Comparison of extruded and non-extruded soy meals in the diet of genetically improved mudfish Heterobranchus longifilis juveniles

Raw soybeans were subjected to three different processing methods viz Parboiling, Toasting and Extrusion with an Intra Pro Extruder. The processed soybean meals were thereafter incorporated at equal levels into the diets of genetically improved mudfish Heterobranchus longifilis juveniles. The fish were fed the experimental diets in triplicate at 5% of their body weight for eight weeks. The growth performance and food utilization indices, namely Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Food Conversion Ratio (FCR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR%) and Protein Efficient Ratio (PER), were monitored bi-weekly. The results show that fish fed the control fishmeal diets were highest in growth performance, which was significantly different (P>0.05) from others. Among the fish fed the test diets, those fed toasted soybean had higher MWG, SGR, FCR and PER than juveniles fed the parboiled soybean diet. The juveniles fed the extruded soybean diet recorded the least growth performance. The implication of these results in diet formulation is discusse

Effect of pre-germination treatments on the dormancy breaking and early growth performance of bitter kola (Garcinia kola- (heckel) in south southern Nigeria

The demand for bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is high in Nigeria market but the population of the species is low both in the wild and home gardens. Rapid deforestation, heavy exploitation in the natural forest and difficulties associated with its germination occasioned by seed dormancy have been blamed. The study on enhancing germination and early growth of Garcinia kola was conducted using Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments and a control. The control was made of untreated seeds (T1) while the treatments included nicked seeds soaked in water for 24 hours (T2), seeds from fermented pods (T3), and seeds from fresh pods (T4). Seed germination tests were carried out after pre treatment using 16 seeds for each treatment anf the control in the nursery site of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH, Obubra campus) in South southern Nigeria.. The result showed that cutting seeds at the opposite end to the radicle (nicking) was the most suitable pre-sowing treatment to increase seed germination and early growth performance of Garcinia kola. Treating the seeds with mechanical scarification (nicking) significantly enhanced germination (P<0.001) and significantly influenced seedlings growth (P<0.05). The highest mean values of 8, 14.65 cm and 5 were obtained for germination count, plant height and leaf number respectively from nicked seeds soaked in water for 24 hours. Dormancy in Garcinia kola seeds can be removed by nicking the seeds and soaking in cold water for a day.Keywords: Germination, growth, seed nicking, pre-treatment, dormanc

Visitors’ satisfaction and intention to revisit Agodi Parks and Garden Ibadan, Oyo State

Visitors’ satisfaction with a recreation center is important for management activities in retaining their visitors’ influx and increasing their economic sustainability especially if their satisfaction will lead to more revisits to the center. This study identifies the recreational facilities and activities, level of visitor’s satisfaction, as well as the factors determining visitor’s satisfaction with Agodi Parks and Gardens, Ibadan, Oyo State. The study employed, direct Understanding observation and the Survey technique using structured and self-administered questionnaire to obtain information on the major objectives of the study. A total of 120 randomly selected visitors to the site were involved in the survey. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that majority (60%) of the respondents were males, with the highest age range between 18 and 25 years. Marital status showed that 60% were single with 81.7% being resident in Ibadan. Having fun (33.3%) and relaxation (30.8%) were the major purpose of visit to the Park. Half of the respondents (50%) were satisfied with their recreation experience with 46.7% willing to re-visit. There was no significant relationship between visitor’s satisfaction and intention to re- visit. The study identified the significance of the destination attributes such as the availability of helpful staff and presence of varieties of recreational facilities as determinants of overall satisfaction of visitors to the study area. The determinants of satisfaction identified in this study should be explored to create an environment that will encourage the visitors to revisit the park, thereby increasing its economic sustainability.Keywords: Agodi Park, Determinants, Revisit, Satisfaction, visitor

Investigation of a tumour suppressor gene at chromosome 10q23.3 in prostate carcinoma.

Using various molecular genetic techniques, attempts have been made to identify a tumour suppressor gene (TSG) in prostate carcinoma. This gene will act as a genetic marker to identify patients at risk of disease progression from prostate cancer. The region at chromosome 10q23-24 is postulated to contain a TSG that plays an important role in the development and progression of tumours as it is deleted in a number of cancers including glioblastomas, endometrial and prostate cancer. In glioblastomas, chromosome 10 is partially or entirely deleted in approximately 90% of tumours. The TSG called Pten has been identified on chromosome 10 in the region 10q23.3. The significance of loss of the Pten gene in prostate cancer is unknown. In this thesis, the clinical significance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP'S) in the chromosomal region 10q23-24 was evaluated. Comparisons in the distribution of polymorphisms between Ninety-five prostate cancer patients and forty-three non-prostate cancer patients were made. Three intronic polymorphism markers within the Pten gene were used: a single-base A >G substitution in intron A, 96 bp upstream of exon 2. A 5-bp ATCTT insertion / deletion in intron D, 110 bp downstream of exon 4 and a single-base T >G substitution in intron H, 32 bp downstream of exon 8. This study did not isolate any particular trend in polymorphism distribution in the Pten gene when comparisons were made between the two study groups. The significance of loss of Pten gene in thirty-four prostate cancer patients was evaluated using four highly informative microsatellite markers: D10S541, D10S2492, D10S1765 and AFMa086wg9 located within and around the Pten locus. DNA was extracted from prostate cancer cells following microdissection of archival paraffin embedded radical prostatectomy specimens. Loss of heterozygousity (LOH) studies was performed on matching blood/tissue DNA using these four microsatellite markers. For these case specimens, frequency of allele loss of 48% was found at the D10S541 locus 39% at D10S1765 32% at D10S2492 and 22% at the AFMa086wg9 locus. At all four microsatellite, the mean (range) LOH was 35.25% (22%-48%). Of the 34 case specimens 17(50%) showed LOH in at least one of the informative marker sites. Correlating the significance of this region of LOH with pathological staging and known prognostic indicators in prostate cancer showed that the loss of the Pten gene was associated with late stage disease and likely to be involved in disease progression in prostatic adenocarcinoma

Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract on intraocular and blood pressure of normotensive adults in Edo State, Nigeria

For centuries, Moringa Oleifera leaf is used in traditional medicine for common ailments in many countries of the world. Traditionally it is used in the treatment of systemic hypertension but there are very limited literature on its effect on ocular hypertension. Therefore this clinic based-observational study investigated the effect of graded doses of Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract on intraocular and blood pressure of thirty normotensive adults, male and female aged 18 to 35 (mean age of 28.93 ±1.62) years. They were divided into three groups of ten participants in each group. Another group of ten normotensive adults, aged matched were used as a control group. Baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP) of each participant were measured. Three different masked doses of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract labelled ‘E’, ‘F’, and ‘G’ were orally administered to groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively by a laboratory technician, while group 4 participants drank water only. Thereafter IOP and BP were measured at 30 minutes interval for the four groups until values returned to baseline. Results showed that Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract when administered orally has statistically significant (p<0.05) hypotensive effect on IOP and BP of the three experimental groups. The effect was dose-dependent and the maximum reduction in BP was at 60 minutes. This preceded the maximum reduction in IOP which occurred at 90 minutes, thereafter IOP and BP rose toward baseline values. Therefore Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract may be effective in the control of systemic and ocular hypertension.Keywords: intraocular pressure, blood pressure, Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract, normotensive adult

Gargling-induced reduction in urinary Na/K ratio in dehydrated humans: Is there a dual role for oropharnygeal receptors in vasopressin regulation?

Background: A linear relationship exists between plasma osmolality (Posm) and thirst perception (TP) and also between plasma arginine vasopressin (Pavp) and Posm. Thus, an increase in Posm leads to an increase in Pavp secretion, which are systemic indicators of thirst. Recent studies have also shown that Pavp secretion is associated with sodium retention. The role of Pavp in termination of thirst during drinking while Posm remains unchanged is however inconclusive. This informed the basis for the present study. Methods: Ten (10) apparently healthy male volunteers aged between 20 and 30 years, non-smokers and not on any medication prior to the experiments, were recruited for this study. They dehydrated for 18hrs and their 12-hour urine samples as well as thirst perception were measured with standard methods and compared with those of 10 euhydrate control subjects. Urine volume as well sodium and potassium concentrations were estimated. Results: We observed a gradual decrease in TP of the subject who gargled with D/H2o; this decrease became significant (P<0.05, respectively) after 30mins and remained so till the end of the experiment. Gargling with various concentrations of saline (0.9 - 2.7%) did not show any significant change; however, in comparison with controls, the Na+/K+ ratio significantly decreased in all samples collected after gargling at every 30mins for 1Hr and after ad libitum distilled water drinking (P<0.05, respectively). Also, the Na/K ratio obtained during gargling (30mins and 60mins) were relatively stable but decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 90mins; which was 30mins after ad libitum drinking. Conclusion: We conclude that oropharygeal receptors play a dual role in stimulating immediate inhibition of vasopressin as well as aldosterone release in the regulation of thirst during dehydration and gargling, to eliminate thirst

Optimization of pectinase production by Aspergillus niger using central composite design

Pectinases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of pectin. Pectinase producing Aspergillus niger was obtained from a five-day old Eba (Cassava flakes). Response surface methodology was used for optimizing the process of the pectinase produced. Four independent variables which are, temperature, pH, substrate concentration and time of Heating at  70oC were used to optimize the significant correlation between the effects of the variables on pectinase production. A second-order polynomial was fitted to data and validated by ANOVA. The results revealed maximum pectinase production at pH 6.0, 50oC Temperature, 0.02% substrate concentration and the enzyme lost all its activity within 7 min of heating at 70oC. The study revealed that optimization of pectinase through RSM could improve the enzymatic characteristics and yield of the enzyme. The models used were highly significant with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.901Keywords: Pectinase; Aspergillus niger; Response Surface Methodology; Central Composite Desig

A call: COVID-19 research funding in Africa

French Title: Un appel: le financement de la recherche COVID-19 en Afriqu

Factors Affecting Occurrence of Claims in Building Projects in Lagos State, Nigeria

The occurrence of claims prevails in all projects, making the successful completion of projects within the predetermined budget a mirage. This is recognized to have added to costs of projects and adversely affected project performance. This paper aims at investigating critical factors influencing occurrence of claims in building projects in Lagos State, Nigeria. Forty-three (43) construction project attributes affecting project performance were identified through literature and presented to the key stakeholders in the study area using questionnaire survey. Two hundred and seventy-six (276) copies of the questionnaire were randomly administered to key stakeholders involved in the building construction process. One hundred and fifty-one (151) were retrieved representing 57.61% response rate. Principal component analysis of responses to a set of 43 characteristics identified through literature review extracted four components. The results indicated important factors such as: ‘Project Participant Characteristics’, ‘Basic Project Characteristic’, ‘Procurement Characteristics’, along with ‘Complexity Characteristics’ were factors influencing the occurrence of claims. It was concluded that the construction stakeholders should effectively manage these factors in minimising claims occurrence and thereby improving building projects delivery

Phenotypic identification of soil bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting an archaeological monument at Augustine University, Ilara Epe, southwest Nigeria

Background: The Sungbo Eredo Monument is an ancient public work with a system of defensive walls and ditches located in Eredo Local Council Development Area of Epe, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria. A huge section of the monument cuts through the Augustine University campus, forming two-sided vertical walls with a deep ridge in-between. The objective of this investigative study is to determine the microbial profile of soil samples from the monument in the University campus. Methodology: Soil samples were collected from the topsoil at a depth of 7.5cm from four randomly selected points along the edge of the monument. The samples were transported to the microbiology laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences of Augustine University for analysis. Samples were cultured on Nutrient agar (NA) and incubated aerobically for 24-48 hours for bacteria isolation and on Sabouraud’s Dextrose agar (SDA) for 72 hours for fungi isolation. Bacterial colonies on NA were preliminarily identified to genus level by Gram reaction and conventional biochemical test scheme for Gram-positive (catalase, coagulase, starch hydrolysis) and Gram-negative isolates (oxidase, urease test, indole, methyl red, Voges Proskauer and sugar fermentation tests). Fungi colonies on SDA were identified using conventional macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Antibiotic susceptibility test of the bacterial isolates to selected antibiotics was done using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: A total of twenty-three bacterial isolates in four genera; Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Cellobiococcus and Micrococcus and nine fungal isolates in three genera; Saccharomyces, Aspergillus and Botrytis were identified from the cultures. The bacterial isolates were sensitive (>50% sensitivity) to only gentamicin and ofloxacin, with 65.2% and 78.3% sensitivity rates respectively, while they were largely resistant to all other antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, erythromycin, cefuroxime, cloxacillin, ceftazidime and augmentin, with resistance rates of 65.2%, 65.2%, 73.9%, 82.6%, 86.9%, 91.3% respectively. Conclusion: The results of this investigative study revealed the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (mainly Gram-positive) and fungi on the archaeological monument of Augustine University, adding to the existing data on microbial spectrum of archaeological monuments that could be useful for unraveling human cultural habits and microbe-related human diseases. However, further studies on molecular identification of these microbial spectrum will be required to ascertain their genetic relatedness and ancestral phylogeny, which will be useful for archaeologists in their study of the Sungbo-Eredo ancestral monument.   French title: Identification phénotypique des communautés bactériennes et fongiques du sol habitant un monument archéologique à l'Université Augustine, Ilara Epe, sud-ouest du Nigeria Contexte: Le monument Sungbo Eredo est un ancien ouvrage public doté d'un système de murs défensifs et de fossés situé dans la zone de développement du conseil local d'Eredo à Epe, dans l'État de Lagos, au sud-ouest du Nigéria. Une énorme section du monument traverse le campus de l'Université Augustine, formant des murs verticaux à deux côtés avec une crête profonde entre les deux. L'objectif de cette étude d'investigation est de déterminer le profil microbien d'échantillons de sol provenant du monument du campus universitaire. Méthodologie: Des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés dans la couche arable à une profondeur de 7,5 cm à partir de quatre points choisis au hasard le long du bord du monument. Les échantillons ont été transportés au laboratoire de microbiologie du Département des sciences biologiques de l'Université Augustine pour analyse. Les échantillons ont été cultivés sur gélose nutritive (NA) et incubés en aérobie pendant 24 à 48 heures pour l'isolement des bactéries et sur gélose au dextrose de Sabouraud's(SDA) pendant 72 heures pour l'isolement des champignons. Les colonies bactériennes sur NA ont été préalablement identifiées au niveau du genre par réaction de Gram et schéma de test biochimique conventionnel pour les isolats Gram-positif (catalase, coagulase, hydrolyse de l'amidon) et Gram-négatif (oxydase, test à l'uréase, indole, rouge de méthyle, Voges Proskauer et sucre essais de fermentation). Les colonies de champignons sur SDA ont été identifiées en utilisant des caractéristiques macroscopiques et microscopiques conventionnelles. Le test de sensibilité aux antibiotiques des isolats bactériens à des antibiotiques sélectionnés a été effectué en utilisant la méthode de diffusion sur disque de Kirby Bauer. Résultats: Un total de vingt-trois isolats bactériens dans quatre genres; Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Cellobiococcus et Micrococcus et neuf isolats fongiques de trois genres; Saccharomyces, Aspergillus et Botrytis ont été identifiés à partir des cultures. Les isolats bactériens étaient sensibles (sensibilité >50%) uniquement à la gentamicine et à l'ofloxacine, avec des taux de sensibilité de 65,2 % et 78,3 % respectivement, alors qu'ils étaient largement résistants à tous les autres antibiotiques comme la ceftriaxone, l'érythromycine, la céfuroxime, la cloxacilline, la ceftazidime et l'augmentine avec des taux de résistance de 65,2%, 65,2%, 73,9%, 82,6%, 86,9%, 91,3% respectivement. Conclusion: Les résultats de cette étude d'investigation ont révélé la présence de bactéries résistantes aux antibiotiques (principalement à Gram positif) et de champignons sur le monument archéologique de l'Université Augustine, ajoutant aux données existantes sur le spectre microbien des monuments archéologiques qui pourraient être utiles pour démêler l'homme. les habitudes culturelles et les maladies humaines liées aux microbes. Cependant, d'autres études sur l'identification moléculaire de ces spectres microbiens seront nécessaires pour déterminer leur parenté génétique et leur phylogénie ancestrale, ce qui sera utile aux archéologues dans leur étude du monument ancestral Sungbo-Eredo