Effect of using plant - Rosa-sinensis' extracts and Methyltestosterone in a fry diet for Oreochromis niloticus (L.)'s growth, survival and sex ratio

The effectiveness of plant extracts (PE) and Methyltestosterone (MI) for male production and growth promotion in Oreochromis niloticus were studied in concrete tanks for 60 days. Fry were fed at two feeding levels, initially 20% and later 10% of body weight dally with diet treated with 60mg/kg. Tilapia treated with MT for 60 days attained an average weight of 10.13~c1.32g, those treated with PE attained an average weight of 11.15~c0.55g compared to 6.95~c0.32g for untreated (control) fish reared under similar conditions. The percentage of males among the untreated tilapia was 39.28%, 68.75% for PE fed tilapia, more than 88.88% of the tilapia in MT treatment group were male. The experiments demonstrated that the anabolic and sex reversal effects of MT on tilapia are proportional to the duration of treatment and quantity of hormone administered Histological sections of the testes of fry fed MT and P E diets showed deformed, clustered, swollen nuclei. Higher concentrations of MT and PE can be used to control prolific breeding and increase yield in fish production

Uticaj oblika hrane i učestalosti hranjenja na priraste i korišćenje hranljivih materija kod mlađi afričkog soma Clarias gariepinus

Eksperiment u trajanju od 12 nedelja je sproveden da bi se ustanovila optimalna učestalost hranjenja i najbolji oblik hrane za postizanje dobrog prirasta i iskorišćenje hranljivih materija kod afričkog soma Clarias gariepinus. Tri grupe riba (prosečne mase 3.05+ 0.25g) su bile hranjene na nivou od 5% telesne mase plivajućim ili tonućim peletima sa različitom učestalošću (tri, dva ili jedan obrok na dan) u 2 x 3 faktorijalnom eksperimentu. Prosečni dnevni prirast i konzumiranje hrane kod riba nije bilo pod signifikantnim uticajem tipa hrane, međutim, ribe hranjene plivajućim peletima su imale nešto veći prirast u masi od onih koje su dobijale tonuće pelete. Prirast i konzumiranje hrane riba koje su hranjene dva ili tri puta na dan bili su signifikantno (P< 0.05) veći nego kod riba koje su hranjene samo jedan put. Učestalost hranjenja nije imala uticaj na iskorišćavanje hrane kod riba koje su dobijale tonuće pelete, ali su bile značajno (P< 0.05) pod uticajem kod riba koje su hranjene plivajućim peletima jednom na dan, u odnosu na češće davanje hrane. Učestalost hranjenja i oblik hrane nisu imali značajnog uticaja na udeo proteina u mesu riba. Značajne razlike (P< 0.05) su se ispoljile kod sadržaja lipida sa povećanjem broja hranjenja. Zaključak je, na osnovu iznetog, da je potrebno da se bilo koja forma hrane daje dva ili tri puta na dan kako bi se ostvarili optimalni rezultati u porastu C. gariepinus

Phytochemical and anthelmintic activity of Terminalia catappa (Linn) leaves

Helminthiases is one of the tropical neglected diseases (NTDs) caused by soil transmitted helminths (STHs). The development of resistance to anthelmintics was observed and so there is an urgent need to discover novel drugs. This study investigates the anthelmintic activity of the Terminalia catappa. Dried fallen leaves of the plant was extracted with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water using microwave assisted extraction (MAE). Anthelmintic activity of the crude extracts were investigated against Haemonchus concortus. Various concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each extract and Albendazole were tested in the egg hatch assay and larval mortality assay. The dichloromethane extract displayed the highest egg hatch inhibition percentage of 98.94% at 6.25mg/ml while the methanol extract showed the lowest inhibition of 95.77% at the same concentration. The dichloromethane extract also showed 100% larval reduction at a concentration of 12.5mg/ml after 3 days and 98.9% at the least concentration of 6.25mg/ml. The preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of various phytoconstituents in all the tested extract. This result confirm the use of Terminalia catappa by traditional healers for the treatment of worm infections.Keywords:  Terminalia catappa, Anthelmintic assay, Haemonchus concortus, Phytochemical screenin

Repair of spontaneous perineal laceration at delivery, a cultural taboo: a case report

Although genital trauma is a recognized maternal complication of vaginal birth, the presence of skilled birth attendants at delivery and judicious use of episiotomy has been shown to reduce this risk to the barest minimum. Prompt repair of these traumas averts the resultant complicationsthat may arise. A case of a booked 18-year-old nulliparous Guinea-Conakry woman with a  second-degree perineal tear who declined repairdue to a cultural reason is presented. The need for supervised delivery as well as immediate and long-term health implications of her decision isdiscussed.Keywords: Perineal laceration, Genital trauma,Skilled/unskilled birth attendant, vaginaldelivery/childbirth, custom, belief, haemorrhag

Investigation into the Behaviour of Polymer-Aggregate Concrete under Compressive Loading Condition

The problem of Housing deficit has been a major problem in Nigeria owing to the perennial hike in prices of building materials in which cement, sand and granite form the nucleus of the materials in the built industry; hence the need to research into local available materials that could replace the conventional materials used in concrete production. This paper investigated the behaviour of a polymer concretes using Reprocessed Pure Water Sachet (PWS) as binder, laterite and clay as aggregates in separate mixtures with polymer for possible replacement of conventional cement concrete in some areas of application. The polymer aggregate concretes were prepared by mixing Reprocessed PWS with laterite and clay differently in different polymer-aggregate percentage replacements by volume (50%-50%, 60%-40%, 70%-30%, and 80%-20%) after sieve analysis had been carried out on aggregate samples. Compressive strength test was carried out on all samples after 28 days of air drying. It was discovered that polymer aggregate concrete compresses under a small applied load ranging from an average of 1.13KN to 1.88KN; and the loss in weight/height was alarming as the polymer (Reprocessed PWS) content in the concrete mix increases. It was also discovered that, the more the polymer content the lower the compressive strength in both cases, that is, laterite and clay aggregates but higher values were recorded in laterite but still a far cry from average compressive strength of reinforced concrete. The compressive strength ranged from 3.0N/mm2-1.0N/mm2 (50%-50% to 80%-20%) for laterite aggregate and 1.0N/mm2-0.5N/mm2 for clay aggregate. However, it was observed that polymer aggregate concretes behaved in such a manner that, under compression process, the samples didn’t break as always in the case of conventional cement concrete but a loss in weight and height were recorded owing to solvent oozing out of samples under compression process. Keywords: Polymer Concrete (PC), Pure Water Sachet (PWS), Polymer-Aggregate, Sieve analysis, Compressive Strength

Investigation into Strength Properties of Polymer-Sand Aggregate Concrete

Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material formed by combining mineral aggregates such as sand or gravel with a monomer. This study investigated the strength properties of a polymer concrete using reprocessed Pure Water Sachet (PWS) as a binder and sharp sand as aggregate for possible replacement for conventional cement concrete in some areas of application. The polymer sand aggregate concrete was prepared by mixing reprocessed PWS with sand in different polymer-aggregate percentage replacements by volume (50%-50%, 60%-40%, 70%-30%, and 80%-20%) after sieve analysis had been carried out on the sand while the control specimen, that is, conventional cement concrete was prepared from a mix ratio of 1:2:4. Compressive strength test was carried out on all samples after 28 days curing in air and water for both polymer aggregate concrete and conventional cement concrete respectively. It was discovered that, the more the polymer (reprocessed PWS) content the lower the compressive strength. The compressive strength ranged from 2.0N/mm2-0.5N/mm2 (50%-50% to 80%-20%) at an average of 1.2N/mm2; but very low compared to conventional cement concrete strength as specified in BS 8110 1-1997. However, modifying cement formulations with polymers provides many important properties that make a variety of applications possible, including concrete patch and repair, decorative cement overlays, ceramic tile adhesives, and many others. Keywords: Polymer Concrete (PC), Pure Water Sachet (PWS), Polymer-Aggregate, Sieve analysis, Compressive Strength

Effects of locust bean (Parkia bigtobosa) effluent on the histology of Clarias gariepinus juveniles (Burchell 1822)

The poor nature of most Agricultural processing practices in Nigeria have had adverse effect on our environment, and our aquatic resources are of no exception. This study was conducted to ascertain the median lethal concentration of the effluent within the 96 hours period and also to ascertain the extent of damage on some of the histological characteristics of the Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Juveniles of the Clarias gariepinus (mean weight 30g) were exposed to varied concentrations of the locust bean effluent under the standard laboratory conditions. Data on mortality corresponding to the various concentrations were subjected to the probit and logit transformations and used to calculate the LC50 graphically. The result shows the toxicity of the locust bean effluent to Clarias gariepinus juveniles as 0.089mg/L (treatment 4) during the period of study. Exposure to both the acute and subletheal concentrations resulted in a number of physiological dysfunction of the test fish. Observation of the fish under the tests revealed unbalanced swimming patterns loss of reflex, rapid opercular movements and gasping for air. Histopathological examination of the gill and liver of the treated fish showed signs of damage, ranging from Hypoxia, lesions, necrosis, fibrosis cell stasis and hyperplasia at the sublethal levels

Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of Hybanthus enneaspermus and Paquetina nigricense

Phytochemical screening was carried out on aqueous leaf extracts of Hybanthus-enneaspermus [HE], Oldenlandia Carymbosa L [OL] and Paquetina-nigricense [PN], while antimicrobial screening was carried out on both methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of the two plants. The result revealed the presence of Alkaloids [Flavonoids, Cyanogenic-glycosides among others], Tannin and reducing substances. The antimicrobial results showed that methanolic and aqueous leaf extract of OL possessed antimicrobial and antifungal activity as it inhibited B. subtilis, Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus and Candida. The methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of PN, on the other hand also have similar effects like OL but at a different concentration. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the two plants extracts decreases with increasing shelf life. The plants are usually used for several reasons in antenatal care by  Traditional Birth attendants in South west Nigeria

Serum total IgG and tetanus specific IgG in Nigerian human immunodeficiency virus infected primigravidae and the cord blood of their babies at birth

Background: HIV infection affects millions of women and children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Tetanus also causes significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Since the main effect of HIV is immunosuppression, there is potential for a negative influence the host immune response to tetanus in women with HIV.Objective: This case-control study evaluated the effect of HIV infection on maternal tetanus antibody production and neonatal tetanus antibody levels.Methods: Thirty registered primigravidae were recruited from the clinic;15 were HIV positive and 15 were HIV negative. Serum samples of maternal and cord blood were obtained from both groups at delivery. Maternal total IgG and cord blood tetanus-specific antibody were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay.Results: There was no significant difference in the total IgG level of HIV positive mothers compared with HIV negative mothers. No significant difference in the tetanus-specific IgG level in the cord blood of babies of HIV positive mothers compared with cord blood of babies of the HIV negative mothers.Conclusion: HIV infection did not significantly reduce total IgG production in Nigerian primigravidae. Tetanus-specific IgG levels were above protective levels in neonates of HIV positive mothers suggesting adequate protection.Keywords: Tetanus, Antibody, Pregnancy, Immunisation, HI

Processing rodent brain tissues: review of basic anatomical techniques for scientists with minimal knowledge of neuroanatomy

An understanding of brain structure, how to harvest rodent brain samples and the various histological procedures to follow is imperative in conducting researches in neuroscience especially for beginners. The general brain aversion bias and complexity of studying the brain, poses a real challenge in identifying and understanding its anatomy either grossly or microscopically. Therefore, this review attempts to provide a basic explanation for researchers with little knowledge of neuroanatomy but are interested in processing brain tissues ranging from opening the skull of the rodents, harvesting freshly perfused or unperfused brain, weighing of the brain and identifying various landmarks on the brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebrum. This review further provides a clue to the various anatomical landmarks in the brain and the functional role each structure identified in such landmarks play. Since most of the brain cytoarchitecture is viewed microscopically, knowing the appropriate staining techniques that clearly show the desired brain cell or region in question is important in determining various neuropathologies as well as in conducting various pilot studies on the brain. This review therefore provides a solid foundation for researchers who are not too familiar with the brain but need to conduct various studies on it.Keywords: brain, histological procedures, anatomical landmarks, staining techniques, cytoarchitecture, fixatio