ABSTRACT Antimicrobials have been in use for decades in disease management, but emergence of resistant pathogens such as Escherichia coli have rendered its future of concern to public health. Increased human-wildlife interaction is associated with emergence of devastating human diseases and resistance genes are increasingly being isolated. Of importance is the increased bacterial infection that requires prolonged treatment periods as seen in Lambwe Valley which points to antibacterial resista...
ABSTRACT The process of re-establishing the natural level of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi richness can represent a valid alternative to conventional phosphate based fertilization practices, with a view to sustainable agriculture. The main strategy that can be adopted to achieve this goal is the direct re-introduction of AM fungi inoculum into a target soil. AM fungi have a high affinity for phosphorus, an essential macronutrient that participates in the skeleton of the nucleic acids DNA ...
Abstract Birds constitute an important part of the earths’ vertebrate organisms and are among the most diverse, conspicuous and fascinating forms of life. There are over ten thousand species of birds in the world. Besides their great ecological role in seed dispersal, pollination, importance in food weds / chains, they have also been crucial to man for meat, communication, recreation, decoration and as a source of inspiration. Unfortunately about 1,012 species of birds are being threatened ...
ABSTRACT Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is an aggressive paediatric B-cell lymphoma prevalent in children from holoendemic malaria regions of sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with early primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and repetitive Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria coinfection with high incidence in western Kenya. The lymphoma is common among children aged 2-11 years with high incidence at 5-8 years and has been associated with multiple genetic variations. Endemic BL is characterized b...
Abstract Many of the sewage treatment plants in Zimbabwe have not been upgraded to accommodate the population increases that the cities have undergone. This has resulted in the release of raw or partially treated sewage into rivers, which negatively impacts the ecological health of these ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of sewage effluent on the aquatic health of Sebakwe River, Kwekwe. Monthly surveys of macroinvertebrates and water variables were carried out from...
ABSTRACT Diarrheal diseases are the third leading cause of death in third world countries, resulting in 1.8 million deaths around the world per annum. A study was carried out to assess the microbial quality of ready to eat cooked foods sold at Midlands State University (MSU) bus terminus in March 2018. Type of samples which were microbially assessed were sadza, rice, chicken stew, beef stew, cabbage salads, pork chops and russian sausages. Sampling was done for three different days. A total o...
ABSTRACT Pollution of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals is now of global concern due to their effects on human health and persistence in the environment. The study was carried out to determine the heavy metal pollution in Sebakwe River Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. To provide information on heavy metals chromium, lead, copper, magnesium and iron concentrations in water and sediments, samples were collected at five sites in January 2019 and in February 2019. The samples were acid digested and analysed ...
ABSTRACT Candida species are the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Candida species produce infections that range from non life-threatening mucocutaneous illnesses to invasive processes that may involve virtually any organ and this broad range of infections. Candida albicans coexists with a highly diverse human bacterial microbiota. Candida tropicalis is a common pathogen in neutropenic hosts in whom it may spread through the bloodstream to peripheral organs. Candida tropicalis...
ABSTRACT Use of sewage sludge and effluent in cultivation of crops and vegetables is a common practice in Zimbabwe. However, high concentrations of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) in sewage sludge and effluent does not only result in environmental contamination, but may lead to elevated heavy metal uptake by crops, which may affect food quality and safety. The current study aimed to investigate if high concentration of Cd in sludge and effluent from Gimboki Sewage Treatment Plant translates...
ABSTRACT Acacia species are indigenous trees which are of great importance in Zimbabwe. They can be used for various purposes for example making pulp and tannin, as cattle feed, as fuel (charcoal and wood) and for timber production which can be used for construction purposes. However, Acacia species are being affected by Viscum articulatum in Zimbabwe especially in Greystone Park, Mazowe district, Glen Lorne and some parts of Midlands province. At present, Acacia trees affected by the Viscum ...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of produced water from an oil exploration company in Rivers State on the blood, gills and liver of Juvenile African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Seventy Juvenile African Catfish were separated into 7 groups (10 per treatment) and used for the study. The juveniles were exposed to three varying concentrations of fresh and stale produced water (2.5ml/l, 5.0ml/l and 10.0ml/l) for a period of 3weeks. At the end of the test period, haematological, bioc...
Abstract A common molecular variant of the angiotensinogen gene had been reported to predispose some ethnic groups to hypertension. This case-control study was designed to determine the frequency and association of the angiotensinogen M235T al1ele with hypertension in residents of Calabar and Uyo cities, south-south Nigeria. The study involved 1308 subjects, 612 patients and 696 controls. The M235T variant was investigated using an allele specific polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic diges...
ABSTRACT Pito is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is mostly brewed in the three northern regions of Ghana. Although widely consumed and used during many festivities, poor shelf-life limits its economic potential as an income generating venture for most women. The study was carried out to improve the shelf life through the addition of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and pasteurization. The study was in two phases, that is, the extract level testing phase and the storage phase. The former ...
ABSTRACT Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is an important root crop capable of ameliorating vitamin A deficiency that is a public health concern in Sub Saharan Africa. However, most of the OFSP cultivars have relatively short shelf life largely due to improper pre-and post- harvest management. This study investigated the effect of two curing (field-piled and in- ground) and two household-level storage (sand box and heap) methods on the shelf life of two OFSP cultivars (Apomuden and Nane) in...