Quality assessment and potential utilization of high amylolytic Nigerian maize cultivars

This study was carried out to compare the qualities of two acclaimed Nigerian amylolytic maize cultivars; SPMAT and TZEE*TZEE-W*DEMARSCUS*TZEE-W with barley, red and white sorghum. Results obtained (P ≥ 0.05) showed marked differences in the properties of the two maize cultivars compared to barley, white and red sorghums. Suggestions on the application of these cultivars were discussed based on our findings

Managing the Sustainable Ecosystems Across the Globe: An Analysis of the United States of America’s Initiative Towards the Production of Climate Smart Fertilizer as a Solution to World Food Insecurity

The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic occurrence in various aspects of society is undeniable. One aspect of this is the increasing number of food-insecure nations globally (FAO, 2022), these incidents have had a damaging impact on a key sustainable development goal (SDG) of the United Nations (UN) on reducing global hunger by the year 2030 (FAO, 2021). It is estimated that 1 in 3 people do not have access to affordable and nutritious food, whereas energy prices, fertilizer prices, and food prices continue to increase causing significant distress to mostly affect poorer countries of the world (World Bank Group, 2022). This dire situation calls for concern and urgent attention for resolution because the United States (US) as a major player in the global agricultural trade has a moral duty to support optimized agricultural yield and quality that strengthen global food security (The White House, 2022). The ability to produce climate-smart fertilizers that boost productivity with minimal or no environmental damage will likely position the United States as a leader in managing sustainable ecosystems, thereby achieving the thirteenth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) - Climate Action. Consequently, building the ability to (1) "promote improved access to climate-smart and sustainable fertilizers" and (2) "enable/increase global food security" is essential (UN,2015; White House, 2022). We believe that the United States, with its advanced proprietary technologies, global supply chain systems, and market networks, is capable of resolving the growing issues of food protectionism that impede the export of agricultural produce to meet domestic demand (Espitia et al., 2020) and successfully repositioning as a leading producer and exporter of climate-smart and sustainable fertilizers (Goedde et al., 2020; Pingali, 2012) while increasing her income. Allocating part of the $19.5 billion conservation funds to drive climate-smart agriculture through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will go a long way to develop the production of climate-smart and sustainable fertilizers that helps to reduce global food insecurity (USDA, 2022).  This paper presents analytical insights on how the US can take on the challenge of producing and exporting sustainable and climate-smart fertilizers to help decrease global food insecurity while keeping the environment safe and maintaining its position as a key contributor to ensuring global food security. Keywords: Climate Smart Agriculture, Climate-Smart Fertilizers, Sustainable Agriculture, Food security. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-2-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Comparative pesticidal activity of dichloromethane extracts of Piper nigrum against Sitophilus zeamais and Callosobruchus maculatus

Piperine a clinically established pesticide was investigated in the seeds, fruit and leaves of Piper nigrum. The dichloromethane extracts obtained from the parts of the plant were analysed through ThinLayer Chromatography (TLC) using silica gel-GF 254 impregnated aluminium plate and various solvent system consisting of chloroform : methanol (8:2), (6:4), ethyl acetate : methanol (9:1), and acetone :hexane (6:4) mixtures showing Rf value of 0.95 corresponding to the standard piperine. In all parts of the plants investigated, acetone : hexane solvent system showed distinct Rf value of 0.95corresponding to the standard piperine. 0.289 mg/ml, 0.578, 0.868, 1.16 and 1.45 mg/ml concentration of dichloromethane seed extracts were used to carry out the pesticidal activities on both pests. Theresults showed that mortality rate on both pests are directly proportional to each equivalent concentration of piperine in the extracts. Pesticidal potency on Sitophilus zeamais was significantlyhigher (

Lymphomas of the female genital tract in Ibadan

Context: Female genital tract cancers are second only to breast malignancies. Cervical cancer is the commonest while epithelial cancers constitute the major histologic type. Lymphoid neoplasms are extremely rare, with the Burkitt's variety accounting for majority of cases seen in the African female.Objective: This is a review of the obstetric/gynaecological patients seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan between 1976 and 2005, predating the commencement of a nationwide research into non – Hodgkin's lymphoma funded by the Aboderin Foundation.Study Design: Records of subjects were analysed for their  sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics, recruiting only those who satisfy the criteria for diagnosing genital tract lymphomas according to Kosari et al1. Retrievable archival paraffin blocks of subjects were also analysed using immunophenotyping.Results: Fifteen cases were identified within the study period; the highest yearly incidence rate being 3 in 1977. In eighteen of the years studied no cases were seen. Most cases (80.0%) occurred in the ovaries. Eighty percent (12) of patients were 25 years or below and nulliparas and grandmultiparas formed 46.7 and 13.4% respectively. Unilateral orbilateral oophorectomy was the commonest surgical procedure (53.3%) while 20.0% had total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingoophorectomy. Data were unavailable concerning use of adjuvanttherapy and outcome of treatment. Four archival paraffin blocks were available for immunophenotyping using the affordable panel of CD20, CD10 and Bcl – 2 antibodies; all were Burkitt's lymphoma.Conclusion: Female genital lymphomas are very rare, affecting the young and nulliparous. The Burkitt's type is commonest

Enzyme-related aflatoxin production in vital organs of rats fed with Aspergillus species- inoculated rat chow

Wister strain Albino rats were fed with 40 mL distilled water and 20g of rat chow inoculated with Aspergillus tamarii Kita IMI 393765 and Aspergillus flavus Link IMI 393766 daily for 7 days. A progressive weight loss and reduced sluggishness accompanied very high activity at OD 540 of hepato-specific enzymes-Glutamate oxalate transaminase and Glutamate pyruvate transaminase in the heart and kidney of rats having continuous 7-day contact with Aspergillus flavus. Statistical analyses revealed significance at 0.05 % level of probability. A corresponding high aflatoxin level (above 20 ppb) was also determined in all the vital organs. Both enzyme and aflatoxin levels were comparatively lower in the liver and perforations were recorded in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to content leakage. Lower values, though higher than the control, were recorded in those fed on Aspergillus tamarii-inoculated rat chow, which also experienced no GI tract damage

Occurrence of 30 trace elements in foods from a multi-centre Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study: Focus on Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb

International audienceThis paper reports occurrence data related to 30 trace elements in food composite samples from a multi-regional Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study. Herein, 2700 samples grouped in 225 food composite samples corresponding to 13 food groups: cereals, tubers, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds, meat, eggs, fish, milk/dairy, oil/fats, and beverages from eight locations in four countries, namely Benin (Littoral/Borgou), Cameroon (Duala/North), Mali (Bamako/Sikasso), and Nigeria (Lagos/Kano) were prepared as consumed, pooled, and analysed using a validated method based on inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The occurrence data for Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb as regulated by the Codex Alimentarius are discussed herein. Although the levels of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were above the limit of quantification, they were below the maximum limits set by the Codex in most samples analysed. A distinct feature was observed for cereals and tubers, as they were mostly contaminated with Al and Pb. A pilot study regarding the impact of using artisanal cookware (made from recycled aluminium) on the contamination of food samples was performed. Relevant contamination with Al and Pb when cooking tomato samples from Cameroon and Nigeria using artisanal aluminium cookware was compared to that when cooked using stainless-steel

Aqueous extract of Carica papaya Linn. roots potentially attenuates arsenic induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats

In Africa, the fruit, leaf, seed and roots of Carica papaya Linn. are generally used to treat a variety of diseases such as malaria, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the protective potentials of aqueous extract of C. papaya roots on arsenic-induced biochemical and genotoxic effects in Wistar rats. Rats were induced intraperitoneal with sodium arsenate (dissolved in distilled water at 3 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days and the animals were administered simultaneously with 200 mg/kg body weight vitamin C, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of the C. papaya Linn. root aqueous extract once daily for three weeks. Results obtained reveals that activities of plasma 8-OHdG, serum lipids concentration, atherogenic index (AI), coronary artery index (CRI), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin levels were elevated significantly (p < 0.05) and catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma hematological profile were progressively reduced (p < 0.05) in arsenic-alone exposed rats. Significant increase in the quantity of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN) frequency, oxidative damages in the bone marrow cells from arsenic alone rats was observed. Though, mitotic index scores in these cells were progressively reduced (p < 0.05). In animals administered with aqueous extract of C. papaya roots and vitamin C, the altered parameters were significantly recovered towards the levels observed in normal control rats. These results suggest that aqueous C. papaya roots preparations might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in arsenic poisoning

Assessing exclusive breastfeeding practices, dietary intakes and body mass index (BMI) of nursing mothers in Ekiti State of Nigeria

Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the infants. The benefits of breastfeeding practices to infants and mothers are well documented. However, information on breastfeeding practices and its effect on body mass index (BMI) of mothers are scarce, particularly in Ekiti State of Nigeria. Therefore, the present study is designed to assess breastfeeding practices and its association with BMI of mothers. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among breastfeeding mothers that attended postnatal clinic of the state specialist hospitals and maternity centers in the study location. The specialist hospital and two-third of the nine maternity centers were purposively selected because of their health facilities and personnel. The mother-child pairs (200 respondents) were randomly selected from the study locations. Information on demographic characteristic, socio-economic parameters, nutritional knowledge of breastfeeding and dietary intakes of mothers were collected using questionnaires. BMI of mothers was determined as described by World Health Organization. Age distribution of mothers was between 25-34 years; and almost half of respondents had good educational background and were engaged in different occupations. The respondent monthly income ranged between = N = 3500 - 26000 ($26.92 -$200); and their dietary intakes varied between starchy and protein-based food. The result also showed that the respondent consumed enough nutrients to meet up the recommended daily allowance for protein, carbohydrate, fat, zinc, magnesium, sodium and phosphorous requirements. The BMI classifications showed that over three-fifth of respondents were normal, while the remaining were underweight (6%) and overweight/obese (26.5%). Also, large proportion of respondents engaged in exclusive breastfeeding and with good knowledge of breastfeeding practices. Statistically, exclusive breastfeeding practices had no correlation between the BMI and frequency of breastfeeding. The study, therefore, concluded that mothers had good knowledge of breastfeeding practice; and that there was no association between breastfeeding practices and BMI

Clients' reasons for prenatal ultrasonography in Ibadan, South West of Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prenatal ultrasonography has remained a universal tool but little is known especially from developing countries on clients' reasons for desiring it. Then aim was to determine the reasons why pregnant women will desire a prenatal ultrasound.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a cross-sectional survey of consecutive 222 women at 2 different ultrasonography facilities in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of the respondents was 30.1 ± 4.5 years. The commonest reason for requesting for prenatal ultrasound scans was to check for fetal viability in 144 women (64.7%) of the respondents, followed by fetal gender determination in 50 women (22.6%. Other reasons were to check for number of fetuses, fetal age and placental location. Factors such as younger age, artisans profession and low level of education significantly influenced the decision to check for fetal viability on bivariate analysis but all were not significant on multivariate analysis. Concerning fetal gender determination, older age, Christianity, occupation and gravidity were significant on bivariate analysis, however, only gravidity and occupation remained significant independent predictor on logistic regression model. Women with less than 3 previous pregnancies were about 4 times more likely to request for fetal sex determination than women with more than 3 previous pregnancies, (OR 3.8 95%CI 1.52 – 9.44). The professionals were 7 times more likely than the artisans to request to find out about their fetal sex, (OR 7.0 95%CI 1.47 – 333.20).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study shows that Nigerian pregnant women desired prenatal ultrasonography mostly for fetal viability, followed by fetal gender determination. These preferences were influenced by their biosocial variables.</p

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely