BackgroundAscariasis, Trichuriasis and Hookworm infections poses a considerable public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a sound understanding of their spatial distribution facilitates to better target control interventions. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence of the trio, and mapped their spatial distribution in the 20 administrative regions of Ogun State, Nigeria. MethodsParasitological surveys were carried out in 1,499 households across 33 spatially selected communities. Fresh stool samples were collected from 1,027 consenting participants and processed using ether concentration method. The locations of the communities were georeferenced using a GPS device while demographic data were obtained using a standardized form. Data were analysed using SPSS software and visualizations and plotting maps were made in ArcGIS software. ResultsFindings showed that 19 of the 20 regions were endemic for one or more kind of the three infections, with an aggregated prevalence of 17.2%. Ascariasis was the most frequently observed parasitic infection in 28 communities with a prevalence of 13.6%, followed by hookworm infections with a prevalence of 4.6% while Trichuriasis was the least encountered with a prevalence of 1.7%. The spatial distribution of infections ranges between 5.3-49.2% across the regions. The highest and lowest distribution of overall helminth infections was
This study investigated air pollutants associated with quarry activities and the variation of the pollutants with distance from the drilling section. Air pollutants were monitored with the use of automatic air samplers with the exception of ozone (O 3 ) which was determined by iodometric method. All sampling were replicated three times. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and correlation. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range test. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were detected while sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and O 3 were below detection limit. Suspended particulates were the most significant of the air pollutants analyzed. Crushing section had the highest concentrations of PM 10 and PM 2.5 with 0.231 ± 0.018 mg/m 3 and 0.130 ± 0.010 mg/m 3 respectively followed by the drilling section with 0.074 ± 0.066 mg/m 3 for PM10 and 0.065 ± 0.045 mg/m3 for PM 2.5 . The mean levels of the total suspended particulate decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with distance from the crushing section to Jagun village.
Quaternary trimethyl chitosan-stabilized bismuth nanoparticles (QTMC-BiNPs) with positive surface charges were uniquely synthesized and fully characterized. In the synthesis, Quaternary Trimethyl Chitosan (QTMC), a water-soluble derivative of chitosan (CTS) was prepared using two-step reductive methylation. The new biopolymeric functionalized ligand was further used as capping agent for the synthesis of QTMC-BiNPs which was applied as antibacterial and catalytic agents. The reaction was carried out at room temperature without the use of energy consuming or high-cost instruments. The QTMC and nanocomposites were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared, UV-visible, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic techniques. The topology and morphology of the composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal gravimetric analysis were also conducted. The degree of quaternization and degree of dimethylation values of 63.33 and 11.75%, respectively obtained for QTMC confirmed that the main product is a quaternary derivative. The average particle size of QTMC-BiNPs was evaluated to be between 30 and 45 nm. The QTMC-BiNPs revealed clear and uniform lattice fringes with an estimated interplanar d-spacing of 0.32 nm confirming the formation of highly crystalline nanocomposites. A further insight into the antibacterial activities of this nanomaterial were carefully examined on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) using resazurin based microdilution method for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The obtained results revealed that both bacteria pathogens were effectively inhibited/killed by the QTMC-BiNPs at very low concentrations. The MIC of 15.63 and 125 lg/mL were recorded against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively while the MBC of 31.25 and 500.00 lg/mL were estimated against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. An extensive evaluation of the catalytic capability of the nanocomposites towards the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol was also carried out with highly promising result.Keywords Chitosan Á Quaternary trimethyl chitosan Á Bismuth nanoparticles Á Antibacterial activity Á Catalytic activity
This study was carried out in Igun-Ijesha, Osun State, Nigeria to determine the likely hotspots of water contamination for future treatment trials. Water quality analyses were based on physico-chemical and heavy metal parameters of surface and ground water collected from the study community. A total of thirty-eight water samples were collected between September 2012 and February 2013 and analyzed using standard procedures. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed that water samples within the gold mining community are contaminated and the hydrochemistry varied with seasons. The values of magnesium, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and pH during the period of sampling ranged 3.1-42.1 mg/L, 0-150 NTU, 30-560 mg/L, 80-1192 µS/cm and 5.95-8.55 respectively. Chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate and sodium data were within the stipulated limits set by the Nigerian Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). Heavy metal contents of the groundwater were generally higher than those from surface water sampled within the mining district. The values of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc, ranged from 0.01-1.20, 0.05-0.52, 0. 80-34.80, 0.09-4.30, 0.09-8.30, 0.05-3.94, 0.05-19.6 and 1.80-29.90 mg/L respectively. Most of the listed metals have values exceeding the international and national recommended limits. The daily intake of water in the study area poses a potential health threat from long-term exposure to heavy-metals. The study suggests that water safety plans should be developed to safeguard water resource and public health within the mining community.
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