Effect of drying methods on the chemical composition of three species of fish (Bonga spp., Sardinella spp. and Heterotis niloticus)

Three methods of drying (oven, sun and smoke) were used to dry Bonga spp., Sardinella spp. and Heterotis niloticus. The physico-chemical and minerals contents of the sample were determined using standard methods. Oven dried H. niloticus recorded the highest (16.42%) moisture content while the least moisture content 9.27% were obtained in oven-dried and sun-dried Sardinella sp. Highest protein content (51.06%) was found in sundried Sardinella sp., while the highest and the least fat value of 60.36% and 12.13% were recorded for smoke-dried and sun-dried H. niloticus, respectively. Banga sp. have the highest ash content of all the fish evaluated for proximate composition. The highest value of the major elements were obtained in this decreasing order K > Na > Mg > Ca in Sardinella sp. (ovendried) H. niloticus (sun-dried) H. niloticus (smoke-dried) and Sardinella sp. (oven-dried). The highest value of major element K (250 mg), Na (218 mg), Mg (183 mg) and Ca (150 mg) were obtained inSardinella sp. (oven-dried), H. niloticus (sun-dried), H. niloticus (smoke-dried) and Sardinella sp. (oven-dried), respectively. Zinc had the highest value of all the trace elements determined while Copper had the least value. Smoke-dried and oven-dried sample were found most palatable by the panellists, while the ones with most attractive colour were smoke-dried samples

Purification and characterization of cellulase from the wild-type and two improved mutants of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Cellulases from the wild-type (WT) and two improved mutants (catabolite repression resistant mutant 4 and 24, abbreviated CRRmt4 and CRRmt24, respectively) of Pseudomonas fluorescens were purified to apparent homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-50 and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Purification fold of about 5 was obtained for the WT and CRRmt24 while purification fold of about 7 was achieved for CRRmt4 by ammonium sulphate precipitation. Ion exchange chromatography gave purification fold of about 24, 22 and 25 for WT, CRRmt4 and CRRmt24, respectively. Gel filtration chromatography step yielded a homogeneous preparation with a specific activity of 6.8, 5.9 and 6.9 units/mg protein for the WT, CRRmt4and CRRmt24, respectively. The purified cellulase gave a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of the three cellulases were estimated to be 36, 26 and 36 kDa for the wild-type,CRRmt4 and CRRmt24, respectively. Km values of 3.6, 3.1, and 5.3 mg/ml were obtained for the wild-type, CRRmt4 and CRRmt24, respectively. The optimum pH value for the purified cellulases was 6.5 – 7.0 andthe enzymes were optimally active at temperature of 35°C. The activities of the purified cellulases were stimulated by low concentrations (10-30 mM) of Na+ and Mg++ while EDTA was found to inhibit enzyme activity at all concentrations

Premature rupture of membranes at term: immediate induction of labor versus expectant management

Objective: To compare the maternal outcomes of immediate induction of labor with expectant management in women presenting with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term.Methods: One hundred and fifty two women with PROM at term were randomized into either immediate induction of labor with oxytocin or expectant management for a period of 12 hours. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of clinical endometritis in each group. Secondary outcomes were the mode of delivery, the neonatal outcome and the proportion of women in the expectant management group that progressed to spontaneous labor.Results: The immediate induction arm had a lower caesarean section rate, (7.9% vs 28.9%, P=0.001), higher spontaneous vaginal delivery rate (92.1% vs 71.1%; P=0.001) and lower incidence of clinical endometritis (0% vs 5.3%, P=0.006), when compared with the expectant management arm. The estimated duration of labor was shorter in the expectant management arm (8.9±2.17hours vs 10.6±2.35hours; P=<0.001). Neonatal morbidity rates were comparable in both groups.Conclusion: Immediate induction of labor in women with PROM at term resulted in significantly lower rate of infectious morbidity without increasing the risk of operative delivery. It is therefore recommended as the management option of choice.Keywords: Premature rupture of membranes, induction of labor, endometriti

Psychological complications of childhood chronic physical illness in Nigerian children and their mothers: the implication for developing pediatric liaison services

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pediatric liaison services attending to the psychological health needs of children with chronic physical illness are limited or virtually non-existent in Nigeria and most sub-Saharan African countries, and psychological problems complicate chronic physical illness in these children and their mothers. There exist needs to bring into focus the public health importance of developing liaison services to meet the psychological health needs of children who suffer from chronic physical illness in this environment. Sickle cell disease (SCD) and juvenile diabetes mellitus (JDM) are among the most common chronic physical health conditions in Nigerian children. This study compared the prevalence and pattern of emotional disorders and suicidal behavior among Nigerian children with SCD, JDM and a group of healthy children. Psychological distress in the mothers of these children that suffer chronic physical illness was also compared with psychological distress in mothers of healthy control children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty-five children aged 9 to 17 years were selected for each group of SCD, JDM and controls. The SCD and JDM groups were selected by consecutive clinic attendance and the healthy children who met the inclusion criteria were selected from neighboring schools. The Youth version of the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version IV (C- DISC- IV) was used to assess for diagnosis of emotional disorders in these children. Twelve-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ – 12) was used to assess for psychological distress in mothers of these children and healthy control children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Children with JDM were significantly more likely to experience DSM – IV emotional disorders than children with SCD and the healthy group (p = 0.005), while children with JDM and SCD were more likely to have 'intermediate diagnoses' of emotional disorders (p = 0.0024). Children with SCD and JDM had higher rates of suicidal ideation when compared to healthy control children and a higher prevalence of maternal psychological distress was found in their mothers when compared to the mothers of healthy children (p = 0.035).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The higher prevalence of emotional disorders and suicidal ideation among children with SCD and JDM points to a need for development of liaison services in pediatric facilities caring for children with chronic physical illness to ensure holistic approach to their care. The proposed liaison services would also be able to provide family support interventions that would address the psychological distress experienced by the mothers of these children.</p

Epidemiology of external birth defects in neonates in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: There is paucity of information on the prevalence of birth defects in Nigeria, particularly in our setting. This study determined the epidemiology of external congenital anomalies in Southwest Nigerian children. Patients and Methods: This was a stratifi ed, randomized study of neonates presenting with external birth defects in Ife-Ijesha in Southwestern Nigeria, from August 2003 to July 2004. The neonates were screened for obvious congenital malformations by thorough physical examination. Results: A total of 624 neonates were screened, 43 (6.9%) of whom had external birth defects (prevalence: 3.7 ± 0.8% SD). There was a slight male preponderance (M: F= 1.4: 0.9). The overall prevalence rates of external congenital and major anomalies in Ife- Ijesa are 6.9 and 3.7% respectively. A higher prevalence for major malformations, 6.3%, was also found within the minority ethnic groups in these communities compared to the native majority. Musculoskeletal abnormalities are the most common anomaly, followed by those of abnormal external genitalia and head defects. Conclusion: Major malformations are more common amongst the minority settlers in this study, and musculoskeletal abnormalities were the most prevalent Keywords: Birth defects, epidemiology, neonates, NigeriaAfrican Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 6 (1) 2009: pp. 28-3

Tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism, TNF-238 is associated with severe clinical outcome of falciparum malaria in Ibadan southwest Nigeria

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) – α has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of falciparum malaria. Two TNF promoter polymorphisms, TNF-308 and TNF-238 have been associated with differential activity and production of TNF. In order to investigate the association between TNF-308 and TNF-238 and the clinical outcome of malaria in a Nigerian population, the two TNF polymorphisms were analysed using Sequenom iPLEX Platform. A total of 782 children; 283 children with uncomplicated malaria, 255 children with severe malaria and 244 children with asymptomatic infection (controls) were studied. The distribution of TNF-308 and TNF-238 genotypes were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Distribution of both TNF polymorphisms differed significantly across all clinical groups (TNF-308: p = 0.007; TNF-238: p = 0.001). Further tests for association with severe malaria using genotype models controlling for age, parasitaemia and HbAS showed a significant association of the TNF-238 polymorphism with susceptibility to severe malaria (95% CI = 1.43–6.02, OR = 2.94, p = 0.003237) The GG genotype of TNF-238 significantly increased the risk of developing cerebral malaria from asymptomatic malaria and uncomplicated malaria (95% CI = 1.99–18.17, OR = 6.02, p < 0.001 and 95% CI = 1.78–8.23, OR = 3.84, p < 0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between TNF-308 and malaria outcome. These results show thegenetic association of TNF-238 in the clinical outcome of malaria in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. These findings add support to the role of TNF in the outcome of malaria infection. Further large scale studies across multiple malaria endemic populations will be required to determine the specific roles of TNF-308 and TNF-238 in the outcome of falciparum malaria infection

Tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism, TNF-238 is associated with severe clinical outcome of falciparum malaria in Ibadan southwest Nigeria

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) – α has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of falciparum malaria. Two TNF promoter polymorphisms, TNF-308 and TNF-238 have been associated with differential activity and production of TNF. In order to investigate the association between TNF-308 and TNF-238 and the clinical outcome of malaria in a Nigerian population, the two TNF polymorphisms were analysed using Sequenom iPLEX Platform. A total of 782 children; 283 children with uncomplicated malaria, 255 children with severe malaria and 244 children with asymptomatic infection (controls) were studied. The distribution of TNF-308 and TNF-238 genotypes were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Distribution of both TNF polymorphisms differed significantly across all clinical groups (TNF-308: p = 0.007; TNF-238: p = 0.001). Further tests for association with severe malaria using genotype models controlling for age, parasitaemia and HbAS showed a significant association of the TNF-238 polymorphism with susceptibility to severe malaria (95% CI = 1.43–6.02, OR = 2.94, p = 0.003237) The GG genotype of TNF-238 significantly increased the risk of developing cerebral malaria from asymptomatic malaria and uncomplicated malaria (95% CI = 1.99–18.17, OR = 6.02, p &lt; 0.001 and 95% CI = 1.78–8.23, OR = 3.84, p &lt; 0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between TNF-308 and malaria outcome. These results show thegenetic association of TNF-238 in the clinical outcome of malaria in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. These findings add support to the role of TNF in the outcome of malaria infection. Further large scale studies across multiple malaria endemic populations will be required to determine the specific roles of TNF-308 and TNF-238 in the outcome of falciparum malaria infection

Frequency of sickle cell genotype among the Yorubas in Lagos: implications for the level of awareness and genetic counseling for sickle cell disease in Nigeria

The frequency of sickle cell genotype (HbSHbS) among the Yorubas living in Lagos, Nigeria, was determined. Seven hundred fifteen (715) subjects of different age groups took part in the study after filling consent forms and questionnaires. The haemoglobin genotype of each subject was determined by the usual electophoretic method from blood sample (3.0 ml) obtained from the antecubital vein. Normal and sickle cell haemoglobin genotypes were detected in subjects within the age group 1–50 years such that 366 (73.1%) had HbAHbA genotype, 123(24.5%) had HbAHbS, while 12 (2.4%) had HbSHbS giving genotypic frequencies that were not significantly different from Hardy–Weinberg expectations (P > 0.05). More than half (58.3%) of the subjects with the HbSHbS were in the 11–30 years age group. The results of this study showed that there is need for more awareness campaign and proper genetic counselling about sickle cell disease in Nigeria. This is particularly so for adolescents since they are likely to constitute the majority of intending couples and, therefore, those that will produce genes that will make up the gene pool for future generations. In situations where pregnancy had occurred before the actual marriage (as is sometimes the case), the importance of proper prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling for sickle cell disorder cannot be overemphasized