In this study the occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) was determined in three senatorial districts of Osun State in relation to soil texture, vegetation, moisture and pH. A total of 110 soil samples were randomly collected from various cultivated fields in different locations. The soil samples were baited twice using last instar larvae of the Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) for presence of entomopathogenic nematodes. Four EPN isolates were recovered viz., Heterorhabditis indica, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema karii and Steinernema wesieri. Of a total of 110 soil samples examined, EPNs were found in 90.90% soil samples, they belonged to the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Steinernema spp. was found prevalent in both cultivated and undisturbed soils. Frequency of occurrence of EPNs in the sampled soils from the different senatorial zones was determined: soil samples from the Central zone recorded the lowest prevalence 87.50% while the soil samples from Western senatorial zone revealed 91.43% presence of the EPNs. The highest frequency of occurrence of EPNs-94.29% was recorded in the soil samples from Eastern senatorial zone. Nematode distribution and frequency was found to be related to soil pH (pH<4.5 to pH>7.2) and soil moisture. This is the first report of these nematodes from Osun State, Nigeria.

Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic infection caused by the invasion of the skin of a man, dog, pig, or bird with gravid female Tunga species. Prevalence may reach up to 50% in impoverished areas of South America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Very severe cases characterized by more than 30 embedded sand fleas may be found but are not common. Few studies have been done in Nigeria, and in endemic communities of Lagos, a prevalence as high as 45.2% has been reported. We hereby report a severe case of Tungiasis in Ilaje, an endemic community in the Badagry Local Government area of Lagos during an active surveillance conducted between August 2021 to May 2022 involving Eighteen (18) communities. This case is a 54-year-old male farmer who presented with pain, inflammation, ulceration, and deformation of digits, heels and soles of his limbs. He reported a burning sensation, and pruritus and was observed to have difficulties in walking which was evidenced by a noticeable totter. Embedded fleas in clusters numbering between 30 to 60 per limb were extracted by manual removal and the wounds were treated topically. Tungiasis morbidity often leads to poor health and impoverishment. Although tungiasis is rare in nonendemic areas, however, with the increased travel and opening up of Badagry as a seaport and tourist site, this ectoparasite may further be disseminated if still neglected. It is therefore imperative to investigate the occurrence, create awareness and implementation of preventive measures among local inhabitants. Physicians should be familiarized with this infestation for easy diagnosis and treatment.

Improper disposal of wastes as an environmental problem is common in African and other developing countries of the world, and it raises concerns due to its potential threats to the life of organisms in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In this study, Asa River in Ilorin, Nigeria was evaluated for cytogenotoxicity at 25.0 %, 50.0 %, 100.0 % following the Allium cepa assay. Water samples were collected from three points tagged A, B, C, and each point was 500 m apart from each other. The water samples were used to grow A . cepa for microscopic and macroscopic toxicities screenings. Heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants in the water were elucidated following the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. The Water samples induced higher mitotic index values, except the sample C which induced smaller mitotic index value than the negative control. Root growth in the exposed A . cepa was significantly promoted at 25.0 % of the water samples, while significant reduction was obtained at 50.0 % and 100.0 % of the sample C, and 100.0 % of the sample A. The absolute water sample A induced highest percentage chromosomal aberrations, as the water samples B and C induced higher percentage chromosomal aberration than the negative control. Cadmium was detected at a concentration higher than its permissible limit in drinking water unlike Zinc, Iron, Manganase. Poly aromatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic amines, Acridine dye, Phenolic and Polychlorinated compounds were detected in the water sample. These pollutants may be responsible for the observed proliferative, inhibitory, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the water samples on A . cepa cells. Our results suggest that Asa River is polluted, having potential to inflict different adverse effects on human, animals and plants utilizing it along its course.

| Studies on the biocidal activities of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora on African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) was carried out in vivo. The H. bacteriophora was obtained from Osun state University farmland sites, Osogbo, Osun State while armyworm used in this study was obtained from the pot of a tomato plant in the botanical garden of Osun State University. Extraction of H. bacteriophora was done using decantation and centrifugation method of nematodes extraction. The five different concentrations of H. bacteriophora were made in distilled water (µg/l); one sample not treated with nematode was served as control. Biocidal efficacy was achieved by collecting soil samples, sterilized and kept into experimental plastic plates labelled as A, B, C, D, and E. This was further divided by weight into five equal portions labelled as A1-A5, B1-B5, C1-C5, D1-D5, and E1-E5, respectively. The observation was done after every twelve hours for five iterations, and the death rate was recorded. The death rates of armyworms in each soil sample after 72 hours were noticed to achieve biocidal efficacy. Maximum mortality (100%) was observed in highest concentration of nematodes (50%) after maximum time exposure (72 h); sample treated with 0% concentration had no mortality. The result shows that the death rate of the armyworm is proportional to the concentration of the H. bacteriophora and duration of application. Statistical analysis conducted using analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference in the overall biocidal activities of H. bacteriophora at 5% confidence limit (F>0.05). Statistical test conducted on the data also supports the reliability of the data with a correlation coefficient of 0.85

Background: The need to assess the gaps in knowledge and perception on bioethics among biomedical researchers has become necessary considering the increasing numbers of researchers and research outputs in sub-Saharan Africa. This study, therefore, investigated the knowledge and perceptions of biomedical researchers in Osun State, southwest Nigeria.Methods: Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to consenting biomedical researchers during a capacity workshop conducted in November 2020. The questionnaire collected data on the attendee’s demography, knowledge, awareness and perception on bioethics and ethical approvals for research. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS. 20.0 software and expressed as frequencies and percentages. Associations between professional status of participants were performed using chi-square statistics, and confidence interval was set as 95%. However, qualitative data were obtained using open-ended questionnaires and analysed thematically.Results: A total of 153 biomedical researchers across 33 academic and research institutions, comprising 58% males, and 42% females participated in this study. The age of the participants ranged from 20 to 60 years. Majority of the participants (60.8%) hold academic positions and about one-third of the population were graduate students (30.1%). Awareness on bioethics was high (91.5%), and more common in schools (61.4%), with majority of the participants (77.1%) describing it as a field that addresses the social and legal issues arising from medicine and life sciences (p<0.05). However, participants’ perception of the principles of ethics was poor, with about 16% of participants considering none or only part of the principles. Also, about 10% felt they could still obtain ethical permits while research is ongoing or completed, while only 13.7% affirms that all biomedical related researches require ethical approval. There were significant differences in the proportions across the professional status of participants (p<0.05).Conclusion: The study has revealed poor perception among participants and suggests the prioritization of bioethics capacity enhancement workshops to improve knowledge and perceptions of biomedical researchers. In addition, more detailed studies across institutions in Nigeria should be carried out to assess, monitor and reinforce knowledge gained by biomedical researchers.