Utilization effects of substituting maize with graded levels of ripe and unripe banana (Musa sapientum) peels in the diet of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles

Six diets were produced using graded levels of banana peels (5 %, 10 % and 15 % for both ripe and unripe banana peels) which were compared with the controlled diet containing maize in the diet of C. gariepinus juveniles. Feeds were fed to triplicate groups of ten fish each to satiation twice daily for ten weeks. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in Mean Weight Gain (MWG) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) amongst the experimental diets. The control diet had the highest MWG (58.40~c 5.27g) and SGR (1.877~c 0.09 %) while the least values of MWG (25.03 g) and SGR (0.35 %) were recorded in Diet 3(15 % unripe banana peels). The Feed conversion ratio, Protein efficiency ratio and Protein intake recorded significant differences (P < 0.05) between the control and the experimental diets. Similarly, significant differences (P < 0.05) were recorded in Profit Index, Incidence of Cost and Economic Investment Cost Analysis between the control and experimental diets. Histometry analysis of fish organs equality recorded significant differences (P < 0.05) between the control and other test diets. Although the Control diet had the best growth performance, it recorded the least profit index (1.87) while Diet 2 (10 % ripe banana) had the highest Profit Index (3.11). Hence, graded levels of plantain peel is a profitable alternative energy source for partial replacement of maize up to 10 % ripe and unripe banana peels in diet of C. gariepinus

Proteinaceous diet inhibits gossypol-induced spermatotoxicity

The present work was designed to investigate the effect of a proteinous dietary supplement, fishmeal, on gossypol – induced spermatotoxicity. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats, averaging 205g, were randomly sorted into four experimental groups (I – IV) of 5 animals each, and a control group. Crude cottonseed oil was administered orally to each animal in groups I – IV at a rate that provided 14mg/kg/d free gossypol; besides, 3g/d, 7g/d, and 10g/d of fishmeal was provided as meal supplement to each animal in groups I, II and III respectively. The control group received rat pellets and water freely. At the end of the 53 – day treatment period, all animals were placed under chloroform anaesthesia; the caudal epididymides were removed, minced and placed in Ham’s F10 solution for the evaluation of sperm count and motility. The testes were also processed for histological studies using the eosin and haemetoxylin (H & E) method. Our findings revealed a dose – dependent inhibition of gossypol – induced spermatotoxicity by the supplemented fishmeal; this suggests that proteinous diets are protective against gossypol – induced male infertility

Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita in selected groundnut varieties and its management with aqueous leaf extracts of wild sage (Lantana camara L.) and locust bean (Parkia biglobosa Jacq.)

Meloidogyne incognita, on four groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties. The efficacy aqueous leaf extracts of Lantana camara and Parkia biglobosa in the management of M. incognita infecting the groundnut varieties was also investigated. A preliminary study was first carried out from November 2014 – January 2015 in a screen house to access the pathogenicity of M. incognita on the four varieties of groundnut. Results obtained from soil and root nematode population led to field trials which involved the management of M. incognita using botanicals. The field experiment which was a 4x3 factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) commenced in August, 2015. The effects of treatment on plants’ height, number of leaves, weight of fruits and on the population of root and soil nematodes were determined. Phytochemical screening of the active components in the test plant extracts was also conducted. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD. Results from the study revealed that the growth parameters, yields and nematode population were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) for the treatment combinations of L. camara and P. biglobosa than the control L. camara leaves extract at 100% performed better than P. biglobosa with respect to all the data measured. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, tannin, flavonoids, phenol and glycosides as the active chemical components in the test plants. This bio–active components were responsible for the nematotoxic effect of the leaf extracts. However results indicate that both aqueous extracts of L. camara and P. biglobosa can be used to manage the root-knot nematodes and increase the yield of groundnut without any toxic effects on the plants.Keywords: Lantana camara, Parkia biglobosa, Meloidogyne incognita, Aqueous leaf extract and Pathogenicit

Serum ferritin levels in adults with sickle cell disease in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Serum ferritin is considered to be one of the most important tools in the measurement of iron balance in steady-state sickle cell disease. Increased gastrointestinal absorption of iron has been reported in sickle cell disease because of the associated chronic hemolysis, and it is also thought that repeated red cell transfusion consequent to chronic hemolysis and anemia causes excessive iron levels. The aim of this study was to determine overall and gender-specific mean ferritin levels in patients with steady-state sickle cell disease in order to establish the prevalence of iron deficiency and overload. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in homozygous patients with sickle cell disease attending the sickle cell clinic at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. A 5 mL blood sample was collected in plain bottles from consenting participants during steady-state periods. The serum was separated and analyzed for ferritin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Another 5 mL sample was collected for a full blood count, done on the same day of collection, to determine red blood cell indices, ie, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The Pearson Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. The differences were considered to be statistically significant when P was <0.05. Results: In total, 103 patients were recruited for this study and comprised 58 women (56.40%) and 45 men (43.70%). The overall mean ferritin concentration was 93.72 ± 92.24 ng/mL. The mean ferritin concentration in the women was 92.00 ± 88.07 ng/mL and in men was 96.41 ± 99.80 ng/mL. Only eight (7.76%) of the 103 patients had a serum ferritin level 300 ng/mL. Ninety-three subjects (90.29%) had serum ferritin within the normal reference range of 15–300 ng/mL. Conclusion: In this study, 90% of subjects with sickle cell disease had normal iron stores; serum ferritin was higher in men than in women, and iron deficiency was more common than overload in the disease

Physiological, endocrinological and environmental determinants of female infertility in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Female infertility has become a fundamental health and social issue globally. A number of factors have been reported to contribute to this condition. In-vitro fertilization (IVF), a major technique used in tackling infertility has experienced relatively low success rate. Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between physiological, endocrinological, environmental factor and infertility among Nigerian infertile women. Methods: Infertile women (n=190) from five fertility&nbsp; clinics in Lagos, Nigeria were recruited. Structured&nbsp; self-administered questionnaires were&nbsp; distributed to&nbsp; the participants to obtain their physiological parameters such as age, blood group, rhesus factor&nbsp; and genotype. Blood samples of the participants were collected and analyzed for the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). The heavy metals levels in the blood samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results: Participants of the oldest age group (51 – 55 years) had elevated levels of the reproductive hormones compared to other age groups while participants with blood group A showed higher level of PRLcompared to other blood groups, whereas the levels of FSH and LH were higher in blood group O compared to other groups. Participants with the heterozygous genotype AS had higher basal level of PRLand LH, while participants with the homozygous genotype AA showed a higher basal level of FSH. The basal levels of the three reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and PRL) were higher in participants with rhesus negative when compared to those with rhesus positive. However, the variation in the hormone levels, blood groups and Rhesus factor were not significantly different (p&lt;0.05) among the various participant groups. Nevertheless, heavy metals which include lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury were detected in blood samples of the participants. Conclusion: Therefore, present study showed no association between blood group, genotype, Rhesus factor and infertility nor possible IVF outcome but it established that age and heavy metals may affect fertility via an imbalance in the basal levels of reproductive hormones

An Overview of Chitosan Nanofibers and their Applications in the Drug Delivery Process

Chitosan is a polycationic natural polymer which is abundant in nature. Chitosan has gained much attention as natural polymer in the biomedical field. The up to date drug delivery as well as the nanotechnology in controlled release of drugs from chitosan nanofibers are focused in this review. Electrospinning is one of the most established and widely used techniques for preparing nanofibers. This method is versatile and efficient for the production of continuous nanofibers. The chitosan-based nanofibers are emerging materials in the arena of biomaterials. Recent studies revealed that various drugs such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, proteins and anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs were successfully loaded onto electrospun nanofibers. Chitosan nanofibers have several outstanding properties for different significant pharmaceutical applications such as wound dressing, tissue engineering, enzyme immobilization, and drug delivery systems. This review highlights different issues of chitosan nanofibers in drug delivery applications, starting from the preparation of chitosan nanofibers, followed by giving an idea about the biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofibers, then describing how to load the drug into the nanofibers. Finally, the major applications of chitosan nanofibers in drug delivery systems