Effects of rapeseed variety and oil extraction method on the content and ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids in rapeseed cake and softly processed rapeseed meal fed to broiler chickens

We examined the effects of rapeseed variety and oil extraction method on crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) content in rapeseed co-products, and determined their coefficient of apparent (AID) and standardised ileal digestibility (SID) in broiler chickens. Sixteen rapeseed samples were de-oiled; four were cold-pressed producing rapeseed cake (RSC) and twelve were mild processed and hexane-extracted producing soft rapeseed meal (SRSM). One batch of the variety Compass, grown on the same farm, was processed using both methods obtaining Compass RSC and Compass SRSM. DK Cabernet rapeseed variety, grown on three different farms, was used to produce two SRSM batches and one RSC batch. All rapeseed co-products were ground through a 4 mm screen and mixed into semi-synthetic diets at a level of 500 g/kg. Day-old Ross 308 male broilers were fed a commercial diet for 14 days. A total of 96 pairs of birds were then allotted to 1 of 16 dietary treatments (n = 6) and fed a test diet for 8 days. Birds were then culled allowing removal of ileal digesta from Meckel’s diverticulum to the ileal-caecal junction. Digestibility of CP and AA was determined using titanium dioxide as an inert marker. The SRSM samples had an increased content of CP (419–560 g/kg DM) compared to RSC samples (293–340 g/kg DM). Both AID and SID of lysine, and SID of arginine, histidine and threonine were greater in Compass RSC compared to its SRSM counterpart (P 0.05). The SID of lysine was on average 0.03 units greater (P < 0.001) in RSC than in SRSM. The SRSM produced from variety PR46W21 showed similar or greater AID and SID of individual AA than the RSC from four other rapeseed varieties. It is concluded that selection of rapeseed varieties, and extraction method have a potential to deliver high-protein dietary ingredients with a good digestibility value

Evaluation of the contribution of National Housing Fund scheme towards housing delivery in Nigeria

One of the three most important basic needs of mankind which has not been adequate for the citizenry right from the independence in 1960 till date is Housing. Finance has been fingered as one of the predicaments towards its actualization because housing provision requires huge capital outlay. The National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme was considered relative to the number of contributors, accessibility of the fund when required and how it has affected the provision of housing in Nigeria. Data for this work were obtained from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) which is the apex bank for mortgage institutions. The study revealed that few mortgagors have benefitted from the scheme,funds are locked up without disbursing adequate amount to the contributors as there is wide gap between the amount that mortgagors actually applied for and the amount so approved for the provision of housing in Nigeria. The paper recommended that contributors should be allowed to benefit from NHF scheme, while funds locked up should be adequately disbursed to the loan applicants by ensuring that there is reduction in the wide margin between amount applied for and the amount so approved to allow for effective utilization of the fund

ВЛИЯНИЕ МИГРАЦИИ НА ЭКОНОМИКУ НИГЕРИИ: СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ТЕНДЕНЦИИ

This paper examines the impact of internal and international migration on the economy of Nigeria. In Nigeria the unemployment rate is very high, and migration can partially alleviate situation on the labor market. Migrants’ remittances which has surpassed both Foreign Direct Investment and Net Official Development Assistance inflows and is one of the major inflows of foreign earnings to Nigeria, help reducing poverty of households and have a positive impact on the economy. If political and socioeconomic issues in the country do not improve, Nigerians will continue to migrate to other countries. The Nigerian government should urgently address the situation with migration, contribute to job creation and improve environment to stop people from migrating and encourage its skilled labor abroad to return home to help in national development.В cтатье рассматривается воздействие внутренней и международной миграции на экономику Нигерии. В Нигерии, где уровень безработицы очень высок, миграция может частично облегчить ситуацию на рынке труда. Денежные переводы мигрантов, которые превышают как прямые иностранные инвестиции, так и чистый приток официальной помощи развитию, являются одной из основных форм поступлений иностранной валюты в Нигерию, помогают сократить бедность и способствуют развитию экономики. Если политическая и социально-экономическая ситуация в стране не улучшится, то нигерийцы продолжат мигрировать в другие страны. Правительство Нигерии должно в срочном порядке заняться ситуацией с миграцией, способствовать созданию рабочих мест и улучшать условия, чтобы уменьшить миграцию из страны и способствовать возвращению квалифицированной рабочей силы, которая могла способствовать национальному развитию Нигерии, домой из-за границы

Comparative in vitro and in vivo aphrodisiac activities of Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae) stem bark in male rat model

Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae), is a large tree exploited for timber purpose, for treating various illnesses and to enhance libido in Nigerian indigenous traditional medicine. Therefore, this study evaluates the aphrodisiac potential of K. grandifoliola stem bark in male Wistar rats. Aphrodisiac potential was determined following the oral administration of graded doses: 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of crude MeOH extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark, and 100 and 200 mg/kg each of aqueous (AQ) and dichloromethane (DCM) fractions. Sildenafil citrate and distilled water served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Sexual behavioural parameters like mount, intromission and ejaculatory frequencies and latencies were recorded on day 7. Serum testosterone concentrations and haematological parameters were also monitored. The findings from the sexual behavioural study indicated that methanol extract of K. grandifoliola was active and significantly increased mount and intromission frequencies, and intromission and mount latencies in a dose- dependent manner, but had no effect on ejaculatory frequency and ejaculatory latency. Both AQ and DCM fractions were more active than the extract but comparable to Sildenafil citrate, with the DCM fraction being comparatively more active. Testosterone concentrations were also increased dose-dependently by all tested agents, but DCM fraction was the most active and comparable to Sildenafil citrate. Improvement in some haematological indices, HB and PCV was evident with DCM fraction. From all indications, methanol extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark which increased serum testosterone and sexual behavioural indices has potential for improving sexual dysfunction in males, and the more active DCM fraction qualifies for further phytochemical investigation to isolate active compounds. These findings therefore justify the acclaimed local use of K. grandifoliola stem bark as an aphrodisiac in males.&nbsp

Budget overruns experienced on tertiary institutional building projects – recourse to the contractors’ related factors

This paper examined the contractors’ related factors that are causing budget overruns on tertiary institutional building (TIB) projects in south western part of Nigeria. Survey method was adopted and one hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires administered on the respondents. It was discovered that delay in delivery of materials to site, poor skills and experience of labour and financial problems, shortage of materials on site and lack of contractors’ staff on site were the bane of cost overrun experienced on construction projects. The study recommended adequate and timely planning in terms of providing schedule for ordering materials (both quantity and time) and the list of suppliers so as to avoid delay in delivery of materials to site. Experienced labours with adequate skills are to be used, while making readily available another source for financing the projects aside total dependency on monthly valuation to avoid financial difficulty. This study has served as eye opener to the critical CRF that should be accorded high priority to avert budget overruns

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anti-arthritic property of Jaundea pinnata (p. Beauv.) G. Schellenb. (Connaraceae) leaf methanol extract and fractions

The anti-arthritic effect of crude methanol (MeOH) extract of Jaundea pinnata (Connaraceae) leaf, as well as its dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous (AQ) fractions, was investigated by both bovine serum albumin and fresh hen’s egg albumin in vitro models. In addition, rats dosed with the MeOH extract and its fractions, and standard anti-arthritic drug, diclofenac sodium® (50 mg/kg) up to 14 days were investigated for effects on rat paw oedema in a formaldehyde model. Further assessment of anti-arthritic activity was by assessing the alteration of haematological and biochemical parameters by tested agents. Oral administration with methanol extract and fractions up to Day 14 produced progressive reductions in rat paw oedema diameter. DCM fraction was more active than AQ fraction in reducing paw diameter, and was comparable to MeOH extract and standard drug, diclofenac sodium®. MeOH extract and DCM fraction reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in a dose-dependent fashion. On haematological parameters, extract gave dosedependent increase only in packed cell volume (PCV) and was comparable to diclofenac sodium®1000 mg/kg. DCM fraction gave comparable PCV as the standard drug but AQ fraction was less effective. Extract and fractions were comparable to diclofenac sodium® in haemoglobin count, while neutrophil count was positively affected by extract and DCM fraction as the standard drug. Extract and fractions had no significant effect on white blood cell count. Effect of extract at 1000 mg/kg on liver function parameters (total protein, albumin and alanine aminotransferase) was comparable to that of standard drug. DCM fraction was a better inhibitor of protein denaturation than AQ fraction in both models. Overall, results of this study support the folkloric use of J. pinnata leaf in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Keywords: Jaundea pinnata, methanol leaf extract, dichloromethane fraction, anti-arthritic activity, rats

Clinical correlates of coronary heart disease among patients attending a general outpatient clinic of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

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Acute Kidney Injury and Intravascular Haemolysis Complicating Multiple Bee Stings in a Nigerian Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

The honey bee is a winged insect of the genus Apis known for its role in pollination and more importantly in the production of honey. However, stings from bees are not uncommon in our environment. A myriad of complications can arise from bee sting which increase in severity, with prognosis proportionate to an increase in the dose of inoculated venom. The complication of the stings ranges from local skin reaction and anaphylaxis to multiple organ failure including acute kidney injury (AKI). Bee sting has been identified as a causative agent of nephrotoxic acute tubular necrosis which may lead to AKI. We report a 3-year-old boy with AKI and features of intravascular haemolysis following multiple bee stings who recovered well with conservative management