, P<0.005), Educational status (X2=33.031, P<0.005) and Household size (X2=13.561, P<0.005) were found to have significant relationship with the knowledge of the respondents to biodiversity conservation. The study therefore recommends that opportunities of getting formal education should be made available to the dwellers in the study area as this will enhance their knowledge on biodiversity in the study area.
Keywords: Forest reserves, Knowledge, Biodiversity and Conservation
Ethnomedical plants for the treatment of hypertension in Abia State: A case study of Bende Local Government Area, Nigeria
Authors: Onyenso A.I. , Nwobodo K.A. , Yakubu A.M. , Onyenweaku L.N. 
Published: April 2021

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for local treatment of hypertension in Abia State was conducted in Bende Local Government Area. The study adopted the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) comprising elderly men, women, hunters, farmers and herbalists, with the view to obtaining vital information about the plants, parts used for medicine, mode of preparation and administration of medicinal preparations. Results showed that 26 plant species belonging to 23 families were identified. Investigations on the plant part(s) used and mode of preparation and administration indicated that water was the main medium for all medicinalpreparations. Treatment regimes generally included drinking the aqueous preparation at certain specifications until symptoms disappear. Although the anti-hypertensive efficacy of the plants described in this paper is not known with certainty, this survey adds to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the search for natural anti-hypertension medicines and provides a basis for future research on these plants.
Key words: ethnobotanical survey, medicinal plants, local treatment, hypertension, Abia State
Growth and yield performances of three maize varieites as influenced by poultry manure and planting patterns
Authors: Adebayo A.K. , Ayoola O.T. , Anjorin F.B. , Oladehinde T.E. 
Published: April 2021

The need for available space for individual plants grown in a community and good soil fertility management ensure high yield and quality of crop produce. A field experiment was carried out in the early planting season between May-September, 2015 at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Stations (Ibadan and Ilora) Nigeria, to determine the effects of poultry manure and planting patterns on growth, yield components and dry matter accumulation of three maize varieties. Treatments included (i) 90 x 40 cm+ 0t/ha, (ii) 90 x 40 cm+ 5 t/ha,(iii) 90 x 40 cm+10 t/ha (iv) 75 x 50 cm + 0 t/ha (v) 75 x 50 cm + 5 t/ha (vi) 75 x 50 cm + 10 t/ha planting patterns- poultry manure combinations and three maize varieties (ART98-SW8, ART98-SW-1 and SUWAN-1-SR-Y) using randomized complete block design with three replications per treatment. From the result, the combination of 90 x 40 cm planting pattern with10 t/ha of poultry manure significantly increased growth, yield components and dry matter accumulation than other treatments, exceptfor plant height where the 70 x 50 planting pattern with 10 t/ha poultry had the tallest plants. The growth and grain yield of ART98-SW-performed better than the other maize varieties. Planting maize at 90 x 40cm spacing together with the application of 10 t/ha poultry manure enhanced grain yield of maize.
Keywords; Dry matter accumulation, Maize grain yield, spacing, poultry manure, maize varieties