Preliminary Studies on the Development and Evaluation of Instant Pounded Yam from Dioscorea alata

Of all the species of Dioscorea , Dioscorea alata possesses higher multiplication ratio and better storability, and requires less capital and labour to produce than the most common specie, Dioscorea rotundata . Exploitation of the industrial potential of D. alata by diversifying its utilisation through the development of novel products will expand its utilisation. This study therefore investigated the potential of developing instant poundo yam flour from D. alata. Instant poundo yam flour was prepared from D. alata by peeling, dicing and immersing yam tubers in sodium metabisulphite solution (800 ppm for 20 min). The tubers were thereafter blanched at 70 \ub0C for either 5 or 10 min, dried in a cabinet dryer at 60 \ub0C for 72 hr, milled and sieved (600 \ub5m) to obtain two experimental samples of poundo yam flours. The proximate composition of the flours was determined using standard methods. Sensory evaluation was conducted to determine the sensory attributes [colour, flavour, taste, textural quality (strecthability, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, smoothness) and general acceptability] of the flours. The two instant poundo yam samples were further compared with a commercial poundo yam in terms of the sensory attributes. There was no significant difference (p 640.05) in the proximate composition of the two experimental instant poundo yam samples but their textural quality differed significantly (p 640.05). Instant poundo yam blanched for 10 min recorded higher sensory scores than the one blanched for 5 min and compared fairly well with the reference sample. An acceptable instant poundo yam has been developed from D. alata

Pattern of distribution of reactive localised hyperplasia of the oral cavity in patients at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Background: Reactive localized hyperplastic lesions of the oral cavity (RHLs) are relatively common peripheral lesions which present as a range of clinically similar lesions at dental centers. Diagnosis can be challenging if dentists are unfamiliar with their clinicopathological across various populations.Objective: This study reviews the pattern of distribution of RHLs of the oral mucosa in a hospital- the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.Materials and methods: We reviewed 10 years data from the archives of the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Information on RHLs were extracted and recorded on standardized data forms and analyzed using STATA.Results: The most common lesions were pyogenic granuloma (43.7%) and focal fibrous hyperplasia (39.7%), respectively. RHLs were found to be more frequent in women (66.7%) than men (33.3%). The most common locations of involvement was the gingivae (84.6%), and lesions were more common in the 9–29 year age group and the mean age was 37.7 (±21.1) years. The relationship between age group and reactive lesions was however not statistically significant.Conclusion:  The major benefit of this study is an improved knowledge of the frequency and distribution of oral reactive le- sions in sub-Saharan Africa which may be highly beneficial when establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan in clinical practice.Keywords: Focal fibrous hyperplasia, oral mucosa, peripheral giant cell granuloma, peripheral ossifying fibroma, pyogenic gran- uloma, reactive hyperplasia

CONCENTRATION AND POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DIETARY INTAKE OF SMOKED FISH FROM LAGOS LAGOON

This study assessed the concentration and potential health risk associated with dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked fish products from four fishing communities along Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Sixty smoked fish samples obtained from two fish species (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Elops lacerta) which were processed individually with three firewood (Cola nitida, Funtumia elastica and Alchornea cordifolia) were collected from fish processors between October and December, 2018. Samples were subjected to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and human health risk model analysis. The PAH congeners varied in smoked fish while Pyrene was the most dominant congener in all the fish samples, accounting for more than 70% of the total PAHs. The highest total PAHs levels (2431.85 mg kg-1) was observed in E. lacerta smoked with C. nitida. The Dietary Daily Intake (DDI) values for total and carcinogenic PAHs were higher in E. lacerta smoked with C. nitida and C. nigrodigitatus smoked with A. cordifolia, respectively. Carcinogenic Toxic Equivalent (TEQ) values were lower than the estimated Screening Value (SV) of 12.83 indicating low risk of developing cancer through consumption of assessed smoked fish products. Excess Cancer Risk estimated exceeded the permissible limit (1.0x10−6) set by USEPA. Positive correlations (P<0.01) existed between TEQ and total PAHs, noncarcinogenic PAHs, PAH4, and DDI. This study provides insights into the variation in PAHs level and appropriateness of different fuelwood for smoking similar or dissimilar fish species

Pattern of distribution of reactive localised hyperplasia of the oral cavity in patients at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Background: Reactive localized hyperplastic lesions of the oral cavity (RHLs) are relatively common peripheral lesions which present as a range of clinically similar lesions at dental centers. Diagnosis can be challenging if dentists are unfamiliar with their clinicopathological across various populations. Objective: This study reviews the pattern of distribution of RHLs of the oral mucosa in a hospital- the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Materials and methods: We reviewed 10 years data from the archives of the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Information on RHLs were extracted and recorded on standardized data forms and analyzed using STATA. Results: The most common lesions were pyogenic granuloma (43.7%) and focal fibrous hyperplasia (39.7%), respectively. RHLs were found to be more frequent in women (66.7%) than men (33.3%). The most common locations of involvement was the gingivae (84.6%), and lesions were more common in the 9\u201329 year age group and the mean age was 37.7 (\ub121.1) years. The relationship between age group and reactive lesions was however not statistically significant. Conclusion: The major benefit of this study is an improved knowledge of the frequency and distribution of oral reactive lesions in sub-Saharan Africa which may be highly beneficial when establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan in clinical practice. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.45 Cite as: Soyele OO, Ladeji AM, Adebiyi KE, Adesina OM, Aborisade AO, Olatunji AS, et al. Pattern of distribution of reactive localised hyperplasia of the oral cavity in patients at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1687-1694. https://dx.doi. org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.4

Partnership for International Development:Finland-Nigeria Conference on Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship

A joint collaboration between the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria was organised as a hybrid conference on several topics that are related to climate, food, health and entrepreneurship. The utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. The topics discussed were multidisciplinary, they include Nigerian indigenous foods, bioeconomy, circular economy, nutrition, health, innovation and entrepreneurship under four themes (Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship). There were dignitaries from Finland and Nigeria. The presenters are researchers from Nigerian universities (University of Ibadan, University of Abuja and Eko university, Lagos), Nigerian Federal Institute of Industrial research centre and from the Finnish side we have the university of Lapland, Rovaniemi, University of Oulu, Oulu and the Centria University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola. The topics discussed will serve as training materials for students and learners, the discussion focussed on research opportunities for institutions in both countries. The experts from both countries will continue to dialogue on the possibility of promoting common topics as research agenda in these important areas with the possibilities of creating more jobs

Awareness and practice of emergency contraception at a private university in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The pursuit of formal education now causes many people in developing countries to marry later in life, thereby leading to increased premarital sex and unintended pregnancies. Efforts have been made to characterize awareness and use of emergency contraception (EC) among undergraduate students in public universities in Nigeria; however, it is not known if students in private tertiary institutions adopt different practices or if having an affluent family background plays a role. This pilot study therefore aimed to assess the awareness and use of EC among students at a private Nigerian university toward assisting education planners in developing strategies in improving students' reproductive well-being. RESULTS: Out of 94 female students, 42 (44.7%) had sexual experience, but only 32 (34.0%) were currently sexually active. Six students (6.4%) had had unwanted pregnancies, of which all but one were terminated. Fifty-seven respondents (60.6%) were aware of EC, though only 10 (10.6%) ever practiced it. The greatest source of EC information was from health workers and peers; the lowest source was family or relatives. Most respondents desired orientation and availability of EC on campus. EC awareness among the students was predicted by upper social class background (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-7.45) and upbringing in the Federal Capital Territory (adjusted OR, 4.45; 95% CI, 1.56-14.22). CONCLUSIONS: Though awareness of EC was higher among the private university students in this study than at most public universities, there was no difference in EC usage. A high pregnancy termination rate was observed; dilatation and curettage were mainly adopted. In Nigeria, youth-friendly reproductive health information and access should not be limited to government-owned tertiary institutions but also extended to private ones

Detecting changes in surface water area of Lake Kyoga sub-basin using remotely sensed imagery in a changing climate

Detection of changes in Earth surface features, for example lakes, is important for understanding the relationships between human and natural phenomena in order to manage better the increasingly scarce natural resources. This work presents a procedure of using Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI) to detect fluctuations of Lake surface-water area and relate it to a changing climate. The study used radiometrically and geometrically rectified Landsat images for 1986, 1995 and 2010 encompassing the Kyoga Basin lakes of Uganda, in order to investigate the changes in surface-water area between the respective years. The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Drought Severity Index (DSI) are applied to show the relationship between variability of surface-water area and climate parameters. The present analysis reveals that surface-water area fluctuation is linked to rainfall variability. In particular, Lake Kyoga sub-basin lakes experienced an increase in surface-water area in 2010 compared to 1986. This work has important implications to water resources management for Lake Kyoga and could be vital to water resource managers across Ugandan lakes.http://link.springer.com/journal/7042016-09-30hb2016Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorolog

The Effect of Kernel Size and Texture on the Malting Properties of Sorghum

The effect of kernel size and texture of kernels on the malting properties of sorghum was investigated. Twelve sorghum cultivars were used for the study. The physical features of the kernels that were determined included the endosperm texture, endosperm type and kernel size. Also determined were the germination energy and germination capacity. To monitor the malting properties, the malting loss, hot water extract, cold-water extract and diastatic power were determined. The effect of duration of germination on the root and shoot lengths of kernels was also investigated. Two of the cultivars were floury while the other cultivars were corneous. All the cultivars were non-waxy. The mean percentage values of the germination energy and germination capacity were 84.92% and 91.75% respectively. As the germination period increased, root and shoot lengths of all the twelve cultivars also increased. The greatest change in the root and shoot lengths was observed between the second and third day of the germination period. The malting loss increased with the germination period and ranged between 15.5-33.0%. The malting loss for all cultivars reached its peak between the second and third day of germination. Malting loss was least for floury endosperm. The diastatic activity increased throughout the duration of germination. The diastatic activity was positively correlated with the cold water extract (r = 0.99) and hot water extract (r = 0.29). The cold water extract increased as the diastatic activity increased. The corneous grains were relatively high in diastatic activity but no correlation was obtained between the size indices and malting properties of the cultivars. Keywords: Sorghum, Kernel size, texture, malting properties J Food Tech in Africa (2002) 7, 78-8

Preliminary Studies on the Development and Evaluation of Instant Pounded Yam from Dioscorea alata

Of all the species of Dioscorea , Dioscorea alata possesses higher multiplication ratio and better storability, and requires less capital and labour to produce than the most common specie, Dioscorea rotundata . Exploitation of the industrial potential of D. alata by diversifying its utilisation through the development of novel products will expand its utilisation. This study therefore investigated the potential of developing instant poundo yam flour from D. alata. Instant poundo yam flour was prepared from D. alata by peeling, dicing and immersing yam tubers in sodium metabisulphite solution (800 ppm for 20 min). The tubers were thereafter blanched at 70 °C for either 5 or 10 min, dried in a cabinet dryer at 60 °C for 72 hr, milled and sieved (600 µm) to obtain two experimental samples of poundo yam flours. The proximate composition of the flours was determined using standard methods. Sensory evaluation was conducted to determine the sensory attributes [colour, flavour, taste, textural quality (strecthability, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, smoothness) and general acceptability] of the flours. The two instant poundo yam samples were further compared with a commercial poundo yam in terms of the sensory attributes. There was no significant difference (p≤0.05) in the proximate composition of the two experimental instant poundo yam samples but their textural quality differed significantly (p≤0.05). Instant poundo yam blanched for 10 min recorded higher sensory scores than the one blanched for 5 min and compared fairly well with the reference sample. An acceptable instant poundo yam has been developed from D. alata