http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/118 2026-04-05T15:10:45Z 2026-04-05T15:10:45Z ASIWAJU-BELLO, Shekinat Kehinde http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2161 2024-04-26T13:29:22Z 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z

PERFORMANCE OF POST-HARVEST STORAGE BAGS AND DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FOR THE PROTECTION OF STORED MAIZE AGAINST INSECT PEST INFESTATIONS ASIWAJU-BELLO, Shekinat Kehinde Maize is an important staple crop widely used in domestic and industrial processes. It is usually stored in Polypropylene (PP) bags, where it is prone to heavy insect infestations, resulting in high economic losses. A number of recent interventions to prevent insect infestations during grain storage include Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and novel bags such as ZeroFly (ZF) and Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS). However, there is paucity of data on their effectiveness and optimal use in insect pest management. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of different storage bags and DE against stored-insect pests of maize. The study was conducted between February, 2017 and January, 2018 in a storehouse at Arisekola Market, Bodija, Ibadan. Pristine 50 kg SWAN 2 maize variety was stored using eight different bag treatments comprising: PP (control) and ZF, DE admixed in PP and ZF (PPDE and ZFDE), single and double hermetic liners in PP (PP1L and PICS), single and double hermetic liners in ZF (ZF1L and ZF2L). A stack of three replicates for each treatment was placed on separate pallet and arranged one meter apart. In addition, for each ZF1L, ZF2L, PP1L and PICS, two sets comprising 3 replicates/set were stored for destructive sampling every four-months using standard procedure. Maize in ZF, PP, ZFDE and PPDE were sampled monthly. Insect population count, insect damaged kernel, maize weight loss and insect perforation on bags were determined through standard procedures. Maize quality was determined through standard seed germination method, maize Moisture Content (MC) was measured by MC meter and aflatoxin level by Thin-Layer Chromatography. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Total insect population of 5,945 in all treatment bags comprised predominantly Sitophilus zeamais (2,593), followed by Tribolium castaneum (1,298), Liposcelis spp. (1,193) and the least occurring Cryptolestes ferrugineus (861). Percentage of insect species per bag: ZF2L (0.2) and ZF1L (0.3) were significantly lower than the population in ZFDE (3.2) and PPDE (7.9), but higher in ZF (51.8) and PP (35.4). Insect damaged kernel was significantly low in ZF2L (0.4±0.0%), ZF1L (0.5±0.0%) and ZFDE (0.8±0.3%) compared to ZF (16.9±1.6%) and PP (5.4±0.9%). The maize weight loss was significantly low in ZF2L (0.1±0.0%), PICS (0.2±0.0%) and ZFDE (0.2±0.1%) compared to ZF (6.7±0.8%). The number of insect perforations on ZF2L (0.0±0.0), PICS (1.3±0.4) and ZF (17.0±3.1) were significantly lower compared with the control, PP (51.5±5.7). Seed germination rate (97.5±0.6%) in ZF2L and PICS were significantly higher than PP (78.3±0.1%) and ZF (66.0±2.3%). The initial MC of the maize in treatment bags was 11.4±0.1%, but the final MC in ZF2L (12.2±0.1%) was significantly lower than in PP (13.5±0.1%). Aflatoxin levels in maize in all treatment bags were within the recommended limits (4 µg/kg) of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, except the PP (5.0 µg/kg). Hermetic storage bags and diatomaceous earth were effective at controlling insect infestations and preserved stored maize quality. Therefore, they could be used in postharvest storage interventions.

2023-06-01T00:00:00Z OYEBAMIJI, David Anuoluwapo http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2159 2024-04-26T13:25:24Z 2023-07-24T00:00:00Z

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND CULTURAL PRACTICES INFLUENCING THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA OYEBAMIJI, David Anuoluwapo Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) which affect approximately two billion people globally is a common public health concern in developing nations. Dynamics of host and environmental factors results in fluctuations in the parasite infectivity rate. Thus demographic information in endemic localities is necessary. Therefore, there is need to constantly update epidemiological data across geographic zones including remote endemic areas. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the current knowledge, attitude, and practices, as well as environmental factors influencing the prevalence and intensity of STHs in Ibadan. Soil samples (n=1980) were collected at a depth of 2-3 cm from five sampling sites (toilet areas, dumpsites, playgrounds, roadsides, and house vicinities) in the 11 Local Government Areas of Ibadan: South-East, South-West, North-East, North-West, Ibadan North, Akinyele, Ido, Lagelu, Egbeda, Oluyole and Ona-Ara, from January 2017 to December 2018. Faecal samples (n=1100) were also collected from consenting participants visiting Primary Health Centres. Parasite prevalence and intensity in soil and faecal samples were determined using standard methods, while temperature, rainfall, and Relative Humidity (RH) data were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Structured questionnaires were also administered to the consenting participants to obtain information on demographics (age, sex), and hygiene practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and ANOVA at α0.05. Soil contamination with at least one STH was recorded in 54.9% of samples examined. Soil parasite prevalence (%) were 39.9 (hookworm larvae), 26.8% (Strongyloides larvae), 19.9% (Strongyloides adult), and 13.4% (Ascaris). Prevalence (%) by location was 49.2 (SouthEast), 48.1 (South-West), 48.3 (North-East), 49.8 (North-West), 47.4 (Ibadan North), 51.1 (Akinyele), 52.2 (Ido), 55.1 (Lagelu), 53.6 (Egbeda), 51.8 (Oluyole), and 54.3 (Ona-Ara). Dumpsites had the highest mean parasite intensity (epg) of 216.2±211.5, 120.4±119.6 (toilet areas), 75.1±73.6 (roadsides), 13.7±11.8 (playgrounds), and 3.4±1.8 (house vicinities). Faecal samples had overall prevalence of 35.9% with Ascaris being the most frequently occurring (41.6%), hookworm (24.5%), Trichuris (23.4%), and Strongyloides (10.4%).vi Highest parasite prevalence (%) in faecal samples was 38 from Ona-Ara, 36 (Lagelu), 35 (Ido), 34 (South-East), 32 (Egbeda), 31 (Akinyele), 30 (North-East), 29 (North-West), 28 (South-West), and 26 (Ibadan North). Overall intensity (epg) of faeces was 1043 (Ascaris), 771 (hookworm), 315 (Trichuris), and 210 (Strongyloides). Parasite prevalence (60.0%) was highest in November (mean temperature 30.9ºC; rainfall: 39 mm; RH: 83%), while intensity (359) was highest in March (27.4ºC; 67mm; 86%). Principal components 1, 2 and 3 accounted for 93.1% of total variations with RH (0.9) and rainfall (0.7) influencing STH prevalence (0.6) and intensity (0.7). Prevalence of infection was significantly higher in male (64.3%) than female (35.7%) participants. Prevalence was highest (23.4%) in 11-20 years and lowest (3.4%) in 51-60 years. Participants practicing open defaecation (22.4%) had a prevalence of 59.9%. However, participants that walk barefooted had STH prevalence of 60.7%. Inadequate knowledge, open defaecation practices, and walking barefooted coupled with favourable climatic factors facilitated transmission of soil helminths in Ibadan.

2023-07-24T00:00:00Z OKORAFO, Kalu Ama http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2157 2024-04-26T13:21:02Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS, PLANKTON AND MACROINVERTEBRATES IN CALABAR RIVER AT OKOMITA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA OKORAFO, Kalu Ama Calabar River is an important waterbody in South-south Nigeria that supports a thriving fishery in the surrounding communities. Middle Calabar River, at Okomita area experiences intensive sand mining, effluents and solid wastes input from industries, farmlands, markets, slaughter houses, dumpsites and human settlements. Pollutants from these sources could adversely affect water quality and resident biota. Studies on physicochemical parameters, plankton and macro-invertebrates have been carried out in Calabar area, downstream of Calabar River but not in Okomita. This study was carried out to investigate the physico-chemical parameters of surface water, diversity, abundance and distribution of plankton and macro-invertebrates in Calabar River at Okomita to ascertain its suitability for aquatic life and domestic uses. Surface water, plankton and macro-invertebrates sampling were carried out monthly from September, 2014 to August, 2016 at six purposively selected sampling stations. Physicochemical parameters including temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), hardness, conductivity, turbidity and metals were measured following standard methods. Plankton samples were collected with plankton net (55 µm mesh size). Macro-invertebrate samples were collected by kick sampling and with van-Veen grab (0.6 m2) and sorted with sieve (0.5 mm mesh size). The biota were identified using standard identification guides. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, PCA, Shannon-Wiener’s species diversity and Evenness and ANOVA were used to analyse the data at α0.05. Surface water temperature (25.98±0.11ᴼC) and pH (7.84±0.06) were within NESREA and WHO recommended limits for aquatic life and drinking; iron (0.79±0.05 mg/L) and lead (1.12±0.03 mg/L) were higher, while DO (4.72±0.07 mg/L) and conductivity (22.11±0.77 µS/cm) were lower than the recommended limits. Water temperature, pH and turbidity were significantly different within stations and higher in the wet season. Bacillariophyceae (70.5%) dominated the phytoplankton population, while Dinophyceae (1.9%) was least. Rotifers (33.0%) dominated the zooplankton, while protozoans (2.6%) were least abundant. Insects (87.8%) dominated macro-invertebrates assemblage, while bivalves (1.4%) were least abundant. Significantly higher abundance of plankton was recorded in the wet season (phytoplankton, 67.5%; zooplankton, 52.7%), while higher abundance of macroinvertebrates was in the dry season (69.3%). Pollution-indicators were phytoplankton: Oscillatoria tenuis (2.4%), Surirella oblonga (2.4%) and Melosira granulata (2.2%); zooplankton: Philodina species (6.9%), Brachionus forticula (6.5%) and Lecane lunaris (5.6%) and macro-invertebrates: Enithares species (34.2%), Mesovelia furcata (8.9%) and Gerris species (7.2%). Species diversity in all the stations: 0.4–2.89 (phytoplankton), 1.31– 1.75 (zooplankton) and 0–2.50 (macro-invertebrates) indicate that the river was moderately polluted. Principal Components 1-4 accounted for 50.1% variations in physico-chemical parameters and biota abundance, and indicated that seasons (wet: -0.80 and dry: 0.80) significantly modulated physico-chemical parameters and biota abundance. The PCA also revealed that hardness (0.66); DO (0.67) and turbidity (-0.69) were principal determinants of plankton (blue-green algae, 0.49; diatoms, -0.59; rotifers, -0.50 and cladocerans, -0.60) and macro-invertebrates (insects, 0.65 and bivalves, 0.65) abundance. Abundance of pollution indicator biota, low diversity values and deviations of some physico-chemical parameters from recommended levels suggest that Calabar River at Okomita is under pollution stress and not suitable for aquatic life and domestic uses.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z ALAMUKII, Nanfizat Abiket http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2155 2024-04-26T13:10:30Z 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z

BARRIERS TO EARLY DIAGNOSIS, TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR AND RECEPTOR GENETIC VARIANTS AS POSSIBLE PREDICTORS FOR BREAST CANCER AMONG NIGERIAN WOMEN ALAMUKII, Nanfizat Abiket Breast cancer is a major public health concern and early diagnosis is important in the treatment of the disease. In Nigeria, there has been an increase in breast cancer-related deaths, mostly because of delayed diagnosis due to reliance on clinical manifestation. Previous studies in Nigeria, identified mutant genes associated with breast cancer, but with limited information on Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene. The TNF-α is a cytokine that plays a significant role in initiation and progression of breast cancer. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the epidemiological factors affecting early diagnosis of breast cancer and identify key genetic variants of TNF-α and its receptor as potential predictors for breast cancer in Nigerian women. This study was carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from May 2017 to July 2021. Interviews were conducted with 25 breast cancer patients and 10 health workers using purposive sampling techniques. In the case-control quantitative study, 100 cases and 100 controls were recruited by randomised sampling. Sociodemographics were documented, and blood samples collected from each participant. The TNF-α and its receptor levels were quantified by ELISA, and TNF-α (488 G/A, 238 G/A, 308 G/A, 859 C/T, 1032 C/T) and its receptor (TNFR1A+IV56+10 -G /A) alleles were genotyped by allele specific PCR. Sequencing of TNF-α isolates was done using a nanopore sequencer. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using the thematic narrative. Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-Test, ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyse results with odd ratios at α0.05. Breast self-examination, a post-symptomatic diagnostic procedure, emerged as the major factor (88.0%) preventing effective early diagnosis of breast cancer in health facilities. Other factors included inadequate awareness, cost of diagnosis, health insurance scheme, alternative medicine and religious belief. The age of breast cancer patients was 45.81±10.66 years and most of the participants (96.0%) had no family history of breast cancer. Eighty percent of cases never used birth control, while 95.0% had never taken fertility hormone pills. At diagnosis, 58.0% of cases presented with Grade 2 tumour. The TNF-α level was significantly lower in cases compared to controls and correlated with tumour grades (R2=0.12). Soluble-TNF-α receptor levels were not significantly different between cases and controls. Five alleles showed a significantvii association with breast cancer: TNF-α 488G (OR=0.24, 95% CI= 0.08-0.74), TNF-α 380G (OR= 0.51, 95%CI= 0.51-0.93), TNF-α 308A, OR = 0.33, 95%CI=0.14-0.78), and TNFR1A+IV56+10-G (OR= 0.35, 95% CI= 0.19-0.68) TNF-α 1032C (OR= 2.08 CI= 1.18-3.65). Other alleles: TNF-α488A, 238G/A, 859C/T, 380A, 1032T and TNFR1A+IV56+10-A showed no association with breast cancer. TNF-α 488G, 308A and 1032C were associated with TNF-α levels in cases, while TNF-α 488G, 238A and 1032T were associated with TNF-α levels in controls. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms of TNF-α was confirmed through sequence alignment. Occurrence of breast cancer among Nigerian women is mostly sporadic and reliance on breast self-examination appears to be ineffective for early diagnosis. The Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha gene variants (TNF-α 488G, 308A, and 1032C) might be predictors for breast cancer among Nigerian women.

2023-08-01T00:00:00Z