INTESTINAL NEMATODE PARASITES AMONGST SCHOOL CHILDREN

ATTENDING SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MBAITOLI LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA.
Kalu M.K1, Eugene C.N, Ifeanyi A.O1
1Department of Animal and Environmental Biology,
Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
2Department of Pest Management Technology,
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State Nigeria.
E-mail: kalumangkalu@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Intestinal parasitosis remains an important public health problem in
underdeveloped and developing countries. Intestinal nematode parasites
comprise an important group of human endoparasites that infect mostly
school age children. This research was carried out to determine the
prevalence of intestinal nematode parasites (INP) in children attending
two primary schools in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State,
South-Eastern Nigeria. Two hundred feacal samples from 200 school
children were examined using direct smear. The overall infected
samples were 85(42.50%), comprising 43(21.50%) females and
42(21.00%) males. Three intestinal nematode parasite species were
indentified: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm.
When ranked by proportion, parasite loads were found as follows:
Ascaris lumbricoides (67.06%), hookworm (27.06%) and Trichuris
trichiura (21.18%). Statistical analysis indicates a significant difference
(p>0.05) in prevalence of the parasites with Ascaris lumbricoides having
the highest rate of prevalence. There were single and double infections
in the study. We conclude that there is a pronounced intestinal
nematode parasitic burden amongst school children in Mbaitoli Local
Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Therefore, regular de-worming
exercise with appropriate antihelminthes, education on personal hygiene
and other health campaign programmes if carried out in the rural areas
will improve the health status of school children.

INFLUENCE OF RAINFALL AND SALINITY ON THE SPAWNING CYCLE OF Nematopalaemon hastatus IN RIVER NUN ESTUARY,

BAYELSA STATE, NIGER DELTA.
1Ngodigha S.A, 2Digha O.N. and 3Adeyemo A.
1&2Bayelsa State College of Education, Okpoma,
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
3Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,
Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E-mail: sabinaingodigha@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Spawning pattern of Nematopalemon hastatus in River Nun Estuary,
Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta was studied for one year. Samples
were collected from artisanal shrimpers operating along the estuary on
a monthly basis and stored in 9% formalin for laboratory analysis. The
N. hastatus in each monthly sample were observed for gravity, using a
hand lens. There was a colour change in the eggs from light orange to
dark brown with maturation. Eggs in different stages of maturation
from light orange to dark brown were observed in the samples all year
round, comprising both rainy and dry seasons. Main spawning observed
was between July and September. The peak spawning activity occurred
in September while the lowest was between November and December.
Largest satus with eggs measured 14mmCL (carapace length) and the
smallest 7mmCL. Statistical analysis to test the level significance of
gravid N. hastatus between seasons showed that more spawners were
landed during the rainy season than the dry season. Spawners are
usually caught before they have the chance to lay their eggs and this
could lead to a reduction in the reproductive process, resulting in a
decrease in biomass. It is therefore pertinent to introduce management
strategies involving, fisheries scientist, fisheries managers and the
shrimpers.

A STUDY ON THE TOXICITY OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Moringa oleifera SEED OIL ON Simulium LARVAE

Etusim, P.E1, Uwom, K.U1, Melariri, P.E2, Ibeh, O.O3 and Ogbonnaya, C.I4
1Unit of Medical Parasitology, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology,
Abia State University, Nigeria
2Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria South Africa
3Simulium Research Laboratory, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology,
Abia State University, Nigeria.
4Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Nigeria.
E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Different control measures have been targeted against vectors of
diseases, and attempts relied heavily on the use of such synthetic
pesticides. Unfortunately, the repeated use of synthetic insecticides
has disrupted natural biological control system. The development of
resistance and human health concerns has led to a search for
alternative control measures. To test the toxicity of the ethanol
extract of Moringa oleifera seed oil on Simulium larvae, larvae of
Simulium were used for larvicidal bioassay. 120 larvae were released in
plastic containers. 20 for every set of experiment, with two replicates
for each concentration of Moringa oleifera seed oil. 200ml of water was
used, after which the oil extract was introduced. A total of 100%
mortality was recorded in 0.1ml and 0.2ml treatment levels, showing an
excellent toxicity on the larvae sampled. The result of this study
suggests that the plant extract can act as larvicide against Simulium
larvae in breeding sites.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF Gynandropsis gynandra (Spider flower) and Buchholzia coriacea

(Musk tree)
(FAM: CAPPARIDACEAE) ON SOME COMMON FUNGAL ISOLATES
1Ogunmefun O.T. and 2Ajaiyeoba E.O.
1Department of Biological Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
2Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
E-mail: yinkatayo_08@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the phytochemical and antifungal studies of two
members of the Capparidaceae family which are Gynandropsis
gynandra and Buchholzia coriacea. These two plants were screened for
the presence of their active constituents. The leaves and the stem
were screened separately. The antifungal activities of the leaves and
stem were tested using Aspergillus niger, Penicillum sp., Candida
albicans, Fusarium oxysporium and Aspergillus flavus. The activity of
the extract at 200mg/100ml (0.02g/10ml) of methanol was compared
with methanol as the control and Tioconazole as reference standard.
The result of the antifungal assay of the plant extracts justifies
their use in traditional medicine.

GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE GROWTH DISTRIBUTION OF TYPHOID FEVER CASES IN LAGOS STATE

(A Case Study of All General Hospitals in Each Local Government Area of Lagos State)
Omogunloye O.G.1, Oladiboye O.E2, Qaadri J.A.3 and Omogunloye H.B4
1Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, University of Lagos, Lagos
2Department of Surveying and Geo-informatics, Yaba Tech, Lagos
3Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Federal School of Surveying, Oyo, Oyo State
4Department of English Language, University of Lagos, Lagos
E-mail: gabolushohan@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The fundamental objective of this project is focused on the application
of GIS in the analysis of the growth distribution of typhoid fever cases
in Lagos state using the general hospitals in the state as case study.
The study highlights the need for GIS as a tool for analysis and
decision making as well as an information management vehicle with rich
potential for the healthcare industry. It also highlights GIS analysis or
display of environmental health data in explaining disease patterns in
terms of relationships with social, institutional, technological and
natural environments. The development of the GIS attribute database
in the arc-view GIS environment was achieved with structured data
sets of typhoid fever cases acquired from the records offices of the
various general hospitals in Lagos state. The spatial locations of the
general hospitals were obtained with a GPS receiver and a digitized map
of Lagos state showing Local Government Areas in the state was also
applied in the analysis; thus, specifying GIS as a link between maps and
databases. Finally, analysis were drawn on queries performed using
query facility in the arc-view GIS environment on the created
structured GIS database of the general hospitals in order to obtain
comprehensive results and achieve the objectives of the study.

A STUDY ON ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF ALOE VERA LEAVES, STEMS AND ROOTS ON SOME SELECTED ORGANISMS

Etusim, P.E1., Okafor, E.E1., Nwachukwu, N.C2.,
Melariri, P.E3., and Ogbonnaya C.I4.
1Unit of Medical Parasitology and Environmental Sciences,
2Unit of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,
Faculty of Biological and Physical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu.
3Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town Medical School
K45, Old Main Building Groote Hospital, Observatory 7925, South Africa.
4Unit of Plant Taxonomy and Ecotoxicology, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Biological and Physical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu.
E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com and eby4eva7000@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study is provoked by the paucity of information on the
antibacterial or pharmacological activities of Aloe vera stems and roots.
The antibacterial activity of Aloe vera leaf, stem and root extracts on
three organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Proteus
mirabilis) was investigated using agar well diffusion method. The Aloe
vera leaf extract proved to be most effective. Both Aloe vera leaf Cold
Water Extract (CWE) and Ethanol Crude Extract (ECE) demonstrated
significant antibacterial activity against the sampled organisms. CWE of
Aloe vera stem showed no antibacterial activity in the bacterial species
while ECE had antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Proteus mirabilis. The root CWE and ECE only exhibited antibacterial
activity on Proteus mirabilis. The stems had no antibacterial activity on
Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract with the
highest antibacterial properties was ECE of Aloe vera roots. There is
therefore a need for the inclusion of Aloe vera roots in Aloe vera
antibacterial efficacy studies.

PURIFICATION AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF LINAMARASE

(Β-GLUCOSIDASE) GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FROM
SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

• 1Ikya, J.K. 1Ariahu, C.C. 2Ayatse, J.O.I
  1Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi
  2Federal University Dutsin-Ma
• Email: aveyina2012@gmail.com
  ABSTRACT
  Linamarase (β-glucosidase) was genetically engineered from genes (chromosomal
  DNA) and plasmids (circular DNA) isolated from bitter cassava and yeast respectively.
  Both genes were restricted and ligated to produce recombinant gene (r-DNA) which was
  introduced into the nucleus of CaCl2 induced competent Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells
  which transformed into strains capable of producing genetically engineered linamarase
  (GELIN). Recombinant otherwise genetically modified yeast ( S. cerevisiae) cells at the
  stationary phase of growth were harvested, homogenized and centrifuged to obtain
  crude extracts designated as GELIN0. Carboxy methyl cellulose, diethyl amino-ethylsephadex
  and diethyl amino-ethyl-cellulose were used to purify the crude extracts
  resulting in GELIN1, GELIN2 and GELIN3, respectively and stored under refrigerated
  conditions before further study and commercial native linamarase (CNLIN) was used as
  control. The physico-chemical characteristics of genetically engineered linamarase from
  Saccharomyces cerevisiae as influenced severally by degree of purification, pH and
  temperature were investigated. The parameters on physico-chemical characteristics of
  the enzyme extracts such as impurity levels, molecular weights (Mwt), number of
  isoenzyme, sulphur amino acids (methionine and cysteine), purity fold, yield and the
  electrical charges were evaluated using standard methods. The ability of the enzyme
  extracts and a commercial native linamarase (CNLIN) to hydrolyse cyanogenic glucosides
  was challenged to evaluate optimum pH (pHopt), temperature (Topt), total activity, specific
  activity and enzyme efficiency. The results indicated that the genetically engineered
  linamarase (β-glucosidase) consisted of 3 isoenzyme forms. Purification conferred
  different ionic charges of zero to GELIN0, unit positive charge GELIN1, and unit negative
  charge to GELIN2 and GELIN3 respectively. Ranges for other parameters were Mwt
  (22,000-26,000 Daltons), insoluble protein impurity (0.4 -3.5 mg/100g sample) and
  purity fold (11.5 -1.0) for GELIN3, – GELIN0). Methionine and cystiene varied from 2.0 to
  2.6% and 3.0 to 20% respectively (CNLIN – GELIN3). The native commercial enzyme
  (CNLIN) acted only at pH 6.8 on linamarin with pHopt and Topt of 6.8 and 35 oC
  respectively. The genetically engineered linamarase (β-glucosidase) group acted
  linamarin, lotaustralin, para-nitrophenylglucoside (PNPG), dhurrin, amygdalin, prunasin
  and taxiphyllin at a wide range of pH 1-14 and 25-35 oC each exhibiting highest activity
  at optimum pHopt and Topt of 6.8 and 35 oC The wide pH tolerance at low temperatures
  and specific activity towards cyanogenic glucosides degradation suggest a possible use of
  the genetically engineered linamarase from S. cerevisiae in detoxification capable of
  providing food security from increased production and exportation of plant-based food
  products.

MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF WATER STORED IN EARTHEN POTS

WITHIN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ENVIRONS
Akande, T., and Agbulu C.O
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science
University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
E-mail: atitilayo@ymail.com
ABSTRACT
Microbial analysis of water stored in different earthen pots was carried
out in Iorkume, Shamija and Leva-Amor villages which are amongst the
villages that make up the host communities of University of Agriculture
Makurdi. Sixty (60) samples of water obtained from various sources such
as University of Agriculture Water Works, streams and wells were
collected randomly from the three villages studied for identification and
characterization of possible microbial contaminants and to determine its
suitability for domestic uses. The viable counts of the samples analyzed
ranged between 1×10-6 and 18×10-6 cfu/ml. Nine (9) isolates were
identified from the samples which include: Staphylococcus aureus 33
(55%), Escherichia coli 65 (108%), Bacillus spp. 20 (33%), Klebsiella spp.
12 (20%) Mucor spp. 36 (60%) and Penicilliun spp. 19 (32%), Pseudomonas
spp 23(38%), Rhizopus spp. 54(90%), Candida spp. 23(38%) on average.
The presence of these organisms indicates a considerable level of
microbial contamination of water stored in earthen pots in the three
villages studied. Improvement in the basic hygienic practices in
acquisition and storage of water in these pots for domestic use and the
medical implications of the organisms identified is hereby suggested.

FOOT LENGTH RATIOS COMPARED TO STATURE IN A MIXED GENDER, NON PATHOLOGICAL SAMPLE

Lilian Ebele Chris-ozoko
Department of Anatomy
Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
E-Mail: lilyzoks@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Studies have established sexual dimorphisms in long bones. This study
is a prospective cross sectional study based on the measurement of
height and foot length of 351 students between 18-27 years of age.
The left foot was selected for measurements as per recommendation
of the international agreement for paired measurements at Geneva in

1. The data obtained was analyzed stature foot length ratio was
   calculated for each age group and a correlation and regression formula
   was derived between the height and foot length of the individual from
   which height may be calculated if the foot length is known. Within the
   same age range, males were found to be taller with longer foot length
   than the females while the females had higher stature ratio. This
   proves that when height is the standard of comparison women tend to
   have longer feet than men of the same height. Hence, the regression
   equation for male 􀝕 = 84.45 + 3.559(􀝔); 􀝂􀝋􀝎 􀝂􀝁􀝉􀜽􀝈􀝁 􀝕 = 139.95 +
   1.071(􀝔) this proves that though foot length can be used to predict
   height. It may only predict sex with great reservation; only when the
   age range of the individual can be estimated.
   Keywords: Foot Length, Stature Ratio, Height