Effects of freezing on the proximate composition and sensory quality of stored African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this study was to determine the quality deterioration of African catfish Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia, Orechromis niloticus stored at-4~'C for 8 weeks. Weekly analysis was conducted to measure protein, moisture, crude fat and ash content and evaluation of the sensory quality. The result clearly reveals that during storage, both the samples showed a highly significant (p<0.05) decreasing trend in protein, lipid, ash and moisture content. The result shows that protein, moisture, fat and ash content of the fish samples decreases with increasing duration of frozen storage. The fresh samples has the highest value of protein, moisture, fat and ash content while the least value was recorded on the 8th week. 19.98 ~c 2.66%, 80.71 ~c 1.65%, 3.92 ~c 0.5% and 2.52 ~c were recorded for freshly prepared Clarias gariepinus respectively while 12.62 ~c 1.22%, 66.86 ~c 0.68%, 1.08 ~c 1.04% and 1.14 ~c 0.33% were recorded on the 8th week respectively. 20.80 ~c 1.46, 60.75 ~c 2.50, 9.75 ~c 2.50% and 5.85 ~c 2.51% were recorded for freshly prepared Oreochromis niloticus respectively while 25.05 ~c 2.20%, 47.60 ~c 2. 15%, 7.1 ~c 0.20 and 3.00 ~c 2.10% were recorded on the 8th week respectively. After 8 weeks, the total decrease was 7.36%, 13.85%, 2.84% and 1.38% respectively for Clarias gariepinus and 3.75%, 13.45%, 2.65% and 2.85% respectively for Oreochromis niloticus. Sensory evaluation of the fish samples revealed that quality, texture, colour, odour, aroma and taste decrease with increasing duration of storage and best quality obtained when freshly prepared

Economic Impact of the Use of Generators As A Main Power Source in the Domestic Sector: Challenges and Prospects for the Energy Road Map

A case study has been developed to show the financial/ economic losses possibly existing in the domestic sector as a result of the use of petrol/ diesel generators. In this study Nigeria's population has been exclusively put at 160 million(people , with a family size of six per family. Also an assumption was made that at least each family own a SOOVA generator popularly known as "I better pass my neighbourIBEMN"- the cost purchase, running and maintenance arehypothetically assumed and a computation to determine the annual cost borne by the families was asu~rt·ainecl. The study revealed that each family spends a minimum of N196,000p.a. for running the generator for at leost 18 hours per day. The total realizable investment to provide alternative electricity supply is put at N.'J.4 trillionp.a I '• If this simplistic analysis is. favourable received, then the financial challenge in the road_ map may be dealt with by 'harvesting' funds from the domestic sector. If this is true, then prospect of our new energy road map is bright and similar consideration in the domestic, industrial, education, health, entertainment, banking, telecommunication sectors will also yield some considerable financial resources that if well invested in the power/ electricity sector will result in stability, security, sustainability and a guaranteed future. Informed actions/ decisions will be the political will to ban the use of generators and other energy inefficient gadgets (incandescent lamps, irons, fridges, freezers, air-conditioners etc.) ban the importation of junked gadgets and promote the use of energy efficient gadget

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth of Senecio biafrae (WOROWO) OLIVE & HIERN

Soils have shown a negative balance in nutrient budget which poses a great threat to sustainable soil management for increase in growth and crop yield. This study thus investigated the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth of Senecio biafrae (Oliv. &amp;Hiern). Topsoil, organic (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK 15:15:15) were used. The fertilizers were weighed and applied to the soil at 5g, 10g, 15g each; control topsoil without application of fertilizers and were replicated five times. Growth&nbsp; parameters including height, number of leaves and stem diameter were taken weekly for the period of the experiment. Application ofpoultry manure and NPK fertilizer had significant effects on all the growth parameters considered. The application of poultry manure resulted into significant increase in the growth parameters towards the latter part of the study. This study has shown that organic manure has great potential for improving soil productivity and plant growth. Keywords: Senecio biafrae, investigate, organic, inorganic, plant yiel

Effect of Different Levels of Plantain Peel Meal as Diet on the Productive Potentials of Archachatina Marginata (Swaison)

This study determines the productive potentials of Archachatina marginata (Swaison) fed with different levels of plantain peels meal (PPM) as diets. Twenty seven juveniles of giant African snails were used for the experiments that lasted for eight weeks. The snails were allotted into three treatment groups with three replicates each. Three snails constituted a replicate laid in completely randomized design (CRD) format. The treatment groups were; feeds with concentrate only (T1), concentrate and 50g of plantain peel meal (T2), and concentrate with100g of plantain peel meal (T3). The data generated were analyzed using SPSS software. Parameters measured including body weight gain, feed efficiency, shell length, shell circumference, groove diameters and the sensory attribute. Results obtained in the stuffy snail fed with concentrate with100g of plantain peel meal performed best in all parameters assessed with values of average weight gain of (177.00g), average shell length (12.60g), groove diameter (8.10) and shell circumference (18.50g) respectively. Snails fed with concentrate and 50g of PPM had 38.72% in terms of dressing percentage followed those fed with concentrate only (36.22%) while those fed with concentrate and 100mg of PPM had the least value (34.42%) respectively. From the results, it was concluded that concentrate and 100g PPM was suitable for snail diets as it gave the best performance. The palatability test revealed that meat sample of treatment 3 had the most satisfactory rating in terms of flavour and overall acceptability, indicating that PPM positively influenced the meat qualities. Keywords: Plantain Peels, Productive Potentials, Archachatina marginata, Die

Optimal timing of post-operative haematocrit check in obstetric and gynaecological surgeries

Background: Haemorrhage is a feared albeit common complication of surgery in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Measurement of haematocrit post operatively is believed to be part of good medical practice since it gives an inkling to intraoperative and immediate post-operative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion. The objective of the study is to determine if there was any difference between haematocrit values gotten on day 1 and 2 and also to determine the optimal time for the post-operative haematocrit check.Methods: One thousand patients who had surgery in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital (LTH) and Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomoso were recruited. Capillary blood samples were obtained at 24hours and 48 hours post operatively. The haematocrit was determined using a 24 place micro haematocrit centrifuge and the values checked using a haematocrit reader. Frequency tables and charts were made and results were tested for significance with level of significance (x) set at 0.05.Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.88±9.45, with a modal age group of 21-30years. The commonest obstetric surgery done was caesarean section (60.6%) while the commonest gynaecological surgery was myomectomy (13.8%). There is a significant difference between the haematocrit values gotten on day one and two (p= 0.000). There was significant difference between the haematocrit values on both days and the unit the patient was managed; the type of surgery done and the age group of the patient.Conclusion: The haematocrit on postoperative day 2 is more representative of the blood loss.Keywords: postoperative, haematocrit, obstetrics, gynaecolog

Carcass yield and intestinal morphology of male rabbits fed diets supplemented with turmeric (Curcuma Longa) powder

Thirty-two (7-8 weeks old) male rabbits that weighed between 700 and 800 g were used to determine the effect of inclusion of Turmeric powder on carcass yield and intestinal morphology of rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allotted to four diets containing varying levels of turmeric powder (0, 5, 10 and 15 g) in a complete randomized design. Data were collected on carcass yield, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, crypt depth, mucosal thickness and analyzed using ANOVA. Significant (p&lt;0.05) differences were obtained on bled and eviscerated weights, forelimbs, hind limbs, neck, tail and loin. Highest (p&lt;0.05) duodenum crypt depth (111.50 μm) was obtained with buck fed diet containing 15 g turmeric inclusion while buck fed with diet containing 0 g turmeric had the least value of (67.67 μm). This was similar (p&gt;0.05) with values obtained for buck fed diets containing 5 g turmeric (73.83 μm) and those fed with 10 g turmeric inclusion (79.33 μm). There was significant difference (P&lt;0.05) of rabbit fed with diets with turmeric on jejunum villi height. There was significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in jejunum crypt depth and mucosal thickness. However, 10 g inclusion could be assumed as economic inclusion level for carcass yield and intestinal increase in rabbit production

Curative Effect of Aqueous Seed Extract of Citrus paradisi against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a possible nephrotoxin that leads to grievous and harmful chemical toxicity. C.paradisi contains phytochemicals,vitamins and flavonoids which possesses strong anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study investigated the serum electrolytes levels and the efficacy of C. paradisi to ameliorate the effect of carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. The aqueous seed extract of C. paradisi was administered at a dose of 125-500 mg/kg body weight. Thirty albino rats were assigned into 6 groups of 5 rats in each. Group I was the 1ml/kg normal saline while group II was intraperitoneally treated with 3 mL/kg of CCl4 1 hour before oral treatment (p.o.) with 10 mL/kg of normal saline while groups III-VI rats were intraperitoneally treated with 3 mL/kg 30% CCl4 1 hour before oral treatment with 10 mg/kg of ascorbic acid. Groups III-VI were administered with 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg of aqueous seed extract of C.paradisi. Results shows an increase in all the serum electrolytes except in serum phosphate as a result of contamination. The result insinuated that kidney damage was induced in the rats with ascorbic acid attenuating the effect of carbon tetrachloride at each dose. The treatment showed that aqueous seed extract of C. paradisi controls an increase in serum electrolyte

Mineralogy, Physicochemical Characteristics and Industrial Potential of Some Residual Clay Deposits within Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

Residual clay deposits overlying Precambrian Basement Complex situated at Orin, Igbara Odo, Ikere and Ado Ekiti were investigated using several analytical techniques. Field evidence supported by mineralogical and physicochemical analyses suggests that the kaolinitic clay deposits is a product of hydrothermal and in-situ weathering of aplite, and granite. Kaolinite is the predominant clay mineral of the studied clay deposits with subordinate quartz, potassium iron oxide and aluminium phosphatic minerals. There is localised occurrence of halloysite. The absence of vanadium in the EDS data of rolled into tubes kaolinite sheets of Ado Ekiti clay match up with XRF data. This result trend combined with field observation suggests that clay bodies formed from weathering of feldspar is deficient in vanadium. The study suggests that morphology of kaolinitic minerals is influenced by the kind of parent material (i.e. feldspars or micas) and degree of chemical weathering. The pH values of pore water from clay samples range from 7.14 - 9.08. The electrical conductivities (EC) of the clay/water slurries (S/L ratio) range from 0.004mS/cm – 3.02mS/cm.  The oxidation reduction potential (ORP) values range between -62.4 and – 6.8 for the solids or slurries prepared with water. The dissolved oxygen (DO) values range from 6.73ppm – 7.26ppm for solids or slurries prepared with water. The loss on ignition ranges from 2.24-13.39. The SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 1.40 and 1.50 for Orin and Ikere clay bodies indicated that a 1:1 clay mineral was the dominant component. The high chemical index of alteration (CIA = 77.97~98.64) and chemical index of weathering (CIW = 97.21~99.93) values probably indicated the complete weathering of feldspars to kaolinite. The weathering index of Parker (WIP) values grouped the analysed clay samples into moderate to intense degree of weathering. This observation is confirmed by the absence of detrital feldspar in the XRD spectra peak. Factor analysis showed enrichment and depletion of major and trace elements which could be attributed to moderate to intense leaching conditions of the presumed parent material. The data shows explicit relationship between the clayeyness value (Al2O3/SiO2 ratio), the relative base loss (RBL) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed two groups of chemical differences amongst the elements in the clays; moderate and intense degree of weathered clays. Nevertheless, the variations in the degree of weathering or leaching process have greater contribution to clay deposits differentiation. Assessment of the industrial potential of the studied clay bodies based on their physical and chemical characteristics revealed that they are suitable for the production of refractory bricks and ceramics. Suitable processing would be compulsory if they are to meet the requirements for other industrial applications, such as rubber, paper, paint, cosmetics, and fertilizer industries. Keywords: Clay; Mineralogy; Physicochemical characteristics; Weathering indices; Pore water; Multivariable analysis; Igbara Odo Ekiti; Ikere Ekiti; Ado Ekiti

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4 (62.3 (55.1�70.8) million) to 6.4 (58.3 (47.6�70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization�s Global Nutrition Target of <5 in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2 (30 (22.8�38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0 (55.5 (44.8�67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic. © 2020, The Author(s)