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Improving Postnatal Mother-Infant Bonding Through Interactive Attachment Training among Pregnant Adolescents in Zaria Metropolis

2025-07-28T15:14:29+00:00

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of interractive attachment training on postnatal mother-infant bonding of pregnant adolescents attending antenatal clinics at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the Zaria metropolis. The study adopted a quasi-experimental study design, the Controlled Interrupted Time Series (CITS) approach; to allow for the evaluation of maternal-infant attachment from the third trimester of pregnancy through their various postpartum visits to PHCs for immunization up to the sixth month postpartum period. The participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique to obtain data from 302 adolescent mothers assigned to the study and control groups that is; 151 participants to each group. The instruments used were a structured and validated interviewer-administered questionnaire and an observation checklist before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were presented on frequency/percentage tables while inferential statistics was used in the form of chi-square and t-test to evaluate the effect and line charts for the trends of the effect. At post-tests, the mean knowledge and practice scores of mothers in the study group improved significantly (P-value knowledge =<0.001; practice =<0.001) at the first week, (P-value knowledge =<0.001; practice =<0.001) at 6th week, (P-value knowledge =<0.001; practice =<0.001) at 10th week, (P-value knowledge =<0.001; practice =<0.001) at 14th week and (P-value knowledge = <0.001; practice = <0.001) at 6th month postpartum. Mothers in the study group were more satisfied with their role of maternal attachment than those in the control group (p-value <0.001).

Redefining Masculinity and Childbirth: Men’s Perception and Attitude towards Caesarean Sections in a Faith based Institution in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

2025-07-28T15:37:15+00:00

Caesarean section (CS) is a crucial surgical intervention recommended when vaginal delivery poses risk to the mother or infant. This study investigates men's perception and attitude towards CS among members of a faith-based institution in Zaria, Kaduna State. Employing a cross- sectional descriptive design, a simple random sampling technique was utilized to select 246 participants from the study population of 504 men. Data were collected using a self-structured, validated questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 27, descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, and mean score were used to summarize the data. Findings indicate that while the majority of respondents hold negative perceptions of caesarean section (aggregate mean: 2.2), they exhibit a generally positive attitude towards CS (aggregate mean: 2.7). The most significant factors influencing perception and attitude were cultural beliefs, media representation and fear of birth complications. Therefore, the study recommends the need for enhanced education and awareness initiatives among stakeholders in faith-based Organisations as well as the provision of detailed explanation by health care providers to men so as to improve understanding and acceptance of caesarean section in this community.

Evaluation of the Source of Heavy Metals in Stream Sediments of Itapaji-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria; Insights from Provenance, Risk Assessment and Statistical Analysis

2025-07-29T06:57:43+00:00

This study investigates the geochemical composition of stream sediments in parts of sheet 244, Ado-Ekiti, to understand rock-water-soil interactions, sediment provenance, and potential contamination. Seventeen sediment samples were collected from streams and rivers at a depth of 15–25 cm, air-dried for five days, stored in labeled bottles and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence. Results show that SiO₂ is the most abundant oxide (71.29 wt. %), indicating highly siliceous sediments. Lower SiO₂concentrations in some samples may result from mineral substitution or leaching of aluminosilicate minerals. Al₂O₃ levels suggest abundant feldspars and micas, while low K₂O and Na₂O concentrations indicate minimal clay mineral content and feldspar leaching. The Na₂O/Al₂O₃ vs K₂O/Al₂O₃ discriminant diagram showed a positive correlation, while binary plots indicate sediment provenance from mafic to felsic igneous rocks. Heavy metal analysis showed moderate contamination by Cr and Cd, with Pb exhibiting considerable contamination factors, leading to an overall low to moderate degree of contamination. The likely sources are sewage effluent discharge and/or agricultural chemical use, which pose risks to water quality, soil health, and aquatic ecosystems. This study underscores the need for continuous monitoring and mitigation strategies to minimize heavy metal pollution and protect environmental and public health in the region.

Exploring the Biotechnological Potential of Amylases from Fonio Grains

2025-07-29T09:09:19+00:00

Fonio is a fast growing unpopular and underutilized African cereals which could serve as a source of amylases for use in enzymatic saccharification of starch in industrial biotechnological applications. This study investigated optimum conditions for the extraction of amylases from these grains as a replacement to the imported cereals like maize, millet and sorghum. An optimum condition based on days of germination was achieved by steeping grains in water and water containing phosphate salt at pH 6.5 from day 0 – 8. However, second day of germination produced the highest amount of amylases compared to other cereals like maize, millet and sorghum. The obtained amount was higher for grains steeped in buffer pH 6.5 compared to just water which is of traditional practice. Black fonio produced higher amount of amylases 16,540 ± 2160 U/mgprotein when steeped in water compared to white fonio with 15,248 U/ ± 1937 mgprotein. White fonio gave 17,498 ± 1208 U/mgprotein while black fonio gave 24,332 ± 2234 U/mgprotein when steeped in water containing phosphate salt. Optimum condition in terms of pH (4. 0–8.0) and temperature (0-60^oC) were equally investigated and 30^oC was the best temperature for the induction of amylases from white and black fonio. Therefore fonio, a locally grown cereal possesses amylases as a total replacement to imported cereals for biotechnological applications in brewery, alcohol, paper, detergent and beverage industries.

Paleoenvironment, Paleoredox and Paleogeography of Mamu Shale Anambra Basin Southern Nigeria

2025-07-29T09:37:23+00:00

The Shales in Okada and Usen within Mamu Formation, Anambra Basin were evaluated for Paleogeography, Paleoenvironment and Paleoredox conditions by examining the foraminifera, polymorph assemblages and the trace elements concentration accordingly. the application of trace element composition ratios: V/Cr, V/Ni, U/Th, Ni/Co, V/(Ni+V)², V/(Sc)³ with the averages of 1x10^-3, 8x10^-4, 5.1x10^-1, 1.31, 9x10^-8 and 1x10^-5 respectively. These paleo–redox index for both Usen and Okada Shales indicates oxic condition in the ancient environment. The foraminifera assemblages recovered are Ammobaculites sp., Ammobaculites irregulariformis sp., Ammobaculites fisheri crespin sp., Textularia sp. and Textularia earlandi sp. The forams recovered were of benthic arenaceous and calcareous foraminifera assemblages, typically of late Paleocene to early Eocene which coincides with marine incursion in the Anambra Basin. The presence of very few ammonites from the shale samples suggests some lithofacies control. The palymorphs assemblages recovered are Triporites sp., Triorites sp., Hexacolpites sp., Araucariacites australis sp., Monoporites annulatus sp., Pseudoschizaea sp. and Arecipites sp. The presence of Arecipites in sedimentary rocks indicates the presence of palms in the local environment during the time the sediment was deposited. The recovered palymorphs indicates shales that were derived from terrestrial landscapes except Pseudoschizaea sp. that is found in wetlands and/or lacustrine environments. This suggested that the paleoecology at time the shale was deposited was predominantly land-based (terrestrial). The mixed terrestrial-marine environment and the oxic conditions would assist geologists to better assesses the potential for hydrocarbon accumulation and develop more effective exploration strategies.

Morphological Differentiation of Wild and Hatchery-Bred Clarias gariepinus from Two Different Populations

2025-07-29T10:18:41+00:00

Worldwide, the consumption of aquatic food has increased tremendously at a rate almost double that of annual world population growth rate. Clarias gariepinus is a fish species that has gained wide acceptance in regions of the world mostly for aquaculture usage. Generally, in aquaculture, stock identification is paramount to the success of aquaculture activities and fisheries science employs various techniques for stock identification among which conventional techniques (morphometric) still play a significant role. In view of the aforementioned, this study evaluated homogeneity and heterogeneity between wild C. gariepinus from Igun Abandoned Gold Mine Reservoir and hatchery-bred stain from Leventis Foundation Farm from Osun State, Nigeria. Twenty-one morphometric traits examined were subjected to t-test, Principal Component and Cluster analysis using Paleontological Statistical (PAST) software. The t-test results revealed that weight, pelvic fin length, snout length, diameter of eye, anal fin length and dorsal fin length differed significantly (P<0.05) between the two populations while the remaining characters’ differences were not significant. The study further revealed a highest Eigen value of 64.725%, with length of spine as the character most responsible for variation, wild and hatchery-bred populations clustered almost intersected completely (95% ellipse) and Bray-Curtis’s clustering analysis showed similarity of 91%. The result elucidated the extent of homogeneity and heterogeneity based on morphometric analysis, the morphometric differences serve as a guide to selecting stocks for breeding programs which is considered a potential for commercial fish farming, however genetic marker studies (RAPD) can still be used to confirm the phenotypic diversities between the populations.

Ancient Environment, Sedimentological Characteristics and Mechanism of Transport of Campanian - Maastritchian Sandstone, Lokoja Formation, Bida Basin, Nigeria

2025-07-30T19:13:05+00:00

The Campanian - Maastritchian Sandstone, Lokoja Bassange Formation, Bida Basin, was studied to decipher
its ancient environment, the mechanism of transport and the sedimentological characteristics of the sandstone.
The results of grain size analysis show that the sandstone has medium-sized grains that are leptokurtic to
extremely leptokurtic, moderately well-sorted to moderately sorted, and primarily near symmetrical to coarsely
skew. The medium-grained sediments imply that grains have been transported over a considerable distance. The
near symmetry of the sediments suggests that the processes of erosion and deposition are almost in equilibrium
with one another. Leptokurtic grains predominate in the sandstone, indicating compositionally immature and a
texturally mature sandstone. The coarse positive skewedness indicates a fluvial (non-beach) paleoenvironment
origin. Also, the sorting of Ifon Sandstone at Uzebba and Ori-Ohin ranges from 0.54-1.26(0.90 average) and
0.62-1.42 (1.0. average) which are both of fluvial origin, after Folk’ environmental classification. The results
from the environmental discrimination plots which indicate an ancient fluvial depositional environment. The
mechanism of transportation reveals that the sediments were moved and deposited by rolling, bottom
suspension, and rolling, which are indicative of a high-energy, turbulent environment with high wave activity
and tractive current deposits.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Hand-Dug Wells around Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria

2025-07-30T19:30:33+00:00

The ease of getting clean water for domestic use is very challenging globally, particularly in the underdeveloped world, where groundwater is the main source of potable water. This study evaluates water quality from hand-dug wells around Achievers University Owo, Nigeria, to critically examine their suitability for domestic use. Ten water samples were collected from randomly selected wells and analyzed for physical and chemical parameters, which included pH, EC, total dissolved solids, and concentrations of cations (sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium) and anions (chloride, sulfate, nitrate, bicarbonate). The results were compared with the standards of WHO and SON. Findings indicate that the water samples are slightly acidic to alkaline, with pH values ranging from 5.42 to 6.95. Concentrations of cations and anions were within permissible limits, except for localized variations in nitrate and bicarbonate levels. The results of ions showed that nitrate ranged from 4.19 to 25.11mgL-1, chloride ranged from 10.6-36.58mgL-1 Nitrate ranged from 4.19-25.76mgL-1, magnesium ranged from 0.43-1.19 mgL-1, calcium ranged from 0.124-6.19mgL-1, sodium ranged from 0.49-1.79mgL-1. Piper’s diagram revealed mixed water types with no dominant ion facies, reflecting the area’s geological diversity. The majority of the samples fall under no dominant type. All the water that falls under the water facies of alkalis exceeds alkaline earth. The study concludes that while the groundwater quality generally meets WHO and SON standards, periodic monitoring and treatment are essential to mitigate contamination risks. Recommendations include improved sanitation practices, regular water treatment, and community awareness programs to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water.

The Prevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1/2 Among Blood Donors in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

2025-07-30T19:46:33+00:00

This study examines the sero-epidemiology of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) types 1 and 2 among blood donors in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, in the year 2024, focusing on prevalence, socio-demographic factors, and public health implications. Among 88 predominantly male donors (94.3%) aged 25–39 years (61.4%), the majority were Yoruba (86.4%) with secondary education (68.2%). Blood specimens were screened for HTLV using stringent kit from DIAPRO, Italy, with data analyzed via SPSS version 25. The study found a 3.4% HTLV-1/2 prevalence, higher than the West African regional average but lower than similar studies in Lagos. Socio-demographic factors, including age, gender, education, and occupation, showed no statistically significant correlation with infection. Similarly, HTLV prevalence was unaffected by blood group or donor type, although commercial donors dominated (71.6%), followed by relatives (23.9%) and voluntary donors (4.5%). Concerningly, only 3.4% of participants were aware of HTLV, with 87.5% mistakenly attributing transmission to mosquitoes and 86.4% associating its cause with supernatural factors. This highlights a critical need for targeted educational campaigns. The predominance of commercial donors raises further concerns about blood safety, as they are often linked to higher risks of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). The findings emphasize the urgent need for routine HTLV screening in blood banks and strategies to increase voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Public education campaigns are essential to correct misconceptions and promote safer blood donation practices. This study underscores the importance of enhanced screening protocols, and a shift towards voluntary blood donation to reduce transfusion risks and improve public health outcomes

Seroprevalence and Knowledge of Hepatitis B and C among Healthcare workers in three healthcare centers in Nigeria

2025-07-30T11:50:54+00:00

The study investigated the seroprevalence and knowledge of viral hepatitis B and C infections among healthcare workers in three medical centers in Karu Local Government area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was used in this study and data was collected using quantitative method. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered to 215 healthcare workers who were tested for HBsAg and anti- HCV using rapid hepatitis screening kits (ACON Laboratories biotest rapid diagnostic strips, USA). Data was analyzed using Chi square test and the level of significance, alpha – α, was set at < 5%. The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis among the healthcare workers were HBsAg 13.0% and HCV 2.8%. Seroprevalence of HBsAg among the unskilled workers was the highest at 4.6 %. There was no significant association between HBsAg and HCV seroprevalence across all the cadres (p ≤ 0.05). Doctors demonstrated a good knowledge of HBsAg and HCV (88%) compared to unskilled workers with poor knowledge scoring (9%). Knowledge base among HCWs was insignificant (p < 0.05). Although, the skilled HCWs had the highest screening and vaccination uptake, there was no statistically significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between the HBsAg prevalence, screening and vaccination across all the cadres. This study revealed a significant level of seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV among the HCWs and poor knowledge, and low screening and vaccine uptake among unskilled workers in the three medical centers.

Assessment of Antibiotic-Resistant E. coli in Cowshed Environments in Owo, Nigeria: Implications for Public Health

2025-07-31T09:25:02+00:00

This study assessed the microbial load, and antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from cowshed soil and wastewater in Owo metropolis, Nigeria. The total microbial count ranged from 2.73 × 10⁴ to 1.66 × 10⁸ cfu/mL, with an average of 2.41 × 10⁷ cfu/mL, indicating significant bacterial contamination. All isolates were Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, and predominantly indole- and citrate-positive. PCR amplification targeting the uidA gene confirmed the identity of E. coli in 16 of 25 phenotypically suspected isolates, reinforcing the reliability of molecular diagnostics. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all isolates exhibited 100% resistance to penicillin, doripenem, and amikacin. High resistance was also recorded for ceftazidime (89%) and cefepime (78%), while norfloxacin showed the highest susceptibility (89%). Wastewater isolates demonstrated slightly higher resistance levels, with 100% resistance to ceftazidime and MARI values ranging from 0.5 to 0.875, compared to soil isolates with MARI values between 0.375 and 0.75. These findings suggest that cowshed environments serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant E. coli, likely due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and inadequate waste disposal practices. The presence of resistant E. coli in environmental matrices poses a serious public health threat, particularly in communities using nearby water sources for domestic purposes and underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation of antimicrobial use in animal farming, and continuous environmental surveillance to curb the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect both human and environmental health.

The Recent Advances in the Use of Molecular Scissors (Gene Editing Tool) for the Treatment of Diseases

2025-07-30T17:13:05+00:00

Sequencing of the human genome marked an important milestone in studying the genetic basis of disease states. Gene editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism. This review seeks to shed more light on the recent advances in the use of molecular scissors (gene editing tool) for the treatment of diseases. Molecular scissors, also known as restriction enzymes or endonucleases, are a class of enzymes that play a crucial role in genetic engineering. Several nucleases genome editing strategies, including Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas), are the most widely used gene editing techniques. The basic mechanism involved in genetic manipulations is the recognition of target genomic loci and binding of effector DNA-binding domain (DBD), double-strand breaks (DSBs) in target DNA by the restriction endonucleases (FokI and Cas), and the repair of DSBs through homology-directed recombination (HDR) or non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). With the continuous optimizations of these technologies, ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR-Cas9 have already entered human clinical trials. To date, the majority of clinical applications of these technologies are focused on ex vivo gene editing therapeutics, which are highly effective for many medical conditions, although with known limitations, the in vivo applications of CRISPR technologies are also challenged with issues. Moreover, the novel innovations, such as Base editing and Prime editing, are still at the pre-clinical stage.

Production of Phospholipids for In-vitro Diagnostic Use: Merits, Demerits and Innovation

2025-07-30T17:22:45+00:00

Hemostasis is the physiological process that stops bleeding following blood vessel injury. It maintains blood in a fluid state within the circulation while preventing excessive blood loss, balanced by anticoagulant mechanisms to avoid pathological clotting. A key component of hemostasis is coagulation, which involves a cascade of enzymatic reactions leading to thrombin generation and fibrin clot formation. Phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylserine (PS), play an essential role in coagulation by offering a negatively charged surface for clotting factor complex assembly. Recent advances in diagnostic science have introduced synthetic phospholipids as substitutes for biologically derived thromboplastins in coagulation assays. This review is aimed at exploring the role of phospholipids in clot formation, examining the merits and challenges of phospholipid production for in vitro coagulation diagnostics and recent technological advancements. An extensive search was carried out on the subject matter, and more than fifty peer-reviewed articles were consulted to gather information relating to the subject matter. Inferences were drawn from these articles, and experience in the practice of medical laboratory science wasused as a guide from which relevant recommendations were made. This review becomes more important as the biomedical science world now adopts more synthetic phospholipids in kits rather than naturally derived reagents. There is very little information articulated in the literature on the limitations of synthetic phospholipid when compared to naturally sourced phospholipid.

Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Anti-Nutrient Profiling of Parkia biglobosa Fruit Pulp: Potential as a Micronutrient and Antioxidant Source

2025-07-30T17:32:11+00:00

Qualitative determination of the phytochemical, mineral, and antinutrient composition of Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp, an underutilized fruit, was carried out. The results established that this fruit pulp is a nutrient-rich food with significant potential for improving dietary diversity and addressing nutritional deficiencies. It contains essential minerals such as potassium (28.61 mg/100g), iron (1.11 mg/100g), zinc (0.59 mg/100g), and copper (0.19 mg/100g), along with vitamin C (503 mg/100g), which supports physiological functions and helps prevent oxidative stress. The moderate presence of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, contributes to its health benefits and potential therapeutic properties. Despite containing antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, and trypsin inhibitors, their levels remain within safe limits, posing minimal risk to mineral bioavailability. Given its rich composition, Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp can be integrated into diets in various ways, such as incorporating it into porridges, smoothies, baked goods, or traditional dishes to enhance micronutrient intake. Its natural sweetness makes it a suitable alternative to refined sugars in food formulations, offering a healthier option for sweetening beverages and snacks. Additionally, its antioxidant properties support immune health, making it a valuable dietary supplement, particularly in regions where malnutrition is prevalent. In summary, the fruit pulp presents a natural, sustainable means of improving nutritional intake and overall well-being while mitigating the risks of micronutrient deficiencies.