Aqueous ethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii rhizome enhances spermatogenesis in male albino rats

Cochlospermum planchonii has numerous therapeutic benefits and is widely used in folklore medicine of many African countries. This study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii root on sperm characteristics of albino rats. Animals were assigned into four groups comprising a control, which received only distilled water and treatment groups at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days, respectively. The aqueous ethanolic extract of C. planchonii did significantly increase (P<0.05) the weights of the testes and accessory sex organs. Sperm count and sperm motility of rats given the extract increased (P<0.05) relative to the control. Percentages of abnormal sperm cells remained unchanged. The results of this study indicate that aqueous ethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii increased spermatogenesis in the male rats.Keywords: Cochlospermum planchonii, sperm characteristics, reproduction, Wistar rat

Novel idea to monitor and measure blood hemoglobin noninvasively

Measuring blood hematocrit noninvasively is reviewed in this paper. Although there is an inclination to measure the hematocrit by determining the bioelectrical impedance of the blood, in vitro experimental methods still remain practically inapplicable. The blood sample size is determined when blood samples are examined. Determining the impedance and volume of blood is the biggest challenge in measuring the hematocrit noninvasively without drawing a blood sample. Calculating the blood impedance in vivorequires developing an impedance measurement using a multi-frequency method and also calculating the change in pressure simultaneously during the heart’s pulsatile cycle.Keywords: Blood, hematocrit, measuremen

Effects of different heat processing methods on the antinutritional factors (ANFS) level ofP. reticulatum seed meal

The antinutritional factors (ANFs) in raw and differently heat processed P. reticulatum seed meal were evaluated. The seed was processed as raw seed (T1), 30 minutes boiled (T2), 60 minutes boiled (T3), traditionally boiled (T4), 40 minutes toasted (T5), 80 minutes toasted (T6), 120 minutes toasted (T7) and traditionally roasted seed (T8). The seed meal was evaluated for saponin, tannin, cyanide, oxalate, phytate and phenols. The result showed that heat processing significantly (P < 0.05) affected the ANFs in the seed meal. Highest value of saponin (0.07mg/100g) was recorded in T1, while zero level of saponin was recorded in T4. The highest value (0.26mg/100g) of tannin was recorded in T1, while T4 recorded the least value (0.05mg/100g). Cyanide highest value of (0.17mg/100g) was observed in T1, while T4 recorded the least value (0.02mg/100g). The highest oxalate level was observed in T1 (0.04mg/100g) and zero level was recorded in T3, T4 and T8. Phytate highest level (0.14mg/100g) was recorded in T1, and zero level of phytate was recorded in T4. The highest phenol level was observed in T1 (0.06mg/100g) while zero level of phenol was recorded in T4. T4 is the most effective processing method that reduced all the ANFs with 100% reduction in saponin, oxalate, phytate and phenols. The processing methods used reduced the seed ANFs and therefore, indicated the possible utilization of the seed in animal feed formulation (fish inclusive).Keywords: Antinutritional factors, heat, P. reticulatum, processing, seed

Is diffusion weighted imaging adding value in diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions? Experience in 50 patients

Introduction: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) offers molecular information that complements the morphologic information obtained with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can reflect the functions and structures of the body without trauma.Aim of the work: To assess the role of DWI as a routine sequence in a MRI study to help in differentiating liver lesions.Patients and methods: The study included 50 patients referred to do a MRI study to diagnose and/or to confirm the ultrasonographic or CT findings of focal hepatic lesions. The examination was done on 1.5T superconducting magnet MRI machines; Philips Gyroscan Intera version 12.1.1.2 (Best, The Netherlands) and Siemens Magnetom Avanto (Erlangen, Germany) machine.Results: All studied patients had a focal hepatic lesion either on top of cirrhotic liver or non cirrhotic liver. DWI was found to be helpful with the routine MRI sequences to reach the diagnosis. The final diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination or follow up. A cutoff value of ADC for benign lesions was found to be 1.25 x 103 mm2/s.Conclusions: DWI should be included as a basic sequence in the routine MRI study of the liver as it helps in diagnosis and so reaching a final diagnosis or at least trying to narrow the list of differential diagnosis.KEYWORDS MRI; DWI; Diffusion restriction; Hepatic focal lesio

Kapton Based Antenna Simulation Analysis for Smart System

This paper describes the analysis of Kapton material in antenna design for telecommunication systems. Kapton is usually used in the design of radio and microwave frequency antenna. It is a flexible material and with different dielectric value. The antenna is made of a Kapton substrate, a patch and copper (FR4). The dielectric characteristics of Kapton substrate changes according to temperature. The simulation result shows that the bandwidth of the antenna increased up to 10 MHz with a second layer of Kapton substrate. While the antenna gain decreased 1.19 dB when the dielectric value is increased. Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software was used to analyse the antenna’s  performance

Sero-Prevalence of Cytomegalo Virus Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attending Two Selected Hospitals in Sokoto State, North-Western Nigeria

Infection with cytomegalo virus (CMV), especially in pregnancy may cause pregnancy complications such as congenital infection, non-hereditary deafness, intrauterine growth restriction and other high defects. This study was to evaluate the prevalence of CMV in pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinics at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital (MAWCH) and Sokoto Specialist Hospital (SSH). The study enrolled 90 pregnant women (age range: 16-45 years old) and data on demographic and life styles obtained using structured questionnaire. Serum samples were assayed using CMV Ig-G EIA kit. Out of the 90 pregnant women examined, 88(97.8%) had IgG protective antibodies to CMV while 2(2.2%) did not have protective antibodies. The prevalence rate of 2.20% was obtained in pregnant women that did not have the protective CMV IgG antibodies and were in the age range of 16-30 years old. They were also found to be in their second trimester, which could have increased the risk of intrauterine transmission. The risk factors for CMV were observed to have been significantly (P > 0.05) correlated with the socioeconomic status, the levels of CMV Ig-G antibodies, stage of pregnancy as well as the symptoms of pregnancy complications observed in the study population while they were insignificant (P < 0.05) in the case of number of previous pregnancies. The outcome of effects on the fetus was usually fatal and irreversible. Therefore, all pregnant women should scrupulously consistently adhere to routine infection control precautions. Keywords: Cytomegalo virus, Pregnant women, sero-prevalence, Sokoto

The Use of Durian Peel Wastes for Bioethanol Production

Durian peel (Durio zibethinus Murr) is one of most agricultural residues that have a percentage of approximately 60-75% and inner durian peel (soft layer) contains 11.78% starch that can be used as raw material for ethanol production. This study aimed to determine the effect of durian peel concentration on bioethanol production and the fermentation time required for bioethanol yield. Bioethanol production was carried out in a batch reactor. Two steps of liquefaction and saccharification were carried out to obtain reducing sugar. In liquefaction, 200 g durian peel flour and α-amylase were mixed with water in an Erlenmeyer 2 litter then was heated at 90°C for 2 hours. In saccharification, this mixture was then heated at 60°C for 4 h. The sugar obtained was then fermented by adding yeast as much as 0.2%; urea 0.5%; KH2PO5 0.5% of the amount of reducing sugar obtained. Bioethanol was obtained by fractionation distillation of the fermentation at 78°C. The results showed that in the saccharification using flour with a concentration of 10, 20, 30, and 40% (w/v) produced reducing sugar of 22.23, 44.25, 55.45, and 84.61 g/l, respectively. Bioethanol in the fermentation process was 1.9, 3.6, 5.2, and 7.3%, respectively. It concluded that maximum bioethanol was obtained approximately 7.3% with the reducing sugar used at 84.615 g/l during 4 d fermentation. The bioethanol content obtained was 95% after fractionation distillation

CP Violation and Dark Matter

A brief review is given of the effects of CP violation on the direct detection of neutralinos in dark matter detectors. We first summarize the current developments using the cancellation mechanism which allows for the existence of large CP violating phases consistent with experimental limits on the electron and on the neutron electric dipole moments in a broad class of SUSY, string and D brane models. We then discuss their effects on the scattering of neutralinos from quarks and on the event rates. It is found that while CP effects on the event rates can be enormous such effects are reduced significantly with the imposition of the EDM constraints. However, even with the inclusion of the EDM constraints the effects are still very significant and should be included in a precision prediction of event rates in any SUSY, string or D brane model.Comment: Based on an invited talk at the conference "Sources and Detection of Dark Matter in the Universe", at Marina del Rey, CA, Feb. 23-25, 2000; 12 pages, Latex including 2 figure

Optimization of cerbera manghas biodiesel production using artificial neural networks integrated with ant colony optimization

© 2019 by the authors. Optimizing the process parameters of biodiesel production is the key to maximizing biodiesel yields. In this study, artificial neural network models integrated with ant colony optimization were developed to optimize the parameters of the two-step Cerbera manghas biodiesel production process: (1) esterification and (2) transesterification. The parameters of esterification and transesterification processes were optimized to minimize the acid value and maximize the C. manghas biodiesel yield, respectively. There was excellent agreement between the average experimental values and those predicted by the artificial neural network models, indicating their reliability. These models will be useful to predict the optimum process parameters, reducing the trial and error of conventional experimentation. The kinetic study was conducted to understand the mechanism of the transesterification process and, lastly, the model could measure the physicochemical properties of the C. manghas biodiesel

Twenty Years of SUGRA

A brief review is given of the developments of mSUGRA and its extensions since the formulation of these models in 1982. Future directions and prospects are also discussed.Comment: Invited talk at the International Conference BEYOND-2003, Schloss Ringberg, Germany, June 10-14, 2003; 21 pages, Late