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

Comparative study of treatment outcome in apicectomies with or without root-end filling

Background: High success rate has been reported widely with conventional endodontic. When failure occurs, re-treatment alone or with surgical endodontics is the recommended treatment.Objective: To compare the treatment outcome following apicectomy techniques, apicectomy with and without retrograde root – end filling.Methods: Fifty three patients presenting with clinical and radiological evidence of pulpal and periapical pathology ≥5mm that will require apicectomy were randomly recruited into the study groups A or B over a period of 12 month. In group A apicectomy was performed without root - end filling and in group B apicectomy was performed with root – end filling. Patients were recalled 12 months and assessed clinically and radiologically.Results: 35 out of 53 recruited patients reported for 12 month re-call visit. Two were excluded because of missing baseline radiographs. 33 patients that reported at 12months recall visit with complete radiographs were used for analysis. Patients age ranged from 16 – 66 years, with those in age group 21 – 30 years predominant, Majority (57.6%) were males. Forty teeth were treated, 14 had root – end filling and 26 without root – end filling. Maxillary incisors were the most frequently apicectomized teeth. 32 (80%) out of 40 apicectomized teeth were successful, 14 (88.5%) out of 26 teeth treated without root end filling were successful, while 9 (64.3%) out of 14 teeth treated with apicectomy with retrofil were successful.Conclusion: Though apicectomized teeth without root-end filling had a higher percentage of success it was not statistically significant (p=0.15)

Effect of Fermented Lagenaria (Adenopus breviflorus) Fruit Extract on the Heamatological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens

The experiment involved 126 day old broiler chicks (Arbor acre plus) which lasted for six weeks after two weeks of acclimatization. The project was carried out in a completely randomized block design to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of broilers served fermented lagenaria fruit extract (FLFE) at three days interval. The birds were weighed and randomly distributed into six dietary treatment group. Birds in treatment A (control) were given vaccine and drugs only, birds in treatment B were given vaccine only, birds in treatment C were given drugs only, but birds in treatments D, E and F were served (100, 200 and 300)ml of FLFE in 250ml of water, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with seven birds per replicate. The birds were maintained on starter and finisher marsh for starter and finisher phase, respectively. Feeds and water were served ad libitum. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and comparisons were made using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test and significance was accepted at (P<0.05). The parameters tested were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (P), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration(MCHC), lymphocyte (LYM), heterocytes (HET), monocytes (Mn), eosinophils for haematological indices and total serum protein (TSP), albumin(Al), globumin (Gb), creatinine (Cr), alanine amino transminase (ALT), aspatate amino transminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and cholesterol (CH) for serum biochemistry. The results showed significant (P<0.05) effects of the parameters studied across the treatment groups. The PCV was highest (40.00%) on the birds placed in control, and least on the birds served 100-300ml FLFE (29.50-33.00%). Similar scenario was observed for the birds in control for the Hb (13.20%) compared to those served 100-300ml FLFE (9.40-10.70%). The birds in treatments C (drugs only), D (100ml FLFE) and those in F (300ml FLFE) had the highest concentration of white blood cells which were 1.92, 2.12 and 1.87x104/ml, respectively. The birds served 100-300ml FLFE had reduced concentration of Hb of 21.25% compared to control, and they had elevated concentration of WBC of 25.82% compared to control. The birds placed on vaccines only and drugs only had elevated WBC of 26.00 and 34.50%, respectively compared to control. The FLFE of 100-200ml had elevated platelet (353.00-314.50x103/ml) with reference to control. The FLFE had no significant (P<0.05) effect on TSP, GB, AL, ALP and BUN. However, concentration of CH increased with increased concentration of FLFE as the bird offered 100ml had CH of 42.50mg/dl, compared to those on 200ml and 300ml whose value were 68.50 and 89.00mg/dl, respectively. Broiler chicken can tolerate 100-300ml FLFE for improved blood formation. Keywords: Lagenaria, Hematology, Serum biochemistry, Broiler, Vaccin

Prevalence of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia amongst community-dwelling men in a South-Western Nigerian rural setting: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and correlates International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak/maximum flow rate (Qmax), quality of life (QoL) score and prostate volume (PV) amongst male adults in a rural setting in Nigeria.Subjects and methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted amongst 615 men. Subjects selected using multi-staged sampling technique were interviewed for presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in their houses. Severity of symptoms was assessed using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire. Digital rectal examination (DRE), uroflowmetry and prostate scan were carried out in nearby primary health centres. Criteria for diagnosis of BPH were prostatic volume ≥ 30 cm3 with moderate/severe LUTS and/or Qmax < 15 mL. Relationships between variables were determined using Pearson’s Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The overall prevalence of LUTS was 57.4% while 28.5% had moderate-to-severe IPSS with averagescore of 12.3 ± 5.2. More than half (56.1%) reported impaired QoL with average score of 3.4 ± 1.3. TheDRE and ultrasound prevalences of enlarged prostate were 68.3% and 64.9% respectively. About 29% hadabnormal Qmax. Both QoL and Qmax had significant relationship with IPSS (p < 0.001) while none existsbetween prostate size and IPSS (p = 0.339). The overall prevalence of BPH was 237 per 1000 men (23.7%).The age-specific prevalence rates increased from 104 per 1000 men in the fifth decade to 429 per 1000 in men >90 years.Conclusion: The burden of clinical BPH is very high amongst Nigerian men and the prevalence increaseswith age. There is need for more public awareness because of the significant impairment in the QoLassociated with BPH symptoms.Keywords: BPH; Community-dwelling men; IPSS; LUTS; Prevalenc

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

APPLICATION OF LIVELIHOOD ANALYSIS AMOUNG FARMERS IN AMAH COMMUNITY OF RIVER STATE NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR EXTENSION AGENTS TRAINING

The study is aimed at providing foundation for designing and developing agricultural extension programmes that will address the priority needs and interests of farmers in Amah community. Through an interactive process using a sustainable livelihoods framework, it was found that the main source of livelihood in Amah community is crop farming where priority crops are cassava and yam. The type of props grown and the division of farm labour are gender biased. Crop farming activities take place round the year because most farmers are engaged in rain fed and Fadama farming. All farm operations are carried out manually without access to modern farm implements. The farmers’ natural, financial and physical assets bases are poor while they have high social and human assets. Therefore, extension programme should facilitate farmers’ access to natural, financial and physical assets to enable them attain sustainable livelihood. The study suggests that livelihood analysis tools be included in the in-service training module for extension agents to promote their effectiveness and efficiency

APPLICATION OF LIVELIHOOD ANALYSIS AMOUNG FARMERS IN AMAH COMMUNITY OF RIVER STATE NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR EXTENSION AGENTS TRAINING

The study is aimed at providing foundation for designing and developing agricultural extension programmes that will address the priority needs and interests of farmers in Amah community. Through an interactive process using a sustainable livelihoods framework, it was found that the main source of livelihood in Amah community is crop farming where priority crops are cassava and yam. The type of props grown and the division of farm labour are gender biased. Crop farming activities take place round the year because most farmers are engaged in rain fed and Fadama farming. All farm operations are carried out manually without access to modern farm implements. The farmers’ natural, financial and physical assets bases are poor while they have high social and human assets. Therefore, extension programme should facilitate farmers’ access to natural, financial and physical assets to enable them attain sustainable livelihood. The study suggests that livelihood analysis tools be included in the in-service training module for extension agents to promote their effectiveness and efficiency