The purpose of this research is to ascertain the level of sexuality and use of contraceptives among undergraduates in Rivers State, Nigeria. To achieve this study 12 items structured questionnaire of yes or no was developed by the researcher and administered to seven hundred (700) respondents using a stratified random sampling technique from five (5) tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The data gathered were analyzed with a simple percentage. From the analysis, it was found that: 1.Undergraduates are aware of contraceptives but do not like using them. 2. Contraceptives effectively protect the users from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. 3.Most undergraduates are into multiple sexual relationships. Recommendations were also made.

Microbes including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp and Salmonella spp were isolated from the abattoir water and were identified by carrying out Gram�s reaction and some biochemical tests. The seed powder was able to clear the abattoir waste water more compared with the leaf and bark indicating that the seed has high coagulation activity and as such can be used to replace chemical coagulants such as Alum (Potassium aluminium sulphate). The bacterial count of the abattoir waste water treated with the bark showed more decrease in bacterial count when compared with that of the leaf and seed. The antibacterial effect of extracts of the seed, bark and leaf of Moringa oleifera was determined in vitro by the Kirby Bauer method and were used on microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Salmonella spp. The bark was found to be more effective with a zone of inhibition of 20mm. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed that the leaf and seed extracts contained reducing sugars and tannins while the leaf, seed and bark extracts contained anthraquinones.

Purpose: The present study examines the potential uses of Amazon Sailfin Catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis in wastewater treatment. The main objective is to investigate the efficiency of P. pardalis in the biotreatment of sewage. Methods: The treatment of sewage with P. pardalis was carried out by analyzing the parameters such as total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, pH, BOD3 30o C and phosphates. The biotreatment efficiency of the fish P. pardalis was studied using different concentrations of sewage (20, 40, 60 and 80%) after 2, 4, 6 and 8 days of treatment. Results: The investigation revealed that after treatment with P. pardalis, the treated sewage had lower values of all the parameters than that of untreated sewage. Conclusion: It can be concluded that P. pardalis is efficient in the remediation of sewage.

Staphylococci which can be normal skin flora as well as aetiologic agent was examined for their clinical implications from urine sources during the study. The occurrence of staphylococcal species in urine sources of some people in Akoko communities between age group 5 to 55 years was determined. 50 sample sources were screened for this purpose. The total viable bacterial count of urine sample sources range from 0, 1 x 103 cfu/ml and 4 x 103 cfu/ml from Ikun-Akoko, Supare community, Iwaro-Akoko as well as Akungba-Akoko respectively to high microbial load of 50 x 106 cfu/ml from Supare-Akoko. The bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques including biochemical characteristics in which 23 (46%) were coagulase positive and 25 (50%) were coagulase negative and 2 (4%) show no growth on Mannitol Salt Agar. The 48 isolates obtained for this study were all Gram positive cocci (Bacteria). The Staphylococcal species obtained were grouped as C.P.S a 1:- Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus group 1, C.P.S.a 2:- Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus group 2, C.NS 1; Coagulase negative Staphylococcus group 1, C.N.S 2: Coagulase negative Staphylococcus group 2 and C.N.S 3: Coagulase negative Staphylococcus group 3. Some of the isolates tested show multiple antibiotic resistance which is significant clinically in case of treatment of infections in immunocompromised persons. The physico-chemical properties of urine samples collected from the Akoko communities studied was determined using Combi 9 strip/kit. This study will help to generate a database for health management purposes with the aim of controlling Staphylococcus infections.

Water is an important constituent of the living organism. Although, one of the most abundant resources to man, yet it is source of microbial transfers which serves a potential health problem in many rural communities. An evaluation study was undertaken to evaluate boreholes, wells and river waters from Iwochang community of Akwa Ibom was evaluated for microbial quality identifying the prevalent microbes. The result of the evaluation showed Bacillus spp, Fusarium spp and Penicillum spp to be the most prevalent in the community with 100% occurrence in all samples studied. Analysis also showed more of fungi colonies than bacterial. Boreholes water samples however had more bacterial and fungi than the well water. Comparison with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and the World Health Organization standard limits indicated most of the borehole samples beyond the microbial standard limits. These waters are potentially unsafe for drinking.

Indigenous knowledge is a body of knowledge built by a group of people through generations of living in close contact with nature. The present study is aimed to carry out Indigenous Ecological Knowledge on common Palm Civet in Cauvery Deltaic Region, Tamil Nadu. The study findings show that local people can recognize and distinguish the animal species, as well as notice and explain qualitative population trends and their habitats. The respondents were affirmed about the habitat, the Common Palm Civet occupied mostly in coconut tree followed by coconut and long trees, coconut and bamboo and coconut and mango tree. Nearly 82% respondents assured that the animal was single and 18% respondents observed in groups. Nearly 109 respondents assured that the animal is rare in their locality and 46 respondents marked as a common species. Majority of respondents (80%) belongs to Nagapattinam District assured that the species increasing trend was observed. While discussed about causes of decreasing, majority of the respondents coded the hunting followed by combined accident and hunting, habitat loss, accident, hunting and poisons, poaching, road kill, combined accident, hunting & poisons, hunting & habitation loss and hunting & road kill. When discussed about method of hunting, the respondents assured that cages are used majority (63%) respondents followed by poisons (21%). Nearly 21 combinations of food habits were recorded from the respondents during the study period. Among this food habits, 44 (28.4%) respondents assured that the coconut (both tender and ripened) is a major food source for the Common Palm civet followed by palm fruits, insects, rats, vegetables, mangoes, heron, etc., While discussed the breading season of the species, 116 (75%) respondents expressed to us don’t know, because the animal nocturnal habit. Some 31 (20%) respondents assured that the rain season is a breading season of particular species. Like wise, the breeding area showed unknown is highest 72% respondents followed by shrubs 20% and paddy field 7%. Most of the respondents (70%) assured that the species observed during the night time followed by evening (18%) time and other 12% respondents assured that the species observed both day and night time. The last seen of the animal in their habitat, huge number of respondents agreed within one month followed by two months, three months, four months it extended upto four years. The results compared with the Indian Mammals book context. It greatly explained their knowledge as same as book content.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate in early management and improvement of vaginal yeast infection among women in Jordan. Design: A quasi-experimental design with purposive sample was used in this study. Methods: The study sample included women attending maternal and child health (MCH) centers, who were suffering from vaginal yeast infection that that had been confirmed by clinical diagnosis (vaginal examination and swab) or women with high risk factors of developing vaginal yeast infection. A total of 300 women are included in the current study. The participants were divided into three equal groups: group (1) infected women who used sodium bicarbonate only; group (2) infected women who used sodium bicarbonate with medical treatment; and control group (3) infected women who used medical treatment only. Results: 93% of the case group improved than the control group. There were significant differences between the women before and after using sodium bicarbonate only, sodium bicarbonate with medication, and women who use medication only. Conclusion: Vaginal washing by baking soda / sodium bicarbonate helps to reduce vaginal yeast infection, particularly when it is used in combination with medication. The health care providers should pay an attention to, and acknowledge the efficacy of, sodium bicarbonate and combine it with medication to achieve early management and reduction of vaginal yeast infection.

This paper describes the results from the application of spectral analysis to the interpretation of slow volume fluctuations inside the intracrania-spinal cavities, recorded during 3 minute data collection periods by a rheoencephalography (REG) method, using a bio-impedance current frequency of 100 kHz and a medial fronto-mastoidal electrode sending position. The collected data was processed with Chart 5 software to obtain the spectra for each recording. Participants were from three age groups 20-30, 30-45 and older than 45 years. 20-30 subjects from each group were investigated, as well as a number of subject patients with neurological pathology, treated with an osteopathic manual technique. 5-7 spectral peaks were revealed in the 0 – 0.3 Hz frequency range. Hemispheric asymmetry was observed in every age group after mean averaging analysis. In the cases of neural pathology the osteopathic treatment intervention changed the amplitude and frequency of the spectral peaks. This study’s results suggest that the application of spectral analysis to slow volume fluctuations may provide information in evaluating the integrative relationships of the cerebrovascular system, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mobility and cranial pulse compliance. This has implications for non-invasive measurement of the rate of brain function in neurologically normal and non-normal neurological states in humans.

This study compared the phytochemical composition of Moringa oleifera leaf and stem bark in vitro antimicrobial potential of its aqueous, ethanolic, and ethyl acetate extracts tested on selected pathogens; E. coli, Staph. aureus, P. aeruginosa, A. niger, A. fumigatus and C. albicans. Plant materials were sampled and prepared as described by Gwana, et al. [1]. Phytochemicals were screened by using the methods as described by Harbone [11], Sofowora [4], Tease and Evans [12]. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of the leaves and stem bark were assayed, using the agar - disc diffusion method as described by Joanne, et al. [13] and Kirby - Bauer classification method. The study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and tannins. The stem bark extracts has been shown to contain more phytochemicals, which reflects in their ability to show more antimicrobial activity. The aqueous leaf and stem bark extract inhibited all the fungi isolates. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined (MBC). The ethanol extracts of the leaf and stem bark at a MIC at l00 mg / ml exhibited antimicrobial activities against all the microorganisms. Ethyl acetate stem bark showed the highest zone of inhibition (16 mm) against E. coli, this is owing to the fact that more secondary metabolites are released. Aqueous leaf and stem extracts gave the highest MBC at 25 mg / ml and 50 mg / ml for A. niger. The variations in the presence of the phytochemicals may be due to the choice of the solvent used in the extraction. The necessity to search for plant - based antimicrobials is increasing due to high cost, reduced efficacy and increased resistance to conventional medicines and there is need to proffers solutions these problems matter.

This research study was conducted on the determinations of some heavy metals and elements in Moringao leifera leaves that were grown in Gulani town, North – Eastern Nigeria. Fresh plant part materials were sampled and prepared as the method described by Gwana, et al. [1]. The prepared sampled were analysed by using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophptometric techniques as described by Association of Official Analytical Chemists [2].The study revealed the presence of heavy metals and elements determined and their mean concentration levels were ranged from 0.17 to 89.0 µg / l; Ca (89.0 µg / l), Cd (0.26 µg / l), Cr (0.17 µg / l), K (6.5 µg / l), Mn (0.68 µg / l), Pb (not detected) and Zn (0.32 µg / ). With regard to their percentage of concentration were ranged from 0.17 % to 91.8 %; Ca (91.8 %), Cd (0.27 %), Cr (0.17 %), K (6.7 %), Mn (0.68 %), Pb (0 %) and Zn (0.32 %) The magnitude of concentration levels of these elements detected in M. oleifera plant parts materials’ in sequential order was Ca>K>Mn>Zn>Cd>Cr> Pb, the highest mean concentration was calcium (Ca), the least was chromium, lead was not detected. M. oleifera leaves cultivated in this area were rich in minerals, both macro and micro elements, did not exceed the standard recommended values for heavy metals, found health risks free, wholesome for consumption(in terms of the minerals determined)by human beings and animals. The results obtained support the works of Ibrahim and Jimoh [11], Qais, et al. [12]; Okoronko, et al. [15] amongst others. Studies need to be carried out in the studied area in order to determinethe other heavy metals and elements that are not involved in this study.

The study compared the antinutritive, antimicrobial and anti-peroxidative activities of the leaf, seed and root of the Candle bush (Senna alata (Linn)) plant in vitro. The plant parts were air-dried and analysed according to standard methods. The leaf was found to contain significantly higher concentration (P=0.05) of oxalate (8.24±0.57 mg/g) than the seed (3.06±0.00 mg/g) or root (3.29±0.06 mg/g) while Tannin concentration was significantly higher in the seed (9.89±1.17 mg/g) than the leaf (7.42±0.00 mg/g) or root (0.16±0.00 mg/g). Phytate concentration was significantly higher in the root (3.29±0.00 mg/g) than the leaf (1.92±0.04 mg/g) or seed (0.3±0.04 mg/g).The root of the plant showed a significantly higher (P=0.05) anti-peroxidative ability (35.82±0.00%) than the leaf (19.66±0.36%) or seed (31.84±0.70%). The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant parts were screened against some bacteria isolates. The ethanolic extract of the leaf showed higher zones of inhibition than the aqueous extract on all organisms tested except on E.coli and P. aeruginosa. Futhermore, the ethanolic extract of the seed showed a higher inhibition on Salmonella typhii, Staphylococus aureus and Clostridium spp. while the aqueous extract of the seed showed higher inhibitory effect on E.coli, P.aeruginosa and B.subtilis. The ethanolic extract of the root showed a higher inhibitory activity against all tested organisms compared to the aqueous extract. Hence, the foregoing shows the plant as a rich source of antinutritive components with potential therapeutic and antimicrobial properties which could replace the conventional synthetic drugs, the cost of which is getting out of reach of large populations in the developing world.

This research study was carried out on the appraisal of some selected heavy metals and elements in Baobab tree leaves (Adonsonia digitata) grown in College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, north – eastern Nigeria. The samples were collected, authenticated and prepared as described by Gwana, et al. [1]. Plant part materials were analysed in triplicate and the techniques applied were that of the methods as described by AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) [2] and Ashiq, et al. [5]. The results obtained revealed that the presence of the seven selected metals and elements with their mean concentration levels were ranged from 0.3 to 81.0 mg / l; 81 mg / l, 0.84 mg / l, 0.04 mg / l, 0.61 mg / l, 0.68 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l, and 0.3 mg / l for Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mn, Pb and Zn. While with regard to the mean percentage of their concentration were ranged from 0.4 % to 97.0 %; Ca had 97.0 %, Cd (1.0 %), Cr (0.05 %), K (0.73 %), Mn (0.81 %), Pb and Zn both had 0.4 % each. The magnitude of concentration levels of the elements detected in Adonsonia digitata leaves in sequential order was Ca > Cd > Mn > K > Pb and Zn > Cr, the highest mean concentration was calcium (Ca), the least was chromium. Adonsonia digitata leaves grown in this area were rich in minerals, both macro and micro elements. The study also revealed that amongst the seven elements being determined, Ca, Cd and Cr had exceeded the standard recommended values for heavy metals and elements, both rest (Mn, K, Pb and Zn) were found not health risks free, wholesome for consumption (in terms of the minerals determined) by human beings and animals. The results obtained were similar to the works of Ibrahim and Jimoh [7], Qais, et al. [9]; Okoronko, et al. [15] amongst others.

This study was carried in New Halfa Agricultural Production Corporation, Sudan, season 2006/2007. To measure the factors affecting technical efficiency of sorghum production using a stochastic frontier production function. The study used multi-stage stratified random sampling by mean of a structured questionnaire to interview 150 tenants. The results revealed that the magnitude of technical efficiency varied from one tenant to another and ranged from 33% to 99%, with a mean of 78%. Which means that sorghum production could have been increased by 22% at the same level of inputs. The main factors that influenced the degree of sorghum efficiency were the irrigation number, tenancy location, weeding, labour and education. While experiences of tenant, Animal ownership and schooling years, had significant effects on tenants’ technical inefficiency of sorghum production. To improve sorghum production technical efficiency, the study recommended usage of herbicides, provision credit to tenants.